Review True Italic - Cape Town Central

This restaurant has been around for 6 years and I heard about it for the first time just two days ago! I think I must have just woken up from a deep sleep because it is hard to believe that I had not heard about it before!After our first visit this evening we are determined to revisit very soon! Luca is an energetic, young restaurateur and chef busy making a great name for himself! He was very friendly and welcoming, ensuring that our special evening was an absolute delight. Outstanding flavours and reasonably priced for such good quality. Highly recommended!

Talk about Authentic Great Italian cuisine run by 2 brothers who actually are Italian, you can hear them as they converse and check on tables. Greeted warmly as we enter , the smell of joy and laughter filled the air... the place was fully booked, we were lucky to get the only table left for 2. This restaurant has been been simply designed with an Italian touch of simplicity and authenticity. They have great Italian wines on the wine menu, starter portions are large and VERY GENEROUS , they make there own pasta, the taste of home made pasta is unbelievable, give that Chef a bells lovely through and through - to bad no space for desert. Make sure you book a table. Relax and enjoy, we read some reviews online and it was voted as one of the best places to go to in Cape Town for dinner.

Love pasta? Then you'll love True Italic! It's got a classic old school Italian restaurant feel, great place for a date night. The food was great, the pasta is not as Al dente as what you'll find in Italy, but I preferred it actually. My wife had a Penne with mushrooms (not sure the name of the dish) and I preferred her food over my Gnocchi Ragu)

This spot has always been high on my list for Italian food. The different sauces that are excellently paired with a particular kind of homemade pasta is always an enjoyable experience and keeps you coming back to try something new. This particular time we were a bit disappointed with the options and the artichoke starter was a bit dry and bland. While you go there for pasta, in the past they had a few other pasta free options for those wanting to join but with specific dietary requirements, that no longer seem to be added to the menu. I also thought the plating was a bit uninspired since our last visit. Atmosphere, friendly and knowledgeable staff and good wine are all other positive points that will keep me coming back and hopefully the next time the menu will be more in line with my taste palate

Simple, rustic decor, great home style food and excellent service. Unpretentious, relaxed atmosphere with decent prices. Very easy to become a regular at this place

What a hidden gem, although it looks small from outside, there is a hidden basement stored underneath. True Italian style and the Pasta with muscles was absolutely mouth watering.

5 star food quality, flavor and presentation. Interesting venue and decor. Problem.. Portions are ridiculously small which drops the restaurant to a 4 star. I get why they offer the small portions - they’re trying to get you to buy a 3 course meal, its financial metrics and they’re trying to make money, starter main and desert, but sometimes you just want a hearty big bowl of true Italian pasta and at True Italic, you cant get that. So, 4 stars for what could and should be an all-star 5 experience.

The absolute best Italian food this side of the world. Every dish has soul, love and care. The owner, Luca's hospitality and cooking definitely shows why this restaurant ends up in my personal top 5. The food will make your mouth sing tunes you never knew. The waiters are very knowledgeable about the (current) menu and are very respectful and kind people. The kitchen is open for you to watch, smell and enjoy and the chef on duty will definitely blow your mind away. Thank you for the great service.

Pleasant atmosphere with traditional food, had a lovely meal and joyful evening. Passed on the slightly pricey (R250+) wine selection but luckily they also cater for more sensitive wallets. Will definitely visit again. Definitely phone for a booking if you want to go.

Very interesting and tasty food. Loved the tagliatelle with anchovies and the porcini cushions (but skipped the scallops which are from frozen). Our first two wine selections were sold out but the servers suggestion was great. A good buzzy atmosphere in unpretentious surroundings.

This review is an indication of the wholistic experience and not only the cuisine. Service here was good, not excellent. Food is excellent, light on size and hefty on price for the pasta - however there’s due reason in the fact that it’s artisan and home made. Whether it’s worth it is budget dependent - it was throughly enjoyable. Kitchen works without hair nets or gloves - some people at our table didn’t enjoy that. The setting is beautifully rustic only let down by a disappointingly quite crowd on the evening. The venue could do with a better functioning air conditioner as it was unbearably hot. The wine selection is pricey and we were let down by a local blend that was warmer than gluwein - probably due to the ventilation issue above. Overall good experience and the food is a massive pull factor.

First time impressions lasts wow.... Ill be back, pasta was out of this world vibe atmosphere Was awsome as well

Great Italian restaurant with a menu that has been in place for many years. Tagliata sirloin is my favourite. Gelato with espresso dessert is definitely worth trying. Owner is very hands on, and staff are knowledgeable, efficient and friendly.

5th visit to True Italic and the food has always been amazing. I've never had bad service and the prices are right. Pre book your table to avoid disappointment. Menus change and portions are spot on. Anyone giving this restaurant a 1star rating needs to be advised that super size meals with bottomless death by soda drinks can very easily be found at many establishments in the vicinity. Gnocchi is the bees knees. The small sized starter platter is ample for 3 people to share.

The burrata cheese and the homemade pasta were simply delicious...you made me feel at home! I’ll definitely come back!

Way too expensive for very mediocre food.

Service is pretty poor although the food is good - left a poor reflection what could have been a good experience.

I like a lot the cooking and artistic decor of this restaurant. It's what makes True Italic very welcoming, where it's nice to eat. I suggest you to go ! The chef is very friendly and takes care of its customers... like the staff. And the service is fast ! I really like this restaurant !

Some of the best pasta I have ever had in South Africa

Very disappointed. Incredibly rude manager. Treated disgustingly.

It was such fun having dinner at your place last night. Food was just great and we really enjoyed the evening! Grazie Luca and Natasha!!!

This is a wonderful brother and sister Italian team offering 100 tons of passion! To keep it fun they change the menu every night and focus on what is seasonal. They make their own pasta and gnocchi - plus offer the option to buy it fresh to take home from their deli. We loved the chilled decor and relaxed ambiance. I am going to become a groupie!

I always try something new when I visit True Italic, and everything tastes better than the last, what an amazing restaurant.

Dissapointing, ordered the tagliata got a patty burger w/ no bun at an italian restaurant, no other meat on the menu, service wasn't great, and it was expensive

Gracie Mille! Wonderful osteria, food excellent, the brother and sister very friendly. A taste of Italy in Cape Town.

Amazing food, beautiful place to spend an evening or ten!!

We would like to thank Luca and True Italic for a fantastic evening with 25+ of our friends and family in the party venue located in the restaurant basement. The service was friendly, timely and efficient. What can I say about the homemade Italian food? Simply the best in Cape Town - Luca, you are the man! Do yourselves a favour, folks - get to True Italic for a fantastic dining experience.

"Luca", "Luca", "Luca" is all I read in the reviews before visiting True Italic, run by the very man himself and the Pasquale family. I inquisitively read up everything I can, particularly about this man waking up each morning making fresh bread & pasta; it sounded like the kind of joint I just had to check out. I find Luca's mobile number floating around on the restaurant website, so took a punt for a last minute reservation on a Saturday night.<br/><br/>For those trying to suss out the 'vibe', my best summation would be hipster meets rustic Italian café. Luca, I presume it was him, has even pinned up the little known S.P.A.L football team shirt on the wall, not only to emphasise his Northern Italian roots but probably as a reminder of the lengths one has to climb to build a successful business. For the unacquainted, S.P.A.L after being declared bankrupt, climbed 4 divisions to reach top flight football in Italy's Serie A. From what I can see, the Pasquale family are destined for a similar trajectory.<br/><br/>The evening kicked off with unquestionably fresh, foccacia-like bread. Nothing fancy it must be said: no sourdough starters in the mix; no studded pieces of rosemary or flakes of sea salt, just good, honest morsels of bread and a large bottle of virgin olive oil on the side. The Bruschetta uses the very same bread sliced as a base, with sweet cherry tomatoes on top and a few basil leaves. Again the pretence is left out, no needless thrills, pesto swirls or cheese shavings. The Aubergine Parmigiana starter hits the bill too: a dinky little plate of stacked baked aubergines with a well-seasoned tomato sauce and a healthy dose of Parmesan between the layers. <br/><br/>The highlight of the main courses was the baked Rigatoni in a tomato and ricotta sauce. The ricotta lent creaminess to an otherwise simple 'al forno' dish. I'm sure many will agree it's soul-comforting to tear away little pieces of charred, crispy pasta from the baking dish. The Gnocchi were (was) the paragon of light and fluffy, although my dining partner and I both felt the tomato sauce while satisfactory lacked the sweetness and freshness of an excellent sugo di pomodoro.<br/><br/>As for the solitary dessert we ordered, well I might offend my heritage and many patriotic Italians but I thought it was a source of great pride for most Trattorias to offer the most limited and basic of dessert choices. To paraphrase what one owner once told me: we can assure a pasta as good as any but nothing beyond that. In keeping with the tradition, 3 slices of chocolate salami were unfastidiously placed on a rectangular plate with a small pot of tart coulis. I ate it all though!<br/><br/>Unfortunately, I never got a chance to meet the main man Luca, which was a shame as he deserves to be commended on the simple, wholesome, unpretentious cooking that True Italic dishes up. <br/><br/>Forza Italica!<br/><br/>AA

Every time we come to True Italic, we are blown away by how authentically homely and "Italian" our experience is. No-frills good food that tempts you to lick your plate clean at the end. We will keep coming back!

GOOD AS ALWAYS<br/>It's my 4th visit to True Italic and the food has always been amazing. It is very rare in Cape Town to find a restaurant with a delicious and simple menu like this. The customer delights an excellent meal and the service of a friendly and professional staff. Anyone giving this restaurant a 1star rating needs to be advised that super size meals with bottomless death by soda drinks can very easily be found at many establishments in the vicinity.<br/>You are not going to find homemade pastas like Luca's ones. Gnocchi di patate are my favorite.

Phenomenal food, service and atmosphere!<br/><br/>If you’re on the hunt for some flavorful Italian food, you’ll definitely find it on 15 bree street!!<br/>True Italic offers you a variety of starters and pastas (all homemade and fresh).. for me the highlights are undoubtedly the sausige ragu tagliatelle and the melenzane parmigiana.<br/>We liked the friendly service and the variety of italian and southafrican wines and enjoyed the cost and familiar atmosphere of the venue.<br/><br/>Will absolutely go back!

AM I IN ITALY OR SOUTH AFRICA?<br/><br/> Being Italian, I can assure the authenticity of this place. Chef Luca really take care of his guests: not only he prepares himself fresh bread, pasta and bakery - with real Italian ingredients and recipes - but he also makes sure that everyone is pampered and is having a great culinary experience.<br/>Price/quality ratio is one the best in town and the menu, which is changed constantly to provide the customers with a fresh new experience every time, is just amazing!<br/>Add True Italic to your to do list when in Cape Town - you won't regret it!

It is definitely the most authentic Italian restaurant I've ever tried. Luca's homemade pasta makes you feel in Italy. We tried also the pumpkin ravioli that were really unbelievable.<br/>The service was fast, friendly, and the knowledge of the stuff about Italian food and wines surprised us. The atmosphere is amazing.<br/>Without any doubts, the best Italian place I've ever been abroad.

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME!<br/><br/>I'll be honest, I hate reviewing, normally I think everyone has different tastes, but I have to make an exception here. <br/>True Italic is my home away from home. <br/>The rustic setting and fantastic atmosphere created by a friendly staff and beautiful music all take a back-seat as soon as your plate arrives. <br/><br/>Whether it's the Italic boards, with an assortment of italian cheese and cold-meats great for sharing with friends, or the delicious home-made pasta (gnocchi, tagliatelle, spaghetti you name it they make it) which comes in a variety of forms to suit even the most picky-eaters, you can't but sit back and smile before digging in.<br/><br/>I've been there often and the menu changes made every now and then are a delightful surprise. It has become a question of I wonder what's coming next! <br/><br/>And I cannot wait!!!

Simply poetic!!!! <br/><br/>As an Italian living abroad I often get asked the question, where can one find really good italian food. The answer is often difficult to explain. You see you could go to generic places like col'cacchio or the cousins, but you all you would get is a bit of a show and the small part of an idea of authentic italian dining. <br/><br/>Italian dining is creation. It is re-interpretation of something tried and trusted, like fantastic Gnocchi alla Sorrentina alongside the expression of mastery through replication of a classic and perfect parmigiana. All of which can be found at True Italic.<br/><br/>The portions of pasta are fair and for the quality of ingredients used fairly priced. The restaurant imports some ingredients which are tough to source and for the rest it partners with some of the best cheese and wine makers in the country to bring the traditions of Italy a long way south of the equator. <br/><br/>THE PASTA IS ALL HOME MADE!!!!! <br/>all of it painstakingly created before the restaurant opens, everyday!<br/><br/>The setting is quite simply stunning and the conversation, as with all italians, almost always leads to food. The only difference is that at True Italic you are welcomed to this topic by the very knowledgeable and quite brilliant owner/head chef. Who shares as much as he listens.<br/><br/>Whether you're looking for an intimate date-setting or celebrating a birthday or quite simply looking to answer the age-old question where is the best italian restaurant in Cape Town; True Italic is your answer.

FANTASTICO!!!<br/><br/>The best italian restaurant I've ever tried abroad!! It's like being home.<br/>The menu changes every day, homemade pasta, bread... you can feel the real and authentic taste of the Italian cuisine.<br/>As an Italian, I am used to restaurants that pretend to be "italian", that's why I try to avoid them when I travel. But the first time I went to True Italic, I was shocked: no "pasta alfredo", no creamy or chilli stuffs, no fake "fettuccine marinara o napoletana" (these words actually make NO SENSE), and italian words spelled correctly in the menu!<br/><br/>A small piece of Italy in South Africa.

Not sure but must be under new management. You now get smaller portions for same price. Have been a few times but this was my last<br/><br/>Try three cousins or Tarantino for good Italian.

The setting is in a beautiful industrial hall with waiters who are knowledgeable and attentive, however the food is completely overpriced for the quality. It was dull and unexciting, and I felt I could have done a better job with some more salt, chili and garlic. At a table of 12, none of us were as impressed as we expected to be, and a few of us had to change our orders and send food back. It seems the zest has been lost.

True Italic is at the foot of Bree, neighboring La Tete. I’ve driven past multiple times but haven’t really taken note of it, but I guess that’s become expected of Bree. <br/><br/>The look and feel is quite rustic, and the service was really energetic and friendly. Their pastas are homemade and the menu changes daily which is conceptually refreshing. But even though the gnocchi was great, the other pastas such as the tortelli weren’t as delicate as you’d expect homemade pasta to be. Also the portion sizes are somewhat more suited to a 3 course menu, since they’re smaller than you’d expect and as a result aren’t very forgiving on the pocket. <br/><br/>If you’re still keen to pop by, I’d suggest the burnt butter and truffle gnocchi dish (they have a heavy hand with the truffle which is great) and the panna cotta which was surprisingly quite dreamy - if they’re still on the menu of course.

Beyond any doubt my fav Italian restaurant in South Africa! <br/><br/>From the delicious food, to the cozy interiors, to the Woden tables and candles light, Luca - the young chef and owner - managed to re-create the atmosphere of an authentic “osteria” miles away from Italy. <br/><br/>Just walk in, order an antipasto board and a portion of hand-made pasta, and enjoy your night in Italy without the need of catching a flight! I swear you won’t regret.

Overpriced, three plates of pasta (I specifically asked if the Tagliatelle Porcini was without cream or cheese and I was assured that it was only butter, olive oil and wine with porcini mushrooms. The plate we received had so much garlic in it, chunks, I had to swap it for another without, as my wife is garlic and cream allergic - could have ventured that information to us but I had to pay for the three plates!), one single whisky on the rocks and one 200ml bottle of sparkling wine R775.00. So where they get the average price per head at R250 for 2 is nonsense. None of the Primi or Secondi dishes cost less than R150.00. A RIP OFF they get away with as the have a Daily Menu. To top it all my Prawns (3 Queen Only) with Saffron was about 200g of food (portions are small) at R175.00 with my wifes two portions of Tagliatelle Porcini cost me R310.00 as I had to pay for the plate sent back.<br/><br/>A night NOT TO REMEMBER!!

The venue is beautiful - the inside is very rustic, a complete surprise from the unassuming exterior. <br/><br/>The venue was far too hot as there is little ventilation and only a few industrial fans, which add a great deal of noise. Some air conditioning would be a great addition to the venue. <br/><br/>The food was very good. We started with a selection of starters. The pasta main dish was delicious and filling, although not the biggest portion. <br/><br/>The waiters were courteous and the service was quick, despite the restaurant being quite full. <br/><br/>I will definitely be back, but on a cooler day.

Great food. Rustic vibes which is perfect for date night. We had the ravioli and gnocchi which were absolutely devine. The flavours were very unique, by far the best Italian place we’ve been in Cape Town .Would definitely go there again😃

Let's start with the positive aspects... <br/><br/>Very cute little quirky setup. <br/><br/>Service was good, not great. <br/><br/>They make their own pasta which is quite impressive. <br/><br/>Now... <br/><br/>The bread was a bit stale, the main courses were quite flavorless, bordering just edible. <br/><br/>I had high expectations and sadly they were not met... <br/><br/>For me, it's a miss

My experience at True Italic was one to remember. The home-made Italian sausage gnocchi is an absolute must and pairs perfectly with the Italian red wine on offer. <br/><br/>Very high on my list, thank you!

This is easily one of my favourite restaurants. <br/><br/>Excellent location tucked away at the bottom of Bree Street. Amazing ambience. It's got an amazingly authentic Italian feel. I just love the simplicity. <br/><br/>I've been to a lot of Italian restaurants in Cape Town and across SA and this one comes out tops for me in that category. <br/><br/>I'd give the service 3.5/5 because they can slack on a busy night but the waiters are really friendly and knowledgeable about their menus which typically makes up for the slowness at times. <br/><br/>The food is just excellent. Whether you go for a pasta dish or a meat dish you just can't be disappointed. <br/><br/>I've been here several times and am yet to be disappointed. One of my favourites is the squid ink pasta. Really different and creative. <br/><br/>Tell someone.

True Italic's attempted vibe and aesthetic is rustic Italian soulfood, which I completely respect - but it resulted in us eating in a converted barn, sweating as a result of no windows or ventilation - which contributed to the noise level. The prices are high enough for me to consider it a restaurant for special occasions, but the food, although delicious, was not worth what it cost -- it is meant to be simple, good food, which is what it is: but then don't overcharge for it. Also knock some holes in the walls so we can breathe. 🙃

Consistently good, authentic, high quality Italian food. Luca brings something refreshing and different to the Cape Town restaurant scene. My husband had his 30th here earlier this year in their private downstairs dining room and our guests were suitably impressed. Such a bonus that True Italic is on the Entertainer.

First time I was there I was quite impressed by the gnocchi. Really good! Second time the starter was quite bad, specially the burrata that was completely tasteless. <br/>I will give another try to see if I was just unlucky

True Italian food but be ready for extremely noisy hard sounding Italian music, asked several time for more traditional. Even paid extra for live entertainment which was nice but between was horrible hard rock italian music. Had to ask for a proper red wine glasses to replace the small white wine glasses. The food is always lovely. Our 5th time here and enjoy but always the same issues, bad loud music and incorrect wine glasses. Keep up the quality food. Suggest changing up the menu more often.

Had a good experience at this gorgeous restaurant the other night. There is ample parking in Breë street, seating isn't a problem and the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. I had the homemade ricotta gnocchi in saffron cream with wild tiger prawns. There were only 3 prawns and I feel that for that price (R150) the portion could've been a bit bigger. However, the meal was cooked to perfection and the flavours worked beautifully together. The gnocchi was soft and tasty. My friend ordered the homemade ricotta gnocchi ossobuco ragu (beef) and said it was delicious. My other friend ordered the arista al mirtillo - blueberry roasted pork fillet with oven baked potatoes and Dijon mustard. He said that although the fillet was cooked perfectly and the meat was soft and tender, the sauce was too sharp/tangy and the potatoes were very average. We then ordered dessert which was a pastry cup filled with espresso and icecream - I felt that this was quite overpriced at R75 for a very small portion, and the pastry cup was quite soggy from the espresso. <br/>The restaurant itself has a warm feel and the cellar downstairs is very intimate. <br/>Overall it was a pleasant Italian dining experience but slightly overpriced and portions were a bit small, but I'd definitely recommend it.

The food was delicious and paired so well with the Italian wine. The fresh made pasta was so good! Staff was attentive and super friendly! Very romantic

Booked a table for 4, our waitress was very knowledgeable and happy to answer all the questions about all the different cheeses and how everything gets made. <br/>The menu changes regularly except for about 3 core dishes. <br/>Portion sizes aren't huge, but the quality of food is very high. I had the gnocchi and it was outstanding.<br/>Everyone else at the table thoroughly enjoyed their meals as well. <br/>I'll be back to check out some of their other pasta dishes!

True Italian feel to it. The deco was authentic and made you feel like you were sitting somewhere in Italy. The food was delish. (And they have a variety of produce to buy right there). Service was relaxed which was refreshing.

It's very pricey for what you get. They have a very limited menu and only serve pasta and a few meats. No pizza at an Italian restaurant... what? <br/>Anyhow I ordered the squid ink prawn zucchini pasta. I hate that they don't ask whether I like penne or linguini (primi does it so well and primis pastas are wayyyy wayyy better!). My food was rather bland I must say. Not a lot of flavour at all. Quite disappointed. <br/>

There is something about this Italian restaurant that makes it more authentic than all the rest in Cape Town.<br/><br/>The decor is really awesome, you do feel like you are in a cafe in Italy.<br/><br/>The cheese and meat platter to start was the highlight of our night, so perfectly seasoned with beautiful olive oil. I would go back and just order a large portion of this.<br/><br/>The pasta is not cooked with lots of sauce, but surprisingly soooo tasty, it was awesome! <br/><br/>The waiters were good, despite all the chaos on the day. <br/>

If you are looking for good quality food coupled with proper service, this is NOT the place. A nice atmosphere and a wonderful jazz band played during Valentines day, that day that is meant to be a celebration of love with your partner, sadly for us and a couple of others it was ruined last night. After booking 8 weeks in advance for an 8pm table we arrived to be escorted to a little table right next to the band, equipment was leaning on the table and what should have been an intimate table was ruined by band members and people with camera (to film the band) hanging out right next to us chatting. I ordered the springbok carpaccio to start and a plate full of fat arrived, it was hard to see a morsel of meat but I tried none the less and after a mouthful of fat I returned the dish. I replaced it with the Bruschetta, which was better but marginally so, the crust of the bread must have been weeks old and was very hard to bite through, cardboard like, but we persevered. Then a band member came up to us and informed us that "we do know its going to be very load at this table", that was it for me, so i went to the staff to complain why on earth during such a night where we try impress our partners with some romantic magic had we been marooned in no  mans land! We then waited and moved to another table, thank God we did as when the band played they were extremely loud and no-one could have had a meal sitting that close. we then waited an hour and a half for our mains, after an hour we asked how long and after checking with the chef our waitress told us 4 minutes. 15 minutes later we witnessed 2 people at different times go to the kitchen to complain about their food, which cued a mad rush to get food to them, I then went up to be told my order had probably got "lost" in the queue but he was doing it now! When the Parmigiana and gnocchi  did arrive it was average at best, the gnocchi was rather bland and tasteless and parmigiana is my favourite dish to cook at home so on reflection thats where we should have stayed. For a City with such great restaurants this place really needs to up its game if it wants repeat customers. You have been warned.

Really great. We have enough pizza/pasta italian restaurants in South Africa and its a real treat to be exposed to traditional fresh and creative italian dishes. FANTASTIC service ( i think our waitress was named Mille). Not cheap but great value. Highly recommend

Authentic & delicious food, friendly service, great atmosphere (free of any of the Cape Town pretentiousness that lurks in the CBD)... my third time here - will definitely be back!

What a lovely experience!! I thought I was back in Atrani, Italy!!<br/>The atmosphere makes for a wonderful dining experience. The service is friendly and efficient. <br/><br/>The food!!! Oh my word!!!! Fresh and tasty!!! The best gnocchi I had in my life. The stuffed mozzarella starter is also a must. <br/><br/>I am definitely returning!!

Misleading from the outside... amazing on the inside. Spent a great evening here for a birthday celebration. We tried three different starters which were fresh, with great flavour and well prepared. We also had two mains the parmagiano was delectable. The carbonara i think the chef missed the mark a little but we forgive him because everything else was great. For a small staffed place everything really flew out the kitchen... no delays. Staff was friendly and helpful.... see you guys again really soon.

We ate here after Tuning the Vine, and we were starving. I had the rigatoni which arrived cold and there were about 5 bites of it. Severely underwhelmed by what looked to be a top spot. Gnocchi was excellent although again small portioned. "Voted by Inside Guide as one of the top 10 Italian restaurants in Cape Town" - must be cos there are only about 4..

✔️ Rustic atmosphere <br/>✔️ Seasonal menu<br/>✖️✔️ google the words you do not understand (the Italian ones - do not assume)<br/>✖️ Slow service<br/>✔️ Friendly waiter <br/>✔️ Very tasty food <br/>✖️ Liquor coffee is a shot of a liquor not coffee with liquor - should probably read coffee liquor <br/>✖️ Felt abandoned - not very well looked after by waiter, drinks not checked or food.<br/>✖️ Average cost is more like R350-R400 per couple

Authentic. A hidden gem. A true Osteria del Capo.<br/><br/>Unless you knew about this place, you may in fact overlook the nondescript entrance and mistakenly pass it over. So glad a friend recommended it.<br/><br/>The rustic bare brick walls, bare pine tables and plain photocopied menus all add to the feel. Add original art and some soccer jerseys and you've got typical Italian trattoria. And the food flavours matched perfectly.<br/><br/>Our group of friends talked a hind leg off a donkey (like all the other tables on this completely booked out Saturday evening) in the friendly atmosphere.<br/><br/>Most opted for the Pasta dish with Asparagus, Ham, Italian sausage while two of us had the Aubergine stack. Food was divine, if slightly pricey for the portion size.<br/><br/>We discussed Zomato ratings and the subjectivity of it, and the genuine Italian in our party scored the food 5/5! Being harder to please, we settled on 4,5 by mutual consent.<br/><br/>Luca, you and your team have a winning combination. Bellissimo!

Fabulous!!!!! Fabulous!!!! The food here was outstanding- incredible service and interaction from the waiter about the food. They even allow you to sample some of their pastas that are on the menu for the evening. The menu changes often as explained by the waiter, so you can expect some different dishes every time you visit. We had the aubergine starter and oh my golly (for someone who dislikes it to the full extent) it was the most amazing dish ever!!! Take this as a challenge to try how amazing it really is!!! The vibe of the restaurant was also really nice, but must say the food and service was top notch!! Well done guys!!<br/>

I lived in Italy for a while and have never managed to get proper Italian food again. Since last night. The food and vibe at True Italic is as close to Italy as I've come across. Absolutely delicious food, beautiful in its simplicity, a truly welcoming atmosphere and affordable and lovely wine.<br/>Don't start your meal without the Italic board as a starter. The gnocchi was soft and fluffy, the Melanzane Parmiggiano was rich and delicious and the seafood pasta looked amazing. Do it. You know you want to.

Very cool place with an awesome vibe. Love the old vintage italian feeling you get when you walk in. Came here for a 21st and really enjoyed how the event happened. Food plates with nice selections of cold meats and cheese was served which was great. <br/><br/>There was also an underground bar/ dance floor which was the real winner!

I'd been wanting to try True Italic for some time so was thrilled that a spur of the moment decision resulted in an available table. <br/>The wine list is on the very pricey side with no budget-friendly options. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of cheap wine, but I'd love to find a bottle under R200. <br/><br/>Our waitress was very helpful and friendly. The menu changes daily and we needed some assistance which she gladly provided. I was keen on the beef sirloin tagliata but was also eyeing the homemade tagliolini so when I was told that the tagliata didn't have to be served with the requisite salad my decision was made. To me, this is a way better combo: beef sirloin tagliata served with homemade tagliolini dressed simply with butter and Parmesan. Incredible! <br/><br/>The dish was very filling and I couldn't finish it all. The tagliata wasn't what I was expecting from a previous experience I've had elsewhere, but while entirely different it was still delicious. <br/><br/>I loved experiencing this utterly genuine Italian restaurant. The prices are quite high and the choices are limited but it's worth a visit. I'll definitely be back!

Over-priced small bland portions coupled with bad service... Was really expecting way more from a R100 main and a R180 bottle of average wine...

Wow wow wow. Real Italian place. Rustic and authentic. Just like in Italy. Fresh food, nice ambiance. Small menu which changes everyday. Decent pricing. Great service. A must for people who enjoy Italian food.

True Italic has a wonderful space and great atmosphere. The meals are 100% authentic and all the ingredients are fantastic! The anchovy pasta and gnocchi with sausage ragu were the winning dishes. <br/><br/>The only gripe I have is that the meals were rather expensive for a small plate. The pasta and gnocchi were a perfect size but the salad with mozzarella and Parma ham was not ideal for a main. I do understand they use all imported ingredients thus making it tough to price but I feel the waitress could have given some warning as to the size as we ordered it for mains and is more of a starter or lunch.

Unfortunately not a great meal. Very overpriced for very ave meal. Whilst I enjoy garlic, using it to mask a very plain tasting gnocchi only compounds the problem. Won't be back

Went to this restaurant after the first day of the rugby sevens . Had a platter of mixed Italian meats, cheeses etc.. which was very tasty. We all followed up with pastas which everyone enjoyed. Great waiter and the house wine was good value. All in all , a good evening had by all and we all indicated we would go back .

(OK...before I start the review...some personal historical context is necessary. I was born in Johannesburg, but spent 2/3 of every year in London, Paris, Zurich, New York, LA, Mauritius etc; flying First Class (and Concorde) exclusively, always in limos and surrounded by high security whilst staying in the Presidential/Penthouse Suites of the world's most iconic hotels. It is here that I met the world's best chefs, spending time with them, sometimes in the hotel kitchens, while Mom was shopping and Dad was working. I was also blessed with the planet's best nanny (no jokes), who, whilst not being a touchy-feely person (think a crotchety Mary Poppins), always expressed her love with food, especially after any trauma I experienced. Guess where the love of food came from?!<br/>Now read on....)<br/><br/>The very first time I met Chef/owner Luca and his sister Natasha over a year ago, I ended up having a 2 hour conversation that will burn in my memory forever.<br/><br/>Their blatant, honest, inventive, sacred and passionate foodie souls were frighteningly infectious...regaling me with stories about truffles, Limoncello, farfalle, tagliolini, Doppio Zero, cappuccino vs espresso, burrata, mortadella, prosciutto and Parma ham...their history of learning from their mama, who learnt from her mama, who learnt from her mama...you get the picture.<br/><br/>I was blown...away. Quite literally moved to tears to FINALLY encounter people who revere, respect, sanctify and honour the ART of food as I was taught by those Chefs in my childhood. It was as if my soul had a caffeinated jolt of foodie reawakening...something I thought I would never see again south of the equator.<br/><br/>Get this...Luca MAKES his own pasta. Daily. No jokes. And the menu is in constant daily flux, with EVERY single ingredient imported (except the veggies!) direct from Italia.<br/><br/>I have only ever had sheer foodie heaven in this osteria (a more relaxed and homey eatery..the kind of place the Capo would love...!); like the HOMEMADE gnocchi with Italian sausage râgout (NOT Bolognese), which has been cooked for 3 HOURS in Barbera (Italian red wine), laced with fennel and celery, and liberally dusted with parmiggiano.<br/><br/>Words fail me.<br/><br/>Or how about the antipasti platter with the most astonishing array of meats, accompanied by, again, homemade focaccia?! Or what about the stracciatella ice-cream?!<br/><br/>Or...wait for it...the handmade, super-fresh burrata (a creamy cousin of mozzarella but scarily difficult to make, having to be eaten within 24 hrs MAX), crowned with a slice of real Parma Ham and fresh pesto?!<br/><br/>I instantly started crying the second I took a bite.<br/>Not even kidding.<br/>And I shut up for 20 minutes...a personal record.<br/><br/>The place is also quirky without being cute, the staff always smiley and friendly, presided over by the doyenne of hospitality, Natasha.<br/><br/>They even have WiFi.<br/>That works.<br/>Without a code.<br/>Or a capped allowance.<br/>For free.<br/>Score.<br/><br/>I couldn't think of a single thing that needs to be amended, added, ameliorated, changed or improved upon in all the times I have eaten here.<br/><br/>The tiny resto is packed to the rafters every night with, amongst others, actual Italians happily yapping away/arguing/socialising/debating/connecting with each other, then chucking back Limoncello...what more proof do you need?!<br/><br/>Without a second's hesitation...a DEF @jamescapetown FAVE!!!

I've been reading great reviews on True Italic and was super excited when we just arrived and they had a table for us. The restaurant runs longways in with wooden tables and rustic decor. The menu is not extensive but offers just enough in terms of choice. I ordered Gnocchi with slowly cooked rump-tail. It was like biting into little fluff clouds!!! Sublime! Charlie ordered the beef sirloin tagliata served with a side salad on a big chopping board and cooked to perfected medium rare at only R134! Value for money too! Next up was coffee and the chocolate salami served with ice cream which was to die for!! Chef Lucca came to chat and showed me the downstairs section of the restaurant....AWESOME for private functions!! We were given complimentary Limoncello's and left with cheerful Ciao's! We'll be back!

As a family that eat out very often this unfortunately was one of the worst restaurant experiences we have all ever encountered. Shocking service (waiting thirty minutes to have our drinks order taken) to the most disappointing, average food that was so minimal yet cost an arm and a leg. The bill was ridiculously high and there wasn't even the cost of booze involved. As a vegetarian I ordered a portion of roast veg which was literally a carrot and cheese WRAPPED in bacon. Definitely won't be returning here.

I really enjoyed this little restaurant with its genuine Italian feel.  I like the idea of a one page menu for today (see picture).  I had the gnocchi alla Sorentina - gnocchi in neapolatana sauce covered in mozzarella and baked.  The gnocchi could have been a bit more seasoned, but that being is picky. The staff were friendly, and the bill reasonable (R195 with a 250 ml carafe of wine and an espresso).  Viva genuine Italian food viva!

Here's what's good about the place - cool decor, authentic Italian food and relaxed vibe.<br/><br/>Here's what I didn't like. I'm no stranger to paying more than "normal" for a plate of food. I get it and I don't mind - I'll totally factor in experience, chef, amazing flavours etc into the mix. But here's what grates me - paying a high price for a plate of food but still being hungry after I've eaten it. That's not on.<br/><br/>We were told that because it was authentic and made differently it would be more filling. Maybe the pasta was filling, but the gnocchi definitely wasn't.<br/><br/>Up the portion size and I'll be back for more. Literally.

Best gnocchi in the world! Service is excellent, the menu is great. A hidden gem. Casual but intimate. Lovely Italian wines on the menu. Good value for money

I enjoyed going to this cute rustic Italian restaurant in the CBD. The food was genuinely authentic although the portions were quite small. I definitely loved the look of the place so would still recommend.

Food is delicious. The gnocchi with gorgonzola is amazing - like eating little clouds! Service was great as well. Only problem i have to report is that its pricy, R100 for pasta with tomato, basil, chilli and lemon is bit overboard

Great restaurant - ticks all the boxes. I like how authentic it is/feels. The food was amazing! Interesting wine list. Fantastic service and vibe in the restaurant. I can't wait to go back.

Enjoyable authentic Italian dinning. Owned and efficiently run by Chef Luca and Natasha Di Pasquale, a friendly on the ball brother and sister team from Bolongna, Italy. Creative decor and a lovely ambience. Their menu changes regularly, is not too expansive but what they do, they do well. Their platters to share are incredible and was pleased with their fillet. No pizzas were found which was a breath of fresh air for a change. They also have a private function room that can accommodate up to about 25 people

I love this place. True Italian food with fresh ingredients. We are always warmly welcomed by one of the owners. The service is very good and the staff is friendly. I love that I can see brother and other owner cooking away in the kitchen.<br/>For now 8/10

Overpriced and not worth a visit. The food was poor to average at best - certainly not worth the price! Kitchen cannot cope with larger groups - some will have finished their meal before others get theirs.

Lovely spot, friendly staff. The food is not the most impressive true Italian - but is tasty.

Brilliant new Italian place. Family-run, authentic, and comfortable feel. Very reasonable prices, and such a warm, inviting atmosphere. <br/>