Step into Caffe Abbracci, a Coral Gables gem where timeless Italian elegance meets hearty pasta and veal parmesan in a charming, intimate setting.
"This Coral Gables Italian classic has a separate bar area with a stained glass ceiling that’ll make you want to whisper a few Hail Marys before lifting a martini to your lips. There’s no cocktail menu, so order a martini however you like it. Just be sure to let the bartender know if you want vermouth—they usually make them bone-dry. Abbracci’s bar has great service, strong free-poured drinks, plays awesome '80s club hits, and you might run into your best friend’s dad sipping Chivas at a lounge table." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo
"For more than 35 years, Caffe Abbracci has been a family-run Caral Gables institution. Founded by the much-loved Nino Pernetti, today, the restaurant is run by his daughters Tatiana and Katerina Pernetti. They greet guests who feast on classic Italian fare, including the house's specialty, Branzino “Nino,” pan-seared branzino topped with cherry tomatoes and a tangerine reduction." - Laine Doss
"Caffe Abbracci looks like a scene from a cult Italian movie, and lunch here should run the length of two of those movies (rolling credits included). For an afternoon that feels like a micro holiday, sit outside and order a bottle of wine for the table. Start with the razor-thin beef carpaccio then move on to pasta. Each is good and portioned to feed you for the next two days. After finishing a rich square of tiramisu, make friends with the people next to you, who are also having a Tuesday afternoon for the books. Invite them to a nearby cigar bar to keep the opulence going. " - mariana trabanino, virginia otazo, ryan pfeffer
"So what if your parents went on their first date here? It’s stood the test of time, and it’s still where you bring someone you want to talk to for hours without interruption. The Gables classic is small, romantic, and gives you what every successful date needs: intimacy. With all the soundproofing in the dining room, you might forget you’re not the only couple in the restaurant listening to Italian love songs. Plus, you can order a bottle of wine, an appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert for under $150. And the old school Italian food is delicious. " - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo
"Since 1989, this classic Italian spot in Coral Gables has been where business folk broker deals over plates of carpaccio and families maintain Sunday night veal parmesan traditions. You’re treated with familiarity, whether they know you or not—but if they do, service is so personable they probably remember your high school GPA. Becoming an Abbracci regular is for those who love a good routine, where your table is always ready for you and your favorite server (who’s been there for 15 years) already knows what you’ll order because you’ve been ordering the same ravioli since you were 12. But now that you’re older, you can add a martini at the bar to your repertoire." - virginia otazo, mariana trabanino, ryan pfeffer
