Review Il Leone Mastrantonio - Cape Town Central

Always a pleasure to dine at Il Leone. Beautiful dining experience with very good solid flavour in their dishes in a warm atmosphere. Good wine selection on the international side. Unfortunately not that big of a selection of South African wines.

An elegant and delicious restaurant, and the staff are amazing 👏 We came two times The first time, it was busy, and the leader advised us to the next restaurant, and it was an amazing experience So the second time we booked Really, it was deserved

An amazing restaurant with great dishes and very kind service. Highly recommended for a perfect Italian meal 😋

Great service and atmosphere with good selection of Italian food (seafood tagliatelle is a must) and South African wine. Better to book for lunch, as it may get a bit busy.

An absolutely beautiful place to dine when in Cape Town.. The service was excellent as well.

Overall experience is great. The only disappoint part was steak, don’t ever eat steak here, it is too salty. I don’t think they will replace u a new one as well. If u come here’s try risotto. I give 5/5 on risotto

Terrific white tablecloth experience. We were able to snag a last-second reservation thanks to a cancelation and are so grateful we did. Caprese was good but the olive oil was great. I had the lamb chops: juicy and delicious. Wife had line fish and it was flakey, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. We especially liked the side of greens served with each dish. Can’t say enough about the ambiance here: it feels both fancy and casual at the same time. Service was friendly if just a little slow.

Amazing! The ambiance and setting of the restaurant is a cozy, upscape space with a sprinkle of art gallery but in your dining room sort of a feel. The staff was wonderful and so friendly! And saving the best for last the food! Oh boy was it delicious, especially that four cheese sauce that was on the raviolis. I would come back just for that incredible sauce wow!

Would definitely recommend this place if you enjoy Italian food - the food, service and general restaurant atmosphere are all great. There are one or two minor things that could "polish" the experience more, such as decent olive oil with the starter / bread ... but no deal-breakers.

Fantastic, the food is absolutely phenomenal. I had the tortellini, oh my word the cream sauce was amazing and complimented the tortellini so so well. Your taste buds will thank you and sing your praises afterward. I indulged in the Tiramisu as well, it was so flavorsome, everything you want it to be, if we didn't leave I would have had more.

Well it depends what you are looking for? Are you looking for a perfect ambience? Are you looking for the best Italian food in Cape Town? Are you looking for warm, attentive staff? Then Il Leone is the dining experience you are looking for. My Wife and I have lived in Cape Town our whole lives, and Il Leone has never let us down. It is our favourite restaurant in the City with consistent deliciousness every time. We highly recommend the Melanzane alla Parmigiana, the Linguine Portofino and just about anything on the menu. The Gnocchi is the best we have had, and we have been to Italy. Secret tip is to have the half cheese, half bolognese option. When you walk into the restaurant you will understand that there is a heritage and history that has stood the test of time. Bon Appetite!

Amazing food and service is the best we had in a long time. The waiter Josh was perfect, he helped us to choose dishes and he was really kind.

Have never had the pleasure to visit them myself but I have been booking and taking many international groups here for the past 5, 6 years at least and never had a single complaint...only compliments. I think that says it all. 5 stars, no less from me..but would add more if I could...

Celebrated my 76th birthday with friends Staff , service , food as consistent as always Thank you Il Leone for making the celebration so very special . See you soon

A lovely find. Oodles of atmosphere and clearly loved by local CT residents. The food was very good without much finesse and the friendly service was as slow as the arrival of our food. Will definitely go back and we'll be happy to adjust star takings if deserved.

I had one of the best steaks at this restaurant. The pasta was also great. Its close to the V&A Waterfront. The restaurant is spacious, decorated with art and the food is superb. I recommend this place if you like Italian.

Went here for my birthday dinner. Service excellent. I had the ceviche to start which was sublime. My partner had the the bean and pasta soup. She wasn't expecting it to be tomato based, but good nonetheless. We all had various pastas. I had a Puttenesca. But the best was the Vongole. We couldn't fit in any more food, but loved the authentic Italian experience.

It remains to be one of the better dining experiences you can have in Cape Town. Consistently delivering high quality at a reasonable price. The Sunday lunch time atmosphere is almost homely. 21 Oct 2017: And the superb service continues 22 Apr 2018: Same superb offering. If I have to be hypercritical, would be nice to sit outside a breath fresh air though. Maybe, just maybe apply legislation and prohobit smoking within 10m of an entrance.... 17 June 2018: Fathersday lunch. The superb offering continues.

Lovely dinner with lovely staff. The location is beautiful in its simplicity, an old South African building with wooden floors and big bright wooden windows, made of two floors. We had dinner and the lightning at night makes it very cosy too. Food was good, close to the Italian cooking it wants to recall , and even if it was nothing new or super exiting , still it was a pleasure to eat and easy to digest.

Absolutely brilliant, and highly recommended. We’ve eaten here twice and will certainly be back! Service from waitron Ty was superb. When a waitron knows his stuff it makes the dining experience all the more enjoyable. Well done!

Lovely lunch at Il Leone in Greenpoint. Nice and cosy restaurant for a very rainy and cold day in Cape Town. Table ordered carbonara, Ragu, tortilini and ravioli. Everyone enjoyed their pasta (little on the pricey side) and restaurant has a nice wine list. Lovely service and vibe.

Highly impressed at the quality of food and the consistency of each dish considering we were a table of 15. Pasta cooked to perfection, amazing hospitality and an overall great dining experience. A bit on the pricey side but well worth it. :)

The food was delicious, nice ambiance (especially in winter), good service. Nice that they allow you to bring your own wine (with a corkage fee).

Ambience - 7/10<br/>Food - 6/10<br/>Service - 9/10<br/><br/>This is a cosy Italian restaurant, which has a lovely decor and warm feel to it.<br/>I ordered two dishes this evening and tried a bit of both,I opted for the ravioli filled with spinach and ricotta and the other dish was the penne pasta with baby prawns in a tomato and cream sauce. The ravioli in my personal opinion was too rich and I didn’t really enjoy it, however the other dish was tasty and flavorsome.<br/>I also felt that the food was quite pricey and not really worth it.<br/>The service was great though and the waiter was attentive throughout the evening but I wont be back in a hurry...<br/><br/>

I am not the usual “pasta person” but Il Leone has changed that. By far the best Italian food I have had in a while and will definitely be back to try out some other items on the menu that all looked incredibly tasty!

Fine dining without the formality. Superb food, good variety on the menu. Likable, efficient and knowledgeable waiters and staff add to the great experience. This is one restaurant that will draw you back for a repeat experience.

One of the best Italian restaurants In Cape Town from fantastic food to excellent service. This establishment definitely ticks all the boxes.

It was an amazing experience. From the house bread to the fantastic selection of reasonably priced options to choose from. The atmosphere was serene and it was aesthetically pleasing with walls decorated with art pieces. Highly recommend!

I’ve eaten at this restaurant many times and it never disappoints. The food is incredible - always - and the service is impeccable. This is my go to restaurant when I have family visiting or overseas guests. Highly recommended.

Il Leone never disappoints - love the cozy environment and intimate setting, extensive menu offering and creative healthy dish options. My favorite is the mussels for starters followed by their selection of quality steaks with veg. When feeling adventurous - The Nutella pancakes are amazing!

Been to Il Leone twice now (once for a business lunch and the other was a Sunday Afternoon lunch). Firstly, great location & decor; after Magica Roma they probably have the highest degree of Italian feel out of all the Italian restaurants in Cape Town. The food unfortunately doesn't match the heights that the decor & location have set; I think the issue is consistency more than anything. Order the Zucchini Pasta with Prawns, the Linefish, the Fillet and you'll be happy but the moment you go in for the Italian classics such as the Tortelini, Risotto & Ravioli; things just fall apart. On both occasions, I was with people who reported that the Italian classics didn't do it for them and they should have gone for a more "carnivorous" main. The guests weren't happy with the inflated prices either but that is a Cape Town issue and not an Il Leone issue and I wouldn't short change the ratings for the price issue. <br/><br/>All being said; the staff are nice, the bread basket is a winner and it is always nice to experience the Italian vibe.

Great atmosphere, friendly staff and delicious food. Had dinner with my boyfriend here the other night and we really enjoyed it. The food was really good and well presented. The staff really know their menu and recommendations are really on point. Even the bakery selection was really good. Would definitely recommend this place. Quiet dinner for 2 or catch up with friends the atmosphere in this place is just really welcoming and cosy.

Il Leone has a very cozy homey feel to it. The building is very spacious so you don't feel cramped amongst other tables. <br/>The artwork for sale also makes for interesting conversation. <br/><br/>As far as service goes our waitress who served us was very informative , professional and attentive throughout the evening.<br/><br/>Most importantly the food.... my partner who ordered the chicken tortellini found the pasta to be underdone and not at all appealing the broccoli fusilli which I ordered was however very pleasant but also a very easy simple dish which is hard to get wrong. <br/><br/> I find that the meals do not match the price tag they have put on simple Italian cuisine and the biggest surprise I got was discovering that it was possible to pay R65 for a bottle of CBC.

Love the atmosphere, unfortunately the veal Milanese was dry and tasteless, the bread basket over salted, the Zucchini con Funghi also underwhelmed ... so while it was a lovely venue the food we had was below expectations of a renowned establishment such as Il Leone

My partner and I always find ourselves heading you ll Leone when we’re looking for a quick bite to eat they prawn pasta is super yummy it’s light and fresh and the rocket just adds a little something extra

Un. Be. Lievable! We went with a large group and the staff handled it very well- they were amazing and attentive, the wine flowed and all conversation stopped when we started eating. I can not wait to go back again and try something else.

OVERPRICED, AVERAGE FOOD <br/><br/>The noise level upstairs is unbearable. Literally could not have a conversation and left with a headache. <br/><br/>The service is not up to par in my opinion. Waiters lack knowledge, no etiquette and they are just not available. <br/><br/>For starters we ordered the flash fried calamari. I have never tasted such bland food in my life. Disappointing. <br/><br/>The pasta is very average. I had high hopes based on the Zomato rating and was expecting something more authentically Italian. Pasta wasn’t great. Risotto, I could probably get better elsewhere. <br/><br/>Dessert was the only redeeming course for the night. We had the crispy Nutella pancakes with vanilla ice cream which was good.

My favourite Italian restaurant! I especially enjoy the vegetarian pasta's. They are usually made up of a few simple ingredients but the flavours are amazing. The restaurant has a pleasant ambiance, especially in the evening. One downside is that it's often full and the wait for a table can be slightly long if no prior reservation has been made but I find that the food is worth the wait.

My husband and I walked almost 40 minutes to get to Don Armando, when we arrived. We were told the kitchen closed at 3pm (it was 2:59 pm) we were really sad we walked all the way here and google didn’t have the time listed. The guy felt bad and said not to worry do you like Italian, and he brought us next door to this restaurant. The manager said we could sit anywhere and he was going to have a tiny meeting if we didn’t mind. We said no big deal. The last table left and the entire staff was in this meeting. So I decided to look them up on zomato. To my surprise, they also closed at 3pm. However they did not have any issues attending to us and serving us amazing food! The server helped us by making suggestions and everything we had was delicious! I added a few photos of the food we ate! We highly recommend this place!

Delicious Italian menu and great service. We arrived without a reservation and got table promptly. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff. Their pasta dishes were tasty and had a healthy size. The only real problem was the light ... it was too hard to see the food and the candlelights didn’t make it easier.

“Sensational” doesn’t do it justice. This is by far the most consistent restaurant in Cape Town. Year on year we come to this restaurant and the service and food is just amazing! Last night we had a steak, the prawn pasta and calamari and squid heads and it was the best meal we have had by miles!! Thanks Il Leone - we will be back very soon.

Booked for an early dinner before a show.First impressions are really good. The décor and welcome are spot on - just what you'd e4xpect from a top notch Italian eatery with the heritage of Mastrantonio (ex-Illovo)I had sole, my daughter had a salad and my wife and friend had pasta dishes.My fish was good - everything was competent and professional. Appearance, temperature taste etc. were all about right. However, couldn't help feeling underwhelmed. Where was the "Wow" factor? My friend who ordered the pasta was warned by the server that it would be quite chewy/ rubbery confirmed that she was spot on. he did not enjoy his meal.I enjoyed mine, and will probably return but can't get over the fact that I  wanted/ expected more. I expected a bit more flair on the menu; I expected more interesting flavours on my plate and I was disappointed with my friend's experience with his pasta. However, after numerous great experiences in Illovo, I will return and hope to review a 4+ score next time

Great service and delicious food. Veal rack and Tortellini were superb but give the profiteroles a skip as they weren't amazing. Will definitely be back to try other items on the menu!

After hearing great things we decided to try Il Leone for my birthday dinner.<br/><br/>We booked a table quite early, but when we arrived at 18.30 they were hardly ready for us. We were seated in the upstairs area, where it was freezing cold, and right smack bang next to a 12 seater table.<br/><br/>Luckily we arrived and managed to order before the big table arrived, because after that, our waiter lost all interest in us. I was not offered another glass of wine after my first and couldn't even get his attention for long enough to ask.<br/><br/>The starters were delicious. After being told my original choice in starter was not available, I had a chicken broth with chicken tortellini. It wasn't much to look at, but was packed with so much flavour. My boyfriend had the carpacio and said it was good too.<br/><br/>It took forever for our plates to be cleared, again we were not offered more wine. By this stage the big table next to us was so loud and rowdy we could hardly hold a conversation.<br/><br/>We both chose to eat one of the dishes recommend by our waiter, A tomato based Penne, with prawns, chilli and cream. It definetely didn't live up to our expectations. It hardly tasted like tomato, mostly cream, there was definitely NO chilli, and the prawns tasted as if they had had better days. Needless to say neither of us finished our food, and our waiter didn't bother asking if we enjoyed our meal. <br/><br/>After about 20 minutes of sitting around with an empty table, plates cleared, no dessert menu and no drinks, I eventually got up to find our waiter and ask for the bill. I will not be returning and I won't be recommending it to anyone.

A very nice place to go for some local italian. Loved the setting and the location was very convenient to get to with an uber. Good selection if wines and the menu had plenty to choose from. My pasta was fresh and flavorsome.

Delicious food, amazing staff and lots of art. The homemade pasta was superb and it felt like we were in Italy. Our waiter was incredibly fast that it felt unnatural. The restaurant was decorated with art that you could buy and take home with you.

Place has a great atmosphere, especially enjoyed being seated between all the art that was also for sale. Had the Corona di Vitello for lunch, veal was very well cooked and prepared and would recommend it to anyone. Waitress could have been a bit more organized, but was still a nice all round experience.

This place is quite pricey but the quality of food speaks for itself. The pastas are tasty, but my favorite is the Florentine Steak, they Cooked it to perfection and the quality and taste of the meat is worth every penny! Setting is ambient and the service is great!

I’m hurt – I have been living in Cape Town for eleventeen years and have only discovered this place 2 weeks ago! But never has the English saying” Better late than never” been more appropriate! To call this place a gem is an understatement! (This is when I wish English was my first language) my second rate English cannot express my feelings about Il Leone! <br/><br/>From the moment you walk in through the door, it feels like home, the combination of the people and festive atmosphere is absolutely incredible! <br/><br/>Whatever their recruitment process is, it needs to be replicated across the hospitality scene in Cape Town! Well make that South Africa! The people are phenomenal , u don’t get such especially when you walk into restaurants in Cape Town on your own on a Sunday night wearing flip flops coz the Tiramisu cravings have spoken! And it’s wasn’t any tiramisu that I wanted it had to be their tiramisu! Because: that silky delicate cream overflowing with flavour is “A Taste of #izulu and will have you begging for another serving………..sigh<br/><br/>I won’t even get started on the food in this review, that is a separate story for another day! All I can in summary for tonight is #Nightmade!

What a wonderful experience! We were celebrating our exam results at Il Leone and the experience was unforgettable! We were about 30 people, but we didn't even have to wait long for our food! The house wine was incredible and the service exceptional!*

Went to this place for a corporate lunch. There were probably 40 of us there. The other two tables got served relatively quick but unfortunately the table I sat at got quite neglected. We only got our food a solid 30 minutes after the others. <br/><br/>We had the starter platters so was able to try bits of everything. The grilled calamari was great. The carpaccio however was bland and basically had no taste whatsoever. <br/><br/>For my main I ordered the kingklip which again was quite bland and I had to add a lot of salt just to taste *something*. The mash though was amazing!! <br/><br/>Had the chocolate pancake dessert and was yummy as well.

Il Leone. In Cape Town !!!<br/><br/>A wonderful dinner was well spent at this restaurant!!<br/><br/>A good busy atmosphere at this Italian restaurant <br/><br/>The starters we had was a four bean soup and brochette, which was yummy.<br/><br/>The dinner consisted of Ravioli and Gnocchi which was delicious as well.<br/><br/>The food was fresh and had a different good taste. The dim lighting and painting gave the dinner a calm touch to it.<br/><br/>I recommend a visit.

Amazing Italian food in a lovely setting. I always go for the penne gamberetti and it's honestly one of the best pastas I've had. The place is also really romantic for couples.

This is definitely one of the best meals that I have ever had! I had the mixed seafood zucchini pasta which is the best zucchini pasta I've ever eaten. The restaurant is so warm and cozy and the waiters are attentive. The food does not take long to arrive. A definite have to if you feel like Italian food. <br/>Healthy tip: swap the pasta for zucchini noodles

Food prepared with passion just as the Italians would do it. Book in advance. Outrageously good pasta,fabulous creme caramel the taste will be like a good a memory in your past.

I was expecting more from Il Leone but I think I need to come back again when they are not as busy. We had quite a late booking in the evening and when we arrived our table was not ready yet. I had the linguine portofino which was recommended as one of their best dishes felt a bit flat to me. The sauce was way too buttery it needed just a bit more lemon and the ratio of pasta to sauce was off. The service was ok as the waiter appeared to be pretty busy.

What a lovely candlelit setting and fantastic food. On my visit I had a salad to start which included Buffalo mozzarella, basil and avocado which was AMAZING. I then had a pasta which was really enjoyable. This is a great date-night venue.

The food was good but was spoiled by the fact that one meal did not arrive until everyone else had just about finished. The waitress at some stage said there was a 'slight complication'. No proper apology or any attempt to compensate in some way. It spoiled what would have been a good meal, and probably will not go back.

Eaten here a few times, and their food is superb. The salads are fresh and lovely combos. The buratta is very rich, but heavenly. More a main than starter. The pastas are fabulous, various shapes and sauces to choose from. They also gave no carb options for the Noakes fans. Fish and meat meals also good, but not really flexible with sides here. If you're like my hubby who prefers wedges to mash, it's not an easy request. We also noted that the veal chops portions became smaller in size but higher in price with time. The only other negative for me is that the menu hardly changes, even the specials stay the same. Our waiter literally said "same specials as last time", which had been 3 months ago. So if you want to frequent regularly, this may annoy. However, their food is gorgeous and service friendly.

What an amazing little restaurant! Only one big negative thing the blonde manger had to be the most non customer centric person ever she can't even lift her head to acknowledge you. The staff are amazing our waitress pele was wonderful and attentive! <br/>The menu is classic Italian but true Italian food is simple and delicious and this food is exactly that. We had grilled calamari it was tender and tasty the melanzane was excellent. The beef ravioli was excellent and the table chili just added an extra hint of Flavour. The linguine portofino was just heavenly. The prawns with perfectly cooked pasta was just perfect. We indulged in profiteer rolls well they were amazing!

Outstanding as always. Lovely ambience and attentive staff. The ravioli is without doubt the best I have ever had. Will make a point of returning every time I visit the Mother City.

We had an excellent lunch mid week, on the very peaceful and cool balcony outside. My friend from Rome had the Tagliatelle Pescatore which he loved, I had the beautifully simple and magnificently balanced Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino. The absolute winner however was the Penne Gamberetti that my girlfriend ordered which left us both with a bit of buyers remorse! Another thing which definitely needs to be mentioned is the excellent service we received - thanks to all at Il Leone!

Sick of seedy Sea Point dives, we find ourselves in Il Leone for a latish Sunday night supper. If I lived here, this would be my Sunday night go to place. I've eaten here a good few times and never had a less than superb meal. Upmarket; Trust's service was warm and professional, nice decor and the other customers pleasantly loud to make it lively but not noisy. Linguine perfectly al dente and the wine - a Constantia Glen Five 2011. Mmmm. Delicious! One complaint: we never got the complementary basket of bread to start - a blessing....but if you want the carb overload and it's not forthcoming, ask!

Came here for a lunch meeting as suggested by a client. The place was fairly quiet. The place has quite a cosy feel with lots of art pieces making up the decor on the walls. The staff are very attentive and ensure that your glass is kept topped up at all times. The food is excellent. Ingredients are fresh and of good quality. This is definitely a restaurant that you should try when craving a sophisticated Italian meal.

Great meal <br/>Very good vibe <br/>Good wine selection <br/>Away from tourist scrum <br/>Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxccccxcccccccccccc

My husband had been dying to go and we had read all the great reviews describing it as the best Italian in Cape Town. We had ordered and informed the waitress that we planned to share a starter and a salad in order to sample a variety of the menu. We then had separate mains. Overall our food was OK, but I have definitely had better Italian at another restaurant in Cape Town. When our starter and salad arrived, I sat for a few minutes before I started eating, expecting our server to still bring us napkins and side plates. These never came and we didn't see her again to ask for these until after we had finished. Our mains arrived via different server who also plopped the food down, reverting quickly back to the kitchen, napkins in hand. We finally managed to flag someone down halfway through the meal. Meat components of the meal was ok, but it seemed like the top of the pepper pot must have come off whilst seasoning my veg. I could not eat it. Overall the experience was a let down after all the hype and how much we looked forward to going.

This fantastic restaurant is a short walk from where I live and I could not be more spoilt. Great customer service always and don't get me started on the food..12/6. Thanks for making my dining experience spectacular all the time!

Excellent restaurant - a family favourite for a special occasion. All dishes are great, particularly their famous prawn pasta which is lovely and light! Service is efficient and friendly.

I'm so surprised that Il Leone hasn't come up in conversation more often. I went for a 21st birthday dinner and the restaurant choice could not have been better. Il Leone is the perfect combination of classy and homely. The warm atmosphere and welcoming staff made it an enjoyable experience. <br/>If you're looking for a great pasta dish - you've found it. I had the spinach and ricotta ravioli which was so fresh and satisfying. We all thoroughly enjoyed dinner.

Since getting back from Italy in July I have been skeptical about getting back on the pasta band wagon, I mean, the dishes in the land of pasta don't get much better that in Rome and Florence, so to avoid disappointment I have been turning a blind eye to my serious pasta cravings. That was until yesterday on a particularly chilly day here in Cape Town. My friend and I decided to indulge in some hearty bowls of pasta. What a great idea it was to go to Il Leone. The homey atmosphere of the place suited us being away from our homes and family on a Sunday. The service was friendly and warm. We had a delicious bottle of red (Kanonkop) alongside our incredibly delicious dishes. I had the chicken tortellini which was superb, but it lost hands down to my friends prawn and creamy tomato penne dish. This was not the first time I have been at the place and it won't be the last - as every trip is an amazing experience. Thanks again Il Leone, the pasta was on par with what I enjoyed in Italy :)

Our first visit to Il Leone was an excellent dining experience. The ambiance was charming, light and airy with comfortable chairs and well set tables. The fresh flowers were a nice touch. Very pleasant and well informed staff.  The restaurant was full but not noisy.  The broccoleti and amatriciana were both excellent , with the pasta cooked to perfection. The tiramisu was a bit disappointing, lacking in both coffee and alcohol. The creme brulee was well liked by Laura. One of the best wine lists in Cape Town with plenty on offer for the well heeled, no budget wines on this list. I loved the espresso coffee. The final bill was a bit of a shock but judging by how full the restaurant was it is clear that people are more than willing to pay for the excellent dining experience. We will return

Fantastic experience. Went there for my birthday with a couple of friends. Everyone found a dish they loved. Service was a little bellow par. But great vibe and great experience.

Simply sublime with service to match! My new Cape Town Favourite! We had the calamari to share. Followed by what has to be described as REAL Italian Patsa that was too good to even fathom. Then topped it off with sublime dessert! You have to try the chocolate ice cream.

Mamma che buono!! They had a special on tonight with Zucchine instead of pasta for your banting dieters which did justice to any "normal" Italian pasta dish!!! Absolutely outstanding! Will definitely return a fourth time 😍

Went for supper at Il Leone, upon arrival we were greeted by the hostess and advised that we needed to wait because she needs to think how she wants to reshuffle her tables despite making a booking. <br/><br/>Once seated we waited a while for our drinks orders to be taken and this took about 20minutes to arrive. Once we received our drinks we ordered 3 starters to share. <br/><br/>Must say the veal meatballs starter was out of this world, it melted away bite by bite. The carpaccio was tasteless and the calamari tubes weren't too bad. <br/><br/>I had the bucatini alla carbonara, lacked salt and it was very dry. The fillet steak arrived medium and was requested to be done medium rare which resulted in the meat being very dry with only a spoonful of sauce. The line fish of the day was kingklip and this was apparently quite tasty, especially accompanied with the fresh vegetables. <br/><br/>Decided against desserts as we asked the waiter what he would recommend and he said anyone of the 4/5 options with ice cream could be good. <br/><br/>Overall was a nice evening and we ended up having a good time. Would however say that the "manager" that was walking from table to table "checking" on the guests should get some customers service training as he was quite rude and abrupt when we ordered drinks from him as we had been waiting for the waiter some time. <br/><br/>

Had a lovely dinner tonight 💕 a cosy place that offers authentic Italian. We started off with some bruschetta which we all thoroughly enjoyed. For mains I had the penne gamberetti but I had asked for linguine instead. It was delicious, the prawns were divine. Would have liked a few more though as i found the pasta somewhat drowned them. Sashen had the penne chicken which he enjoyed and our friend had the tagliatelle ragu which he also enjoyed. Dessert was definitely a favorite for us. Profiteroles and crepes. What more could you ask for 😍 the service was good - it started off a little slow as we had to ask for menus but after starters were placed things got more efficient. Definitely a good spot to dine at. Will be back 😀

Had the ragu and broccolli pasta. Crepes for desert. Food was good and service attentive. Wine list does not offer many 'affordable' options. <br/><br/>It was nice enough - will I go back? No not necessarily, but good to say tick, been there.

I had an excellent date night at Il Leone! We were greeted at the door with warmth and hospitality. Although I did not receive the exact food I ordered it was still great. Their service is really good and the food is hearty, my partner highly recommends steak tagliata. Would definitely come back!

Absolutely loved this place! White and sleek upmarket interior. While my family enjoyed their lunch, they relayed that mine was the best (the daily special of zucchini spaghetti with veggies in a tomato sauce) and it was all a bit overpriced. True but I think they were just a bit jealous because of my starter - sorbet ❄- a perfect treat to soothe a sore throat and also start a meal 😈 try it! 😋

Loved the cosy, warm atmosphere. Service was great. A little disappointed with the food: calamari starter was supposed to be flash fried but turned out to be deep fried and not very tasty. My prawn risotto was average, I have had better elsewhere. I heard good reviews about this place but left feeling ambivalent about whether I'll go back.

Out of this world pasta, literally only place in Cape Town I go to for pasta. They are quite pricey though, but worth it. <br/><br/>They also have a very special warm ambiance with great service.

Ill Leone in de Waterkant is an exquisite restaurant in a beautiful old building. Vibrant and warm ambience, friendly and professional manager. We, a table of 8, were treated like 'family'.<br/>The food was delicious in comtemporary Italian style. We loved the Caprese Salad, Linguini with Rocket, Cherry Tomato and Creamy Lemon Sauce.<br/>The clam soup was overreduced and salty - the only negative of a lovely dining experience. <br/>My son had a huge steak which he finished the next morning!<br/>I certainly would love to eat there again.Julian Reeve Suzanne GeldenhuysMarianne Louw

A great little italian gem in the heart of Greenpoint.<br/>Pros: Amazing food <br/>Cons: Do not serve pizza<br/>However, this gives you reason to order out of your comfort zone. I have been to the place a few times and have never been disappointed no matter how busy they are. Service is also on point. A must try! Favourite options are the seafood linguini, fillet steak with veg and mash, Fried calamari and the chocolate crepes for dessert.

Must be my favorite Italian restaurant ever. I always make sure to stop by whenever I visit Cape Town. The food is excellent. My only negative would be that some of the waiters can be quite snooty and rude. Fortunately this has only happened once and I will continue to visit this place for the pasta

Amazing little Italian spot! Had the most delicious dinner while on a work trip to Cape Town. Great service, despite being absolutely packed. We had starters and the most sublime mains! Will absolutely be back next time we are in Cape Town!

Easily outside of Italy one of the best Italian meals I've had in years.... Atmosphere upscale quaint sifistication ..,wine list not long but extremely thoughtful..., service exceptional from second you walk in...they treat you like family ...So good I came back two days later before departure to Hong Kong ... In fact staying at one and only I sent many guest whom I chatted with over ... Next day everyone thought it was excellent...While I travel world often for business to find an authentic (al dente) excellent Italian you want to keep coming back....,il is nothing short of Leone superb ... I wish they would open a restaurant in s Florida<br/><br/>Hats off!!!

Was extremely fortunate to be treated to an exceptional Easter lunch at il leone on Sunday. Having heard an abundance of positive things about the restaurant, I waited in anticipation for the lunch the whole week. Well it must be said, patience is more than a virtue and this is a phenomenal restaurant.<br/><br/>The restaurant itself has a very simplistic yet sophisticated composition. It has an extremely comforting and family orientated ambience about it. It is a very trustworthy and honest space and such standards are inherent in every dish. The restaurant is filled with an array of artworks- all of which can be purchased if one desires. <br/><br/>The service was impeccable. Not only did our waiter deal with our constant demands, he was extremely attentive to our desires and he was adequately informed in all spheres of the restaurant life. Not only did he know the menu and specials board backwards- he also made valiant wine recommendations.<br/><br/>In terms of the food- not only were all expectations met, they were all surpassed. Having been voted best Italian eatery and being renown as one of the best Italian restaurants in Cape Town my initial expectations were extremely high. For starters our table ordered an array of different dishes. From the ceviche special of the day, to their infamous carpaccio, to their Italian meat platter and bruschetta- all portion sizes were healthy and flavor levels of an exceptional standard. The ceviche and carpaccio were the show stealers as they resembled the epitome of fresh and quality ingredients. For mains the table ordered an assortment of dishes From Veil, to fillet, to the lamb. All colleagues were extremely satisfied as the cuts of meat and the manner in which te were cooked and served. I went their infamous prawn penne (gamberetta) which is unequivocally the bests seafood pasta I have had to date. The flavor had tremendous depth and was extremely rich and satisfying. It was an honest Italian masterpiece.<br/><br/>Overall Il Leone was a phenomenal culinary experience. I would serious recommend it to anyone who is looking for a simple yet exemplary culinary experience.

Stylish restaurant with a warm atmosphere. The service was perfect and very professional. Regarding the food I didn't get disappointed at all. I ordered as starter a mixed selection of Italian cold meats and the raviolis with beef as main dish. the main meal was very tasty and perfectly cooked. I will come back.The only negative thing was nobody was here to say "thank you and goodbye" once you paid :(

Quaint restaurant with a homely atmosphere. The service was commendable and the food - mamma mia!I would highly recommend the tagliatelle pescatore.

Fantastic Thursday evening at one of the Atlantic Seaboard's favourite Italian restaurants. A cosy restaurant covered in wood decor and intriguing artwork. <br/><br/>We had an el greco salad for starters, which was fresh and tasty and the signature Florentine rib eye in pepper sauce. A flavoursome cut of meat cooked medium rare, the sauce was sensational. <br/><br/>Will be back in Winter for their pastas.

We went to Il Leone for a weekday lunch recently, and I really enjoyed it. The food is great, and the service is on point. The menu has a wide variety of Italian favorites and innovations. Parking is a little tricky during the day, but the experience makes it worth your while.

Any chance we are going to get out dinner anytime soon? Been here two hours and nothing! Shocking! We have often come here but tonight is by far the worst. Your tasty food, when we eventually get it, can't replace bad service and hours wasted waiting

I love food, Italians love food, Italian food is love! This place is the real deal, from what little I know of Italian cuisine Il Leone leans towards the Southern end which means they have a fish-heavy menu, but don't let that put any of you fish-haters off - there's a good selection of the usual Italian classics with good old meat. And besides, what doesn't taste awesome when smothered in a savoury tomato based sauce? Service was excellent and the management/ownership give the place a rare personal touch. Setting is civilized but doesn't feel like the town library. There was also a stocked bar which I believe will do a few cocktails while you wait for your table. 10/10 would go again.

Il Leone is an upmarket Italian restaurant in Green Point. The service is attentive and warm, the atmosphere is inviting and warm with candles and modern art adorning the walls. The food that we ate was good, it wasn't incredibly special or out of this world but it was homely, tasty Italian fare that was honest and delicious. I enjoyed my meal there and will definitely be back for some good Italian cooking!

Went here for a 21st where we were given a very special private room upstairs. We had a set menu and some of the food included fillet with pepper sauce, kingklip, ravioli, nutella pancakes etc... food was superb and service great! What a cool evening!

Visited Il Leone last night and had the usual Maskovita pasta with penne. Usually have it with ravioli but both combinations are delicious. The people I was with had the chicken tortellini (average) and seafood risotto (really good). The service was warm and welcoming.

I'm so ashamed that I had never heard of Il Leone before yesterday. They were awarded best everyday Italian eatery at the Eat Out Best Everyday Eateries Awards last night- which is what prompted us to go! <br/><br/>The restaurant is softly-lit and sophisticated. We were greeted by Frankie (hostess/manager??) who made us feel very welcome all night. <br/><br/>After ordering 2 risottos she insisted that at least one of us order the "signature dish" - linguine portofino. She wasn't merely trying to up sell either because it was actually cheaper than what we had already ordered. I really appreciated that. <br/><br/>The portofino with prawns, rocket, cherry tomatoes, and pine nuts was so darn good! The mushroom risotto was the perfect consistency, and also very flavorful. <br/><br/>We shared a panacotta for dessert, which was so smooth and creamy, and once again the perfect consistency. The execution of their dishes is spot on! <br/><br/>This isn't your average pizza joint. In fact they don't serve pizza! This is an authentic and romantic Italian restaurant with tons of class.

Best pasta gambereti on the planet!!!!<br/>Fantastic service and setting, One of our top restuarants in Cape town we always leave full and happy.

Great pasta- we shared three dishes- all pasta... Amatriciana, veal pasta and ravioli with arrabiata sauce. All pastas were great- service was great.<br/>I go there about once a month-every second month - really great food.

Visiting Cape Town from Johannesburg and was looking for good Italian. Excellent food and the service was also good. A real gem. Will be back for sure.

I really wanted to enjoy this experience. There are so few good Italian restaurants in CT, and I enjoy the flavours of Italy and had heard so much about Il Leone. But alas, it was not to be. The waiter seemed quite distracted, and we had to call him over a few times (and it was not that the restaurant was that busy). We waited quite a while before he collected the plates as well. The food was the big disappointment though. The starters were average (Melanzane and the Calamari), but the mains were where everything fell apart. My husband had the Cosata alla Fiorentina, and after a few bites, he was done. Although he took the steak home (it was R275 worth of meat), it is surprisingly still uneaten in the fridge since Friday evening. And if you knew my husband, you would know that to be very unusual. He said it just wasn't appealing, and the piece I had to taste was flavourless and tough. I had the Veal with lemon butter, which was full of grizzle, and also lacked flavour. Perhaps it was just an off night, but we probably won't be back.

Officially my favorite restaurant in Cape Town. Best Italian dining experience I've had in South Africa. Everything was superb - from the service to the menu. Highly recommended.

Very good Italian food. Upmarket and well priced. Service good, food good. If your looking for a romantic dinner, this is lovely. Thumbs up!

Ate there 2 nights in a row. On Both evenings we enjoyed outstanding meals. The signature prawn pasta dish was superb. The service was attentive and friendly.

Il Leone is one of my favourite go-to places for pasta in Cape Town. I've never had an average experience, I always leave feeling excited to go back. The seafood pasta is mouth watering, I seem to order it almost every time I go! For those who are cutting out the carbs, try their cabbage seafood pasta - it's unreal :)

I have these food cravings and they must be met so I was happy to know that gnocchi was on their menu and even though the kitchen closed in 10 minutes they welcomed us in. Wine is delicious and pasta is yummy . Staff incredible, Helpful , well trained and really made is feel welcome. A friend had the veal paste and it was a bit tough but my gnocchi was yummy and its my new favorite gnocci spot. I never saw a fire place but I could enjoy a bottle of red and try a few other things on the menu siting in front of a fire ☺️

This is a fantastic cosy romantic spot for really great Italian food, the menu is well priced the management and staff are superb, I'll definitely be back! Thanks Il Leone!

Great food. Always a quality meal and fantastic service. Thought the veal was a tad dry but the fillet steak I had was spot on! You are always guaranteed fantastic food at this homely establishment

I like II Leone. Their food is good. The service is good. They have a nice selection of wines. I'd recommend the prawn linguine. And the grilled Kingklip with mash is also really nice. I suppose Italian is their speciality so pasta when you go there is a must!

One of my favourites in the Mother City. Good simple Italian - quality and service consistently good...porcini mushroom anything is a winner (when in stock).

I went here a while back but clearly remember it. Possibly one of the most delicious (fancy) Italian restaurants in the City. Their prawn pasta is unrivalled and tastes much like Christmas in and around your face.

This place served me the absolute most delicious pasta I've ever had at a restaurant! There is something that feels special when you walk in, the white table cloths, candles and smartly dressed waiters make you feel a important and I had an immediate expectation of being treated well. I'm happy to say I was right! The waiters are professional and well-trained, the service was significantly memorable and of course, the food was AMAZING! I had the spaghetti with prawns and baby tomatoes and as I said, it was like heaven in a bowl! Not too saucy but the prawns were so fresh and the pasta was cooked so perfectly and had enough tastiness that more sauce would have masked the awesome flavours! I can't wait to go back for that dish!!🍝😍

I really enjoyed our dinner at Il Leone. I heard great things about it and we weren't disappointed. You'll find Classic Italian food here, cooked well with generous portions. <br/><br/>There was a delicious gnocchi going around the table, with a cheese sauce that could have been too rich, but was actually delicate and completely more-ish. I had the fillet medallions and they were amazing. <br/><br/>This place isn't cheap, but it's worth every cent and you'll enjoy every mouthful. You may even lick your plate (no judgement, it's a classy place but I totally almost did). Tiger Bax Catherine Steere Chad Michael Henson

Smart and sensual. The four cheese gnocchi is mind-blowing and the bread is delicious. If you feel like a cozy, Italian, perhaps romantic meal out- this is definitely the place for you!

One of the best Italian restaurants in Cape Town. The staff are always on the ball. The food is superb and they now serve zucchini pasta which is great for the carbophobes.

Their prawn linguini is the absolute best in the whole of Cape Town. This is one of De Waterkant's best best restaurants. Highly recommended! Their salads for a starter is fantastic too! Yummy!

Polite and efficient service. Comprehensive selection for all courses as well as a few specials on offer. Great wine selection too. The food is well presented and came out really quickly. Warm atmosphere, soft mood appropriate lighting and music. Interesting art on the walls. Wonderful place to share a bottle of wine and a delicious meal while you catch up with friends.

Il Leone has always been a firm favourite and we have spent many family and other occasions there. <br/><br/>However, after Mother's Day I doubt that we will be back.<br/><br/>Service was awful, my zucchini pasta soggy with a Lilliputian handful of prawns -rather disappointing for a dish well over R100. <br/><br/>