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Pink Mama’s in Dunkeld, near Rosebank, is the new Italian eatery that’s taken over the space formerly occupied by Livy’s. Gone is the Art Deco interior – in its place since May 2025 is a playful mix of pastel tones, stripes, soft cushions, and patterned accents that give the space a breezy indoor-outdoor, almost coastal feel. Stained glass windows and a wood-fired pizza oven add to the Italian feel. Tucked right next to the Africa Padel courts at 49 Eastwood Road, Dunkeld and next door to Joy Jozi. An added benefit to Pink Mama's positioning is that kids can enjoy the wonderland of play at Joy Jozi (complete with child minders), while their parents relax next door.
What's on the menu at Pink Mama's
Pink Mama's serves up authentic, alfresco Italian fare. All of their cheese and hams proudly carry the DOP stamp (Denominazione di Origine Protetta), meaning they’re protected by law to ensure authentic origin and traditional production methods, just like Italy’s famous Parmigiano Reggiano. These carefully selected ingredients add genuine Italian flavour to every dish.
For starters, we tucked into the zucchini fritti – golden, crunchy, and showered in Parmigiano. Then came the crowd favourite: truffle and porcini arancini, with molten mozzarella meeting earthy risotto in deep-fried balls. We also had a light prawn pizza rossa with prawns, mozzarella, chilli, garlic, and a hint of lemon, and a delicate beef carpaccio dressed in lemon and capers. Thanks to the generous portions, suddenly “just starters” felt like a main course.
Pink Mama’s mains were a tour through comfort and flair. Mama’s Meatballs were nostalgic – tender beef and pork in Pink Mama’s secret red sauce, twirled up in spaghetti, and finished with Parmigiano and basil. The vegetarian pistachio pesto and ricotta pasta went down a treat – creamy but not too heavy, with lemon zest bringing it to life. The standout was the fish of the day – kingklip, cooked to perfection, soft and flaky, with a zingy horseradish lemon caper sauce that had us coming back for more. For serious carnivores, there's the Bistecca Alla Fiorentina, T-bone served with bone marrow, chips, wine reduction, and a rosemary butter sauce that brightened the entire plate. On the table, the duo of imported Firelli sauces (truffle and extra hot) were a hit; a number of us asked for a bottle to take home.
We ended the feast full and on a (sugar) high with the pistachio tiramisu – a velvety, nutty twist on the classic dessert, where cocoa takes a back seat and is replaced by layers of dreamy, crushed pistachio.
Drinks: Something to sip on at Pink Mama's
Pink Mama’s serves up a solid cocktail selection, from a bold and boozy Limoncello Negroni to a smooth Old Fashioned, alongside crowd-pleasing classics like Mojitos, tasty Palomas, and a tempting variety of martinis. There’s also a well-curated wine list with plenty of options to pair with your pasta or pizza.
Laid-back dining with charm: The atmosphere at Pink Mama's
Pink Mama’s is the kind of place where everyone feels welcome, whether you’re out for a relaxed family lunch, an early dinner with friends, or a laid-back date night. The pretty pink exterior is a charming invitation into this restaurant, which occupies a characterful old house. Inside, the atmosphere is easy-going, the food is generous and satisfying, and the setting has that breezy Italian charm. In addition, they use top-quality ingredients, and their crowd-pleasing dishes don’t try too hard.
In the courtyard, there are round tables with woven patio chairs and comfy cushions, or cosy booths, both with a view out over the padel courts. Somewhat more formal seating options are available inside if it's elegance you're after. Yet despite opulent touches like brass chandeliers and accents of gold and pink all about, nothing about this space feels pretentious. Visiting Pink Mama's, you don't want to be in a hurry. The dishes are made to share, and a meal here can easily extend over a few hours from drinks to starters, mains, and desserts.
In review
Food: 8/10Generous portions and solid flavour overall – though a touch more seasoning wouldn’t hurt. There’s a wide variety on offer, with vegetarian dishes available too.
Drinks: 7/10
Well-crafted drinks, strong cocktails, and a good array of options to choose from.
Ambience: 7/10
The space is light, fun, and cosy, with just the right touch of escapism. If you're seated outside, the padel courts nearby offer either a bit of unexpected entertainment or a mild distraction, depending on your mood (and the match).
Visit Pink Mama's: Opening hours and location
Pink Mama's is located at 49 Eastwood Rd, Dunkeld, Johannesburg. It's easily accessible from the vibrant district of Rosebank.Open Wed from 16:00 – 22:00, Thu and Fri from 12:00 – 22:00, Sat from 08:30 – 22:00, Sun from 08:30 – 18:00.
Contact the restaurant on +27 78 409 2233 or book online via Dineplan here.
In photos: Pink Mama's gallery
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