The Art of Italian Coffee Culture Comes Alive at Lello’s Caffè Espresso Bar in Cape Town

1 min read
italian coffee cape town

Lello’s Caffè Espresso Bar is a contemporary espresso bar in the heart of De Waterkant, Cape Town. It is the latest venture of the Turilli family, who own Lello’s Deli. Led by the talented siblings Chiara and Danillo Turilli, Lello’s Caffè pays tribute to their storied heritage and their late grandfather, Rafaello Turilli. Rafaello’s passion for the culinary arts gave birth to a legacy that continues to thrive in the form of Lello’s Deli, Scarpetta, and now the Lello’s Caffè Espresso Bar.

Authentic Italian coffee experience

Lello’s Caffè offers a taste of authentic Italian coffee culture. Guests are treated to a traditional Italian coffee experience, meticulously crafted using a house blend of deep, golden, dark-roasted beans with delightful hazelnut undertones. Each coffee at Lello’s is prepared using a single shot, exemplifying the principles of simplicity and precision. Served in delicate glass espresso tumblers at a comfortable temperature of around 60 degrees, the coffee delivers an exceptional experience.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

Italian-inspired menu

The menu at Lello’s Caffè has been thoughtfully curated to reflect the Italian way of life. The menu features classic espresso-based beverages like macchiato and Americano. The café is famous for its schiacciata paninis, made with a 48-hour fermented Italian focaccia-like bread from Florence. These paninis boast a generous filling of Italian ingredients such as slow-cooked pork, mortadella from Bologna, fior di latte (fresh mozzarella), and truffle-infused caprese with charred artichokes.

For those with a sweet tooth, Lello’s offers scrumptious cornetti filled with rich pistachio crema. One can also indulge in a slice of Mama Turilli’s apple cake, a delightful concoction laden with fresh apples and cinnamon sugar.

A slice of Italy in Cape Town

Stepping into Lello’s Caffè is akin to immersing oneself in the warm embrace of Italy’s rich coffee heritage. The Turilli family’s culinary prowess brings the essence of Italian culture to the heart of Cape Town, offering a slice of tradition and authenticity to locals and visitors alike.

Visit Lello’s Caffè Espresso Bar

Lello’s Caffè Espresso Bar can be found at Bastille Maison Mara, 5 Jarvis Street, in the De Waterkant neighborhood of Cape Town. They’re open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5pm and Saturday from 8:30am to 4pm. To learn more about Lello’s Caffè and their offerings, visit their Instagram page @lellosdeli or contact them at [email protected]

Sarah Kendricks is a Cape Town journalist who covers the city’s vibrant food scene, from township kitchens reinventing heritage dishes to sustainable fine-dining at the foot of Table Mountain. Raised between Bo-Kaap spice stalls and her grandmother’s kitchen in Khayelitsha, she brings a lived intimacy to every story, tracing how a plate of food carries the politics, migrations and memories of the Cape.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

The Persistence of Corporal Punishment in South African Homes and Schools

Next Story

Fast and Furious: A Unique Path to Blockbuster Success

Latest from Blog

Dawn, Dirt and Dinner: A Willowvale Kitchen Without Walls

In Willowvale, farmers cleverly plant in manurefilled pits to save water and feed the soil. They also build special ditches to catch rainwater, making sure not a single drop goes to waste. Cooking happens outdoors, over crackling fires, using fresh food grown right there. They even turn old things into new cooking tools. It’s all about living close to the earth and making every bit count, showing a deep love for nature.

Cape Town Quietly Rewrites the Rules Between Tradition and the State

Cape Town is cleverly changing how it supports traditional initiation camps. They now treat these camps like temporary city areas, providing water, toilets, and trash pickup. This helps keep everyone safe and healthy, using smart data to track everything. It’s a quiet revolution, making sure old traditions fit smoothly into modern city life, and other cities are starting to notice this clever plan.

South Africa Plays Hardball on Hoof-and-Mouth: A Five-Year Blitz to Reopen R7 Billion in Beef Trade

South Africa is launching a massive fiveyear plan to crush FootandMouth Disease for good. They’re upgrading labs, getting tons of vaccines, and working with villages to tag and track every animal. This tough new strategy, backed by big money, aims to reopen a R7 billion beef trade with countries like China and the EU. They’re using strict rules, new tech, and even special meetings with local leaders to make sure no sick animal slips through. It’s a fullon war to protect their cattle and bring back their valuable beef exports!

South Africa’s Gateways in November 2025: 3,1 Million Footprints in 30 Days

In November 2025, South Africa saw a massive 3.1 million people cross its borders. This huge number of visitors, especially 2.37 million noncitizens, made it the busiest November for foreign entries since before COVID hit in 2019. It was like a river of people flowing in, showing how popular South Africa had become again.