If you are looking for an authentic Italian restaurant, look no further than Magica Roma. Situated in Pinelands, there is limited parking close by. But the walk from your car will be worth it. Last November we had to collect the kids from the airport. Their flight was due to land just before 22h00 and I decided a meal out beforehand would be perfect. I was already in Cape Town so Dave drove through and met me. We invited Eric and Bev to come along so we could catch up after our overseas trip. Magica Roma was ideally situated for our trip to the airport. It offers proper Italian food, in a setting much like you would find in Italy. The bathroom is through the kitchen and the tables are so close together you are part of each others’ conversations. The lighting is not bright and the acoustics are not great. But, the meals we have had there have always been excellent.
Quality Italian hospitality, atmosphere and most importantly food.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
I booked a table here for my anniversary. We we greeted with enthusiasm and seated in the "special section" at the back where the chef continuously came around to talk to us, suggest dishes and make sure everything was ok. What was most interesting to me was the chef's willingness to redesign his dishes to suit your taste buds! He said that he has modified countless dishes depending on what his customers like and he has even made up dishes which he cannot remember or replicate. I thought this may be a bit risky since I did not know what I felt like but I knew I wanted it to be traditional and simple. I opted for the risotto ravioli (which was called something else on the menu), my partner had the lamb. His was not as tasty as the vegetarian option unfortunately but I thoroughly enjoyed mine with cream sauce. The snail starters were very good and as was the tiramisu which I ordered for dessert (it had a lot of coffee and liquor in it but is made by the kitchen.) We ordered a beautiful red blend which complimented the food.
I really liked the surprise of the sparkler at the end, it ended the evening off well and was the cherry on top!
I will be back again for pasta and pizza! Cannot wait!
Magica Roma is one of the old Cape Town institutions and it feels like it - stepping into the restaurant feels like a time warp back to the 90s. Clearly it works though, a big restaurant in Cape Town that’s full on a winter Wednesday must be doing something right. Which they do - starting with the food! It’s good Italian fare, subtle with good flavours at a reasonable price. The highlight was their Saltimbocca and Panna Cotta. I will definitely be back for both and can see myself becoming a regular.
Have been going to Magica Roma for close on 25 Years. This Resturant offers the most amazing authentic and fresh Italian food anywhere. The food is very well priced and I highly recommend for lunch or dinner.
This is the best Italian restaurant in Cape Town without a doubt! The atmosphere is truly authentic and the service is impeccable. You feel like you are stepping into the private home of the owner, as he treats all his customers like long lost family. These gem of a restaurant is a must-do for all food-lovers. I highly recommend the Panzerotti Ricotta- it is the most delicious pasta you will ever eat!
This resturant has an authentic feel and it shines through in the food. The portions are generous and the flavours bouyant. I've yet to be disappointed after a few visits, save for the verging on unpleasant seating arrangements which i always find myself on the wrong side of. Nonetheless, highly recommended for any Italian food lover.
Magica Roma has an excellent feel to it: really authentic and intimate experience. Service is exceptionally friendly and quick. I was only disappointed with the size of my meal but apart from this it was excellent and tasty.
After living in Cape Town for about 15 years, we finally decided to give this place a try. I've always heard mixed reviews but wanted to try it out for myself. It is a homely, authentic Italian restaurant and service is friendly. That said, the overall feeling at our table was that the food was good but not exceptional or overly memorable. I'm not sure I would rush back but I'm glad that I've finally tried this Cape Town institution.
If you haven't been in Italy and you want to feel the vibe if an Italian restaurant , this is the right place. It's decorated like a country side trattoria, full of wine bottles on the walls, low ceilings, a space divided in smaller sections so every table can feel intimate. The lighting is also warm and homy . The owners are from Italy, all super friendly, and the staff is good and fun. The food is clearly not original Italian, recipes have been adapted to local desires, but that's what have been keeping this place running for so many years. Prices are fair and worth a second visit for the relaxed atmosphere.
One of the best pizza spots in Cape Town! They have a variety of different pizzas, as well as sea food like muscles, oysters and shrimp. They also serve delicious pasta options, I recommend getting the Romulus without chilli, super nice meaty pizza option! I will always be supporting this restaurant. The staff members are all very friendly, especially the receptionist, very polite and always trying to help you out! I wish I could give higher than 5 stars.
Loveliest dinner experience in this cozy Italian restaurant thats been open for decades. Had the penne al forno and it was delicious! Also had the creme brulee for desert and it was mind-blowingly good. Will definitely recommend this restaurant to my friends and family.
What a fabulous little hidden gem! The whole restaurant was buzzing with happy patrons. We had the friendliest, most charming waitress who made my cousin's birthday dinner very special. However, the ultimate jewel was the food. The food was sublime. Would definitely recommend a visit. It may look unassuming on the outside, but that's not at all a reflection of what's on the inside.
The food is absolutely deliciously out of this world amazing
Michael is so professional and he definitely made us feel at home
I don't know where to start... A friend of mine from Brighton has recommended that this place is a must on your list if you love italian food and he wasn't wrong!!! We took our chances, as we were driving back from Constantine to our hotel, we decided to stop by and see if we could get a table without reservation(which is definitely recommended!!) Despite no reservation, they managed to give us a very nice table in the corner. Michael, our waiter, was very charming and knowledgeable about allergies as my partner is a coeliac. They have a gluten-free pasta, and all their meats are gluten-free, including most of the sauces. The bread they serve before your meal is just melts in your mouth. The veal linguine and the tomato sauce were out of this world. I have eaten a lot of places around the world, but I have to say this was one of the tastiest meals I ever had.
I'll come back for sure on my next visit. I just regret that I didn't come here earlier during my stay.
Went for dinner with friends this evening, what a special place. You are made to feel so welcome. I love rissoto and when I didnt see it on the menu it was no issue the chef made us an amazing super tasty risotto which everyone enjoyed. Various pastas was the next course and ended with desert. Really homely atmosphere and a really nice place to chill. Will definitely visit again. Lovely friendly waitress that served us.
![5]( "Recensione")
Step back in time to this charming traditional and authentic Italian restaurant, something very different from the usual trendy / chic Cape Town offerings. Having managed and owned restaurants in the past, the golden nugget to the success of such an establishment is service, and this was not only on-par, but par-excellence for my first visit to Magica Roma. After moving to the city a few shorts years ago from Auckland, NZ, I can’t believe I have only found this spot now, definitely looking forward to many, many more visits.
The floor always had attentive staff around, willing help with menu selection, or top up your glass. The booth seating was intimate, with regulars being charmed with their favourite meals without opening a menu, while the owners were ever present either suggesting wines or making sure patrons were happy.
Our visit was both business and celebratory, a venue worthy of such an occasion I believe! The menu is classic with extensive selections that will make your mouth water, including specials on offer. Our table opted to start with the Baby Calamari Tubes with Chilli & Garlic, Beef Carpaccio (Tuna is on offer too), their famous Bean & Lentil Soup, and a Garlic & Herb Focaccia to set the mood. We didn’t hold back with main courses either, Ossobuco (Veal shanks), Veal Fillets with a Mushroom, White Wine and Sage Sauce (I think), and lastly the Ribeye that got much attention (with 2 of 4 pax deciding to order), served on Spinach, topped with Caramelised Onion and a sauce I cant recall, oops. The wine list and drinks deserve equal attention, with a vast selection of Italian options, from wine to Grappa, delivering a truly Italian experience in Pinelands, a suburb on the outskirts of the CBD.
All in all, this long standing institution in Cape Town is a must to visit. I believe it remains a model choice for not only family and business visits, but some quite regal visits too. You just never know who you may sitting opposite you.
NB: Book in advance
Ciao
~SB 🍇
What a delightful italian restaurant to relax with great company, great wine and quality italian cuisine. Food was served promptly following our order and waitress was informative, friendly and attentive to our needs. Wonderful relaxed ambience so will definitely be back again in the near future.
An absolute authentic Italian cuisine awaits you when you enter Magica Roma. I was thrillingly surprised when the chef himself came to my table to enquire about my likes and dislikes, to create a gorgeous vegetarian dish, off of the menu, catered 100 percent to my taste. This establishment cares about your satisfaction on a personal level and prides their reputation accordingly. I was treated like a princess, dined like royalty and left feeling sated and completely loved by my experience. Thank you to the owners, chef and staff for taking such pristine care of us, your patrons.
Loved the vibe. Food was amazing. Authentic Italian cuisine. Staff were happy and amazing. Restaurant was full…and I can definitely understand why! What a gem.
Make a reservation
Order online
Find the best restaurant in Pinelands
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes