Located in the Cribbs Causeway retail park, Carluccio’s is the place to go for your Italian fix. Founded by late celebrity chef Antonio Carluccio, the restaurant relies on simple, fresh ingredients to create home favourites from all over Italy.
Start your meal with some minestrone (very different from the tinned stuff we all know) or go for a fresh tomato bruschetta on ciabatta bread. Italian food is known to be super carby and indulgent so it makes sense to go for a pasta such as the wild boar tortelloni or seafood linguine. If you’re after a meatier dish however, the lamb gremolata is a good option. There are also lots of salad options to for when you don’t feel like indulging as much.
Because Carluccio’s prides itself of regional Italian food, the chefs specials menu features dishes coming from regions such as the Aosta mountains and the city of Verona. Expect rose veal escalope for mains, and Dolce di Fragola for dessert.
Speaking of dessert, on the main dessert menu you’ll find tiramisu, blueberry and polenta cake with a raspberry coulis. The gelato selection is extensive – of course – and includes Limoncello Coppa and bitter chocolate. Affogatos with a choice of coffee and liqueur are also on the menu, rounding off the classic Italian dessert choices.
Carluccio’s also caters to a range of dietary requirements. This includes a vegan menu with lots of fun dishes to pick from. The polpette di fagioli is on offer for mains, and the veganesca is a plant-based take on the Italian puttanesca. Gluten-free options are also available meaning Carluccios really is for everyone.
When you are finished with your meal, pay a visit to the mini Italian grocery stores set up at the front of each restaurant. If you want to give any of the dishes you ate a try at home, you can fill up a basket of the authentic Italian-branded food products before you leave.