Summary: Caffé Balducci opened at Piazza St John in Sea Point, Cape Town, on Sunday, 13 September 2026, marking 30 years since the original Balducci opened in September 1996. The new all-day Italian café combines signature Italian dishes, wood-fired pizzas, fresh seafood, sushi, premium wines, cocktails, coffee and ceremonial-grade matcha in a stylish setting with alfresco terraces and tables overlooking the piazza.
One of Cape Town’s best-known dining names has a new address.
Balducci, the Italian dining institution that welcomed generations of diners to the V&A Waterfront, has returned as Caffé Balducci, opening at Piazza St John in Sea Point on Sunday, 13 September 2026, exactly 30 years after the original restaurant first opened its doors in September 1996.
The new incarnation brings the familiar Balducci spirit into a contemporary setting inspired by classic European café society, with a distinctly Cape Town energy. Open from early morning until late, Caffé Balducci is designed for everything from a quick espresso and leisurely breakfast to an Italian lunch, afternoon coffee, sundowners, dinner and late-night socialising.
- The atmosphere is polished yet relaxed, with premium aesthetics, artistic décor, two alfresco terraces and tables spilling out into the piazza. Inside, big-screen televisions feature Fashion TV, while cutting-edge techno adds to the buzz. DJ nights are also planned for the near future.
What can diners expect from the new Caffé Balducci menu?
The menu brings back much of what made Balducci a favourite, with acclaimed dishes and Italian classics joined by café favourites, new additions and an extensive Asian Noodles & Sushi Bar.
Mornings begin with exceptional coffee and ceremonial-grade matcha, available as a Matcha Flat White, Iced Matcha, Iced White Chocolate Matcha or Matcha Blanc. Breakfast options range from nutritious smoothies, power bowls and granola with Bulgarian yoghurt and seasonal fruit to indulgent Brioche French Toast, Benedict Classico and the Royale, featuring poached eggs, smoked salmon, trout, sautéed spinach and Béarnaise sauce. A traditional Balducci Breakfast completes the line-up of morning favourites.
Later in the day, Italian flavours take centre stage. Antipasti includes the Balducci Antipasti Platter, made for sharing, alongside Melanzane alla Parmigiana and Venison Carpaccio. The artisanal Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas are handcrafted using imported Italian Caputo flour. Options include Puttanesca, Double Pepperoni & Chilli, Prosciutto, Smoked Salmon & Rocket and Flaming Prawns.
The pasta and gnocchi selection offers linguine, penne, gnocchi and gluten-free tagliatelle with a range of sauces and flavours. Arrabbiata, Primavera, Pasta con Salmone, Butternut Ravioli, Ostrich Lasagne and Signature Mac & Cheese are among the options.
For something lighter, diners can choose from salads such as Beetroot & Roasted Butternut, Blue Cheese & Avo, Burrata Salad and Signature Four Tomato Salad, alongside Thai Chicken Salad and Balducci Japanese Salad. Paninis are served toasted or plain on freshly baked focaccia or a bagel, making them a relaxed lunch choice or informal bite until 17:00.
The burgers are equally substantial, featuring 200g handmade pure-beef patties, homemade pickles and the restaurant’s secret #6 sauce on lightly toasted brioche buns. Guests can choose artisan thick-cut fries or sweet potato fries, with highlights including the Wagyu Burger and vegetarian Eastern Burger.
Seafood is another major part of the offering. Fresh wild oysters, sustainably sourced Cape linefish, kingklip, calamari, queen prawns, grilled crayfish, Norwegian salmon and Balducci Prawn Curry feature on the menu. A distinctive touch is the inclusion of Mozambican shellfish, described as a rarity in Cape Town.
Meat lovers can look forward to grain- and grass-fed beef dry-aged and matured by sister restaurant Belthazar. Cuts include fillet, rump, rib-eye, T-bone and Tomahawk, alongside hearty dishes such as Lamb Shank, BBQ Beef or Pork Ribs and Scaloppine Di Vetello.
The Asian Noodles & Sushi Bar adds another dimension, serving wok-tossed noodles, Robatayaki, Tempura, Teriyaki and Poke Bowls, as well as an extensive sushi selection. The fish is fresh and never frozen, including 100% Norwegian salmon. Specialities range from Lemon Salmon Rolls, Tuna Crust and Tempura Soft-Shell Crab to Dragon Roll and Torched Nigiri. Sushi, sashimi and nigiri platters include vegetarian options, while the Balducci Royal Sushi Platter is designed for sharing.
Dessert is firmly part of the plan. The Dolce selection includes Biscoff Tiramisu, Signature Baked Philadelphia Cheesecake, Chocolate Fondant and Malva Pudding. The Pasticceria adds European treats such as Pastéis de Nata and Pain au Chocolat. For a more playful finish, Premium Signature WOW Shakes come in flavours including Cookies & Cream, Oreo Cheesecake, Biscoff & Dubai Chocolate and Ceremonial-Grade Matcha, with a choice of liqueurs available for adults.
Caffé Balducci is located at Piazza St John, an open-air lifestyle and shopping destination in the heart of Sea Point. The Mediterranean-inspired precinct combines retail and dining with a large Woolworths Food Market and a lively terrace overlooking Main Road. Residential apartments above the retail level add to its neighbourhood atmosphere. The piazza is also a short stroll from the Sea Point Promenade and Atlantic Ocean, making the location a natural fit for an all-day café that moves easily from morning coffee to evening drinks. Secure undercover parking is available within the complex.
The move marks a new chapter for a restaurant that first opened in September 1996 and became a fixture on the harbour side of the V&A Waterfront. Over the years, Balducci hosted birthdays, first dates, family lunches, milestone celebrations and countless casual visits. Like many hospitality establishments, it was forced to close during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving a gap in Cape Town’s dining scene. Now Caffé Balducci brings that familiar identity to a new generation, retaining its dedication to Italian dining, fresh ingredients, wine, slick service and elegant interiors while embracing a contemporary café culture.
“Balducci has always been about more than just food,” says owner Ian Halfon. “It’s about the experience, the people, the atmosphere, the memories and that feeling you get when you walk through the doors. Caffé Balducci allows us to bring all of that back, while creating a fresh and contemporary Cape Town experience, something exciting for the next generation of Balducci lovers.”
Wine remains central to the experience. The extensive wine list showcases wines from the Cape, along with Champagnes and Proseccos. An iconic wine bar features a specialised nitrogen-infused tap unit serving 60 premium wines by the glass, poured into Riedel glasses designed to enhance the wine-drinking experience. Experienced sommeliers are on hand to help guests find a suitable pour.
The drinks offering extends to whiskies and whiskeys, single malts, brandies, Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados, liqueurs, traditional and craft beers, and ciders. Cocktails are made with fresh fruit juice, quality brand spirits and mixers, with names such as Blush Horizon, Crimson Tide, Island Ember, Paloma Rosa, Georgia Bloom and Scarlet Clover adding colour to the menu.
From the first morning coffee to the last shared glass, Caffé Balducci is designed as a place to eat, meet, linger and return to. Three decades after the original Balducci opened, Cape Town has a new address for familiar Italian favourites, fresh discoveries and the simple pleasure of enjoying good food in good company.
- 021 200 5822
Quick details
- Venue: Caffé Balducci
- Location: Piazza St John, Sea Point, Cape Town
- Open since: Sunday, 13 September 2026
- Milestone: 30 years since the original Balducci opened in September 1996
- Style: All-day café, Italian restaurant, wine bar and Asian Noodles & Sushi Bar
- Food highlights: Breakfast, antipasti, wood-fired pizzas, pasta, burgers, seafood, steaks, noodles, sushi and desserts
- Drinks: Coffee, ceremonial-grade matcha, wines, Champagne, Prosecco, cocktails, spirits, beers and ciders
- Outdoor seating: Two alfresco terraces and tables in the piazza
- Parking: Secure undercover parking within Piazza St John
FAQs
When did Caffé Balducci open?
Caffé Balducci welcomed its first customers on Sunday, 13 September 2026, 30 years after the original Balducci opened in September 1996.
Where is Caffé Balducci located?
It is at Piazza St John in Sea Point, Cape Town, a short stroll from the Sea Point Promenade and Atlantic Ocean.
What type of food does Caffé Balducci serve?
The menu includes Italian classics, wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas, pasta, burgers, seafood, steaks, salads, Asian noodles, sushi and desserts.
Does the menu include vegetarian and gluten-free options?
Yes. The menu includes a vegetarian Eastern Burger, vegetarian sushi options and gluten-free tagliatelle.
Does Caffé Balducci serve wine by the glass?
Yes. Its wine bar serves 60 premium wines by the glass using a specialised nitrogen-infused tap system.
Is outdoor seating available?
Yes. Caffé Balducci has two alfresco terraces and additional tables spilling into Piazza St John.
