Ristorante La Trinita — Restaurant in Gauteng

Ristorante La Trinita is one of the best restaurants I’ve ever eaten at, not just in South Africa, but from around the world. Chef Lala delivers the quality of a three Michelin-star restaurant, yet makes every visit feel like coming home. The excellence here is not only found in the world-class food but also in the warmth and professionalism of the staff. Everyone is attentive without being overbearing, and they all get stuck in to make a memorable experience.

One of the best examples of this care was when we brought my Gran to La Trinita. Chef Lala immediately picked up on her uncertainty and took the time to gently explore her preferences, dietary concerns, and flavour likes and dislikes, all done through the most natural and comforting conversation, making it feel like two old friends swapping stories and recipies. My Gran would fondly mention "that somewhat nutty Italian chef who made the most amazing meal” for years after, a rare and high compliment coming from a grandmother, as we all know; no one cooks better than Grandma.

Over the years, we’ve come to know the La Trinita family personally. They’ve always welcomed us with genuine warmth, never pushy, never fake just a smile that reaches the eyes. Their care extends beyond customers; it’s a natural part of their culture. When Chef Lala was injured last year, staff and customers alike stepped in without hesitation ensuring the quality never dipped. You could not just see it, but feel it in the little things, the seamless service, the extra touches that made the restaurant feel like a lovingly maintained vintage car: elegant, timeless, and running perfectly.

That same spirit of care shines through even outside the kitchen. Just last week, a member of the staff helped a guest jumpstart their car. No fuss, just kindness, like a familiar neighbours helping each other out.

If you're still not convinced of the personal touch: in over 8 years of dining here, I believe I’ve only had the same meal twice (despite the outstanding quality). The reason for this is Chef Lala is constantly innovating, using only the freshest seasonal ingredients. While I have my favourites (her ostrich carpaccio is unforgettable), the depth and personalisation given to us over the years has resulted in almost every visit being a unique culinary experience that also somehow feels like home.

Thank you, Chef Lala and the entire Ristorante La Trinita family, for your dedication, your heart, and for always making us feel like part of something...

Great atmosphere. It's simple, unassuming and focused on user experience and food. Background music didn't intrude. I remember hearing Bowie and some opera amongst others and it blended seamlessly into the understated look. Neat and clean bathrooms, several photos and other trappings around - this could have been mama's house but it works.

Service was excellent. We got fresh cutlery throughout without having to ask, a fresh, hot foccacia for the table, greeted at the door by the proprietor, had the chef come past twice to ask us how our food had been. Good recommendations and very friendly and professional. They also struck a good balance between responsiveness and awareness, while not hovering all the time.

The food was sublime. The complimentary foccacia was incredibly light and had a wafer thin base. We opted to start with the vegetarian carpaccio which had a lovely pesto mayo and was quite zesty. We also had two portions of the Risotto Balls to try both sauces. The mushroom cream was great, but the real showstopper was the Arrabiata. Out of this world! And the risotto balls themselves were perfect. The texture of the risotto, the crumb, the portion size, the sauce, the presentation. All exquisite.

Two of us had the specialty Gnocchi. Myself with the added Bacon. Not too much bacon so as to not overpower the dish; the gnocchi was great; the sauce was tasty although I did need to season with a bit of salt and some black pepper.

A couple of us had the Fillet pasta (another specialty) which was tasty. Ironically, the Arrabiata was so unbelievably good (with a bit of a bite from the chilli) that we almost felt we should just have ordered that for the main too. Highly, highly recommend!

Since it was my birthday, the staff brought me a complimentary Tiramisu and I was given a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday between the staff and my companions. I am not a fan of Tiramisu at all. I never, ever order it. That said, it was probably the best I've eaten. It wasn't too sweet, you could taste every ingredient and it wasn't overpowered like some by the Marsala wine. Since we were all quite full, we opted out of desserts, though we had seen an Affogato arrive at a neighboring table which looked great. Can only imagine that the desserts are as good as the rest.

Not sure how it's taken me so long to find this gem, but would highly recommend and intend to go...

Lala's restaurant is a hidden gem that will transport you straight to the countryside of Tuscany! Nestled in a quiet corner of a shopping complex next to Kyalami Grand Prix circuit lies Ristorante La Trinita - truly more than just another place to grab a quick meal. It is an experience, expertly curated with love and care by the incomparable, larger than life Lala! From the moment you step inside, you are greeted by a warm and welcoming atmosphere that sets the tone for a truly unforgettable lunch or dinner.

The staff is a reflection of Lala's enthusiasm - they are friendly, bubbly, and attentive, and make sure every diner feels like a member of the family. But the real star of the show is of course the food! Each dish is a masterclass in Italian cuisine, crafted with the freshest ingredients and Lala's love.

The Melanzane Parmigiana is an absolute standout - crispy, golden eggplant and zucchini slices smothered in a rich tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese that will leave you weak in the knees. It's a dish that has haunted my dreams since the very first bite.

In short, Lala's is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an Italian experience. Her passion and dedication shine through in every aspect of the restaurant, ensuring that every meal is not just a meal, but a celebration of love,...