Giulio Loreggian has been feeding city dwellers for nearly two years now at his stylish corner café, Giulio’s. Offering everything from inspired breakfasts to grab-and-go harvest table treats in this simply beautiful space, Giulio’s Café has proven to be no ordinary lunch spot. Now, the Italian-inspired eatery has kicked things up a notch with the launch of its roaring pizza oven and traditional thin-crust pizzas.

A classic margherita at Giulio’s. Photo supplied.

Having grown up in an Italian family, the chef and restaurateur, who once worked a stint under Jamie Oliver, explains that both pizza and pasta have been his staple diet. “Especially because of mom’s heritage from Naples, where one can find the world’s best pizzas,” explains Giulio. Inspired by night-time festivals dedicated to the wood-fired pies, having pizza for lunch and dinner in Italy, and a pasta pizza that his Nonna used to make (spaghetti turned into a pizza), it was only natural that Giulio follow his roots to give Capetonians a little slice of Italy.

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What’s on the menu? “I don’t believe in these new modern twists of adding all sorts onto a pizza,” explains Giulio. “A pizza is a timeless and simple dish, so why change it? Just do it properly.” Carb coveters can expect to see ten different classics made with imported tomato and handmade fior di latte mozzarella. Favourites include the likes of cheesy calzone pockets; the quattro stagioni, with ham, artichokes, olives and mushrooms; the Parma, with Parma ham, rocket and parmesan shavings; and the Pizza Di Casa, with bacon, avo and feta. The pizzas range from R45 to R115 with gluten-free and banting bases also available at an extra R25.

Also keep an eye out for exclusive Italian dinners – with dishes fired in the wood-burning oven – hosted at Giulio’s this August.

A calzone pizza at Giulio’s. Photo supplied.