This place is a hidden gem... Every time I have been there, the pizzas have been spot on, thin paper crust and very tasty.... Good wine selection and great pasta portions.
What a treat. What an absolute treat, truly authentic and fresh.
Had the Veal Ravioli, Blue Crab pasta & their incredible semi-paella inspired pasta ft. Some divine sausage.
Their panacota is die for! And they carry Limon Cielo - what a fantastic afternoon. Such a great setting, who would have thought... a parking lot would set the scene.
And wow, the crowd. Everyone attending is friendly, warm and welcoming. First time I’ve ever experienced that.
I am always looking for Italian Restaurants which set themselves above the average, menu varied and has specials which are great , venue could not be more unassuming, a parking lot , got to visit again to try another pasta 😃
What a divine little restaurant! Set in the parking lot of a block of flats in Craighall Park. We had the blue crab starter (so delicious, we forgot to take pictures) pizzas for mains, and tiramisu for dessert. The food was delicious and well prepared. The coffee was good too! We will definitely be back!
Small restaurant set in the courtyard of an apartment building. Not the best ambience as some of the seats are in the parking lot however the food more than makes up for it. The mushroom risotto is delicious and not too stodgy as some risottos can be. It’s also packed with mushrooms. The chocolate mousse is a generous portion and is light and airy. Perfect end to a heavy dinner.
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While we’ve known about the little tucked away Shepherd’s Market square for years, for some reason we’ve only recently ventured in and tried out the three restaurants. It was a spur of the moment decision to try Moda one evening after a movie.
We arrived fairly late and the restaurant was still packed and buzzing. The owner managed to squeeze us into a lonely table which was actually in the parking lot, we didn’t mind at all, it is more of a street cafe vibe than a formal restaurant.
We were served fairly promptly and ordered lasagna, pizza, Gorgonzola gnocchi, and a veal ravioli. Food arrived timeously and we tucked in.
Gnocchi was delicious and a definite highlight. It is however a very rich dish and personally I wouldn’t be able to finish the plate The few mouthfuls I wrestled from my wife were good enough for me. I reckon it could easily be shared between two people together with a salad although she demolished the plate.
The ravioli was also good, tasty and light, not the dish for the really hungry though. Lasagna was ok, although I’ve never been impressed with lasagna in a restaurant. It was a sizable portion and sizzling hot. The large pizza had a nice thin crispy crust and just the right amount of toppings and smoked flavour.
All in all a pleasant and enjoyable meal at this little street side restaurant. Well suited for a very casual dinner with friends or family. Quirky and charming. Will definitely go back for the gnocchi alone and try out a few of the other dishes.
Starters were very ordinary, but was quite impressed with pizza and pasta! would recommend the waiter to probably learn how to pour wine better as there wasn't even room to swirl the wine to release its aroma..
Lovely relaxed restaurant with delicious food. For starters we had calamari and bruchetta. The portions were HUGE - enough to fill you for a mail meal. But really good. And then we ordered a pizza that was on special and the bacon, avo, feta pizza - both incredible. But we couldn't eat more than 2 slices because of the starters. R25 for corkage - very reasonable!
One of the most underrated restaurants in Jozi!!! Our absolute most favourite Italian place of all time!!! You always feel so at home and relaxed when you are there!!! Food 10, Service 6, Ambiance 9
Pretty decent little Italian spot, very easy to get to with lots of parking and a nice vibe. Food is good with some excellent pizza options. Service can be a bit iffy and one gets the impression they don’t have their systems full figured out. But overall a good last minute option.
This is definitely one of those hidden gems everyone talks about - as it is hidden away along with some other little restaurants in what appears to be the car park of a block of flats.
Moda is a little restaurant and it's pretty popular so bookings are definitely recommended, although the staff will try their best to seat you if possible.
The food is fresh and authentic italian.
This is undoubtedly the best Italian restaurant in the country. Their pasta with porcini mushrooms and a touch of olive oil is cooked to perfection and teases the taste buds. The owner is always there and this ensures that the quality of the food served is always GREAT. Their caprese salad is made with the finest mozzarella and is unbeatable. This place is becoming a weekly ritual for me. My mouth waters when I think about that porcini pasta. It is small in size with a great ambience. Best you book or go early so you can avoid disappointment. Truly a TEN out of five for me :)
Had a superb meal at Moda tonight. I had the spaghetti carbonara and my friend had the beef lasagne. Both meals absolutely excellent. Service very efficient , lovely cosy place. Highly recommended
This hole in the wall spot is perfect for hiding out from the rest of the world. A tiny restaurant with a well edited menu. My favourite here is the gnocchi.
Went for dinner and they were so accommodating the manager was always to be seen and helping out which is great....an amazing quaint place will definitely be back
Fantastic food. Best melanzane I have eaten this place is the real deal. Italian owned. Excellent value. Excellent service.
The space is cosy.
Had another amazing dinner at Moda. Their porcini napoletana pasta is what dreams are made of. Servings are generous (which means I get to have some more today!!)
You must try the calamari and zucchini fries. Yum!
Friendly and attentive staff. Warm and cosy vibe. Definitely a winner!
Incredibly delicious and very authentic food, wonderful atmosphere, and reasonable prices. We've been twice and had the Italian sausage risotto, a pizza, tagliatelle with gorgonzola and gnocchi with Italian sausage and all were incredible! Will definitely be going back.
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We went to a friend's 35th birthday and a celebration of his 10yr anniversary in S.A. On our way back home I noticed a few people sitting outside Shepherd Market and a few cars parked outside and for me a place that gets so full that there is no parking space usually translates how good it must be that people are willing to park outside in order to be there.
Since we were a bit tired we decided to try it out for lunch during the week and oh my soul... completely blown away. So unlike my husband I like to experiment with my food. And in the last while I have been in search of an Authentic Italian Restaurant where I could get homemade Gnocchi and I am happy to share folks that not only is Moda 100% Authentic Italian but they gave me a little experience to satisfy my desire of a perfectly home made Gnocchi!!!
An absolute bonus was that they also served us freshly chopped garlic and chilli. I love garlic but only if it's fresh. I know it's hard work but it is just so much better not only for me but the people that have to smell it off me:-) So an absolute my try out. The are also on Entertainer app. Bit even if you don't have an app it is still such great value for money.
Best pizza base, best pasta, best melazane!
We stopped coming after it was run to the ground as Modo Mia but now as Moda, the food is the same but better. The atmosphere is the same but friendlier! The wine is great! And there is a coffee machine! Sometimes service is a bit slow but the place is so nice you don't mind.
Best Italian food 2017. Thin crust pizza, innovative daily menu and homemade pasta with creative sauces.
Looking forward to our next Italian meal in 2018.
We had a really enjoyable lunch on a Friday afternoon. Enjoyed a delicious white wine with the parma ham and gorganzola. The lovely chef came out to chat to us several times which was a nice personal experience. Genuinely looking forward to going back...
little Italy , lovely ambiance great food and wonderful service.
The Pamiggiana di Melanzane must be my favourite.
A hidden gem in Craighall loved it ! ill be back
Such a hidden away little gem. We found out about this place from friends who highly recommended the carbonara. They were right it was amazing and I would drive from far to go get that dish again!
My search for good Italian food is over.
Moda Ristorante is the best place to have Pizza, Risotti and the desserts are absolutely great,
Moda is second to none
The quaintness of Moda in a unique apartment setting is enticing, so is their freshly made pasta and pizzas. It remains a firm favorite for a quick quite night out.
First time back since the last owner nose-dived a lekker little local into the abyss, and what a great rejuvenation! Fantastic, authentic Italian pizzas with thin crispy bases made from the good flour and top class toppings (my Quattro had proper! cheeses). The carbonara at the table was light and delicious (for now the only pasta strain not home made). Will be back soon to try the others. Had 3 of the 4 desserts, all excellent. Not too rich, light and flavoursome. Great staff and service. Excited to have a local worth frequenting again.
So it is the first time back since the new owner took over. Place looks much like it was before but there is a coffee machine and the coffee is good.
We were s party of 6. Started off by sharing salad and antipasto all very nice. Pasta main was good honest food gnocchi was pleasant but not certain o would want a whole palate. Service was ok.. In all pleasant enough.
The restaurant is very good and the service is more than acceptable, the food is excellent and is never busy or noisy.
This really is a hidden gem! I had a seafood risotto which was superb! Will definitely go back for that AGAIN! Very intimate. Little bit cramped, but it's really not a big deal. Reasonable prices. Highly recommended!
Great little Italian restarunt situated in the parking lot. Location isn't the best but overall worth going to. They make great pizzas and good pasta. Only issue is the size of the restarunt so would suggest booking in advance
Been a few times to this little gem of a place. However the last 2 times weren't as great as the first few times. Seems if the owners aren't around service dwindles and the food loses its quality. Both our pasta dishes were cold, just been heated up in a microwave and the pizzas were average. On other occasions the food and service has been outstanding, with possibly the best pizza base in town. If you want to keep and maintain your early opening standards then you need to be there all the time and have proper hands on management.
Cosy on a winter evening with an inviting brazier outside the door. I like the ambience in here - with some decent Italian music too. Crispy thin pizzas and delicately handled porcini pasta. Really fresh salads too. Wine on offer is red or white, but it's good wine, so no problem with that. The creamy panecotta was delicious. Good coffee too. Waiter was efficient and it was nice to have the friendly owners around too. I like a relaxed place with good food that's open on a Sunday night....Moda ticks the boxes.
Amazing pizzas and pastas. The owner, Diego, is Italian, and recently moved to Johannesburg with the idea to bring real Italian food to Jozi. A nice little personal touch to come past the tables and ask how the food is and sharing some stories so you feel part of the family. Diego's passion for the food really shows and I will definitely be back for more of his food.
Fantastic Restaurant!!! Two hard working owners who are passionate about providing good quality cuisine by sourcing fresh ingredients locally and then bringing it together in the food that they offer to their diners. Their hospitality and service is friendly and personal. Yes - it's rustic, but special. It's small, but cosy. The food from the antipasti, to the amazing pizzas to the primi piatti - but do not stop there - go for desserts, especially the Tiramisu. Delicious! It's too good to keep it a secret.
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We had a delicious lunch yesterday.
We started with shared starters which were all great . The calamari and zucchini was my favorite, followed by the melanzane and the cypress salad which is served with delicious focaccia bread. Portions are very generous - they could be a bit smaller but it's lovely to see such generosity on a plate.
We asked to have a fairly long break between our courses after eating all our delicious starters.
I had asked about the porcini pasta because I don't like pastas with creamy sauces and was delighted to hear that they don't use cream in any of the sauces! In fact, the Italian owner said that adding cream to pasta sauces is for people who can't cook and I tend to agree with him! I like pasta that isn't drowning in a sauce. The tagliatelle was homemade, al dente, the porcini were fresh and plentiful. Delicious meal.
The carbonara was also perfect - again no cream, just egg yolks and pancetta. Only comment was that some more pancetta would have been nice. The veal ravioli - also homemade - with a simple sage butter sauce and also delicious.
Only one thing I couldn't work out was why this restaurant isn't busier but it really deserves to be.
Maybe it's still a hangover from the previous owner but please try it if you like authentic Italian.
It's also lovely because you can actually have a conversation easily without all noise levels in so many restaurants now!
We will be back. Often.
We really like it! We felt we were at a trattoria, with good genuine Italian food. Loved the parmigiana di melanzane, the risotto and bufala pizza. Not to mention the best, chocolate mousse! Big 'kudos' to chef Omar and Diego, well done guys
I popped in quickly to try the restaurant under its new management and WOW, I'm glad I did. The pizza I had was fantastic (Verona: artichoke, salami and olives).
It's a small cozy venue, come here if you love good food, homemade pasta and great pizza. It's run by two Italians (Diego and Omar) who generally care about their products and the quality of their food. Get away from shopping centres and discover something authentic.
Great little spot for a low new night out with friends.
Good starters, pizza and pasta, friendly staff and owners. We will be back! Especially loved the real caprese salad!
You’ll find the classic pizza varieties at Moda', as well as a range of interesting and tempting flavours. Pizzas are cooked in the wood-fired oven and bases are thin and light. The Verona pizza was fresh, delicious and full of flavour, making it one of the best pizzas around. Mods' is truly a hidden gem.
Truly delicious unfussy Italian food at its absolute best. I had the basil ravioli stuffed with mozzarella in a napolitana sauce which was heavenly and reminded me of the pastas I enjoyed in cafes in Capri and Florence. Also, having tasted their pizzas, I can say that I'll only be getting my take-outs here from now on!
Love the quaint, pseudo-London-outdoorsy feel of this little Shepherds Market establishment. Really relaxing to sit under the cool courtyard trees in summer or cozily around the warm pizza oven in winter. The food is tasty and the staff smiley. My only complaint is that things do seem to get the "hot tin roof" effect making the salads and prosecco a little less cool & crisp than is desirable for my palate....
A little piece of Italia in the heart of joburg.
This gem though small and quirky. Serves up brilliant Italian dishes. Well worth a stop.
Don't expect brilliant service. But the food makes up for it.
Delicious, authentic Italian food, in a cozy setting. The menu is short and simple but not too short that you struggle to find something. I had the lasagne the other night. It had the perfect amount of pasta and bechamel sauce, not overly mincy, which I much prefer. I also tasted some pizza and it was one of the best bases I've tasted. Exceptionally light and crispy, but not too crispy. They had a very limited wine list, in fact, there wasn't a list per se. We were asked if we wanted red or white and then brought 2 reds to choose from. For dessert we shared a Nutella pizza, which was simply Nutella smeared on a pizza base. Would have been nicer with some nuts or marshmallows sprinkled over the top to spruce it up a bit. I was excited to see that the owners have invested in a coffee machine (the previous restaurant that occupied this space never had one, which I always found strange) so we ended the evening with a really good coffee.
@paul Hartzenberg
So glad our favorite pizza and pasta place is back. Really the most fabulous pizza in town.
Staff are wonderful, service great.
Pulled in last night for some dinner with family and friends and What a superb meal. We started off with some delicious cold meats and cheeses, accompanied by calamari Fritti (fried) and some Zucchini fritti as well served with a delicate tartare!! Everyone ordered pizzas as there is a beautiful large pizza oven at the back of the room decorated with turquoise tiles. I ordered the Moda pizza with Parma ham and grana Padano (Parmesan). It was a delightful experience as the Dough is so light and crunchy with a tasty yummy mozzarella and tomato sauce base on the top! They also have probably one of the best panna Cottas I have ever tasted in Johannesburg, definitely worth the calories!
The atmosphere is warm and super friendly! The Staff and owners were very welcoming so thank you we will be back very soon!
Had a lazy Sunday afternoon lunch at Moda'. Pizza was incredible true Italian style. The dough is very light and made with Italian 00 flour . You don't feel heavy after a large pizza. Authentic pizza and pasta made the Italian way. I will be back to try the rest of the menu.
The food is value for money an the average pizza is R 70.00.
I will be back, hope to see you there.
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We popped into MODA RISTORANTE ITALIANO for dinner Friday evening and we had a wonderful meal. The restaurant has nice ambiance, and friendly service, the venue is located immediately after the Hyde Park Shopping center on 339 Jan Smuts with a safe parking.
I ordered as started a TAGLIERE DI AFFETTATI & FORMAGGI, a wooden board with a selections of Italian & local cheeses and a selection of cold meats, served with a Fresh Focaccia ...Yummy
My main course was PIZZA MODA with tomato, Parma ham, Grana Padano Cheese and rocket.... which came loaded with Parma Ham.
The pizza was outstanding perfect balance between a thin crisp base and a softer garnish. Well done! Finally a great pizza place in Johannesburg with wood fire.
It was SUPERB. The service was very good, even though they were busy and our table was quite big ( 14 friends), and I was happy that the waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu.
I'll definitely be back. Prepare yourself with a good appetite. Should not miss MODA Italian Restaurant if you love Italian Food
Authentic Italian with finesse ! BEST Pizza base in Jozi !!!! Light as s feather !!! Delicious menu ! Moda 's food is all I can think about ! Thank u Diego and Omar !
Delicious authentic Italian cuisine! Cozy place with excellent service and price. Stunning pizzas and homemade pasta and oh so delicious desserts. Try the tiramisu and panna cotta.
Some of the best pizza in Joburg. Service is pretty consistently poor though. Would recommend them for online orders but if you're planning to sit down then be ready for a decent wait.
We had another great meal at Modas today, how ever the pasta dish I ordered had 3 pieces of thin steak, and my partners meal- the prawn. Calamari, and mussle ( x 2) muscles in the pasta probably had the least amount of seafood , the 7 muscle shells were a disguise, as they were all empty. sadly!!
Only one huge concern, the one staff member , opened a blue colored Tupperware container, at the counter while we were the only table, maybe he did not think we were watching him, he put his hand In to the bowl only to take out pieces of meat and eat it, double dipping in fact.
Rather odd.
Sorry but we are a little hesitant to visit again.
W& J
This is a fantastic, small Italian restaurant in Craighall. The food was amazing, especially the antipasto platter. The ingredients of the platter were very high quality Italian food: salami, Parma ham, parmesan cheese, gorgonzola and olives. Very nice chilled atmosphere with secure parking.
Great find and I love that it's hidden away. The place has been going for years and what I love is that it's consistent. Given that they tend to overcook the pasta a bit. Ingredients are always fresh and the pizza is great.
Cosy spot and I love it. The food had been amazing on 2 occasions. The waitress is kind and welcoming. Great spot to relax and take it easy.
A very unpretentious place. The food is better than the place looks. A good spot for Italian food without any of the fuss. The Mushroom Risotto was well made and hit the spot.
I like this place. Pizzas are excellent. Thin crust, generous toppings, baked perfectly, with a reasonable price.
I don't think you can find a better thin crust pizza anywhere in the northern suburbs.
Added bonus is that if you are getting take out for the family there is a soul souvlaki next door and a Chinese take away next to that. You can cater for everyone's ( ok almost) taste in one stop.
Tasty, good service, value for money, local real Italian. Healthy portions. We will be back soon !!
Great food in an awesome atmosphere, owner is hands on and will most probably have one of the most interesting conversations of your life with you
Great pizza. Had an Italiano - thin crispy base, perfect amount of toppings. Super tasty. 5/5.
Delicious take away pizzas, very reasonably priced.
This my and my partners favorite restaurant. Really authentic and owner run by an Italian gentleman.
The menu is simple and we’ve always gone with his recommendations on the evening.
Always very cosy and genuine. Definitely has an air of romance to it. Also great for lunch if you in the area.
Awesome food. Definitely the best pizza we had for a long time. Some of our friends had pasta and other dishes and were impressed. We are coming back!
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