There is something special about discovering a restaurant that feels like it belongs to the neighbourhood. Picola in Linden is exactly that kind of place. Relaxed, welcoming and filled with regulars who clearly know they have found a good thing.

I visited Picola over the weekend, and while we went in expecting a good casual meal, the food genuinely impressed us.

The pizzas

We tried two pizzas, the Arrabbiata pizza and the bacon, avo and feta pizza.

The Arrabbiata had that delicious combination of tomato, cheese and a little heat that makes you keep reaching for another slice. It was packed with flavour without being overwhelming.

The bacon, avo and feta pizza was another winner. Generous pieces of fresh avocado covered the pizza, with salty bacon and creamy feta bringing everything together. The base was nicely cooked with those slightly charred edges that give a pizza extra character.

Both were the kind of pizzas made for putting in the middle of the table and sharing.

But those lamb chops…

The pizzas were great, but the lamb chops were easily the star of the show.

Beautifully grilled with a proper char on the outside, juicy and full of flavour inside, these were the dish I would go back for. They came with crispy potatoes and vegetables, but honestly, the lamb needed very little assistance.

Sometimes a restaurant serves you something and you immediately know what you are ordering the next time you visit. At Picola, it is the lamb chops.

More than just the food

What I really liked about Picola was the atmosphere. It doesn’t feel overly polished or like it is trying too hard to be the latest Johannesburg hotspot. Instead, it has the comfortable energy of a proper neighbourhood restaurant.

The staff were friendly, the regulars were welcoming and there was an easygoing atmosphere throughout the restaurant.

It also struck me as an awesome place to watch the rugby. Good food, cold drinks, friendly people and a relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere, sometimes that is exactly what you want on game day.

The verdict

Picola in Linden is one of those spots you could easily become a regular at.

Come for a pizza and a drink, settle in for the rugby, chat to the locals, but whatever you do, order the lamb chops.

The pizzas definitely deserve a return visit too, particularly that bacon, avo and feta, but the lamb chops won this round.

Would I go back? Absolutely. And I already know what I’m ordering.