The team that brought us Greek sensation Kolonaki has graced us with the Italian equivalent: Modena. In the same way that David Higgs’s Saint and Café Del Sol took creative licence with traditional Italian ideas, so the Modena team has created a kind of eclectic Italian fun fair of rich and abundant dishes.

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A seafood pasta that rivals all others, Here at Modena, we source the finest quality seafood. Book Now eatmodena.co.za #eatout #eatitalian #foodstagram #gauteng #johannesburg #foody #fooditalian #italiancuisine #love #foodphotography #foodpics #foodgasm #seafood #love #johannesburgfood #johannesburg #jozifoodie

A post shared by Modena Italian Eatery (@modenaitalian) on Jan 4, 2020 at 2:49am PST

Fast facts

Food type: Modern Italian
Cost: R160 average main meal
Parking: On the street
Star ratings: Food and drinks: 5; Service: 3; Ambience: 4

Food

The menu is divided into starters, homemade pastas, risottos, gnocchi, fish, veal, grills and ovens. Everything is made on site from scratch and the homemade pastas rival any other Italian hotspot in Joburg. The pizzas are made in a Neapolitan fashion: the dough is left to rise for 48 hours before being hand-rolled and baked in a wood-fired oven.

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Here at Modena Italian Eatery This is a personal favourite to kick start your dinner! Book Now eatmodena.co.za #jozifood #johannesburg #gauteng #foodlover #foodpics #instafood #johannesburgfood #jozifoodie #foodstagram #foodphotography #foodieseat #foodiesofinstagram #foodography #foodography

A post shared by Modena Italian Eatery (@modenaitalian) on Jan 6, 2020 at 3:30am PST

Fish dishes are unapologetically rich and OTT. The mussels in a creamy white wine sauce with leeks, celery, fennel and onion might sound like a light dish, but you’ll find yourself elbow-deep in the accompanying bread, scraping the last of the double thick cream from the bowl. Also fantastic is the porchetta stuffed with sage and onion and served on borlotti beans; the pancetta with an apple-and-fennel salad; and the chargrilled octopus with a panzanella salad and nori aïoli (one of the lighter options).

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Caprese done the Modnea Way, Using the best Quality Buffalo Mozzarella and hand-grown unique heirloom tomatoes. Book Now eatmodena.co.za #cheftable #artistsoninstagram #foodporn #foodiesofinstagram #cheflife #artoffood #foodie #foodpics #jhblive #jhb #modenaitalian #parkhurstdining #parkhurst #jozivibes #johannesburg #gauteng #visitgauteng #jhb

A post shared by Modena Italian Eatery (@modenaitalian) on Dec 7, 2019 at 11:06pm PST

Desserts are deconstructed: the signature tiramisu with mascarpone ice cream and shaved chocolate leads the way, with the panna cotta with white chocolate Aero, whey caramel and sesame brittle coming in a close second.

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Hand Rolled Tortellini made in house served with pan-seared Salmon served with a lobster bisque reduction. A special that's worth a try 🤭 Book Now eatmodena.co.za

A post shared by Modena Italian Eatery (@modenaitalian) on Dec 27, 2019 at 12:07am PST

Drinks

The wine menu is easygoing and fairly priced – it won’t break the bank and there’s something for everyone.

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Want a table? It's easy to book at a table. Simply go to eatmodena.co.za and choose a date and time. Book Now eatmodena.co.za

A post shared by Modena Italian Eatery (@modenaitalian) on Jan 7, 2020 at 3:38am PST

Service

Waiters are friendly and eager to please, but lack knowledge around the menu and the restaurant’s offerings. Some further training is needed to bring the service up to the level of the food.

Ambience

These guys really do know what they’re doing. They’ve transformed the old Vovo Telo on 4^th Avenue into a chic and stylish eatery that’s gorgeous both day and night. The muted colour scheme of soft woods, cream stucco and golden herringbone tiles is an absolute delight. No expense has been spared, yet the space doesn’t feel pretentious or uninviting.

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Modena Italian. Worth a little bit more than a light bite. Bring the family and your friends Book Now eatmodena.co.za

A post shared by Modena Italian Eatery (@modenaitalian) on Jan 5, 2020 at 6:58am PST

Best for…

Group lunches and dinners.

Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay for their meals in full. Read out full editorial policy here. 

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Brought to you by Retail Capital, sponsors of the Eat Out Retail Capital New Restaurant of the Year Award. Want to find more new restaurants in your city? Check out our new restaurants section.