INFO:

I’m Nick Hamman and I’m looking for the best Italian restaurant in South Africa — and I think there’s a really good chance I’ve found it, at Magica Roma in Pinelands, Cape Town. Originally established in the late 1980s by two Italians who specialised in opening restaurants and subsequently selling their shares. In 1989, Franco Zezia, hailing from Brescia in northern Italy's Lombardy region, acquired the first share. He was later joined in 1993 by Ezio De Biaggi, born in Piedmont, Italy, who purchased the remaining share, solidifying their partnership. The service and sense of warmth here was impeccable — I can't sing its praises enough. Taking the owners’ advice and letting them order for us was the best decision. We started with a traditional antipasto platter, beautifully arranged with prosciutto, marinated aubergine, calamari, fresh avocado, tomato, and warm, crusty bread. A simple but elegant celebration of texture and flavour. For mains, a second platter arrived: perfectly al dente Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino with garlic, olive oil and a gentle chilli heat; tender ribeye sliced and topped with caramelised onion and savoury sauce; and the softest, silkiest Veal Marsala in a sweet wine reduction. A side of sautéed spinach rounded it all out — and of course, it was all paired with a few beautiful bottles of Italian red. I would highly recommend checking out Magica Roma for yourself and have left their details in the caption, but if it’s not the best Italian restaurant in South Africa, you need to let me know in the comments where I’m going next?