Italians in Cape Town

There are many Italians in Cape Town and your kids can also learn Italian thanks to an active Italian club and also the Società Dante Aligheri organises courses and events throughout the year.  Actually about 60,000 to 70,000 Italians live in Cape Town and the main business hubs in South Africa. A big number of the Italians in South Africa actually live in Cape Town, other  active Italian communities can be found in Port Elizabeth, Durban and Johannesburg.

The Italian community in Cape Town is really active and one can find several Italian language schools in the Mother City. A variety of traditional Italian events are celebrated by the Italians living South Africa. Here as a starting point for your research you will find some tips where to meet fellow Italian expats, where to find some lovely Italian restaurants or where to buy some great Italian food in Cape Town.

Italians in Cape Town: Italian Language Classes

Italian School of Cape Town - Scuola Italiana del Capo

• 137 Hatfield Street, Gardens/Cape Town
• Tel: 021 - 465 82 61, Fax: 021 - 465 82 71. 
• Website

There is no Italian international school in Cape Town per se, however, in cooperation with the Italian Società Dante Alighieri (La Dante) there are Italian language classes at several of Cape Town’s public and private schools and classes on their own premises taught by La Dante teachers. The Scuola Italiana del Capo also offers fun cooking classes and culture programs to learn more about Italian cuisine, music, literature and history. There is also an Italian Playgroup for 1 -3 year old bambini and a nursery school. They offer holiday programs for school age children too. This is a great place to meet fellow Italians in Cape Town.

And there is a library where members of the Societa Dante Aligheri can borrow books. There are books for children, anthologies, poetry and literature sections catalogized, as well as a wide range of popular and new videos/DVDs.

Consulate of Italy in Cape Town

You will find the Italian consulate here.

• 2 Grey’s Pass, Gardens/Cape Town 8000
• Tel: 021-487 3900, Fax: 021-424 0146. 
• Website

Italians in Cape Town: Italian Clubs

There are several regional clubs in South Africa, the Cape Town club is called ICCT, but there are also smaller Italian associations like the Associazione Piemontesi or the Associazione Siciliana. Here are the contact details for the Italian Club.

Italian Club of Cape Town

• 16 Donegal St, Rugby/Milnerton,
• Tel. 021-511 5757
• Website

The Italian Club in Cape Town offers memberships and organises several activities during the year such as cultural days, concerts and picnics as well as the traditional Christmas Lunch and New Years Dance. They have active sports teams (archery, soccer, bocce, fencing and others) and a youth club.

Italian Restaurants in Cape Town

You will find numerous excellent Italian Restaurants in the Mother City. There are many Italian restaurant chains and coffee clubs, like Colcacchio (pizza chain restaurants), Primi Piatti for some breakfast or DoppioZero with several restaurants on the Cape Peninsula.

Here are just a few of great places to eat out Italian food in Cape Town:

• A Tavola: Library Square, Shop 1, Wilderness Road, Claremont, Tel: 021-671 1763

One of the newer Cape Town restaurants, it is already among the most popular Italian restaurants in the city. 

• Mario’s: 89 Main Road, Greenpoint, Tel: 021-439 6644

One of Cape Town’s most popular family restaurants rating as one the 100 top restaurants in South Africa, it is run by the Marco’s family already for 30 years.

• Balducci: Shop 6162, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, Tel: 021-421 6002

One of our favourite restaurants in Cape Town. Delicious food and great views of the Waterfront. Just to go for an espresso and one of their lovely desserts is a must when shopping at the Waterfront. Open from Noon everyday.

• Meloncino: Shop 245, V&A Waterfront

Lovely food and great pizza, which is rated by many as the best pizza in town. Vibey and great views of the Waterfront as well, as the restaurant is located on the first floor of the V&A Shopping Centre

• TreCastelli: Parklands Main Road, Village on Main, Parklands

Italian bakery providing you with Italian treats such as tiramisu, cannoli, pizzette and much more.

• Harlequin Restaurant: 281 Voortrecker Road, Parow

This popular restaurnat comes highly recommended by Cape Town's Italians and it is a great place to meet fellow Italians in the Northern Suburbs.

• Napoli's Pizzeria: 53 Main Road, Fishhoek

Another highly recommended restaurant for authentic Italian food was shared with us from one of our Italian readers:  "One thing however one must never do, is walk into his restaurant and ask for Hamburgers, Fish and Chips or Pies. Ben serves quality Italian Food, and is proud of it. Making food Ben will tell you, "Comes from the heart". 

And surely there are other great Italian places all over Cape Town, like Magica Roma in Pinelands or Mamma Roma in Blouberg, The Italian Kitchen in Tokai or La Masseria in Durbanville, Hildebrand at the Waterfront and many more.

Italians in Cape Town: Italian Delicatessen

• Giovanni’s: 103 Main Road, Green Point, Tel: 021-434 6893

Cape Town’s most famous Italian deli is definitely located in Green Point. Almost opposite the new Cape Town stadium you will find at Giovanni’s the best Italian cured meats, lovely Italian pasta, salads, breads, cheeses and much more.

• Orselli’s: Shop 35, Constantia Village Shopping Centre, Tel: 021-794 3694

Small store with a variety of fresh and imported pasta, salumi, Italian cheese and other Italian delicatessen

• Lauro House of Pasta: has moved to Napier/Western Cape, they now offer a mobile deli service at various markets and a catering service. Enquire through their Facebook page here.

There are also other smaller delis or Spar supermarkets which stock a wide variety of Italian specialities like flour, pasta, biscuits or chocolates, in various Cape Town suburbs like Milnerton, Parklands or Sea Point.

Italian-South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Italian chamber is located in Johannesburg, but there will be a new business club in Cape Town: A new club called CiaoSA was announced in June 2017 to become the new hub for Italian businesses in Cape Town.

• Cnr Regent Street & Kirkby Road, Suite 3 B - Bedford Manor Office Suites - Bedford Gardens - 2047 - Johannesburg
  Johannesburg, Gauteng 
• Tel: +27 (0)11 615 3906 / Fax: +27 (0)11 615 0682
• Website

Italian Church Service in Cape Town

The Italian Community hold their Italian service at the Roman Catholic Church in central Cape Town. They also hold the Rememberance Day Service. The service is held each year on the first Sunday of November at the Roman Catholic Cementry at Worcester.

Italian News in South Africa - not only for Italians in Cape Town

La Gazzetta del Sudafrica

Online portal with Italian news and useful links to Italian online newspapers and magazines. Here you will also find contact addresses for other Italian cultural organisations and Italian national associations in South Africa. Great source not only for Italians in Cape Town South Africa. Website

Vivere Cape Town

Online portal in Italian to support newcomers to the city with info. Website.

For various Italian Expat related events check out our ExpatCapeTown events calendar. Do you have more specific information for Italians in Cape Town? Or any questions regarding expat communities in Cape Town? Then send us a message via our contact form.

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