Rossa – a slice of Italy in the heart of Bedfordview
When you step into Rossa, you’re not just walking into a restaurant – you’re stepping into a warm, welcoming piece of Italy nestled right in the heart of Bedfordview. Since its opening in 2009, this beloved local eatery has been serving authentic, soul-filled Italian food with passion, tradition and a whole lot of heart.
But what makes Rossa truly special isn’t just the handcrafted food or award-winning pizza – it’s the people behind the scenes.
Meet Claudia Lau, the heart and brains behind the restaurant. Born and raised in Johannesburg, Lau grew up in a family where food meant connection. Today, she lives just around the corner in Bedfordview, the suburb that has been home to Rossa since day one. Her journey began in 2009 when she helped open the restaurant with a simple yet powerful vision: to serve real Italian food, made the right way.
“I wanted to create something that felt like home,” she says. “A place where people could gather, eat well and share stories – just like we did around the table growing up.”
Rossa made waves in the 2023 Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge, finishing as a proud second-place winner. The competition was extra special, with Claudia going head-to-head with her sister Cristina de Almeida of Edenvale’s Piccola Rossa, a friendly rivalry that delighted both customers and staff.
While they had to sit out the 2024 challenge due to personal circumstances, Claudia is back this year with renewed energy and a new partner who shares her deep love for Rossa and the craft of pizza.
“There’s a buzz that the challenge brings – not just to the kitchen, but to the whole community,” she says. “It’s fun, it’s exciting, and it brings people together around great food and even better wine.”
Rossa is home to a close-knit team of 24 staff, many of whom have been with the restaurant for over a decade. For Lau, this loyalty and longevity are the foundation of the restaurant’s success.
“It’s not just a team, it’s a family. Some of our staff know customers by name, remember their kids and even their usual orders. That connection is what makes Rossa feel more like a second home than just a restaurant.”
Rossa’s menu is a love letter to Italy. From thin, crisp pizzas to handmade pastas and indulgent desserts, every dish is prepared with integrity and a respect for authentic Italian tradition.
“We don’t take shortcuts,” Lau explains. “Everything is made fresh, from our gnocchi to our sauces. You can taste the difference.”
Whether it’s a casual midweek dinner or a big family celebration, Rossa’s food aims to transport guests straight to the cobbled streets of Florence or the piazzas of Rome – if only for a meal.
“You haven’t really eaten pizza until you’ve eaten a Rossa pizza,” Lau says with a smile.
What makes them special? It starts with the dough: just 00 flour, water, yeast and salt, fermented slowly over three days to develop deep flavour and a light, airy texture. Then comes the signature no-crust style – rectangular, thin, and topped edge-to-edge with generous, high-quality ingredients.
The Grande Pizza is a fan favourite and a Rossa signature, a massive 60x40cm creation cut into 24 slices and customisable with up to four topping combinations. It’s perfect for sharing and a hit at any gathering.
While classics like the Margherita and Zeus are bestsellers, it’s the New York Pizza with spicy pepperoni that rates as Lau’s favourite.
“It’s salty, smoky and just a little spicy – everything you want in a slice.”
Rossa goes to great lengths to source the best ingredients. While specialty flours and cured meats are imported from Italy, much of the produce and cheese is sourced from top-tier local artisans.
“Our mozzarella is made right here in South Africa by someone who trained in Italy. Our sausage supplier has been crafting traditional Italian meats for over 40 years. These aren’t just ingredients, they’re stories, traditions, and generations of knowledge.”
When it comes to what belongs on pizza, Lau takes a diplomatic approach.
“Pizza is about joy and creativity. We may raise an eyebrow at some topping requests, but we never say never!”
With over 40 pizza varieties on the menu – from the deeply traditional to the bold and inventive – there’s something for every palate.
For Lau, pizza and wine go hand in hand. Her favourite pairing is the Messico pizza (mozzarella, tomato, Bolognese mince & chilli), with a glass of Porcupine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon.
“The boldness of the wine balances the spice and richness of the pizza beautifully. But the truth is, pizza goes with any wine; it’s the ultimate pairing food.”
As Rossa gears up for the 2025 Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge, the excitement is palpable.
“This year, we’re going all in. We’ve got our team, our community and our passion, and maybe 2025 is the year we take that top spot.”
More than a competition, the Challenge represents everything Rossa stands for: tradition, quality, community and the joy of sharing great food.
For Lau and her team, Rossa isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a place where people come to connect, celebrate and feel at home.
Fifteen years on, their passion is as strong as ever and every dish that leaves the kitchen tells the story of a family, a tradition and a dream come true – one slice at a time.
Rossa is located at Bedford Village, Van Buuren Road, Bedfordview. Opening hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 10h00 to 21h00, Friday & Saturday: 10h00 to 21h30, Sunday: 11h00 to 20h00. Tel: 27 (0)11-455-5911 for bookings or other enquiries. For more information, visit the website.
How the 2025 Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge works
Any restaurant in South Africa that makes and sells pizza and holds a valid liquor license can enter. Participating pizzerias must feature at least two Porcupine Ridge wines (a red and a white or rosé); display in-venue promotional material (POS packs, tent cards, stickers); and encourage diners to vote via QR codes or the official website.
Voting is open to the public until October 31, with each voter allowed up to 10 votes per email address.
So what’s up for grabs? For restaurants, the rewards are delicious, with the winning pizzeria receiving bragging rights, a bespoke winner’s paddle, Porcupine Ridge marketing collateral and wine valued at R40 000 as well as R900 in vouchers and three cases of wine to award to their waiting staff. Those restaurants placed second and third are also awarded Porcupine Ridge marketing collateral, wine and vouchers for their top-performing team members,
For voters, there’s even more to celebrate, including weekly prizes of a case of Porcupine Ridge wine and EarthFire pizza accessories. At the close of the challenge, a grand prize winner will be chosen and will take home an EarthFire Tabletop Pizza Oven, a year’s worth of pizza from their favourite finalist (up to R2 000), and five cases of Porcupine Ridge wine – a total prize value of almost R10 000.
For more details and to vote, visit the website.
For more information on Porcupine Ridge click here.
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