Caffe Abbracci Review – Nino Pernetti’s Restaurant Reflects the Best of Northern Italy

People come to Caffe Abbracci in Coral Gables for its warm Italian hospitality and consistently excellent cuisine, especially standout dishes like veal parm and linguine with clams. Tucked into a charming Art Deco space, the restaurant strikes a balance between casual elegance and genuine comfort.

Fine food, great service, with delicious lunch or dinner options, is what Caffe Abbracci is all about. Locals and tourists alike flock to this restaurant, and it’s one of the Miami area restaurants that has a solid reputation, and it’s been around for decades.

I was looking forward to getting a table and meeting some friends at Caffe Abbracci to sample the tastes of Northern Italy. Who doesn’t want to eat Italian food, drink some wine, and choose from a list of desserts? I know I do!

While we fell in love with the bar area, we did happy hour at Cafe La Trova, and went right to our table.  But look at this bar!  Next time we’ll saddle up for sure.  

bar area

 

After dining there, here’s a full review.

Caffe Abbracci

Caffè Abbracci — Reviews – “We shared the Caesar Salad, which was wonderful.”

On TripAdvisor, Caffè Abbracci holds a solid 4.4-star rating while reviewers praise dishes like the Tortellini Tatiana, the Caesar Salad, and fresh Tiger Shrimp. Reviewers also rate the sauce very highly, especially the mushroom sauce, which is served with risotto.

Caffe Abracci Coral Gables

Yelp reviewers share similar sentiments, praising the “best food, staff, and atmosphere,” with one noting the attentive service and elevated experience. With more than 300 reviews, diners rate Caffè Abbracci with a 4.2/5 stars. Overall sentiment is highly favorable: diners consistently highlight high-quality, preparation, commitment to a friendly atmosphere, and personable service.

veal
This veal dish hit the spot!

Caffè Abbracci — Menu – From Spaghetti to Caesar Salad

Caffè Abbracci specializes in classic Italian fare with a few refined twists. Appetizer highlights include beef carpaccio, Vitello tonnato, and tuna tartare. The pasta selection features dishes like spaghetti cacio e pepe, black lobster ravioli, and hearty lasagna Bolognese. Entrées include veal scaloppine, branzino “al cartoccio”, and dry-aged filet mignon.

There was a special event when I was there, so parking was a bit hard to come by, so we decided to valet, but once I was in, the entire staff, from the waiters to the hostess, made a quiet Monday night an outstanding experience. We had reservations, so there was no wait. The restaurant was a bit dark, and of course, it had a family vibe. A couple and their son were the patrons sitting next to us, and they told us they are regulars. Even though the original owner, Nino Pernetti, had died a couple of years ago, the food is still as amazing as ever.

Black Lobster Ravioli
Lobster ravioli is one of my favorites. It’s even better with black pasta!

The special of the house when I was there was a linguini dish, and I noticed several guests ordering it. I chose to go against the Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe, which is normally a go-to for me, and had to try the Black pasta lobster ravioli.  It was incredible!  Our meals were absolutely delicious. I had seen some reviews where diners said some of the food was bland, but I didn’t find that to be the case at all. For dessert, I ordered Traditional Tiramisu, which never disappoints.

Image of Traditional Tiramisu from the Caffe Abbracci website

Caffè Abbracci — Dress Code

The ambience and diners suggest a smart casual dress code—neat jeans and collared shirts or dresses are typical. As one Yelp note advises, this is “a restaurant for adults,” so avoid resort wear or overly casual attire. Most people were dressed in a business casual kind of way.

Caffe Abracci Interior

Caffè Abbracci — Location Details & Hours

Caffè Abbracci
318 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 441‑0700
caffeabbracci.com

Hours:

  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,Thursday: 11:30 am–3:30 pm, 6 pm–10:30 pm
  • Friday: 11:30 am–3:30 pm, 6 pm–11 pm
  • Saturday: 6 pm–11 pm
  • Sunday: 6 pm–10:30 pm
Caffe Abracci Bar
The host was very happy to get a post meal pic of us as we admired the bar area.

Final Words – Go-To Italian Dining in Coral Gables

Caffè Abbracci is a go-to for refined Italian dining in Coral Gables, offering classic dishes, attentive service, and a welcoming ambiance. Highlights include the exceptional veal parm, linguine with clams, and beef carpaccio. The smart-casual atmosphere suits date nights, anniversary, or celebratory evenings. While the experience is upscale, prices remain reasonable in my opinion. If you like Italian food, I would suggest a visit.

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Peter is a digital nomad who largely writes from Asia, Europe, and South America. Always following the "vibe," he sets up shop in hostels and AirBNB's and continues to entertain us with wild stories from life abroad. Ask him anything in our community forum. Make sure to download the AllWorld Travel Hacks FREE ebook.

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