Under Oaks Pizzeria — Restaurant in Drakenstein Local Municipality

There are restaurants you visit, and then there are restaurants you remember. Under Oaks Pizzaria is firmly in the latter.

From the moment you’re welcomed, the waiting staff strike a perfect balance—warm, attentive, and genuinely inviting. Their charm doesn’t just make you feel served; it makes you feel like you’ve been folded into the family.

The pizzas are simply outstanding. A whisper-thin crust with just the right bite, topped with the freshest ingredients, each slice transported me back to Italy. It’s rare to find such authenticity in the Cape Winelands, and rarer still to see it done so consistently well.

The wine was an unexpected revelation—smooth, beautifully easy-drinking, and far better than its modest label suggested.

And then there’s the view. Paarl’s mountains perform their own show as you dine, shifting colours with every bite, turning lunch into something poetic. This backdrop elevates the experience into something far more than a meal—it feels like a pause in time.

Whether you’re in Paarl or Wellington, this is the place to stop. This is how lunch at a restaurant is meant to feel: unhurried, generous, and...

We googled pasta restaurants, and Under Oaks, highly ranked, appeared. It had been years since we last ate there, so I suggested we return, as pasta is our pre-race tradition. Arriving early, the parking area was lined with parked cars. My mood shifted, imagining a packed dining area. To our surprise, ample seating was available. Servers and management greeted us warmly, guiding us to a table with a great view. My wife called it “our personal love nest.” We knew our order and requested everything at once. The pasta menu was limited, with penne, spaghetti, rigatoni, or gnocchi as starch choices. Servings were perfect, and we devoured our food quickly. I regretted not ordering pita bread, given the space left in my stomach. The service was excellent, the views were unparalleled, and the atmosphere buzzed with laughter, children playing, and others strolling with wine glasses, enjoying the amazing views. What a treat! Highly recommended. My wife, a former celebrated chef, agrees...

It was a miserably cold Western Cape day when I decided to book a table at Under Oaks. I thought they were joking when they said they’d have to check if they had space for the two of us.

This place was buzzing—completely full, and it stayed full. Because of the rain, they were only serving inside. I can only imagine how amazing it must be in summer. Whoever was responsible for the interior design deserves praise—it’s stunning. Someone in the reviews said there’s "no atmosphere." What were you smoking?

We had bruschetta for starters—a simple dish that tasted absolutely amazing. My partner had the gnocchi and is still raving about it. I had the Avo Amore pizza, one of the best I’ve had in a long time—thin crust with just the right amount of toppings.

If you’re looking for a Debonairs-type pizza, you’ll be disappointed. This is the real deal.

I’ll definitely be a...