Scala Pasta / Bar by PAN Collection — Restaurant in City Centre

Returning to Scala Pasta Bar felt like stepping once again into a realm of culinary enchantment, yet this visit surpassed even our highest expectations. My partner and I decided to embark on an unforgettable journey ordering one of every dish on the menu. What unfolded was nothing short of a curated performance, a symphony of flavors that danced seamlessly across each course.

At the heart of this extraordinary experience was Ben, our waiter and guide for the evening. Ben’s knowledge of the menu, his thoughtful recommendations, and his attentive presence elevated the night into something truly magical. More than a waiter, he orchestrated the flow of the evening with grace and warmth, ensuring every dish felt like a discovery, every moment like a celebration.

Our deepest gratitude extends to Chef Brandton, whose culinary artistry brought the menu to life in ways that words can barely capture. The precision of flavor, the impeccable pairings, and the willingness to accommodate our request to try everything on the menu spoke volumes of his dedication and passion. Every plate that emerged from the kitchen felt intentional and inspired — a testament to his craft.

Nic, the manager, who checked in with us during the evening and added a personal note to the experience, making the night feel a little more distinctive.

To the talented bar staff, we offer our sincere thanks for their mastery and the thoughtful touch of a personalised cappuccino to close our evening. That small but meaningful gesture captured the spirit of Scala Pasta Bar: a place where hospitality is as refined as the food itself.

We would also like to express our appreciation to those behind the scenes whose efforts brought the evening together: • Wonder and Thulani, for their warm hospitality and attentive service throughout the night. • Lisa, for stepping in to assist Ben seamlessly, contributing to the effortless rhythm of the service. • The heart of the kitchen — Thabo, Pam, Zama, Molu, Gift, Junior, and Uriau — whose dedication and hard work allowed every dish to arrive with perfect timing and consistent excellence.

Scala Pasta Bar once again proves itself to be more than a restaurant — it is an experience, a celebration of what is possible when passion, talent, and hospitality converge. Each dish was a story, each course a revelation, and every interaction with the team reminded us that the art of dining lies not only in the food but also in the people who bring it to life.

To the owners, we leave this note with genuine anticipation: after experiencing the full breadth of your current menu, we cannot help but look forward to what new inspirations might one day emerge. The thought of future dishes joining this symphony of flavors is as exciting as the evening itself.

To the entire team at Scala Pasta Bar, thank you for crafting an evening we will never forget. You have turned a meal into a memory and set a new benchmark for what it means to dine with heart, artistry, and grace.

Five stars hardly...

From start to finish, Scala Pasta delivered one of the most memorable dining experiences we’ve had in Cape Town.

We began with the pasta croquettes, paired perfectly with a glass of Zardetto bubbly, followed by Haute Cabrière Pinot Noir Rosé and Vergelen Cab Merlot – already setting the tone for an exceptional evening.

Some of our table opted for the set menu while others chose à la carte. I went with the stewed beef meatballs with salsa verde, sweet mustard, and chives as a starter – rich, hearty, and balanced with freshness. My main, the Spaghetti alla Scapece with fried baby marrow, mint lemon dressing and grana, was light yet full of flavour. Dessert was the showstopper: Millefoglie with dark chocolate, vanilla custard and candied almonds – absolutely divine.

The set menu was an absolute treat:

Italian focaccia & grissini sticks (warm and addictive) and a Roasted Pumpkin Cream with toasted hazelnuts and burnt parmesan foam (creamy perfection).

Mains included the Pappardelle alla Teramana (fried meatballs with egg & parsley shoots), a rich and comforting Mussel Risotto with nduja and grilled leeks, and the bold Rigatoni all’Amatriciana with roasted tomato, guanciale, chilli and pecorino. Each dish was beautifully executed.

Dessert closed with an incredible Coffee Mousse with white chocolate, roasted peanuts, dark chocolate ganache and a touch of olive oil and Maldon salt – indulgent and unforgettable.

The food was flawless, but what made the evening truly special was the service.

Luca, our waiter, was outstanding – friendly, attentive, knowledgeable, and perfectly timed with explanations and light-hearted jokes.

Nic and Jan, the managers, were exceptional hosts, ensuring every detail was looked after. Executive Chef Justin personally visited our table, which made the experience even more memorable. And a special mention to Matt, the GM, who made us feel so welcome and at home from the moment we arrived.

Scala Pasta is more than just a restaurant – it’s a celebration of food, people, and atmosphere. A massive well done to the entire team. This is a must-visit for anyone who loves authentic, soulful Italian dining...

Scala is located just off Bree Street, on Heritage Square. A flight of stairs takes you down into a beautifully lit contemporary below-ground space. For good weather, they also have an outside terrace which faces onto Heritage Square. In true Italian style, we started off with a negroni at the bar before heading to our table.

The restaurant was buzzing and we loved the vibe! The kitchen is open plan which definitely adds to the atmosphere. Dishes are designed to be shared and our waiter, Ryan, who was amazing, gave us loads of personal recommendations. We started off with the delicious Bruschetta, melt-in-your-mouth potato focaccia, topped with Culatello (cured pork meat), tomato and basil. Definitely, a dish which will transport your tastebuds to Italy! We also loved the stewed beef meatballs, served with a delicious Salsa Verde and sweet mustard.

For the main course, we shared three pasta dishes, the signature Carbonara by Luciano Monosilio! Wow, this was my first time tasting real Carbonara and I loved it! I sadly don't have a pic as by this time I had consumed a Limoncello Spritz and found myself digging in before remembering to take one! On recommendation from Ryan, we also tried the Pappardelle Chicken Ragu which is very tasty and can highly recommend it. We also ordered a vegetarian option, oven-baked pacchero with Ricotta and Basil which was nice but not as flavourful as the other two dishes.

We ended off with the Tiramisu by Luciano Monosilio and the Millefoglie, flaky layers of pastry with chocolate and vanilla custard. The Tiramisu was definitely the highlight and is not to be missed!

We really loved our evening, it's a great spot for a date or for a fun vibey night out! I'll be back to try the rest of the menu, and cocktails and will need a repeat order of the Carbonara and the Tiramisu! They also have gluten-free and non-pasta items on their chalkboard menu. You can also join them for Aperitivo Hour for drinks and snacks from 4 - 5.30pm, not available on First...