Vegetarians in Joburg: dismay no more about your options being limited to risotto. In July Chef Giulio Pizzol, along with his business partner Theresa Caisutti, made his dream a reality of catering to vegetarians and vegans with Italian cuisine. He named the modern Italian restaurant Bella Anima, which means beautiful soul.

An antipasto at Bella Anima. Photo supplied.

The menu starts with breakfast dishes, which are fresh and interesting, while the variety of lunch options are notably healthy. Good dinner choices are found beneath the specialities section on the menu – try their version of a traditional melanzane limone, which is given a twist with crumbed melanzane and a lemon-butter white wine sauce.

One of the breakfast options. Photo supplied.

A vegan ravioli Napolitana’s pasta pillows are stuffed with butternut, mushroom and sundried tomato, and served in a velvety pomodoro sauce. The over-the-top Buttamigiù dessert is akin to tiramisu, but is richer and more decadently laced with brandy, while the vegan raw chocolate tart has wowed many diners.

The popular raw chocolate tart. Photo supplied.

All the dishes at Bella Anima are vegetarian and some are also vegan. Photo supplied.

The décor at this new spot is warm with rosewood and orange hues. Also impressive is the Vegetarian Wall of Fame, which features great vegetarians, many of whose philosophical remarks are also noted on the menu.

Until Bella Anima’s liquor licence comes through, guests are free to bring their own wine with no corkage fee. Bella Anima is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Mondays to Sundays and can be found in the Sunninghill Centre in Sandton.