Review Bottega - Johannesburg

My favourite pasta in the world in the most authentic café in all of South Africa. The wine and Whiskey selection is outstanding. Service is casual yet efficient. Highly recommend this place. (Please don’t go tonight… I need a table).

Amazing pasta. Best seafood pasta ever had. Zucchini fries also a treat.small cozy restaurant. Massive whiskey selection for sale too.

Awesome little spot in Parkhurst. Food was absolutely delicious! Service was impeccable. Manager and owner checked on us without intruding. And table service overall was excellent from explanation of the specials to the clearing.

Amazing whisky collection, with even better food. Owner is very knowledgeable. Was a great experience.

We had our whisky tasting night there as they hosted. I was pleasantly surprised by their whisky collection. I also enjoyed my pasta there so will definitely go again!

A very excellent burger for lunch. Good sized portion and perfectly cooked. Staff were friendly, and the place has a relaxed neighbourhood feel about it. Various good choices on the menu also.

Fantastic cocktails and great local place in Parkhurst. They have a great pasta menu and if you feel like veal this is the place to have it. I also love their ribs as an option.

Wonderful , cozy spot , the owner Sav is a gracious host , very knowledgeable on whisky, service and food are top notch always a favourite of the whiskybarrel gents

Great food and lots of whisky 😀

My absolute favourite restaurant for pasta and steak. The restaurant is small lending itself to a cosy atmosphere. The staff are long term staff who know their customers well, the service is excellent and they are just incredibly lovely people. If you're a whisky drinker it is a must because of the incredible whisky selection. Love this place!

Great food. Good vibe. Amazing collection of whisky

Best place for Pastas. Small and cozy restaurant with amazing stuff. Went there on my own to have dinner and I didn't even feel alone. It was a great meal. The pasta was delicious great desert as well. Anytime you feel like having a simple yet delicious dinner, get in the car and try Bottega.

A true culinary delight! And that's just the start- the owner Sav gave us a Masterclass in whiskey tasting (I now can casually refer to non chill-filtered whiskey on my next night out) that was second to none. If you're looking for an authentic experience, look no further. Highly recommended!

Whiskey fanatics, foodies and above else - this is the place for you. Outstanding, vast and comprehensive selection of whiskey and spirits for great prices to taste or buy. The food is incredible also. A good selection of fine dining Italian cuisine.

The steak was sensational, seriously.. Cooked to perfection, rare, seasoned and simply delicious.. As always the food impreses.. The wine list however continues to be hopelessly over priced. The selection is sadly common, however varied, doesn't draw you in.. But with on of the largest whiskey selections in SA.. And we are talking hundreds and hundreds.. You'll still have a great evening..

Top Italian in everyway. Brilliant dishes and variety, excellent service and the biggest whiskey collection I've ever seen. The owner will bend over backwards to make you time there extraordinary. Thumbs up

My favorite place to buy whisky in South Africa, a massive selection, from the original to the rare. The food is great, more than just a Cafe, menu is not large but every dish on it will not disappoint.

Who needs just 1 waiter/waitress? Why not have 3 plus a manager! Outstanding service, flavours to die for and really reasonable prices. Best place for a sneaky mid-week dinner.

Excellent food and even better whiskey! Great staff too, owner runs a tight ship... 🥃

Love the ambience of this very European feeling small restaurant. It's cosy and the hands on owners make you feel very welcome and special. Our meal was awesome and I would definitely go back again. Thanks Bottega for making our anniversary dinner so special ���

A wonderful vibe here! So accommodating with food preferences, and the manageress is so warm, friendly and helpful!

Best place to eat...delicious food and excellent service

Good Food. Great Whisky selection. A must visit for every Whisky fanatic.

Awesome food, my home away from home. The Tuna Tartare starter is epic. Excellent fish, steak, pasta!

Bottega, the best ever place to eat in Johannesburg!

A real top spot! Value for money and food of the highest quality. Can't wait to be back Sav and team!

Always amazing food and service! Beautiful wines and a whisky menu that excites! We love it!

The service is amazing, I had my 25th birthday there and I was treated with the most amazing service.

While the menu wasn't clear the waitstaff was highly knowledgeable & made the place enjoyable. The food was also amazing.

Amazing food and service. Cannot recommend enough....

Fantastic vibe - homely and cosy. Fabulous food too.

Ordered the Oysters, Calamari to start. The Oysters came with a delicious stand out Salsa and were delicious. Mains were really tasty despite being served and charged for the wrong Veal. All in all would go back again and hope for slightly better service.

The meal was heated in microwave..not freshly prepared sauce... Very disappointed

Bad bad coffee please change

Such an amazing little place. Has a great area outside so your dog can join you for lunch. Their Italian salad and pasta was just incredible. Staff very friendly. Love this cafe!

Bottega is always a favorite. i decided to go with my partner and i wish i had taken more photos. We had Springbok Carpaccio and Mussels for starters. We really enjoyed our starters so much so that my partner used the same sauce for his King Prawns. Lovely restaurant overall and amazing service

Had an amazing dinner here last night. We had the crab pasta, and prawn pasta- both divine! Great vibe, awesome food, great service - will be back - not just for the food ... but to try out some of the whiskeys- have never seen such a wide selection.

Great service... Great menu... Great Food!!!<br/><br/>What more do you want?<br/><br/>The food is absolute quality and quantity for what you pay.<br/><br/>But I don’t think they understand what poached eggs really are.

What an amazing experience. Fantastic food, a good wine list and the most unbelievable waitress I have ever had. I highly recommend this restaurant

I visited Bottega for a working brunch. The cafe is very small and quite busy, even on a Monday, so perhaps not the best place to sit and work. Service was a tad on the slow side, but it seemed that they were stock-taking their enormous whiskey collection. Breakfast was tasty, with plenty of options on their menu. Enjoyed their coffee, extra points for offering almond milk.<br/>Looking around at other patron's meals, the dishes looked beautifully presented and I'd like to return for dinner.

A nice little restaurant. Service is great... The tables are definitely not made for tall people... Haven't eaten an actual meal there just went there while waiting for a ride, the croissants are yummy tho , milkshakes are good but too small for the price🙈

Perfect experience. Unsure on what to eat, I eventually chose Tortellini with peas, ham and asparagus in a creamy sauce. Exceptionally tasty and the service was fantastic.

Bottega Cafe is a very quaint, little family owned and run restaurant located in the heart of Parkhurst with a fantastic ambience and a massive whiskey collection.  <br/><br/>We had delicious fresh Knysna Oysters to start, followed by their Lamb Chops and Scottish Salmon.  The chops are prepared in a tasty herb sauce, while the Salmon is coated in a sesame seed crust.  You have a choice of either chips, grilled vegetables, salad or mash as a side dish to accompany your main.  The food is outstanding, and so is the services.

Ambience is buzzing, but in a good way. Love the layout and decor as well. <br/><br/>Staff and service was well in sync. <br/><br/>Food was excellent. In short a pleasant experience and I will definitely visit again.

Cosy and authentic. Fantastic food - can’t ask for anything better to warm your soul on a cold winters night out. Service is fabulous. Wonderful wine and whiskey selection.

I was a bit disappointed after the great reviews. On the positive side, the panna cotta was smooth and beautiful. For mains we ordered the Porcini Fillet and Veal Limone; the veal was bland and needed salt while the fillet was cooked to perfection but then smothered in a somewhat too creamy sauce with white mushrooms. The starter and main course dishes were not very attractive. So no photos.

USED to frequent this place often but the food selection hasn't changed for years, also the service is not up to standard compared to how it was.<br/>Farai is amazing, everyone else doesn't seem as serious and when it was empty I had bad service....<br/>everything on the menu is spectacular even though it hasn't changed.

I wanted to try a new place in Parkhurst so I went on zomato and eventually stumbled on Bottega cafe. It’s smaller than the restaurants in Parkhurst that I am used to. I ordered a spinach and feta sandwich and order a side of chicken and asked them to put that in side. The chicken was, well chicken. Very dry tasting. There was hardly any feta either. I also had a strawberry daiquiri which was very good. My friend had ribs and he enjoyed them and said they were up there as some of the best ribs he has ever had. He also had a peachy gin or something like that and it was potent which is always the goal. The place is decorated with bottles of alcohol which makes me think that they pride themselves in making amazing drinks. Cool place, chilled vibes and good drinks. Would love to try something more complex on the menu next time.

Went to Bottega with friends for lunch, the small restaurant is filled with all types of alcohol and the menu on the wall is uniquely inviting. I had the chicken wrap which was delicious and fresh accompanied with shoestring chips.

I love pasta, and even more so a delicious filled pasta with a perfectly balanced sauce. I had the salmon ravioli with a vodka flambed sauce. It was to die for! I honestly cannot wait to go back and have it again. Order a delicious bottle of wine, sit on the street overlooking Parkhurst and just enjoy the hussle and bustle until your food arrive, once it does, I promise the noise will drone out and you will be in pasta heaven for as long as the food last

What an amazing and impressive restaurant, made even better by a really interesting and involved manager/owner and charming and colorful waiters. <br/><br/>It’s a very small venue, lined on the sides with the most impressive whiskey collection I have ever seen. The manager is a fanatic and has history on each bottle and makes whiskey tasting so interesting. I think I’m converted to whiskey after this dinner.<br/><br/>Food was outstanding as well. I had the Fillet Porcini and it was perfectly prepared with an outstanding taste. The rest of the party has the rump and pork ribs, again all outstanding meals.<br/><br/>Overall I am very impressed with the food, vibe and look if this pace and will definitely be back.

A decent eat-out spot. Service was lovely and the food above average. The hash stack is flavorsome and filled with yumminess. Portions are huge! <br/>The ciabatta is freshly made and topped with filling of choice.

Great food and great cozy dining area. Steak with mushrooms is fantastic. Good wine selection and also oysters are available although I have never tried it. Well worth it for a relaxed Sunday lunch.

Went out for a casual meal in Parkhurst only to find this small gem of a restaurant fairly full for a Tuesday! I had the pork and ricotta pasta dish which was as luxurious as it sounds. All pasta dishes seem to be delicious and filling. <br/>The steak dishes on our table were cooked perfectly with fresh crispy veg as a side. <br/>Huge whiskey selection available. Great service. Small, intimate environment with plenty of whiskey boxes covering the walls.

One of our favorite brunch/ lunch spots.Basic,traditional setting with wine and whiskey( Not traditional Italian :

Something about Bottega that I just love. Maybe it's the traditional setting and the basic but very tasty menu that hasn't changed in years. Just constant clean and delicious food with great ambience. Created by the people as it's always packed, buzzing but strangely intimate. Nice for a dinner date or a lazy sat lunch. My favourite is the veal either limone or pizzola ( excuse the spelling). Yum!!

Possibly the best spaghetti Bolognese I have ever had !! Great service with good prices, the steaks are reasonable and very nicely matured! Overall a great dinner place.

What a lovely restaurant. Cosy and intimate with tables close together so you can see what the people at the next table are eating. It turned out to be the signature dish - penne beef filetto in a neopolitana and cream sauce. <br/>Loved the waiters. They're efficient and friendly and even call you by your first name (from the booking). <br/>The penne filetto arrived at the table incredibly quickly and was extremely hot! I burnt my tongue. It also needed extra salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese but after that, it was perfect. <br/>There's a fantastic selection of whisky - apparently a passion of the owner Sav, who's a great guy, going around making friends with all his customers. The wine list is none too shabby either. <br/>This could become my go to for Italian. <br/>Corkage for our past-its-prime Hermanuspietersfontein 2009 was R80.

A quaint, unassuming, little Italian cafe that delivers exceptional food and service located on Parkhurst's strip directly opposite Wolfpack. <br/><br/>Had a lazy lunch here on a public holiday and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We had the crispy calamari heads to start which were lovely and a generous portion. I wasn't particularly hungry so opted for their pear and blue cheese salad (always a favorite of mine) whilst my friend had their famous, and really good, pork ribs. For dessert we shared their bar one cheesecake.<br/><br/>Will definitely be back to try their breakfast menu.

Quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Parkhurst. Their spare ribs although quite pricey are the BEST! Chicken sandwich is also delicious and hubbys favorite is the rump balsamica. Quick and friendly service, superb food and lovely cosy restaurant.

Very loud and quite pricey. Had the veal pasta - came drowned in heavy cream sauce which had little flavour - had to add salt & pepper. Pasta was so "al dente" it was chewy like toffee.. Only gave it above average because they seem to be trying hard.

This was the place we had our first date in 2014(his choice, recommended by a friend). And while we were both too nervous to remember what we ordered or what the food tastes like we've been back twice around our first date anniversaries for breakfast. I usually have the salmon with scrambled eggs and he has the Grande or an omelette. They food is always fresh, especially the salmon and the flavours are wonderful. There coffees are always good and I absolutely love their frullatos. Service is usually good and the manager always checks on us. We will definitely go back to try their other options soon.

Only been here once for dinner but have been dreaming of the salmon I had ever since! Delightful, cosy spot in the heart of Parkhurst with options to choose from for everyone.

The restaurant is located in a vibey area and the atmosphere was jovial however I was somewhat disappointed by the food. Our main courses were decent but the calamari starter was rather bland. <br/><br/>The best part of my meal was the Peroni draught that I ordered on the side.

This restaurant is so reasonably priced. Delicious, delicious, delicious food! I would definitely recommend the Rochelle Salmone. Fantastic service. The sweetest little Italian cafe tucked away amongst the ever vibrant 4th avenue. It's the perfect spot for a first date, a catch up with friends or perhaps even a quick little family dinner.

Came for quick bite. French toast and a coffee. First time. Friendly service and French toast was average. Lunch menu looks interesting I will return to test. French toast not exactly a fair test.

We decided to try this restaurant because of its good reviews (which it did not live up to).<br/><br/>Booking: We called to book a table a day in advance. When we arrived for dinner, they did not have our booking in the reservations book. All the tables in the small restaurant were already reserved. The waiter gave us somebody else's table. We discovered the next evening, when we received a phone call, that our booking had been written down for the wrong night.<br/><br/>Food: My partner's pasta dish was lovely, but my steak was lacking. I wanted it done medium-well, but it arrived medium-rare. After sending it back twice I settled for a medium steak.<br/><br/>Service: The service (besides for the booking) was exceptional. Our waitron knew the menu inside-out and dealt with the undercooked steak very well.<br/><br/>Ambience: The setting was lovely, and the street vibe was charming. <br/><br/>Overall: I wouldn't order a steak here; I'd probably go back to try a pasta dish, assuming the staff get the booking right.

As one of the last few restaurants I had yet to try in Parkhurst, Bottega Cafe did not disappoint and is definitely up to standard with some of the other top restaurants in the area. We were squeezed onto the bustling sidewalk on a Friday evening a few weeks back which was cosy and pleasant despite a shrieking woman inside clearly having too much fun at their year-end Christmas function. <br/>My boyfriend and I shared the springbok carpaccio which was delicious but some balsamic reduction and avocado would not have gone amiss (and perhaps some bread?) We ordered 2 pastas to share which were bordering on orgasmic; the chicken filled tortellini with creamy tomato sauce, asparagus, peas, spinach and bacon, and mince filled ravioli with bolognese should be on everyone's list of dishes to order when they visit Bottega Cafe.<br/>We will definitely be back for another meal in the new year, very much looking forward to it. Thank you for a great evening out.

I love this restaurant so much! Started going here a few years ago with friends and we had incredible cocktails and food! It became a firm favourite and I don't know why I've abandoned this gem for some time now, nonetheless I'm back here again and can't wait to eat and drink my way through their menu.<br/><br/>It's a very intimate restaurant on the busy 4th Street of Parkhurst and you're more likely to find an older vibe here which makes it a lovely little get away from the hustle and bustle of the infamous Street. We had our regular 'man up mojito' twice which was absolutely divine as usual! I had another gin based cocktail - forgot the name- but it was just as amazing!<br/>We started off with oysters, then for mains I went for my usual salmon ronelle pasta which is truly incredible and my friends had the steak and king clip respectively and they were both satisfied with their meals. For dessert we shared the bar one cheesecake and pannacotta which were both quite lovely.<br/><br/>It's always such a lovely an calming experience coming here. It's the perfect spot to just sit and enjoy good food and drinks especially on a rainy day where everything just seems to get cosier!

tasty food,  good set up.  outdoors feel about the place.the restaurant looks crisp and clean. service was good as well.It positioned on 14th and this gives you a lot to do before or after you eat here

One of the best breakfast spots I've ever been to. My breakfast was amazing and the service was excellent. I also love most places in Parkhurst, just because of the convenient location.<br/><br/>According to my very fussy, gluten-free, plant-based, vegan friend (insert eye-roll here) - she didn't have a lot of options to choose from when we were here, so she wasn't as impressed. Perhaps with all these gluten allergies mysteriously popping up and people going vegan, Bottega can look into more options? But for me personally, I loved their selections.

Blink and you may walk past Bottega, yet that would be a mistake of note. Fantastic little restaurant that understands how it is often better to do less, but do it well. <br/><br/>The menu is relatively small due to the focus on fresh ingredients, yet you will still find yourself being spoilt for choice.<br/>The multiple times I have been here I always find the pasta impossible to resist, my recommendation being the Ravioli Mafiosa and the Veal Tagliatelle.<br/><br/>Visit if: You are in that red wine and pasta mood. Great date spot due to its intimate setting, split the cheesecake for dessert.

Arrived for a friends birthday and presently surprised as not only was the drinks good, the service great, the manager attentive & went out of his way. When we eventually had dinner they were service orientated and the food was delicious! I didn't think much driving past initially but I was delighted as to a wonderful space. Will be back for sure and highly recommend them 😊

Good service, great food and the place we got engaged... <br/><br/>We enjoyed the attention to detail of the manager who came out personally to ensure that I received a vegan meal. She happily substituted pesto for mayonnaise. <br/><br/> Champagne was as ordered and enjoyed it in the sun.<br/><br/>Thanks for making the day perfect 🙏

Amazing. Best breakfast spot in Parkhurst. Food always of great quality and services is top. Italian style food with a great specials board including great meat options.

We had breakfast here and it was delicious!! I had a frittata with meatballs and mozzarella and it was really really delicious. Husband had an omelette and he also enjoyed it. The cappuccinos were also very good. The atmosphere of the restaurant is such that it really feels like a little restaurant in Italy. We can't wait to come try Bottega for dinner! The only criticism is that the chairs are quite uncomfortable.

Cute little place along 4th Avenue.. We only went for simple sandwiches on a Sunday afternoon so I'd need to go back to see what their dishes are like... BUT, what I can say is that the sandwiches were pretty delicious (yet simple) and the waiters were friendly. The manager is around and did check up with our table. <br/>Little things go a long way: putting a second egg in a toasted sandwich & bringing 3 biscotti's when asked for an extra 1. Seems to have potential!

Went here last night after reading all the positive reviews. Was really not that impressed honestly. Ordered the ravioli, there was much more sauce left in the plate once I finished eating the actual ravioli, and the dish was average. Kind of felt like supermarket bought ravioli rather than freshly made. Ordered a chocolate mousse cake for dessert, that was nice. Service was average, if a bit slow. Also, was sat in the outside enclosed section despite calling ahead to book and not being told this was the only tables available. Was a bit cold for a June evening and the heaters only point in certain directions which didn't cover where I was seated. This place was a bit of a let down from my expectations to be honest, given the reviews it gets it didn't live up to what I was expecting.

Popped in for a quick lunch and loved this little Italian place - will definitely return to explore more menu options. Had the la nonna pasta which was fettuccine mixed with Italian pork sausage and ricotta in a creamy Neapolitana sauce. Delicious!!!

So glad we finally got to visit Bottega Cafe. It's normally fully booked but we managed to get a table on a Monday evening when many other restaurants are closed. I can now see why it is hard to get a booking!! The food is really good. I had the Caprese Salad for starters which was fresh and flavourful and my husband had the lentil soup which was really hearty and delicious. Both really sizeable starters. For mains we both had vegetarian pastas which were to die for. Loved everything about this restaurant so will be back to try more of their dishes.

The food was outstanding! Staff was great and very helpful on the menu. I can highly recommend the fillet porcini and the veal limone. The service and food is always consistent.

Friendly reception and service. Starter of artichokes was special - the sauce made the dish. The main course was a rump steak, but extremely stringy...had to ask for a new set of sharp utensils. Desert was apple crumble- really tasty and a good portion. The wine was very reasonably priced. Will be on the visit again list.

In a word, excellent. Pasta was perfectly made and a gluten free option was available. I had the ravioli and my partner had the penne Pollo, really impressed. They have an awesome collection of whiskeys too.

It doesn't take much to talk about a great place. You have to literally start looking for flaws of which I could find very few, service was great, food was better and sitting in an environment watching the sun go down whilst the good drinks and great food go up made tonight a great evening!

My favourite. A little restaurant tucked away in 4th avenue parkhurst. Every experience has been worth it. My favourite meal is always the 600g T-bone steak. The best salmon steak in town, I can honestly guarantee that. Not sure if they're still doing the crabstick pasta but if they do then give it a try.

My wife and i dropped in for lunch after quite a while away from this spot and i am happy to say things are as good as ever this is one of the early spots to start up about 10 years ago and was one of our favorite places for lunch or dinner. The service is friendly and the food still good. We shared pear and gorgonzola, artichokes,( really good ) Then i had chickens breast lemone. All washed down with a nice pinot a great lunch.<br/><br/>Back again and just as good. Stuffed artichokes.and table salad with a good bottle of Springfield SB<br/><br/>Still one of the best

Love the atmosphere at Bottega! It's a great dinner spot there are spots close by to have drinks afterwards along the strip! <br/><br/>Food: <br/>I ordered their chicken pasta; I didn't really enjoy it, the pasta needed more sauce it was abit gunky/heavy for my liking! But the flavors were good! <br/>My partner had their prawns which were fresh and lovely!

I was looking for a new place to try out in the Parkhurst area so I decided to go have a look on Zomato. I came across Bottega Cafe, a lovely little Italian restaurant with so much character. I can't believe how many times I've walked and driven down 4th Avenue and not noticed it. The first thing that catches your eye is the amazing alcohol display along the walls. It is truly impressive! <br/><br/>I phoned in to place my order. When I arrived to collect my order, the manager and staff were super friendly and efficient. I ordered the chicken wrap with a side of chips which was absolutely yum - possibly one of the best I've had. It was flavoursome and had generous amount of filling.<br/><br/>I'm so glad I tried this place - I will definitely be back!

Monday date night was spent at Bottega Cafe last and I was a little disappointed. My BF had the Fillet Porcini and I initially ordered the Veal Lemone. Lets start with the positives, its pretty small and very intimate so makes for an amazing date night venue. Loved their wine list as it had something for everybody, did I mention that the champagne is also "reasonably" prices at R650 (The Brut Moet). ?Our dinner arrived and looked quite boring to be honest, BF's fillet was cooked to his perfection, well he likes it a little alive... The porcini sauce over the fillet was absolutely divine! Upset of the evening was the Veal, I have had it before and didn't remember it being quite so SWEET, the Marsala wine totally over powered the meat, I requested for them to take it back and first prize for the efficiency in attending to my disappointment. I chose not to chance matters and ordered the Fillet porcini as a replacement. My fillet was perfect, pink in the centre but warm just fantastic. I do think that the food could be presented a little prettier though - paprika dust as garnish tends to make the plate messy and unappealing. All in all we had a great night! Would have scored much higher had I just ordered the fillet to begin with! And I forgot to take pictures again...

The meal was average, had the chicken Prego for a work lunch today and my colleagues had the beef prego which came without the peri peri sauce until requested. Not too bad but service could have been better.

Bottega Cafe is an unassuming and modest place to relax on a Saturday afternoon or if you have to finish some work on a Sunday. It's quite and ambiance is perfect if you are looking to have conversation for company. My order was a deliciously prepared Chicken Salad which went well together with the zesty source.<br/><br/>A very chilled out and relaxed place.

I had high expectations for Botega and honestly, I was quite disappointed. The place has a lovely, very European vibe. I found the waiters to be very blasé and inattentive. The food was mediocre. I had the Risotto balls for starters and the Veal Limone for mains. The starter was good but needed a sauce of some sort, I found it quite dry. My veal was tough, which is unusual... Maybe I'll be back to try the pasta, but all-in-all, probably not.

Loved my meal. Everything was delicious. Had the fillet porcini and it was amazing!!! The only downer is because I specifically asked to be in main restaurant and was guaranteed but when we arrived there was put in outside section. Credit to management they moved us inside after asking but they chatted to every table except us. Clearly we are not regular enough or they don't see the potential. Also find the tables way to close together.

Every time I come here, never a disappointing meal!! From starter to desert, always leaves my tummy satisfied!! Lovely atmosphere and warm welcoming staff and owners!! A must try in your next visit to Parkhurst!

Usually I'm keen on trying new dishes, but their ribs are just the best! I prefer theirs over every other meat restaurant. Service is always good. Love the cosy vibe.

Efficient and friendly service.<br/><br/>The dishes are really varied and are not something that you find in many restaurants.<br/><br/>The steak tartare is incredible and the pasta is a must. The ingredients look totally fresh and bring real taste to the dishes.<br/><br/>The wine list is also very interesting, and the whisky selection is amazing.

Good coffee, friendly service and generous portions - a great way to start your day! We enjoyed a good breakfast here and will be back again. The hashbrowns are delicious and not traditional at all - closer to grated fried potato - but still yummy. So much to choose from and I suspect you can't go wrong with any choice. <br/>Bathroom is under construction so not the best facility. Fills up fast over weekends so be patient and expect to wait for a table

If life is too short to stuff your own artichokes, it's worth every minute to take a trip to Bottega and eat theirs. on their starter blackboard menu (have I mentioned I love blackboard menus) when I went a few weeks ago, the artichokes were sublime. All other food was raved about, including the ribs.. A Bottega speciality. The service was great, a good wine selection.. Bottega has been around for ages, and there is a reason it has stood the test of time. I'll be back....

It's a gem that isn't tapped into. Amongst Parkhurst's power houses, Bottega should be included but sadly isn't. A decent vegetarian menu and drink selection though I often opt for their milkshakes and frullatos.

To sum up Bottega there is just one word: great! This restaurant is directly on the opposite side of the main road from wolfpack. <br/><br/>I will definitely be visiting here again soon for another three course meal during lunch or dinner. <br/><br/>From the starter to dessert I could not fault anything. The staff are well trained here and understand the menu well. The owner is very hands on and extremely helpful. <br/><br/>The melanzane alla parmigiana was prepared very differently to the usual and it was very enjoyable. The main vegetarian pasta dish which had a hint of truffle oil was a great portion and made with fresh egg based pasta. For dessert I had a different take on the common a chocolate dessert. Their turkish delight choc brownie is a good size and well balanced. <br/><br/>Pop past when you are in the area for a great all round meal to enjoy with family and friends.

Recently went there for the first time. It's a pity it was a Sunday and they close early, but nonetheless, they managed to steal my heart. It reminds me of those nice bistros you find in Europe, the difference being that Bottega Cafe has wonderful service and great food.Our waiter was John and he had only been with them for just over a week. His menu knowledge and recommendations were wonderful.

Bottega is such a buzz. Authentically Italian, set on the Parkhurst strip, and of course drawing a big following of regular and new faces. <br/><br/>Chilled and laid back, we sampled the new Aperitivo and Mitchell's Brew tasting menu. An Aperitivo is an Italian tradition of having snacks with drinks, pre-meal, to stimulate the appetite, and at Bottega, you could just sit and keep eating, as their lunch menu will keep you lusting over fresh ravioli, melanzane and all things Italian. <br/><br/>Filled with strong flavors, fresh ingredients and amazing beer pairings, we were really treated to something different. This can become a regular Saturday hangout, and going into summer, the chilled beers, paired with bite size Aperitivo, is a fun, casual, and interactive way to get to know more about Mitchell's and also discover that figs, with Parma ham pair really well with beer!!! Who knew right?<br/><br/>The service staff just need to be a bit more jacked up, and attentive. We were half way through our late lunch when we had to ask for black pepper and parmesan, also having to ask for menus and re-ask for drinks. The desserts should also be slightly more Italian based. <br/>

Had a lovely meal with my fav girls here. It's a quaint Italian restaurant in vibey Parkhurst with a limited menu where almost everything is yum! Between our starters n 4 different mains - nothing was short of delicious. The service is good too.

Bottega Bottega! Bravo Bravo!!!!<br/><br/> <br/><br/>This little hole in the wall is so magical. You step in and you are taken to a wonderland of decadence that feels right at home. This little place pulls out all the stops, it’s their every day average. That’s what they are about, it’s how they roll, no biggie!<br/><br/> <br/><br/>I was invited to come and try out their new menu with some other foodies<br/><br/>And mamma mia! Italian has never been so good.<br/><br/>The chef is a genius! A wonderful mix of flavours that just cause these sensational body explosions. Forget tickles down your spine this is on another level. The chef is passionate about quality, mixing flavours, offering something special and well, bring joy to all our bellies.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>WHAT WAS OFFERED ON THE NIGHT:<br/><br/>·         Fried ravioli with dipping sauces<br/><br/>·         Parma ham, gorgonzola dolce, fig and rocket bruschetta drizzed with Shiraz syrup<br/><br/>·         Beetroot carpaccio with orange and strawberries<br/><br/>·         Fried mushrooms with cheese and paprika (delicious tomotoe based sauce – yowzer)<br/><br/>·         Tuna tartar<br/><br/><br/>·         Linguine with crab and rocket<br/><br/>·         Fuscilla Alla Nona (Granny’s traditional recipe made with luganica (Italian pork sausage) cooked in red wine the finished with ricotta and a touch of chilli)<br/><br/>·         Penne Raymondo (Vegetarian pasta with architockes, roasted peppers, black olives, zucchini, capers, mushrooms and sundried tomatoes topped with bradcrumbs and truffle oil)<br/><br/>·         Duck breast with  Shiraz sauce<br/><br/>·         Classic panna cotta<br/><br/>·         Wheat-free cake<br/><br/> <br/><br/>WHAT I ENJOYED:<br/><br/>Listen! I enjoyed everything okay. <br/>The food was impeccable! <br/>They have this incredible Shiraz sauce and any dish that had it blew my socks off. <br/><br/>I was super impressed with the beetroot carpaccio. The blend of beetroot, citrus, gooseberrys and almonds was incredible. What made it even better was that Shiraz. This is great for veggies. <br/><br/>Best tuna tartar ever! Enough said.<br/><br/>Penne Raymondo. Oh blimey. It was sensational. <br/><br/>The Duck *sigh (moment of silence)<br/><br/>Delicious panna cotta. I read some reviews prior and everyone went on about the panna cotta and boy were they right! <br/><br/>Wheat free cake was everything. <br/><br/>WHAT ELSE: <br/>New newness! Expect new things from Bottega like craft beer and tapa pairings and wonderful oyster and bubbles specials <br/><br/>Overall sensational place! <br/>My friends have been nagging me to go.

Super bistro! Menu from chalkboard. Superb wine list. I like to try new places often, but I always find myself returning to this place. But sit inside the main part of the bistro - that's where the whole ambience bistro vibe is.

This bite size gem has never disappointed me, I have only indulged in their pasta's which have proved to be winners each and every single time. Space is limited but booking in advance will ensure you have a delectable candlelit dinner. Waiters are well trained and charismatic in their level of interaction, always a pleasure to go back to!

One of my old favourites. I often crave one of their pastas that isn't always on the menu, but whenever I go there and ask for it they have no problem making it for me. I love a place that can go the extra mile like that! The pasta is called a la Gina (I think), which is pappardelle in a creamy napoletana sauce with prawns, asparagus and almonds. Sounds like a weird combination but it is delish, although on Friday night when we were there for dinner it wasn't the best I've ever had. I had to add quite a bit of salt to the dish. In my opinion they serve the best ribs in Joburg and their porcini fillet is always good! The interior is small, with an enclosed deck to accommodate the overflow. Their menu is written up on chalk boards, but on Friday night I happened to see one of their breakfast and lunch menus, which I didn't even know they offered, so I will definitely be popping in soon to give it a try.

Delicious little Italian restaurant with a pretty cool vibe! Happily accommodated our table of 8 that grew to 12 within a few short hours. Very original but still traditional Italian food and so incredibly tasty too!! The dinner menu was not very vegetarian friendly purely due to the select dinner menu available but still had some delicious looking options. I had the fettuccine la Nonno which was a bolognese type sauce made from Italian sausage with cream and chili and Parmesan shavings which was delicious!! A friend had the lamb chops which looked and smelled so amazing I had to snap a shot of it too. The only problem I had was the toilet. It was clean and well kept but there is only one toilet and it was next to the scullery and right by an alley way door by the dustbins.

Went there today forbthe first time. Lovely quaint italian place. Food was amazing and the waiters were very accomodating. Found it a bit weird that half the menu was on the wall but all in all a great place! Will be back soon:)

What a treat Bottega was. Small intimate Resturant and a nite out with the gals. We were looking for comfort food and somewhere warm, we got both. I haven't eaten pasta in months and to break the spell with the crab and rocket pasta was the perfect choice. The melanzane starter and the zucchini were both great too. Bhavya Rama

I've been going here for years. The place is intimate and has a great vibe. What you'd expect from a high street restaurant.<br/><br/>Service is v good. I rate the menu - broad and well thought out. I'd rate the food as above average and the wine list comprehensive and quality.<br/><br/>Wouldn't use it as a business venue - but definitely great for friends and date night! They handle large tables very well.<br/><br/>The last of the Parkhurst gems - visit them!

Bottega Cafe is a small, warm & cosy cafe. Its beautiful whiskey bottle lined walls and soft lighting creates an ambience which makes it the perfect place for a romantic dinner with your partner or an intimate meal with friends. We went with a group of foodie friends for a media dinner and had the most wonderful evening. We have to give a shout out to our waitress, Anele, who was absolutely superb - honestly some of the best service we've ever experienced. The food was delicious and in true Italian style was packed with flavour. We loved the mushroom & cauliflower fritters which were served with exotic mushrooms and fried capers - without a doubt our favourite meal of the night. Other highlights of the evening include the tuna tartare & crab pasta as well as the confit duck which comes accompanied by the most gorgeous shiraz sauce. Unfortunately, dessert is where we felt they fell short as both the panna cotta and the chocolate cake were too sweet for our liking. The espresso we ended the meal with hit the spot. Overall a fantastic evening. Bottega most definitely holds its own on Parkhurst's bustling 4th Avenue. #thejoburgfoodie

I was lucky enough to be invited to Bottega the other evening to taste some lovely new signature dishes added to the menu.<br/><br/>I must admit i drove past the restaurant without seeing it as i dont come to parkhurst that often but now realise there are quite a few hiddem gems in this area. This being one of them which has been around for many years. The restaurant is small and quaint with a homely family appeal. We were hosted by Olivia who is just as passionate and knowledgeable about food and welcomed all of us with a smile. Our waitress for the evening was Anele and she made us all feel very welcome by asking us our names and addressing us each personally throughout the evening with the assistance of Farayi. I could never remember that many names in one evening. I only met Saverio the chef towards the end of the evening, but he was there making sure he was at hand if we had questions.<br/><br/>Onto the main event... the food :-)<br/>For appetisers we were given a variety of dishes<br/>•Beetroot carpaccio with orange and strawberries<br/>•Tuna tartar<br/>•Parma ham, gorgonzola dolce, fig and rocket bruschetta drizzed with shiraz syrup<br/>•Fried ravioli with dipping sauce<br/>•Fried mushrooms with cheese and paprika sauce<br/><br/>I definitely enjoyed the beetroot and found some caramalised almonds in between to add some crunch. The bruschetta was divine and the taste was amazing. The tuna also had an interesting flavour. The fried ravioli was different and a complete surprise. We had another veg type dish as a 'wild card' which was also a hit.<br/><br/>Next up was a pasta tasting plate to share.<br/>• Linguine with crab and rocket<br/>• Fusilli Alla Nonna...italian pork sausage in red wine with ricotta and chilli<br/>• Penne Raymondo.. veg pasta with artichokes roasted peppers, black olives, zucchini, capers, mushrooms snd sundried tomatoes with breadcrumbs and truffle oil.<br/><br/>The fusilla alla nonna was definitely the one for me (cos it has pork lol) it has a yummy creamy taste and the flavour was just a tad higher than the others and then the crab one was my next favourite.<br/><br/>For entrées we could choose between a beef fillet with porcini mushrooms or the duck breast with a shiraz sauce. Im such a fillet fan and disappointed as i should gone for it. Even though all my fellow foodies loved the duck i wasnt mad about it i didnt enjoy the taste and was my least favourite dish of the night. <br/><br/>Finally.... dessert and what a sublime ending to all the dishes. Our selection was either the classic panna cotta or the wheat free chocolate cake. I wanted the wheat free option to see if it's any good as most wheat gluten free food normally tastes like cardboard.<br/><br/>WOW is all i can say. I was blown away by the taste profile of both of these desserts. The chocolate cake was rich and moist and went down so well (and Saverio suggested the have the red wine to compliment the taste.) Natalie Katz you definitely missed a good wheat free treat. I then got to taste the panna cotta. What a fresh and vibrant explosion of flavours i havent had such a good one anywhere. (Again Saverio suggested the white wine to compliment this)<br/><br/>It was again such a fun relaxed evening with all the interesting and fun foodies and bloggers and thanks to our hosts for a great evening. I still need to come back to taste the scallops :-)<br/><br/>

Bottega literally translates from the Italian word for ‘Little Workshop’. This little spot was first opened by passionate Saverio in 2006 and has been a staple of the Parkhurst area ever since. As such, it has been on my restaurant bucket list for over a year and with such an intimate evening setting, I have often passed it and thought that I would save it for a special occasion. Last night, was that occasion with some wonderful Zomato Foodie friends.. <br/><br/>Let me start with the chef and owner of this little gem.. Saverio studied to become a chef at Birnam College at a very young age and his knowledge of food and how to create innovative masterpieces with it, is unlike anything that I have ever seen. He welcomed me in and introduced me to our capable caretakers for the evening: Annele and Farayi. Thereafter, I met the gracious Olivia who was our hostess through this food journey and she amazed me with her knowledge of Saverio's dishes and evident love of food. It seemed like everyone who walked into Bottega after me last night, knew Saverio by name and was a regular here. He chatted passionately to each person as he presented their various dishes himself to a packed restaurant. <br/><br/>Onto the food: <br/>Fried ravioli & fried mushrooms with dipping sauces: the cheese and paprika sauce was a winner! <br/>Parma ham, gorgonzola dolce, fig and rocket bruschetta drizzled in Shiraz syrup<br/>Beetroot carpaccio with orange and strawberries<br/>*Tuna tartar - my favourite! Beautifully presented with a slight bite to it... I could not leave this dish alone! <br/><br/>PASTAS: <br/>1. Linguine with crab and rocket, delicately flavoured crab complemented by fresh peppery rocket.<br/>2. Fusilli Alla Nonna: Granny's traditional recipe made with luganica (Italian pork sausage) cooked in red wine then finished with ricotta and a touch of chilli.<br/>3. Penne Raymondo: Vegetarian pasta featuring artichokes, roasted peppers, black olives, zucchini, capers, mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes topped with breadcrumbs and truffle oil. <br/><br/>Entrées:<br/>I selected the duck breast served on a bed of mash with Shiraz sauce. <br/><br/>Dessert:<br/>Classic panna cotta & wheat-free chocolate cake. <br/><br/>*A note on the panna cotta (Italian for 'cooked cream'). This, hands down, is the best panna cotta that I have eaten in Johannesburg to date and was garnished beautifully with strawberries to complement its flavour. <br/><br/>*Recommendation: For me, the clear winners were the assorted starters which combined lots of different flavours, textures and even the most unlikely, complex dishes seemed to just work! And as mentioned above, last but not least the panna cotta!<br/><br/>*Second Recommendation: Their Oyster & Bubbly special is also a huge drawing card offering:<br/>1. 4 oysters & a glass of bubbly for R91 or<br/>2. 6 oysters & a glass of bubbly for R104. Men, this is an impressive start to any date night at an affordable price.

Lovely vibe and great food make for a really enjoyable dining experience! Delish steaks and a good wine list always make the menu for us. Book in advance to avoid disappointment

Why do I always come back here? Because I know the standard of food is constantly good and the menu is always mindblowing! Do yourself a favour try it if you haven't!

The pasta at this place is incredible. It's not on the menu but written in the chalk boards bordering the interior of the restaurant so keep your eyes open. The service is a bit slow but otherwise it's a fantastic venue with a great wine selection. I highly recommend this hidden gem.

Best hot chocolate ever! Honestly... ever! <br/>Food was great, selection is awesome and did I mention how yum the hot chocolate is? <br/>The salmon brekkie.... Hmmmm yum!

One of the best restaurants I have been to in ages. Very accommodating and the owner is approachable, willing to assist and give the best advice about his food. <br/><br/>What an amazing experience and a incredible place to spend a Sunday afternoon with family and red wine..<br/><br/>Thank you.

Bottega is a small place but it's busy. Their menu is huge, so many things on offer I get nervous with that. It became confusing and I picked the fillet prego. It was mediocre, needed a good roll and some sauce.

Yummy. Authentic. Romantic. Quaint. An absolute delight. The service is exceptional. Always full. Love that the menu is on a board on the wall.

A warm feel to this interestingly, but simply decorated joint :)<br/><br/>Took my parents for their anniversary & they really had a good time. <br/><br/>Service was decent, & went smoothly even through load shedding.<br/><br/>This restaurant does not have a large variety of vegetarian mains for the customers who don't eat meat, but such a delicious pasta variety! It definitely makes up for not having pizza on the menu.<br/><br/>Vino to start with & dessert to end with, our guest too had such a good time at this restaurant.<br/><br/>Definitely a place to visit, if you haven't been already!

The food was devine... The vibe was cool, however the space in the restaurant and the toilet facility is not the greatest. I also would prefer a printed menu. The waiter describes the meals for the day however by the time he gets to the bottom of the menu you've forgotten the top detail. Overall good.

When it comes down to choosing a restaurant to review for the week, sometimes its just chance, and sometimes I go with determination. This week was the latter as I was in the mood for some good ribs and two people had commented on my Smokehouse review saying that Bottega in Parkhurst was the sport for good ribs. How could an Asian deny this calling?<br/><br/>The restaurant itself is vey nice. Very small and quaint with brick wall and nice lighting. It was pretty empty when we arrived so we got our pick of seats. The food menu is written on a chalkboard on the wall so you have to ask your waiter for descriptions of the food. This strategy only plays out well when your server has a firm understanding of the dishes and our guy dropped knowledge on us.<br/><br/>We decided to start off with the Carciofi which is artichokes stuffed with ricotta and covered with napolatina sauce before being baked in the oven. Hot damn. This starter was incredible. I’ve always loved artichokes, but sometimes they can be a little tough. These were so tender that they just seemed to melt in your mouth. Ricotta has never been one of my favourite cheeses, because its a bit bland and need to be paired with some herbs or other flavours when using it to bake. This ricotta was so good and smooth that I wanted to accuse it of not being ricotta. Then on top, they added one of the best napolatina sauces that I’ve had in recent memory. The chef went heavy on the fresh basil and I could taste how he added fresh cream to the sauce to mellow it out. I usually add a bit of butter to my tomato sauce when cooking pasta, but this sauce has changed the game for me and I’ll be incorporating fresh cream from now on.<br/><br/>We came for the ribs so best believe that I was gonna get some ribs. I’m not saying you can judge a rack of ribs from its appearance, but ugly ass ribs generally reflect the quality of the cut, how its been stored, etc… (See Spur). These came out looking about as sexy as ribs can look. The first test is the cutting of the ribs. I want to feel how easy the knife goes into the meat and separates the individual rib. Bottega didn’t score too high on this as they were a bit tough. That being said, I fully understand that this isn’t a rib restaurant so the turnover on rib orders may not be that high which means that they may have been sitting around for a while before being fully cooked and served to me.<br/><br/>The next step is obviously the most important, the taste test. This is where the dish really excelled. The sauce was a perfect sweet and sticky marinade that just thickened on the meat. The ribs were cooked properly with a slight crisp on the outside and while the meat wasn’t as tender as I would have liked, the taste was delicious. If the ribs were cooked a bit slower making them bit more tender, they could make a run for best ribs I’ve had in Joburg.<br/><br/>Since Bottega is an Italian restaurant, we decided to opt for a pasta. I’m a big fan of stuffed pasta, because these are generally homemade by the restaurant. While the ravioli was tempting, the waiter’s description of the Tortellini Primavera sold me. Primavera means Spring in Italian and was my cheat name for anytime I just threw whatever vegetables I had in the fridge into a pasta so it shouldn’t be hard to beat my standard.<br/><br/>The tortellini was stuffed with chicken and then covered with the same delicious napolatina sauce as the artichokes starter. In addition, the chef added fresh peas and ham to the sauce for added flavour. The tortellini itself was very well made and prepared. There is nothing worse than a poorly made tortellini that is overcooked and just comes out soft and falls apart in the sauce These guys were cooked al dente and maintained their character even the next day when I microwaved the leftovers. This dish was fantastic and only flaw was that it had the unfortunate luck of being paired with the ribs thus getting overshadowed.<br/><br/>After finishing the meal, the final test of ribs comes through which is “the itus” and these ribs delivered. You can never respect a rack of ribs that doesn’t make your body want to change the x variable in the linear equation y = mx + b (Thats a little math reference for my fellow Asian readers out there).<br/><br/>Overall, Bottega provided a great dining experience from the ambiance, to the service, to the food. Some of the spots I review are one and done, but Bottega has made its way on to my regular restaurant rotation and I can recommend it with with the utmost confidence.

I have eaten here quite a few times and the food is always brilliant, however this time I had quite a bad experience.<br/><br/>I was in the middle of my meal which was pretty decent as per usual when I ordered a kola tonic and sprite zero. The drink comes and I lift it towards me and the bottom of the glass literally separates from the top resulting in it spilling all over my food and my clothes. <br/><br/>This is what they did wrong:<br/><br/>1) Not one waiter came near or by when this incident occurred so the table next to me kindly offered me all of their napkins until I had to call someone numerous times and still hardly assisted me. (It's a really small restaurant?) <br/><br/>2) They did not offer to replace my food or get anything else, they did however say they would get me a slice of cake which I did not want and have me one anyway which in turn gave to the car guard.<br/><br/>3) They had the cheek to charge me for the sprite zero and cola tonic!!! <br/><br/>Very disappointing.<br/>

Farai and Pailine give excellent service. Friendly, funny and so hospitable. The owner gave us a desert on the house (best piña cotta ever!) for our anniversary dinner. The craft beer is power and the pasta and duck was incredible. A warm, intimate and cozy place for a lovely dinner. Good job!<br/><br/>Edited review: consistency is king and this place is so consistent, always great food and absolutely flawless service! Can not beat the service at this place!

Massive fan of the 650g pork ribs - shamelessly had sweet barbecue sauce all over my hands and face for most of my date night. The other half also sang the Fillet Porcini's praises.

Three little words: Chocolate mousse cake!<br/><br/>Our Ducati Owners Club xmas dinner 2014 was held at Bottega cafe. The set menu was quite delicious and our waiters were on the ball. Loads of fun was had by all even when loadshedding was implemented. We ate by candlelight :)<br/><br/>I ordered a pasta dish for dinner and it was fantastic - I tried to to lick the bowl. I also remember some very good red wine and then the evening is a blur until the chocolate mousse cake. What a fantastic experience. Highly, highly recommended. <br/>The tally up at the end of the night was an absolute disaster which was a huge disappointment at the end of a fun evening. If you visit in large groups, rather ask for separate bills. <br/><br/>We should visit again so that a better review can be written for Bottega :)

One of my new Jhb favourites. Felt like i was back in Italy. Great ambience, service, food, wine. We had the fillet porcini and linguini fileto. Another plus - they serve food during loadshedding