Fast facts 

Restaurant name: Pane e Vino 

Address: Bosman’s Crossing, 7 Distillery Road, Stellenbosch 

Phone number: 021 883 8312 

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm; closed on Sundays 

Average price of a main course: R200 

Parking situation: Street parking 

Food type: Authentic Italian 

Best for: Lunch with family and friends 

Food

A blackboard highlights the offerings of the day, from parpadelle alla ragu for primo piatto (first course) to tiramisu for dessert. Don’t be put off by the Italian writing – the friendly wait staff is more than happy to provide a rundown of each dish.

The parpadelle alla ragu comes highly recommended as it’s probably the closest you’ll get to Bologna in Cape Town. The pasta is perfectly al dente and the meat sauce is flavourful and tender. Portion sizes are reasonable, so you’ll easily fit in a starter, mains and dessert. For dessert, don’t miss the torta al Caprese – a deliciously rich chocolate-and-almond cake slice.

 

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Drinks

You can enjoy a wine or grappa tasting, order a bottle of wine, or try samples of the various wines on offer.  

The latter is a great way to get a taste of Dalla Cia ‘s range of wines and “sample size” isn’t as tiny as one might normally expect.

 

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Service

Service is very friendly and welcoming. The waiters are more than willing to explain every item on the menu and to guide you if you’re overwhelmed by all the options. 

Ambience

Pane e Vino is tucked away and unassuming, but once you enter the red-bricked building, it’s like you’re swept away to a tiny wine shop or trattoria in Tuscany. Wooden tables and wine bottles lining the walls further add to this impression.  

You might even catch a phrase or two in Italian from an Italian nonna seated at one of the surrounding tables, letting you know that you’re definitely in for an authentic treat.

 

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