Caffé Italia sits elevated, overlooking the Indian Ocean with views of the passing ships and clouds on the horizon. Walking into the restaurant feels like coming home for a meal with your family, with its cosy layout and Italian-inspired décor. They have an indoor and outdoor seating area, perfect for taking in the seaview, which is also great for your year-end functions! This owner-run restaurant prides itself on its exceptional service and high-quality meals, bringing people back for more to explore their menu for new dishes or return for their favourite meal.
Settling in, we took a look at their menu for a few starters and drinks. Our friendly waitress, Siya, helped guide us through some of their iconic options. Their extensive menu, suited for both takeaways and a sit-down meal, gave us a lot to think about. For starters, we were recommended the garlic prawn tails and the grilled halloumi bruschetta. Paired with crispy ciabatta and cooked in garlic butter, the garlic prawn tails were a great variation of the snail dish. A low-carb variation of the classic bruschetta and the two slices of halloumi are served with chopped tomato, red onions, olives and basil—a delicious combination. To complement our starters, we tried some of their signature cocktails. The tequila sunrise, ocean breeze and cheeky grapefruit made for great companions while snacking and enjoying the ambience.
Keeping starters light, we decided to splurge on the main course with a few of their classic and speciality dishes. Hearing about the incredible chef’s special lamb shank gnocchi dish, we knew it had to be on our list. Smoked in the wood-oven for roughly 14 hours, the lamb practically melts in your mouth, with the handmade gnocchi being light and fluffy. From their pizza selection, we chose their Trentino pizza. Topped with spicy chicken, balsamic caramelised onions, peppadews and avocado, every bite was memorable. If you’re in the mood for seafood, their fresh linefish options won’t disappoint. We were lucky enough to have the swordfish option during our visit. Wood-oven grilled, topped with herb, garlic and napoletana sauce and served with fresh chips, it was your beloved “fish and chips” combination with flair! And, of course, we couldn’t skip out on the meatball pasta. The classic spaghetti and meatballs, made with a family recipe, a tomato base infused with fragrant spices, made it a dish with that comforting quality, warming you from the inside.
We were absolutely stuffed, but there’s always room for dessert, especially a home-made baked salted caramel cheesecake! Light and crumbly, served with fresh cream and strawberries, it was the perfect end to our experience. It also pairs well with a delicious cappuccino, to balance the sweet with a little bitterness!
It was truly a one-of-a-kind experience, and the combination of the amazing team, scrumptious food, and welcoming atmosphere made it unforgettable for us.
Words: Cristina Govender
Tel: 031 562 3007
Website: www.caffe-italia.co.za
Address: Rooftop, Shop 5, Eastmans Spar Centre, 44 Ashley Avenue, Glen Ashley