We found this restaurant by accident while walking around Sandton City. What a great accident it was.
We were greeted before hardly reaching the door and welcomed in a friendly and helpful manner. Really was a pleasant change to the lousy service we've been getting lately at restaurants.
This restaurant is something different from the norm. It has a "coffee bar" area surrounded by black metal bar stools. It has a "food bar" area that is a long open plan kitchen with counters laden with sample wares.
There are some tables and chairs as well so you have the choice of sitting "bar" style or table style.
The recipes dates back to Sardinia were Nonna was born. When they migrated to South Africa she brought her treasured recipe book with. Filled of course with traditional family recipes for wholesome Italian family food. They started the first shop in Senderwood and now this different more modern concept in Sandton City. The rest is history…
One starts standing at the open plan counter/kitchen drooling over all the wonderful samples laid out. There is anti pasta, salads, pizza, pasta & deserts. Everything fresh and laid out for you to witness. We decided on pasta dishes. The pasta of course is homemade, in a dedicated pasta room with an observation window, right next door to the kitchen. The meal you chose is prepared and cooked fresh to order, right in front of you. Once your food is ready it is brought to you at your table, served in fantastic silver metal bowls. Beautiful.
I had a mild (I know) arrabiata with tagliatelle and it was absolutely perfect. The pasta cooked al dente, the sauce just spicy enough and the combination, absolutely mouth watering. By the way the servings are large but it tasted so good I couldn't stop eating till the bowl was swept clean.
My wife & daughter shared a Napolitano with tagliatelle and also absolutely loved it. Judging by the sauce covered mouth and chin my toddler displayed, she absolutely loved it too.
We didn't have capacity to eat anything else so we will have to return a few times to try all the options they offer. Especially the ice cream and deserts.
Overall we had a fantastic experience and meal and can't wait to go back. Wonderful family focused shared meal environment.
Best and fresh Italian food you can find in Menlyn Park Shopping Center proper fresh pasta made from scratch. We recommend this place to all my friends.
Wow! Amazing food! And usually fully Halaal places just battle to get Italian right. This is spot on!
Wow! The pastas were cooked to absolute perfection and tasted brilliant!!
Lost one star due to how long we had to wait to get in and also to get our food.
Waited 20 mins to get a seat.
And 40 mins to get our food.
I will always remember this place for making me wait the LONGEST EVER in my life for food !
The pizza and pasta is really nice 👍🏼
Not sure if I would die to eat here again though.
I think it’s nice to try once and get it over with.
The best pastas in Gauteng without question. Hands down. You will never be able to eat pasta anywhere else, the nonna’s experience will absolutely spoil you. Try anything and everything. It’s all good! They are stingy with the Parmesan though!
Sphamandla Shilubana
+4.5
Went there for lunch with 3 friends. Ordered 2 massive pizza's for a party we were having later that afternoon but decided to get some lunch while we were at it. Firstly I love the layout. Probably the best layout I've seen in all the restaurants that I've been. I like how you order your food and then given a card with a number, and drinks? Well there is a fridge right in front of you and you can choose what you want from water to beer. The staff is very friendly and the food is exceptional. We ordered pasta dishes and you are given a choice of the type of pasta they can cook for you which is also on display. The prices are fair, especially since you get good quality food and the portions are big. My friend did mention that his one mate had a party there. Can I please also say, that your pizza's are amazing too. So far, this is my favourite Italian spot and I recommend this little gem to anyone who's in Sandton for lunch or is with family
First weekend in SA, roaming in Mandela Square Mall , bumped into this place with a sudden craving for pasta . Ordered Di funghi pasta for take away ( apt for a vegetarian who don't like tomato based ) . The guy at the pasta counter was humble enough to add more pepper when I asked him for more spicy. Note they don't hv chilli flakes, never mind - as the pasta just tastes sooooo yummmm n yea qty for 1 is too big .. surely gonna go back n try out the pizza ...
Great pasta
Great pizza
Great salad
Great concept
Home made pasta so delicious
My absolute favorite Italian place
Can’t get enough of this place
We popped in for a quick bite. Unfamiliar with the setup, the friendly manager quickly explained how things work - the self-service concept. We grabbed our drinks and chose our pasta to share, the Vitello with penne. We took our seats and watched the comings and goings of other patrons- it’s quite a busy spot. The pasta was delicious, the sauce had just a hint of chili and the veal strips were a tasty accompaniment. I can’t wait to try their build-your-own pizza. Overall, service was good.
This is an almost self service restaurant. I loved the concept and enjoyed putting my meal together! The ingredients are unbelievably fresh and delicious and I enjoyed every bite of my panini!
In a hurry to return and try their pizzas and pastas which look amazing.
Desserts need some work though. The rolled ice cream is tasty but a bigger variety of toppings would be nice.
The cheesecake is served in a plastic container which looked a bit cheap
The concept is novelle where you are given a card and all orders are charged to this card. Orders are to be placed at the counter where the various food stations are set up. All the food we ordered was delicious made with the freshest quality ingredients.
We were staying in a hotel a short distance from Nelson Mandela square and decided to try Nonnas on the first night. The owner greeted us at the door and although the restaurant was very busy found us a table for two immediately. We ordered salad and pasta and some mock tails. Everything was delicious. When we were finished with our meal the owner again came by to check on us and we chatted for a good 5-10 mins. We had such a great experience we came back again two days later for lunch. Once again nothing disappointing. This place is delicious and the staff are warm and accommodating. I highly recommend this place if you are in looking for some delicious pasta and a great atmosphere!!
Would give 10 stars if I could!!
The restaurant ,Nonnas Italian Kitchen‘ offered a friendly, fast and good service. The restaurant can be quite busy. We chose a Caprese salad as a starter and a vegetarian pizza. The Pizza was good, but the dough could have been better. The portions were quite big! So you do not have to leave hungry. They also have lots of vegetarian options.
Amazing experience at Nonnas Italian Kitchen. The baked chicken Alfredo was amazing, as well as the crumbed chicken burger.
It's the best Italian restaurant by far!!! Service by Yvonne was also fantastic. She was friendly and efficient and just all-around great.
Highly recommended!!!
The food was up to standard with the chicken Alfredo being the best I have had. We ordered the crab pasta as well and it was juicy and very refreshing ..The service of the staff was lovely ..The whole vibe of the place is soothing with views of Nelson Mandela ❣️
Tasty fresh food😋
Big step up from previous owners on service and taste .manageress is hands on.
In need of a revamp ,owner said its planned.
See my previous review.
.....TERRIBLE SERVICE ...when they are busy & have another function @ square they cannot cope. Waiters have way too many tables to see too. Portions are good,the way the restaurant is spread out ,to get the attention of your waitress is very difficult. Expect a long wait for supper. We are here for over 1hr 30 min & mains only arrived now.wife had the prawn pasta very tasty but very scampy on prawns in dish like 4 pieces. Lasagne is tasty BUT way tooo saucy like a curry.
Enjoyed the Pasta Bolognese and the great service. Refreshing ambiance.
Exceptional high quality food and service. Amazing vistas from our table, modern and classy interior. Without question one of the absolute best halaal restaurants in South Africa.
Lovely lovely fully halaal place, reminded me of Italy. The food was pure Italy.
Had a window seat booth that oversees the square facing the beautiful Michaelangelo. Great service from Gibson, he facilitated the process in making the whole dinner a surprise and helped to hide and bring out the gifts. Beautiful pasta dishes (arabiatta recommended) their soft serve ice cream is also so good!
The staff were welcoming and warm. The food was delicious and well prepared. The dining area is quite spacious. Recommended to make a reservation to avoid disappointment especially in weekends
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