Caraffini has welcomed diners to Lower Sloane Street since 1994, building a long standing place in Chelsea’s Italian restaurant scene. Founded by Paolo Caraffini and Frank di Rienzo, it remains family run under the next generation, with relatives of both founders involved in the restaurant today. The atmosphere reflects traditional Italian gatherings, combining a warm welcome with professional service and a dining room suited to regular lunches, dinners and celebrations.
The menu brings together classic and modern recipes from across Italy, supported by daily specials that respond to the season. Pasta is an important part of the selection, with house favourites including taglierini, linguine with clams and spaghetti with seafood. Calamari, scallops, prawns, beef and liver broaden the choice, allowing diners to move between lighter seafood, pasta and more substantial meat dishes.
Desserts continue the familiar Italian character through tiramisu, crème brûlée, gelato and sorbet, with seasonal additions offering further variety. The wine list explores several Italian producing regions and includes bottles suited to seafood, pasta and richer main courses, alongside aperitifs and cocktails. This combination supports both a concise meal and a slower evening built around several courses and shared conversation.
Caraffini serves lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday and closes on Sunday. An outdoor space on Lower Sloane Street provides another setting in warmer weather, with heaters extending its usefulness when conditions are cooler. The complete menu below gathers the available dishes, wines and current prices so guests can compare the restaurant’s established favourites and seasonal choices before making a reservation.
Address: 61-63 Lower Sloane Street, London, England SW1W 8DH, United Kingdom
Caraffini Menu
PANE E OLIVE
CESTO DI PANE
Basket of fresh bread
OLIVE ALLA CARAFFINI
Olives marinated with chilli, garlic and herbs
ANTIPASTI
AVOCADO APPETITOSO
Avocado with mixed leaves, mozzarella, smoked salmon, fresh crab and prawns
SARDINE ALLA GRIGLIA
Sardines grilled with balsamic and extra virgin olive oil
UOVA DI QUAGLIA ALLA FIORENTINA
Poached quail’s eggs gratinéed on a bed of creamed spinach
GAMBERI ARRABIATA
Tiger prawns with garlic and chilli in a tomato sauce
CARPACCIO DI MANZO
Seared beef carpaccio with rocket and parmesan, served with a light mustard sauce
PROSCIUTTO DI PARMA CON MELONE
24-month aged Parma ham and melon
BRESAOLA ALLA VALTELLINESE
Thin slices of cured beef with rocket, artichokes, pecorino cheese and an olive oil and lemon dressing
FUNGHI DI BOSCO CON POLENTA
Mixed wild mushrooms with garlic and chilli served with grilled polenta
INSALATE
BURRATINA PUGLIESE
Soft fresh mozzarella cheese served with tomatoes and avocado, dressed with olive oil and fresh basil
INSALATA DI GRANCHIO
A timballo of fresh white crab meat and spring onions, served with a mixed salad in an olive oil and lemon dressing
INSALATA DI CARCIOFINI
A salad of mixed leaves with artichoke hearts, avocado, beetroot, parmesan and an olive oil and lemon dressing
INSALATA DI SPINACI ALLA CARAFFINI
Fresh spinach salad, with fresh pear, pomegranate, walnuts and goat’s cheese, and a grain mustard dressing
INSALATA DI CAPRINA AL FORNO
Baked goat’s cheese on a bed of rocket, served with cooked pear, walnuts, a mixed berries sauce and balsamic glaze
ZUPPE
MINESTRONE DI VERDURA
A soup of fresh vegetables
ZUPPA DEL GIORNO (From)
Soup of the day
PASTA E RISO
TAGLIERINI ALLA CARAFFINI
Very thin egg pasta served with monkfish, courgette and cherry tomatoes
RAVIOLI AI DUE COLORI
Ravioli of ricotta and spinach with melted parmesan, butter and sage
GNOCCHI CON SPIANATA PICANTE AL ZAFFERANO
Gnocchi with spicy salami, pistachio, cream and saffron
SPAGHETTI ALLA MARINARA
Spaghetti with fresh seafood and a touch of tomato sauce
FETTUCCINE ALLA RUSTICA
Fettuccine with rocket, mushrooms, parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes
LINGUINE ALLE VONGOLE
Linguine with fresh clams tossed in garlic, chilli and olive oil
PENNE TOSCANA
Penne with Italian sausage marinated in garlic, white wine and fennel, with sweet peppers and shallots in a tomato cream sauce
RISOTTO CON GAMBERI E PISELLI
Risotto with tiger prawns and peas (please allow 25 minutes cooking time)
PESCE
SCAMPI CON ASPARAGI
Scampi and fresh asparagus in a creamy sauce au gratin with a rice garnish
CODA DI ROSPO ALLA GRIGLIA
Fresh monk fish grilled with olive oil and mixed herbs
SALMONE ALL’ORIENTALE
Fresh salmon with fresh ginger, spring onions and soy sauce
CALAMARI CON PEPERONCINI
Squid grilled with chilli, garlic and rocket
CAPESANTE AI DUE GUSTI
Pan fried fresh scallops with creamed spinach and mushrooms au gratin
CARNE E VOLATILI
PETTO DI POLLO ALLE ERBE
Char-grilled chicken breast with herbs and extra virgin olive oil
PETTO DI POLLO ALLA MODA
Pan-fried breast of chicken topped with avocado and mozzarella cheese gratinéed in a creamy sauce
PICCATA AL LIMONE
Veal scaloppine in a lemon sauce
SALTIMBOCCA ALLA ROMANA
Veal scaloppine layered with prosciutto and fresh sage in a white wine and butter sauce
SCALOPPA ALLA MILANESE
Breaded veal escalope
FEGATO BURRO E SALVIA
Calf’s liver with butter and sage
COSTOLETTE D’AGNELLO AL ROSMARINO
Grilled lamb cutlets with rosemary and olive oil
TAGLIATA DI MANZO
Sliced grilled sirloin of Aberdeen Angus beef with roasted cherry tomatoes and beurre maître d’hôtel
A PARTE
PATATINE SALTATE
PUREE DI PATATE
ZUCCHINE FRITTE
SIDE SALAD
SPINACI
TOMATO AND BASIL SALAD
GREEN BEANS
ROCKET SALAD
LEGUMI DEL GIORNO (Daily selection of vegetables)
DOLCI
CRÈME BRULÉE
CRÈME CARAMEL
CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
PANNA COTTA
TIRAMISU
SOUFFLÉ AL CIOCCOLATO
Chocolate dessert with liquid chocolate centre, served with vanilla or coconut ice cream
ARANCIO POSITANO
Fresh orange segments marinated in caramel sauce
GELATI E SORBETTI
GELATI
Choice of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, coconut and pistacchio ice creams
SORBET
Choice of lemon or blood orange sorbets
CASSATA ALLA SICILIANA
Wedge shaped ice cream with candied fruit nougat
CREMA CIOCCOLATO
Cream and double chocolate ice cream
MINT BOMBE
Mint ice cream with a chocolate coating and mint crisp pieces
SGROPPINO
A blend of lemon sorbet, vodka and champagne