Caramba Restaurant

We recently dined at Carumba, which used to be our go-to place, but my experience this time was quite disappointing. The service was lacking; we felt overlooked throughout our meal. The best part of the evening turned out to be the appetizer of bread and olives.

For the main course, we ordered the turkey dinner, and it was a letdown. Everything on the plate was a shade of brown, overcooked, and the vegetables were burnt, making it unappetizing. I also noticed the table next to us sent back two dishes for being “charred”. We didn’t bother to mention our issues, as we felt it was going to be an overall quality problem.

We also tried the cioppino, but it fell flat with a distinct lack of flavor and very little quality seafood, and was warm not hot. On a brighter note, the candy cane martini was interesting and added a fun touch to the meal. However, I can't say it was enough to redeem the overall experience. I hope the management takes note and improves the quality of food and service.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 3

I’ve spent a lot of time in Whistler, and always found the food generally pretty great around here, but had never tried Caramba. We were in town for Christmas, and Caramba was the only nicer looking restaurant where we could still get a reservation for 6 for Christmas dinner, so we took a chance. I was blown away by how wildly good the food was!!! Holy Toledo. I think it might be the best food I’ve had in Whistler, and that’s saying a lot. The jumbo Cesar drink was so good, it was super fun with the sliders and things, and the burger sliders on the drink are actually really good and fully loaded with toppings! The calamari was tender and juicy and had the perfect amount of garlic with delicious aoli. The Brussels sprouts were crispy and tasty. We shared burgers, pasta, and also had the special turkey dinner for Christmas, which was really fantastic. Even the French fries were outstanding that went with my son’s wonderful burger. The service from Inna was warm and welcoming, attentive and A+. We were all stuffed, but my son wanted the apple pie/tart desert, and since it was Christmas, so we got that too. OH MY GOODNESS. It was the best apple pie/tart type desert I’ve ever had, by a long shot. Carmel and buttery and heavenly. I can’t even figure out how they made it so good. I might even go back sometime soon just for more of that desert. Thank you for the wonderful Christmas celebration for our family!!

Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly! Great kids menu, many drink options, great deserts, enough pleasant ambient noise in the restaurant that my kids making a little noise was ok. Would definitely come back with them.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pesto Tagliatelle, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Jumbo Ceasar, Apple, Caramba Burger, Calamari

The calamari is of course a classic, but give the salads a try along with a linguini pasta 🍝

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tiramisu, Calamari

Was okay after 9h drive from whistler was very disappointing up in jasper……. I leave 4 star because at end of the day staff do there best

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

The place in the village, the service was great and quick, the taste of the food excellent, definitely coming back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Absolutely amazing food, fungi pizza, cheese pizza and broccolini are delicious. The Brussel sprouts deserve a special mention, the best we’ve ever had. Would come here again and again and again. The Sangiovese and Nero D’ivola were great as expected. Service is super friendly and the atmosphere is festive; conversations are buzzing, ice hockey is playing, the food at the nearby tables looks stunning. 10/10.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Stayed at pinnacle hotel and got the breakfast voucher ($50 credit) for Caramba. The voucher implicitly states that there will be a 20% gratuity applied when the voucher is used, which the hotel manager has confirmed that the restaurant shouldn’t do that as they have discussed on this matter with the restaurant’s management.
However, when we got the bill, we were still presented with a bill that has 20% on the whole amount instead of the amount deducted by the credits, which is outrageous for a breakfast with just the two of us.
They have 20% of the group is 6 or more but this applies to people with voucher just don’t feel right.
If the service is good, I wouldn’t mind paying tips accordingly but getting forced to pay 20% when the server has a bad attitude is just wrong.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

“I ordered a Caesar salad and was surprised to find it was just lettuce—no other traditional ingredients included. While the place has a nice atmosphere, I found it to be quite expensive for what you get.”

Had an absolutely delicious breakfast with the couple of adaptations that I required for my diet. I would definitely definitely return. Every morsel of my breakfast was spectacular. I highly recommend it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Staff are friendly and service is fast. However, it is lower than average Italian food. The tagliatelli al pesto were actually linguini. The pesto wasn't great either. On the menu it says you can add prawns to your pasta, but they actually just add shrimps. Average Cesar Salad and meatballs.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 4

Excellent service, very attentive, food on point, perfect location next to the main walkway, the truth is it is an excellent place to go with your partner or family, I will definitely return. I highly recommend it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We don’t drink alcohol, and the moment we mentioned it, the server’s attitude is completely changed. We ordered and waited for a while but our food hasn’t come out. In the meanwhile, the table next to us already had food even though they came in late.

The server came back, checked in on the next table, looking at us and walked away. There were no checking, no asking,… It would be fine if this is McDonald but not at this price of service

Food: 1

Service: 1

Tasty food and friendly service in a cozy atmosphere. Can't get better than this. Try the tartufi potato side, and the mortadela pizza. Both delicious.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I'm disappointed that I didn't take pictures of the food to add, but you'll have to take my word for it - it looked as good as it tasted.

I was there on a date with my wife.

She had: a salad to start, the burger as her main, and brownie for desert.

I had: the ricotta to start, their special pasta for a main, and cheesecake for dessert.

Her salad was outstanding, though IMO paled in comparison to the ricotta. I could have had another order of that as my main and yet another for dessert and left happy.

I didn't taste the burger, but it looked good. Their pasta special with fennel sausage was, and I do not exaggerate, the best pasta dish I have had to date. And I have had many. So I didn't regret not ordering another ricotta dish for my main for long.

The brownie was very chocolate forward and delicious and the cheesecake was equally good. I found it funny that while cheesecake is my favorite dessert, I would have exchange it for more ricotta. :D

The service was exceptional. Highly attentive without being overbearing.

Something I want to call out that I don't think I've included in a review before is how the kitchen runs. They have a mainly open kitchen.

My wife and I have discussed previously how it's interesting which restaurants survive and which don't in towns like Whistler and Victoria (where we're from), places with good food can sink. That is not the case here, you can see why they survive and thrive.

It was hands-down one of the best run kitchens and restaurants I have ever seen. Everyone was constantly working, and clearing their stations when they had a moment - but never did I see anyone frantic. The head chef was clear in giving orders, and everyone knew what they needed to do and when - and everything continued to run smoothly when the head chef was not directly giving orders. No one seemed miserable even though they were working hard. It was just incredibly well run.

And that's how you make sure I'll have a new go-to restaurant for a date night in Whistler. I'm not sure why it wasn't on that list already, but I'm sure glad it is now.

Kid-friendliness: It's not a kid restaurant of course, but definitely family-friendly.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Caramba Burger

Best eggs bunnies I've ever had!
I ordered some truffle hollandaise on the side too and it was sooo good!
Chai tea latte with oat milk was on point too

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5