The Opening of the Year in our Top Italian Restaurants Guide is Scala. It's a vibrant pasta bar in Cape Town born with the touch of Luciano Monosilio, a Roman chef who truly knows pasta. All pastas are strictly handmade, overseen by chef Justin Barker and his young, dynamic, and passionate staff. With an atmosphere reminiscent of an American Bar, an open kitchen where the staff plates and produces tonnarelli, rigatoni, paccheri, and pici, the result is truly astonishing. One must try the Carbonara Monosilio, as well as the ravioli del plin or the tagliatelle al ragù with chicken. After a soft opening in 2022, the establishment gained critical acclaim and public success in 2023.
The Opening of the Year in our Top Italian Restaurants Guide is Scala
Energy and passion – these are the words that come to mind when entering Scala, a pasta bar in Cape Town led by chef Justin Barker and his entirely local team, under the guidance of chef Luciano Monosilio. Dim lighting, a setting between an American bar and a contemporary bistro, Scala is a place to visit from aperitivo hour onwards, thanks to its strictly Italian Cicchetti and a cocktail list to kickstart the experience. Then, the menu divided into Antipasti, Pasta (all strictly homemade), and Desserts. Start with bruschetta, meatballs, beef tartare, burrata, or panzanella, and move on to the Monosilio signature carbonara, pici cacio e pepe, mezze maniche alla matriciana, or baked paccheri with ricotta and tomato. A mandatory finale with tiramisu.
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