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Settebello is an eatery that offers patrons an Italian experience. Pino Di Benedetto co-owns the restaurant with Miro Marques.
Settebello restaurant owners Pino Di Benedetto and Miro Marques. Picture: Settebello / Instagram
When people think of Italian cuisine, they usually think of pizza and pasta; however, there is more to Italian food.
“While those dishes are iconic, they only scratch the surface of Italy’s rich culinary heritage,” restaurant co-owner Pino Di Benedetto tells The Citizen.
Nestled in the heart of Bedfordview, in Johannesburg, Settebello is an eatery that offers patrons an Italian experience. Di Benedetto co-owns the restaurant with Miro Marques.
Their passion for traditional Italian cuisine and desire to share the lesser-known aspects of Italy’s culinary traditions inspired them to create a unique fine-dining experience that proves Italian cuisine extends far beyond pizza and pasta.
The pair has committed to giving patrons a culinary tour of the European country through their ‘7 Stops of Northern Italy’.
Settebello means ‘The Beautiful Seven’, and the number is special to the owners. Settebello is on 7 Marais Road.
Settebello holds a special place in the world of Italian card games, particularly in ‘Scopa,’ where it represents the luckiest card in the deck.
“Over the past five years, we’ve made it our mission to challenge that perception. Through education, experience, and trust, our patrons have become increasingly open to trying traditional dishes like tripe, rabbit, and oxtail — ingredients that are deeply rooted in Italian culture,” says Di Benedetto.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to see guests embrace the full spectrum of what Italian cuisine truly offers.”
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Tour of Northern Italy
The pair has spotlighted Northern Italian food during the South African winter because its rich, hearty dishes, slow-cooked stews, and indulgent comfort fare are ideally suited to the colder months.
“While the South of Italy is close to my heart and widely celebrated for its sunshine, simplicity, and soul, it’s the cuisine of the North that often takes centre stage in culinary conversations,” says Marques.
“It’s food that warms you from the inside out, beautifully complemented by robust wines and mountain flavours.”
Marques said education is essential in the presentation of the seven-course experience.
“We don’t just serve food — we tell a story,” he says.
“Each course is rooted in Northern Italian tradition, and by sharing the origin, technique, and reason behind each dish, we bring guests on a journey. Especially in South Africa, where this specific regional cuisine isn’t widely known, it’s our responsibility to educate while we serve. It deepens appreciation, creates connection, and transforms a meal into an experience.”
My favourite dish of the night was the Trofie al pesto con patate e fagiolini, which originates from the Italian city of Genoa.
The seven-course meal, which includes dessert and wine, is served once a month on the last Thursday of said month.
The first of these was in March and will run until August, after which the southern Italy experience will begin. Later in the year, the menu will be refreshed to focus on southern Italian cuisine.
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