Gusto Urban Italian: A Contemporary Italian Eatery in Century City

An unexpected find in the newest corner of Century City, Gusto has the soul of a neighbourhood Italian restaurant, chic modern flair to match its urban setting, and serene views over an oasis of greenery in Ratanga Park. It’s a welcoming refuge from the surrounding city buzz as you watch the flames of the traditional pizza oven flare in the open kitchen. An Aperol spritz trolley comes to your table while the bartender mixes up the iconic aperitivo in front of you. And the menu explores Italian food through a modern urban lens, from homemade pastas and gnocchi, to bistecca alla Fiorentina from the sizzling grill.

Since it opened in 2022, Gusto has become a favourite haunt of locals, a secret spot for seamless business lunches, and a stylish but relaxed place for family celebrations and Sunday lunch gatherings.

Italian with flair

Chef Chad Grahame grew up cooking Italian food with his mom, who learned traditional recipes from an Italian friend’s mamma. Nowadays he adds a touch of creative flair to those traditions, but keeps the Italian spirit flowing with generous, unpretentious dishes that are big on flavour. In true Italian style he puts the focus on really good ingredients, ageing meat in-house and sourcing lamb directly from the Karoo. We tasted the absolutely delicious agnello scottaditto – a generous serving of four Karoo lamb cutlets, the meat succulent and tender, the fat seared to a perfect melting char.

Wood-fired pizzas

The pizza oven is fired up first thing each morning, blazing flames heating it to blistering temperatures for Neapolitan-style pizzas that puff up to crispy leopard-spotted perfection in just 90 seconds. With 48-hour fermented dough, uncomplicated toppings and plenty of fior di latte mozzarella, this is the real artisan deal: the spicy pepperoni with rocket is understandably a bestseller, and the pizza funghi e tartufo is next on my list to try.

Aperitivo hour

To one side of the entrance the bar opens onto an alfresco urban piazza with tables for post-work aperitivi and snacks. Negronis, prosecco, Aperol spritz, limoncello sours and a raft of cocktails, accompanied by bruschetta, arancini or truffled parmesan fries, bring a touch of Mediterranean flair into city living.
Good to know Aperitivo hour runs from 5pm – 7pm every weekday, with small plates and drinks at R70 each.

Dolce vita

Just about every Italian restaurant has its own take on tiramisu, and Gusto’s is a generous bowl of creamy, sponge-layered delight that’s decadently more-ish. As is the bomb of a chocolate fondant served with homemade vanilla gelato.

After lunch, step outside into the view you’ve been soaking up through your meal, for a gentle passeggiata along the Ratanga Park waterways and bridges surrounded by greenery, in this peaceful and hidden Century City enclave.

Good to know There’s convenient parking in the Bridgewater P4 garage with pedestrian access to the piazza right by the entrance to Gusto.
On the last Sunday of each month there’s an Italian-inspired Sunday lunch buffet.
Opening times Monday – Friday,  6.30am – 10.30am, 12pm – 9.30pm
Saturday + Sunday, 7am – 11am,  12pm – 9.30pm
Contact 079 494 1300, [email protected]
Where to find it 4 Conference Lane, Bridgewater, Bridgeways Precinct, Century City, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan

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