Really nice and intimate establishment. We made a reservation ahead of time and upon entering, were seated with no problems. While it is a beautiful date place, I will say the only con is you're very close to each other. You practically could hear each other's conversation even though it's a quiet environment. Even tables away, you can hear everyone. I did enjoy how upon entering, they request if you'd like your jacket hung and assist for no charge. I ordered the lamb chops and personally I wouldn't recommend. For the price, I was disappointed in the size. While in the photo they may look large, the chops were almost the same size as the potatoes on the left. So although they were seasoned really well, you'll still be hungry after. The old fashioned was very pleasant however. Would recommend for sure! read more

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Having been here once before with a friend and had a great meal with excellent service, the next time up to that part of town with my wife, I immediately thought let's go here - I booked...don't try and "pop in" And was that a good decision! We chose different things form the menu than my previous visit...answer all is good...yes it is a lttle crowded, a lot of ladies who lunch...but then the good food has the added attraction of people watching...and listening to all the gossip Unfortunately at some point you have to pay and leave...£160 for 2...its not cheap but actually if you took the glass of bubbles each away and the bottle of wine, it is very reasonable, so it is doable The service is discreet, smooth, unobtusrive - things just happen around you A place to go to a few times a year as a relaxing treat read more

This was such a great find. Great food, service, and outdoor eating. I made note that more than half of the people going in seemed to be neighborhood locals, who knew the waitstaff. read more

I made a reservation online for a party of three and we were seated as soon as we arrived to the restaurant. We dined outside as that was the only table available, but it was still a nice experience, although a little cold in the fall. The service was great, the food that we ordered was good from the appetizers to our main courses. It was in a easily accessible location in the Chelsea neighborhood. read more

The best mushroom risotto I've ever eaten. Great service and amazing olives. An out of the way gem.

Great food and service! A must go spot if staying across the street at the Sloane Club Hotel.

We chose Caraffini off of reviews and the desire to have Italian food on our 25th anniversary while visiting from America. This is our favorite restaurant we dined at while here! The food was great, service was friendly, and atmosphere charming. The price is not for the budget minded, but the culture of the restaurant is a "notch above." Highly recommend! Get reservations...fills up quick. A local's favorite. read more

Caraffini came highly recommended by the Concierge at The Sloane Club and two friends who live nearby. My parents and I elected to eat here on our last night in London. We were lucky to get a table as we called to make a reservation late in the day and it's a very popular spot with locals. The service was excellent as was the food. I had a wonderful Insalata di Rucola to start and fresh cod as my main dish. Both were perfectly cooked and delicious. My Dad had the Calf's liver, which he thoroughly enjoyed, and my Mother had a wonderful risotto. We finished the meal with refreshing sorbet. They have a nice selection of Italian wines with several options by the glass. If you're craving Italian food and want to eat out at a friendly, local Italian restaurant with a great wine list, excellent food and superb service, you should definitely eat at Caraffini. read more

As we wandered through the South Ken area we decided to try Caraffini out for dinner on a Saturday night. It was quite busy but they were able to squeeze us in with no booking. Although it is not a formal restaurant, we felt a tad under dressed as many of the men here were wearing sports coats or blazers. We were quite pleased with our pastas. Big portions and an abundance of fresh and bright ingredients. They have a note on their menu that says they will make whatever pasta you want which is a nice touch if you want to customize. We added sausage to the tagliatelle! The service was very good here as well. MINESTRONE DI VERDURA A soup of fresh vegetables in chicken stock LINGUINE ALLE VONGOLE Linguine with fresh clams tossed in garlic and olive oil TAGLIATELLE ALLA RUSTICA Tagliatelle with rocket,mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes read more

This is a 4-5 Star restaurant in Chelsea. Superb Italian entrees accompanied by great service. Excellent wine list. You will notice that during peak periods you might not get a table until after 9PM because of the popularity of this restaurant. Classic southern Italian fare and a beautiful wine list. We have tried many different entrees and they all were excellent. Judge for yourself. Good price/value for high end Chelsea. Note: Earlier reviewer who never dined here gave out a 1 star rating which is completely out of line. read more

We selected Caraffini after a long day of sight seeing. We showed complete inappropriately dressed. (Think US tourist). We were warmly welcomed. The food was excellent. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly. My family enjoyed their dishes. The desserts were magnificent. For the America's who will read this review think business casual for a minimum at this restaurant. The staff here was great, from the owner on. Excellent wine recommendations read more

The food was amazing! Flavors were on point and the presentation beautiful. The wine pairing was excellent as well. Service was professional, warm and relaxed. My mother and I had an excellent time together. read more

This is a very popular place with locals. The owner is front and center all the time, greeting the neighbors. You really need to call well in advance for a table. It is well worth it. My risotto was excellent with the addition of chicken. Shirley's veal limone was top notch. After two visits in a month we were treated like regulars. read more

Telephoned early in the day to make a reservation and was told they were completely booked. Walked by on our way to a pub and decided to take a chance on walking in and they immediately seated our party of four. Everyone had an excellent meal and the service was superb. Would certainly return and recommend. read more

Caraffini Restaurant - Veal Picatta - Italian Near Me - London, XGL

Came here Monday night. Busy, bright Italian restaurant with good service and plenty of atmosphere. I had the beef carpaccio to start, and the mustard sauce is served separately. This is a big plus for me, as I usually find the poor cow is drowned in the stuff. Next I had the special, which was a lobster linguine. Both meals were delicious. My companions had fresh sardines which looked amazing, and breaded veal escalope which I did try, and made me momentarily wish I'd had that instead. Lovely and firm and lemony. Pud was the chocolate mousse; now I love chocolate as much as the next girl, but it was too rich even for me! Wine was also very good. I'm sure I see another visit here in my future! read more

Oh my! I loved this place. Good Italian food served with passion in a very upmarket environment, there was nothing not to like about it. The quality of both the ingredients and cooking were excellent and the delicious smells and busy atmosphere transported me back to happy times in the bustling restaurants of Italy. Just as good for a business lunch or dinner with a lover - maybe even your wife or husband! read more

A true italian rafined food experience in London. Everything is how you expect : kind service with charming accent, damned pastas, very fresh products, fine wines, not so high prices. A place to go and to go again for sure read more

Mmm very good Italian. The atmosphere was great all of the waiters spoke Italian. They served potatoes, broccoli, and green beans with the meal. The dessert was also very good. We tried the panna cotta and the chocolate mousse. read more

Went for dinner on a Wednesday evening. Great "family" style Italian restaurant. Crowded but not uncomfortable. Seem to be a mix of locals and tourists. Menu was typlical Italian. Food was delicious (I started with quails eggs with spinach, cream and melted cheese - fantastic, followed by fettucini with mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes and olive oil. My partner also had the quails eggs followed by veal with lemon - she loved it). Usual coffees and petit-fours. Really good evening with good atmosphere. Only downside was the service - although attentive it was slow but the food made up for that. read more

We went here for dinner without a reservation. They were all booked up, but said "if you can finish by 8pm you're welcome to be seated now". The wait staff was expert at giving us a good quick meal. Everything was delicious, particularly my tasty salad., and we didn't feel rushed in any way. By 8 pm the place was filling up, so we cleared out, very satisfied. read more

We heard from friends that this was a fabulous place to eat, but were turned away when we tried to just get desserts and drinks, even though the restaurant was half empty and it was later at night. The wait staff was also rude about the situation. Quite disappointed. read more

I have lived in NYC and traveled a great deal in Italy but I need to say that Caraffini is one of the best Italian restaurants I have ever eaten at. The food was fresh, well presented and hot...not to mention the superb service, comfortable seating and fair pricing. I also like the fact that it was across the street from where we were staying! Don't miss it, especially if you are staying at the Sloane Club and you like Italian food! read more

This is a wee bit late as my party ate there on Sept. 12th; I've been on an extended holiday and only now am settling down at home in SF, CA, USA to play "catch-up". But this was an important task because all four of us present were in complete agreement about the pleasure we felt in the physical space of the restaurant, in the very exceptional service we received from all staff and the food. Ah, the FOOD! Even the fact that there was road work going on (and we'd requested patio seating) didn't distract from the tastiness of every dish we had: Tricolore Insalate & Sardine alle Griglia (to share), Linguine alle Vongole, Fettuccini con Tartufo Nero, Spaghette all Marinara (for 2) and to cap it off we shared Dolcis (Chocolate Mousse & Creme Brulee) though we didn't "need" anything more! The wine selection was excellent, too. Definitely a restaurant to which we will return! And highly recommend. read more

Overpriced and rude owner. Wouldnt eat there again. Tables too close together and noisy