My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at Caraffa and it was the best! I only want to eat there from now on. The service was excellent, the food still makes my mouth water for more. I'd definitely recommend the black muscles in creamy white wine and garlic sauce and the T-Bone cooked in the pizza oven. 5 stars
It was the best! Everything about the restaurant and food was just perfect. Food, dessert, wine, service - the best! Waitress Veruschka was simply the best!!!
It's a beautiful place to have a meal, wine and dine. The menu is excellent with a personal touch to it... simply enticing to one's taste buds..(I agree it's where the good food is found).Lovely three course meals made for each patron not a buffet...also lights meals available. I look forward to trying out their Pizza next time I visit
We would have to go overseas to eat at a michelin chef to top the food we had yesterday.
Starter of mussels & basil, chilli & tomato focassia, mains were split - for me sole with amandel flakes fied in pizza oven, for my hubby their speciality kingklip with prawns and caprese salad!! All this were in harmony with Cape Agulhas white wine and we ended the night with Jameson Don Pedro! To owners, management and staff our 27th wedding anniversary won't be forget easily👌- Thank you for ending our day on such a high note.
Suzanne Van der Westhuizen
+5
This is a very special place! Amazing food, best wine and awesome atmosphere! One of our happy places!
Never disappointed, service friendly food top notch, one of my favorite restaurants, will always recommend.
Amazing food. Great service. We had a large table of 24 people and the service was great and food came out together.
Authentic setting as well with someone playing the piano - great ambiance.
Awesome. Very special time's spent there �We keep going back and are never disappointed �Highly recommend for any celebration or for just a meal �
Best Restaurant in town, impeccable service and food and wine of course out of this world. Consistently excellent!
Think there ambiance and service is wonderful. One of the few places that still has class. Enjoyed my evening so much and the owners and staff are wonderful and friendly. Loved it. Thankyou for making my birthday a happy occasion.
we had a fabulous evening... excellent service, mouthwatering pasta and the most devine dessert. thanks for a lovely evening
��� dankie dat julle my ma se 60ste so special gemaak het...was great xxx
Brilliant service, excellent food and a great atmosphere! Will definitely go back on a regular basis! Thank you to Michela and her team for helping to make our 40th extraordinary!
Caraffa is simply the best restaurant. The atmosphere is incredible. All of the staff are so friendly and attentive. The ambience from the live piano is very romantic. The food and dessert were delicious. Melt in your mouth type.
My husband and I were blown away and we cannot wait until we can visit again.
Incredible service, delicious food and very generous portion size. This beautiful restaurant is worth every visit. It is very popular so make sure that you book. The rib eye was amazing, but the meatball pasta was even better.
Absolutely yum.
Old world charm meets you inside this Italian stalwart. Excellent attentive service and food is always good. Do try the t bone steak 🥩 prepared in the wood burning pizza 🍕 oven with garlic and olive oil 🤗😋
My favorite Italian restaurant in Pretoria! Lovely atmosphere, even better food and personel that want you to have an enjoyable evening. Really is a hiddem gem.
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Although the vegetarian selection of pasta is limited, what we had was well made, fresh and delicious. We had the spinach and ricotta panzerotti - Mel had the butter and sage sauce and I had the arabiatta sauce with it. Both absolutely yummy. Pasta and filling were fresh and the portions were generous (but I still cleaned my plate). As for the atmosphere... we didn't have a reservation but we were seated immediately despite it being a busy Saturday night. The management and staff are attentive and friendly and the environment is warm and cosy. Just sitting and listening to the buzzing chatter of all the patrons I get a sense of pure happiness. The perfect roundup for our meal was dessert. Mel's chocolate mousse was 'silky, smooth, delicious' (her words). I had the night's special - poached pear and mascarpone cheese... what a beautiful dish especially on this rainy evening. Cinnamon toned and soft poached pear and gorgeously smooth mascarpone... I had to send compliments to the chef! And Josh was just lovely- making sure we were well attended... I definitely recommend!
My father has been going to this restaurant for the past 40 years - it has definitely stood the test of time! Classic Italian food with pleasant ambiance. Service is very friendly and the owners are always around. I recommend the clams and stuffed mushrooms as antipasti. For main course I reccomend the pizza (always great), pasta (ravioli is divine), veal and steaks - the side veg however disappoints. Desserts are alright. Currently serving divine poached pairs + marscapone which is not on the menu but definitely worth asking for.
Well prepared tasty food. Mussel starter, creamy and pizza oven baked, both delicious. Steaks great, almond sole perfectly cooked, rack of lamb was great. Pizza base very thin and crispy. Staff attentive and friendly. Lively atmosphere, great for families with older children
I didn't take many photos, simply because of the low mood lighting. Not that there's anything wrong with romantic mood lighting at all! Because that is exactly what I will recommend Caraffa for, a chilled night out. No cellphones needed.
A lovely, traditional Italian restaurant has got a certain old school charm. The service is excellent, from the moment we walked in, until we left. Really exceptional. A fantastic wine list, and impressive menu with all the dishes you would expect - pizza, pasta, veal, Italian kisses.
We ordered fresh oysters as a starter - divine! I had the Gnocchi 4 Formaggi. So rich and decadent - in stark contrast with another Italian restaurant we visited a couple of weeks ago.
We will definitely be back!
Absolutely love the food at Caraffa. From the Melanzane to the Créme Brûlée and everything in between pure deliciousness. I'm a huge fan of the Salmone pasta and also enjoy the Saltimbocca. The food is consistently great and the quality also brilliant. Worth every penny. The owners are always around and you can see they are hands on as it shows in they're success. Highly recommendable. Definitely phone ahead to book a table as it seems everyone wants to experience real Italian flavors right here in Pretoria. Enjoy!
Eventually tried this landmark last night and I was really impressed! Had the osso bucco on the daily specials menu, delicious! Asked for polenta as a side and it lacked flavour and the consistency was not creamy at all. They swapped it for me for gnocchi and it was delicious! Service is great and ambience top notch! Very inviting atmosphere, feels like you are having dinner at someone's house, lemoncello also great way to finish the night!
Our food were delicious, I definitely recommend steak Rosini, great service and lovely atmosphere. I'm definitely going back to try the pizza!
Amazing italian food. Best pizza in pretoria. Great italian dining experience and ambience. Would recommend to anyone who loves italian food.
Awesome service, ambiance and food! The parmesan steak was amazing, and our waitress Shannon was fantastic! Even on a Tuesday night, there were loads of people, and a really n nice atmosphere:)!
The roast potatoes and Italian beer were also delicious!
WOW is my only explanation for this restaurant! The service is impeccable, the ambiance is one of a kind and the food is absolutely AMAZING! We had a steak meal and a calamari meal. The steak was made to perfection and calamari was simply delicious. Definitely worth a try if you're in the area. Please be aware of their trading hours.
Caraffa Restaurant was recently recommended to us, so we gave it a try. What a rewarding experience!
We received a warm welcome at reception, which already made us feel at home and we were taken through to our table in a semi private area. The hostess at our table delivered exceptional service throughout the evening and was clearly very well trained.
The relaxing sound of a piano was heard through most of the evening and reminded us of the same ambience and service which we have experienced in restaurants abroad.
We started our evening with a good bottle of Chardonnay and Focaccia Mozzarella which was followed by Calamari Alla Pescatora as main course. This was mouthwatering delicious! For dessert, we both ordered Affogato which rounded off the evening with a beautiful coffee after taste.
Caraffa Restaurant has now become one of our favourite venues, for unspoilt dining.
An inviting and one of Pretoria's most authentic Italian restaurants...
Friendly, efficient and well trained servers, alcohol was a bit on the pricey side...
We went to celebrate a friend's birthday, I had the mundane lasagna which lacked in flavor. Best focaccia I've ever had!
I will return to explore more from the menu.
Delicious food. We had fillet and T bone steaks. Grilled in the pizza oven. Friendly service and relaxed atmosphere. Will definitely be back. Hidden gem of Pretoria.
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I was invited out for dinner to a restaurant, which shockingly, as a local Pretorian, I had never visited before. I was warmly greeted at the door by friendly staff and my first impressions of this reputable trattoria can be summed up in three words - authentic, cosy and inviting.
Caraffa is rightfully a true Italian experience in the heart of Pretoria east. While their décor is a bit cluttered and outdated, their ambience is relaxed and with their dimmed lights, can also be described as the perfect romantic spot for lovebirds.
The traditional Italian cuisine didn't disappoint. You can expect hearty dishes full of flavour all served in generous portions - that's amore! My order, the ravioli dish, was prepared using high-quality ingredients and fresh homemade pasta - an utterly scrumptious dinner. But the best part of our meal was undoubtedly the dessert - creamy, melt-in-your-mouth vanilla panna cotta accompanied by a tantalising berry coulis.
At Caraffa you'll be embraced with the best that Italian cooking has to offer - you can even spoil yourself to a bottle (or two) of their delectable imported Italian wine.
Outstanding restaurant!
This is a smart casual restaurant with outstanding food and better service.
We were lucky to get a table although we didn't book. The restaurant is split between a quite and more buzzing area.
We started with a carpaccio to share. We didnt ask for it to be split but the kitchen split it anyway and plated both beautifully, so much so that it felt like we both had our own portion.
I had a gorgonzola fillet, a little pricey but delicious. My friend had the gorgonzola pasta which had huge pasta tubes in a rich sauce.
The sides are not great and can be improved.
Overall great classic food, and excellent service. Definitely recommend
Still the best Pizza in the world - literally!! Our absolute favourite dinner spot. Second family. We have nevwr had a bad meal in 12 years. From pizza, gorgonzola salad, tnone in the pizza oven and oh thw fish is amazing! Try it! You will gey hooked
Ok there is good food and great food but this is amazing. Wow I can honestly say thank you. Probably the best T-bone I have had. Spending time with great friends in this amazing restaurant with a piano player that makes everything so much better.
Heard so many wonderful things about this old favorite. Finally after many years, we were lucky to get a booking at last minute on a Friday evening. Our booking was at 8pm. Arrived at 8pm and had to wait at the bar for 20 minutes, which wasn't a problem as we were very relaxed. Dinner was very good, atmosphere was better. The lemonchello liqueur was a hit and made the heft bill almost worth it.
All round fantastic experience! We had dinner here a couple of weeks ago. Each course was delicious. For starters we all shared a caprese salad and prosciutto focaccia. For mains I had the rack of lamb and it was better than my mothers! Would definitely recommend it as a great venue for friends getting together.
Wonderful venue! Great ambiance! Stunning food. Ensure that you make a booking to avoid disappointment as they are very well supported after many years.
Traditional Italian restaurant. The service is also above standard.
Try this one. You will not regret it. 😄😄
I have been to this restaurant on a number of occasions. I must say that the ambience is not the best and can come across as a bit dull and stuffy. The service is good with polite restaurant staff. The Italian owner often comes around to engage with her customers making them feel welcomed. We have tried a few of their menu items such as their mussels, focaccia, pizza, pasta and lamb rump. All the dishes were good. The reason that we keep going back is for their sirloin al forno, made in their pizza oven. It is one of the tastiest sirloin steaks available in Pretoria.
Walking in, you already feel at home. The restaurant has a warm and intimate atmosphere and friendly staff. The wine list is also impressive. I had the garlic and herb focaccia, fusilli matriciana pasta and creme brulee for dessert. Everything was delicious, will definitely come again.
Despite the interior that looks a bit tired and the grandmonther/mother of the owner that seriously needs some 'people skills' if she serves you, expect unpretentious & simple but delicious Italian food. We enjoyed the veal, chicken pizza and superb tiramisu.
My husband and I visited this restaurant for date night!! It was the perfect choice. The ambience is perfect. The specials were explained brilliantly, our waiter was on the ball and the food was absolutely amazing. It's not the cheapest but well worth it.
There is no better Italian restaurant in South Africa... Their pizza is amazing and generously topped with delicious toppings. Their service matches their food and the vibe is very Italian.
Never disappoints! Amazing friendly family run business with great service. Pizzas to try are the chicken and peppadew. Saltimbocca is also good. Lovely ambience. Definitely book beforehand!
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Went to Caraffa last night for dinner and was pleasantly surprised. Their service was friendly and attentive (waiter's name was Byron). The Caldo E Freddo and the Sirloin al Forno were both well prepared and cooked to our liking. The wine list is extensive with a wide variety and selection. The cassata for dessert was good but I missed the creamy texture and home made touch of cassata I am used to, however this dessert was still more than acceptable and delicious. The tiramisu was also very good but I am used to a heavier and more pungent coffee kick. I do understand that most people don't like this though. The Espresso had a good crema but was a tad bitter, this could have been due to a crappy roasting process so it had nothing to do with the restaurant. The limoncello was the highlight of my night as it wasn't as soft and sissy-like masked in flavourants and sugar, instead it was a lemony zesty limoncello with a good but not overpowering alcohol taste to warm the mouth. Overall a great night, good service, good food, a lovely hostess and friendly staff. We will be back again.
The food and wine was far from disappointing, as well as the overall atmosphere. Service was a bit slow, at times, regarding our drinks and general "check-ups" while eating 😊🍴
The best restaurant in pretoria !!! I can promise you that. Great prices for excellent prepared meals.
I have been there so many times that I know the menu off by heart. I always try something else and I am always very impressed.
I remember visiting a restaurant in Vernona, Italy. The tomato paste was something truly special. As a result I could not find something that good in pretoria until I visited Caraffa.
My number one restaurant in my valley. My first recommendation.
#RealItalian
Caraffa is always a great option. It is a warm, cosy, easy going restaurant and the food is very well priced. Their offering is quite simplistic, unpretentious and tasty. It has never blown my mind although every time I have been it has never disappointed me. Always a safe bet!
Caraffa is our go - to place if we are in the mood for a great meal. Their meat cooked in the pizza oven is a winner, as well as the gorgonzola sauce! Surprisingly baby and child friendly. Great value for money. Book ahead, as their are fully booked most evenings.
Carmen Janse Van Rensburg
+5
If you're in the mood for good wholesome Italian cooking then Caraffa is the place for you! Been there a thousand times and have NEVER been disappointed!
This cozy italian restaurant out in suburban Pretoria is great for family night outs. I heard they are well known for their pizzas; something I'll have to try at my next visit. The menu has a bit of everything and they quite a nice range of focaccia options on the starters menu. All our meals were generously portioned, which is always a plus and sort of justifies some of the hefty prices. All in all it was a good night out.
Bitter sweet memory. When I was in high school my 2 friends and I would always save up money to buy 1 large pizza. We really enjoyed the pizza, 2 months ago one of my 2 friends that I used to go with passed away, to commemorate the passing for ourselves we went once more for a delicious slice of pizza but it was all too much for us to handle. It makes me so sad because the pizza is cooked to perfection with great flavors on a perfectly thin base but when I go there now I just get so sad.
Caraffa last night was warm, cosy and filled to capacity. Unchanged in twenty odd years, it remains popular in the hugely competitive restaurant industry.
I had Campari, orange juice & soda to start the evening.
A yummy half portion of ravioli, filled with minced beef and covered in cream sauce. Homely, basic and delicious.
To follow: sirloin of lamb, cooked in the pizza oven, medium (to order). On the outside it was crisply caramelised but still pink inside - moist & tender.
Partly covered with a reduced cream of mustard sauce. Very good.
Vegetables are served in a divided dish for the table.
Steamed potato, stirfried cabbage and zuchini ribbons. Fresh and cooked well.
Husband had a creamy almond flavoured panna cotta with berries - delicious.
Service professional and friendly.
This is by far one of my favorite restaurants!! The food is amazing the atmosphere is great as well!!! The service is also very good a must try for anyone who loves genuine Italian style food!!!
Very well priced for the wonderful atmosphere, authentic Italian hostess and delicious menu. Best 4 cheese gnocchi in Pretoria. One of Pretoria's best kept secrets.
Always consistent - best piazza , great vibe , my favorite restaurant in Pretoria for years, have the salmon misto starter , stay away from meat , best bet is Pittza or pasta
Caraffa feels like home to us. We are frequent patrons to the restaurant and we are never disappointed. The restaurant has a true Italian ambience. Everything on the menu is delicious. From the thin crusted pizza, great pasta, excellent meat and fish dishes, not to forget the home-made desserts. The service is of a high standard and all our needs are usually attended to. Caraffa is highly recommended. Booking is essential.
Best gnocchi I have ever tasted. And Italian blow jobs for dessert ;-) Love this place! A firm favourite. Definitely recommend it if you're looking for good Italian food
Came highly recommended and I can now understand exactly why. Food is truly out of this world, service is excellent and the setting is private and serene
Great food, friendly staff and not overly expensive. The atmosphere is a classic Italian vibe with art all along the walls and candle light. Recommend that you book ahead as it can be booked out over the weekend. Overall loved it and will be back again!
Classic Italian Atmosphere with absolutely devine food.
I visited this restaurant about 26 years ago and still remember thei delicious Fillet with Gorgonzola Cheese & Black Mushroom sauce.
I ordered the same dish and, after 26 years, it is still absolutely devine.
A wonderful experience celebrating a very important day. The service was professional and the food delightful. Will definitely be dinning here again
This is a good Italian restaurant in Pretoria. Seafood was very nice. The wine also good quality, you can enjoy Italian wine.
Wow , this place was amazing.
From the staff to the cuisine it was a 5 star experience. Very friendly and informative staff and the food was excellent. We celebrated my wife's birthday and we really experienced VIP treatment. We enjoyed a lovely Lamb Rump , with potatoes, spinach and cabbage mix , what an amazing taste and combination of flavours. And to top it all off the live pianist right next to our table gave the evening a real elegant atmosphere. Our evening ended with a nice Créme Brûlée and a smooth cappuccino. Italian cuisine at it's best .
5 Stars indeed ...
We had a great time! The food was delicious and the service very good. Will definitely come again!
Attended a Diemersdal food & wine pairing dinner at Craffa last night.
From arriving at the door the experience was allready great, there was a hostess greeting us and showing us to our tables.
The waiter promptly arrived, introduced himself, explained the menu, and the evening started right on time at 18:00 as indicated.
Pictures speak a thousand words. The portions size were very reasonable also for the very hungry 😊
The pairing combo's was really well thought through, and the flavors had a great harmonious balance!
Some guests didn't participate in the food and wine pairing, and their food also looked delicious.
I would definitely be back thanks to Enrico and his team, I can definitely recommend Craffa for a great dining experience.
Been going to Carafa for years and it seems they just get better and better at what they do. The Bisteca (steak) spoils it for all other restaurants I'm afraid and their pizza and pasta offerings are on point.
Enrico, Mickela and team... well done!
Had some pizzas with friends. The pizzas were very tasteful. Excellent service and atmosphere. Tables a bit too close which enhances the noise levels.
Great service and amazing food. We had a great time.
Had the best time celebrating a special birthday ❤️
George Frederik Strydom
+4
Very nice,classy and great atmosphere...friendly and professional service..
We didn't have a booking but they helped us and we got a table so quick, the service was so good and the food delicious I loved their creme Brulee
Best fillet steak I’ve had in years. Generous amounts of delicious pepper sauce, and the side veggies were delicious too.
Caraffa is a very special Italian restaurant with a great rustic atmosphere and 5* food and service. You can simply not go wrong! Take note: you need to book to secure your table as it is very popular amongst the locals.
Wonderful experience!! Excellent service and very good food. I will definitely recommend this restaurant for lovers. With good wine and a piano playing in the background, it is a perfect setup.
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