Caffé Buondí

11529 Spring Mill Rd #250, Carmel

At Caffé Buondí, “a good day starts in the morning,” says Andrea Melani, owner of the bright bistro in southwest Carmel. With a modern European flair, Melani and his team serve a bountiful array of handcrafted Lavazza espresso drinks, a selection of cocktails and fizzy, fruity mimosas, scratch-made pastries and an artisanal menu rooted in Italian tradition.

Buondí Creations, the signature dishes that stand out among traditional brunch items, are at the heart of the menu here. Several freshly added items are making an appearance here this spring, including two new savory crepes: the Nuvolari and the Niki—a favorite featuring Fischer Farms short ribs, veggies, brie and horseradish mayo. The Sivori, a new toast on the menu, is also topped with the Fischer Farms short ribs, a local favorite. On the sweeter side, waffles and crepes are made to order. Formerly a popular special, Cinnamon Roll Pancakes served with cream cheese icing and powdered sugar now grace the menu. And if a light lunch is your style, the Salmone e Avocado with feta, olives and balsamic vinaigrette is a refreshing way to fuel your day.

The menu, like the space, is full of energy, as is Melani himself, who also owns and operates Convivio Italian Artisan Cuisine next door. An avid motorsports and auto-racing fan, many of the dishes are named for race car drivers. This spring, Caffé Buondí is even sponsoring IndyCar driver Benjamin Pederson, a rookie taking on the Indianapolis 500 in May.

For more information visit caffebuondi.com and follow @indycaffebuondi on Instagram.

At Caffé Buondí, creative signature dishes stand out among top-notch traditional brunch fare.