Scala Pasta / Bar

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Pasta Made Differently

On Church Street in Cape Town's city centre, Scala Pasta / Bar has built a reputation as the kind of Italian restaurant that takes its craft seriously without taking itself too seriously. The menu is co-created by Italian master chef Luciano Monosilio and Executive Chef Justin Barker, whose local team translates a rigorous Italian sensibility into something that feels entirely at home in Cape Town.

The accolades speak to that ambition. Gambero Rosso – the influential Italian food and wine authority, whose ratings are among the most exacting in the world – awarded Scala 2 forks, recognising it as one of the top Italian restaurants operating outside Italy. Timeout.com named it the best Italian restaurant in Cape Town, and the 2025 World Luxury Restaurant Awards honoured Scala with three distinctions: Best Authentic Cuisine, Best Contemporary Cuisine, and Best Italian Cuisine.

The Pasta Laboratory

At the heart of the kitchen is what the team calls the Pasta Laboratory: three types of fresh pasta, all made by hand every day. Only seasonal ingredients sourced from local producers go into the dough and the sauces, while a Josper Charcoal oven – imported from Spain – handles the slow, high-heat cooking that gives the meat, vegetables and sauces their depth. The signature dish is the Carbonara, and the broader menu moves through modern Italian antipasti, tapas-style pasta portions, and carefully crafted desserts. A daily specials board rotates seasonal meat, poultry, seafood and vegetarian options. Gluten-free pasta and vegan alternatives are available on request.

The Bar and the Room

Scala is as much a bar as it is a pasta restaurant. Aperitivo hour runs daily from 4 pm to 5:30 pm, with half-price deals on selected beers, wines by the glass and cocktails, alongside Cicchetti at R79. The wine list is curated to complement the Italian-leaning food, and the setting accommodates everything from solo bar visits to large group dinners – outdoor seating, a family-friendly atmosphere and a walk-in policy make the space genuinely accessible, while set menus and private dining options serve parties of eight or more with advance notice.