That’s amore! 5 of the best Italian Neighbourhood Gems

All the spots to add to your must-visit list.

By Jade Taylor Cooke; Photograph: Frederik Voigt

There are few things in life more comforting than your favourite neighbourhood Italian spot. You swear by their pizza, swoon over their pastas and ragùs, and would probably steal the last slice of tiramisu from your own mother if it came down to that. Times change but the quality never does, and satisfaction is absolutely guaranteed.

Here are five such Italian neighbourhood gems we cannot recommend enough.

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Abbiocco Restaurant and Deli
Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal

Part Italian, part Greek, Abbiocco feels like you’ve been teleported to the Med – and right to the kind of place that locals would rather keep to themselves. A meal on its rustic deck is all about generous plates, long lunches and convivial hospitality. Expect groaning antipasti platters, handmade pasta, seafood and Sunday roasts, with live music adding to the relaxed atmosphere. There’s history here, too: the owner-chef’s father brought the origanum seeds used in the kitchen back from Cyprus decades ago.

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Bacini’s
Gardens, Cape Town

Perched at the top of popular Kloof Street, Bacini’s is the kind of neighbourhood institution where you’re almost guaranteed to run into someone you know. Two generations of the Napoli family run a tight ship, ensuring their legendary crispy-based pizzas, handmade pasta and decadent dolci are consistently at the standard their regulars have loved for decades. Bacini’s is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a deli serving takeaway sandwiches, snacks and fresh flowers.

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Decameron Restaurant
Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands

When a restaurant has been considered a local institution for nearly four decades, you know it’s doing something really, really, well. Decameron is where generations of family and friends have gathered in Stellies for an Italian feast. There is, of course, excellent wood-fired pizza and handmade pasta, but treat yourself to the baby chicken al forno, a whole baby chicken cooked in the pizza oven with chilli, garlic, wine and herbs. Oh, and ask about the famous corner table, the scene of some historical business deals by Stellenbosch legend Anton Rupert.

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Remo’s Italian
South End, Gqeberha

It doesn’t take long to start to feel like part of the family at Remo’s. After all, la famiglia is woven into every part of this restaurant. Brothers Renzo and Franco Scribante named their eatery in memory of their late brother, while the kitchen sends out recipes that have been passed through generations of Scribantes. It’s not only the spot for moreish pizza and pasta, but a contender for the best Aperol Spritz you’ll find in the Eastern Cape.

 

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Tortellini d’Oro
Oaklands, Johannesburg

Inspired by Bologna, Italy’s gastronomic capital, Tortellino d’Oro takes its pasta very seriously. Handmade tortellini, rich ragùs and elegant northern Italian classics are served in a softly lit, white-tableclothed dining room that feels wonderfully old school. The adjoining deli extends the experience, offering fresh pasta and imported Italian ingredients. An ideal spot for date night or a celebration.

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BONUS ROUND:

Super Sconto
Orange Grove, Johannesburg

A weekly pilgrimage for Joburg’s Italian community, Super Sconto is a combined deli, grocery store and café that has been serving the community since 1996. The family-run institution is packed with Italian imports, from pasta and olive oil to cheese, cold meat and pantry staples. Upstairs, settle in for a generous panino or home-made lasagne – with the perfect espresso, of course. It’s gloriously old-school, wonderfully lived-in and about as close as you can get to a little slice of Italy in Johannesburg.

Want to find more Neighbourhood Gems near you? Browse our directory for the best chef-recommended spots around the country.