Re Carlo V — Restaurant in Catania

One star is generous. We came here excitedly having been recommended by a Catanian local. The staff were inattentive and dishonest. The wine glasses arrived filthy, with lipstick stains from previous guests. The plates and glasses are kept in an uncovered shelving unit on the roadside. The buffet, (which we were told cost 5€ per head, per plate) was covered in fruit flies and my friend bit into a pastry to find it filled with the mould. The waiter apologised and quickly took it away. When the meats arrived, the pork was uncooked. This is not a matter of taste or opinion - there was blood running from it. This is an actual food safety violation and poses a serious threat to health. This was a similar tale for the lamb. Not wanting to risk severe food poisoning, we were all put off our meals and asked for the bill. On receiving the bill, we found we had been charged 9€ for two buffet plates claiming two of our party had “overfilled” their plate - this was not communicated to us to be a rule nor extra charge. When we refused to pay for the buffet food (due to mould and flies) we were surrounded at the table by all staff and shouted at and threatened aggressively, and told it was not mould but ricotta. The staff then claimed they had watched us on the cameras and because of this they knew we had had a “big” buffet plate- which we simply had not. We went inside to pay, and staff (& friends???) blocked the door until we had all paid the full amount. As a woman, this experience was truly terrifying for me and it induced an anxiety which ruined the rest of my night. This was unfortunately the last night of our Sicilian holiday and it has left a very sour taste.

I cannot urge you enough - do NOT enter or eat...

I wish the pictures could capture how DELICIOUS these horse meatballs were 🤤

This place was recommended to me by a dear friend who grew up in Catania, and it did not disappoint 👍🏼

The meat is grilled freshly outside and you can talk to the chef while he prepares each order. The horse meat is unlike anything I have ever tasted, in a good way (even though i was hoping I would dislike it because I enjoy riding horses 🐴 😅)

Friendly service, and very fair pricing, especially for the generous portions you get.

Indoor and outdoor seating available.

Handicap friendly, ground floor is wheelchair accessible.

There are some very limited vegetation options for those brave vegans and vegetarians who might somehow be ok with all the delicious meat around...

I was recommended this place by a local, and went with colleagues. The buffet food was covered in fruitflies. When we ate, we found that some of the items were mouldy. We mentioned this to the waiters, they apologised, before arguing that this was not mould, and actually charged us more than we had been quoted. The barbequed meats were also undercooked, including pork chops which ran with red juices when served. When we complained about our overcharge on the buffet food we were surrounded by all the staff in an aggressive manner and forced to pay. This was the worst experience I've ever had in a restaurant.

Tldr: Stay away if you don't want food poisoning, being overcharged...