The Cousins Trattoria

What an amazing experience. The place is much bigger than it looks from outside, but also doesn't feel that way. Staff are well dressed and made us feel welcome right from the start. The dining area is divided into two cosy, warmly lit areas, with comfortable furniture, creating a relaxed, yet sophisticated atmosphere. Delicious light bread, hot from the oven to enjoy while browsing the menu. The well curated wine selection, although small, made it easy to find the perfect pairing to go with the meal. Our waiter was discreetly attentive and very knowledgeable. The freshly made tagliatelle being carefully stirred in a wheel of parmesan cheese at the table, before being plated, was a great experience. The other, exceptionally plated dishes arrived at the same time, engulfing the table with exquisite aroma. The food was delicious. Perfectly cooked, with a beautiful balance of flavours, further accentuated by the wine. All in all, this is the most authentic Italian dining experience to be found locally.

Excellent service and delicious food! We liked the atmosphere a lot as well. Will recommend everyone to not miss out on this place when visiting cape town

Had a lovely experience at The Cousins restaurant! The pasta was delicious and full of flavor. Big thanks to Melody who assisted us with a warm smile and great service. We’ll definitely come back! 🍝✨

We had such a great time at The Cousins Trattoria! The food was absolutely top notch – I had the lamb gnocchi, and it was incredible. The service was just as impressive; everyone was super friendly and attentive. A special shoutout to the bartender, who went the extra mile and created a delicious non-alcoholic drink just for me. Highly recommend this spot for amazing food, great vibes, and outstanding service!

A cute little Italian restaurant. We had the cheese wheel pasta and lamb ragu gnocchi. The food was good but we weren’t super amazed. The portion sizes were decent and the service was friendly. Overall it was a nice experience for a date night but a little bit overhyped.

good food, great service, nice vibes. not a fan of the sliced steak on rocket, carpaccio was much better

Delicious pasta and top-notch service! I had the mushroom tagliatelle, which gets tossed in a literal wheel of cheese before being plated—so freaking good. And the beignets filled with citrus cream and served with warm chocolate sauce? Absolutely to die for. I'd make a trip to the city just for that chocolate indulgence

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 better company.