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Modena Italian Eatery brings real Italian soul to Parkhurst’s Fourth Avenue
La Dolce Vita on Fourth Avenue
On a busy evening in Parkhurst, it takes just one step inside Modena Italian Eatery to feel like you have slipped out of Johannesburg and into a small corner of northern Italy. The clink of glasses, the smell of garlic and slow-cooked sauces, and the glow from the open kitchen; it all works together to create that relaxed Italian sense of La Dolce Vita, the sweet life, right on Fourth Avenue.
Modena is a family-style Italian restaurant inspired by the vibrant city of the same name in Emilia Romagna, a place famous for balsamic vinegar and Parmigiano Reggiano, two ingredients that quietly anchor many of the dishes on the menu in thoughtful ways.
The chef at the heart of the room
At the centre of it all is chef and owner Vassilios Holiasmenos. He already has serious Joburg credentials as the talent behind Kolonaki Greek Kouzina and The Blockman, and at Modena, he channels that experience into pure Italian comfort with a polished edge while still keeping the dining room warm and unpretentious.
The philosophy here is simple. Italian food should start with honest ingredients and good technique. The team talks about transforming flour and eggs into fresh pasta and tomatoes and basil into a rich sauce that has been slowly cooked until it tastes like home. That idea runs through the whole menu. Almost everything is made from scratch, from the bread to the sauces, which gives the food a handmade, personal feel.
Antipasti that feel like a welcome
The best way to start a visit is to lean into the antipasti section. Think glossy marinated olives, flatbreads and focaccia brushed with olive oil and herbs, or classics like Parmigiana di Melanzane, where layers of aubergine, mozzarella, and napolitana are baked until bubbling. Dishes like burrata with seasonal accompaniments, beef carpaccio, and deep-fried calamari with clever flavour accents are ideal for sharing across the table, especially with a glass of something cold in hand.
There is also a generous salumi board loaded with cured meats, cheeses, pickles, and house preserves, which suits Parkhurst’s easy, sociable energy. It is the kind of spread that invites lingering and conversation rather than a rushed sit-down and go.
Handmade pasta that steals the show
Pasta is where Modena really shines. Trenette, bucatini, tagliatelle, and other shapes arrive cooked al dente and properly coated, never drowning. Sauces range from simple napoletana with basil to richer options like slow-braised beef ragu or Italian sausage with nduja and red wine. Seafood lovers are looked after with dishes that combine prawns, clams, mussels, and calamari with heat from chilli and the sweetness of tomato.
There are playful choices too, like beetroot pappardelle in a creamy Gorgonzola sauce with nutty crunch, or pesto with stracciatella that leans into the joy of good cheese and fresh herbs. The feeling is that of a kitchen that respects Italian tradition but is not afraid to have a little fun with colour and texture, as long as the flavours stay balanced.
From veal and grills to wood-fired pizza
Beyond pasta, the menu moves into classic Italian veal dishes, seafood, and solid grill options. Veal scallops might arrive in a lemon butter emulsion with crispy sage or in a Marsala jus with mushrooms and Parmesan potatoes. Lamb shank braised until tender, grilled lamb chops, porchetta, and a serious Fiorentina t-bone sharing cut show that Modena knows its way around meat as well as pasta.
The pizza section is another drawcard, especially for relaxed evenings. Bases are hand-rolled and left to rest before heading into the oven, which gives them a light but chewy texture. Toppings range from a straight Margherita to prosciutto with rocket and parmesan, seafood combinations, lamb and porcini, or indulgent burrata-crowned creations.
Breakfast, bubbles, and lazy Parkhurst mornings
The restaurant also offers a breakfast menu that has become one of Parkhurst’s more talked-about morning options, with a generous spread that can include pastries, charcuterie, cheeses, and hearty cooked dishes served in a relaxed setting on Fourth Avenue.
The drinks list is equally considered. Italian classic cocktails like Aperol Spritz, Negroni, and Hugo sit alongside house signatures that weave in seasonal fruit and South African spirits. There is a strong selection of local wines with a focus on quality producers, plus imported Italian labels for those who want to stay fully in theme with their meal.
Image 1: eatmodena.co.za
The neighbourhood favourite factor
Online, Modena has quietly built a loyal following. On booking platforms, the restaurant is consistently highly rated by diners who praise the food, service, and atmosphere. Reviews on travel sites often mention the buzz on busy nights, friendly staff who know the menu well, and seafood pasta that regulars return for again and again.
On social media, the feed is filled with golden arancini, glistening seafood, glowing wine glasses, and cosy interior shots, all reinforcing Modena’s identity as a chef-driven Italian spot that still feels like a local neighbourhood dining room rather than a stiff fine dining venue.
A taste of Modena without leaving Joburg
What makes Modena Italian Eatery stand out in a city with plenty of Italian options is its balance. It is refined without feeling fussy, generous without being heavy, and rooted in Italian tradition without feeling stuck in the past. The connection to the Italian city of Modena gives it a clear culinary anchor, but the restaurant’s heart is very much Johannesburg, from the easygoing Parkhurst crowd to the mix of breakfast regulars, date night couples, and friends sharing big plates in the evening.
If you are looking for a spot that captures the charm of a European neighbourhood trattoria while still feeling distinctly Jozi, Modena is exactly that kind of place.
Also read: Why Thunder Gun Remains Johannesburg’s Most Beloved Spot for Steaks and Ribs
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Source: Modena | Italian Eatery
Featured Image: Dineplan
