Review La Cucina Di Ciro - Johannesburg

I had a lovely experience here, the service was great! The food was really tasty... although I was slightly disappointed with the steak (not the cut I'd expect at the price). The atmosphere and setting are amazing. They have a couple of water features that have a nice background noise with the music. The only drawback I found is that the prices are high for what you get. Overall, it was a lovely experience.

Ciro is a very cute and rustic restaurant that is authentically Italian. The pizza and creme brulee were the best dishes of the night! The gnocchi was very rich and had a very melty texture rather than pasta. All the dishes were filling and on the pricey side.

Excellent food, fabulous, interesting decor, great service.

food was superb, the salads were so delicious, and amazing carrot cake! Waiters were quick and efficient and their service together with the speed of the kitchen was outstanding and allowed the whole lunch to flow so smoothly! It is always difficult to find a venue to host our big Italian family, as a causal family get-together is 16 people and normally ends up being very loud and jolly, so I wanted to reach out and let you know how grateful I am to you and how happy we all were with our experience- we will definitely be back! Ps: I love the Buddha graffiti and all the owls in the Jacarandas!

One of the best hidden gems in Jhb. Delicious food and a lovely courtyard to enjoy a wonderful lunch or dinner. Fantastic for a romantic meal for two or a group function. Worth the visit, try the garlic focaccia, brilliant.

This owner run restaurant is truly excellent. We were among around 20 guests who attended a close friend's birthday supper on a Saturday evening. The restaurant, which is situated in a traditional South African house, was already busy by 6pm, so our host's choice to book the private outside room, under the trees was a great call. To start, the table was served a splendid antipasto selection; platters of both delicious cured meats and assorted roasted vegetables for the whole table. These were accompanied with freshly baked, tasty focaccia and parmesan-topped salad. There was ample of everything to satisfy all the guests. For our main course we were presented with a 1-page menu which offered plenty of choice, ranging from Pizza, Pasta, meat and vegetarian dishes. Vegetables are ordered and charged separately. The waitress mentioned daily specials but, understandably, not all were still available at the time of ordering. All the main courses arrived pretty much simultaneously, on piping hot plates, not an easy feat for a table of 20. Everyone appeared to enjoy their food, but I need to mention two outstanding dishes. Several guests seated near near me chose the slow-cooked lamb, off the bone and they raved about how good it was. I chose the calves' liver, sauted with sweet red onion and red pepper. I absolutely love liver, but it's rarely on the menu. The calves' liver dish served to me at Ciro's was possibly the best I've tasted anywhere in the world, I could not fault it, served with crispy roast potato wedges. For dessert we were served a rich, moist chocolate birthday gateau for the table. A great way to celebrate our friend's special day. We all celebrated from 6pm to well after 11pm and were the last to leave the restaurant. Uber service was good, with no one waiting for more than a few minutes for a ride home. All-in-all a terrific evening out!

No matter how many times I go, I never stop being delighted by how lovely this restaurant is. If not for the road, you'd feel like you were somewhere out of the city. The food is consistently superb and the specials of the day always have something interesting.

Highly Highly Recommended. Our first visit and boy were we impressed. Great ambiance, lovely setting and decor. Good efficient and friendly staff. Aside from the set menu there are also specials that the chef mentions at the table. I was surely impressed with my baked salmon which I requested as rare and rarely do I get it as requested. Moroccan soup and cauliflower fritters for starters was a winner. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals. Yes we will definitely be back!

The starters were amazing! Please try the mussels and spicy chicken livers…

Soulful Soulful Soulful Home away from home The chef and his team are soulful and homely. You can even order for home meals. Kind meal you want to have in a Meta’s metaverse. The dishes are tasty and just good enough portions. It’s all round value for money Feels inclusive and spacious The garden outdoor apace is great vibes for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Easy access. The music is old school - for example they were playing Just A Gigolo - Louis and Ella - one of the the greatest music duo to ever grace this earth. Even in metaverse they rock harder.

We visited for supper on Valentines Day yesterday and it was a good experience overall. There was a set menu available which I initially was a bit disappointed by as I had planned to order from their regular menu but I was pleasantly surprised. My husband had the fillet on the bone and I had the baked salmon, both dishes were perfectly cooked and flavorful. For Dessert we shared the pistachio meringue and that too was great. The ambience is pretty nice and romantic for night out with your SO. The dishes are quite pricey though, roughly R275 each for mains.

If you are visiting during winter, I recommend an inside seating.<br/><br/>I am a little weary when wanting to order seafood pasta lately as most restaurants tend make them a tad over fishy for my taste, however the Fettuccini pasta, with prawns and calamari was delicious, well done chef...Ambiance was alright, staff were very pleasant and always there when you needed them for anything. Tables are somewhat close to one another, you could potentially hear your neighbors conversations.

Delicious food but appalling service. We left after starters. <br/>Left to have rest of meal elsewhere. <br/>Aubergine was delicious so were the lamb ribs

Lovely Sunday lunch feels. The menu has something for everyone and Ciro is happy to tone down a few of the options for the kiddies. It is always nice to eat at a well known restaurant owned by a very well know chef that is willing to make it enjoyable for all. I had the snails in a garlic, chili and saffron butter to start and mussels in tomato for mains. Both were out of this world.

Venue is nice - really cozy atmosphere.<br/>Staff was really friendly and on point - Chef went around to each table introducing himself and the daily specials.<br/>Food was good - a bit overpriced.<br/>Overall experience - good.

I really wanted to go here and, after checking the score on Zomato, went for lunch on Saturday. The venue is nice but the food is mediocre at best.  I had the duck which was completely overpowered by the lime sauce and served with chips which were described to me as "roast potatoes".  My partner had mushrooms on what could have been a heat and eat rosti.  Totally over priced, bad food.  Such a pity - it looked so good.<br/> <br/><br/>I did learn though - check the reviews as well as the score!

My man and I had dinner at La Cucina last night. We were blown away by the cosy setting, on-point service and sublime food. We started with the fennel salad, which is light and refreshing. I had the pumpkin souffle for mains and my boyfriend had the pomegranate rib-eye. We were both practically licking our plates at the end. We finished off with a delicious creme brulee and the meringue roulade. We'll definitely be back and will be recommending this venue to all our loved ones.

Went for Sunday lunch.<br/>Service with a smile and friendly host in Ciro, personally visiting each table with specials . <br/>Ordered mushroom starter and ribeye steak special. <br/>Mushrooms needed much more garlic, Steak was average, chips were fabulous.<br/>Irish coffee excellent.

This place has the best mushroom pasta. I have this passion for papardelle pasta. I don’t what it is. The wider the pasta ribbon the better it is. The pear and Gorgonzola salad is a winner as well.

Not a bad meal for a date but well over priced. R230 for 2 baby duck legs with chips (fries) I nearly fell over(was one of the chefs recommendations!!!!) rather go somewhere else for a new experience. Not good value for what you get

An international colleague and I went there for a quick dinner. We had the prawn cocktail and minestrone soup for starters, and seared salmon for mains. All the courses were delicious. Service was quick.

I really WANT to like this restaurant.....the location is nice and the staff are excellent. Our food was just really disappointing. We had dinner - just mains and coffee. The chicken breast in a very strange (unbalanced, clumsy) mint sauce was dreadful. The steak was fine, but not delicious. Please offer us veggies as an option to chips (which were really not great.) What a lovely and efficient waiter. I won’t be back - the music was terrible too.

We went for dinner, my pick as i am always passing this spot and wanted to try it out. The decor and set up is beautiful and cosy. However the food and service was lacking and for the price i didnt find value for money. I had tge prawn padta which was lacking in flavour and taste. The tomatoes were not even cooked well. The sauce was hardly visible and when i adked for more it looked, smelled and tasted like water mixed with tinned tomatoes that was dumped in a sauce bowl (literally) and provided to me. I doubt i will be back.

love this spot my lady & I. it's cost and convivial, has great food & service is attentive. Go to gives you the daily specials. what more can you ask for??

We have wanted to eat here for long and finally managed on a Saturday night to get a spot. Being Italian an a good cook myself well... disappointing experience to be honest . I had minestrone and the vegetarian main : nothing impressive . Hubby had the duck main... again dry and tasteless . Ambience nothing to write home About. The owner is the only plus there.

It’s a beautiful setting but the waiter didn’t know where our table was so we were moved a couple times despite our booking. I ordered a seafood starter which I sent back. For main I ordered a salmon for R255 covered in a coconut sauce which was unfortunately below average and my dessert had lumps in it and it tasted pre made. I must say for these prices I would not come back here. The service was also slow and all in all an R800 bill for two people and not a very nice meal.

Such a friendly restaurant, we had children with us, they went out their way to accommodate us making spaghetti Bolognaise which wasn't even on the menu. Best steak I've ever tasted

What a incredible and delightful experience we had on our first visit to the restaurant. From the moment we were greeted at the entrance to when we left, the service and attention to detail was superb.<br/>After looking at the menu we thought we knew what we would have that was until the owner came to the table to explain the specials.<br/>I ended up having the Mozambique prawns and the duck and my partner had the lentil soup and the rabbit ravioli. <br/>Everything was exceptional.<br/>From the wine to the incredible dishes it was a night to remember

Excellent food, great service and lovely atmosphere. Never been disappointed! It’s a Jhb institution for good reason! Try the small plates - excellent for sharing!

Love this restaurant, food beautifully prepared... make your taste buds tingle and desserts prepared by Pinky are to die for! Service is excellent.

Always a great experience. Delightful food, impeccable service, and beautiful atmosphere.<br/><br/>Whenever we are looking for somewhere special to go, La Cucina Di Ciro is always on our shortlist.

Been to La Cucina di Ciro past Friday night<br/>Excellent setting, enjoyed ambiance of setting in the garden outside<br/>However, the eating experience ito food was far below expectations<br/>Seafood fettuccini with linefish not up to expectation, salmon below standard, seemed not to be fresh, can do better and tastier at home<br/>Roast leg of lamb cutlet, no taste, un impressive<br/><br/>Service lack luster, by the way you are now here, what can I do for you<br/><br/>Pricing: hi, for the quality of food<br/><br/>Sorry won’t be back

We had a very nice dinner at Lu Cucina Di Ciro. They had a variety of specials for the night and the food was amazing. From bruchetta for starters, deboned duck and ravioli for mains and pavlova for desert, everything was really good. <br/><br/>The service from the waiters was awesome and we had a table outside under the stars that was really nice.

Very enjoyable evening. Delicious food, great service and classy/romantic ambiance. Chef gave recommendations and food really lived up to the fine dining expectation. My butternut and ricotta ravioli in a tomatoe sauce was superb!

Great food and Great service! Friendly staff and Ciro's food was amazing! My wife had the Butternut soup starter that was on special and I had the halloumi with aubergine pate. For mains my wife had the Norwegian Salmon Pasta and she absolutely loved it. I was a bit disappointed with my Roast Lamb Cutlet as it was slightly underdone against the bone. Dessert was amazing. The food is expensive at R175 for a pasta dish but the portion sizes are decent. We took in a bottle of Muratie 2007 Pinot Noir at R75 corkage not too bad, as the wines available are quite expensive. Don't think I will be back but this is my wife's new favorite.

All I can say is that I am so glad I have found this dining room😊<br/>It's so cozy and elegant . Perfect for a romantic night out with fantastic service and mouth watering food .<br/>We really enjoyed the food , the service was on point and the ambiance is everything ...💛<br/>Next time will be back for a lazy lunch on the patio 👌🏻

We were all excited to hear the great specials and three of us decided to order the stumpnose. As we orderes we were informed that there were none left. Very disappointing. I had the rabbit which was okay. The service was okay. The setting was really nice for a warm Spring day.

the ambience is exactly right but the service was not. I like ciro's food but last night it was good rather than great. we had to wait for ciro to tell us the specials before we could order and the service all along was slow. one highlight for me was the lentil and zucchini soufflé. a bill of R800 was not excessive but I doubt I will go back

The ambiance was quite lovely and the food was great with sizable portions. On those notes alone, I would definitely go back however a few items appeared on our bill that we did not expect to see. Hot water and lemon = R13. The hot water and lemon also came with honey (that I did not ask for) and that also landed up on the bill. Then there was a charity contribution on the bill... A charity I was not told about nor asked if I wanted to contribute towards. The extra amounts are small relative to the price of the meals so we paid anyway however as a matter of principle, one should be told beforehand if there are extra charges or it should simply be stated on the menu. Great food, the cute spot comes highly recommended however this bill experience leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

The food is good but the service makes the experience so dreadful that one will not want to come back. It is such a shame as the place is so beautiful and the meals would make you want to come back.<br/>

My first visit and I enjoyed the atmosphere and food. Fresh ingredients and brilliant combinations. Our waiter was a bit slow on taking our orders for starters, this was disappointing, however the food was delicious. Will definitely visit again.

I can't believe it took me so long to try out this hot spot. The food was tasteful, beautifully prepared and generously proportioned. The service is great, restaurant is clean and atmosphere is friendly. Try the deboned quail pasta, it's decadent. A bit on the expensive side but worth the splurge.

Awesome dining experience! Setting is different to the norm, atmosphere is relaxed. A pleasant surprise that one does not come across anymore was that the staff actually left our plates when the food was eaten until that moment when everyone at the table was done eating!!! A wonderful etiquette that is seldom seen in todays times. The wine was perfectly poured and chilled throughout the dinning experience, never once did we have to pour for ourselves. The owner came to out table twice to discuss the menu and to ask for feedback on how we experienced it. A must go to restaurant in Johannesburg!

Having heard a lot about the restaurant we were excited to finally try it. The staff were a good but you could tell they weren't happy to do anything beyond the basics. It did get a little noisy at night with everything closed up. The food was good but if you're after unique Italian, there are other places you could go. The prices are rather high for the food you're getting.

Always a treat going to Ciro, great little spot with lovely atmosphere and friendly service. We love sitting out on the patio on a summers afternoon. Loved their take on the carbonara with spiced chorizo, also enjoyed the Parma ham dish and melenzane. Not a fan of the cooked oyster dish - but that's just personal preference. All in all, a must try restaurant!

Always good! Italian French fusion at it's best. Sophisticated yet unpretentious. Fresh and full of taste. The starter was a warm Vichyssoise (ideal for the rainy evening) with coconut and chilly. The calf liver for mains melted in the mouth. Highly recommended.

Seriously, this has got to be one of the best ever top notch cuisine restaurants in Johannesburg. We had Calves Liver, to share for starters, a far too big portion, rather to a starter to share - well, it was out of this world! <br/>Our mains were crispy duck with Turkish figs- fantabulous! And off course handmade fettuccine with pancetta and chorizo! Exquisite! The attention to excellence and the service, just a notch above ! Ciro, the owner and chef, well known guy in his field, personally comes around and tells you about the specials of the day. <br/>A cozy old house and could be a romantic experience. <br/>The wines we felt were expensive, nothing under R240, we took our own, corkage R70. <br/>I can seriously recommend this.

Simply outstanding. The food was incredible, the service brilliant and The Owner such a warm and wonderful man. That Sirloin on the bone was on another level. We will all be back again.

It was well recommended but perhaps they were having an off day. The service was not good at all and the food was ok, no wow factor about. Perhaps I had very high expectations. <br/>Will try them again.

Unlike some places which are slick but you just know someone has hired a chef, thinking to make a packet, the eponymous Ciro has been in the business for years, knows what he's doing and does it with aplomb and passion. He goes around to each and every table to tell you his specials. The restaurant is beautifully appointed, the crowd decorous and softly spoken. Yellow roses on the tables. The wine list is short but decent. The food is of an international standard, the service faultless. All in all, a place to celebrate a special occasion but also nice for a quiet and civilized dinner for two. The price is above average but justly so.

We got one of the best tables for our lunch and luckily the weather wasn't bad. Our waiter was pretty good, the food was delicious and I'm glad we were away from the end of year festivities in Sandton

I went with my girlfriends the other day and we thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Everyone was satisfied with their orders. The food was fresh, well presented and delicious.

A great experience.<br/><br/>The variety of dishes and the specials are really incredible, the food is always exactly on point.<br/><br/>The wine list is really interesting and goes perfectly on pair with the food. <br/><br/>The service is good and efficient up to the car guards. <br/><br/>The terrace has a real special feeling for romantic dinners.

Having gotten to the restaurant late for what was to be my birthday celebration, I was delighted to find that we'd been reserved the best table in the house. <br/>We started with excellent service from the waitrons and manager and the evening only got better. <br/><br/>My starter of garlic / Gorgonzola snails was delectable as was my partners rodizio salad. Both our pasta dishes were fantastic (mine seafood and his veg). <br/>The crowning glory however was the chocolate soufflé which was perfectly made.

La Cucina Di Ciro is my favourite Italian restaurant in Johannesburg, and in my opinion, the most romantic too. Whether you sit under the big oak tree for a lazy afternoon lunch, or cuddle inside on a cold day or evening date, La Cucina delivers. My favourite here is always the duck but the salmon is also absolutely divine. Located in a beautiful old home, its warm and charming atmosphere make it an absolute must for any occasion.

Love la cucina! One of my most memorable meals was there , which a beef Wellington on another level, and a hummus salad! The one downside would have to be the fact that you tend to be treated a lot better when having starters , mains, deserts and an array of alcohol as opposed to popping in for a quick meal!

This place makes for a great lunch spot on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Perfect location in Parkhurst. I like the indoor/outdoor ambience at this restaurant. Starters were good-for mains I had the salmon(linefish of the day) which was okay. Ribeye steak was also good. Experienced good service on both occasions that I've been there. Overall I would recommend this spot

Food was good as well as the service, but the menu was a bit pretentious and pricy. There are many other good Italian restaurants in Jozi and more reasonably priced.

Pretty setting and main Course was well prepared and tasty. The Martinis and caipirinha's (sent back twice) could only compare to dishwater mixed with lemon juice and the response from the manager was "well we are not a bar". Sarcasm bordering on rudeness is never an endearing quality at a restaurant. If you can't make it, take it off the menu. Dessert was a 4 out of 10. Won't be going back.

Great food, great atmosphere. If you in the area, this is a must. Been here a few times now and planning on coming back again sometime soon.

We have experienced both La Cucina and the vegetarian sister The Pudding shop on the same property. Both were delicious but I loved the decor of the pudding shop and the freshness of their food. Dessert at La cucina wins hands down though.

Where to begin... This quaint restaurant tucked away along a busy street in Parktown north is one of a kind. When asking around for romantic restaurants for my boyfriends birthday several people recommended La Cucina Di Ciro. Having never heard of the place before I decided something new sounded ideal, my was I in for a surprise. The restaurant is situated a short distance away from the road allowing a total sense of privacy, the lights are dimmed with red roses adorning the tables. What could be more perfect for a romantic dinner? Nothing. The food was outstanding, the service attentive yet not pushy and being told the specials by the head chef himself a privilege. From the moment you enter you're welcomed into an enchanting dinner experience which from start to finish is spectacular. We tasted the calamari, prawns, snails, seafood pasta and Norwegian salmon all of which were delicious. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a very special, intimate evening with a loved one and will be going back as soon as possible!

What a superb first visit to this little gem yesterday for lunch! A bottle or two of Thelema, and some perfectly seared salmon.. Whats not to love? <br/><br/>La Cucina Di Ciro is a Mediterranean-Italian style restaurant specialising in fresh, seasonal food and as such, their list of 'specials of the day' is quite intimidating.<br/><br/>On being seated, almost immediately I was impressed to look around and see the pressed ceilings and how well this old home has been preserved. What a cozy little spot for a winters day, tucked away with a bottle of wine or two. <br/><br/>Onto the food. I selected a vegetarian starter and then the lightly seared salmon in a white wine reduction for my main. What impressed me most was that although my meal did not arrive quickly, they mentioned that everything would be freshly prepared and cooked, and boy, was it worth the wait! My main is one of the best salmon dishes that I have eaten to date, anywhere in the world! <br/><br/>Ciro Molinaro came out to join the table and even managed to walk us through to have a look at what he is doing with The Pudding Shop behind the restaurant. Whilst walking, he shared his thirty odd years of experience in the industry, function catering and how his move to this little spot from the previous premises actually came about. <br/><br/>*Recommendation: Get out of your comfort zone. Chef Ciro is a charming, knowledgable host, who is well-qualified to guide you through this fine dining journey, and you cannot go wrong allowing him to recommend something that you wouldn't ordinarily eat. I dare you!

Consistently a fantastic experience all round. Food, service, wine list all top notch. It's quite pricey but you get what you pay for. Pure class 👍🏻

After our meal, we stumbled upon this newly opened restaurant and decided to give their desserts a try. Wonderful setting, service and servings. You are most certainly paying for it but I particularly loved their Bar one cheesecake.<br/>Give their dessert wine a go too-Donkiebaai Hooiwyn.

I have never been disappointed here. Ciro's food is always first class. I've had the best snails in a tomato based sauce once, one of those unforgettable meals. In summer the best place is outside under the big tree.

A little piece of Italy, from the discovery of the little garden, through the entrance where you have a little covered balcony, and open plan main room which looks into the kitchen via a little door,two rooms with beautiful fire places, which I can imagine are amazing for private functions on a cold winter day. My favorite part of the decor was the ceilings. <br/>The menu doesn't have a huge selection but the food will blow your mind. I had the lamb with roast potatoes with rosemary, and hubby had the veil slices which I kept stealing from his plate, that's how amazing it was. The veil was an infusion of fennel, mascarpone , chili and sweet dried tomatoes. It is a smooth, sweet swirl on your tongue with a little bite. Stupendous! <br/>For desert I opted for the fried pineapple, the colors and smells reminded me of Christmas as a child. The cinnamon layered batter around the pinnacle is a genius way of playing with fruit and batter. Hubby had the Bow tie Italian pastry biscuits, which I too stole:) they were awesome.<br/>I know this is the beginning of a discovery of a long relationship with Chiro's food,<br/>added to my list of favorite Italian restaurants.

I stopped in for a birthday lunch and was pleasantly surprised. The service was attentive, the food was outstanding and it was wonderful chatting to the head chef.

The salmon currently featuring on the specials menu is sensational! A nut and sun-dried tomato crust, served on pesto. The accompaniment of caper berries adds a saltiness which complements the salmon beautifully. The other ladies in our party had either the duck with blueberry sauce or the veal strips. The main courses are pricey and sides need to be ordered separately, but I thought my food was 10/10

It was my first time here and I'm seriously impressed. I was there for a birthday dinner which was held in a private room which made the occasion very special. The food here is incredibly good and of the highest quality. We were given a selection of starters, but the one that stood out was the Brie & Fig served with prosciutto. For mains I had the Seabass with a sundried tomato crust with a side of spinach. This is probably the BEST fish dish I have had at a restaurant before. Definitely highly recommended. <br/>The service and ambience were good enough - nothing too spectacular. <br/>Will definitely be back.

I absolutely love Ciro's. I've been a handful of times but never written a review for some bizarre reason. <br/>Ciro himself often comes out to chat to customers and discuss the specials which is a nice personal touch.<br/>The wine list is extensive and impressive. I always order the prossecco which is sublime.<br/>This time around I had the warming red pepper and zucchini soup which was perfect for this cold weather. My friend had the crumbed and deep fried brie which was delicious as well.<br/>For mains I had the deboned roast duck in a black cherry sauce with roast root vegetables- really delicious! Skin could have been a bit crispier but otherwise no complaints. <br/>My mom's pasta was perfection- al dente and the sauce was so tasty. <br/>We then popped next door (same premises) to Ciro's wife's little café, The Pudding Shop, for dessert. The coffee here is fantastic and my pineapple and carrot vegan cake was gorgeous. <br/>Service was friendly and efficient throughout. <br/>A great spot for a special occasion or just a luxurious lunch with friends and family.

Incredible food! The steak melted in my mouth and the pasta was one of the best I've ever had.<br/>Amazing staff, very friendly.<br/>Amazing romantic vibe on a Friday evening.<br/>I will definitely be returning soon!

We were here for a birthday gathering. There were 45 of us and they set 3 options on the menu. Everyone had a delish meal and the service was great.

Overpriced, but very pleasant. Food is tasty, but doesn't feel authentic. All side dishes are priced over-and-above the main course, and are too small to justify their cost.

Having heard so much about this place, was excited to finally have the opportunity to try it out, great venue, good service but.....Authentic Italian it is not, food is tasty but for the price you pay way to small, my rib eye tasted great but was the size of a prego steak. If you want real Italian stay clear of this place, if you want shi shi poo poo food and want to be seen then this is the place for you.

Nice food - totally overpriced for what we got! Had 2 starters each, 3 glasses of wine and coffees - bill was R1200. For 3 people. Good service, nice ambiance BUT felt ripped off. Will avoid on future.

The food is magnificent, if a little highfalutin. Chef Ciro is also a wonderful dude who gets on well with kids. My only problem with it was that the wait staff, at times, don't know the specials menu as well as chef Ciro does which can lead to complications. Otherwise it is great for a sexy birthday dinner or even just a night out with the family.

After reading such amazing reviews we were very excited to come here for a farewell dinner. Quite a few disappointments.... First of all, our food took ages to come. When the food did arrive, 4 of us didn't receive our sides. 3 others did but in one plate and it was a small plate to share. When paying extra for sides, you would expect your OWN plate. When we complained, the waitress informs us that they did not bring our sides as they ran out of potatoes. She brings us another side, smaller portion to the other 3's side and expects the 4 of us to share this. We complained again and eventually got potatoes and noticed the table next to us asked for more potatoes and without question they were supplied. Not to mention, our sides arrived 3/4 through eating our meal. Not once did the owner or manager come and apologise but instead our waitress had to run in between us and the manager. The food was actually good but when paying such expensive prices, you expect service to match and an owner to take responsibility of the mistake(s). Very very disappointed and will not come back.

Delicious food, divine setting but they need to pull up their socks. <br/><br/>We were a table of 10 on Saturday night. This is one of those restaurants that doesn't include anything with the main - everything costs extra. I ordered salmon (delicious) and my side dish was roasted root veg (also so tasty) - everyone at the table ordered a side. Our mains arrived, and only one very generous side dish, which was given to me. We were ravenous - it had been quite a wait. We all started. Once halfway though mains we called over the waitress to enquiry about the outstanding sides. <br/><br/>"They're running low on roast potatoes in the kitchen"<br/>Well why didn't you tell us?!<br/>"Oh"<br/>Can we have something else?<br/>"I'll order"<br/>.. (A small roast veg portion arrives) ..<br/>I hope you won't charge us for this?<br/>"Of course not"<br/><br/>Eventually a small plate of roast potatoes also arrived once we were nearly finished our mains. My generous side had actually been for 3 to share, but no one bothered to pass on the message. We eventually worked it out..<br/>Not once did any management come to our table to apologise. <br/><br/>I was still hungry after mains (and I don't eat a lot) - the portions are very small. So we ordered dessert - such interesting items to choose from and all very delicious. <br/><br/>When the bill arrived what a surprise we had been charged for sides. And the R1000 deposit paid to book the table did not reflect either. "Oh, I'll speak to my manager". Eventually all was sorted out, but for the prices you are paying for a meal here, you never expect something like this to happen. <br/><br/>No apologies from management for any inconveniences (who were visible and chatting to all other tables but clearly avoiding ours). The poor waitress had to deal with everything.

Never going back!!<br/><br/>When my mother was out from the U.K we decided to take her to la Cucina. Apart from the appalling service, the food was close on inedible and the prices have become absolutely ludicrous.<br/><br/>When our main course arrived and it wasn't what we ordered, the response from the kitchen was 'how dare we interfere with the chefs artistic flare'<br/><br/>My wife then, against my better judgement, decided to book at the pudding shop to celebrate the birth of our child. Apart from being completely unaccomdating, they informed us (after we had provisionally reserved a date) that they had given the booking to another party.<br/><br/>We feel as if their approach is arrogant. Good luck to them!<br/><br/>

Romantic, unique and special! La Cucina Di Ciro just shines! And with its ambience, setting and menu It was love at first sight!<br/>Every meal was unique, well thought out and superb. The chef gives you the specials and shares a joke or two really adding a special touch. I had beef carpaccio starter and the prawn pasta for main was divine. Around the table there was a range from sardines to steaks to mezze starters and pasta's and all that could be heard was "mmmm what's next!". My family don't eat desserts usually but here we devoured an apple tart and a brownie as if they were the last two on earth. Best part we can go back in autumn and do it all again but with a totally different menu as it changes seasonally! Definitely keeping me going back for more!

Good food, but oh my word what an arrogant attitude from the parking staff. Dare i tread in this hallowed domain again without upsetting his lordship?

Very nice restaurant. The food is a hit and miss sometimes and I do find it very over pieces do what you get. Very nice atmosphere. Wish they would do more outdoors dinners like they use to.

We have been for dinner a few times for work functions and I must admit I was never blown away by the food or the service. While their smaller neighbours, the Pudding Shop is one of my all time favourites. Have not been back by choice as the food is also expensive for what you get.

Now we are talking , what a beautiful setting I am in awe the simplicity, amazing service and the food lets just say there are fairies dancing in our mouths

Absolutely stunning venue! I was invited to a lunch for a bachelorette at this venue. The service was beyond excellent, wine glasses and water glasses were consistently topped up. The food was amazing, we had platters of breads, smoked salmon, cold meats, salads and roast vegetables - the platter portions were extremely generous! To end off there were 2 different types of dessert platters - a fruit platter sprinkled with caramelised ginger and a cake platter with mini slices of tiramisu, cheese cake and chocolate brownies - the brownies were outstanding - the perfect combination of soft, chocolaty, gooey and crunch!

We use to love La Cucina. Went for dinner and the food came scary fast after we ordered and once again with main course we were still digesting the starters and mains followed. The food tasted rushed and put out with no or little care. Not the standard we were always use to.

My new favorite treasure- Everything about La Cucina Di Ciro is on point. The service is exceptional and the added touch of the chef relaying the daily specials to each table makes the dining experience at this establishment that much more personal and memorable. The ambiance is charming, intimate and romantic.. highly recommendable for dates with the significant. The garden setting, the quaint interior decor, the surrounding lit up trees all lends La Cucina Di Ciro a truly unique character. The starters, mains and deserts were spectacular, each in their own right. I can't wait to work my way through their robust flavorsome menu. Heads up to the chef and staff at La Cucina Di Ciro for making my experience a pleasurable one, i'll definitely be back soon :)

I like this restaurant. Relaxed atmosphere, attentive service and a good menu. The food is consistently good which persuades you to forgive the cost which is fairly steep. Definitely worth a repeat visit.

Sometimes, you just have to give the full 5 for a certain restaurant. La Cucina Di Ciro was it tonight. This place as simple as it looks, hides a lot of authenticity & dedication from a team starting with the waither & finishing with the head chef. A team extremely humble, that can only do justice to a place that serves the best steak I had from a while, & definitly also the duck. The appetizers were good & the desserts amazing. A definitely recommended spot in town!!

Such a wonderful atmosphere and lovely choice of menu! It was delicious ☺️ the calamari starter and lamb shank is a definite must! It will keep you going back for more- it was definitely one of my top meals! #TasteJoburg

The food at La Cucina is great (the salmon was absolutely delicious) even though the dessert was disappointing. (We had the tasting dessert platter). It adds a special touch that the chef comes out to describe the specials. I feel the restaurant is a little pretentious, so I am not totally convinced by the atmosphere, but I guess that is to be expected.

Went for date night and couldn't have picked a better place! Ambiance is great it just fits in with the space! The waiters are attentive and friendly! I had a mushroom stuffed with mozzarella and anchovies which was good, my partner had a prawn starter which went down well.<br/><br/>For mains we had poultry! I had chicken with creamy mash and veggies which was good and my partner had a crispy duck which wasn't crispy but he enjoyed it! <br/><br/>The only thing that turned me off was the fact that the toilet is right by the kitchen *eeuk* but all is well! <br/><br/>

Enjoyed the line fish and special wagyu beef starter. Great wine. Very good service. Always love it here. Food was well prepared and presented

This restaurant never lets you down. Anticipating what Ciro has on the menu is part of the experience. His menu is unique, his style is adventurous and you get to achieve many different taste explosions.<br/>From starters to desserts he doesn't disappoint. Go there,but you need to book

Immpecable dinning, great ambience and quietly elegant. I enjoyed the total experience from the welcome at the door, the service and attention to detail, the food and the presentation through to the good bye. I will definitely do it again

I've been before and absolutely loved La Cucina. My most recent visit was however underwhelming. <br/><br/>To my mind, at the prices (you'll need to mortgage your children, the cat and sell a kidney) it should be one of the best meals you've ever eaten. Average just doesn't cut it... hence the brutality of my score.<br/><br/>For starters I had a buffalo motzarella in phyllo pastry. Nothing special and the cheese was way too hard.<br/><br/>For mains, a white fish. This dish sinks to the bottom of the ocean. Actually, perhaps, maybe it did it was so watery.<br/><br/>For something sweet we shared a creme brule (diabetes in dish - way too sweet); some fudge (part of a platter of treats) (this was harder than I am to please); and an apple an almond tart (drier than Barry Hilton).<br/><br/>La Cucina I love your setting and your menu reads well. But at the prices, up your game. <br/><br/>That said, people will still flock and probably should. I've had good meals at La Cucina before. This just wasn't one of them.<br/><br/>

This is a restaurant that I've visited a few times. Their location makes it feel like you've discovered something special. Each time I leave impressed with the restaurant. The staff are very friendly and our food came quickly. I had the Seafood soup starter, it was tasty but had far too much salt added (which was a disappointment as the dish could easily have been the best Seafood soup I've ever had). This was to be the only let down of the meal as my main course Rack of Lamb was incredible. The wine list is focused and good.<br/>I have no doubt that I will be returning within the next few months.

Beautifully nestled in the heart of parktown. Fantastic calamri stuffed with prawn, buffalo mozzarella wrapped in artichoke and phyllo starters. Topped with the most succulent quail and soft, sweet salmon n scallops. The waiter was just perfect, the heat on a cold winters night just tingling and the venues ambience just .... Right. It wasvall just ... Right.

We haven't been there for quite a while and thought we would give it a try. An excellent meal with a great choice in main courses. I had the stuffed quail which was very yummy. My son had the special duck in a berry chocolate sauce. It was totally different flavor from the normal and was totally divine. I will definitely go back there.

The food is really good and the specials are extra special. Just make sure the waiter knows the specials so he doesn't mess up your order. The calibre of people that attend this place is not that great.

We went to La Cuncina Di Ciro for my husbands birthday mid July! It's such a beautiful setting with lovely decor & the food, for me, was amazing - the menu is small but they also have plenty specials to choose from which makes choosing more difficult! The deserts are to die for!!<br/><br/>Unfortunately my husband didn't enjoy his food so much, he felt it was pricy for what you got especially with the steak he had for mains! <br/><br/>We also found that the service wasn't very attentive often having to call the waiter over to take drinks orders but other than that everyone for the most part had a lovely evening & I personally would recommend dining there for a special occasion

Quaint and homey, La Cucina is the perfect little spot for an intimate dinner. Although I felt the tables were slightly close together ,both the staff and chef were extremely attentive, friendly and eager to please.

Love the innovative menu<br/>.. Contemporary and delicious! <br/>Vegetarian gnocchi was AMAZING! <br/>Pricing a little on the high side but no faulting the food :) <br/>

Family dinner at a good Italian restaurant , I loved the innovative dishes with a slight twist . The menu is quiet small but they always have great seasonal specials , the salmon and duck is always a winner .

Nice looking menu. Outrageous prices. Arrogant owner. Look maybe the fella was having a bad hair day or something? The food was good - the company was ok. I just didn't like the pretentious vibe and service. If the meal was out of this world, I would have been more forgiving. It wasn't.

Two amazing experiences!! Food is out of this world, the experience is so personal and wonderful and I had a glimpse of the kitchen and its soooo clean!!! We love your work!

Chosen for a 70th birthday celebration - the evening could not have been more perfect . <br/>The dishes are unusual - delicious - rich in flavours however the portions are perfectly sized. <br/>The Black Cherry Duck was out is this world and the desserts a cabaret !<br/>My ONLY criticism are the red wine glasses - they had no vases - sob sob 😉<br/>

Awesome place. Service was great and the chef came out and offered the girls spaghetti bolognaise as they did not have any kiddie meals. Certainly impressed and will be back. Bart Rouan

This is a beautiful cosy looking restaurant in park town north. My friends took me for my birthday celebrations, but unfortunately I was not very taken by the place. I think it might just have been a bad night. The food was good but our waiter was really not great. I have tried the breakfast subsequently, which was great. So all in all its probably worth the try.