Rafaels Restaurant — Restaurant in Kolding Municipality

A Rendezvous with Rustic Italian Flavors at Rafaels

In an unexpected and delightful twist of gastronomical fate, my taste buds embarked on an enchanting journey at an Italian restaurant aptly named Rafaels. The culinary orchestration was executed under the watchful eye of a French chef - an amusing blend of cultures which, rather than clashing, harmoniously complemented each other in an extraordinary dance of flavors.

My chosen dish was the Rustico, a pizza that playfully tiptoes the line between traditional Italian authenticity and an invigorating burst of spice. The ensemble included fiery salami, decadent gorgonzola, and chili - a trifecta of ingredients that beautifully adorned the canvas of a thin, crispy crust, creating a symphony of flavors that resonated with every bite. Each slice was an invitation to a world where Italian heritage marries a sizzling dare.

For those who wish to indulge their palates further, Rafaels generously provides accompaniments free of charge. My Rustico came with a fragrant garlic oil and a small bowl of finely grated parmesan cheese - an offer that proves Rafaels' commitment to creating a holistic culinary experience.

This journey, however, was not merely about indulging the senses through exquisite food. The customer service at Rafaels painted a vivid image of Italian hospitality and warmth. The waitstaff, imbued with an unerring knack for service, was quick, friendly, and effervescently upbeat. Their smiles were infectious, and their attentiveness to us as patrons spoke volumes about their dedication to their craft.

Rafaels emerges not just as an Italian restaurant but as a hub of flavors, experiences, and exceptional service. Whether you're seeking the comfort of a good pizza or the thrill of risotto, it's a place that understands, values, and satisfies its customers. The delightful blend of French and Italian cooking sensibilities offers a unique perspective that extends beyond the confines of traditional cuisine.

To dine at Rafaels is to take a charming gondola ride along the canals of Venice, feeling the warmth of Rome's sunny piazzas, tasting the spice of Naples, and experiencing the joy of Milan's bustling nightlife. All while being seated at your table. This is a journey you won't regret taking and an experience that leaves you with a longing to return. Grazie, Rafaels, for a memorable...

We had a really great experience with Rafaels Restaurant. Two weeks ago we got married in Kolding and took our small wedding party (20 people) for lunch here. After reaching out via E-Mail, Jake quickly responded that he is more than happy to open up the restaurant for us, even though our event happened during the day when they aren’t opened yet. After just a short call, we could arrange an amazing lunch for our guests together with Jake and his team. On the day of our wedding everything went super smoothly and they decorated a little separé-room in the cellar for us with beautiful flowers. Our waitress (Erika) took really good care of us and our guests. Every wish was taken care of, she worked very discretely and professionally and was super friendly and nice. All of our guests enjoyed the food a lot and made sure to give their compliments to the chef. We had a selection of starters (bruschetta, different cuts of meat and Tomato mozarella), followed by the squid ink pasta vongole and a mushroom risotto, which was highly praised. To finish off, we got served eight pizzas which all got eaten, even though we were all full already. While we were served with the preordered food, it was no problem for the team to let the three children of our party chose a meal from their kids menu and serve this also a little bit earlier to cater to the needs of the little ones. We are really really happy with our decision to celebrate our wedding day here. The whole event went by so smoothly and we could totally focus on us and our guests. We can highly recommend this place for small events and want to thank the team once again for making our special day...

I have been here a couple of times. On the first occasion everything went fine. I had a (pricy) risotto and some very nice wine. The guys reported their pizzas to be excellent as well.

The second time I tried to eat here, I had no other option but to leave. Despite advertising a vegan menu on their website, which was also available on my first visit, there was no vegan option at all on the menu that day. I talked to a very nice waitress to see if the chef could put something together (since they clearly had vegetables on the menu) - but the chef declined to make anything that diverted from the menu in any way.

Also, we tried to reserve a table the day before our planned visit - but the staff told us that they took no reservations for the following day. When we arrived the following day, the first thing they asked us was if we had a reservation. It also turned out that the tables on the first floor were reserved "for special guests". Despite the fact that one in our company cannot walk unaided, they showed us to a table down the stairs and out the back.

All in all, we had a very unpleasant experience on this last (and final?) visit. I do not expect every restaurant to have a vegan option. But if you boast about a vegan menu, then at least you should be able to put some vegetables on a plate; especially when you’re not exactly a budget eatery. I can only assume that the reason why they could not put two tomatoes together is that (on this day) the food was pre-made and...