Osteria Tarantino

Cute place with good atmosphere/vibe. The servers are nice but can’t say they’re good/fast. Lots of waiting. Not a fan of places with menus on the walls either so that gets a little taken off. Also the reservation process annoyed me, since we called on a Wednesday and asked if there was anything open, they said they were completely full until Saturday. The next day we walked by and thought we would try our luck at walking in since it was completely empty which it was most of the time and we got seated….after being rejected for not having reservations twice the week prior….even though they were empty those 2 times. So yeah complicated reservations story/process. The food was pretty good, and the experience itself was what made it good, but the plating was a bit poor, one of our pastas was server on an old pan that was chipping and beyond the point of being able to say “its part of the aesthetic.” We were gonna get desserts but the service took so long that we just asked for the bill. Was not worth the hype to be honest. But if you can manage to get in and want some alright Italian in a really cute place, try it out. I also want to clarify since I always feel terrible about leaving 3 stars and below, that I’m not trying to attack this place or its owners or anything, its a lovely place, just missed its mark for me and my particular experience.

We stayed in an VBRO about a block away from the restaurant. The home owner happened to be Italian and when we asked for recommendations for where to eat the best Italian she said Osteria Tarantino. Well, after she said her kitchen, lol. She was spot on; the food and service were very good. The owner came over several times to explain dishes and even ensured that our orders were taken before a large party so we wouldn't have to wait too long.

This is a quaint Italian style restaurant with very few seats so getting a reservation was a bit tricky but it was so worth it! The space is really small and cosy, with menus on the board. Food was incredible, service was great too. Will definitely be visiting again

Food was good. I went there by myself and i for me the service was a little too inattentive. But I would definitely recommend to go there. But better reserve a table. The place is pretty smallFood: 5/5

This is the best Italian restaurant I have ever eaten at! Thank you, Enrico and team!Food: 5/5

A fantastic place to eat in Cape Town, highly recommend you plan in advance and make a reservation here as it’s a smaller place! I had 4Ps bianco and my partner had tagliatelle and both were delicious! Serving the pasta in the pan is the way it should always be served, keeps it warm throughout the meal. Customer service was spot on and ambience was great. We wish we could have had the dinner experience there!

Another OMG hidden gem. Italian food at its best from starter to desert. Our party group had an exclusive experience. Balanced flavours a must try and experience. Cost efficient worth every cent. Meet Enrico the owner, gotta love old school cooking experience and expertise. Vegetarian options: Gluten free upon request.

Amazing restaurant and service. The owner is very friendly his name is Enrico. For starters we had octopus carpaccio and veg buratta. We had da Luca to drink and Prosecco and some burr ate. For mains gnocchi and delicious lamb pasta. Highly recommended! Great vibe very cosy for winter,

Food was decent, not exceptional. Unfortunately the service was some of the worst I have ever experienced. We arrived at the restaurant after a booking without anyone greeting us or showing us to our table. Eventually we caught someones attention and they showed us to a table for two, with one chair. I grabbed a chair myself from the outside as they were too incompetent to notice. That was the start of the night. Later when we asked for recommendations the waiter simply said "You choose what you like"... I mean?? He was just not very attentive and unfortunately spoiled a bit of our evening. I will not be returning, nor will I encourage any of my friends.

My boyfriend and I visited last week, their kitchen closes at 9 and we got there just before 8. When we got there we saw 4 empty tables inside and 1 empty table outside. We were told that the tables inside were reserved and that the only table available was outside. We didn't mind and said sure to which we were then told repeatedly that we wouldn't enjoy our food if we sat outside even though we assured the man who I presume is the owner, that we didn't mind sitting outside mind you another couple were sitting outside as well. After we felt like we weren't wanted in the space we decided to leave only to be called back as we were walking away by the owner claiming that the waiter had just said that someone miraculously cancelled and that we could sit inside. We were also 'warned' that there was a lot of pork incorporated into their menu before being shown to our table. We stayed for a meal and I found it funny how the owner did not let the other customers walking in know about the so called reservations or table bookings and they were seated without any problems. Another couple came and were seated outside with no problem and they were not told that they wouldn't enjoy their food if they sat outside. None of the customers that came in after us were warned that there is a lot of pork on the menu either. We were of course the only POC's there and the whole experience was extremely weird and uncomfortable, I have never experienced such passive-aggresive discrimination in my life - it's 2023 do better. The waiter that served us was lovely however the food was average - the pasta dishes were very watery and bland and it is not worth the price. I am very disappointed with the whole experience and definitely won't be going back.