Cape Town Restaurants

A restaurant that boasts superb dishes that showcase the sumptuous but simple flavours of Italy, 96 Keerom is the place to be for a memorable taste of the Med. An atmosphere of simple sophistication runs throughout the restaurant. The staff are friendly and tend to diners needs without being intrusive and are happy to advise on selections to suit. A great wine selection rounds off the superb offerings for a truly satisfying Italian dining experience.

A trendy spot for lovers of Italian food, A Tavola is well worth a visit. A warm and lively venue, the ambience throughout is friendly and diners are always made to feel as welcome as they truly are. Wine list featuring some Italian options as well as South African bottles provides a great accompaniment to a delicious meal.

Alba Lounge, above the Hildebrand Restaurant offers visitors some of the best views in Cape Town. With 360 degree views across the harbour, the V & A Waterfront, Table Mountain and the City, this is a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike. Rain or shine, Alba Lounge is the perfect place to be, sipping on something cool and delighting on some of the delicious tapas treats that are on offer. The Venetian inspired menu features a delicious range of classic Italian tapas with a modern twist. Visitors are invited to sit back and take in the scenery while feasting on such sumptuous morsels as smoked salmon, horseradish and dill crostini or Springbok, sage and apricot terrina. One of the chef’s specialities is the Umbrian sausage with peppers. There are also classic breaded mozzarella balls, Prosciutto San Daniele with melon, Ham on grilled polena and flash friend prawns. The fabulous selection of tapas is the ideal accompaniment for one of the many delightful cocktails on offer. Alba Lounge is an upmarket tapas lounge. Luxurious and trendy, with out of this world views it is the place to be for a chilled drink and a light snack.

Located on the ground level of the Hollow on the Square, Amici Restaurant exudes a street café ambiance enjoyed at leisure over breakfast, lunch or dinner. Expect authentic Italian dining and some of the best-handpicked wines alongside daily chef’s specials. Sit outside enjoying a buffet style breakfast or languid a la carte lunch or dinner at Amici Restaurant.

Located in the bustling Cape Quarter is Andiamo. A trendy but traditional Italian restaurant and deli and a popular venue providing breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails. The food is uncomplicated, harnessing the best that Italian cuisine has to offer from colourful salads to pasta and meat dishes. The deli is not to be missed, with more than 2000 local and imported options to select from. With lots of outside seating, protected from the elements or cosy inside tables, Andiamo is a brilliant place to while away some hours with good friends and good food.

Authentic Italian cuisine is the order of the day with everything and anything ranging from pastas, pizzas and decadent range of pure Italian ice cream. The pizza boasts an exclusive combination of flavours and naturally fermented dough and ice cream with 22 different flavours. This bright, cheery and light café makes for an ideal stopover for lunch and dinner, anytime of the day, except Sunday.

This bustling, vibrant and friendly venue has earned its place as one of Cape Town's friendliest restaurants. Service comes with a smile and the pizzas and pastas come with unique family recipes to ensure that all Bacini's foods are exceptional! The gorgeous summer nights are embraced with the setting out of this restaurant – an outside seating area accommodates 60 people and one can easily feel as though you may be sitting at a trattoria in Italy, with Kloof Street turning into a magically lit backdrop. Romondo and family are always happy to mingle among the diners and their hospitality and service ethic will make you feel like a regular, even on your first visit to Bacini's! In winter this is a cozy 'hang-out” offering a unique blend of garlic aromas, the sound of happy laughter, and the clinking of glasses as locals, regulars and “new kids” on the block toast to life in the happy family environment. The pizzas are as generous as the Napoli family and the pastas are.....well....Italian! Delicious, divine and delectable! We offer a selection of meat and chicken dishes, salads, pizzas and pastas. Wherever your taste-buds feel like taking you, you will be transported to a culinary experience that is real value for money and you will be back for more!

Balducci’s Ristorante is nestled in Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront. Famous for its sublime food, attentive service, understated formality and fabulous view of Cape Town's working harbour and Table Mountain, Balducci’s prides itself with its fine food and extensive international award winning wine list. The ethos at Balducc’s is to provide outstanding food that is simple, clean and delicious, using traditional Italian recipes that have been modernised. Dishes are prepared using only the best ingredients, with passion and contemporary creative flair. Heavily influenced by Italian cuisine, there is also an Africa twist with dishes such as ostrich lasagne and carpaccio of venison. There is something for everyone, from gourmet pizzas to traditional Osso Buco, from biltong salad to freshly shucked oysters, as well as a Sushi Bar, where only the finest, freshest fish is served to a discerning clientele. Diners looking for something a little lighter flock to Balducci’s for the award winning 180g Karan beef rump and sirloin burger, served on a freshly toasted roll with thick cut chips. This is the ultimate in gourmet burgers! Crisp linen, an award winning wine list and outstanding food with a sophisticated ambience makes Balducci's an absolute must for fabulous eating experience.

Located in the leafy Southern suburbs of Kenilworth in a house built in the late 18 hundreds, Bardelli’s best-kept secret lies in their great quality food served in generous portions and fantastic value for money. Sourcing only the finest local products and imported ingredients with award winning pizza, fresh salads, calamari and fillet options, Bardelli caters for simple and complex palates with ease and passion Italians are so renowned for. Upon arrival, delight your senses with the smell of hearty pasta and thin crust pizzas lingering in the wood-fired oven touched by the subtle sounds of Italian café style music in the background. Tables chequered in red and white warmed by flickering candle lights make for a cosy and intimate dining experience with cooling wooden tables and chairs enhanced by the mysterious memorabilia of old Italy. This small family friendly restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere and comprehensive menu with a well-priced wine list and delectable choices of local and international deserts.

Offering classic bistro fare and delectable Italian spreads, Basilico welcomes families and friends with a relaxed and easygoing attitude. Authentic Italian spreads grace the chalkboards offering delicious and fragrant garlic and rosemary focaccia with a paper-thin crust and a crunchy salad and heavenly pizza with gourmet toppings, from salmon and rocket to springbok carpaccio, pears and gorgonzola. Choose a well-paired wine from the excellent wine list to compliment the meal. Basilico proffers classic bistro fare, the perfect place to unwind with family and friends in Kildare Road.

The menu caters a mixture of fusion Italian and Portuguese fare in a relaxed setting. Serving an array of delicious choices for breakfast, lunch or dinner, this trendy eatery offers and added bit of retail therapy-the perfect balance of indulgence. A small vintage clothing shop adds character and timeless appeal to already trendy crowd along bustling Tamboerskloof in Cape Town.

Located in De Waterkant in Green Point, this funky coloured store borders between a traditional Italian gelatina, hip bakery, patisserie and comfortable coffee bar dressed in colourful décor embracing art and fashion. Small and comfortable, scattered with sofas, comfortable outdoor seating and Italian décor, BICCCS boasts the finest vintage 1950’s Carpisiani Machine imported from Italy. This genuine machine churns out the most decadent ice cream, free from artificial flavours, colours and nonsense. Enjoy the flavours and aromas of freshly baked southern Italian bread, all baked using natural ingredient including European style croissants and rich moist cakes. The menu brims with light mals, paninis, salads, luxurious coffee prepared the Napolitano way. Try the beautiful Walnut, Gorgonzola and Avocado laden salad, spinach pies, rustic spicy meat and potato pie, paninis with the fillings of the day a thick garlicky slice of Italian home style pizza with rich tomato loaded with basil leaves and unctuous fior-di-latte mozzarella. BICCCS caters for discerning hedonists who appreciate quality, style and full-bodied flavours of traditional Italy in Green Point.

Renowned for superb thin and crispy pizzas and warm, convivial atmosphere, Borruso’s in Rondebosch is a must for Italian food lovers.Daily specials feature on the chalkboard and are well worth taking advantage of. An extensive selection of pizzas and wonderful pasta dishes make up the bulk of a well-planned menu, catering for a variety of preferences. A good selection of wine provides the finishing touch to your meal.Rustic wooden tables, murals and a veranda sheltered from the elements create a quaint traditional look.A warm welcome with friendly service, great food and great wine awaits you at Borruso’s.

An elegant mix of classic Italian appeal and eye-catching interior sets the tone for indulgence on signature pizzas such as the sublime square pizza. Exuding warmth and charm, as many Italian eateries do, Bravado! goes a little further teasing the senses with a mix of urban shabby chic and old school Italian.

Imagine thin crust, perfectly balanced cheese ratio topped with fresh, well-matched ingredients, cooked to crispy perfection! The latest creations spill off the blackboard accompanied by a standard wine list and various other choices alongside pizza.

Housed inside a delightful tiny old house dressed in elegant wooden furniture, nostalgic old pictures and a light and airy feel, Caffe Milano serves a loyal following of ladies with delicious breakfasts, freshly baked sourdough bread (made on site) and heavenly pastries. The menu proffers daily pasta specials, which could be penne with steak strips in a creamy sauce, or croissants filled with fior di latte mozzarella and tomato, or smoked salmon and cream cheese. The carpaccios, either beef or tuna remain popular choices and do the superb steak tartare. Pop in for some gossip, pastries and feminine buzz at Caffe Milano in Kloof Street.

Caffe San Marco’s relaxed atmosphere, great views and Italian influence, as well its sidewalk location in the V & A Waterfront means patrons can sit back, sip on a gourmet cup of coffee and people watch. A truly Italian experience, Caffe San Marco offers patrons an authentic slice of that la vita e bella, or the beautiful life. Nestled in the bustling Waterfront, looking out over the harbour where the seals frolic and water traffic goes to and fro, Caffe San Marco’s menu is made up of a selection of delicious fare to satisfy and delight. Whether its breakfast, lunch, dinner, a light snack or a cup of the best coffee, Caffe San Marco has something to offer. Real Italian food, made the traditional way, each meal is freshly prepared and made to order. The beef carpaccio is one of the house specialities cut from the finest fillet, garnished with the finest salina capers. There are a range of pastas and salads made with authentic Italian ingredients. There is an extensive breakfast menu, served until 12pm, as well as a selection of gourmet sandwiches. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, Caffe San Marco offers an the best views, the finest coffees and fabulous food, while being the perfect place to watch the world go by.

“Cosa Nostra, Coa Modo” – “Our thing, our way” defines what Capone’s Pizza do. Authentic, original, thin-based pizzas, crispy and delightful combined with fresh ingredients and flavours. Delight the palate with a crispy Johnny Fox pizza dressed with butternut feta and red onion or a Kid Twist topped with chorizo, peppadews, avocado, chilli and garlic. Kick start the palate with fiery Al’s Arrabiatta drenched in marinara sauce pan-fried with anchovy, olives, chilli and garlic with Penne Rigata. At Capone’s Pizza patrons can enjoy fresh pizza, pasta, burgers, deserts and sauces made on the premises with delicious side grills and salads.

Perched on the slopes on Table Mountain, this Italian themed eatery exudes a warm and cosy atmosphere, dressed in comfortable couches and a laid back atmosphere. Imagine delicious thin-based pizzas, freshly made pastas and the finest seafood, fish and meat dishes. The chicken is certified organic, the eggs are free-range and the vegetables are sourced daily. The fully licensed bar caters for easy drinking and chilled sundowners, while the restaurant hosts intimate candlelight dinners. Discover a hidden gem in the heart of Cape Town when you visit Carlyles on Derry.

Recently restored to its former glory, The Casa Labia is not only a Venetian inspired national monument, but also the location of the Casa Labia Café, a new addition to the False Bay coastline. Located on the Main Road, teetering on the St. James and Muizenberg border, views from the Casa Labia extend over moody blue waters from the dappled sunlight of a beautiful courtyard. Inspiration for the café menu is drawn from the Labia family’s Italian heritage and their passion for South Africa. Italian classics are made unique to the environment by using local ingredients with emphasis placed on sourcing fresh food for the daily menu, which changes according to the seasons.

A Home away from home, Nestled between two giant palm trees on the far side of Regent Street in Sea Point, Italian restaurant Casa Nostra is a slice of home-style Italian comfort that in Cape Town, is particularly hard to come by. Translated, Casa Nostra means “Our House” – but I suppose we lied because here at Casa Nosta, we would like you to consider our house, your house, by making yourself truly at home. Our kitchen is another story in itself. Spearheaded by a passionate (and slightly temperamental) head chef, our kitchen prides itself on the best homemade pasta this side of the Atlantic. And our rustic-style pizzas have also proved more than popular with the locals and the returning tourists. However, apart from our homely food, we acknowledge that a good dining experience draws from a number of factors. When they’re not playing backgammon or drinking copious amounts of coffee at outside tables, our trusted and welcoming team who run the floor will go to great lengths to make sure you’re comfortable and well-looked after. Whether it’s a special occasion or a private function, we will accommodate anyone and everyone, but be sure to book a table because with no more than fifteen of them, we tend to fill up quite fast on most nights. Just like a home, it takes a combined effort to make a restaurant work and having been open for a little over two years, we hope to brighten the street with our red and white checked tablecloths long into the future. So whether your prefer an ice local cold beer or a tall glass of Sangiovese, pop in and let Casa Nosta cater to your every culinary desire.

This quaint little takeaway outlet is situated in the Craft Market and Wellness Centre of the renowned V & A Waterfront. Enjoy generous portions of old classics like Spaghetti Bolognese and Pasta Arabiata in the cheerful, family friendly surroundings while mouth-watering thick-crusted pizzas with a variety of toppings serve as food for the soul. Add various pies, salads and soups and you’ve got something for everyone. Not only does this place serve food that reminds of a real Italian mama’s kitchen, but it impresses with affordability, quantity and quality. Casa Pizza and Pasta serves light meals for breakfast and lunch and is well worth a try.

Chef Ristorante Italiano proffers classic Italian cuisine with care and integrity. Dishes are thoughtfully prepared tossed and created with beautiful flavours and fresh local produce. Try the zingy calamari tagliolini heaped with rocket and baby tomatoes and dreamy homemade tiramisu! The ambiance calls for a quite, intimate and relaxed dining experience, soothed further by the gentle Opera flowing through the background. Enjoy a sophisticated and romantic candlelit dinner, in private intimacy at Chef Ristorante Italiano.

Situated along the beautiful West Coast shores and only 20 minutes’s drive from glitzy Cape Town, Ciao Baby Cucina Eden on the Bay is a lively spot for brilliant Italian cuisine. Enjoy a delicious meal made with care, using only the freshest ingredients, the most tender meats and the finest pasta and seafood. Take in views of Table Mountain from across the Atlantic in modern and vibrant surroundings. With passionate staff dedicated to tending to your every need, you can be assured of a wonderful time at Ciao Baby Cucina.

A true passion for Italian food is what makes Col’Cacchio the place to go for the best in Italian dining. Situated in a stunning location at Camps Bay, with glorious mountains behind and a beautiful white sandy beach in front. Col’Cacchio has become famous, in particular, for the range of perfectly crisp, thin pizza bases as well as pastas and fresh salads. With an endorsement by the Heart Foundation of South Africa, the creative selection of health and vegetarian pizzas make this place a must-try. The delicious sauces are all freshly prepared and organic ingredients are used wherever possible. As part of the extensive and well-thought out menu, Col’Cacchio features wheat-free tagliatelli and gluten and wheat-free pizza bases. The variety of pizza combinations are never-ending, with 50 standard options on the menu and the option of creating your own pizza to your own specification. Whatever your taste, there is a pizza to suit. If salads are more your thing, you’ll be spoilt for choice with 20 different offerings. With friendly, knowledgeable staff on hand to help you choose the perfect meal from the extensive menu, you can be assured of a great time at Col’Cacchio.

The restaurant holds a charming and energetic ambiance, enjoyed even more in the leather booths and dimmed cosy lighting. Drawings saturate the walls adding character and charm! Order a pizza and expect handmade, thin and crusty base, cooked to perfect in the genuine wood burning oven, topped with an assortment of delicious toppings, enjoyed with a good bottle of wine or crisp beer. Burgers satisfy hearty palates, dressed in all the trimmings, with choice of beef, chicken, ostrich and vegetarian. Try the Brussels with blue cheese and fig!

Nestled in the tree clad Deerpark Drive, D’Angelos Pizzeria in Vredehoek produces traditional wood-fired pizzas and authentic Italian pastas. Pizza and pasta dishes are made from imported Italian products and the freshest local ingredients including handmade pizza dough, pastas and gluten free pizzas. Alongside pizza and past the menu offers choices such as Caprese Salad with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil pesto. The pizzas tempt with the Torino and Juventus dressed in salami, chilli, avo and fresh tomato, or bacon, olives, feta and avo. Enjoy spectacular views and hearty pizza or pasta dishes at D’Angelo’s Pizzeria in Vredehoek.

A theatrical display compliments the dining experience as the palate moves from one scene to the next, sampling a delicious array of starters, mains then desert. Drenched in atmosphere and warm bohemian touches, Diva Caffee Ristorante invites lingering lunches and lazy dinners infused with romantic Italian flavour. Dine at tables draped in red rosebud table clothes softened by delicate lighting or the European patio enjoying thin-based pizzas and mouthwatering pastas.

A vibrant spot on bustling Long Street, Fior Fiore is a great place for perfect thin crust pizzas and delicious pastas and salads.Italian dishes are the order of the day at this lively venue. A unique blend of flours makes for perfect thin bases for the popular pizzas and a wide range of toppings means diners are spoilt for choice. The gelatos are homemade and a must-try with so many flavours to choose from.Professional and highly-trained staff tend to diners’ needs perfectly, without being intrusive.Frequented by a stylish crowd, the atmosphere is always buzzing at Fior Fiore.

Based at the Italian Club of Cape Town, this family restaurant sets the tone with a relaxed and warm atmosphere brimming with traditional Italian dishes. The full-bodied wine list fares well boasting local and international flavours. Pop into Fratelli Palmieri for some good old family time and hearty Italian fare.

The Hildebrand, one of the City’s best loved restaurants, has been around for more than a century. Situated in the V & A Waterfront where they can ensure that each of their authentic Italian dishes is accompanied by spectacular views, providing the perfect backdrop for business lunches, family get-togethers, romantic dinners & special occasions.The Hildebrand’s extensive menu is home to traditional dishes from all regions of Italy as well as various scrumptious seafood, red meat and venison options.

Expect full flavoured Italian dishes from Sicily and Tuscany, and a carefully chosen wine list brimming with South African and Italian, by bottle or glass. The décor is bright and cheerful, lilac and cream walls are decorated with aerial pictures of South Africa, Namibia and Italy. There are two dining rooms, one with a small bar, perfect for pre-dinner drinks. Il Cappero Italian is a relaxed, authentic eatery in Cape Town.

On the ground floor of the Alfred Mall in Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront, with a view of the bustling Waterfront il Paninaro Paninoteca e Spaghetteria overlooks an area designated for buskers, ensuring that patrons are treated to a wonderful variety of live entertainment, ranging from a marimba band to traditional African gumboot dancers. Whether it is a traditional cooked breakfast, a morning muffin and steaming hot cup of pure Arabica coffee or a more traditional Coppa Salute (fruit yoghurt in layers with muesli & banana) there is no better place to be to start of the day then the veranda of il Paninaro Paninoteca e Spaghetteria. And for a truly traditional Italian treat, the Cannoli is a house speciality – originating in Sicily, these tube- shaped pastry shells are deep fried and filled with a sweet, creamy filling; deliciously indulgent! This traditional Italian eatery specialises in light meals for lunch and dinner. With a range of over 20 paninis to choose from, there is something for everyone. Only the best breads are used, and fillings include: Parma ham, mozzarella and artichoke pesto on Focaccia bread; mozzarella, tomato and pesto on Grissone bread; grilled chicken, sun dried tomato pesto and rocket on Ciabatta bread. Pastas include a delicious homemade lasagne and a variety of pastas with fresh authentic Italian sauces. Alternatively there is a delicious selection of antipasti to choose from, and a wine list that includes both South African and Italian wines.

Perfectly situated opposite the Blue Route Mall in Tokai, Italian Kitchen Trattoria Café offers rustic dining with minimalist décor. Warmed by rich wooden tables and contrasting walls with rustic exposed beams, this Italian kitchen exudes a homely and welcoming atmosphere. Known for their Wild Porcini Mushroom Risotto and warming fusion of slow roasted pork neck and lamb shank their secret lies in the slow lingering process of cooking delectable cuts of meat in the open wood oven. Emphasising taste and quality, slow roasted dishes are savoured falling off the bone with a medium weight spicy Shiraz to compliment the aromatic notes of sweetness. Daily specials grace the blackboards with a large variety of irresistible wines perfectly partnered to compliment the warming flavours and aroma. With excellent service and value for money, Italian Kitchen Trattoria Cafe offers relaxed dining with culinary genius Garth known for his amazing sense of taste.

Located along Sir Lowry Road, this unpretentious eatery attracts diners and food lovers who relish food the Italian way. Whether meeting for drinks, unwinding the day’s events or celebrating a special occasion, this little gem in Bucharian Square is the place to be.

For good, wholesome food done the Italian way in a family-run restaurant, try La Masseria. The setting perfectly complements the theme with the restaurant being situated within an old Evertsdal Estate wine cellar dating back to 1680. Enjoy delicious food and stunning views in true Italian hospitality at La Masseria.

Situated in a perfect spot on the Sea Point beach front, La Perla has long established itself as one of Cape Town’s premier venues. An authentic Italian menu with a focus on superb seafood proffers the finest dishes made with fresh ingredients, including homemade pastas and home-grown vegetables from La Perla’s own farm. A carefully compiled wine list full of excellent wines that provide the perfect accompaniment to your meal is the finishing touch to your wonderful dining experience at La Perla.

La Piccola oozes Italian, a small and bustling atmosphere that offers diners a chance to relax and take in the scenic views alongside a refreshing glass of wine or cappuccino. With the serene voices of Italian music in the background and a small quality wine list, savouring heart-warming dishes of pasta or pizza inside or on the terraced deck compliments the relaxing panoramic views of Muizenberg Mountains. With delicious pizzas and pastas on offer, La Piccola is your Italian kitchen in the heart of Tokai.

Small and intimate, Limoncello caters with a cosy dining area and relaxing bar/lounge for pre/after dinner drinks. Try their delicious pizza base crisps dipped in olive oil and balsamic before tucking into a hearty pizza. The menu is small but big on flavour offering traditional Italian dishes tossed with garlic and typical Italian ingredients. The wine list is small but well partnered with the menu.

180° unsurpassed views of Cape Town, Table Mountain, Robben Island and all the way up the West Coast to Blouberg is hard to beat. Maestro's on the Beach is situated right on the dunes at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean next to the Milnerton lighthouse. The patio area is open, weather permitting, and features its own bar. This area is a very popular spot as one gets the feeling of being on the deck of a cruise ship with the waves of the Atlantic Ocean almost breaking at your feet.