Located inside the Mayfair Casino, Il Patio is one of the swankiest looking restaurants in Kampala. It wouldn’t look too out of place in a James Bond movie, and the best part is the fact that you have the potential to win your restaurant bill back on the roulette tables in the casino after!
There is a bit of controversy around Il Patio, as I find it often causes heated debate as to which Italian restaurant is better – Mediterraneo or Il Patio. The current chef at Mediterraneo used to be at Il Patio and then left to setup the newer restaurant, leaving Il Patio with its menu but (in the opinion of some) taking away its pizzazz!
The choice of dishes between the two remains very similar and the only real differences are the setting and the way the food is cooked. The times that I have been to Il Patio I have to say it has been quite empty and lacking in atmosphere and ambience compared to its competitor, which is usually jam-packed with diners enjoying the decadent Moroccan-souk atmosphere. Il Patio sticks very much to hotel chic – in keeping with an up-market Italian eatery anywhere else in the world. The setting is nice, however. A lovely canopied walkway leads up to the high-ceilinged restaurant, which has a nice outdoor space in the middle of it.
Food here is generally in the mid to high 20,000s and it serves all the Italian staples, including a selection of very good pizzas (17 – 25,000 UGX) and pastas, including classics such mainstays as puttanesca (28,000 UGX) and arrabbiata (19,000 UGX). Mains range from 23,000 UGX up to 57,000 UGX for the grilled prawns. I have eaten the penne alla norma here (eggplant and ricotta cheese), which cost 22,000 UGX; I can highly recommend it as well as the papparpadelle al funghi porcini – 24,000 UGX (my usual at Mediterraneo!). In terms of quality, the food compared well with Mediterraneo. Both serve well-cooked and tasty versions of the same dishes. At a push Il Patio might be slightly better, but that probably also depends on which day you’re visiting either restaurant!
Wines here are around 9,000 UGX for a glass and 52,000 UGX a carafe; bottles start at 100,000 UGX, so it works out cheaper to go for the carafe option if there are a few of you.
Ultimately, the food here is good – in fact probably more than good by Kampala standards, and I know many people who consider this to be one of their favourite restaurants. But if you are asking my personal opinion, I have to say I’m a Mediterraneo girl. If you just want good Italian food in a nice environment, at a mid-high range price, I would suggest going to Mediterraneo. However, if you’re looking for a classy night out or a quiet and intimate venue to romance your lady and get dressed up then Il Patio is probably your spot!
Hours: 12 noon – 10:30pm
Address: 0700 449 223
Phone: 0414 258448
Email: ilpatio@ug.myfrgroup.com
Website: http://www.myfrgroup.com/ilpatiokam.html
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Good place