Fast facts

Food type: Italian cuisine

Average price of a main course: R200

Opening times: Monday to Saturday 6pm – 10.30pm

Corkage fee: N/A

Parking:  Parking outside on Napier Street.

Best for: A relaxed meal with friends who enjoy authentic Italian flavours

Food

The paper menu is small, featuring three starters, a handful of main courses and a couple of desserts. It also changes every day, depending on what the best available fish is, brought in from a variety of sources like local fishermen and markets. This ensures hyper freshness and seasonality.

The menu embraces the beautiful simplicity of Italian cooking, with a few ingredients done exceptionally well. Like the rich creamy flesh of yellowfin tuna carpaccio with red onions and capers or tomato bruschetta. Freshly made pasta follows the starters: arrabbiata tagliatelle for the vegetarians with confit tomato, prawns and chilli.

Make it a crayfish night (one tail or four) or go for the risotto – beetroot with parmesan cream and prawn tartare. Like the tagliatelle, the risotto is cooked perfectly al dente and it’s a dish you’ll wish is neverending.

The tiramisu is excellent for dessert, the booze-soaked biscuits layered in a little jar with smooth cream and dusted with cocoa powder. Again, it’s just the right balance of flavours. Subtlety and finesse is present in every dish, each a joy to eat.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Riva (@rivacapetown)

Drinks

The small list features local wines and four Italian wines.

Service

At least one of the chef patrons will normally be in the kitchen cooking your dish to order and will come over to your table to chat and explain dishes, as well as their story.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Riva (@rivacapetown)

Ambience

The décor is simple but homely, with a touch of quirkiness. A log fire in an old fireplace provides warmth and cosiness in winter.

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