Best Italian restaurants in Cape Town: 16 must-visit spots for food lovers
South Africa's mother city is known for its deep-rooted culinary culture. Whether you are looking for an irresistible tiramisu, melt-in-the-mouth melanzane, or perfectly prepared pasta, these Italian restaurants in Cape Town have you covered. There is something for every mood, palate and occasion!
Source: Facebook
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- At Scala Pasta/Bar, a Josper Charcoal oven imported from Spain makes meat, vegetables, and sauces.
- At The Cousins Trattoria, a 10% gratuity is automatically added to the bill for tables of eight or more guests.
- II Leone Mastrantonio restaurant is the recipient of the prestigious Gambero Rosso Award.
- Italian native, Raimondo Napoli, owns Bacini's on Kloof.
Top Italian restaurants in Cape Town
The finest Italian eateries in Cape Town offer mouth-watering dishes and a vibrant ambience. They balance comfort with sophistication for an experience that delights the eyes and the palate.
Below is a ranking of the best trattorias in the city, based on data from reputable sources such as TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, and Wanderlog.
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| Restaurant | TripAdvisor ranking |
| Col'cacchio Haasendal | 4.9/5 |
| Osteria Tarantino | 4.7/5 |
| Scala Pasta/ Bar | 4.6/5 |
| Giovanni's | 4.6/5 |
| The Cousins Trattoria | 4.5/5 |
| II Leone Mastrantonio | 4.3/5 |
| Carne (Kloof) | 4.3/5 |
| Amber On Bree | 4.3/5 |
| Mamma Roma | 4.3/5 |
| Diva Pizza | 4.3/5 |
| Villa 47 | 4.2/5 |
| Trecastelli | 4.2/5 |
| Posticino | 4.1/5 |
| PRIMI V&A Waterfront | 4.0/5 |
| Bacini's on Kloof | 4.0/5 |
| Nonna Lina | 4.0/5 |
16. Nonna Lina
Source: Facebook
- Address: 64 Orange Street Gardens, Cape Town Central, 8001, South Africa
- Menu: Website
- Opening hours: Monday (4:45 pm to 10:00 pm), Tuesday to Thursday (12:50 pm to 10:05 pm), Friday and Saturday (12:00 pm to 10:25 pm), Sunday (12:00 pm to 10:15 pm)
- Contact: +27 21 424 4966
- Social media: Instagram, Facebook
A relaxing place in the heart of the city! Nonna Lina's rich Sardinian heritage adds a unique touch to its culinary offerings. Their signature Pizza Nonno Vittorio and Parmigiano e Noci salad offer a delightful journey into Italian culture. A contented customer wrote on TripAdvisor:
Great atmosphere and fantastic staff. Ideal spot for a casual but yummy night of food and wine.
15. Bacini's on Kloof
Source: Instagram
- Address: 177 Kloof Street Gardens, Cape Town Central, 8001, South Africa
- Menu: Website
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday (9:00 am to 11:00 pm)
- Contact: 021 423 6668
- Social media: Instagram, Facebook
Bacini's on Kloof's first restaurant opened in 1989. The menu includes antipasti dishes such as Grilled Asparagus salad, Primo dishes such as Prawn Linguine, and cocktails such as the Chilli Margarita.
14. PRIMI V&A Waterfront
Source: Facebook
- Address: Breakwater Boulevard Shop 7205, Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, Cape Town Central, 8001, South Africa
- Menu: Website
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday (9:00 am to 10:00 pm), Saturday (9:00 am to 11:00 pm), Sunday (9:00 am to 10:00 pm)
- Contact: +27 21 421 6036
- Social media: Instagram, Facebook
PRIMI V&A Waterfront will satisfy your biggest craving for pasta, pizza and more. Since 1999, the eatery has been bringing a taste of Italy to South Africa's mother city's vibrant context.
Their comforting and healthy dishes are prepared with the finest ingredients for a memorable dining experience.
13. Posticino
Source: Facebook
- Address: 323 Main Road, Cape Town Central, 8005, South Africa
- Menu: Website
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday (12:30 pm to 10:00 pm)
- Contact: 067 393 1653
- Social media: Instagram, Facebook
Posticino seeks to connect families through delicious and authentic Italian food. From its Funghi Grigliati to its Carabinieri pizza and Al Pesce salad, the menu will have you spoilt for choice.
The best part is that you can place a food order on Uber Eats, and they will deliver it to your doorstep at a reasonable fee.
12. Trecastelli
Source: Facebook
- Address: 2 Porterfield Rd, Table View, Cape Town Central, 7441, South Africa
- Menu: Website
- Opening hours: Monday (Closed), Tuesday to Sunday (6:00 am to 10:30 pm)
- Contact: 081 589 8820
- Social media: Facebook
This Italian gem's pizza is made from the freshest and finest ingredients and served straight from the oven. Its modern yet relaxed décor promises an experience like no other. Their signature salsiccia, panna & funghi, and Italian salad will have you coming back for more.
11. Villa 47
Source: Facebook
- Address: 47 Bree Street, Cape Town Central, 8000, South Africa
- Menu: Website
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday (7:00 am to 10:00 pm), Saturday (8:30 am to 10:00 pm)
- Contact: +27 21 741 0250
- Social media: Instagram, Facebook
Start your morning with a quick caffé & cornetto at Villa 47 to set the pace for your day. For a romantic dinner date for two, make a reservation and order a heart plate of pastasciutta or a succulent seared tuna and a glass of fine wine.
10. Mamma Roma
Source: Facebook
- Address: Dean Street Arcade, Dean Street, Newlands, Cape Town Central, South Africa
- Menu: Website
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday (12:00 pm to 11:00 pm), Sunday (Closed)
- Contact: +27 (0)21 685 2051
- Social media: Facebook
Mamma Roma was established by Chef Romano and Cristine Gorrini in 1986. The trattoria offers unique cuisine in a serene and family-friendly environment. Their menu includes Risotto Porcini, Melanzane Parmigiana, Lasagna, and the Meat Ravioli Aurora.
9. Amber On Bree
Source: Instagram
- Address: 16 on Bree, Shop 1 & 2, Corner of Bree and Prestwich Street, Cape Town CBD, 8000, South Africa
- Menu: Website
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday (8:00 am to 11:00 pm)
- Contact: 087 470 0816
- Social media: Instagram
Are you craving a decadent feast or a light bite? Amber On Bree's menu for you. Enjoy the hearty flavours in their pasta, burgers and steaks. End your meal with dessert as you jam to sounds by their resident DJs. The eateries' daily Happy Hour Cocktail special runs from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
8. Diva Pizza
- Address: 1 Glynn Street off Buitenkant Street, Cape Town Central, 8001, South Africa
- Menu: Website
- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday (11:00 am to 10:00 pm), Friday and Sunday (11:00 am to 11:00 pm)
- Contact: 078 341 7102
Diva Pizza has served a wide range of traditional thin-based pizza and other Italian dishes since the '90s. Their renowned piping hot chicken bakes burst with flavour. Explore a home delivery option for a casual meal at home or a family gathering.
7. Carne (Kloof)
Source: Instagram
- Address: 153 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday (6:00 pm to 10:00 pm), Friday and Saturday (12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm), Sunday (Closed)
- Contact: +27 21 426 5566
- Social media: Instagram
Carne (Kloof) offers a refined Italian-style menu focusing on South Africa's high-quality meats. From beloved classics such as Ravioli di Agnello to tasty desserts such as tiramisu, there is something for everyone! A happy client recommended their unique cuts on Google Reviews, saying:
Trying the trio of meat dishes was fun: Kudu, wildebeest and springbok. They all tasted great.
6. II Leone Mastrantonio
Source: Instagram
- Address: 22 Cobern Street, corner of Prestwich, Cape Town Central, 8001, South Africa
- Menu: Website
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday (12:00 pm to 3:30 pm), (6:00 pm to 10:00 pm), Monday (Closed)
- Contact: +27 21 421 0071
- Social media: Instagram
II Leone Mastrantonio is known for its scrumptious pasta and prawn selection. With an array of classic Italian dishes and a warm environment, the Cape Town restaurant boasts of finding perfect harmony between Cape Town's magic and the Italian dining experience.
5. The Cousins Trattoria
Source: Facebook
- Address: 3b Barrack Street, CBD, Cape Town, South Africa
- Menu: Website
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday (5:00 pm to 10:00 pm)
- Contact: 083 273 9604
- Social media: Instagram, Facebook
When cousins Andrea, Simone, and Luca relocated from Romagna, Italy, to Cape Town, South Africa, they struggled to get authentic Italian dishes.
So, they opened an eatery and began making pasta daily using natural ingredients. The eatery has since expanded to various other Italian cuisines, guaranteed to transport your taste buds to Italy.
4. Giovanni's
Source: Facebook
- Address: 103 Main Road, Green Point, Cape Town, South Africa
- Menu: Website
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday (7:30 am to 8:30 pm)
- Contact: 021 434 6893
- Social media: Instagram, Facebook
Are you in a rush or too hungry to wait for a meal to be prepared? Head to Giovanni's fridges and grab their ready-made pasta, vegetable dishes and fresh salads.
You can pair these with freshly squeezed juices and fruit bowls. The Moroccan chicken thighs, chicken limone and tender schnitzels are some of their irresistible choices for poultry lovers.
3. Scala Pasta/ Bar
Source: Instagram
- Address: 81 Church Street Heritage Square, CBD, Cape Town Central, 8000, South Africa
- Menu: Website
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday (12:00 pm to 10:30 pm)
- Contact: +27 21 424 7204
- Social media: Instagram, Facebook
Scala Pasta/ Bar is one of the best pasta joints in the city. The "restaurants laboratory" makes three types of pasta from fresh ingredients sourced locally.
Their signature Carbonara by Chef Luciano Monosilio is a must-try during your next visit. A satisfied client left a five-star review for the restaurant on TripAdvisor, saying:
I was impressed by the eateries' modern yet relaxed Italian décor. The tiramisu, served with flair, was a showstopper. Value for money!
2. Osteria Tarantino
Source: Facebook
- Address: 125A Waterkant Street, Cape Town Central, 8001, South Africa
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday (12:30 pm to 9:00 pm)
- Contact: +27 76 505 1771
- Social media: Facebook
Osteria Tarantino is an Italian food lover's haven. The restaurant offers traditional homemade pasta, but the most interesting part is that the menu changes daily.
Order authentic Italian dishes, including Linguine a la Gamberi e Rucola, Linguine Calamari e Gamberi, and Involtini di pollo al Prosciutto. The eatery's owner, Chef Enrico Tarantino, might just serve you!
1. Col'cacchio Haasendal
Source: Facebook
- Address: 2 Haasendal Road, Haasendal Gables Shopping Centre, Cape Town Central, 7579, South Africa
- Menu: Website
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday (11:00 am to 9:00 pm), Saturday and Sunday (9:30 am to 9:00 pm)
- Contact: +27 (0)87 266 0180
- Social media: Instagram, Facebook
When lovebirds Michael and Kinga bonded over their love for great food, they established Col'cacchio Haasendal.
The Italian flavours and South African charm inspire the restaurant's signature wood-fired, delicious pizzas, pasta and salads. Check out their website for amazing offers on your favourite dishes and drinks.
Wrapping up
The best Italian restaurants in Cape Town will serve your needs, whether you are looking for an old-school family ristorante or an edgy, cosmopolitan trattoria. Their fresh antipasti and flavourful pasta will have you going back for more.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not sponsored by any third party. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions. Any action you take based on the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility.
READ MORE: Top 21 restaurants in Pretoria: A guide to the best culinary experiences
Briefly.co.za ranked some of Pretoria's finest dining establishments. Dining at these restaurants allows you to relax and unwind while spending time with loved ones. You can also taste different cuisines you would not usually make for yourself.
Some destinations you can visit during your next culinary escapades include De Kloof Restaurant, Old Town Italy, Brasserie de Paris and Crawdaddy's.
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
