Dario’s Café is a popular spot amongst locals in Hout Bay, but the food is so good, it’s worth the drive from Cape Town! Dario himself (aka the owner) is always happy, smiling and welcoming which is a great way to enjoy a meal, especially when the food is just as pleasing. Dario serves homemade, authentic Italian café cuisine that’s just pure goodness 100% of the time. Service is great and it really adds to the atmosphere when the waiters use Italian words and phrases while they wait on you. It’s all about great food, great atmosphere and great company at Dario’s, and it’s the perfect beachside place for lunch or breakfast.
For lunch, I ordered the piadina salame with mozzarella, tomato and extra avocado. The authentic piadina is sort of like a panini, but Dario has a secret recipe all the way from Italy and he’s the only one in South Africa that has it – now that’s something special! My piadina was absolutely delicious — what a great lunch item! It was crispy, fresh and filled with delicious salami and toppings. Even the side order of chips was delicious, crisp and satisfying.
For dessert, I ordered the pancakes with cinnamon, sugar and maple syrup with extra ice cream. My pancakes were sweet, buttery and very good. The ice cream I ordered on the side didn’t cost a lot extra and was definitely a great idea because it really made my pancakes feel like a proper dessert. Yummy!
I would recommend Dario’s to anyone travelling through Hout Bay or if you’re looking to take a drive to a nice, seaside lunch spot. Their coffee is some of the best in Cape Town and even the local Italians love it.
Expert Review
Dario’s Café is a popular spot amongst locals in Hout Bay, but the food is so good, it’s worth the...
Dario’s Café is a popular spot amongst locals in Hout Bay, but the food is so good, it’s worth the drive from Cape Town! Dario himself (aka the owner) is always happy, smiling and welcoming which is a great way to enjoy a meal, especially when the food is just as pleasing. Dario serves homemade, authentic Italian café cuisine that’s just pure goodness 100% of the time. Service is great and it really adds to the atmosphere when the waiters use Italian words and phrases while they wait on you. It’s all about great food, great atmosphere and great company at Dario’s, and it’s the perfect beachside place for lunch or breakfast.
For lunch, I ordered the piadina salame with mozzarella, tomato and extra avocado. The authentic piadina is sort of like a panini, but Dario has a secret recipe all the way from Italy and he’s the only one in South Africa that has it – now that’s something special! My piadina was absolutely delicious — what a great lunch item! It was crispy, fresh and filled with delicious salami and toppings. Even the side order of chips was delicious, crisp and satisfying.
For dessert, I ordered the pancakes with cinnamon, sugar and maple syrup with extra ice cream. My pancakes were sweet, buttery and very good. The ice cream I ordered on the side didn’t cost a lot extra and was definitely a great idea because it really made my pancakes feel like a proper dessert. Yummy!
I would recommend Dario’s to anyone travelling through Hout Bay or if you’re looking to take a drive to a nice, seaside lunch spot. Their coffee is some of the best in Cape Town and even the local Italians love it.