Local Favourite: Casanova's

When we venture into Braidwood town, our first stop is always Casanova’s. Tucked down a driveway just off the main street of town, Casanova’s is a newly renovated and stylish cafe and restaurant. Serving seasonal food made from local produce, you can visit for breakfast, lunch or dinner and be sure to always get a delicious meal. 

The space features white walls with high ceilings and exposed wooden beams, polished floors, and custom green leather booth seats. In the winter, a cosy wood fire crackles in the corner, surrounded by vintage armchairs. When the sun is shining, diners can enjoy outdoor seating in the courtyard alongside a big veggie patch.

Casanova’s was opened by hospitality veterans Jacquie Casanova and her partner Joe Lawrence. There was never any plan to open a restaurant in the country, but when Jacqui’s parents began renovating the building in Braidwood as a retirement project, they realised it was the perfect space for their restaurant... and Casanova’s was born (luckily for us!)

Joe runs the front of house and Jacqui heads up the kitchen team, serving food that is fresh and hearty with a Mediterranean influence. They bake, make and grow all that they can in-house, from sourdough pizza bases, pasta, cornbreads, and creamy ricotta. There are also plans to expand the veggie patch to provide as much on-site produce as possible.

The service and pace of Casanova’s is friendly and relaxed. With Young Henry’s beers on tap, house made sourdough pizzas, a range of wines & delicious snacks, and the fire crackling in the corner, there couldn't be a better place to spend a cozy country evening or a long, lingering all day breakfast.

Find out more or read the menu here. Follow Casanova’s on Instagram. Photography by Asha Kidd - @mrhaddy