Restaurant
Marble
Marble on the Keyes Art Mile in Rosebank is chef David Higgs's live-fire restaurant, cooking steak, seafood, vegetables and bread over a large wood-fired grill.
La Pergola
La Pergola at 44 Stanley serves northern Italian cooking with South African touches, from fresh pasta to pizza, in the courtyards of the Milpark precinct.
At a glance
- Type
- Northern Italian
- Area
- Milpark, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- lapergola.co.za
Good to know
- Fresh pasta
- Pizza
- Courtyard precinct setting
- Open daily
Why we recommend it
La Pergola is an Italian restaurant in the 44 Stanley precinct in Milpark, also known as Braamfontein Werf, set among the precinct's design shops, galleries and courtyards. It describes itself as the heart of northern Italian cooking in South Africa, with a menu that brings unexpected tastes to familiar dishes and blends Italian traditions with South African influences.
The story behind the restaurant is personal. Chef Clemens Faber, who comes from Austria, created La Pergola for his wife, Nomzamo, who is South African, and the restaurant calls it his love letter to her. That mix of European training and South African life runs through the menu. Expect fresh pasta, pizzas and lighter dishes such as salmon tartare; vegetarian pizzas and pastas make it easy for mixed groups. Ask about the day's specials and the pasta made in-house.
La Pergola suits couples, families and friends looking for a relaxed lunch or an early dinner, and it is a good choice after an afternoon browsing 44 Stanley's shops or a film at The Bioscope in the same precinct. Prices are mid-range, and the setting is informal and comfortable.
The restaurant is open from Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 20:00 and on Sundays from 11:00 to 18:00, which makes it better for lunch and early evenings than for late dinners. Booking is a good idea at weekends; contact the restaurant by phone or email.
Because it closes at 20:00 on most days and at 18:00 on Sundays, La Pergola works best as a lunch stop or an early supper; plan a later dinner elsewhere if you prefer to eat late.
44 Stanley has parking for visitors, and most people arrive by car or ride-hailing app. The precinct is just west of Braamfontein and close to Wits University, Constitution Hill and the Origins Centre, so La Pergola fits well into a day of sightseeing in the inner city. Melville, with its cafés and bars, is a short drive further west if you want to carry on the evening. For coffee after lunch, Bean There Coffee Company is in the same precinct and roasts single-origin African beans, and Salvation Café is known for its cakes if you want dessert in a different setting.
La Pergola FAQs
What kind of food does La Pergola serve?
Northern Italian cooking with South African influences, including fresh pasta and pizza.
Who is behind the restaurant?
Austrian-born chef Clemens Faber, who created it for his South African wife, Nomzamo.
When is it open?
Monday to Saturday 11:00 to 20:00 and Sunday 11:00 to 18:00.
Where is it?
In the 44 Stanley precinct, 44 Stanley Avenue, Braamfontein Werf.
Are there vegetarian options?
Yes, including vegetarian pizza and pasta.
Do I need to book?
Booking is a good idea at weekends.
How do I contact the restaurant?
By phone on +27 78 668 9973 or email at [email protected].
What is nearby?
The shops and cinema at 44 Stanley, Wits University and Constitution Hill.