
#BestofBallito: La Piazza serves up community-favourite family dining
The popular Italian eatery proudly walked away with 1st Place in three key categories: Best Family Friendly Restaurant, Best Italian Restaurant and Best Pizza. It also received 3rd Place in Best Kids Party Venue and Best Kids Play Centre, further reinforcing its reputation as a destination that caters to the whole family.
From its modest beginnings, La Piazza has grown into a vibrant gathering place known for its warm hospitality and mouth-watering Italian cuisine. With a menu rooted in tradition and flavours that evoke the heart of Italy, every dish is served with care in a welcoming environment that feels like home.
The La Piazza team credits their continued success to the loyalty of their customers, the dedication of their staff, and the unwavering support of the Ballito community.
'We are incredibly honoured and grateful,' says owner Marco Bortolussi.
'These awards are more than accolades – they are a reflection of the trust, relationships, and memories we've shared with our guests over the years.'
As La Piazza continues to thrive, one thing remains clear: when it comes to authentic Italian food and family-friendly charm, this local favourite continues to set the standard in Ballito.
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
#BestofBallito: Kuta-Kola is beach culture at its best
#BestofBallito: Kuta-Kola is beach culture at its best Kuta-Kola has scooped two awards in the Best of Ballito Readers' Choice Awards, proving fresh flavours and beachfront vibes are a winning combo. The laid-back restaurant was voted Best Breakfast and Best Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurant in this year's competition, which garnered thousands of votes across 252 categories. Established in 2020 by Claudia and Ryan Blom, Kuta-Kola was created with a vision to celebrate good food, sterling service and coastal living at its finest. Perched along Ballito's scenic shoreline, Kuta-Kola offers a relaxed vibe and sweeping sea views from which dolphins and seasonal whales can be spotted while you dine. The kitchen is known for creating cross-cultural dishes that excite the palate. From creative breakfasts, seafood and curries to Mozambican chicken, firecracker ribs, poke bowls, vegetarian options and original pocket wraps, every dish is packed with wholesome flavour. 'Our food philosophy is simple,' said Ryan, 'keep it real, keep it fresh.' Drinks are just as thoughtful, with cold-pressed juices, smoothies, barista-grade coffee and standout signature cocktails all made with care. It is all served with friendly, down-to-earth hospitality that reflects the Bloms' passion for what they do. The heart of Kuta-Kola lies in its people. From the talented chefs working behind the scenes to the warm and welcoming front-of-house team, every member of the crew plays a part in creating the atmosphere guests love. Their energy, care and consistency help shape the experience from the first smile to the last bite. Winning two community-voted awards speaks volumes: Kuta-Kola remains a favourite for both locals and visitors seeking relaxed beachside dining and a true slice of Ballito's beach culture. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below.


The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Durban dance duo wins inaugural ‘Ballito's Talent' competition
The first-ever 'Ballito's Talent' finale lit up the Lyric Lounge Theatre on Saturday, as 25 finalists wowed a packed crowd in a bid for top honours. Open to all ages and residents of KZN, the competition drew over 70 participants throughout its various stages. From singers and dancers to instrumentalists, the talent on display was diverse and impressive. Taking home the title honours were dynamic dancing duo Jesse (15) and Tristan Koen (10) from Durban. Their performance fused hip-hop, classic Sophiatown-inspired moves and breakdancing into an electrifying routine that impressed both judges and audience alike. Second place went to musician Menzi Mngoma (32) from Richards Bay. Third place was bagged by Ballito's very own Cousin Quartet – made up of Umhlali Preparatory School pupils Emily Wang (13), Molly Wang (10), Willow Paterson (10) and Savannah Paterson (13). The cousins and best friends earned a golden buzzer during their third audition and impressed the crowd on finals night with a vibrant medley of songs from Matilda, showcasing both their singing and dancing talents. A portion of the proceeds from the audition and finals ticket sales, as well as contestant entry fees, will be donated to Bloom Special Needs School. The show was the brainchild of Ballito residents Bev Mileham and Adriana Carvalhaes. With the help of Jordyn Morrows, the trio delivered a memorable event that celebrated local talent and community spirit. They thanked all the sponsors who made the event possible. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below.


The South African
11 hours ago
- The South African
Eliza Spencer - Princess Diana's niece - engaged to SA businessman
Lady Eliza Spencer – the niece of the late Princess Diana – has announced her engagement to South African businessman, Channing Millerd. The blonde model is the twin sister of Amelia and the younger sibling of Kitty. Their father is Charles Spencer, the older brother of the late royal. The Spencer siblings, including brother Louis, were raised in Cape Town, South Africa, out of the spotlight. On Thursday, 31 July, Lady Eliza Spencer posted pictures on Instagram of her recent engagement to Channing Millerd. The romantic proposal took place in Santorini, Greece, during a picturesque sunset. 'Forever and ever', Eliza captioned the pics. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Eliza Spencer (@elizavspencer) The engagement comes a few weeks after the London-based model and socialite celebrated her 33rd birthday. Calling her the 'love of my life, my inspiration and my heart', Channing posted on his Instagram account: 'You epitomise grace yet have a fierce strength that holds our world together. Lady Eliza Spencer is engaged! Image via Instagram: @elizavspencer 'Thank you for everything that you are, I truly am the luckiest man in this world to be able to call you mine'. Lady Eliza Spencer and Channing Millerd, who has a son from a previous relationship, began dating in 2016. Her wedding will come hot on the heels of her sisters Amelia, who married in 2023, and Kitty, who wed in 2021. Charles Spencer – the brother of the late Princess Diana – reportedly did not attend the nuptials over their 'strained' relationship. Lady Eliza Spencer's future husband is a Cape Town businessman, whose current role is the COO of Marxhoff, the alcohol beverage company co-founded by Springboks Malcolm Marx and Steven Kitshoff. Eliza and Channing are pals with the Springbok couples, as well as many others who follow them on Instagram. He also manages Lala V, a luxury Provence rosé wine he co-founded with his now fiancée. The couple has vacationed in beautiful destinations around the world, including Venice in Italy, the Maldives, Mallorca in Spain, and Austria. They're even considering a seaside wedding. Eliza told Hello! Magazine: 'We love the idea of a destination wedding. 'We feel drawn to Italy, especially somewhere by the ocean – that feels so romantic to us.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.