Osteria Tarantino — Restaurant in City Centre

My boyfriend and I visited last week, their kitchen closes at 9 and we got there just before 8. When we got there we saw 4 empty tables inside and 1 empty table outside. We were told that the tables inside were reserved and that the only table available was outside. We didn't mind and said sure to which we were then told repeatedly that we wouldn't enjoy our food if we sat outside even though we assured the man who I presume is the owner, that we didn't mind sitting outside (mind you another couple were sitting outside as well).

After we felt like we weren't wanted in the space we decided to leave only to be called back as we were walking away by the owner claiming that the waiter had just said that someone miraculously cancelled and that we could sit inside. We were also 'warned' that there was a lot of pork incorporated into their menu before being shown to our table.

We stayed for a meal and I found it funny how the owner did not let the other customers walking in know about the so called reservations or table bookings and they were seated without any problems. Another couple came and were seated outside with no problem and they were not told that they wouldn't enjoy their food if they sat outside. None of the customers that came in after us were warned that there is a lot of pork on the menu either.

We were of course the only POC's there and the whole experience was extremely weird and uncomfortable, I have never experienced such passive-aggresive discrimination in my life - it's 2023 do better.

The waiter that served us was lovely however the food was average - the pasta dishes were very watery and bland and it is not worth the price.

I am very disappointed with the whole experience and definitely won't...

La vita è una combinazione di pasta e magia. No better quote out there exists, and no better way to describe Osteria Tarantino.

An intimate restaurant situated in the heart of De Waterkant, with fire and purpose, serving the best Italian in Cape Town. It is small and intimate, with the menus on the walls instead of a book, the service full of character, and the food hearty, full of flavour, bold, exciting, and authentic.

Osteria Tarantino is a restaurant that embraces what dining with family is supposed to be. It is about looking up from your phone, enjoying the company of others, eating, laughing, and embracing the spirit of the restaurant.

Sometimes, dining is more than getting your food in under 15 minutes. Sometimes, dining is about the journey.

Book your table in advance. If you are a walk-in and they turn you away, it's not because they are rude or do not want your business—they have a really small number of tables. They are about quality over quantity. Respect that.

Take the time and speak to the server and owner—you might just learn something. They handwrite each receipt—appreciate that. And if they make mistakes, forgive it. This isn't Scala or Col’Cacchio’s—don't expect it.

For the love of simplicity, family, and good food, the way it used to be, the way it should be.

Enjoy it. Highly recommend. P.s, the best puttanesca...

Cute place with good atmosphere/vibe. The servers are nice but can’t say they’re good/fast. Lots of waiting. Not a fan of places with menus on the walls either so that gets a little taken off. Also the reservation process annoyed me, since we called on a Wednesday and asked if there was anything open, they said they were completely full until Saturday. The next day we walked by and thought we would try our luck at walking in since it was completely empty (which it was most of the time) and we got seated….after being rejected for not having reservations twice the week prior….even though they were empty those 2 times. So yeah complicated reservations story/process. The food was pretty good, and the experience itself was what made it good, but the plating was a bit poor, one of our pastas was server on an old pan that was chipping and beyond the point of being able to say “its part of the aesthetic.” We were gonna get desserts but the service took so long that we just asked for the bill. Was not worth the hype to be honest. But if you can manage to get in and want some alright Italian in a really cute place, try it out. I also want to clarify since I always feel terrible about leaving 3 stars and below, that I’m not trying to attack this place or its owners or anything, its a lovely place, just missed its mark for me and my...