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Review by Tasneema Diest
I was recently invited to experience Morii, the Italian restaurant nestled within the beautiful Vineyard Hotel, and from the very moment we entered the premises, it felt nothing short of magical.
The scenery alone sets the tone — towering trees, lush greenery, and nature wrapping itself around you in the most calming way. It feels like you’ve stepped into a quiet escape, far removed from the rush of the city, yet still right in the heart of Cape Town.
We were warmly welcomed by Sihle, who guided us to our seats with such ease and grace. The restaurant itself is stunning, both indoors and outdoors — elegant yet inviting, refined without feeling intimidating. Shortly after, our waiter Monique introduced herself and took us through the menu with genuine enthusiasm. She explained the variety of dishes so beautifully — Italian at its core, but thoughtfully infused with a Cape Town twist.
A Perfect Start
We began with a complimentary bread service, served warm and fresh, accompanied by three flavourful spreads. The basil pesto was fragrant and herbaceous, the sun-dried tomato rich and slightly tangy — simple, comforting, and the perfect way to ease into the meal.
Small Plates, Big Impressions
For our small plates, we opted for two standout dishes:
Burrata – Burrito Fritta
Blistered heirloom tomatoes and basil salad, romesco, served with filone.
This dish was a beautiful balance of textures and flavours — creamy burrata with a delicate crisp exterior, paired with the sweetness of blistered tomatoes and the nutty depth of the romesco. Every bite felt indulgent yet fresh.
Patagonia
Caponata, bagna cauda, tomato fondue.
Rich, comforting, and deeply flavourful. The caponata brought a lovely sweetness and acidity, while the bagna cauda added a savoury warmth that tied everything together effortlessly.
Handcrafted Cocktails
Morii’s cocktail menu deserves its own moment. We tried two of their handcrafted creations:
Nocciola Rosa
Pink hazelnut Frangelico, elderflower, and grappa.
An elegant, Piedmont-inspired martini — beautifully balanced, with hazelnut warmth from the Frangelico and delicate floral notes from the elderflower and rose. Smooth, refined, and incredibly moreish.
Ruggine
Blood orange Aperitivo spritz.
Bright, refreshing, and perfectly effervescent. Pinot Grigio and herbal aperitivo meet vivid Sicilian blood orange, finished with bitters and sparkling soda — a vibrant, refreshing sip that felt like sunshine in a glass.
Pizza, the Morii Way
We then opted for a Neapolitan-style pizza to share. Morii offers a variety to choose from, and each pizza truly feels like a meeting of craft and simplicity — inspired by Italy, made for Cape Town. All pizza bases are also available as gluten-free.
Our choice was the Gamberi Pizza — coal-roasted prawns, wild rocket, shaved lemon-pickled fennel, and chilli.
The flavours were bold yet balanced: sweet, smoky prawns, the peppery freshness of rocket, a citrusy lift from the fennel, and just enough chilli heat to keep things exciting.
Pasta Fresco
For our pasta course, we chose fresh handmade pasta, inspired by Italian tradition and crafted with Cape Town spirit. We opted for smaller portions — a wise decision, as we were already happily full.
Langoustine Ravioli
With nduja and date jam, shellfish ‘cappuccino’, and crispy onions.
This dish was pure indulgence. The ravioli was delicate, the filling rich, and the contrast of spicy nduja with the sweetness of date jam was beautifully unexpected.
Cannelloni
Goat’s cheese mousse, sage, fresh lemon, parmesan fonduta, and petite leaf salad.
Light, creamy, and elegant. The goat’s cheese mousse was perfectly balanced by the freshness of lemon and the depth of the parmesan fonduta — comforting yet refined.
A Sweet Ending
We were treated to a complimentary dessert, and Morii truly understands the art of sweet endings.
Each dessert is crafted with balance and imagination — a celebration of texture, flavour, and finesse. These are desserts designed to linger, a final fleeting moment worth holding onto.
To make the evening even more special, it was my friend’s birthday, and Morii surprised her with a cake topped with a Happy Birthday message — such a thoughtful touch that made the night feel extra personal.
Final Thoughts
The views at Morii are simply magical. The trees, the atmosphere, the sense of calm — we would have loved to explore more, but time wasn’t on our side. One thing is certain: we will definitely be back for more.
A special mention to Ashley and Duncan, who checked in on us and ensured everything was perfect throughout the evening.
Morii is more than just a restaurant — it’s an experience. One that blends flavour, atmosphere, and hospitality seamlessly.
Reservations
Morii Restaurant, Vineyard Hotel
Colinton Road, Newlands, 7700
Cape Town, South Africa
Phone: 021 657 4500
Email: eat@vineyard.co.za