Old Town Italy, an Italian Food Emporium in Durban

If you're a long time follower of my blog you'll know I love showcasing new Durban coffee shops that fit my criteria for awesomeness... and it has been a while since the last one! Enter the new and amazing Old Town Italy in Umhlanga. I popped in there for a visit yesterday after having already heard much hype about it, and I wasn't disappointed. On entering I was given the friendliest greeting by Ally, and immediately felt at ease. She introduced me to Kirsten, the GM, who very kindly took some time to sit with me and chat about this wonderful new space and concept, even though the place was busy and bustling at 10:30 AM.

“Old Town, the very word, evokes a sense of history and a portal back to a time when life itself was defined by a seemingly more romantic set of values.”

Old Town Italy is owned by the Fratelli group, of Remo's fame, possibly best known for their diet-crushing cronuts which are gladly also available at this new spot amongst a plethora of other delicious goodies. Old Town Italy is exactly that - kind of like a little old Italian town in one space. It's got a butchery, bakery, ice cream cart, all the cheeses, seasonal organic vegetables, groceries which are mostly authentic and imported from Italy, and of course a restaurant. All in one space! There's also a variety of seating options available from the bakery area, to the bar counter, to the diner style couches, tables and chairs, and outside seating as well.
I took like a bazillion pics to try and convey the full experience of the place, so click through to see them all ;)

“It's about slowing things down, celebrating ethics, preserving standards and rediscovering quality.”

The main concept behind it is bringing back old values of authentic real food, taking things a bit slower and taking the time to know customers' names and meeting the people around you. There's a big focus on authentic Italian cuizine, and for this reason you may not find things like Cocacola or other more commercial or local goods. It's great because it encourages you to experience the food the way it would be in Italy, which is exactly what they want for you. For the same reason they also stick pretty strictly to their menu - understandably pandering to too many personalised requests dilutes the Italian flair. Unfortunately I didn't have time to enjoy a real meal, but I got to have a quick cappuccino and a bomboloni - a little donut filled, and I mean filled, with Nutella. SO GOOD!

The decor is fantastic. I love the leather, old dark wood and aged-looking copper piping, and the raw cement. Apart from food goods, they also have some great novelty goods and utensils available...

“There was a time when a visit to your local grocery store was more of a social event than a chore.”

Find them at 39 Meridian Park, Meridian Drive, Umhlanga. They're open 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and 7am to 6pm on Sundays. Kitchen closes every day at 4pm and from 4 to 6pm they have a "surprise" mixed board available called the 4 to 6. Can't wait to go back for a proper authentic Italian meal, and some of that gelato :)

Click here for more Durban restaurants and places.

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