The quickest way to Italy

There's no need to venture far for an authentic Italian food experience

It takes time and money to travel, so not everyone can jump on a plane quickly to taste a traditional Italian pizza, pasta or risotto. Thankfully, there's no need to venture far for an authentic Italian food experience. It's possible to find the flavours of Italy right here in South Africa, as close as your doorstep.

The inspiration: Four Seasons Taormina
As the northern hemisphere heads into summer and South Africa settles into winter, people have begun to plot their escapes. The White Lotus has Italy, particularly Sicily, on people's minds. What better way to dodge the dreary winter weather than to have your own Italian adventure at the very palace where the show was shot? San Domenico Palace is in Taormina, on the island of Sicily. At one point a convent, in 1896 Prince Cerami converted it into one of the finest hotels in Europe. In the early 1900s, it hosted guests like King Edward VII and Oscar Wilde. During World War II the hotel was bombed, but it reopened in 1946. Now, the iconic hotel is owned and operated by Four Seasons. "We are very excited to introduce our guests to the wealth of natural, cultural and gastronomic experiences in Taormina and Sicily," says general manager Lorenzo Maraviglia, "enhancing each stay with Four Seasons savoir-faire." There are 111 rooms, 43 of which are suites, with sea views and rooms overlooking Mount Etna. Some suites have a plunge pool on the terrace and there is a 21-metre infinity pool. The property has a lush garden, and you can take a tour of the hotel's art and artefacts, dating back to the 16th century. There are three restaurants in the hotel, including the Michelin-star Principe Cerami. If you're looking to explore, you'll find yourself within walking distance of the nearby town of Taormina. A short drive will get you to Ortygia Island or Agrigento and Noto, where you'll find the famous steps where The White Lotus paid homage to L'Avventura, a 1960 film by Michelangelo Antonioni. If you're thinking of travelling to enjoy a second summer, San Domenico Palace is the ideal place to escape.

A Tavola
Down an unassuming street in the suburb of Claremont, discerning diners will find A Tavola, a restaurant that's become a darling of locals and visiting foodies since it opened in 2008. The space is filled with light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the leafy cul-de-sac, making it a great place to grab a light meal during the day. At dinner, the atmosphere is more muted, akin to a traditional Italian trattoria, making it ideal for a date night or any other occasion worth celebrating in style. The menu follows a traditional structure of antipasti, primi, secondi, and dolci courses, encouraging guests to enjoy a variety of dishes. As for what to order? Follow your heart: you don't last 15 years in the restaurant industry unless all your dishes are delicious.

Location: Library Square, Wilderness Road, Claremont, Cape Town, 021 671 1763; atavola.co.za

The Cousins Trattoria
As one might guess from the name, this much-loved East City Italian eatery is owned and operated by three cousins: Luca, Simone and Andrea Biondi. Having grown up in the region of Romagna, they were inspired to address the lack of authentic Italian cuisine in Cape Town, ultimately deciding to make and share the foods they grew up with themselves. Their restaurant has developed a cult following. Despite being tucked away in a part of the city that doesn't see as much foot traffic as Bree or Kloof Street, it's frequently fully booked. How do they make the magic happenCoalition Pizza? "We make fresh pasta every morning," explains Luca. "We use only the best natural ingredients and prepare our food with love, all according to our grandmother's recipes." This dedication to their art can be seen throughout the menu and wine list, which features an impressive selection of Italian wines. If you're looking for real comfort food, want to impress your dining companions, or flex on social media, order the Cousins pasta, which is tossed in a wheel of Grana Padano cheese before serving.

Location: 3b Barrack Street, Cape Town, 083 273 9604; thecousinsrestaurant.com

Coalition Pizza
Coalition Pizza blends your local neighbourhood pizzeria with the unapologetic rawness of industrial and modern design. This fusion creates an uncomplicated and authentic restaurant - complemented by a select offering of incredible pizzas, salads and drinks. "Authenticity is what we set out to do," says Jason Cederwall, co-founder of Coalition Pizza. "We're about sticking to original recipes when making traditional Neapolitan pizza and doing the basics perfectly using only the finest ingredients available, from fior di latte mozzarella to imported Italian tomatoes. We truly believe simplicity is king." The pizza dough is naturally fermented for 48 hours and prepared in custombuilt ovens that heat up to 400 degrees Celsius, having your pizza ready in no time. Simple, fresh and flavourful ingredients - the recipe for authentic Italian pizza.

Location: Park Corner, Parkwood, Johannesburg; coalitionpizza.co.za

Dolci Café
Founded by husband-and-wife team Jackie Righi-Boyd and Clayton Boyd, Dolci Café embodies the multi-generational recipes of chef and co-owner, Jackie. What started as a small pastry shop has expanded over the years into a fully-fledged restaurant that's become a community staple for many. "Sometimes people dine with us three or four times a week, working from here in the day, and eating here with their family in the evening," Jackie says. "We love the community in the area, and let our traditional Italian cuisine speak for itself." With an ethos of slow food done the authentic way, this family-friendly restaurant prides itself on providing a home away from home. The menu is built around Jackie's favourite dishes, from delicious gnocchi to desserts that her 'Nonna' used to make in post-war Italy. If you're looking for an Italian restaurant that makes you feel like part of the family, Dolci Café is the ideal place to be.

Location: Lancaster Village, Craighall Park, Johannesburg; dolci.co.za

Club Kloof
A love of Italy and the Mediterranean has influenced how partners Shayne Schutte and Michael Carter cook, entertain and eat. With Club Kloof, they share that love with guests who eagerly devour the 'Italian-ish' fare. "We travelled to London to see how Italian food was interpreted outside of Italy and loved the strong use of colour in the restaurant interiors. We brought in Tiziana Giardini, who grew up in Milan and is the go-to paint expert, to work with us on the inside spaces," says Michael. Once the bold - and now popular on Instagram - interior shade was selected, they added multiple mirrors to bounce the designs around the space and added neon lighting to illuminate the original pressed ceilings and white tablecloths for a classic feel. Outside, the all-white effect is pleasantly minimalist, with splashes of yellow "inspired by hidden streets in Italian seaside towns." There's no better spot to indulge your Roman Holiday dreams or White Lotus fantasies over Italian-ish food, cocktails and wine.

Location: 84 Kloof Street, Cape Town; Clubkloof.com

Doughed
The story of Doughed has been shaped by circumstances. First, Italian honeymoon travels gave restaurant owners, Ishara and David Chetty, a taste of Sicilian cannoli so delicious that they enjoyed it on multiple occasions during their trip. Next, lockdown saw them experimenting with making a living from food, which included a successful pop-up dining experience in their garage - and a rather outstanding sourdough starter. Then came the availability of a restaurant space with a pizza oven, which they didn't initially see much of a use for and the rest is history. They now have a cosy restaurant with a veranda and garden that makes the most of the city's year-round al-fresco-friendly weather. Today, Doughed offers a selection of substantial pizzas with pillowy bases and flavourful toppings, as well as seasonal or spontaneous menu additions - and the cannoli, of course.

Location: 196 Gordon Road, Windermere, Durban; Instagram: @doughed_dbn

Gemelli
Gemelli's slogan is 'la famiglia prima', which means 'family first' in Italian. This encapsulates the restaurant's focus on serving hearty Italian cuisine. Founder Alessandro Khojane grew up in Rome in a large family that enjoyed entertaining. He used this background alongside his passion for food to create contemporary Italian dishes using high-quality produce. Alessandro believes that - in addition to its unique take on Italian cuisine - what makes the restaurant truly special is "the fact that Gemelli is home for many". Gemelli has quickly cemented itself as a vibrant Joburg restaurant where the decor is homely and you can taste the love that has gone into preparing every meal.

Location: 13 Posthouse Link Centre, corner Main Road, Bryanston; gemellirestaurant.co.za

Il Leone Mastrantonio
For the past 17 years, Il Leone Mastrantonio in De Waterkant has been a mainstay of the Cape Town food scene. "The energy," owner and chef, Daniel Toledo, says when asked what makes Il Leone so special, "Yes, I believe, the energy. We've been a big family for 17 years." He shares their recipe for success. "There are only fresh ingredients, freshly sourced. We use no dried herbs and spices. If it's not fresh, it's not on the menu. That, and consistency and familiarity with our customers." Most of the restaurant's staff have been at Il Leone for years, thanks to the restaurant's belief in growing skills and family values. The linguine Portofino - prawn pasta - is a must-try, but don't pass on the ragu or homemade gnocchi either.

Location: Corner of Prestwich, 22 Cobern Street, Green Point, Cape Town 021 421 0071; Instagram: @illeonemastrantonio

La Trattoria
A small-town gem that's sure to be a highlight of your weekend away, La Trattoria has gained a reputation for Italian dining that reaches far beyond the bounds of Stanford. House-made, hand-prepared pasta and sauce are made daily, and combined with fresh ingredients to create the meals that are served up with old-world hospitality. Expect to be wellacquainted with the traditions of owners Corrado Giovannetti and his son Lionello by the time you leave, but don't go far without a taste of la dolce vita from Don Gelato - available at the restaurant or the shop right next door.

Location: 23 Queen Victoria Street, Stanford, Overberg; 079 840 1084