Review Nonna's Italian Food Bar - Sandton

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

I normally rate a place on the first visit by ordering what I know so I can accurately rate it. Service is good, seating is decently spaced. Orders do take a bit longer than I expected to arrive but that was easily covered up by the quality of the food. Nonnas Sandton gets a thumbs up from me.

The food was really great, I loved my pizza and it was pretty massive. Had half later. Cool spot for a business lunch.

Had a bad experience in June, but the manager Mohamed promised to make up the next time we went there. We took him up on his offer and visited again in August. This time we had an excellent experience on terms of service and food. The Atene pizza was excellent. Thanks Mohamed and staff. 😀

I absolutely love the newly renovated Nonna's in Sandton. The decor is stunning and the ambiance is enjoyable. It's the best halaal fine dining in Jhb in my opinion, great for a date night with your spouse.

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.

I love the food at this place the ingredients are so fresh , I had the best pasta at Nona's I highly recommend it , thank you for the great experience Nonna's will be back again soon �

the ultimate place to have your favourite dish designed the way you like it!

love the food and the atmosphere, will fully recommend, take the whole family!

It is a new way of ordering food. Fantastic good and really great price points! Food quality is good amd fresh. Very accomodating to vegetarians. And the deserts are one of a kind!

Great concept and great lasagne! Staff was friendly and helpful.

As always met with a friendly warm nature, real home-made pasta and meatballs!!! Thank you for a consistent excellent meal Antimo!

You can't just throw all the ingredients together and think you have a delicacy it takes care & LUV and taste to get it right

Best freshly made pasta I have eaten. I will definitely be back for more!

Nice place if you wanna have a quiet meal as it's not so busy, the pizza is nice..

Excellent service, great food....This is my new favorite place!

Had the most delicious, heartwarming pasta at the Sandton City branch. Worth 10 stars. Simply love this place!!

Pizza took a while to come but was well worth the wait! Yum-YUM!

Soo excited about this one! We've tasted some authentic Italian food!! Love it!!! ��

'Italy in Heaven!'

Wow! Amazing food! And usually fully Halaal places just battle to get Italian right. This is spot on!

Food was ok. Nothing grand. Service was a tad slow. Nothing to brag about. Its just another pizza/pasta place except this one doesnt have a liquor licence to get you through the evening.

Wow! The pastas were cooked to absolute perfection and tasted brilliant!!

I used to love Nonna's at the old location, the food was consistently good. It became a firm favourite for my partner and I and when they moved I didnt go back until recently. We ordered an Arrabiatta pasta and Napoli pizza. The pasta was undercooked and the sauce lacked something. The pizza was doughy and didn't have enough sauce. I'm extremely sad to give it such a poor rating because it was one of my favourite Italian restaurants!

This used to be our favorite Italian spot. Their pizzas , baked pasta and bolognese was out of this world however since change of ownership and location, we have been disappointed in the quality of food. Bolognese was very salty and pasta was over cooked. Unfortunately we have to find a new fav Italian spot.

Food has really really gone down since change of ownership... Nonna’s should look into it. Disappointing. Why is halaal food always so sad?

Absolute trash for the amount you pay . We ordered a meatball dish, the meatballs were rotten, you could actually smell them. The service was terrible.<br/>

The service is very disappointing. Took over an hour for our food to arrive, after multiple promises of just ten minutes more. The pasta was good. I just wish the service was better.

Food was really great prior to the move to Mandela Square. Since the move the food and service has become that of a generic Italian restaurant. It does not deliver the same experience

Average at best. Tried this place for lunch. Had the Arabiatta pasta and a Pizza. The 2 stars is for the pasta itself, was decently cooked. The pasta sauce was nothing special. It was an uncomfortable place to eat. The pasta was served in a pan which moved around the table when you tried to get a mouthful. The booths were uncomfortable too. Seats too low or table too high. Clearly, nobody sat down to see what it would be like to have a meal. All style and no substance. First and last time.

Service was non existent and it took an hour to receive less than average food! Not likely to be a place I revisit or recommend to family or friends

Sadly not the restaurant it was. The method of choosing food and then going tou your table has gone. One cannot get alcohol. Some of our favourite meals are off the menu. The setting is characterless, rather like the fast food part of the shopping center. We were profoundly disappointed.<br/><br/>

this restaurant has basically closed down, relocated to a different part of the centre off the square, changed ownership back to what seems to be the old Nonna Mia's and one is not able to go up and choose, or make your own pizza and pasta

I’m not a regular reviewer but this bad experience led me to write this. <br/>We used to be regulars at Nonna’s until it moved to the new location at Sandton Square. There’s a certain charm to the small cafe type vibe that has been completely lost in this new location - becoming loud and impersonal with under whelming and unprofessional service. I used to consider Nonna’s to be the best Italian in JHB but unfortunately the new management have managed to destroy everything I used to love about this establishment. <br/>The food is still good but I don’t see myself returning to this restaurant anytime soon. <br/>

Lost one star due to how long we had to wait to get in and also to get our food. <br/><br/>Waited 20 mins to get a seat. <br/>And 40 mins to get our food. <br/><br/>I will always remember this place for making me wait the LONGEST EVER in my life for food ! <br/><br/>The pizza and pasta is really nice 👍🏼<br/>Not sure if I would die to eat here again though. <br/><br/> I think it’s nice to try once and get it over with.

This visit under new management and at new location was the worse experience I have ever had at this restaurant. The food was burnt and the pasta was over cooked. The service was poor. This is definitely not 4 or above!

Ordered the beef lasagne and my food arrived utterly burnt and inedible. Pizza was very good though. Service tends to be on the slow side. Seating allocation also seems highly inefficient. Overall... Not a place I would willingly go to again.

Nonnas has moved to Sandton Square, and a most disappointing move. The awesome ambience is gone, the friendly cafe vibe is gone. I used to be something unique, but now just another average Italian restaurant. I have been a loyal customer from day 1, but no longer. The service is average at best, food brought out at 10 minute intervals is pathetic, no communication, waitress had no clue, managers rude and quite frankly the entire uniqueness is gone. Yet another loyal customer calling it quits. One good thing however, the one lady manager Gugu was great, hats off to her for great service.

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!

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

Been to Nonna's a few times before, but each time was a bit underwhelming. The concept doesn't really work well. Our food took ages to get to our table and we never got glasses for our drinks. Not really what you would expect from a pricey restaurant.

First time at Nonna's after hearing good recommendations about the place. Food and environment was great. We ordered a pizza and pasta to share. Unfortunately, during our meal I bit into something extremely hard that was very painful. To my horror, it was a small metal screw! I notified the manager who sincerely apologized and offered us not to pay for our meals. I appreciate the gesture however must raise this with the owners of the restaurant to respond to me directly. It is scary to think what might have happened if myself or another patron or child had consumed the object. From a health and safety perspective this should NEVER HAPPEN.

We had the meat lasagna al forno and the napolitana al forno. Unfortunately, both dishes were bland and lacked flavour. Not much cheese in either dish.

We used to come here a few times a week and now we will never come back. We ordered online (OrderIn) and constantly received the wrong orders, ie we liked to order penne aurora with calamari and we received something like spaghetti Napolitano. This has happened about 3 times. Our most recent visit to the branch. We received fusilli instead of penne when we clearly ordered penne. The staff member that helped us, blamed it on us.<br/>Whilst this was taken off the bill. This was dealt with by the management very poorly. ie, when the food came to the table, they acknowledged that we had ordered penne but still gave us the fusilli (and simply said sorry).<br/>This is not good enough.<br/><br/>We expected higher standards. But unfortunately we will not be back.

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 ...

Novel setup. Makes one feel involved in creating new dishes. Limited vegan options though which is disappointing. Food was tasty but pricey.

Great pasta<br/>Great pizza<br/>Great salad <br/>Great concept<br/>Home made pasta so delicious<br/>My absolute favorite Italian place<br/>Can’t get enough of this place

Unfortunately this outlet is an Islamic owner franchise, which means the quality pork ingredients one expects at Italian restaurants are not in the menu. It’s offensive to non-halal diners in the middle of SANDTON to be forced to eat the halal way. What is this world coming to, when you can’t get some lovely prosciutto ham on your pizza!!

The worst experience by Far, came for lunch today. I should record the staff screaming across the patrons while eating, not professional at all. Took 30min to order because they were to busy talking and screaming to each other. Had to order the same thing twice because they were jut listening to the customer. It felt like I was in a factory...the WORST. Don’t come because your lunch will not be pleasant

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!<br/>In a hurry to return and try their pizzas and pastas which look amazing.<br/>Desserts need some work though. The rolled ice cream is tasty but a bigger variety of toppings would be nice.<br/>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.

The tastiest array of Italian food but the service was below par. Long waiting time and delivered the wrong food. Would go back again though as the staff were very accommodating.

Amazing little spot! Went on Saturday night, and the staff was amazingly helpful, food incredibly delicious (my boyfriend - who is 100% Italian - loved it!). We ordered a plate of pasta each - the Amalfi was light and flavourful (grilled zucchini, feta, lemon - amazing combination!) and an Amatriciana which was also incredible. The basil pots on the table add such an aromatic detail to this cosy spot. The only negative is that the place is tiny, and the ceiling seems quite low (mezzanine level) so I can imagine it would feel quite claustrophobic if we went when it was busy. We landed up going after 8, which was great. Highly recommended!

A great idea for a good bar! I appreciated being able to build up your dish from the ingredients available. A major plus is that it is vegetarian friendly as well :D

It seemed a bit unorganized when we got there, and no-one explained how it works and where to order. After we figured it out, it definitely turned out to be one of the best pasta and pizza places we've been to. Loved it!

Found this little gem with my (8 yr old) daughter! WOW! It was the best pizza I think I’ve ever had (& it was “just” a margarita- my daughter’s fussier than Donald Trump is thin skinned) & top that with her Strawberry Candyfloss milkshakes - best milkshake EVER (her words) & then - just to blow our minds - we watched her vanilla, Oreo & whisper ice cream being made right in front of us! Best Mom & Daughter lunch ever!!<br/><br/>See our YouTube review @ https://youtu.be/tKKriUAHlao 🦄

An Italian restaurant with no ham on the menu 😳 Really crazy ! Had a pizza which was ok nothing special - setting is nice for a shopping centre restaurant and staff helpful and friendly. Glass of wine way over priced for a self service place. Overall experience Just OK<br/>

Went to Nonna’s today with some girlfriends & cannot believe I’ve never heard of this place!! You order from a counter & then are seated while your food is prepared. Honestly, this is by far the best pasta I have had in South Africa. You can mix & match your own pasta or order straight from their standard options. We had such a good time I forgot to take pictures, but the portions are large & Pasta is made in-house. Can’t wait to return, great job!

Create your own pizza or pasta ... awesomeness! Plus they make the ice cream right in front of you... love it! <br/>Bold flavors and big portions, will be back;)

Very nice and convenient, whether it’s a meal after shopping or just before a movie. Small and intimate space. The pizza is very nice and the make your own pizza menu is simple and the staff very helpful.

I love the whole concept of this restuarant. It is not meant to be a luxurious Italian restaurant, It is a food bar-like restuarant and delivers excellent service for the type of restaurant that it is. <br/>Service is quick which makes it very ideal to pop by for a bite or to hang out with your friends.<br/>Your ability to create your own food is a fantastic touch.<br/>We ordered two pastas from the menu and personalised a calamari pizza. The chicken Alfredo was average in comparison to others i have had, and the other two dishes were very tasty with the pasta cooked to perfection. The portions are generous and the payment system is easy and convenient.<br/>Overall it has a great casual dining type atmosphere that can get a little noisy but I will surely return for more convenient Italian goodness.

Amazing food, great service, what a vibe! You can’t even describe how good it is! Nice Layout, friendly staff. Big Variety, great that the bill is kept on a card. This really is the best restaurant!

The build your own meal concept is inviting and interesting. I enjoy trying different ingredients in my pasta so this restaurant serves me well. Nonna’s Italian has few tables and the decor is simple, but you can find cocktails to ice cream scrolls over and above the hand made pasta, pizza and sandwiches. I like the concept. The food we had was delicious comfort food. The portion sizes are fairly large. Quiet like the fact that the pizza is square and not round. <br/><br/>This place is a food bar and not a restaurant as you have to get up from your table, choose your food and place the order. The concept is different but good.

Where to start... upon arrival we were not greeted by friendly staff, rather ignored for 5min before being helped. We then proceeded to order our meals. I created my own pizza with my girlfriend going for one of their originals. Both pizzas lacked a powerful punch of flavour... the bases were thick and doughy. Our waitress never came to greet us once we sat, did not offer a drink, while making a fuss over other customers. To cap it all off, lady came into the restaurant with her shopping trolley and baby to speak to her friends. In an already cramped place I did not enjoy someone standing over me and chatting loudly. I did not enjoy my time here, will not consider going back!

Attented the Nonna’s as per recommendation of friends. On arrival our waitress seemed “confussed” and when asked for the Ruby Fruit G&T she had to take the menu with her as it seemed she did not understand this “drink” <br/>Then my order was messed up - I ordered a Focaccia that required sea salt, tomatoes, basil & cheese - well I was presented a plain Focaccia with tomatoes. I send it back asking for my Basil which I was told “sorry there was no fresh Basil available thus we the chef did not add it....”<br/>Wow - I was shocked. Um since when do you as chef decide NOT to add something but then not tell / ask the client that is paying “sorry we are out would you mind ordering another item” and then he still has an attitude when I request my original order <br/><br/>Nonna’s will not see me again - over priced and under delivered and not worth my while<br/><br/>Been to other Italian restaurants with much better priced valued food<br/><br/>Ciao

Been here a few times. Good fresh food. The portions are just right. I do prefer the pizzas to the pastas. Try their milkshakes...to die for!

I ordered a chicken and mushroom pasta via UberEats, which was oily, under-seasoned and terribly mediocre for the price. I will not be back.

Last weekend, while at Sandton City we decided to give Nonna's Italian a try.<br/><br/>The food bar offers a different concept, of building your own pasta and pizza with a variety of ingredients to choose from. Their pizza sizes are incredibly large and are delicious. <br/><br/>We were a table of 4 and had ordered two pasta's and two pizza's.The food ordered was delicious, however our table did not enjoy the cannelloni dish (filled with ricotta and spinach). Both pizza's and pastas are presented in large servingware and this became a challenge because the Food Bar's tables are quite small.<br/><br/>After you order at the cashier, you receive a food card, which you take back to a cashier to pay with after you have eaten.<br/><br/>Service is pretty average, with a vibe of a take-away joint.

The restaurant has a good concept.We had the bari pizza, de fungi pasta and strawberry candyfloss milkshake. The food was delicious and the service was prompt.

Definitely my new favourite in Sandton City. I love the build- your-own meal concept and the food is tasty and fresh. We ended up sharing the huge pizza between the 4 of us which proved to be economical and left us with enough funds for the ice cream scrolls for dessert.

I really enjoyed the pasta and pizza from here. I've eaten here atleast 3 times already and I have enjoyed the food each time. The service is slightly average but overall the food is really good.

Really love the concept of this store. It's self service in a way and I really like that it's so fast and efficient. The space is decorated well with modern finishes. The food is amazing. Fresh ingredients and dishes are full of flavor. Definitely one of my favorites at Sandton City.

Awesome dining experience. Food was fresh tasty and wholesome. We are meat eaters but ordered the Napoli pizza and spinach cannelloni. Servings are huge definitely recommend sharing. Simply delicious. They were out of the strawberry milkshake so we had the vanilla milkshake. We had two. The first with the cupcake and the second without. I preferred it without.

Fantastic food with a very relaxed atmosphere. You can create your own pizza or pasta masterpiece. Great place for lunch in Sandton City and the prices are also reasonable.

Amazing pizza and pasta! Loved the creativity in building your own dish. The service was good, very friendly staff! A definite place to check out if you are craving good Italian good.

I ordered from Nonna's previously and was really impressed with the food. I ordered a take away and the meal was amazing. Today I ordered another take away this time in person from the store and it was exactly the same meal. I built my own pasta with Prawns being the only non-veg item in it and all I got was 4 prawns. The last time I had way more. Feeling a bit ripped off.

I ordered pizza through UberEATS. The pizza was nice but just extremely oily. We even had to dab some serviettes on it to soak up the oil. The size of the pizza was good and I enjoy that it is in a rectangular shape-a welcome change to the traditional pizza pie. I would order from here again if I was hungry but it wouldn't be a first choice

Fresh pasta and good sauces makes this a place revisiting. Friendly service and Heineken available on tab with a decent selection of wine per glass. Would definitely come back. Minor oversight - ordered my pasta bolognaise with truffle oil and they forgot to add the oil. Was refunded he surcharge.

I stopped in for a quick meal and loved the concept of making your own pasta. The pasta was cooked al dente and was full of flavour. The sandwiches were delicious too.

Excellent pasta - pizza joint with superb options and generous portions. Can't wait to get back here :) highly rate the spinach pasta - all shapes and sizes

I've been dying to come here - food looks delicious! My favorite Italian dish is Melazane Parmigiana- I ordered this and it was delicious! Quick and also friendly informative staff!

I love the vibe of the restaurant, it has a cozy feeling to it. The waitrons were very friendly. <br/><br/>The process of ordering the food and receiving the food took no longer than 10 minutes. <br/><br/>Seeing "build your own" pasta for the first time was wonderful. They also had the option of spinach pasta was wonderful (I like green foods!)<br/><br/>For starters, we ordered bruschetta, it was a really good. Can't complain.<br/><br/>I ordered spinach penne with Aglio olio base with extra pesto and chicken. It was one of the best pastas I have ever had. Very flavourful. If you like "green flavours" I would recommend this combination!<br/><br/>We also ordered the classic spaghetti Polpetta , which is basically spaghetti bolognaise. It was Bursting with with flavour, absolutely delicious.<br/><br/>Downside : the pasta unfortunately wasn't cooked enough, but after raising the problem to the waitress , she's politely took it away and quickly brought It back cooked properly.<br/>

Absolutely fantastic! At first the concept is slightly weird but when you're used to it it works great. Pastas are of the highest quality and brings a modern spin to the traditional cream base. Everything from here purports to be worth a shot

Got takeaways from Nonnas and was very happy. Lovely menu plus great make your own pasta options. Very big portion size and lovely fresh ingredients used. Would try it again and hopefully try at the restaurant soon!

My mom and I had just finished walking around Sandton and decided to try something new. We saw this cute trendy looking place and thought we'd give it a try. <br/><br/>We walked in and were greeted and then taken to a table to be seated. We then stayed sitting for quite a while and started getting a bit agitated as we had not yet been served. This was when we realized it works on a self service system. This wasn't clearly explained to us and it caused a lot of confusion. All is good though because the amazing and tasty food made up for the bad start. The panini was devoured, with no visible crumbs left. Everything is made fresh and tastes delicious. <br/><br/>It was a bit pricy, but then again all the ingredients are up to standard.<br/><br/>If you have no yet given this place a try, I would recommend it for something on the go.

Came to Nonna to have some lunch with the hubby. Ordered a foccacia and made up my own pasta. My pasta included chillies, chives, prawns, garlic and Rosa tomatos. I would rate the pasta 1/5 and the foccacia 2/5. <br/><br/>Both the foccacia and the pasta had to be doused with more chillies, garlic and parmigiano. The Napolitana sauce had no body to it and it lacked depth and flavour. <br/><br/>The restaurants attempt at making it a food bar that runs on people ordering from the counter with people having the option to watch how the food is made is a poor attempt. Especially because you can see just how unhygienic everything is. The service is poor and the prices steep, also the silly order card does not make anything easier, instead it is a little irritating . Not a place I'll be visiting again. You pay the prices you expect to get from a professional chef experience but it lacks so much. The prawns themselves had no taste and we're almost rubbery. The freshly made pasta was thick and not very tasty. <br/><br/>Don't bother spending the money and the time. You can make it at home!

Been here twice. Service poor on 1st visit & better with next. Food very mediocre on both occasions. Highly over rated. Far better food in other Italian restaurants. Would definitely not waste my money again by returning.

Okay so I've wanted to try Nonna's since they opened up in Sandton because I've only heard good things and on the 4/4/2017 I finally had the opportunity to do so.<br/><br/>Let me start off by saying that the concept is unbelievable. As a picky eater, being able to choose exactly what I wanted and didn't want in my pasta made the experience so different and so worthwhile. It was a dish made especially for my personal wants and I really like that. There's not a lot of restaurants where you can create your own pizza or pasta dish from scratch.<br/><br/>The smell of freshly cooked pizza and pasta draws you in at the door. Being able to see the pasta being freshly made through a glass window is also pretty cool. <br/><br/>So I ordered a pasta with seafood and my friend ordered a more plain aglio olio pasta dish. Both of our pastas were so good. We both commented on how the flavor was just so perfect and how well the pasta itself had been cooked. Probably the best pasta I have EVER had and I'm not exaggerating in the slightest.<br/><br/>The service was really good too. The waiters were friendly and very attentive. Another thing I just thought I'd comment on is the card system and paying for your bill. I think it's such a clever concept!<br/><br/>As a lover of pasta, pizza and just Italian food in general- I HIGHLY recommend Nonna's. It is my new favorite Italian restaurant in Johannesburg and I will be back shortly for another pasta.<br/><br/>Keep doing your thing Nonna's and please open up some more stores! Such a wonderful dining experience. 🍝

Nice! Its a cool place with a very active idea but just limiting spacewise. The ice-cream is amazing and the food is good. The service and ambience is rather pleasant but delayed at time.

17.03.2017. After having such a wonderful experience at their menlyn branch I was so excited to be invited to have lunch at the Sandown branch. I was given a tour of the setup by Idan and the low down behind all the different aspects of the restaurant which make Nonnas what it is. If I could use 2 words to describe it, it would be "Italian Redefined". If you have known me for a while then you'll know Italian was previously one of my least favourite options when eating out. Lately it's becoming one of my favourites thanks to places like this.<br/><br/>I had a good chat to both Sava and Idan and I love hearing when people are passionate about their brand and the food that they produce. Sava assures me its their home recipes and this is how it's made at home. They pride themselves in fresh ingredients, high quality products and this easy on the go setup seems to be winning in sandton. There are various stations to choose from I.e. pasta / pizza / salads / sandwiches and dessert along with the added option of milkshakes, coffees and certain wines. You are given a card in which to load all your items chosen so payment in easy at the till ( and nice when you need split billing). Pastas are made fresh daily and you can see where it's made. The flour used is double zero flour which has a fine texture and much lower in gluten content ( so less bloating ). They use induction plates for making the pastas... and have preset cookers that consistently cook the pasta for a preset time so to ensure consistency throughout. I was lucky to be given a taste of all their favourite's while chatting and learning about the Nonnas brand.<br/><br/>• Greco Salad (Feta /Tomatoes /Cucumber /Olives)<br/>• Napoli Pizza (Pomodoro/ Mozzarella/ Fresh Basil) YUM<br/>• Di Mare (Napolitana / Calamari / Prawns / Mussels) Very tasty<br/>• Pesto Purple ( Extra Virgin olive oil / Garlic / Herbs / Homemade Pesto / Olives and fresh Basil) this was sadly my least favourite.<br/>• Calamari - Devine!!<br/>• Fried Zucchini - Devine...<br/>• Melanzane Alla Parmigiano - YUMMY<br/>• Ferrero Roche Milkshake - Delicious and great flavour.<br/>• Ice cream rolls - Vanilla with toppings. Huge portions so bring an appetite<br/>• Chocolate Mousse ( best ever)<br/>• Cheesecake<br/>• Tiramisu<br/><br/>THIS WAS A TRUE FEAST!<br/><br/>I must say the winners for me was the Calamari and Zucchini fries, Melanzane and the ice cream rolls and their Chocolate Mousse is heavenly.<br/><br/>You cant go wrong with a meal here and with all their takeaway ready to make meals, it helps you when you need something quick at home.<br/><br/>

Wow I love this concept! Who wouldn't want to build their own pasta? <br/><br/>We went to Nonna's before a movie, it's the perfect eat & go places either for lunch or dinner! If your not in the mood for pasta, you can build your own pizza or salad. <br/><br/>Go ahead try this place out!!!

Nice and quick Italian food when you need a quick lunch or dinner! My son loves their rolled up ice cream, the portion size it huge, and my favorite dish is the seafood pasta 🍝 yum yum yummy 😋

Fantastic! Just the kind of franchise I have been hoping for. Pasta is an Italian institution, and a pasta bar that makes 'homemade' pasta gives the food the praise it deserves. For those who don't know, handmade pasta traditionally uses ingredients that turn foul after a few days... So it's pretty different from the hard, dry rubbish used by other restaurants and in your home kitchen. Nonna's makes clever use of the 'self-serving' scheme, making it feel like the most homely, gourmet, up-market fast food joint in Sandton. It's anything but; the simple ingredients used in pastas, pizzas, salads and paninis does the great service, and cute, clean restaurant, justice. Take your better-half, family and friends for a tasty bite... You won't be disappointed!

The relocated restaurant is terrible. I used to love the old one but don’t have anything good to say about this one. The location is bad and you are sitting in the shopping centre. The food took forever to arrive.<br/><br/>The owner was extremely rude to the staff. Lack of quality ingredients - they aren’t using the same tomatoes that the original Nonnas did. Small menu selection - no truffle oil on the menu.<br/><br/>The portions of the pastas were smaller and bland. No taste at all. Ate there once, would not return or recommend to anyone.<br/>

Went for dinner and left knowing I've found my new favorite local pasta joint. The service was exceptional and the pasta was extraordinary! Will definitely be back for more 😁😁

I love being able to choose what goes into my food! This place is quick and easy. <br/><br/>Build your own pasta cooked right in front of you. Pick the type of freshly made pasta you want, pair it with a sauce (cream, napoletana, or aglio olio), then you can go wild with toppings ranging from calamari to Olives etc. It can become a little pricey depending on how many toppings you include but the portions are huge. <br/><br/>I took my order to go and it was delicious for both lunch and dinner. There is just something about freshly made pasta. I also remember reading something about them preparing take away orders and giving them to you near the parking so you don't need to go in....perhaps something to follow up on. <br/><br/>If pasta is not your cup of tea they also have build your own pizzas, sandwiches and salads. <br/><br/><br/>For those of you having trouble locating the restaurant (like me) it's opposite the bread basket.

Tug of war on this one.<br/><br/>So we tried Nonna's two times to make sure we give them a proper review.<br/><br/>The food is out of this world. The pizzas are delicious every time and can be absolutely HUGE if you want it to be. The pasta comes in a big dish so you know you are getting enough and is just packed full of flavour.<br/>The dessert is also a notch above other desserts. The food is just amazing.<br/><br/>The atmosphere is cosy and clean with a slight tone of rustic if you will. The really fun thing about Nonna's is the way everything works. You get a card and every time you order something you scan your card and at the end of the day you just give them your card and pay the damage.  Nothing spectacular, but really fun and kids sure enjoy it.<br/><br/>Both times we were there the service wasn't what it should be. You can see the manager really tries to up the service but the waiters seem like they don't give a damn. <br/>The second time we were there the service was garbage. Their system went offline so the whole order with card thing didn't work, so everything that was already ordered was lost. Our waiter came to our table and just went through everything we ordered and wrote it down, not a problem, but while we were eating she came again because she "didn't write it down" but she did. When we went to pay the bill there were extras on it that we didn't order or mention to her. This was just a really crappy experience.<br/><br/>We would also like to add that Nonna's is a bit expensive. A medium pizza base is like R70 and each ingredient you add is another R20, so before you know it your pizza is costing you R200.<br/><br/>Anyway, this place has amazing food and that is why we recommend it, but we do feel that Nonna's is still a bit rough around the edges.<br/><br/>Nonna's gets Two Tasty Tummies stamp of approval

This is our favourite go to place. The pasta is so fresh .<br/><br/>Have ordered the prawn pasta as well as the chicken and mushroom<br/><br/>The chicken is halaal and no pork is served here so safe.<br/><br/>All pasta is made on premises . The portions are huge and is priced well.<br/><br/>Have also had the foccacia starter.<br/><br/>Order system is easy. Tap and go. <br/><br/>The rolled ice cream scrolls is a hit with the kids..too creamy in my opinion but they love. The portion is huge and they almost never finish it.

Superb homemade pasta, great "build your own" menu. Really nice idea, deserves to do well.<br/><br/>Only negatives: staff were a bit disorganized but it's understandable since the restaurant just opened, I'm <br/>sure they get into a better rhythm soon. <br/><br/>Also please give parmigiano with the take away orders! I asked the guy serving me if it's included and he said yes (thinking I meant in the sauce). I'll happily pay extra even, but you can't have pasta (especially pasta this good!) without parmigiano!<br/><br/>Otherwise a fantastic place, looking forward to visiting again soon!

What an amazing place to eat. As a bunch of Italians, we all gave this a massive stamp of approval!! We were a party of 5, and every single one of us had an awesome dining experience. We had pizza, as well as fresh pasta. The fresh pasta was cooked perfect al dente and the sauces were fantastic. Everything about their food was on point. Honestly, the pizza was the best I've had in ages! All this coupled with a cool trendy street cafe' vibe, means I can't wait to go back!!

Had dinner at nonnas last night with my son Grant and his wife, it was an amazing dining experience having fresh made pasta with our meals then we ordered pizza and I must say BEST PIZZA EVER so if you want to eat good Italian food Nonna's is really good food and this comes from an Italian Gaetano (that's me) go for it

What an unexpected authentic gem in the middle of the ever busy Sandton City shopping mall. I loved the assisted self service concept which puts the diner in complete control of their eating experience - from drinks to desserts, you are encouraged to raid their fridge which is packed full of yummies, including freshly made pasta.<br/><br/>Although the offerings at this food bar ranges from salads and antipasta to pizza and panini, we couldn't resist the pasta list. I opted for my favourite and fallback choice of theformaggio cream and have to say that it was the best cheese sauce I've had. I didn't think I would have the problem of food envy but after seeing the 'Under the Sea', I was second guessing my choice. Loaded with calamari, squid heads and other Mediterranean flavors, it was definitely dish of the day. <br/><br/>I don't usually frequent the mall scene, I have a reason to start.

I've been to Nonna's twice now and both experiences have been amazing. It's such an awesome spot and a lovely addition to the Sandton City food vibe. It's definitely a huge improvement on the restaurant that used to be there.<br/><br/>Nonna's is a fantastic concept. You are given a card and everything you order gets loaded on to the card and you then pay for everything at the end, which in my opinion, is less fuss and less hassle. It also means no more waiting for bills - once you're done with your meal, you simply take your card to the till at the front and pay.<br/><br/>They have a wide menu with 'make your own' options meaning that you can design your meal exactly the way you want it, which is great! Not only that, there are different stations where you can go and order different things and all you have to do is swipe your card. The best part of it all is that you can watch your food being made.<br/><br/>I would definitely recommend their melanzane, which is delicious and packed full of flavour. I would go back just for that. They have a quite a large selection of pizza and pasta. The large pizza is huge and more than enough for a family to share. Their pizzas are crispy thin base pizzas and have a generous amount of topping. I've also had their Chicken Al Fredo pasta, which was divine. What is noteworthy is that all of their pasta is freshly made in store.<br/><br/>On our second visit, we decided to try the ice cream rolls. They are something new and different and oh so delicious!<br/><br/>The service on both occasions was quick and the food was prepared to perfection. The manager is also super friendly and ensured that we were well taken care of on both our visits. This is definitely the place to go to if you're looking for authentic Italian food with a bit of a twist. I can't wait to go back!

Extremely impressed with the meal I had here. It was my second time here and I decided to have the seriously fresh fusilli pasta with a very flavourful aurora sauce. I finished off the meal with a cappuccino in a very generous size cup. The service was pretty up to standard considering how busy they were too.

So I was in the area, looking for a healthy spot that isnt too busy so that I could have some 'me time'. I was in Sandton City Mall, walking around and stumbled across this gem. <br/><br/>Perfect! Just perfect! I love their style vibe and way of doing things. Its a self serve. You order with an option of designing your own meal (rad). You then get given a card that has all orders in it to be paid for at the end of your visit. seat yourself and wait for your meal. Love it! <br/><br/>I am stuffed. I had a vegetable lasagne which was deeelish!!! I'm definitely coming back again. SOON.

Oh my goodness must be the best fresh pasta I have ever ever had, ingredients are fresh, just melts in your month, will definitely return, ice cream also amazing

We've been back here a few times since our initial review, and are glad to report that the food and service have both been very good each time. <br/><br/>The pizzas that we have tried have been delicious, and we look forward to trying the rest. The pasta has been good when we tried it. The fried seafood and veg have a nice crisp crust, and always benefit from n some salt. <br/><br/>Hedmond (??) is much better at leading new diners through the unique process and taking orders than others who occupy this role. <br/><br/><br/>PREVIOUS REVIEW - JANUARY 2017: <br/>The first time we tried a takeaway. The calamari was excellent; the pasta (arrabiata) was undercooked (not al dente) but the sauce was nice; the pizza (Roma) wasn't at its best once it had cooled. We resolved to try it there the next time.<br/><br/>Our second time was meant to be a quick pizza in between errands. We went with the Roma again. The pizza was better in-house. Unfortunately, it was not quick at all; the kitchen had burnt the first one, and no one had bothered communicating a delay until we queried where the food was over 30 minutes later.

Awesome concept and food is delicious! Definitely a gem and worth going to. Just wish there was a wooden pizza oven, but still great.

Amazing food. Caters for everyone. Had chicken breast with rocket salad. Home made pasta is incredible. Pizza was really tasty as well. Service was really good. Quick and easy place to have lunch during work hours

Very cool concept. Something different and new for this side of the world. The staff here are awesome! Most places don't understand how important service is. So that was refreshing. I hope they keep it up. <br/><br/>The food is very good and very reasonably priced with good portion sizes!<br/>I had the Di Mare which was very good. But people saying that it's the best pasta you'll have.... umm.. No. <br/><br/>Definitely worth a visit!<br/>Nothing negative in my experience here!

Amazing food with a huge variety to chose from. Suitable for brunch, lunch and dinner! Food is splendid and definitely leaves you craving for more. Prices are reasonable, about R120 per person. Service is good, waiters are friendly and food is also served relatively quickly. A meal must definitely be ended off with a rolled ice cream! The Nutella and Oreo combination is a killer

This little restaurant in the Sandton Shopping centre is a must try. The Four Cheese Pizza , Fried Zucchini & The Amalfi Pasta is super DELICIOUS 😍 , for dessert I tried the famous ice cream rolls ups (Simple and heavenly) , Service is great too!

Good service and a nice location in Sandton City that is away from the food court. The pizza was really fresh as it is made to order. It was really delicious. I am very keen to go back to try the pasta and lasagne dishes. This little Italian place is worth a visit.

Nonna's is a great place to pop by for a quick hearty saucy bowl of fresh pasta! We love the fact that you can watch them make your pasta and then mix up your choices right in front of you. The pasta is perfectly all dente, and the sauces are a perfect compliment. We tried the formaggio and aurora pastas and loved both. The card system that they use is a little weird and slightly unnecessary, but it's a cute try to do something different. Service was smiley 😊 Heads up- this is quite literally a 'food bar', not an actual night-out-restaurant.

The food was excellent here, and me being a vegetarian there were lots of vegetarian friendly choices on the menu! The only concern was that the food was too oily. What I enjoyed the most was the ice cream they make from scratch, it tastes different to normal ice cream and has a very unique and amazing taste!

Yummm one of the nicest self service restaurants iv ever been to. Fresh pasta my ultimate weakness. U can choose from 4 different options then choose ur sauce. The portions are huge for the price u pay. I had a prawn tagliatelle for under 100 bux was unbelievable in flavor and tons of prawns. We shared the fried fresh calamari antipasta which was outstanding also massive portions compared to some places. We loved it. Cant wait to go back to try the pannini pizza and salads really my new favorite spot.

The best eating out experience I have had in a while - this includes fancy-pants establishments. We had a salad with brinjal a, peppers, olives, and more as a starter to share - such a big portion we were satisfied after sharing it, and we both agreed it was the most delicious salad either of us has ever eaten - followed by an Arrabiata pasta for me and Fruti di Mare pasta for husband. My Arrabiata was delicious - spicy, fresh, pasta cooked to perfection - but damn, husbands Fruti di Mare - every piece of seafood in there was cooked so damn well that it could have been presented on a seafood platter. We also had desserts - I had the ice-cream rolls and husband had the tiramisu - both delicious. The total bill with a drink each came to R360 - super reasonable for starters, mains and desserts, especially considering the quality of the ingredients and the taste. The ambience was surprisingly lovely - didn't really feel like we were in a mall. We cannot wait to go back!!!!