Sluurpy > Restaurants in Pretoria > Carbon Bistro

Review Carbon Bistro - Pretoria

Joash Narainsamy
What I loved: service - absolutely superb! And the very focused menu, it doesn't try to be all things to all people. What I liked: the food and plating was good, but not mind blowing. I had the beef ribs with a sticky blueberry sauce. The meat was tender but the sauce, while sweet and sticky, barely had much of a blueberry flavour. I had this with the roast root vegetables which were incredible! The chocolate mousse dessert was mostly forgettable, but the honeycomb was a delight. What I disliked: the price. Our bill for two was around R600 and that excluded alcohol (but included their tonic drinks) and any starters or appetisers. Generally, it's a decent experience if you enjoy red meat, but I'm not in a hurry to return.
Alf oli4
Had a lovely time listening to Jazz music whilst enjoying a variety of Gin and tonics and a delicious platter for two. The Gatsby themed evening ensured everyone was in a festive mood and we really appreciated all the staff also dressing up for the occasion. Looking forward to the next themed event.
Chané Carstensen
I would definitely recommend this Bistro. They have unlimited gins to choose from. Theme nights. The good is out of this world! The place is amazing. Not to mention the staff.
Claire Fordred
The deco is clean and neat. What a section of gins. 230 gins! Loved how they decorate your drinks too. The service is friendly and fast. Thank you George. Thank to all the staff making my father's birthday dinner very special and soiling him. It meant a lot. We will be back. Thank you. Great that this place has their own parking too.
Stephanie Bell
Graet meat ! HUGE GIN menu!!! We don't drink Gin, we love our wine, they have a large collection of vino but i think their gin collection is much much larger. Great food and good vibe! The restaurant Mozambique was here before carbon bistro and I must say it is a great improvement!!!! They even have non alcoholiv gin for poeple who don't drink alcohol and gin testers! Staff is also very informed on the Gin so I am very impressed! Thanks for the great service and food !
Jacob Grobler
We loved it! We did the gin tasting and it was amazing. Our waiter, Sam, was very friendly and skillfully taught us about the different gins and when to use what garnish. That was jusy the start, the food is just as great. It was like a perfectly prepare home cooked meal.
Werner van den Berg
Searched for a place for a wedding anniversary for my parents found this GEM. Gin Gin Gin and more Gin our waiter Jozef knew all the Gins and mixers, wow gin arrived with a twist dried ice, sugar bobs and berries. Food was well prepared had the most awesome vegetables and pepper Fillet on the bone. There is safe parking under restaurant. Thanks Carbon Bistro for a Great evening.
Brendan95902
We had a good meal and were well looked after at Carbon Bistro, but the menu selection is more limited than I expected if one excludes the incredibly expensive items available. I settled for a gourmet burger that was good and fairly priced. It could be heaven for a gin drinker with something like 240 varieties on offer.
Christov van Heerden
Amazing gin collection! Feels endless. Highly recommend this place. Food menu is also very interesting. On the pricey side though
Christopher-Lee Eckard
Absolutely amazing Bistro with the freshest food, wonderful service and the biggest gin collection in Gauteng - more than 220 to choose from! It's a must try.
Theo van vuuren
Great setting and food. Specialises in gin coctails. Very pleasant and well worth a visit
Leonor Tubb
We had an amazing time. We sample different gin. Wonderful selection of gins. Had a delicious fillet on the bone. The dessert was spectacular. A definite winner.
Seline Van der Wat
Great selection of gins and beers on tap. Relaxed, yet upmarket atmosphere with good design.
Cindy H
Mr Fred's service was most attentive which complimented the carefully selected winter menu. The fillet steak was done to perfection and the dessert rounded the evening off.
daniel geoffrey kotze
Great food excellent drinks and wonderful staff
TheGirlWithTheBlueHair
The service was below average but the food was good. Waiters arent the most welcoming. I’d go back for the drinks though🍹
Lila63
Lovely food and gin. Service and gin “experience” can be improved
André Zahnue Smit
Great service and amazing presentation of a wide variety of gins on the menu. Well worth a visit
Keitumetse Mafojane
What a phenomenal dining experience! From the moment I entered the waiters were so attentive and helped suggest some gins to taste as they had a wide variety. The atmosphere was great, was fortunate to be there during their Gin and Jazz event which featured a live band and a theme of game of thrones so we listened to some live performances of Game of Throne’s soundtracks. The Gin blends were absolutely amazing. In a nut shell, I can’t wait to go back 😁!
Nicole
This place definitely gets a thumbs up from me! The staff are friendly and are just the right amount of attentive. Ordered the lamb rump with roasted vegetables and garlic sauce and did not regret it! The steak was succulent and tasty. They have an extensive (and very good) list of gins and gin cocktails as well! Would definitely recommend.
Peter Gidlow
I could go on about the gin, there's just too much to choose from! Drinks are great! Had a RibEye steak and honestly had a better one at your neighbors. We will be back for gin'o clock!
Ben-Louis De Swardt
Absolutely love the gin menu.They really have very good wines as well.I feel that the food menu is a bit lacking but maybe its just not my kind of menu.
Radha Chhita-Nathoo
Outstanding outstanding outstanding. Food was incredible, the gin selection is outstanding. The presentation of the gin is unbelievable. The service is impeccable. I am in 😍
Tinette Nolan
Service started with a waiter that left after only taking one person’s drink order, and we waited 20min for 2 canned drinks to be served, but we spoke to our new waiter about our experience and after that the service was excellent. Waiter “Vusi” was great. Great food, amazing roasted vegetables and ribeye steak. The shoe string fries were too salty and the fried onions were too oily. The surprise milktart shots at the end were delicious. Parking is inadequate, we had to park at Kream next door.
Mariette Krause
What a wonderful, all round experience. Food was really good, portions generous and the service brilliant. The servers know the gin menu very well. I really recommend the gin tasting, onion rings, beef ribs! And the dessert, especially the caramel was so fabulous. Thanks guys, we will be back!
Bonolo Mogotsi
We got there & I loved the restaurant layout. We ordered drinks and they took forever to arrive. But the manager apologized & rectified this. The two managers were absolutely welcoming & went out their way to make our orders fasten up because we had waited so long just to get drinks. <br/>The starters also came in late as well as the main. But the main was amazing -pastry well made and crispy. I had the venison and my partner the beef. Both our orders of how the meat was meant to be the orders were mixed. But the beef was amazing. Overall good gin and drinks selection. Spoilt for choice. I would go back provided they improve on their service.
Danielle Botha
Carbon Bistro is absolutely exquisite. The decor is fantastic, bottles of interesting and exciting gins dot the shelves. This is the first clue that this spot is an absolute must for any gin enthusiast. The selection of gin is mind-boggling. I will just have to visit again to savour a few more!<br/><br/>The food served is also divine. A dish as simple as a burger is truly delicious - the Angus beef patties are succulent and well cooked. The garnishing and flavour combinations are fantastic. The chocolate brownie dessert is amazing! Crispy outside, chewy and oozing with flavour.<br/><br/>Topping off the great atmosphere, gorgeous decor and fantastic food is amiable and helpful service. The waiters know their gin - and how to pair it with tonics that elevate the flavour. On our way out, we even received melktertjies on the house!<br/><br/>Thanks Carbon Bistro for a phenomenal evening!
Antoinette Hattingh
What a wonderful experience! We had the yellow fin tuna carpaccio and brisket tart for starters; lamb ravioli for mains... loved the squash fritters. This is a Lovely menu and such a comprehensive gin menu... we’ll be back
Anja Badenhorst
Always a winner when the family craves excellently prepared meat and mouthwatering desserts. The food tastes as good as it is plated and even surpasses your expectations.
Monique Smit
Best gin bar in PTA. Ample gin selection with plenty of mixers to choose from. Drink presentation is out of this world. Definitely going back !
Jill Heather Damons
This place is really amazing! Great food n service, the best part is the drinks!! We tried the gin tasting and it is so beautifully done. Great setting and atmosphere.
Rhoneth
So after seeing the good reviews about this place we decided to try it. We had to try their gin and tonic, with such a huge selection it took a while to choose but we eventually settled for the waiters recomendation. The drinks were perfectly presented and tasted really good. Skipped starters. For the main we had the lamb rump with grilled root vegetables and the smoked brisket with a salad. The lamb rump was done the way I requested, and was very soft; my only complaint is that it was slightly burned. The root vegetables were delicious. The smoked brisket was so good! I would recommend that if you go there.For dessert I had mango cheese cake. The plating was excellent, a real feast for the eyes! The cheese cake however, not so good. It was tiny and there was more pastry and biscuit base than there was cheese cake filling. Service was excellent!
Michael Msebenzi
Attended Restaurant Week for supper. 2nd time coming here over RW and was once again thoroughly impressed. Beautifully plated and innovative food with a wine pairing. Staff were attentive and food arrived promptly. Our waiter Freddy also did a good job recommending gins for us to try. If there was an option to score the restaurant a 4.5 I would have. I'm keen to work through their entire menu in future.
Lucian
It was time for Sunday lunch and on our way to Brooklyn, Carbon Bistro was chosen to have lunch. Coincidentally saw friends that were also there for the first time.<br/>They’ve got quite a selection of Gin, craft beer and whiskeys. I opted for a Sxollie cider while the others had some craft beer and gin. The food selection was good too! Ordered starters (chicken wings & chicken livers) followed by mains (Salmon salad, “Highway” burger, Slow cooked brisket and Lamb rump). Thumbs up for the delicious food. One negative, my first cuppacino’s cream was sour, but everything else, good! Will return.
Cobus Brink
Had to go see what all the hype was about so popped in for a Sunday lunch. What a nice place.<br/><br/>Started with a gin tasting board or two which was very enjoyable. The starters were great. Had the salt and pepper calamari (portion a bit small) and the chicken livers. Both were excellent but the livers took first prize.<br/><br/>For mains I had a ribeye which was well cooked but average. The herb butter made it a bit oily which tends to hide the meat taste (in my opinion it was overpriced).<br/><br/>The wife had the Colita de Cuadril which was excellent but the chimichurri was once again a bit heavy on the oil. Well worth the price though.<br/><br/>The chef paid us a visit which just added that personal touch and was much appreciated. Sam provided excellent, friendly and efficient service.<br/><br/>I think they are missing a huge opportunity by not having a permanent gin and food pairing menu.<br/><br/>The superb selection of gin is worth a visit on its own and their drink presentation is fantastic. Well worth a visit and we will be back.
Joash Narainsamy
What I loved: service - absolutely superb! And the very focused menu, it doesn't try to be all things to all people.<br/><br/>What I liked: the food and plating was good, but not mind blowing. I had the beef ribs with a sticky blueberry sauce. The meat was tender but the sauce, while sweet and sticky, barely had much of a blueberry flavour. I had this with the roast root vegetables which were incredible! The chocolate mousse dessert was mostly forgettable, but the honeycomb was a delight.<br/><br/>What I disliked: the price. Our bill for two was around R600 and that excluded alcohol (but included their tonic drinks) and any starters or appetisers.<br/><br/>Generally, it's a decent experience if you enjoy red meat, but I'm not in a hurry to return.
Kdiutlwileng13
Hubby and I enjoyed everything food was amazing and oohh😊😊the gin selection was the best. A very chilled casual dining,definitely coming back again
Wendy Cawood Ellington
We were recommended to try this from a friend who had never been there.<br/><br/>We were NOT disappointed<br/><br/>Great service<br/>Ginz - 167<br/>Starters<br/>Mains<br/>Dom Pedro's<br/><br/>Loved it - a REAL experience.<br/><br/>@Duncan Marr
Melodie Spreng
Probably the coolest place for gin tastings in Pretoria, and fabulously presented desserts. Service was great, loved our waitress! Will recommend to anyone!
Dorette Meyer
The gin and tonic is an experience on its own... I have no words to describe it... <br/>Food was delicious! I never had a duck liver parfait that tasted like a dessert should - rich and decadent!! Yummmm....
Alastair Waldeck
With over 100 different craft gins and three tonics, you can combine all kinds of G&T's and create something specific to your individual liking! The menu is overwhelming, so it will take some time before you make up your mind!;)<br/><br/>The staff are always there to help and, although we just had a small platter to share, it was delicious and made us just keep wanting more! <br/><br/>I will definitely return here and give the rest of their food a try as well as try come up with another unique G&T concoction!
Awande Mngadi
I love the balcony setting at this place. My friends and I sipped on smoky gin cocktails through the afternoon and had a burger each. The cocktails generally range from R50-80 and burgers average at R100. We were well attended to by a quick staff. I would recommend Carbon Bistro for hot and lazy summer days.
Angelique Roodt Du Toit
Fantastic service, tasty food for a reasonable price and the widest variety of gins in Pretoria. And if you staying for dessert you are in for a surprise... They all appear to be works of art.
The Food Musketeer
28.10.2017 My first pick for restaurant week was Carbon Bistro, I was so excited to give this place a try, especially since they just received the “Best Bistro” awards in the Eat Out guide.<br/><br/>On arrival, I was completely surprised as the look and feel was not what I had expected.<br/><br/>Although clean and neat, it was extremely quiet with hardly any patrons inside during our lunch stay, which did worry me a bit.<br/><br/>Our waiter Vusi was sweet and quite soft spoken.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>For #RestaurantWeek the food options for starters were either<br/><br/>Seared Salmon Salad -  Rocket, Salmon Croquettes, Salmon Fillet, Pickled Salsa, Cherry Tomatoes and Roasted ButternutGoats Cheese Tart – Phyllo Pastry, Beetroot, Cherry Tomatoes, Basil Dressing and Cucumber,<br/><br/><br/><br/>The Mains were<br/> <br/><br/>Duo of Beef – Fillet of Beef, Oxtail Croquettes, Carrot Puree, Wholegrain Mustard Mash, Wilted Spinach, Roasted Shallots with a Red Wine JusStuff You Chicken – Spinach and Mozarella stuffed Crumbed Chicken Breast, Mushroom Puree, Wild Mushroom and Cherry Tomato Fricassee and Micro Salad.<br/> <br/><br/>Unfortunately between the 4 of us, we tried everything on the menu and were not blown away by anything. The flavours were rather basic and bland, and it was too much overkill with the Micro herbs/salad on everything. I don’t think it suited the price tag of an extra *.<br/> <br/><br/>Our Cocktails were not bad either, but it wasn’t fantastic, as I had really high hopes for Carbon Bistro. I took the Candy pants consisting of Absolut Vodka, Cassis, Lemon Juice, Strawberry Puree and Cranberry Juice,it was really sweet. The Eastern Sereni-tea was quite eye catching, it has Lemongrass and Ginger Tea, Oriental Gin, Lemon Tonic, Ginger and Apple Boba. The Bellini was extremely Tart, Sparkling Wine and Peach Puree, it was a bit harsh. The “usual” tasted quite nice – Musgrave Pink Gin, Rose Syrup, Pomegranate Boba pearls topped with Soda.<br/><br/>It was a nice chilled afternoon and with the bill we received a cute mini eclair( instead of the usual sweets) , but just not what I had anticipated overall. <br/><br/>
Trisja Bezuidenhout
The best thing about carbon is definitely the gins they have available. It’s hard to find a place that adds proper garish to a gin. The food is pretty great as well.
Marie
An unassuming restaurant in Brooklyn on a little side road. We went there as part of restaurant week and for our monthiversary.<br/><br/>The staff were all very friendly and our waiter was well spoken, advising us of recommendations etc.<br/><br/>We started with the gin tasting menu, I love this idea, what an experience. Definitely the highlight of the menu.<br/><br/>On the restaurant menu we started with an amuse buche, a delicious salmon fish cake with a yummy honey-soy sauce. For starters we had the tongue and Kingklip. The cauliflower puree and pea veloute was to die for.<br/><br/>For mains we had the wild mushroom risotto twith ragu and the venison.<br/><br/>The dessert was a very interesting dish made up of mostly whisky. It was way too sweet with nothing to break the sweetness. Although the Chantilly cream was nice, you do need the cold of ice cream or crispness of sorbet to cut through.<br/><br/>Overall I would say the gin experience saved the rating here. The food took extremely long, 2 hours in fact before we got our mains. And by 21.00 no one is hungry anymore.
Nico Bester
What an acquire taste​.. from our arrival drinks up to dessert and coffee.. the blue cheese burger had a very ripe cheese flavour, and the caramelised onion rings in Balsamic vinegar lets you think of a dry red wine..every bite you could taste how the different flavours comes alive in your mouth...and the burger pattie was cooked to perfection so juicy.. the chocolate mouse dessert was to die for every bite melted away in your mouth.. and a first in a long time when I ordered a cafe late did I receive my espresso seperately, so that I could throw it in myself according to taste.. very nice waiter and he did up selling very good, he can sell ice to an eskimo. nice ambiance for the "juppies". Your niche market.. well done Ruan.
Patricia VdB
We booked a table at Carbon Bistro for Girls Night Dinner and from word-go the service and assistance had been outstanding. We arrived on Friday evening to the best table in the restaurant, so everyone was happy. Offcourse we had to check out the much talked-about gorgeous gin bar... superb. The decor and ambiance is upmarket yet comfortable and the place has a lovely festive vibe. Our waiter was pleasant, brilliant, friendly and he's very well informed. We decided to do the Gin Tasting, which is a good idea and nice way to try different gins ... it was great. The Gin Cocktail Menu is extensive and exciting. We ordered various Gin Cocktails and they were all devine. The food menu is also great with a variety of dishes. Then we ordered food, well it was delicious, so tasty and really tops. The flavor and taste was there and just perfect. Although CB is known for their meat dishes, the Salt&Pepper Calamari and Salmon Salad were delectable! Thank you to Reinhardt and staff for an unforgettable girls night. We will all be back and I do recommend this place!
Erna Grobler
We booked a table to celebrate a 55th wedding anniversary. The dedicated parking for customers is a plus. The food and atmosphere was fantastic. The service was good. We did the gin tasting and had great fun. When management heard that we were there for a celebration they spoiled the couple and made the event even more special. Highly recommended.
Lethabo Matlala
If i am going to travel 400+km to pretoria to get away from pissed off mine workers in restaurant-bereft lephalale then be assured that i will make it an excursion to remember. And what better way to do that then to pop in to one of the few, if not only, places that serve wagyu beef. <br/><br/>The outside of carbon bistro is quiet rustic so you're caught a little off-gaurd by the luxurious interior. The lounge setting is well furnished with a long couch and plasma screen tv giving it a homely ambiance.<br/><br/>Plate arrives. Looks delicious but, from the first bite i realised that i was in for quiet the dissapointment. It was just beef. Rich, succulent but none the less vey ordinary beef.<br/><br/>To put things into context, spur's fillet steak cooked the same way is better. <br/><br/>Service was excellent. Friendly and industrious. Thank you vincent. You made a very dissapointed customer just a little less glum.<br/><br/>
Rob
Excellent service. Waiters were knowledgeable, there when you needed them and unobtrusive. <br/>I had the spare rubs, which fell off the bone and tasted out of this world. Brisket starter was also a taste experience. <br/>They have a selection of craft beers, and when I couldn't make up my mind, the waiter enquired about what I like and brought a tasting glass to check. He was spot on and I learnt of a great new brand. <br/>Although we ordered traditional dinners, other tables preferred fantastic looking gourmet burgers, so next time those are a must try as well.
Simphiwe Shongwe-Mabhengeta
Good food, beautiful restaurant, can get busy during peak hours but service is well maintained ...really had a good time here...............
Dashnee
Went there an hour or two before closing , nevertheless the staff were friendly and food came in very quick . Spoilt for choice with the Gin , cocktails were amazing . Will definitely go back for more
EzPie
Loved this place's atmosphere, really sets a high standard for the night. The drinks are out of this world with the starters really being of the best food flavours I've tasted which made the burger that followed quite disappointing.
Thendo Mathobo
It was really amazing. We got there and the waiter gave is a warm welcome. The vibe was great, it wasn't too loud. The service was good, we didn't wait long for our order. I really had a great time, their steak is delicious.
Dawie Kruger
Amazing restaurant. Food was brilliant, service just as brilliant. Even if you are not a Gin drinker normally, they will assist you in recommending some great Gin drinks. And if you are a Gin connoisseur, you will love the experience and variety.
Tshepo Sjambok Kubu
The Stuff You Charlie is so awesome I had to have it a try 2 days in a row 🙈😂 But really it's the Gin that Brought me back so far it's been great and I want to try all of them... 6 pages #CarbonBitsro6Pages
Cayla Riley
Their gin selections are top class and they have great cocktails to choose from. I was taken back by the food , really delicious and creative. The menu is very well thought out .
Adele Du Toit
Meat lovers will enjoy the interesting menu, that includes wagyu beef - something you don't see often. Also includes an extensive gin collection and fascinating cocktail menu. We ordered a meat board for 2 with delicious bites of short rib on crispy, flaky pastry, meat with chimichurri and lamb croquettes.
Joni Rice
Had an excellent waiter filled with life that described every kind of Gin so that I could actually tatse one I would like. It was a phenomenal experience and I'll most definitely be back for more Gin.
Emma Verster
The first thing that wows you when you walk in the door is the amazing service - which continued until the moment we left! We were so warmly welcomed and our waiter was so attentive and knowledgable - advising us on drinks to suit our palettes and delivering our food in no time at all! Whoever said good things come to those who wait has clearly never been to carbon bistro ;) - the food was scrumptious and flavourful! I ordered the calamari and my boyfriend the fillet on the bone, we left our plates polished clean;) <br/><br/>I must say the steak meal's salad could have been a little bigger, but luckily my calamari defeated me and so my boyfriend filled the gap with my leftovers. <br/><br/>An overall stunning experience, such a lovely ambience coupled with great drinks, great food and winning service.<br/><br/>I'll be back!
Sue-Ann Davidson
We had an enjoyable dining experience at this stylish & neat restaurant. <br/>The menu is unique & they have a wide variety of drinks not to mention the gin selection. Gin cocktails beautifully presented & they have a beer special on week days from 4-6 which made my hubbies day! <br/>The food was fresh juicy & full of flavour plus my meat was perfectly cooked. But OMW the side veggies was delicious I would have loved it if my serving was a little bigger.<br/>Starter, Brisket Vol-au-vent. (If you are not a fan of smoked food then I will suggest you skip this option)<br/>Main, Colita de Caudril, Stuff You Charlie Burger.<br/>Dessert, Chocolate brownie, Beignets. Brownie was a bit more on the cakey side than brownie side but still tasty. The Beignets was really interesting and enjoyed this unique desert with a combination of flavours. Yum!<br/>The service is good & the waiters are prompt, friendly and don’t mind to go the extra mile for the customer. I really appreciated the fact that from starters to desert everyone’s plate of food was brought out at the same time and it being a very cold day the food not cold. Reasonably priced for the quality and presentation of food but like all of us know it’s the liquor & drinks that knock
Mona Makwakwa
Carbon Bistro is such a gem, I love this restaurant. From making the reservation to walking into the establishment, you know the staff takes pride in their work. <br/><br/>My friend and I tried the tea cocktails omw, the presentation of the cocktail was breathtaking. Our waiter Leki (great guy) cued us to take a video as he brought them to the table, what a treat!<br/><br/>We had the chefs specials, I had herb Crusted venison on a bed of mash and my friend had the barramundi on a bed or pea rissotto with a scrumptious mussel sauce. Our mains where exceptional. <br/><br/>For dessert I had the Irish coffee which was an off the menu chef special and she had the beignets. The dessert was divine, loved the plating and the different textures of the components on the plate. <br/><br/>I really need to commend Leki our waiter, he is such a pleasant person, he up sold like a proper sales person even told us about the different services the establishment offers, this gentleman was professional throughout and I must say he is very good at what he does 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Nojood Adele Classen
Friendly service, Leki was our waiter and he knew his stuff, from gin to desert (and an awesome sales person - I wanted everything!) The food was great, I had an off the menu chef's special which was fish on pea risotto and mussel sauce (which had actual mussels in!) Presentation of food is lovely and the ambiance of the place is amazing. I've been to Carbon Bistro a few times and would gladly recommend it to anyone whether it's for gin tasting, their heavenly desserts, hearty mains or the atmosphere and friendly and prompt service.
Pierre Loubser
Weekly visit, great Gin collection, good service and management go out of way to accommodate every request...great for staff/small functions as well and be on lookout for unique food paring evenings
Jacques Scholtz
Refreshing take on the gin-bar concept. We were expecting more of an upmarket bar as they are famous for their excellent gin collection and recipes, however we were pleasantly surprised to find that a stylish and neat restaurant. Had a great dining experience, fairly unique with interesting twists on their menu, and numerous gin tasting menus to choose from. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience, cuisine and service - we'll be back!
Stefan Schrage
The setting was okayish.. very noisy... they had stunning chairs but they kept cracking.. food was good but the waiter kept forgetting about us... food was great and the Gin cocktails- amazing.. the manager offered us some shots to apologize for the long wait.. overall it was good. Nothing WOW... dont think I'll be seeing them again soon..
Dennis Petre
Brilliant atmosphere great food and wow 80 odd gins what more could you ask for ? Can't wait to return. Staff extremely friendly and helpful.. owner very informative when it comes to Gin ..
Nadia Barnard
What a treat!  Second largest GIN BAR in South Africa - and they have a selection second to none.  It was a great birthday-dinner with incredible gintails and a beautiful dinner.  The restaurant seems like it needs some small touches to be elite, but the attention to the guests were noticeable. Super drinks, good food, and involved management seems to make this place stand out from the rest of the crowd.
Lizanne Hennop
I've been here twice and had an amazing platter the first time.... tried something different the second but will certainly go back to my first choice! Love the change in norm when it comes to the drinks!
James Marsh
Carbon Bistro is one of my new favourite spots in Pretoria. The gin menu is Incredible! With a variety of craft gins from around the world that people wont get anywhere else in South Africa. The management and staff are extremely friendly and well trained!! The food is very good! And the restaurant has a great wine list and ambiance in the evenings! I would definitely be back. And would recommend this place to anyone into Gin and good food.
Janthinus Schrage
Carbon Bistro is located in Brooklyn just off Middel street. Well, when one thinks of Carbon, there are a lot of things that sparks the mind, a restaurant not really being one of them. Entering the establishment, you are greeted with contemporary furnishings that speaks sophistication and offers a very modern atmosphere. My experience on the other hand was a tad mediocre. Let’s get one thing straight, their GIN menu is off the rocker and very impressive. I enjoyed my Musgrave Pink Botanicals smothered in berries a lot. The food was enjoyable. Ordering their Big Ben burger seemed the right choice but felt it needed some more time in the skillet, in the oven or wherever there is a willing grill. As someone that enjoys food and the restaurant scene, the small things scores points. Their ambience was cold, the Casablanca perspex chairs kept breaking under patrons’s weight and often you heard a crack. I asked about their choice of chairs and it seems they are in the process of getting better seating options. The dead succulent (plant) on the table didn’t add to my dining experience. For Pete’s sakes man, if it’s dead take it off the table! Still trying to understand the Carbon in Carbon Bistro. Not making sense or I am just dense? Both sides of this coin could be true. Will I go back? Yes. Will they make my top 10 list? No.
Lerissa
We loved Carbon Bistro! The burgers were spectacular and absolutely delicious. The portions were generous. We had a great time and will definitely come back again.
Susan De Bruin
My oh my, the crafted gins were an experience. Then the incredible platter arrived which was not only gorgeous, but also tasty. This was followed by the Bushbok venison dish which was to die for. The service was friendly and swift. The venue is gorgeous. Really enjoyed the experience and will highly recommend.
Imogen Scott
A bit pricey but one of the best burgers I have ever had. They perfected the medium/rare hamburger and this was like a life event to me. Everywhere I go, I will always compare it to the burger I had here!!
Marnél Smit
My family and I absolutely loved this place! They have a stunning venue with a great vibe. The waiters were friendly, helpful and impressed us with their fantastic service. Carbon Bistro will definitely see us again soon!
Moh Patel
Friendly Staff. Awesome Specials on Menu. Good Service. Nice Atmosphere. Great Food & Bar Service. <br/><br/>Definitely would recommend. And re visit.<br/><br/>
Hayley Hoatson
I went to this restaurant with a few friends last night and had a great time. <br/><br/>When walking in I was surprised by how fancy and chic the restaurant actually was. I wouldn't really classify this restaurant as "casual dining". The decor was lovely and modern and set the mood for an education in Gin. <br/><br/>The waiter was well-informed, so friendly and kind. He was willing to explain the craft gin to the party more than once and made perfect recommendations. The service was great too, with our food and drinks coming in a timely manner. We were also offered the opportunity to listen to house recommendations should we want/need them. <br/><br/>The menu itself is vast and the whole table struggled to decide on what to eat and drink. The food was lovely and I heard no complaints from the table as to the food. Our drinks were all enjoyed too. My only qualm was that I had ordered roasted veggies as a side to my Brisket vol-au-vent and got chips instead, but they were nice chips so no harm done. <br/><br/>I was a little surprised at how empty the restaurant was for a Saturday night, but I attribute it to the rainy weather. <br/><br/>Overall the staff was friendly, the food good and the drinks delightful. This is definitely a restaurant I would love to go back too!
Deon Krause
We loved it, had a spectacular night. Tried the Gin for the first time and we are officially Gin connoisseurs. I had the Wagyu steak, wife had the brisket and friends had the burgers. Everything was delicious. Server had an excellent knowledge of the Gin menu.
Frikkie Du Preez
Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable friendly and gave us great service. The gin tasting is highly recommended. Great restaurant great food great service
Kimberley Van Der Schyff
Best. Place. Ever. The service as well as the food is outstanding. Definitely a must when in Pretoria 👌🏻The gin bar is extensive, the cocktails are impressive, the food is scrumptious. They've got a great selection of whiskey and craft beer. In short an overall win👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
Candice De Alcantara
I just love this place!!! BEST gin selection in Pretoria & they also go to a lot of trouble to present their gins beautifully. The menu is quite limited (in a good way) so it makes it easier to decide. The food is really tasty & well-presented. I had the calamari starter (not my favourite but nice enough) & the prawns as a main - DELICIOUS!! My husband had the chicken liver starter (which I would definitely recommend) & the fillet on the bone as a main. I am not a steak person at all but that was the best steak I have ever tasted. We really enjoyed it & will definitely go back.
Nassir Ali
Had dinner with friends. Food was below average.<br/><br/>Veggies were tasteless and the chicken bland.<br/><br/>An underwhelming experience overall. Massive room for improvement.
Sandra Lehmann
Great genuine friendly service here. They have burgers, salads and steaks... and then a large variety of gins. I am not a fun drinker but they were very accommodating and suggested a less bitter way of making a gin drink for me. I would definitely recommend this place for people to go try out!
FoodloverJHB
We went to Carbon Bistro for one of their food and drinks pairing evenings. A few months ago we went for the beef and beer pairing evening. It was such a disappointment but we decided to try again. <br/><br/>Last night's pairing sounded great on paper....but the execution was horrible. Firstly the beef carpaccio starter was 80% salad leaves, 5% goats cheese (delicious) and about 0.1% beef carpaccio. I kid you not, there was one tiny sliver of carpaccio smaller than my pinky! The gin (albeit different from what the menu stated) that came with it, was great. <br/><br/>Then we had a fish and mushroom dish, which was quite nice, if you overlook the half a mushroom that accompanied the fish. The wine pairing was fine. <br/><br/>Main course was a crusted lamb, and if it wasn't for the lamb dish, this review would have been a 1.5. The lamb saved the evening and the accompanying shiraz was lovely. <br/><br/>For dessert we had a massive chili chocolate tart, which was not too well presented, but it tasted fine. No one at our table could finish it due to the high chili content. The chili gin accompanying this dish was very interesting. <br/><br/>The service was quite bad, our table got our dishes last...every single time! Despite being one of the first tables the waiters walk into when service starts. For the one course, we had finished the food before we got our drinks. For another, only two people at our table of 5 were served the drinks and one of us had to get up and request three more drinks. <br/><br/>I have been to my fair share of food and wine/drinks pairing evenings/events and after giving Carbon Bistro a second chance, I have decided to not go back. I understand what they are trying to do, but their delivery is sub-standard.
Leo Burg
Lloyd Loots and I went for dinner and some gin! I was so impressed with the vibe and the amazing craft gin! They will definitely be seeing me again soon! There are vegetarian options, but i would suggest you add some more, otherwise I loved it!
Janine Willemse
We attended a Gin and Jazz evening at Carbon Bistro a week ago and we were so impressed with the food and amazing variety of Gin's available that we went back this past weekend. Service was exceptional and once again the food and presentation thereof is amazing. Wonderful value for money!! Can highly recommend them!
Kyle Liesker
We had a great time here with friends. Extensive drinks menu, although I'm not a fan of blackhorse craft beer so they could include other brands on tap. Their cocktail menu had a lot of choices. Food was also excellent particularly their take on jalapeño poppers. I had a fillet on the bone for mains which was cooked to perfection. We will definitely go back for more!
Germa Beukes
Excellent service, beautiful menu. Exceptional gin collection, and great variety of other beverages. Attention to detail extremely good. Wee had a starter platter - the liver pate was nice, the meatballs amazing. Jalapeño poppers different from the usual but not bad. Then came the meat. Oh. My. Word. The Pecanha was amazing and the Wagyu steak was just heaven on a plate!!! Wow!!!
Merle Potgieter
What a lovely place. The selection and presentation of their gin is exquisite. The service was wonderful too. We will gladly visit Carbon Bistro again in the future.
Roelia Schoeman
A beautiful venue indeed – loved the big open windows, the wooden floors, the impressive bar area and the interesting and wide variety of colourful gin bottles on display.<br/><br/>The wide variety of gin available blew me away, so much so that – for a brief moment I was just a tad indecisive.  With some guidance from Vincent, our waiter, I settled on Bloedlemoen (blood orange).  And how gorgeous is this drink?<br/><br/>Apart from the fact that it was almost too pretty to drink, it was really good!  So refreshing – a good G&T is without any doubt the ideal cure for a warm summer day.  And this little beauty did that job very well.  Really delish! <br/><br/>I decided to try “The Stormy” – seriously the best vegetarian burger I’ve ever tasted.  Like ever.  No plastic soya patties. Roasted butternut, onion marmalade, pesto, mango chutney – and few delicious slabs of soft and creamy halloumi.  Not halloumi that goes ‘squeek, squeek, squeek’ as you chew.  Served with a bit of super creamy coleslaw, a fresh side salad (it was one of my ‘good’ days). – a delicious lunch indeed!<br/><br/>Read our full review (and see more photos) on our blog :)<br/>
Jessica Anne Fannin
Poor service from management - we paid for the meal with zapper that gave us a 10% discount voucher for the restaurant to which the manager claimed we had pocketed the discount and as a result he would not give the waitress the tip owing to her. For a technical issue that we had no control over they put all of the blame on us as customers despite the fact that zapper is a service they chose to employ. Highly unimpressed with how the staff are treated by management and with that the customers. We certainly left with a bad taste in our mouths.
John
I have had a hard time deciding on how to review Carbon Bistro. In the end I decided to give them 50%.<br/><br/>Not a fail but also only barely a pass. <br/><br/>My issues:<br/>The chefs cut prime rib was much closer to the loin than the ribeye and thus did not have the same richness that I expected nor was it truly aged. IMO tasted pan seared in butter, garlic and thyme. Nothing wrong with that, but I do that at home.<br/>The shoestring fries were unfortunately of the regular cut oven bake variety, disappointing.<br/>My partners ribeye was very flavorsome and far more aged than the advertised aging on my prime rib. A little over aged to my palate, but that is me and I did not deduct marks for that. <br/><br/>What they got right:<br/>Decent service<br/>Great little gin sorbet taster to start us off<br/>And the roasted veggies were good<br/><br/>I think this restaurant has a lot of potential, they just need to pull up their socks, slightly and this will quickly turn into a positive review.
Rephaim Mpofu
Hhmmhh..what a contrast of feelings concerning my experience at this trendy, modern restaurant. First of all, they are still very young (less than a year old), so perhaps some leeway must be afforded then. Nonetheless, my evening was a mixed bag of experience. We started off with the customary gin cocktail that seems to be the established culture. Our waitress was quite knowledgeable on the different items and made choosing one less daunting considering they have 40 different gin products on offer! We arrived late and on a "school" night so went straight to mains. I ordered the slow smoked brisket and my dining partner ordered the picanha steak...i thoroughly disliked the brisket. It was dry, flavorless, shredded beef. Not at all what I was expecting after reading fellow reviews. The picanha was actually tasty and well cooked. The mashed potato side was smooth enough and decently flavored. Mains were followed by a decadent chocolate mousse, garnished with a honeycomb toffee and vanilla ice cream, and a rich chocolate brownie. They saved the evening from forgettable to ok. The decor is minimalistic but it allows for a clean, open feel to the restaurant. I am not sure about it as a dining experience, but if you like your gin, then I would DEFINITELY recommend you give it a try (preferably not on a school night!)
Londiwe Mkhize
Just had dinner with a friend here. The restaurant is apparently known for its Gin but it's also a bistro? I found the menu a little confusing as its a bistro but nothing about it was really bistro. I ended up settling for some lamb chops and a strawberry juice. I was so confused by the strawberry juice at first, they're usually thick. This one was so watery like it came from a can. My lamb chops were also just average. They were really bland. Unfortunately, I probably wouldn't come back as it wasn't a very memorable meal.
Nix
Lovely ambiance with delicious food! Really enjoyed the unique gin collection and variety of craft beers on tap. Looking forward to trying the new menu and making this place a habit...
Christopher Andrew Peddle
With the manager and chef giving an impassioned description of the mains that lead into special considerations and suggestions regarding a gluten free dish. Not enough space to fully describe the experience which was simply fantastic. Likely to become regular patrons
Paul.vermeij
Visited Carbon Bistro for the first time. Food was excellent, well prepared. Ambiance was a bit disappointing, music did not really match and the TV screens were disturbing. They belong in a sports cafe and not in a restaurant. Waiter was really attentive which was good.
Danielle Van Der Vaart
What a wonderful experience! <br/><br/>We decided to try out the Carbon Bistro not long after they opened for my brother's birthday and they managed to impress even the toughest of critics. <br/><br/>What attracted us was the variety of the menu that made it easy to cater for a huge crowd not having to worry about whether there will be something to eat for the fussy eaters! Another major plus was the really reasonable prices for some of the best meat I've had, in particular the delicious Kobe beef burgers that makes it possible to indulge in amazing meat without breaking the bank. <br/><br/>The staff were amazing and made sure that every need was catered to! The waiters are all really well trained and gives a thorough breakdown of the day's specials that makes it absolutely impossible to choose while trying to mop up the drool puddle you just made... To top it off the desert was just out of this world with the perfect balance and a delicate touch sending you off on a blissful cloud as you leave.... So yes I recommend it!
Christopher Ashworth
Fantastic evening with delicious food and attentive staff! Food was incredible and the wine was flowing. Looking forward to our next evening there to try the famous brisket.
Ashleigh
Food and wine pairings at Carbon Bistro are a must! Wine from around the country paired with delicious canapés! Great ambience and attentive staff! Would recommend Carbon Bistro to everyone!
Robert Tony Yao
Very delicious craft gin and craft tonic<br/>Waiters are well trained and efficient<br/>Very nice decor and interior, can see they put a lot of money into this place to revamp, it was Mozambik before<br/>Unfortunately smoked brisket isn't smoked in house, the butcher does that for them.<br/>Vibe was alright they are not very full at the moment because they are still new.<br/>I believe this place has potential to grow still<br/>And the ribs were perfect<br/>Pulled lamb shoulder was tender but sauce was slightly over seasoned <br/>Smoked brisket definitely the best locally<br/>Plenty choice for craft gin and craft beer
Tyronne Engelbrecht
The food was really good except we got served cold mash however they were happy to replace it! Good service and good food!! The restaurant was very quiet only about 5 tables so no real vibe unfortunately.
Marentia Van Kasterop
Carbon Bistro is a really nice restaurant in Pretoria. <br/><br/>We returned tonight, but utterly dissapointed 😞😞. We got two vegetarian dishes that was really an insult to the vegetarian community. Frozen peas and rice at an insane price. <br/><br/>The worst thing is that the "chef" is of the opinion that there is nothing wrong with the dishes. <br/><br/>Will really take a lot of convincing to return😞😞
Anita Du Toit
Had Sunday lunch, very enjoyable with attentive service. I had the chickpea fritter with beetroot hummus, very flavorful. My partner had the salt and pepper calamari which came with a great garlic aioli. For mains we had the pepper fillet and the peri peri baby chicken. The kitchen accommodated a request for half veg half starch. The only reason I am not rating over 4 is that the steak was more medium than medium rare. Will go back though.
Saltnsas
Tasty food. We had very good service. It was nice and quiet on a Friday night so you don't have to shout over the table to have a conversation. We started with the potato croquettes and jalapeño poppers. The poppers had quite a bite to them but were very nice. For mains we had pulled lamb on pea and mint puree and the beef ribs in a blueberry basting. Lots of flavour. Dessert was also great, churro bowl with penutbutter ice-cream drizzled in chocolate and caramel sauce and the brownie. Worth a visit!
Johan Krause
Had a great evening at Carbon Bistro! To start of they got a great selection of beers on tap. Not your run of the mill craft beers that you find in every bar / hipster wanna be burger joint in Gauteng. You can see from the selection that the owners actually put a little bit of thought in what they want to serve and the result speak for itself. We skipped starters and went straight to mains. Myself I had a Burger, The Casanova burger with swiz cheese, pastrami and sauteed mushrooms with a light Dijon mayo dressing. Was really very tasty and just the right size. Not some oversized monstrosity or to small. Very good quality beef. My girlfriend had some calamari and beef rib. She being a calamari expert was raving about it and the rib was so soft it fell from the bone which was complimented with a coconut infused risotto. For desert we had their evening speciality....ice cream with almonds, chocolate and carmamel sauce served in a dougnut/ pastry with nutella and lightly flavoured with cinamon...it really was not great....IT WAS MINDBLOWING AMAZING!! one of the best deserts I've had in a restaurant for a long time. My description does not do it justice. The service was also really good. Extremely attentive but not at all in your face. Very proffesional, warm and friendly. Carbon Bistro will def see us again for many a night of great food and awesome beer! Keep it up Guys!!
Louis Van Der Merwe
Excellent menu, fantastic selection of fine meats all prepared to perfection. Interesting and innovative starters and burgers. Great selection of craft beer. Highly recommended!
I Love Pretoria
We joined Zomato for our first meetup of the years at the new Carbon Bistro in Brooklyn. Parking was somewhat of an issue but we were nevertheless welcomed by friendly staff and met the owner, who was also very welcoming and friendly. <br/><br/>Apart from the amazing food, the great service is definitely something that made an impression on us. Without going into too much detail menu-wise, their meats were perfectly prepared (salmon was out of this world) and the presentation did justice to what was on the plate. <br/><br/>Their prices are affordable, which means that we will definitely be back for a visit soon. The restaurant could be a tad cosier, as it felt quite empty, which is perhaps just due to the fact that it is still up and coming. Looking forward to see great things from these guys!
Adriaan Louw
It's been a while since my last Foodie meetup so I was excited to see old and new faces at the Carbon Bistro evening.<br/><br/>I arrived fashionable late and upon running in I was greeted with a refreshing pink drink. The restaurant was quiet, even considering it was a week night. The ghost (see through plastic) chairs didn't help, it made it look even more empty. This might be a personal issue but I feel they don't do justice to the rest of the experience.<br/><br/>Promptly followed by the craft Inverroche G&T came a delicious jalapeño popper starter. I enjoyed this interpretation of the conventional popper as the grounded jalapeño ball had a better spread of flavour and this ensures a consistent strength throughout the dish. <br/><br/>The starter was followed by a 2nd course of perfectly prepared salmon on wasabi mash. The lime on the salmon worked really well with the mash. <br/><br/>We enjoyed several tasting portions of the main dishes; Picanha with Chimichurri, Lamb rump with Dijon and mushroom sauce and the amazing smoked brisket. <br/><br/>My favourite was the Picanha which was prepared medium to rare, just go slow on the Chimmichurri it's strong. <br/><br/>Dessert was definitely the highlight with the very under celebrated cinnamon & sugar pastry cup and Ice cream. It's apparently new on the menu but I would recommend you demand on having it. <br/><br/>The other desserts, Creme Brûlée, Panna cotta and the cheesecake, were also on point. Not listed on our menu, the peppermint/chocolate tart was overly dosed with what tasted like almond essence. <br/><br/>Carbon Bistro is really well priced for the quality of food. The atmosphere gets a little awkward when it's quiet but with a few events and some clever marketing I'm optimistic to see it survive among the other established restaurants in the area. <br/><br/>
Leandie Swanepoel
Really enjoyed a lovely evening with other zomato foodies. Carbon Bistro is one of a kind, really interesting restaurant that shows difference compared to your regular places.<br/><br/>From the start of the evening we were spoiled, the service was excellent. We started off with a Blackhorse Gingerberry welcome drink, totally loved it, followed by a craft gin and tonic. From Jalapeno Poppers to the BEST Smoked Brisket I've ever tasted in my life, the rest of the evening continued being delicious. All the diffirent mains, desserts, complimented with tastefull red wines, different flavours and cooking methods.<br/><br/>I Really loved the atmosphere, meeting new people and enjoying food "sharing style".<br/>Thank you Carbon Bistro for a evening to remember.
Meet & Eat
We had a really lovely evening at Carbon Bistro and enjoyed meeting the owners, who gave us some insight into the restaurant and its food. We love the fact that they only serve craft beer and thoroughly enjoyed the Ginger Berry we were served as a welcome drink.<br/><br/>Would most definitely recommend their smoked brisket - best we have had yet. Their prices are not ridiculous, which makes it a very good choice, especially in Brooklyn, where restaurant prices can be excessive. <br/><br/>Look forward to attending one of their themed pairing evenings!<br/><br/>P.S NEED more of their churros in our lives.
The Pretoria Explorer
Carbon bistro... I've seen this place out there and decided to accept the zomato foodie meetup invite. Wow! It was good. Guys, the prawns with lime and coriander butter just did it for me hey. Like I wished I had more. In terms of the mains, it is by far the best smoked brisket I've had in my life, I mean with a rich bone marrow sauce served together with soft meat cooked to perfection who can go wrong. The nice thing of this place is that the variety is wide and the food is of superior quality. Like honestly, they even have imported gin and craft tonic. Brilliant man. Something which everyone should make a point of having is the berry and ginger craft beer. It tastes so so so good that I now started liking pink drinks. The highlight of my night was the CHURROS with ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce. I wanted more than a teaspoon 😂 #insideJoke. Carbon bistro I'm coming back baby.
Abdullah Mahamed
Lovely experience with amazing company. Staff here are incredible and friendly. As we entered we were treated to a Blackhorse Gingerberry Beer, it's so light you wouldn't even say you're drinking beer, but as the waiter said "Stand up, and you'll feel the alcohol kick in" haha. We then had a craft gin with craft tonic which was very floral, you need an acquired taste for this. We had a variety of things to taste. The jalapeño poppers were really nice. My absolute favorite that you need to try is the Lamb Rump with Dijon Mushroom cream sauce. The lamb was made just right, everyone likes creamy things and the sauce definitely did justice. We were then treated to an array of desserts, one that specifically tickled me was the spiced doughnut basket topped with ice cream and then layered in caramel sauce, their take on churros. It's got that warm meets cold with the doughnut and ice cream. The service was really good and made the experience even more enjoyable:)
Lorraine
My husband enjoyed his rib eye steak, it was cooked to perfection however his jalapeno puffs weren't cheesy as to how he prefer them to be and the sauce was very bland. I had a bad experience with my fillet being uneven in size. I have asked for medium and some of it was very well done, worst piece of steak ever, sorry to say and the meat wasn't well rested. I found the waiter pushy as he constantly tried to push the bill up and being too forward when it comes to our choices. The gin and tonic was nice and refreshing. We did not have dessert.
Kemesha
A very special thank-you to the Chef and owners of Carbon Bistro for so graciously hosting us. <br/><br/>Carbon Bistro is a relatively new restaurant located in Brooklyn. The restaurant is minimalistic, modern and cosy.<br/><br/>We were spoilt with a feast of flavors from our welcome drinks to the most decadent desserts.<br/><br/>For starters, we had the jalapeño poppers that was cheesy with just the right intensity of heat. <br/><br/>We then moved on to the seared salmon and Argentinian prawns, both of which were sublime!!!<br/><br/>Thereafter we had the:<br/>~ Picanha with chimichurri, <br/>~the lamb rump with a Dijon mushroom cream sauce, and <br/>~smoked brisket with bordelaise. <br/>The lamb was warm and delicious. The Picanha was a little tough but was well complemented with the chimichurri. The brisket was well prepared but did not appeal to my palate.<br/><br/>Needless so say the tasting portions really had me wanting more!!!<br/><br/>Dessert was an affair of its own kind! We had the:<br/>~panna cotta, <br/>~creme brulee, <br/>~carbon cheesecake, <br/>~chocolate bistro tart and<br/>~ice cream basket.<br/>The chocolate tart was delightful. The creme brulee and ice cream basket were nice. However, the Panna cotta and peppermint cheesecake didn't quite do it for me! <br/><br/>Overall, a wonderful tasting experience shared with great company! <br/><br/>
Temcki_tinx
Carbon Bistro<br/>Situated close to Brooklyn Mall, I will suggest this restaurant when you need to get away of your typical chain restaurants. They have great food (something different in comparison to your other chain restaurants), friendly service and people with a passion for food and this you can see in their preparation as well as presentation.<br/><br/>This restaurant is nice, clean and open with friendly staff however I am not quite sure what 'look' they were going for. Would love to see some couches in the 'reception' right as you walk in should guests need to wait for friends, they can chill it out on the couches to add a hominess. Maybe even making this a type of 'living room' to make the atmosphere warmer and cozier.<br/><br/>What makes Carbon Bistro different? I'd say it is their willingness to play and have fun with the food and drinks they serve. From interesting flavours to beautifully presented dishes and great drinks.<br/><br/>Starting of with their Blackhorse Gingerberry craft beer infused with strawberries, my palate got cleansed with a beautiful light fluid gently caressing my throat with each sip. I absolutely loved the Jalapeño Poppers with Tzatziki sauce. The sauce balances the pop of spiciness just enough for you to enjoy it completely.<br/>The argentinean prawns was freshly prepared with grilled lemon to add that extra flavour when enjoying this dish.<br/>Definitely give the Salmon with Honey and Soy a try. This is a great combination of different flavours and textures all complimenting each other.<br/><br/>The Gin and Tonic was also an absolute delight served with a slice of lemon peel to enhance the floral tones in the gin.<br/><br/>I am a big fan of and would recommend the 12 hour smoked brisket- amazing! Soft and tender served on a bed of mash with a delicious Bordelaise sauce. The side of veggies are fresh and crisp and goes well with the main!<br/><br/>If you like interesting flavours, opt for the Peppermint Cheesecake. Interesting flavour here, assuming it was almond essence, it is not for everyone.<br/>The Panna Cotta with Berry Coulis is also nice. Even though it wasn't entirely set, it was like a smooth custurd- maybe that was the idea ;-)<br/>The doughnut bowl with Vanilla ice cream topped with caramel is a definite winner amongst the deserts. Fluffy pastry with cinnamon sugar mixing with the creaminess of ice cream is heaven in your mouth.<br/><br/>All dishes were beautifully presented and prepared.<br/><br/>If you are in the area or looking for a new place to try out on date night, visit Carbon Bistro and experience the amazing food and great service.
Divine Rakau
A very big thank you to the very highly competent staff and management of Carbon Bistro for pulling of such an exceptional meet up, truly had a ball of a time <br/><br/>The menu has some amazing dishes but there are a few misses. Some of the fat wasn't rendered off the lamb and has an unpleasant taste and texture which could not be masked by the very blend Dijon, the chimichuri was also on the blend side and most of desserts were not particularly to my taste the peppermint had a potent after taste we assume it's almond essence, Panna cotta didn't really set. <br/><br/>That being said there are so many other amazing dishes on offer, the Argentinian prawns skewer was so beautifully presented and so beautifully cooked which I've found to be rare with large prawns. The salmon is the best thing since sliced bread,skin so crisp and flavorful, the salmon is so soft melts perfectly into the wasabi mash and the soy gives it a nice kick. The jalapeño poppers are truly what's popping very different take on the popper idea. The 12 hour smoked brisket was just so amazing especially with the mash and veg,amaze👌🏾. The mouse in the tart was amazing with a nice salty surprise. The sugar crust on the creme was so yummy I used it to scoop up everything else. There is a dessert that was not mentioned on our menu, a donut dough made into a bowl shape sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and topped with ice cream when it was presented to us, it smelled amazing and it tastes even better,truly a delight to the senses. I loved the tester style menu selection as I am left wanting more and so I will defiantly return to this establishment.
Nicole Melissa Brooks
Upon entering the restaurant I was welcomed by the friendly management and staff and beautiful chandeliers. We were served a welcome drink, I chose the Blackhorse Gingerberry Beer, so refreshing that I could hardly tell I was drinking a beer. We were served "masterchef style" and could taste every dish. My favourite had to be the Norwegian salmon served with honey and soy glaze with spinach and creamy mash potato with a hint of wasabi. The skin was crispy and perfect. The stand out dessert was a spiced doughnut basket filled with ice cream, covered in a caramel sauce. An amazing night was had at this Zomato Meetup. Our waiter Percy ensured our glasses were never empty. I would recommend this restaurant for a perfect date night, unpretentious and beautifully laid out. Till next time.
Bernice O'Haughey Heszler
Had a lovely experience at the Mumm Tasting last night and what an honor it was to be a part of our own team at #carbonbistro. The canapés were delicious and perfect pairing with the #champagne. Thank you to everyone for their continuous support. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and very soon, Twitter, for many more exciting events and functions to follow. The Duke Of Hazzard Mr & Mrs Smith Carbon Bistro
Oom Wag &#039;n Biedtjie
We had an early lunch on the 3rd, there wasn't a lot of people. Starters of Calamari was really good. The carpaccio was good (just ask for balsamic! Lol)<br/><br/>I was however a disappointed with the overly salty Kobe beef. The Beef was soft like expected but very salty. There was also too much truffle oil. With superior cuts of meat flavors should be more balanced. Not sure if the chef intended serving it like that.<br/><br/>Lamb jobs was fatty but at least medium.<br/><br/>They have a variety of burgers, and other foods that I will rather recommend. <br/><br/>The place have potential, but the menu needs attention.
Sean Cressy
Modern design, friendly and attentive staff, hands on owners and a wonderful atmosphere. Carbon Bistro and their Brewers and Butchers evening is a must for any food and beer enthusiast! The five course meal  was mind blowing with the meat perfectly cooked and paired well with a Darling beer. The highlight being the 12 hour smoked Brisket with bordelaise sauce, cauliflower purée and baby onion rings. They offer the perfect combination of fine dining and an affordable price. I highly recommend Carbon Bistro to anyone looking for a wonderful night out, I will definitely be back for more.
Wilna Bester
It is with sadness that I write about our Sunday lunch at Carbon Bistro. <br/>It is a lovely place, airy and light. The wellcome and service was friendly.<br/>My Ribeye was tasty & tender and cooked well. <br/>The Jalapeno poppers were pale, not crisp and golden. The accompaning sauce (?Tzatziki) was bland - not enough seasoning, no depth of flavour, no complexity, no acidity. Just lowfat joghurt mixed with chopped cucumber.<br/>This could be said of all our accompaning sauces - the Bordelaise with the Ribeye and Chimmichuri with the speciality Argentinian Rump. It was as if there were neither salt nor vinegar available in the kitchen.<br/>The speciality Argentinian Rump was a disaster. Ordered medium, it was well done. The external layer of fat blackly charred.<br/>The serving of potato chips was small and of the "oven chips" variety.<br/>The Fried Biltong starter wasn't fresh. It looked as if it was reheated in the microwave.<br/>My glass of Cederberg Rose was served warm.<br/>Unless we were there on an "off" day, Carbon Bistro is in trouble. With the current competition in the restaurant industry, food like this will be the undoing of any restaurant.<br/><br/>Bordelais sauce is a classic French sauce named after the Bordeaux region of France, which is famous for its wine. The sauce is made with dry red wine, bone marrow, butter, shallots and sauce demi-glace. <br/><br/>Chimichurri or chimmichurri is a green sauce used for grilled meat, originally from Argentina. It is made of finely-chopped parsley, minced garlic, vegetable oil, oregano, and white vinegar. Wikipedia
Hlayisani Sambo
Last night was a pleasant night. Date night took place at this new Bistro. A long story short, good food, good service, reasonable prices. <br/>Starters = Deep fried biltong and Jalapeño poppers. 4/5<br/>Mains = Bohemian burger with chips and Picanha with roasted veggies. 4/5<br/>Dessert = Pina Cotta 4.5/5<br/>Service = 4/5<br/>Ambience = 4/5<br/>Do yourself a favour and give this place a shot.
Tineil Hurter
Let us not sugar coat anything. This place is good. This place is lekker. This place needs you to pick up the phone and make a reservation for your own benefit. You need to experience this fresh and exiting approach to food and drink as soon as possible. <br/><br/>I had the fantastic opportunity to attend The Butcher and Brewer tasting evening with some friends. On arrival, we were immediately taken to our table, where we were greeted by our very well spoken waiter. Our table even had our name on it :)<br/><br/>The night's drink pairings were supplied by Black Horse Brewery. The welcoming drinks were refreshing and an excellent way to start the evening. Once all the guest had arrive and were seated the first course were served. <br/><br/>I've not had the privilege to experience Wagyu beef before this evening and now know why. If I had tasted this exceptional meat at any prior time, I would not have appreciated it as much. This is the best meat I have tasted in my 26 years on earth. The Wagyu Tartare was brilliantly seasoned. The Wagyu Sirloin, cooked to perfection. The mini Wagyu burger was a mouthful of deliciousness. <br/><br/>The Lamb Rump was a second first time tasting. Once again the Butcher and the Chef teamed up incredibly well. Lamb Rump is not a cut that often appears on menus but, if my prediction is correct, it will soon be one of the top 10 dishes. <br/><br/>The Pichana was tasty, but not my favourite. If, perhaps, the dish were served earlier on, my opinion would be slightly different. In comparison to the first two dishes, this cut seemed a bit dry, but then again, it was paired with a very bitter beer. <br/><br/>The smokiness of the Brisket, gave it a depth of flavour everyone has to taste. It was bold with a bit of sweetness on the back of my palate. This complete dish is a must!<br/><br/>My culinary evening was rounded off by the best tasting peanut butter ice-cream. The large chocolate brownie is served with this ice-cream and a swirl of salted caramel sauce. I am a huge fan of caramel and peanut butter and will in future order this dish, sans brownie. <br/><br/>The restaurant is modern with a flowing layout. The staff is friendly and the service is quick and efficient. The atmosphere was lively and I especially enjoyed the silent black and white movie playing like a moving painting to the laid back sounds of George Ezra. <br/><br/>Carbon Bistro will soon be one of the best and most visited restaurants in Pretoria.
Simone Loubser
Craft beer and amazing food - enough said, but I will gladly say more. Carbon Bistro has taken Brooklyn by storm with its wide selection of craft beer, it's amazing prices (the owner aims to educate people on the finer taste of life and not excluding them because it's too expensive) and then the Wagyu beef cuts that are available...all reasons why you should book a table now. <br/>We joined a craft beer food paring night, The Butcher and Brewer evening and it was a 10/10 experience. Well done! You will see us again very soon.<br/>
Molefe Kgomongwe
The place was super clean. The ambience was second to none. Only if I had the money I'd hire their chef. Food was great. I only had grilled vegetables but they were amazing. Good stuff. Keep it up
Natasha Parry
Worst value for money. Had smoked salmon salad, hubby had kingklip, friends had rib eye steak and chicken. Chicken was the only nice dish. Thought we'd try something new and were extremely disappointed! Steak was sent back, twice, but they failed both times. Awful. Cannot recommend this listing and we certainly won't return.
Talita Jacobs
Had one of the best burgers in a long time on our girls night out. I had The Bohemian a must try. The Kobi beef is amazing, the service was great the wine was also amazing!! Definitely a GEM and a must try, if you haven't been make a plan!
Leani Van Zyl
This was ons of the best dining experiences. Not only was the food@ amazing and the service so sweet, attentive and super fast but carbon bistro even went the extra mile by adjusting their burgers by replacing the bun with a grilled pumpkin. This was amazing and the best banting Burger we had in all of Pretoria. Really suggest going there. Our new favourite place @andreh1309
Danie Almeida
This place is newly opened, and I'm so glad it has arrived. It's a lovely setting and the service is attentive and so sweet!! Genuinely a nice experience. The food, was brilliant. I had a picanha, with some pepper sauce on the side. I ended up taking all the left over sauce home in a tub and nearly demanded the recipe from the chef!! I definitely recommend giving it a try!
Bacon Burger Beef Beef fillet Biryani Black forest Blue Cheese Burger Bolognese Bouillabaisse Braai Breakfast Bruschette buffet Burger Burrito Cake Cakes Calamares Calamari Carrot Cake Catfish Cheeseburger Cheesecake Cheesecakes Chicken Chicken cheeseburger Chicken Mayo health bun Chicken platter Chicken Schnitzel Chicken Wings Chicken-feta-pepper Quiche Chili Chocolate Brownie chop special Chowder Crab Crawfish Crepes Curry Dawie chips Dessert Dim Sum Drinks Duck Dumplings Eggs Benedict Eisbein Fillet Fish Fish & Chips Focaccia Foie gras French onion soup Fries Fruit platta Gelato Green Curry Hake Halloumi Hamburgers Hummus Ice Cream Juice & Smoothies Kabobs Lamb Lamb chops Lamb Shoulder Lasagne Mac and cheese Macarons Macaroons Mandarin Duck Meat and chips Meat and ribs meat packs Meat platter Meatballs Meringue Milkshake Moussaka Mussels Nachos Noodle Oxtail Oyster Pad Thai Paella Pancakes Pasta Peking Duck Pesto pies Pink Lady Breakfast Pork Pork shrink Prawns Quail Quiche red velvet rib-eye pizza Ribs Ribs and chips Risotto Salad Salads Salmon Sandwiches Sashimi Scallops Schnitzel Seafood Seafood Platters Sirloin Steak Snails Souvlaki Spaghetti Spaquetti Spare ribs Sphagheti Steak sushi T-bone T-Bone Steak Tacos Tangy Russian Tapas Tataki Tempura Thai green chicken Toasts Tuna Waffles Waffles & Crepes Wine Wings
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