Nestled in the heart of Durbanville is a gem so delicious, you’ll spend your days dreaming of butternut ravioli smothered in sage butter sauce and parmesan, the simplest Margherita pizza bursting with flavour, and the juiciest burger this side of the Nothern Suburbs.
I spent the last month craving something Italian, and a store-bought pizza was not going to cut it, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Lynn Cupido.
My dreams were filled with images of fettuccine pasta dipped in a flaming parmesan cheese wheel courtesy of several Instagram reels. Creamy and cheesy goodness was the order of the day, and I had only heard wonderful things about Lupa Osteria in Durbanville – perfect for a night of Italian dining a little closer to home.
The restaurant prides itself on providing authentic Roman dining, and with the tagline: “you home away from home,” my expectations were considerably high.
Thankfully, I was not disappointed.
The Setting
I’m not entirely sure what a traditional Roman restaurant looks like, but if they all look like Lupa Osteria, then sign me up!
The décor offers a contemporary vibe with touches of rustic charm thanks to the exposed brick walls, hues of grey and black, and the large stone pizza oven as its main attraction. Large glass windows and elegant light fixtures ensure plenty of light is allowed to enter the space, which is perfect since no one enjoys eating in the dark (take note Eskom).
The Food
On to the main event – the food. I opted to make all my parmesan dreams come true by ordering the fettuccine cheese wheel, and while I would have loved an extra bit of parmesan trickling through my fettuccine, the experience and creaminess were both delightful.
But my foodie dreams did not end there. I managed to steal a few bites from friends around the table, including starters in the form of Italian Nachos. While I could kick myself for thinking we’d be receiving “traditional” nachos, I was pleasantly surprised at the dish in front of us, a crispy three-cheese ravioli – yum! I’ve also heard good things about Lupa’s seafood pasta and burgers; basically, everything on the menu is a must-try.
So, should you give Lupa Osteria a try? The simple answer is: Sì
Lupa Osteria is a delicious slice of heaven that’s grounded in South African hospitality, contemporary décor, and mouth-watering Italian cuisine. It’s heaven on a plate!
- Location: Shop 7 Village Square Mall, Queen St, Durbanville
- Contact: 087 822 1655
Also read:
Lourensford Wine Estate: a family destination that offers more than just wine
Picture: Lupa Osteria / Facebook
