Caffe Carlitos

Had pizza and a chicken ceaser salad at this pleasant attractive restaurant. I didn’t get a chance to tour Bushmills and wanted to try one of the more expensive single malts .The price wasn’t bad here so i had one, up, with desert. It was good. So was desert. Nothing spectacular but this is a nice reasonably priced place.

«Ciao! We believe that the Italian tradition of sharing food, drink and conversation is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Come and enjoy our relaxed atmosphere with family and friends.
«Enjoy our broad range of dishes, based on classic Italian recipes from steaming bowls of pasta with aromatic sauces to delicious pizzas, succulent grills and light crunch salads.
«Our restaurants in Belfast and Newtownards also offer private dining for up to 60 people.»
This is the blurb off the website and it pretty much sums up what is going on at this place. Its all pretty standard. Its pretty much what you’re gonna get anywhere on Botanic or pretty much anywhere in Belfast. I struggle to see why there was another quaint little bistro needed in this part of town.
The staff are dead on enough, just pretty standard all round I’m afraid. Nothing to write home about.

As stated by other reviewers, the Carlitos that occupies the premises of the former Vincents restaurant on Botanic Avenue is a good spot for an inexpensive meal. The other nice thing is that the café is pretty stylish, creating the sense that you are somewhere quite special. Furthermore the waitresses, much to their credit, seem pleased to see you. Then I noticed quite a few solitary diners, which in the evening I regard in a way as a good sign. Not that I want to eat on my own, it’s just that there are some restaurants where the atmosphere makes that option far too uncomfortable but the fact that seems OK to eat alone here tells you something positive about the feel of the place.

Anywhere that serves a huge lunch for just £5.95 is a winner for this former student! Carlitos is a great café on Botanic Avenue and is notorious amongst students for big portions and cheap prices. The best part? The food is really, really great! I love the pizza here and the chips are great too. They also serve the usual sandwiches, wraps and paninis and the coffee is pretty good too. Its a great spot for lunch and you certainly won’t be going away hungry! yay!

Having been to Carlito’s Restaurant in Newtownards and absolutely loved it, I was straight into it’s little brother Caffe Carlito’s when it opened in Botanic this year.
And I was as equally impressed. I’ve dragged, ahem, I mean asked, a few friends along to Caffe Carlito’s for lunch, and all have been as impressed as I have. The chicken goujons (if you’ve read my other reviews you’re going to think I *am* a chicken goujon at this rate… I do love ‘em so) come with a sweet chilli sauce, a huge portion of chips and a side salad. And that was lunch! The pizzas are fantastic too, my particular fave is the Giardinera.
The best bit is when you get the bill (yes, I know that’s an oxymoron), but the goujons and pizzas are only £5.95! Incredible value. Even if you’re a student watching those pennies. Happy days.