The Cousins Trattoria — Restaurant in City Centre

If you go out to dine these days, you need to forget about the cost. My son’s birthday yesterday and he wanted to go to this restaurant as he thought their Lasagne was the best. They follow the new 2 seating dinner. They managed to turn the tables unobtrusively. The Maitre D was excellent as he monitored the rooms and controlled the waiters. He knew what stage people were at and how long they would still be. 2 hours is pushing it a little and I would allow 2.5 hours at least. However the tables changed and new faces were apparent every time I looked around. The Parmesan wheel went out often and people obviously love this way of serving pasta table side. I personally think it’s touristy and superfluous but its popularity is high judging by the amount of times it was wheeled out. More and more people came into the restaurant and all the rooms were full. We finished quicker than normal due to the pressure of people waiting. I had a margarita R50. Nice but unremarkable. I chose the vegetarian platter as a starter R160 The 6 or so aubergine slices were cooked to perfection, as were the 4 or 5 slices of Baby marrow. The 4 slivers of red & yellow pepper were delicious, I could have done with some more. There was half a tomato which I didn’t eat. That was an added cost that wasn’t required. Total waste of time. Should have put cherry tomatoes on instead The hot spinach was a treat and equally as enjoyable. The “bread” was in a league of its own. It was unique. I’ve never had anything like it. The kids had beef carpaccio and my best friend had caprese salad. The tomatoes were small and lovely and I adore rocket. I had a margarita & while chilled, was unremarkable. My main was a linguine with langoustines, butter, lemon, lemon rind and lemon juice. I missed the part that said limoncello. It didn’t work for me at all. I generally fry prawns in shell and make a little sauce from that. The langoustines were not cooked properly and the pasta was sweet. The combination of butter, lemon rind and sweet limoncello offended me intensely. I have never eaten sweet pasta with seafood before. I took two mouthfuls and on reflection I should have sent it back. It was really revolting R260 I should have opted for the tomato option but I wanted different. I was torn between that and the Involtini. Should have had that. My son had the lasagne which was delicious, my daughter had a dish I’ve never seen before. It was like rolled thin pasta with a smoked and cured pork cheek. She said it was absolutely delicious and loved every mouthful. My BF had the spinach, feta & nut ravioli with butter and sage. I found the spinach ravioli to be very one note. The butter and sage was plain as well. Burnt butter would have been much tastier and I didn’t taste sage. The feta seemed non existent but the mix was nice. It just wasn’t a perfect dish though. I would have done 2 butternut and two spinach ravioli and as I said, burnt butter and sage. It was nice but not exceptional. My son had the pistachio fondant and it was delicious. Very different. The three of us opted for tiramisu. The tiramisu was not the best I’ve had. Quite a few layers of cake or something and the mascarpone mix was lost. There was no coffee or rum at the bottom of it, which I missed. It would have gone a long way to improving it. It was nice enough though and I finished mine. The coffee and grappa was also nice. The grappa was Nonino and although smooth was still like jet fuel. The restaurant was chock a block full and there was a lovely atmosphere. It is a popular restaurant and I think it will always be full. But for me I doubt I will go again. The bill came to R3500. I had forgotten why I didn’t...

As a frequent diner with a keen appreciation for good service, I was immediately impressed by the exceptional attention I received from the staff at this establishment. From the moment I stepped through the door until my departure, the service was top-notch, setting a high standard for the meal to follow.

The meal began on a promising note with the beef carpaccio. Contrary to its description as a "basic sliced ham appetizer," it was a delightful start.

However, my enthusiasm waned with the arrival of the main dish, the lasagna. My initial few bites revealed a dish that was disappointingly dry and noticeably lacking in sauce. The short wait for its arrival further led me to question its freshness, detracting significantly from the overall dining experience.

In search of a culinary redemption, I opted for scallops as a replacement for the lasagna. Here, I encountered another setback. The scallops, presumably bay scallops due to their thinness or perhaps overcooked, lacked moisture and had contracted in size, losing the succulence I had hoped for. Additionally, the accompanying vegetables, overcooked to the point of losing their textural integrity, failed to complement the dish, leaving much to be desired in terms of balance and flavour.

As someone who has spent considerable time in Italy, indulging in its rich and authentic culinary traditions, I find myself compelled to comment on the authenticity of the cuisine offered here. Based on my experience, this restaurant falls short of capturing the essence of true Italian cuisine. The dishes, while presented with a semblance of Italian flair, lacked the depth, freshness, and heartiness that are quintessential to authentic Italian meals.

While the service was a beacon of excellence, the culinary journey was a mix of highs and lows. The restaurant shows promise in its hospitality but falls short in delivering an authentic Italian culinary experience. For those seeking a true taste of Italy, I would advise looking elsewhere. This establishment, while earnest in its efforts, does not quite do justice to the rich and vibrant flavors of...

A truly memorable dinner experience — The Cousins Trattoria never disappoints.

The warmth of the space, the energy of the staff, and the quality of the food make this spot an easy favourite in Cape Town. We started with the Caprese salad and lamb meatballs — both fresh, full of flavour, and beautifully plated. For my main, I had the famous Cousins Pasta (with tagliatelle instead of tagliolini), and it was every bit as indulgent and comforting as everyone says. We shared a few bottles of Ayama Chenin Blanc throughout the evening — crisp, balanced, and a perfect pairing.

We ended off with a creamy tiramisu, a round of grappa, and a final drink to close what felt like the perfect dinner. It’s one of those rare places where the food, mood, and conversation all just flow.

That said, I do think there’s a bit of room for refinement in two areas. The toilet facilities are tucked away through an awkward corridor that feels at odds with the curated charm of the main space — a more considered and cleaner design here would really elevate the overall experience. Also, while the newly expanded sections are welcome and help accommodate more guests, they don’t quite carry the same depth or character as the original restaurant. A few added layers — perhaps warm rugs, art, or more textured touches — would go a long way in making it feel as lived-in and inviting as the rest of the space.

Still, none of this takes away from the heart and authenticity that make The Cousins so special. It’s a place I’ll keep coming back to — and happily recommending to anyone in search of an honest, delicious meal shared over good wine and...