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Bucatini carbonara, egg yolk, pancetta - Cello Italian Restaurant - Howell, Howell, MI

Cello Italian Restaurant - Howell

4.8 (743)
$30 and under
Italian
209 East Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843-2253

Make a reservation

A photo of Cello Italian Restaurant - Howell restaurant

Cello Italian Restaurant - Howell

4.8
$30 and under
Italian
Howell

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 16 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
Cello Italian Restaurant in downtown Howell’s National Historic District is a modern Italian destination where authentic cuisine meets approachable elegance. Chef/Owner Adam Merkel has created an intimate space featuring handmade pasta crafted daily and signature housemade limoncellos.

Our menu is designed for sharing. Signature favorites include Wild Mushroom Gnocchi, Lemon Spaghetti with Shrimp, and our famous warm Carrot Cake. Each dish showcases fresh ingredients served family-style for a memorable experience.

Outdoor patio seating offers front-row views of downtown Howell’s vibrant happenings, including summer festivals and Concerts at the Courthouse held steps away at the historic Livingston County Courthouse.

Nominated for Best Italian Restaurant in Livingston County, Cello delivers authentic Italian cuisine and community warmth in every plate making it the perfect for date nights, family celebrations, and memorable gatherings.

Arrivederci! – Chef/Owner Adam Merkel

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Contemporary Italian, Wine Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Wed, Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 2:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Adam Merkel
  • Private party facilities
    Celebrate with authentic Italian family-style dining. Private space for 10-50 guests featuring handmade pasta, house-made limoncello, and customizable menus. Perfect for rehearsal dinners, birthdays, anniversaries, corporate events, and family gatherings. Contact: (517) 548-7200 or eat@merkelresaurants.com
  • Neighborhood
    Howell
  • Cross street
    S Court Street (Downtown Howell Historic District)
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Downtown Howell location with convenient access. Free street parking is available throughout the downtown district. Municipal parking lots within 1-2 blocks. Walkable downtown area with shops, galleries, and dining. Easily accessible from I-96 (exit 137), 5 minutes from the highway. Ample parking for groups and families.
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Italian Island Wine Dinner

    $125.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Jun 9, 2026 only
    6:30 PM
    Experience a taste of the islands with this light, summer themed 5 course dinner. Each course will be paired with wine selected by John Rodriguez from Veritas.
    Italian Island Wine Dinner Photo

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

What 743 people are saying

Cello Italian Restaurant - Howell reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Detroit / Eastern Michigan

    Best Service

  • Detroit / Eastern Michigan

    Italian

  • Detroit

    Best Service

  • Detroit

    Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Cello Italian Restaurant in Howell shines with "outstanding service" and "delicious" food. Guests rave about the "creamy limoncello" and gluten-free options. With a "cozy atmosphere" and "fantastic" pasta, it's perfect for special occasions. The attentive staff, including standout servers like Emily and Courtney, enhance the dining experience.
743 Reviews
  1. Guy

    Detroit3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    10/10 as always, end with the creamy lemon cello every time!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Carolyn

    Detroit1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 24, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was delicious! I got the gf shrimp scampi, limoncello martini & gf carrot cake. Excellent!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Janelle

    Grand Rapids3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 23, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Second time there and the food and service were top notch again! Highly recommend for nice night out!

    Is this helpful?

  4. GaryN

    Nashville2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 22, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As usual, the food was fantastic, the drinks were divine, the service was top notch and the carrot cake was to die for!! We invited friends for their first visit, and they will be back!!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Lisa

    Detroit4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 17, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Cello had awesome food and drinks. We will be back!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Linda

    Detroit2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 17, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Came here to celebrate a birthday. Food was exceptional and servings were large. They offered a complimentary dessert to celebrate the birthday. Our server, Flynn, was OUTSTANDING!

    Is this helpful?

  7. jen

    Detroit1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 16, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    5 Start Service, our server was fantastic and so was the food!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Wendy & Dave

    Detroit2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 16, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always an incredible dining experience at Cellos. Food and service were on point.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Barbara

    Detroit1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 10, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always, great food and service. Highly recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Sue

    Detroit2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 10, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food is divine!! Emily is a wonderful waitress and we plan on going back.

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Contemporary Italian, Wine Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Wed, Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 2:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Adam Merkel
  • Private party facilities
    Celebrate with authentic Italian family-style dining. Private space for 10-50 guests featuring handmade pasta, house-made limoncello, and customizable menus. Perfect for rehearsal dinners, birthdays, anniversaries, corporate events, and family gatherings. Contact: (517) 548-7200 or eat@merkelresaurants.com
  • Neighborhood
    Howell
  • Cross street
    S Court Street (Downtown Howell Historic District)
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Downtown Howell location with convenient access. Free street parking is available throughout the downtown district. Municipal parking lots within 1-2 blocks. Walkable downtown area with shops, galleries, and dining. Easily accessible from I-96 (exit 137), 5 minutes from the highway. Ample parking for groups and families.
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Detroit / Eastern Michigan
  4. Detroit
  5. Howell

Make a reservation

A photo of Cello Italian Restaurant - Howell restaurant

Cello Italian Restaurant - Howell

4.8
$30 and under
Italian
Howell

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 16 times today
Experiences are available.
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