Caffe Abbracci
Italian restaurant · Downtown Coral Gables
318 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Highlights
Upscale Italian dining with refined decor, classic pasta, seafood & meat dishes.
Upscale Italian dining with refined decor, classic pasta, seafood & meat dishes.
"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. The old-school Italian food is great." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo
"This classic Italian restaurant in Coral Gables is probably where your parents went on their first date, so if you’re looking for a hot new restaurant, this isn’t it. But if you like nostalgia and generous portions of linguine with clams, look no further. Our favorite pasta here is the black lobster ravioli with creamy cognac lobster sauce. Few things have changed since they opened in the ‘80s—including their prices. Eight out of 10 pastas on the menu are under $30, and portions are huge." - virginia otazo, ryan pfeffer, mariana trabanino
"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
"It’s impossible to talk about Caffe Abbracci without mentioning the late Nino Pernetti, whose hospitality warmed the community when he opened it in 1989. But that spirit of hospitality is still there. At this classic Italian spot, 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. Our favorite dish is the veal parmesan. It’s not on the menu, but they can prepare veal any way you want. The restaurant has two sections: a gorgeous bar with a stained glass ceiling and an intimate dining room. It’s a delightful time warp—with soundproof ceilings and walls—but a welcome one that insulates your table from neighboring conversations." - virginia otazo, ryan pfeffer
"Caffe Abbracci is for the dads who start every sentence with “back in my day,” and still file their taxes by hand because computers are untrustworthy. Everything—from the stained glass ceiling above the bar to the chandeliers in the dining room—screams old-school Italian. The maître d' shakes hands like he’s running for office, and the staff make it their life’s goal to ensure your glass of water never gets beneath 50% full. The classic lasagna bolognese is going to remind dad of those good old days he never shuts up about." - ryan pfeffer, mariana trabanino, virginia otazo
