Ballito’s leading pasta venues as voted for by our readers

When it comes to comfort food, tasty pasta dishes are always a popular go-to option to create an instant feeling of well-being.

And there is certainly no shortage of top-end pasta establishments in Ballito judging by the thousands of votes for the best pasta in The North Coast Courier Best of Ballito Readers’ Choice Awards.

For everything from the best cake and coffee shops in town to a choice of the best schools and nail bars, visit bestofballito.co.za for a list of winners and runners-up.

This week we share our reviews of dishes served at the top four pasta venues as voted by our readers.

1. Lupa Osteria
Ballito Lifestyle Centre, Ballito

Fresh, creamy and undeniably luxurious, Lupa Osteria Ballito’s signature Parmesan Wheel Fettuccine Carbonara (R215) is dinner and a show in one.

Cooked using homemade fettuccine, the pasta is finished at the table inside a 30-year aged wheel of Grana Padano parmesan cheese.

This process is far from empty-calorie theatre however, and adds a genuinely delicious extra depth to the dish, with the pockets of partially melted cheese serving as a treasure hunt for adults.

The bacon and truffled mushroom carbonara would no doubt be delicious alone, but combined makes for something truly memorable.

It is creamy without being soupy, and the fettuccine is a notably improved texture from that off the shelf.

With lush richness and a sizeable portion, you will likely have enough for lunch the next day too.

A Best of Ballito winner for a reason.

2. La Piazza
The Well Centre, Ballito

Craving some authentic Italian food?

La Piazza has outdone themselves with a new addition to their menu, the Spaghetti Limone (R190) served with calamari tubes, tossed in a creamy lemon basil sauce with lemon rind.

The medley of ingredients blend very well, with the lemon adding extra zing. It all makes for a mouth-watering seafood dish.

La Piazza earned second place in the competition for their pasta, so we don’t have to say much more.

Excellent service and delicious food, La Piazza is a great choice for a family night out or date night.

3. Al Pescatore
14 Edward Place, Ballito

Whether it’s the skill of a well-trained chef, fresh ingredients, or the knowledge of food combinations the owner used when drawing up a secret menu, when you head out to Al Pescatore be sure to try the Island Pasta (R169).

It is a delicious masterpiece which pays tribute to land and sea.

A beautifully crafted meal using authentic, fresh ingredients and obviously prepared by a skilful chef, this pasta should win awards.

The tasty chicken and succulent prawn combo, delicately combined with coconut cream, jalapeno, mushrooms, coriander and lemon, tie this meal together exquisitely.

Super refreshing and invigorating. Try it out – you won’t be disappointed.

4. Pappa G’s
Shop H5, Ballito Junction

Pappa G’s is the quintessential Italian restaurant, complete with mouth-watering smells coming from the kitchen and an inviting wood fire oven.

We tasted two stand-out pasta dishes, the Calamari Cajun (R169) and the Seafood Linguine (R195), but it was the calamari pasta that stole our hearts.

The combination of chouriço and calamari was a real winner.

The spices give this dish punch, with the addition of crunchy onion giving it a satisfying texture and the cream brought everything together.

The result was a taste bud explosion.

The Seafood Linguine included prawns, mussels, wine and garlic in a napoli or cream sauce, an all-round delicious combination.

This dish was rich, creamy, with a strong garlic flavour and the classic ‘taste of the ocean’.

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