Caffe Abbracci
Italian restaurant · Downtown Coral Gables
318 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Highlights
Upscale Italian dining with refined decor, signature pasta, seafood & meat dishes
Upscale Italian dining with refined decor, signature pasta, seafood & meat dishes
"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
"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
