Our Restaurant
A relaxing place in the heart of the city!
Nonna Lina is a charming, authentic Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of Cape Town, with a rich Sardinian heritage that adds a unique touch to its culinary offerings. Established in the Gardens area, right next to the Labia Theatre and opposite the University of Cape Town, Nonna Lina offers a delightful journey into the world of Italian culture and cuisine.
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At Nonna Lina, we hold your opinions in the highest regard. Your suggestions and requests are integral to elevating your experience with us. Whether you’ve recently dined at our restaurant, enjoyed our services, or wish to share your valuable feedback, please know that we are here to lend a receptive ear.
The service was great, it just took a while to get our drinks. The food was delicious. I would say that R187 for a salad is really expensive though. I know the parmeggiano and pecan nuts are expensive, but lettuce and pears are not. And it is a salad.... Thank you, we really enjoyed it, and will come back
We had a great meal and the owner was very friendly and attentive. Looking forward to coming back and trying some more vegetarian pizzas!
food was delicious, lots of vegetarian options, and large serving sizes.
Love the Italian food , always our preferred dinning after a Labia movie
We had a thin crispy pizza, the best carbonara, meatballs and spaghetti, and ended with a delicious tiramisu. Highly recommend!
Excellent food, as always. Delicious crispy pizza, good wine (not expensive) and a tasty complementary bruschetta, with friendly service.
It was very busy but good service , food and vibe. We will return for sure
Had a lovely evening here, food was very good, large portions and our waitress was so helpful, I have severe gluten intolerance, she knew what ingredients were in the dishes. Would recommend
Pizza and Insalata Caprese like in Italy! The service was attentive and very friendly. The red wine comes at the right temperature. - Gladly again!
We always love dining here, the service is amazing, the staff friendly and the food amazing. Whatever you select off the menu is prepared with love and attention.
Delicious pizzas and artichoke salad and even more delicious tomato bruschetta to start.
The food is mediocre, the service is slow and unenthusiastic and to top it all off I saw a small rodent run across the restaurant floor. Would have been three stars, but the rat really made me question the cleanliness of the restaurant. Please deal with this ASAP
Never thought I'd be able to eat such amazing culurgiones and seadas in the heart of Cape Town!
Delightful way to spend the last evening of 2024. We were made to feel very welcome and good and service was great with a personal touch.
We really enjoy eating at the Nonna Lina Ristorante.Unfortunately, on our last visit on Saturday, 28 January 2024, an Italian man with a small posture was rather rude when asked why a liquor glass was half filled.He went on a rant, and even suggested that if the bar person had filled it that amount would be subtracted from their salary.That is not my business.We are living in South Africa 🇿🇦I reiterate that this was the first incident ever.
really friendly and respectful, good food and been about since 2003, traditional, have really spicy options and some mild ones to for the people into spice. brilliant place overall
One of the best pasta i had for a long time..the food really hás a nice touch that delights
DisappointingThe food is overpriced and not that goodThe drinks are inconsistent and over pricedThe staff seem bewildered at best and uninterested in what’s happening
What a gem of an Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of Gardens. Beautiful staff who bring that extra inviting feeling and as they converse in Italian you can feel right at home and welcomed to be there. So glad we stumbled upon Nonna Lina just before our film at the Labia! A great menu and good wine selection. Thanks for bringing Italy to us albeit for an hour or two!
Had a wonderful Italian Feast for my 60th birthday with 12 friends at Nonna Lina on Sunday. Excellent service and delicious food. Thank you for a special afternoon.
There was a large celebration party who were very loud which made conversation difficult . Could a large party be accommodated in the side yard which has few other tables ?
Went to Cousins a week ago. The food and service was not acceptable. Nonna Lina outscored them on all calls
Went to Cousins a week ago. The food and service was not acceptable. Nonna Lina outscored them on all calls
Pear salad was just amazingThe pasta dishes highly recommendedOne of the best restaurants
There is nothing nicer than a movie at the Labia and dinner at Nonna. It’s like our favourite kitchen. Always greeted warmly with a bruschetta to keep the wolves away. Food is consistently good and portions are generous. Grazie!
We had a fantastic meal, with really great service. Excellent pasta and pizza. We'll be back.
Another yummy meal and superb service.! We were early so restaurant was quiet
Always a pleasure to visit NL every time we are in Mother City…. a destination for anyone visiting CT…unique and beautiful Italian food. Recommend to all please
My friend and I had such a lovely time dining at Nonna Lina this week. The food was outstanding! I also loved that the waiter came by to offer extra Parmesan for your pasta - it was delicious. Really looking forward to eating there again when I’m back in Cape Town.
do not go here I got food poisoning from undercooked lasagne which left me ill for two weeks. We made the mistake of going twice as it was near to where we were staying however both times it was rubbish and topped off by the food poisoning. Confirm with doctors the source was indeed the food I had. Stay away.
Lovely italian restaurant. We were welcomed at the door and the food was outstanding. Our waiter wasn't very attentive, but overall a good experience.
Lovely, cozy, busy place which is definitely worth visiting. The pasta is to die for and the pizza is not too bad either with a good amount of filling. Staff were lovely, helpful and friendly. We will go back.
Most delicious gluten free pizza and pasta we have EVER had! And we have tried many! The arrabiata sauce is beyond! Yum! Treat yourself
Our go-to for delicious food, friendly (always) service and always nice and cosy!
We celebrated my daughters birthday at Nonna and was wonderful. She's been telling us about the great the pizzas were and now we experienced first hand. I am on a very strick diet for my health and they even tried to accommodate me. You will never know how much a appreciate it. The food was excellent, lovely ambiance and great service from Joseph our waiter. Even though they were very busy never felt not looked after.
Delicious meal (as always). I normally indulge in the carbonara as this is the only place I know of in Cape Town where you can get the authentic thing, but this time I was craving vitello limone and I did not regret it - it was perfect: the meat tender and flavourful, the sauce on point, the accompanying zucchini cooked just right. My dining companion declared her calamari salad stupendous.Service is always friendly and charming, but could have been a little faster in delivering the dessert. Cream on the merenguita was slightly over-whipped, but otherwise it was excellent.Excellent value for money for the quality of food you get, which is always top notch: ingredients and preparation.The wine list has sufficient variety to suit any palate or mood.The atmosphere is refreshingly unpretentious and welcoming. A little noisy inside for my taste, but most wouldn't notice.
We sat down 30 min before our movie was about to start. The manager somehow noticed this and informed us of the speedy service. After like 10min the pizza was ready and delicious. I take my hat off to this place.
Pasta gluten free with a lot of flavor. A wide variety of sauces ❤️❤️❤️ the beat italian good, typical one.
Fabulous family restaurant with delicious food and friendly service. Thank you for your consistent excellence over theMore than 10 years we’ve been visiting you.
Very good pizza and excellent service, all the tables are a bit close to each other but nice atmosphere!
Genuinely one of my favourite places to eat! Excellent pizza and friendly staff with great atmosphere!
Great place for some lovely Italian food in cape town. Staff was very helpful.
This is the genuine article - an Italian restaurant with simple but delicious food, prepared with care and served with warmth. I'll be back!
The food is always good but the waitor Lorenzo has a bit of an attitude everytime I'm there. The last time he insisted on taking our leftover pizza, which was more than half, to the kitchen as he told us we couldn't leave the pizza on the table next to us as people were coming. Not a single person arrived at the restaurant after and after we shared another bottle of wine we all left without being reminded of our takeaway box. I did not appreciate this and won't be rushing back anytime soon.
Simply a delightful place to be, and enjoyable good food and excellent service. Well managed and the total experience is one you want to return to over and over again. You quickly feel a part of the Nonna Lina family.Bravo!!
Fantastic service, great atmosphere and superb authentic Italian food.
Have been craving pizza from Nonna Lina after having been in the cultural desert of the US for too long, where all pizza, even thin base, and even at places claiming to be authentic Neapolitan eateries with real Italians (as opposed to Italian-American) working the oven, comes out just troppo panato... too bready!So had some take-away pizza - Margherita, Siciliana (grilled aubergine), and, of course, the Napoletana (anchovies!). Fortunately, we went at about 15.00 and the restaurant was quiet, so we got immediate and efficient service, and hot pizzas.The pizzas were as delicious as ever - proper thin, slightly chewy base, with a crispy, crackling crust. If you're in the area - or even if not - go to Nonna Lina for the best pizza in Cape Town. And beyond.
A quaint little favourite for a meal you know you'll love! Best choice for a pre Labia movie dinner date night!
Tasty pizza, delicious rump steak, 9/10. Would highly recommend.
Great pizza!great pasta! Great service!Little loud inside to have a nice chat but I guess it has an authentic Italian feel to it which is great!Love it
Little gem in the city! Sardinia, Italy has been my all time favourite travel destination, enjoyed the reminder of the food on menus I've seen there.
Food and service were excellent, 5 stars.Unfortunately there is a bad rodent infestation outside. While we were having dinner, we counted at least 10 small and large rats running around the tables.Will not be going back as this a food safety risk.
We always have a very pleasant dining experience at this restaurant and look forward to our next visit
Had a lovely evening food was so fresh and tasty .the waiter was super attentive
Always great. Giorgio runs a tight ship. Food is always great and service spot on. It's become our Monday night tradition. Best pizza crust outside of Italy. Zucchini/brocoli ricotta pasta is the best.
Was pretty disappointed with this place. The food kind of resembles Magica Roma in Pinelands, but double the price and half as good. Had the bresaola, hoping it would be similar to carpaccio, based off the garnishes, but it tasted like an overpriced hybrid between jerky and Parma ham, with no moisture. Ordered a Margherita with salami and ricotta, which was very bland (salami cooked into the pizza is also my preference), similar style to col cacchio, but seemingly little to no seasoning and not as crisp cheese. Lasagne, the pasta was good, bechamel was very bland and the bolognaise was stodgy, reminded me of woolworths but thicker. With 2 drinks came to R670, but doesn't come close to competing with more reasonably priced establishments like Magica Roma, Bacinis, Ferdinandos, etc.Also booked a table and was told they couldn't find our booking and we were given no seating options other than by the street. It also became quite clear that we were expected to be quick, despite the restaurant still being below half capacity in the area we had asked for by the time we'd left.The venue, on the inside, is what you'd expect from this type of Italian place, homely with no thrills. Outside by the road isn't great, right next to traffic and loiterers.Expected a better Valentine's dinner, but at least don't have to wonder about this place anymore.
Excellent meal, highly recommend the artichoke salad for the table. Always fresh, authentic Italian dishes. The fish is also superb. A favourite spot for dinner after visiting the Labia Theatre.
Best Italian food. Whether you have a pizza, pasta or delicious salad
I am disappointed.. Since when, when ordering a pizza with toppings other than a Margerita there is no cheese. Nonna Lina, I have ordered so many Margaritas from you which are so amazing that I decided to go for difference. Your Margaritas are great, thin crispy woodfired oven baked base, casera tomato base and the best quality of mozarella. Totally awesome. Until I decided to go for toppings... What happened the mozarella cheese? Because now I ordered feta with pancetta you decide to just leave out the mozarella? Is that even a thing? Would be nice to let us know first.
I can just again say - we regularly visit Nonna Lina! And we love both the food as well as the atmosphere and friendly service!
The food at Nonna Lina is excellent.It's difficult to say more. We've eaten there a few times and have always been extremely satisfied.
I so enjoy Nonna Lina, we were two people & ordered four dishes which we asked to come one at a time and shared. It was all delicious & we had a lovely evening. Our favourite dish was the Gnocchi Nonna Lina, simple homemade deliciousness - add some of the extra olive oil and towards the end a little chilli, it’s heaven. The Vitello al Mirto with the zucchini gratinate is also a wonderful dish.
Food was super, we had a large table and everything was very good. Service was also great,
The best Italian I know in Cape Town. Friendly and good service. Excellent food.
Nonna Lina is my favourite restaurant and I dine there regularly on every extended visit back to Cape Town. Exceptional food and service, the menu is constantly tempting (so many favourite dishes), and the staff are welcoming, friendly and professional.
I don't want to be mean, as we only came by to order take-aways, and everything seemed wonderfully promising. Atmosphere neat, impressive pizza oven, and the waiter was just extremely nice. Thank you.But the pizza. Really. I was stunned. Considering atmosphere and price you would expect a good pizza. But it was one of the worst I've had in a while. Taste is subjective and pizza comes in many different variations, but this one was just not great at all. If you love pizza, don't go here for pizza. It's a lost dinner.Just look at what's on the pizza for "parmesan shavings". More akin to a slice of Gouda or something. The halved cherry tomatoes where just raw and without taste. There was nothing pleasant about the whole creation.Just not for us. Maybe you like your pizza that way. No worries. We enjoy Pizza Connection, and if in town, as sad as it is, NY Slice makes a more enjoyable pie as Lina.Service was extremely nice. The other dishes surely are wonderful. Still can't believe we paid almost R400 for two pizzas of this quality.
Wanting an amazing local Italian restaurant? Missing pizza made with tipio 00? The pasta and pizzas here take me back to Tuscany.The food is outstanding! I have had the bolognese and mexicana pizza, it's beyond delicious. Don't forget the Tiramisu.
We reserved via Google Maps Platform and as always requested our usual court yard table and were greeted friendly and welcomed by Georgio and all the staff who knows us.The food is excellent as well as the service. We have come to really appreciate the Restaurant and will keep coming back.If I had to add a comment I would ask for candles, and a fully laid out tables with glasses and candles in the yard.Thank You.
They jad some of the best pizza's and pastas in Cape Town. Would 100% recommend!!!
I’ve loved Nonna Lina for years and it consistently delivers an amazing experience. Food, service and atmosphere!
Nonna Lina is our new Italian favorite - it might get boring if I praise them again every week, but this past Monday, the pasta sauces were exceptionally tasty and the artichoke salad as scrumptious as ever! The staff, the food, the music - we just love it!
A wonderful Italian restaurant. You won't be disappointed. We will be back. Thank you
Best pizza in Cape Town with super helpful, friendly service every time🖤🖤🖤
Came here to work in the afternoon, was nice and quiet. They have a lovely outside section in the back that is shaded that was great for the warm weather. The pasta was delicious and the aperol sprits was great.
A special place indeed. It was entirely an authentic Italian experience and the food was absolutely amazing! We had felt transported to Italy with the smells and the host was so welcoming and politely greeted us Buona Sera at arrival! I already knew i was gonna have a good time. Ordered the calamari starter, soft and flavourful! We ordered the Carbonara and Pasta con pisellii e prosciutto and wow amazing! We grabbed the nonna lina + ravioli to go and again, top value and authentic! The bruschetta as a welcome was a class touch! Highly recommend and cant wait to go back!
The food was delicious. We tried 2 vegetarian pizzas. They were delicious. The amount of veggies and cheese were perfect.Will definitely be back to try other items on the menu!
Very good food. Renewed my brothers belief in pizza. I was not as happy as I selected the wrong one. The pasta were both amazing 😻
A really amazing Italian restaurant. You can see that it has been here for a long time. It looks like they have a lot of long time regular customers. The food is excellent. The service was good, the waiter tired very hard and was very friendly. I would definitely go back there and I recommend this place
