Been going there for 7 years now, and I have never been disappointed....from the really great mojito to the really superb grilled salmon, I can go there again and again Mxxaaa!!
Great food and good customer service. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone �
Consistently great food & service. I've never been disappointed here �
Amazing food and excellent staff home away from home !
The best beef carpacio ever! Everything was delicious and fantastic service. Keep it up guys!!!
We have frequented Pomodoro since they opened in the Codfather Centre on Rivonia Rd. Many, many moons later I am still pleased with the quality of the dishes and the accompanying authenticity. This is an establishment that has stood the test of time and change! Well done Stefano 🙌🏻
Davina Nathan Wertheimer
+5
Awesome Mothers Day lunch. The baby chicken with broccoli and garlic was sublime.
Excellent food and fabulous service. Definitely my favourite Italian restaurant.
Queen Christina Toureiro
+5
What a superb, fantastic and divine dining experience!
As far as I'm concerned, this is the most prestigious restaurant in Johannesburg and South Africa!
You do truly get treated like royalty every time you come here!
Lovely restaurant and lovely owners that always make us feel so welcome! Thank you!
Was absolutely amazing. Had great pizza and great service
Whenever feel like Italian food, Pomodoro is a great deal,
Pastas, Pizza and Salads are always amazing, we had their strawberry G and T for drinks before ordering salad mista italiana as a starter, For the mains we had the special rissotto primavera which was cooked perfectly well then had some Almond tart as desserts, service from waiter was very good. Definitely will be back.
Great hangout place. The vibe is always great. Great pizza and wine type outlet. My favourite is their chicken breast in a creamy white sauce, its absolutely delicious. Great service too
havent been to Pomodoro fora while. whata great coming home experience. WONDERFUL minestrone. Pomodoro fails to disappoint. Excellent pepper steak great ambience wonderful service. you cant go wrong!!! yeah baby!!
We were welcomed by friendly staff and seated immediately. Our waiter Phewo was incredible. The starters of calamari and focaccia were so yummy. I had the porcini risotto and my husband had a gorgeous pasta - a big enough portion for a man weighing 118kgs. Overall a delightful Italian restaurant with fabulous service and tasty food.
Really great and comforting itallian food!! The staff are really pleasant and not mention the hospitiable manager Stefano. Highly recommended, just make sure you make a booking well in advance!
First visit at this overly restaurant in Morningside shopping centre. Had a couples dinner with some friends. Great ambience and decent service.
My wife and I enjoyed pasta dishes - I had the Fetuccine in a creamy mushroom and ham sauce (replacing the ham with chicken) and my wife had her favorite pasta dish (carbonara). Our friends had the rump steak and the grilled chicken breasts. Everyone throughly enjoyed their meals.
Dessert was a bit a letdown - the tiramisu was rather sweet and a little soggy for my liking. That was the only gripe I had with this place.
This was our first experience at Pomodoro on Saturday with the in-laws, we frequently visit the other restaurants in Morningside mall and love them all. Pomodoro has an amazing wine list but only a few cater for a single glass option. I had a white Chenin blanc which was delightful. For our food, my partner had the traditional Gli spaghetti allo scoglio which is tomato based pasta with prawn, mussels and calamari which was super tasty. I was most impressed by my option though - I am not a huge fan of tomato based pasta sauces so I asked if I could have the same option with a creamy white wine sauce. Lone behold my waiter took the order down with no reservation and brought it with all the other mains. This dish was the star - in my opinion better than the original and should be a menu item. A very good experience that wasn’t break the budget and the service was on point ♥️
Definitely will be back again x
It is the second time which I have been to the restaurant and it does not disappoin. The staff are very helpful and friendly. Their pizza and pasta are delicious. Most of the items uses simple ingredients, yet the flavour is just delicious.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
07.03.2018 Buonissimo – the term used by the Owner Stefano, to describe the Vriesenhof dinner party, and I couldn’t agree more.
I’ve been to Morningside shopping centre many times but somehow missed this gem in the middle.
I got to experience the Vriesenhof Dinner Party, with a group of really fun and interesting people. Stefano the owner, was absolutely hands on all evening which made the evening even more special. When you see the passion someone has for the food that they produce, you know it is made with quality and love.
Our welcome drink to kick off the evening was the Vriesenhof un-wooded Chardonnay 2016 (Floral with hints of marzipan, lemon Zest and dried pear) which you could pick up.
To nibble we got the most delicious Focaccia bread, which one could easily over indulge in, with a smear of butter.
Starters was a delicious Calamari, Chorizo and Chickpea Crostini. Full of flavours and a nice crunch to the Crostini, and it went down REALLY well with the Vriesenhof Grenache 2016. If you know me, I am not usually a red wine fan, but OH my word, this one was really good. It was slight on the tongue and just had a great all round taste. I was really impressed with this one.
First course, consisted of Rigatoni with Fresh Mussels and Braised Fennel, and was paired with the Vriesenhof Chardonnay 2015. Personally, I needed the Rigatoni cooked a bit more, the fruity flavours paired really well with the wine.
Second course, probably the most prominent course. Madagascan Green Pepper Fillet with a Potato Gratin. Absolutely Bold flavours the Pepper sauce really gave it a kick. The fillet was a bit undercooked to what I normally would have (yes I’m one of those that normally need my meat completely dead) but I ate the pieces that were cooked a bit more and indulged in the taste thereof. This was paired with the Vriesenhof Kallista 2013, which is has aromas of red fruit with a smokey finish and has a slightly peppery taste.
Dessert - now here was a thing of beauty. Simple delicate Berries and Caramel Millefoglie (Italian version of a Mille-Feuille) filled with Berries that were not too tart, and drizzled with a divine Crème Anglaise to finish it off. This was finished off with the last wine for the evening, the Vriesenhof Pinot Noir 2015. Again the reds are not my thing, but going forward I will happily have the Grenache 2016, so I may be converting slightly to the red family.
Thanks to all that made this a memorable evening.
Does what the box says...
Good food, nice wine selection, decent service reasonably priced... great place for a casual lunch/business lunch or dinner.
Have been going to Pomodoro for years and have always had an excellent meal. Wether you choose pasta, gnocchi, pizza, fish or meat...always cooked to perfection. Service is great. Highly recommended.
We have never had a bad meal or experience here. Pomodoro is my husbands favorite Italian restaurant and we frequent here quite often. Besides the food been great, and the outside area at Morningside Shopping Centre really adding a nice atmosphere, the hands on attention from The owners Stefano and his wife Vicki are what make this place special. I find it rare in Johannesburg to have the owners so attentive and involved! Pizza’s are always a winner, they are generous with toppings and the tomato sauce base is the best in JHB(in my humble opinion). Favorites include the Margherita, “Pollo e Pepperoni” which has chicken, sundried tomatoes and avo and also the Parma ham and rocket. Pasta favorites include the wild mushroom in whiskey sauce, the mozzarella, olive , tomato and basil, the ravioli, gnocchi and the ragu- in short you really can’t go wrong here, so order some wine from the boutique wine list, relax, feel welcomed and leave space for dessert!
Love this gem. Very homely with the owner always checking on tables and the food is always delicious. Quite a few vegetarian items on the menu and a nice wine selection
We visited this restaurant as a big group on a Saturday evening to celebrate a special birthday. We were a large group of approximately 30 people. That considered, service was good and the staff were friendly. For starters we had some focaccias and salad both of which were good. Perhaps they don't serve garlic ,chili & Parmesan routinely with the focaccia? Once requested this was brought to the table. For mains I ordered a spinach ravioli with napolitana sauce which was delicious. Some of the others on the table ordered pizzas, assorted pastas, calzones- everyone was very happy with their meal. It is a lovely intimate restaurant with a nice atmosphere, we enjoyed our celebrations there.
What a lovely evening spent at Pomodoro Ristorante! Everyone enjoyed their pastas, pizza and oh what lovely desserts! We had a "la pizza con patate e pancetta", Penne with prawn meat and tequila and Ravioli with prawn and a broccoli mouse. Lovely atmosphere and extremely busy even though it was a Tuesday evening. Great Italian Experience.
One of the best restaurants on offer in the Morningside Shopping Centre. A wonderful array of well prepared dishes and of size able portions available. Excellent service in a family oriented setting. Our party ended the night off with coffees and the Tiramisu, Sicilian Lemon Tart and Chocolate Fondant for desert......which generated many oohs and aahs. Overall a wonderful experience.
I was invited to attend a wine pairing dinner at Pomodoro. It was my first visit to this Ristorante, and I was impressed from the moment I walked in. Big smiles - and I loved the decor!
We started off with a delicious fresh tuna tartare with micro herbs. Really tasty. Followed by the 1st main course of pappardelle with Florentine rabbit ragu, deliciously accompanied by Joostenberg Family Blend. Second main course was Eland casserole with grilled polenta - delicious comfort food! This was paired with Joostenberg "Klippe Kou" Shiraz. Divine!
Dessert was Coffee and Hazelnut panna cotta with dark chocolate coulis - decadence!! Served with the most divine Joostenberg Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest!
What a wonderful evening, and thank you for your warm hospitality.
Gabriella Maxine Abrahams
+4
I enjoyed the meal I had at Pomodoro. I had the burger, I had my dad with me who was hanging for Italian. I wasn't really in the mood but I wasn't complaining regarding a free meal. The Burger was still delicious and my dads salmon pasta was brilliant.
Quick and friendly staff and easy to find parking which always makes the evening a little more relaxed
I will go for back!
Exquisite food. Exquisite atmosphere. Exquisite service. By far the best Italian place I've experienced in the Sandton area. Whether you decide on pizza, pasta, or any other main meal, you are bound to enjoy every bite
As always great food and great service. Perfect place for a quiet Sunday night dinner. Friendly staff who continually checked up on us. Never disappoints ❤
I feel that pomodoro doesn't get the respect it deserves. This is a really great restaurant with delicious food, but more on the quiet side, which is strange. The food is very good, service is tops and well in terms of cleanliness and decor it's clean and simple. You know what you get with this spot, just try it out. You won't be dissapointed.
Great Italian food. Had the lasagna and wasn't disappointed. Service was pretty average. It's a very busy little restaurant so booking is vital.
Great service at this place. Ordered the veg ravioli, chicken and mushroom fettuccine and a baby chicken. All the food was great. Dessert also great. The almond tart stood out as amazing. Will be back here
Love their Banting pizza bases! Always a good option for dinner. Staff are friendly & attentive. Kitchen is sometimes a little slow. I return here regularly!
One of the best Italian spots in joburg. I love their authentic touch to everything on the menu. I ordered their rosemary and lemon chicken and it's honestly just sensational! My mom had the pasta and raved about it. This place is a family favorite and it's just so so yummy. Couldn't recommend it more!
I'm actually such a fan of Pomodoro after my first visit. The food is great, the staff really go out of their way and the ambience is peaceful away from the hustle and bustle of Rivionia. Yet the spot still remains super trendy!
A restaurant with the best dessert menu in Johannesburg, not taking away from the really amazing Italian mains menu featuring beautiful dishes, made from scratch and pizza's with a banting option! A regular favourite, especially the chocolate mousse and Sicilian lemon tart.
Lunch at Pomodoro was pleasant. I ordered the line fish of the day with spinach and my friend ordered the duck breast with Spinach.
Both our meals were equally enjoyable, I enjoyed the line fish more it was very soft and tasty ...
The service was good , lovely ambiance, perfect weather ..
The reason why I'm not rating Pomodoro any higher than 3.5 is mainly due the shocking discovery @ ladies room . The conditions were unacceptable and unpleasant 😪😳#Shocking actually 😳😳😱😱
If you do go you better off using the Mall toilets 😫😱🤤
I've been to Pomodoro a couple of times and what I do know is that it is a good, consistent Italian restaurant. I was flying to Zimbabwe the next day and I happened to be at Morningside Shopping Centre so we decided to go grab a quick bite.
The service was good and the food was excellent. We ordered a pizza to share and decided on the la pizza con pollo e pomodori secchi with tomato, mozzarella, grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes and garlic, which were a winning combination of toppings! I also had a taste of the il petto di pollo con funghi e tartufo, which was a black pepper and mascarpone cheese stuffed chicken breast with a creamy mushroom and truffle sauce. This has got to be the most amazing chicken breast I've ever tasted. It was cooked to perfection and just delicious!
If you are looking for a great Italian restaurant with lots to choose from, I would definitely recommend Pomodoro!
Love this cozy restaurant, food yummy and service great! manager was very helpful and kind. will definitely be back for the Gluten free pasta option and the egg pasta, loved the atmosphere as well... keep it up guys!
What a great dinner! Always see this place but never given it a try, after last night this is going to be a new local. All 4 of us had pasta dishes and all were exceptional. Seafood pasta was overflowing with prawns as was the prawn risotto which was cooked to perfection. Staff well trained and manager present and engaged. Only reason I didn't give it a 5 was wine list not too exciting
Came here for a late lunch and it was the best idea. They usually have specials so ask the waiter for more info.
I had the chicken pasta & my partner had a prawn risotto. Both meals were so effortless so clean. If you haven't been please go!!
Didn't feel like cooking on a Monday night so Sam, I and the two little ones (23 and 21) made the 9.1km journey through the rain and traffic to Pomodoro. Was worth it. I like restaurants where the owner/manager is around - as he was. I've never had a bad meal here.
Service was good; food delish. Nice complementary focaccia bread. The choice of line fish, sea bass, was finished but kingklip made a worthy substitute.
Someone once told me that you can judge a restaurant on its lemon tart. So while desserts are probably outsourced, this one was okay - the base was a bit too thick and stodgy. Memo to myself: don't eat dessert.
Wine: Kevin Arnold Shiraz 2012. Delicious!
Feb 28 lunch: We were actually planning to go to the restaurant next to this but didn’t see many veg options and hence came here. The décor and look of the place is quite nice. As with other places in this shopping centre, the place is divided into 2 parts. We sat in the outside area - liked the lamp shades. Since, we were not very hungry, ordered for one pasta and one side order. While you wait for your food to come, they serve bread - kind of garlic flat bread. This was salty and tasted nice. Pair it with the chillies they serve - very tasty. The ravioli di ricotta e spinachi was very good. The ravioli was well cooked and the stuffing was tasty. However, the le patate novelle saltate was quite ordinary. Crushed baby potatoes with parsley and virign olive oil was just like a mashed dish.
Had a quick dinner with a friend here after work, will definitely be back to try out other menu items, especially the pizzas! On this occasion I chose an egg tagliatelle pasta with a creamy mushroom sauce which I really enjoyed
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
If you're looking for a taste of authentic Italian cuisine, you need to consider Pomodoro Ristorante in Morningside. There menu defies stereotypical cliches to bring you an authentic Italian experience.
Stefano Mas, chef and owner, goes to great lengths to assure diners that if a dish is not true to its Italian roots - then it is honestly his own creation. When it comes to tradition, Stefano is a purist, but he's not unknown to create a few dishes of his own. He usually comes out to speak to diners, so feel free to ask him questions. He's passionate about food and travel - he's equally passionate about sourcing ingredients and preparing dishes, so ask him anything.
He recommended we try the pizza with (Italian) sausage meat and artichokes - I ordinarily gravitate towards a blue cheese & bacon pizza, so this was left of centre for me, but we were sharing so I took one for the team. It was a heavenly fusion of velvety mashed potato and subtle sausage punctuated with acidic artichokes and creamy mozzarella. I've always been underwhelmed by mozzarella, but Stefano uses cows milk mozzarella - not the hipster buffalo mozzarella - and the flavour profile is quite pronounced. You'll never want buffalo mozzarella again!
I ordered the pork belly with rosemary and garlic - always a winning combination for me, which was melt in your mouth satisfaction with a comforting herbal infusion. I generally don't eat carbs, but after a taste of the squid ink taglioni with prawns & basil pesto, I swear that had there been bread on the table I would have mopped my friend's plate clean, just to experience the essence of their prawns and basic. Someone ordered the gnochi with wild mushrooms and truffle paste (I can't touch gnochi either) but they swooned over it.
They offer a selection of desserts, but I opted for the lightest option available - a delightfully citrus-y lemon sorbet - both a palate cleanser and perfectly sufficient to end the evening with a sweet.
Best memory of Pomodoro Ristorante? Enjoying the leftover pizza for breakfast the next morning - and I look forward to more!
It's bellissimo!
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
I truly believe that pastas make the world a better place, and this good people is one of them // This restaurant has consistently been one of my favorites and I hadn't been in such a long time but was so pleased that I returned to the same standard, maybe even a little better. My food was really enjoyable, the sauce was a perfect creamy mushroom sauce, the absence of meat wasn't even noticeable. It all just worked really well in my tummy.
It's a cute little Italian restaurant, that has the most versatile menu. It has really great portions. It's cosy, so going there during winter wouldn't destroy your life. It has a nice scenery. For a small space, the restaurant really made seating arrangements work out for everyone.
Its a vibe that caters for most, It's appropriate enough for mature casual meetings, but there were also a group of girls that looked like they were having a girls night out, a company get together, and normal date nights. It's pretty down for everyone.
I came here for dinner on Friday, so it was really busy, so the service was quite slow. We waited for what felt like forever for our meals to arrive. Thankfully it was worth the wait. So if you're going to come here, come on a not so popular night.
Overall, dope please to eat at. I was really full, but I still pushed myself to finish my meal. I told you guys I was good at eating.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Best meal I/we have had in ages. Tonight, 3 January 2017, my parents, myself and boyfriend celebrated my mom's birthday at Pomodoro.
I had only been to Pomodoro once before many years ago I recalled it being very good. Very good doesn't even begin to describe the epicness that was tonight's meal. We ordered a foccacia to start, mains were as follows, my dad ordered the crumbed veal, my boyfriend ordered the line fish, I ordered the seafood pasta and my mom ordered the pasta with the olives, tomato and flor de late mozzarella. Once the food arrived my mom's food was cold we sent it back and when it returned it was a fresh bowl of pasta and it was perfect.
Everyone was super happy with their meal. Mine was phenomenal one of the best pasta dishes I have ever had. It was one of the best meals we have all had.
To top it off we had the most scrumptious dessert, I had the chocolate mousse, my mom had the crepe suzette (my mom never has dessert) and my boyfriend has the chocolate fondant. Wow, just wow what an unbelievable night of food!!
You'll definitely see us again!!!
Great food. Something for everyone's taste - vegetarian, white or red meat. Good selection of wine. Enjoyable ambiance. Good for a quiet twosome dinner or more. Attentive attendants.
One of my favourite places to take friends.
Cosy restaurant with a traditional Italian cafe kind of feel to it. Food is good, pizzas are perfect size for sharing. Service can be a bit slow but the staff is very friendly.
Nuno Goncalo Bandeiras
+4.5
I love the risotto from Pomodo and the environment is very cosy. And the offer of the focaccia with the sauce tomato, cheese and home chilli is very coll too. And the staff is 5 stars
Great Italian restaurant. Nice vibe. Excellent quality food with good service. The mushroom risotto is my favourite dish. And my hubby loves the salmon pasta. Try the butternut mash - it's delightful!
Marentia Van Kasterop
+3.5
Pomodoro is a nice restaurant in the Morningside shopping mall. Luckily you don't really need to enter the mall. The restaurant is situated on the side of the mall and its quite open.
The pizza was good...... really good! Thin crust but not soggy at all. And they did not skimp on the toppings at all.
A good experience 😄😄
Had dinner at Pomodoro last night. Ordered the pan fried chicken breast with mushroom and truffle sauce. Service was great and food arrived quickly. The food was excellent, chicken breast soft and tender and the mushrooms and truffle sauce just made the dish. Lovely Italian restaurant with a wide variety of dishes to choose from.
Melanzane was very good , fresh ingredients and freshly made , the porcinini mushroom risotto was one of the best I have had ,it did however have a pinch too much salt for my taste. Waiters very friendly but not good on timing to attend
Had a wonderful meal with family there. Our waiter was Mandla who was very responsive to requests and had good knowledge of the menu. The owner Stefano came and greeted each table which is really great that an owner takes the time and effort to do this. There was a small issue with regards to the amount of prawns in the dish ordered which Stefano explained that the portions come pre-packed per serving. The issue was well handled by Stefano and he charged us for only a half portion. All starters and mains, other than the issue raised, were absolutely delicious. I will definitely recommend and visit again.
Had Friday lunch with clients who highly recommended the place. I really enjoyed the service and the food. I was in the mood for seafood and since this was an Italian restaurant I tried the spicy prawn pizza. I was not let down by the thin based pizza and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Prices are decent and if you are in the area it is worth a try.
The food is good, I enjoy the inside/outside dining feeling that they have created. They do a great pizza. Portion sizes have become slightly smaller than I remember but still a good choice when you feel like Italian.
Just had a lovely lunch here. Hadn't been for quite a while. Good friendly service. Lovely anti-pasti for two. Small but well thought-out wine list. Caprese salad was lovely. Good, fresh Fior de Latte and crisp tomatoes. Generous portion of deli meats on the anti-pasti misto. Yummy calamari. Highly recommend.
Dinner at Pomodoro Ristorante at Morningside Shopping Centre is always a lovely treat. The chef and owner Stefano is one of those guys that will come out and greet you and tell you about the dishes that he is preparing and what he has been experimenting with and where he gets his inspiration from. It just makes that dining experience so much more personal and intimate.
Food is always excellent and service good-would recommend the pork chops and fillet ruccola (our standard order) at least once a week :-) pizza's and risottos are also delicious
Fantastic! Great service. Great food.
I had the most delicious home made papperdelle with wild mushrooms and olive oil off the specials menu. Their chocolate mousse is smooth and decadent and definitely worth the calories!
Delicious pizzas, the base is thin and crisp with a slightly sweet tomato base. The pastas are simply good, and the desserts are too bad either 😜 warming, friendly atmosphere
This place is great for taking some friends. It has a very homely vibe which I thought was great. Great service too. And the food was on par with the service. I had the lamb chops and it was really good.
Stephano suggested THE MOST AMAZING dish ever. Had the gnocchi and truffle special for dinner. Was sad to take the last bite... IT WAS THE BEST IVE HAD!!
We have been here twice in the past two weeks. Great ambience and service. It's always busy so I would recommend making a reservation.
I would definitely recommend the melanzane for starters. It wasnt as rich as melanzanes I have had elsewhere and attention to detail amazing
There is homemade pasta which is always a winner. A word of warning though creamy really does mean creamy. Their pizzas are delicious and reasonably priced. Definitely coming back
This was the first restaurant that me and my two friends went to have lunch after coming to Johannesburg for the first time. We were living in Duo Via Centrale, Morning side and we just took a walk and came into morning side shopping Centre. We picked Pomodoro and we absolutely loved it. And I always recommend my friends to go to Pomodoro for a good meal.
I still remember ordering the Pizza with grilled chicken, mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes and garlic. The Name was too long and i was having hard time pronouncing it and my friends was having a laugh. Then I ordered a Pesto Pasta and tiramisu. Totally worth spending and eating here. I have returned here many times and The food would be always fresh, tasty and excellent. I recommend this if you want to have a tasty lunch/dinner.
This is a week in and week out favourite of my wife and mine. We enjoy the vibey atmosphere and friendly service. Also often just stop by for takeout Pizza and are not disappointed. In particular the La Pizza quattro stagioni and La Pizza con parma e ruculo are outstanding. The tagliolini al salmone is also a rich creamy and very delicious choice for a sit down. Great wine selection.
Excellent ambience for a casual dining experience to enjoy some good Italian cuisine . Service is always good with very welcoming staff around trying to please your needs.
Ordered the Ravioli Di gamberi which is a home made ravioli filled with a prawn and basil mouse served with beurre-Blanc sauce. A bit of a tricky dish as the prawns need to be cooked well or else you will feel it a bit like a sushi dish in pasta. The pasta was well cooked with the sauce a bit rich for the helping however full of wonderful flavours for your palette. The prawns on the other hand was a bit of a let down as it was not fully cooked leaving a bit of a raw feel in your mouth. All in all I did enjoy the pasta and sauce but recommend a starter dish on this one mainly because of the richness of this amazing sauce.
We were on this side of town and as zomato friends rated this restaurant so highly,we decided to try it. We were not disappointed, from the friendly waiter to the excellent food,tasty and fresh. Unfortunately there was no water in the centre,and when I asked for water they couldn't give it to me,they should of just open a bottled water to satisfy us.but never the less if we are ever back on this side I will go back
First visit, had pastas. Food presentation was fantastic, very appetising. Taste was as good as looked. Thumbs up! A bottle of water was too expensive. I wish I had a choice of locally bottled water that would be cheaper than Italian one.
I have had light lunches here before but the dinner that greeted our group last night was beyond compare. The venue is warm and cosy inside, service was good and the owner/chef Stefano, made us all feel at home in his "home". From the homemade squid ink pasta, to the chorizo and mozzarella pizza starters all the way to the braised pork belly and mash, the tastes were exquisite and unique and paired with Dieu Donne wines made for ab unforgettable experience. Such love and care have gone in to this menu - highly recommended for a tasty, classy dinner..or lunch.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Pomodoro Ristorante is situated at the Morningside Shopping Centre just off of Rivonia in Johannesburg. A quaint little Italian restaurant that oozes a modern & chic environment whilst upholding a upmarket feel.
The owner & chef Stefano was there to welcome a few of us to his establishment and explained a little bit about himself. An extremely knowledgable & passionate individual when it comes to food, as one can imagine living in many parts of the world and how different cultures would influence his cooking style & techniques.
One thing that I always love when I sit down at a restaurant is when the server will ask if we would like a bottle of water whilst we wait and decide on what we would like to drink. (This doesn’t happen often, but it did happen at Pomodoro.)
Starting off with a ‘pre-starter’ – Margherita pizza. Extremely light base and generous with the cheese.
Moving on to our starters
– Crumbed Grilled Calamari, gives off the illusion that it has been fried in a crispy batter, yet it has been grilled, without overcooking it and making it feel like you are chewing on a piece of rubber.
– Beef Carpaccio, delicately sliced pieces of beef with fresh mushrooms and parmesan shavings make a delightful and flavoursome dish.
The 1st set of main meals – 3 Pasta Dishes
I can’t decide which one of these are my favourite.
The 1st – Porcini Mushroom Tagliatelle. Dried porcini mushrooms are infused with a Chivas Regal Whisky served with a fresh and light creamy sauce.
The 2nd – Lamb & Tomato based Rigatoni. I believe this would make a wonderful dish in the colder winter months where the soft lamb and tomato just come together so well.
The 3rd – Spinach Ricotta with Goat Cheese & Truffle Oil. I am a spinach lover, so this dish was superb for me being paired with that goat cheese. The truffle oil just adds a bit of a different element of surprise to the dish which one would not expect.
The 2nd set of main meals –
The 1st – Pan fried Veal Liver & Caramelised onions served with a potato puree. What I loved with this dish is that the potato puree was not super fine, but still full of texture.
The 2nd – A medium rare T-bone prepared with only coarse salt and rosemary oil. You would think that it is very plain. And yes. It may be so. But, those flavours are just incredible. So if you are a meat lover. This one is for you.
Finally on to the desserts –
- Panna Cota with Vanilla & Wild Berry Coulis. A fresh and tasty combination after any meal.
- Chocolate Fondant that will make you salivate just looking at it.
Naturally, wine was flowing the whole night. And there is a wide variety of wines to choose from and Stefano will always recommend the best wine to accompany your meal.
All in all, this was a wonderful experience. Amazing service. A chef who knows exactly what he is talking about and will actually make the right suggestions for you. I’m definitely going back.
We live coming to this restaurant and it’s starting to feel like home in terms of great food and being made to feel at home. They recently had a little revamp but have not lost any of the feeling and cosines.
I love the way all the restaurants located next to each other in this shopping centre have now been "blocked" off from each other as it makes it feel more cosy and it gives each restaurant its own character.
The food was really great. I usually have the home made tagliatelle with slow cooked veal and beef ragu and we also had the fettuccine in a slow cooked mushroom sauce with the chicken (vs ham) option. Both dishes were well prepared and delicious and also huge; we battled to finish it but it was so good we tried.
The vibe in the restaurant works well and it's not too noisy in spite of it being very full.
I will continue to visit and enjoy the great food and vibe and friendliness.
.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
After an exhilarating Turkish shave & cut, we opted to have lunch next door at Pomodoro.
We were welcomed by manager and waiter on arrival and given a choice of tables outside on the patio. It was a sticky hot Sunday but the coolness of sitting outside went down very well.
The decor is a sort of modern maybe Italian something. It neither resembled the decor of the restaurants I visited in Rome or in Alba or in Turino.
We had a table salad of green leaves, pear, pecorino & almonds with a honey, truffle vinaigrette. It was crisp and refreshing and pretty yummy.
For mains I had a rigatoni with tomato and lamb and basil. It was delicious. Lots of sauce and lamb.
My wife had the linguine with ricotta, bacon & basil. She really enjoyed it. On having a taste of her meal I think I had the winner in my dish 😀
Overall I really enjoyed the vibey atmosphere generated by the buzz of the other patrons and the meal was really good.
It didn't quite remind me of my trips to Italy but it was a pleasant & enjoyable experience & meal.
Food always great, and great atmosphere. Speciality menu always worth looking out for especially the fried risotto balls. Prawn and Basil ravioli and Fettucini with Tomato, pancetta and Ricotta also superb and the chocolate fondant is sinful
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Was invited to a group meet at Pomodoro last night and met owner/manager Stefano and was a culinary delight from start to finish.
We were a group of four and we sampled each dish with appropriate wines and seriously got a feast of traditional Italian dishes.
We had a legit margherita pizza with fior de latte mozzarella with basil which was light and crispy and a great start to whet the appetite along with some stunning Sauvignon Blanc.
There were many dishes but these were some of the highlights.
Flash grilled Falkland's calamari beautiful cooked and super tender with lovely crust and seasoning and then on to some of the main dishes.
Lamb ragu with basil and tomato with rigatoni which blew my socks off it was so good- one of the highlights of the evening as well as a creamy porcini, saffron and whisky sauce pasta with tagliatelle.
Next was the beast a T-Bone grilled with coarse salt and rosemary oil- it was one of the best steaks I've had in a while.
We had numerous other dishes but too many to mention and ended with a delightful panna cotta with berry coulis and a Belgian chocolate fondant with cream which was so good it hurt.
Some espressos to seal the deal and I was hooked, definitely be back soon.
Great atmosphere!
Great Service! Waiter was brilliant!
Very generous portions but the food was simple basic flavours, a little complexity would have really bettered the meal. I had Pizza and my family had veal and no complaints.
Desert was also very good and VERY generous.
A great meal all around.
We have been to this restaurant several times and I have yet to be disappointed. We love the decor, very funky and modern but so warm and welcoming at the same time.
My husband and I shared ostrich carpaccio to start with, the flavour was so subtle and light and paired with strong parmesan cheese and rocket, it tasted very well balanced.
I had pizza with prawns and garlic for my main which was so delicious and fresh, very pleasing on the palate. When coupled with white wine, it's a great compliment to the meal. My husband had chicken breasts with rosemary. His plate was cleared in under 10 minutes.
There was quite a wait between starters and mains but because everything is prepared so well, it's understandable.
Perfect pizza and pasta for above Sunday afternoon.
An Italian themed restaurant in a simple classy centre, choose the outdoor seating.
Friendly service as well
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Tonight, I had the most superb evening at this little gem: authentic Italian, organic wine, excellent service with a smile from Evans (our waiter) and new friends.
Onto the food:
STARTERS:
To start, we shared the Vitelli Tonnato - thinly sliced slow braised veal with a tuna, capers, anchovies and mayonnaise sauce. Really different and I was surprised that you could combine the fish taste with veal.
Melanzane alla Parmigiana - baked aubergines with Napoletana sauce, mozzarella and Parmigiana cheese.* This starter was INCREDIBLE and the perfect solution to any meat-free Monday dish.
PRIMI:
Risotto con Porcini - risotto with fresh porcini mushrooms, parsley and white wine with a touch of chilli. Simple, elegant and my favourite primi course of the evening.
Rigatoni con salsiccia e zucchini - rigatoni pasta (cooked al dente) with Italian sausage, zucchini, rosemary and cream.
SECONDI:
Filetto di pesce alla Pomodoro and the Filletto di manzo con rucola, grana e balsamico.
For me, the winner of the two dishes - Filetto di pesce - grilled kingklip fillet with sundried tomato pesto, julienne stir-friend vegetables and a home made herb sauce.
I loved it! The sundried tomato pesto made this dish for me.
DESSERT:
Mouse al cioccolato - organic Belgian chocolate mousse with chocolate disks and berry coulis.
Tiramisu - the traditional Italian finger biscuit dessert with mascarpone, coffee, and not too much rum ;).
I really liked both dishes for completely different reasons. One was particularly rich, the other light after so many heavy dishes.
And last but not least, an expresso then limoncello ;)
What a superb evening had by all eating what I realised was Stefano's traditional family recipes, tried and tested in Italy over generations.
*Recommendation: This restaurant may not have cheap Italian, but if you want the original, traditional Italian experience and food, using only the best ingredients, then Pomodoro is for you.
Overall a good experience but nothing to write home about. I had the grilled prawns in chilli oil. The prawns were slightly overcooked but they tasted good. The wine selection is good. Their dishes are on the pricey side, so unless you're the one driving the lambo you probably want to save this place for a special occasion.
A average meal at Pomadoro Mornigside , we had calamari staters and a pear salad , for mains we had pasta witch was good not great from the vongolé to the bolognese . The deserts : The chocolate fondant was over done but the crepes and chocolate mouse were great.
Ave R300/ head .
I would say an above average Italian restaurant, quite popular due to their location. Good wines available often the owner will introduce you to some different wines not on the list. Stick to the pizza and pasta, there are better places in the centre for steak, etc. good service and very friendly staff
This is my treat restaurant in every sense of the word. The Pomodoro Ristorante has a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and delicious, authentic Italian cuisine. Their pizzas and pastas are the perfect comfort food. Pomodoro even manage to make salads exciting and full of flavor! One can't visit this incredible restaurant without trying their homemade egg tagliatelle with a creamy porcini mushroom, saffron and whisky sauce followed by their decadent Chocolate Mousse with berries. Love love love this place!
Stunning place.. Hasn't failed me yet...I think the waiting staff are good.... I go to the this place often I'm big and small groups... It can get a bit noisy on the outside
Decided to try out Pomodoro on recommendation from a friend and I will be back again. I tried the spaghetti carbonara main course, which I did need to add a bit of parmesan and olive oil to, but it was delicious. It wasn't the best part of my meal though, that would go to the lemon tart for dessert which only needed a good coffee to go with it. I was pleased to see the manager walking around with a smile and also smiled myself as he said farewell to an older couple who spoke some words in Italian I wouldn't understand, but it seemed they liked the salmon... perhaps that is the next thing to try. Prices aren't cheap but it's worth paying for quality. I was there at a quiet time during lunch so had no issues with the service.
A very popular restaurant offering a number of good dishes. I tend to choose pasta over pizzas here. My favourite dishes are the ravioli. Service can be a little slow.
Completely speechless at how amazing the food is! Stephen kept checking on us and along with our waiter and owner Stefano we felt right at home. We'll definitely be returning very soon for some more exquisite food. A million thank yous.
Fine dining, Italian style restaurant with elegant decor. Tasty food with reasonable portions. Their fillet steak was so flavourful and tender and cooked to a perfect medium-well done as requested. It was so beautifully plated. The wait staff was accommodating and friendly, they paid attention to my preferences and ensured that my dining experience was nothing short of exceptional. The dim lighting and soothing background music created an upscale, relaxed atmosphere. A must-visit indeed! Lastly, their fries are to die for, crisp and light with very little oil. That was noteworthy for me
Good food but service could improve a bit. We were a large table so that was understandable. Tiramisu was underwhelming…
I love this restaurant! It's my go-to spot whether I'm dining alone, with my kids or friends. The food is consistently excellent, and it's super convenient to stop by after picking my kids up from school. We always order the best Margherita pizza, which reminds me of my time in Italy, and I can't get enough of either the veal or spinach & ricotta ravioli. The atmosphere is welcoming and cosy, and I always feel relaxed and happy there. The staff is always friendly and professional and goes above and beyond to make our experience terrific.
We ate here this is evening and I must say it was the BEST pasta we’ve had in a long time! The staff were friendly and the managers checked in on us a couple time which was reassuring and just all around lovely! Would highly recommend Pomodoro!!
Restaurant is busy, so, do reserve your table. In winter better ask for a inside table, it's much better.
Service is friendly and good...
The menu is vast and difficult to choose from: too much good stuff.
Portions are big and well served on hot dishes. Cooking time is in average 15 to 20 min... they really cook from scratch.
The Pork Chops were unforgettable...
A must visit Italian food restaurant.
Charlotte “Char” Hinga
+5
This is an excellent establishment. The staff are super friendly and their service is great. Management is very hands on and always checks in on customers. The food is so yummy from the fresh focaccia, tasty starters, delicious mains and delectable desserts. I would highly recommend them for their parmesan filet, fresh salad and the most incredible almond tart 👏🏾
Situated inside Morningside Shopping Centre. Family enjoyed all their dishes. Highly recommend the calamari dish. Service was okay although you will wait a good while for your meal.
Been twice and love it. Food is amazing and full of flavour. Be sure to try out their chilli. Waiters are mature and knowledgeable and actually care about their clients. Looking forward to my next visit.
I had a lovely lunch at Pomodoro. My food (fillet and rocket side salad with delightful complimentary focaccia) was delicious. Dumie’s friendly and efficient service made the dining experience even better. He makes a difference with a smile and a positive attitude. Even the manager and the owner stopped by my table to ensure I enjoyed my lunch. Thank you, Dumie and Pomodoro, you have a great team. I will be back soon!
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes