The 20 Best Italian Restaurants in Cape Town

From melt-in-the-mouth melanzane to irresistible tiramisu and perfectly prepared pasta, Italian cuisine is so darn delicious, and hard to beat in terms of the satisfaction quotient.

Whether you’re looking for an old-school family trattoria, an edgy contemporary eatery serving scintillating small plates and the sexiest aperitivi and cocktails in town, or a cosmopolitan ristorante that takes you from the freshest antipasti and homemade pastas to simply superb secondi, the Italian restaurants in Cape Town offer something for every occasion.

For the purposes of this article, we’ve focused on ristoranti that offer more than just pizza. Check out our favourite pizzerias in Cape Town here.

Il Leone Mastrantonio

This convivial Green Point ristorante serves traditional and modern Italian dishes with robust flavours, and is always packed with loyal locals and tourists from the nearby hotels. A stalwart of the Cape Town Italian scene since it opened in the 1990s, the historic Green Point building ties in with the upmarket trattoria vibe, together with art on the walls. It’s great for people-watching – but book well in advance to get a table downstairs, which is where you want to be. Favourites from chef Daniel Toledo’s menu include carpaccio di manzo (finely sliced raw beef fillet with Parmesan shavings, mushrooms, celery and rocket); the legendary penne gamberetti (baby prawns in olive oil, fresh tomato, cream, garlic and chilli); superb gnocchi in a rich four-cheese sauce; tagliata alla Mastrantonio (medallions of grilled sirloin topped with fresh rocket). And a winelist of notable South African wines and well-chosen imported vintages too.
Good to know It has private dining rooms available for functions.
Opening times Tuesday – Sunday, 12pm – 3.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Contact 021 421 0071
Where to find it 22 Cobern Street (corner Prestwich Street), Green Point, Cape Town
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Carne on Kloof

Uncompromising on quality, with very definite ideas on the right way to do things, Giorgio Nava sees no reason to change a winning recipe. You can rely on finding your old favourites at his two Carne restaurants (Kloof Street and Keerom). Classic Milanese cooking with a focus on meat (carne is after all Italian for meat), Giorgio offers the finest cuts of pasture-raised beef, Dorper lamb and game, and encourages you to try lesser-known cuts such as the spider, hanger and flat-iron steaks. Start with old-school classics such as lamb (or butternut) ravioli deliciously swimming in sage butter, gnocchi alla gorgonzola, or pan-fried sweetbreads in white wine, butter and sage. With your chosen steak, we recommend a side of the deliciously crispy smashed and fried baby potatoes. And save room after for a fondente al cioccolato, the classic chocolate dessert with liquid chocolate centre that Giorgio made popular in Cape Town when he brought it here 20 years ago.
Good to know Carne on Kloof and Carne on Keerom share the same classic menu.
Opening times Monday – Thursday, 6pm – 10pm
Friday + Saturday, 12pm – 3pm; 6pm – 10pm
Contact 021 426 5566, carnekloof@carne-sa.com
Where to find it 153 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
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Osteria Tarantino

A staircase on Waterkant Street in De Waterkant leads you up to this delightful pocket-sized osteria, whose owner Enrico Tarantino is as charming and unpretentious as the delicious plates he dishes up. The daytime vibe is warm and rustic (think unsanded wooden tables, chalkboard menus and easy-listening Italian music), which gets a makeover when the sun goes down, with white tablecloths, dim lighting and a cosy fireplace for winter nights. Luscious burrata salad or Tuscan cigars (stracciatella mozzarella and rocket wrapped in Parma ham) are divine starters. Creamy gnocchi gorgonzola, pillowy and comforting; decadent ravioli with a truffle cream sauce; or the signature 4 Ps pasta (pappardelle, porcini, parmesan and pancetta) come sizzling in pans. And a short additional main menu includes veal meatballs and saltimbocca.
Good to know Booking is essential. Homemade gluten-free pasta is available on request.
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 1pm – 9pm
Contact 076 505 1771
Where to find it 125A Waterkant Street, De Waterkant, Cape Town

Mamma Roma

Photos: Claire Clarke

Situated in Dean Street Arcade with ample underground parking, Mamma Roma specialises in authentic northern Italian cuisine and is usually packed with regulars who keep coming back for the consistently good food, homely old-school atmosphere and efficient service – not to mention the generous portion sizes. Hands-on owners Romano and Christina Gorrini have been playing to packed houses in Newlands since 1998 (and before that in Stellenbosch), with a menu of old favourites such as risotto porcini, linguine pescatore, melanzane alla parmigiana – and a chalkboard menu of specials that features the seasonal hits. Look here for asparagus and artichokes in season, roast veal and fresh fish dishes.
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9pm
Contact 021 685 2051, info@mammaroma.co.za
Where to find it Dean Street Arcade, Newlands, Cape Town

Arlecchino

The Tasha’s team have headed to Italy for the inspiration behind their latest – delightfully designed – restaurant. Arlecchino spills out onto Sea Point’s Regent Road, its checkered design hinting at the harlequin of the Italian carnival tradition. A pizzico of Milan, a spritz of Venice, it channels la dolce vita with an appetising Italian-inspired menu for breakfast, lunch, aperitivi and dinner, featuring dishes such as Amalfi lemon pasta, fritto misto, mortadella panini, tuna tagliata, scaloppina al limone and a short selection of pizzette. And a new favourite tiramisu – assembled at your table as the irresistible coffee and cocoa aromas fill your nostrils – served with a scoop of citrus sorbet.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 8am – 11pm
Contact 021 879 1133, seapoint@arlecchino.co
Where to find it 16 Regent Road, Sea Point, Cape Town
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A Tavola

A Southern Suburbs Italian institution, ever since it opened in 2008, A Tavola continues to deliver traditional Italian flavour to packed houses. A casual ambience looking through glass walls onto Library Square in Claremont is enlivened by hearty aromas wafting into the dining area from the open-plan kitchen. Fresh, seasonal produce is the order of the day – in true Italian style, owner David Haupt and his wife Emma are committed to using organic herbs and vegetables, pasture-reared beef, sustainable fish and handmade pasta. A favourite lunch spot for Luke Dale Roberts, he recommends the linguine gamberoni (pasta with queen prawns) and the veal with mushrooms. Other favourites include tagliolini ai funghi e tartufo (fresh pasta with mushrooms and truffle), and tagliata di manzo (sliced rib-eye with roast Roma tomatoes and broccoli). Explore the winelist, which goes beyond local to include Italian classics such as Chianti, Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino and Amarone della Valpolicella.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 12pm – 3pm; 5.30pm – 10pm
Saturday, 6pm – 10pm
Contact 021 671 1763
Where to find it Library Square (opposite Kingsbury Hospital), Wilderness Road, Claremont, Cape Town

Limoncello

Under the shade of ancient milkwood trees, with ocean and mountain views, Limoncello is the Noordhoek reinvention of Luca and Cecilia Castiglione’s original southern Italian ristorante in Gardens, which was sorely missed when it closed in 2012. When they re-opened here in 2019, they kept the spirit of the original eatery – its neighbourhood family feel and delicious food from Luca’s native Naples – adding a breezy Noordhoek vibe (a tree grows inside the light-filled dining room). A keen fisherman himself, Luca loves cooking seafood, so you might find fish caught that day by a local fisherman on the chalkboard special menu, and old favourites like melanzane alla Parmigiana, risotto with artichokes and zucchini (cooked fresh and worth the wait). Or go for the excellent and authentic wood-fired thin-based puffy-crusted pizzas (it’s the first SA restaurant to be admitted into the prestigious Assocazione Pizzaiuoli Napolitani). Don’t leave without enjoying a shot of Luca’s homemade limoncello!
Opening times Tuesday – Thursday, 5pm – 10pm
Friday – Sunday, 12pm – 10pm
Contact 071 114 8947, limoncellonoordhoek@gmail.com
Where to find it Corner Beach Road & Pine Street, Noordhoek, Cape Town
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Riva Italian Fish Restaurant

If you love your seafood packed with authentic Italian flavours, and served by warm, passionate hosts, then Riva is a must. Opened in July 2018 by Italian chefs and friends, Nico Rovarini and Federico Rocca, it’s a popular informal haunt in the buzzy De Waterkant neighbourhood. Specialising in fish done the Italian way (their home town is on the shores of Lago Maggiore in the north of Italy), the short menu changes weekly, according to the catch available, and majors on fresh and excellent ingredients and homemade pastas. Try the risotto mare (seafood risotto), the tuna carpaccio, or the pasta scoglio (fresh paccheri with clams, mussels and prawns) if they’re on the menu. And look out for the fish of the day, which also stars in their bouillabaisse-style fish stew alongside crayfish, prawns, mussels and clams.
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 6pm – 10.30pm
Contact 021 418 0657, rivacapetown@gmail.com
Where to find it 24/4 Napier Street, De Waterkant, Cape Town
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Scala Pasta Bar

There’s a beautiful marriage of traditional Italian charm and cutting-edge cool in the atmospheric below-street-level space that is Scala. Chef Luciano Monosilio from Rome (one of the youngest Italian chefs to gain a Michelin star – at age 27), shares his signature techniques and secret recipes with a resident team led by executive chef Justin Barker, and transforms the traditional Italian table into a feast of antipasto and pasta sharing plates. The pastas are made in-house from three different types of dough (semolina, egg and white 00 flour), and tossed with delicious seafood, chicken, meat and cheese sauces, each chosen to suit a particular shape and style of pasta. There’s the signature spaghetti carbonara, tortelli with roast tomato, burratina and black truffle, and the minimalist but delicious spaghetti alla Scapece with fried zucchini, mint and lemon. Luciano also brings the aperitivo culture to our shores, with cocktails, spritzes and cicchetti (snacks) served daily from 4pm until dinner. For dessert don’t miss the Sicilian cannolo filled with ricotta and flavoured with orange rind, dark chocolate and pistachio. Little wonder Scala was awarded a 2 forks award by Gambero Rosso International in 2023, and was nominated for Africa’s Best Italian Cuisine Restaurant at the 2025 World Culinary Awards.
Good to know Gluten-free pasta is available. Enjoy half priced drinks and R79 Cicchetti every day from 4pm to 5.30pm.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 10.30pm
Contact 021 424 7204, capetown@scalapasta.co.za
Where to find 81 Church Street, Heritage Square, Cape Town
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Pizza Vesuvio

Named after the Vesuvio volcano in Italy, this homely trattoria at the Tyger Waterfront combines modern sophistication with rustic simplicity (a combo only the Italians have mastered), from the decor to the food. When Janus and Lailaa Taylor took over in 2023, they gave the menu a fresh direction, keeping the much-loved traditions alive but refining recipes and introducing new dishes. Pizza remains a favourite here, with slow-fermented Neapolitan-style dough forming the base for both timeless classics and more adventurous topping combinations. Guests will also find Italian staples such as a hearty Bolognese or a creamy carbonara, alongside elevated plates like a slow-cooked beef ragù or pork belly paired with potato pavé as conceived by a Michelin-starred restaurant. Freshly made pastas, from silky pappardelle to pillowy gnocchi, remain central to the kitchen, accompanied by both familiar and contemporary sauces. Finish with crispy fried cannoli or a tiramisu.
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 12pm – 10pm
Contact 021 914 1414, info@pizzavesuviocpt.co.za
Where to find it Waterfront and Fountain Roads, Bellville Park, Bellville
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Ariel Modern Italian

Buzzing beneath The Amalfi Hotel you’ll find Ariel Modern Italian. An enticing, rosy-hued space where Naples meets New York, it’s the perfect place to wind down the day – whether it’s negronis with a bite on the side at the bar, or a fabulous meal with someone special at one of the booth tables. Combining the energy of these cities with authentic ingredients on the plate, the menu is a contemporary interpretation of the classics – antipasti of flatbreads with burrata or ricotta, marinated anchovies or sardines, ravioli arrabbiata, truffle-flecked mushroom tagliatelle, a wagyu burger or chicken piccata, or a short selection of Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas. Finish off with desserts such as a luscious Cremino, tiramisu or a classic NY-baked cheesecake and an espresso martini. The neon-lit wall light spelling out “Baci Bella” (“beautiful kisses”) says it all…
Opening times Monday – Thursday, 6pm – 10pm
Friday – Sunday, 12pm – 10pm
Contact 021 023 3643, info@nonamehg.com
Where to find it 90 Regent Road, Sea Point, Cape Town
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Magica Roma

This traditional ristorante Italiano in the heart of Pinelands has maintained a fine reputation for serving delicious, authentic Italian food in congenial surroundings for over 35 years. Although the 1970s decor appears dated, it is this comfortable and familiar environment that is so charming. As chef-owner Ezio De Biaggi says, “Never change a recipe that works.” While his co-owner and friend Franco Zezia recently retired, Ezio is carrying on the magic formula in the kitchen with their tried-and tested menu of authentic Italian classics, and will even tailor-make a dish for discerning palates. Try their legendary bean and lentil soup, the zuppa di pesce (seafood soup), the pappardelle with veal ragu, ossobuco or the grilled calamari, which are always winners, and end with the decadent tiramisu – if you have room. The excellent winelist includes local and Italian wines.
Good to know Booking is essential, especially if you want to sit at the far end of the restaurant away from the buzz.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 12pm – 2pm, 6pm – 9pm
Saturday, 6pm – 9pm
Contact 021 531 1489
Where to find it Central Building, 8 Central Square, Pinelands, Cape Town

The Cousins Trattoria

Three Italian cousins – Simone, Luca and Andrea – decided that the one thing their adopted city was missing was a real Italian restaurant. So in 2012 they opened one. The Cousins Trattoria is a charming and cosy slice of Emilia-Romagna in the East City. The pasta is made fresh each morning – the recipes come straight from their Nonna Tina, so don’t ask for any changes! You won’t need to, though, because every plate is a hearty feast of flavours: lasagne made the traditional way of their hometown of Cesenatico, tagliatelle with an authentic bolognese sauce, potato gnocchi with gorgonzola, or strozzapreti all’amatriciana (hand-twisted lengths of pasta with a tomato and guanciale sauce). For a touch of theatre, order the Cousins pasta: tagliolini with cream, mushroom and thyme, tossed and served at your table from a giant Grana Padano cheese wheel. Save a little space for a vodka-infused sorbet or an excellent affogato.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 5pm – 10pm
Contact 083 273 9604, dine@thecousinsrestaurant.com
Where to find it 3b Barrack Street, Cape Town
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Nonna Lina

Famous for its delicious thin-crust pizzas, this cosy ristorante pizzeria has been popular with locals and Labia cinema-goers since it opened in 2003. Named for owner Antonello Scamuzzi’s beloved nonna, he takes inspiration from her authentic Sardinian and Italian recipes. There’s a welcoming, informal family feel here, both indoors by the wood-fired pizza oven and outdoors in the courtyard and terrace. If you can resist the pizzas (it’s hard), you’ll discover an array of dishes showcasing the vibrant flavours of Sardinia: homemade culurgiones (a traditional Sardinian stuffed pasta with mint, potato, ricotta and pecorino); hearty penne alla Campidanese (a rustic pork sausage ragu with tomatoes and a hint of aniseed); calamari di Serramanna (cooked in a lively sauce with sundried tomatoes and lemon), or pudda (chargrilled chicken with lemon and chili). Beyond Sardinian specialities, there’s a wide variety of Italian staples, such as tagliata di manzo (sliced rump steak), and tiramisu or ricotta cheesecake for dessert.
Opening times Monday, 4.45pm – 10.30pm
Tuesday – Thursday, 12.15pm – 10.05pm
Friday + Saturday, 12pm – 10.25pm
Sunday, 12pm – 10.15pm
Contact 021 424 4966, info@nonnalina.com
Where to find it 64 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town
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Parks Restaurant

This much-loved garden-side restaurant just off Constantia Main Road has been through many iterations. It’s starting a new chapter that keeps faith with the Italian inspiration and unfussy menu it had as 95 Parks under chef Giorgio Nava, with a spritz of something new in the pipeline. Food-wise, expect crispy thin-crust pizzas, mouthwatering steaks, seafood done the Italian way (semplice), homemade pastas and a winelist brimming with old-school classics. All in a warm and friendly ambience.
Opening times Tuesday – Thursday, 5pm – 9.30pm
Friday + Saturday, 12pm – 3pm; 5pm – 9.30pm
Sunday, 12pm – 3pm
Contact 021 761 0247
Where to find it 114 Constantia Main Road, Constantia, Cape Town
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Old Town Italy (High Constantia)

Neapolitan songs blare from the raised terrace of this old-school trattoria, hinting at what you can expect: a homely vibe, nonna-style pasta dishes, creative pizza toppings on crisp wood-fired pizzas, and friendly service. There’s a wide outdoor seating area with green High Constantia views and a fire indoors for winter. And a rather enticing deli section, too, where you can stock up on sourdough breads, formaggio and Parma ham to take home. And with authentic touches like hands-on pizza and pasta-making classes, you’re not just a guest – you’re famiglia.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9am – 10pm
Contact 021 569 3784, highconstantia@oldtown.co.za
Where to find it Shop 12 High Constantia Centre, Groot Constantia Road, Constantia
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Villa 47

A stalwart on the Italian dining scene in Cape Town for close on a decade, Villa 47 is chic but relaxed, a cosmopolitan ambience for a quick breakfast caffé e cornetto, a leisurely eggs bennie brunch, segueing into hearty lunches with friends. As the sun dips, head to the courtyard bar for an aperitivo before dinner, a vibe that often gets lively when music events are on the agenda. The lunch and dinner menu is wide-ranging: antipasto platters (showcasing the best imported Italian hams, salamis and cheeses), antipasti of carpaccio di polpo (octopus), melanzane alla parmigiana, the popular VIlla 47 salad, and classic pastas such as the spaghetti della nonna or the tortellini with ragu. Then there are vitello saltimbocca, fritto misto, or sirloin steak with truffle sauce and of course a tiramisu or a chocolate fondant for dessert, then perhaps back to the courtyard for a digestivo.
Good to know Breakfast is served until 1pm on Saturdays.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 7am –10pm
Saturday, 8.30am – 10pm
Contact 021 741 0250, reservations@villa47.co.za
Where to find it 47 Bree Street, Cape Town
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Posticino

With its wide terrace overlooking Main Road, and cosy interior bedecked with Italianate trompe l’oeil murals and old family photos, Posticino is something of a Sea Point institution. Childhood friends, Gioacchino (Jack) Gasparre and Enrico (Eric) de Siena, took over the existing restaurant in 1998, injecting new life into it with their mothers’ southern Italian recipes (their families are from Bari and Naples respectively). Abundant toppings on their wood-fired pizzas (crispy and thin-based Roman-style) are a star attraction, and generously-sauced pastas easily accommodate local palates (the flexible mix-and-match pasta menu boasts 24 different sauces). Look out for an old family favourite from their nonna’s Sunday table, penne al forno (baked pasta with napolitana sauce and meatballs) and the perennially popular chicken parmigiano (you can even get pasta napoletana with this as a side for the best of both worlds).
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12.30pm – 10pm
Contact 021 439 4014, posticino@mweb.co.za
Where to find it 323 Main Road, Sea Point, Cape Town
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Libertino

Homemade pasta, Insta-worthy lipstick-red interiors and an oh-so-Shazamable soundtrack – there’s a lot to love at Libertino, De Waterkant’s vibey Italian eatery. At the top of a neon-lit stairway you’ll discover a spot that’s intimate enough for a candlelit date, and funky (town) enough for a fun night with friends. You’re here for the vibe rather than nonna-style authenticity, but the pastas and pizzas are satisfyingly tasty and handmade from scratch on the premises daily. While you’ll want to book a table inside, all the better to feast on the eclectic decor, in summer a pocket-size roof terrace beckons, for a dash of dolce vita under the starry southern skies.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 6pm – 11.30pm
Contact 081 508 8749, hello@libertino.co.za
Where to find it 47 Napier Street, De Waterkant, Cape Town
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Step Brothers

Previously situated in Bantry Bay, in 2024 Step Brothers moved into a new home at the Three Anchor Bay tennis club (now fresh from a renovation) and spills out onto tables beside the tennis courts. In relaxed Italian style it combines bar, deli and locanda, serving an array of classic favourites, such as hearty, homemade pasta dishes adapted from their nonna’s traditional recipes, and a dedicated wood-fired pizza oven churning out crisp pizzas topped with mozzarella from Puglia Cheese. Their melanzane alla parmigiana (baked aubergine) is also not to be missed.
Good to know There’s no pork in the kitchen and all their meat is supplied by LA Farms and Busy Corner.
Opening times Sunday – Thursday, 8am –10pm
Friday + Saturday, 8am –11pm    
Contact 021 569 0153, gionathan@stepbrothers.co.za
Where to find it Three Anchor Bay Tennis Club, Bill Peters Drive, Three Anchor Bay, Cape Town
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