Italy is world-renowned for its food, as the birthplace of pizza, pasta, and desserts like tiramisu. With so many fantastic culinary delights, it is no wonder that sometimes we are struck with a craving for Italian food that won’t accept any substitutes.
As not everyone can jet off to Italy to satisfy their craving, we decided to put together this list of our picks for the four best Italian restaurants in Cape Town. So that when you get a craving for Italian you can satisfy it at the best Italian restaurant Cape Town has to offer.
1. Cucina Labia at Casa Labia
Casa Labia was initially built in 1929, in Muizenberg overlooking false bay. It was built as the residence for Italy’s diplomatic representatives and designed to keep with the 18th-century Venitian style. Cucina Labia has spread throughout the house, with tables in the reception area, drawing room, sunroom, courtyard, and veranda overlooking the bay. This provides a classical aesthetic that will make you feel like you’re Italian nobility.
Cucina Labia offers an extensive menu of fine dining options. A breakfast menu is available on Saturdays and Sundays, including a breakfast pizza that is the perfect way to start your day. Their à la carte menu offers an extensive range of fine-dining Italian dishes. These include Mains like cider-braised pork belly and salsa verde chicken roulade with deconstructed ratatouille. Their decadent desserts include deconstructed tiramisu and tuile cannelloni. They even have a limited kid’s menu to keep the little ones satisfied. With so many options there is always something new to try that will excite your taste buds and keep you coming back.
They also have a high tea if you are looking for a place to have a girl’s morning out.
Cucina Labia is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10:00-16:00, Friday from 18:00-22:00, and Saturday to Sunday from 09:00-16:00. This is the most authentically themed Italian restaurant Cape Town has to offer, and it will transport you to Italy without having to board a plane.
2. Woodlands Eatery
Two Italians, Matteo Santini and Maurizio Carlo travelled the world for 10 years before they took over the Woodlands Eatery in 2017. Located on Breda street the eatery has an intimate rustic aesthetic that provides a beautiful ambience for a casual Italian dining experience. With friendly reception and staff that will make you feel a part of their “famiglia”.
These two Italians strive to combine their traditional recipes passed down in their families, with a bit of local flavour. They offer a wide selection of premium pizzas and pasta dishes, with some of their pasta being homemade. Many of their dishes even have recommended pairings, to ensure you have the best dining experience possible. They also have delightful desserts that will satisfy any sweet tooth. All of their portions are very generous, so be sure to bring your appetite.
Woodlands Eatery is open from Monday to Sunday from 12:00-22:00. This is the best value-for-money Italian restaurant Cape Town has to offer. This neighbourhood gem truly demonstrates why Italy has a reputation for being passionate about its food.
3. A Tavola
A Tavola is the quintessential family restaurant. Established in 2008 they pride themselves on serving fresh, seasonal Italian cuisine. With floor-to-ceiling windows that give the intimate dining area a casual contemporary aesthetic. Their open-plan kitchen allows you to see the food preparation process while the aroma entices your taste buds.
A Tavola is committed to providing a menu comprised of organic produce, sustainable fish, homemade pasta, and pasture-reared beef, so you are guaranteed a fresh and ethical meal.
They have a very wide range of pasta dishes including a Linguine Pescatore which is a thin pasta tossed in seafood sauce with mussels, prawns and calamari, with a touch of chilli and garlic, you won’t want to miss.
There are also a variety of meat platters to satisfy any meat lover. They also have a wide selection of wines to pair with their delicious dishes.
A Tavola is open from Monday to Friday for lunch from 12:00-15:00, and dinner from 17:30-22:00. On Saturdays they are open for dinner from 18:00-22:00.
This is truly a great authentic Italian restaurant Cape Town has to offer. With true Italian pasta dishes, that will keep you coming back for more.
4. Trattoria Maranello
Trattoria Maranello is a great beachside Italian restaurant Cape Town has to offer. Following tradition, this Italian Trattoria is a casual eatery located next to Melkbosstrand.
They have a lovely cocktail deck perfect for a summer day, or you can enjoy your meal in their open-air conservatory. Both have wonderful views of the Atlantic Ocean as the backdrop for this dining experience. There is also Ferrari memorabilia in the restaurant showing off these Italian vehicles.
Trattoria Maranello brings the culinary traditions of Italy to the beachfront. Using locally raised organic ingredients wherever possible, and high-quality imports are used when necessary. They offer a vast selection of food dishes on their fixed menu, with daily specials prepared by chef Uli.
They have a wonderful selection of wood-fired pizza, made with stone ground flour for an authentic flavour. They even offer kids under 10 half portions for half price, and kids under 3 eat for free. They also have an extensive wine list and delicious homemade desserts.
Trattoria Maranello is open from Monday to Saturday from 12:00-22:00, and Sunday and public holidays from 11:00-21:00. This beachside establishment is the most family-friendly Italian restaurant Cape Town has to offer. With all formula 1 Grand Prix events screened there, and the Ferrari memorabilia it is the perfect spot for any motorhead.
These are our picks for the best Italian restaurants in Cape Town. So the next time you get a craving for some Italian cuisine, don’t hesitate to visit one of these restaurants. So you can enjoy an authentic Italian dining experience in Cape Town.
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