Where is this little piece of Italy in Stellenbosch?
Looking for a dog friendly restaurant in Stellenbosch that doesn’t feel like a compromise? Super Sconto / Ischia is an Italian restaurant and deli on the R44 that welcomes dogs onto its patio, serves genuinely excellent food and sits minutes from a cycling track and dam where your dog can cool off afterwards. Here’s what to expect if you’re planning a visit with your own four-legged companion.
On Sunday after Search and Rescue training, Cobalt and I jetted off in our Rav4 to a little piece of heaven in Italy… or at least it felt like Italy. Our destination was Super Sconto / Ischia in Stellenbosch and what awaited us was far beyond our expectations.
Search and Rescue training can be physically demanding for both handler and dog, so a bit of recovery and relaxation afterwards is always well deserved. Good food, hydration and allowing your dog the opportunity to cool down and stretch properly can make a big difference in their recovery and overall wellbeing. If you would like to learn more about recovery and wellness for both dogs and handlers after training sessions, you can read the full article on Human and Dog Wellness after Search and Rescue on page 16 of the April Magazine.
We were experiencing the worst of the Cape Town heatwave, with temperatures reaching 41°C when we arrived. Downstairs, there is a deli and shop, with tables outside which were already occupied by cyclists who couldn’t resist stopping to chat to the very handsome Cobalt. Apparently, this is quite the hotspot for cyclists to grab a coffee during or after a ride.
They also told us about the Goat Cycling Track, a 6 km trail with some very entertaining feature names. I will most definitely be bringing my bike next time.
- The Pygmy Jumps (Expert)
- The Flying Goat (Expert)
- The Fainting Goat (Easy)
- Gompers (Apparently you have to ride it to find out… haha)
- Lucky Buck (Easy)
- The Floating Goat (Moderate)
- 1.1 Million Goats (Difficult)
- Goatcha! (Expert)
- Mountain Goat (Easy)
- Milkshake (Easy)
What's on the menu?
The restaurant itself is upstairs on the second floor. With a quick trip in the lift (or the stairs if you are feeling energetic. Luckily Cobalt chose the lift), we arrived at the restaurant.
We were greeted by the very friendly waitress Ashley, who took us to a table by the window overlooking the
beautiful Stellenbosch mountains. Ashley brought Cobalt a bowl of water and a blanket, although he opted for the cool tiles instead.
While going through the menu — which was not easy as everything looked absolutely amazing, and the
specials menu certainly didn’t make the decision easier — Ashley brought me some fresh bread with an artichoke and yellow pepper dip.
I cannot adequately describe how incredible this dip was. I ended up buying a tub to take home to Michael, who had decided he did not feel like joining Cobalt and me for training and lunch. A big mistake. But as mentioned in previous stories, he never seems to learn to listen to me.
While I was still trying to decide what to order (although I had already ordered a glass of Terra Del Capo Pinot Grigio to help with the decisionmaking), Daniela, the front-of-house manager, came to chat with me.
They have only been open for about 18 months, so they are still relatively new. The restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday, while the deli downstairs operates every day and serves many nearby offices and cyclists who stop in for sandwiches and coffee.
What I didn’t know was that you can also take your dog for a walk near the bike park and there is even a dam where dogs can swim. Naturally, Cobalt and I made sure to explore this before leaving. My advice: swimming after lunch, not before.
The table next to me were regulars and mentioned they had tried everything on the menu. Their advice! They couldn’t recommend one specific dish because everything is simply that good.
Eventually I ordered the tuna wrapped with pancetta, olive oil and balsamic reduction, served with zucchini fritti with parmesan and mint, suggested by Ashley.
When the food arrived, I immediately understood what the table next to me meant. If I had to properly describe the flavours of this dish, I would probably end up writing ten pages.
My only thought was: thank goodness Michael didn’t come with. I don’t need to share a single bite. Meanwhile, poor husband sent me a photo of his lunch: white bread and sandwich spread.
Taking my time with my wine, I enjoyed chatting to the other guests while Daniela stopped by again to tell me more about the deli and shop downstairs; apparently, everything you eat in the restaurant can be
bought downstairs, or at least the ingredients.
Then came dessert and coffee. Because who can resist a proper Italian dessert?
I ordered the Tiramisu, which is prepared right at your table. Ashley brought a small table with all the ingredients and Daniela prepared it while I watched. Of course, it was accompanied by a proper Italian coffee.
The dessert was just as incredible as the main course. I probably should have asked for a teaspoon so it would last longer.
After lunch and dessert, I woke Cobalt up from his nap and we went downstairs to browse through the shop.
From pasta to wine to chocolate mousse, the choices were endless. We eventually bought some pasta and cocoa powder, as we have recently started experimenting with chocolate flapjacks at home. The real test will be how good Italian-flavoured chocolate flapjacks turn out.
Cobalt then insisted we walk down to the dam (remember… 41°C). Luckily the walk was not far and there were no cyclists flying past. After a good swim and some splashing around, he was finally happy to head back to the car.
Sometimes the best getaways are the ones right around the corner.
COBALT’s TOP TIP
If you’re visiting on a warm day, make sure your human orders lunch first and saves the swim for afterwards. The nearby dam is the perfect place to cool off, especially after a hot day of training or exploring. Also, don’t forget to be extra charming, cyclists are very generous with compliments and attention.
LOCATION & CONTACT DETAILS
Super Sconto / Ischia – Stellenbosch
📍 R44, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
🌐 Website: www.supersconto.co.za
📞 Tel: +27 21 881 3899
Restaurant Hours: Wednesday – Sunday
Deli & Shop: Open daily
Visitors can enjoy authentic Italian-inspired cuisine upstairs while browsing a wide range of imported Italian products in the deli below. The venue is popular with cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts and offers a welcoming dog-friendly environment, making it the perfect stop after a ride, walk or adventure in the Stellenbosch area.
Super Sconto – Johannesburg
There is a branch in Johannesburg. Unfortunately, we do not have many details as we only had the opportunity to
visit the Stellenbosch branch for this review. If the Johannesburg branch offers the same Italian hospitality, quality ingredients and atmosphere we experienced in Stellenbosch, it is certainly worth adding to your list of places to explore.
Note: Always monitor your dog for signs of overheating in hot weather, and consult your vet if you have concerns about your dog’s health.
FAQ Section
Q: Is Super Sconto / Ischia in Stellenbosch dog friendly?
A: Yes, Super Sconto / Ischia welcomes dogs on its restaurant patio and around the deli area downstairs. Staff typically offer water and a blanket for your dog, though many dogs prefer the cool tiles on a hot day. It’s a popular stop for cyclists and their dogs.
Q: What are the opening hours for Super Sconto in Stellenbosch?
A: The restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday, while the deli and shop downstairs are open daily. This makes it easy to pop in for coffee, sandwiches or deli shopping even on days the restaurant kitchen is closed.
Q: Is there somewhere for dogs to swim near Super Sconto?
A: Yes, there’s a dam close to the bike park near Super Sconto in Stellenbosch where dogs can swim and cool off. It’s best to let your dog swim after eating rather than before, especially on hot days.
Q: What should I know about a dog friendly restaurant in Stellenbosch before visiting?
A: Look for restaurants with shaded or tiled patio areas, water bowls and staff comfortable around dogs. Bring your own blanket or mat if your dog prefers familiar bedding and always check ahead during heatwave conditions since tar and pavements can burn paws.
Q: How do I help my dog recover after a hot day of training or exercise?
A: Offer water regularly, allow your dog to rest in shade or on cool tiles and avoid strenuous activity like swimming immediately after a large meal. Watch for signs of overheating such as excessive panting, drooling or lethargy, and consult a vet if these persist.
Vicki Fox works with dogs in search and rescue, canine conditioning, and adventure activities. Through Strand Agility Centre, she focuses on helping handlers and their dogs become a confident, connected team. When she is not training dogs or helping handlers improve their dogs’ fitness and recovery, she and her dogs — Cobalt, Storm and Captain Morgan — can often be found exploring dog-friendly destinations around the Western Cape. Her husband Michael occasionally joins the adventures too… usually when he remembers to listen.