Savor Tapas Like Never Before at Caffe Italia’s World-First Conveyor Belt Dining
Café Italia: A Slice of Italy in the Heart of Singapore
Located in the vibrant UE Square, Café Italia is a newly opened culinary treasure that brings the authentic flavors of Italy right to the heart of Singapore. This cozy and inviting restaurant offers guests a true Italian dining experience, with a delightful range of traditional dishes, artisan pizzas, and a unique world-first tapas concept served on a conveyor belt.
A Taste of Tradition with a Twist
At Café Italia, the emphasis is on authenticity. Every dish is crafted with care, using the freshest ingredients to deliver a genuine taste of Italy. From wood-fired pizzas to homemade pasta, diners can indulge in the rich flavors that have made Italian cuisine beloved around the globe. Whether you’re a seasoned Italian food lover or a newcomer to its delights, Café Italia welcomes all guests to explore the tastes that transport them straight to the charming streets of Italy.
The Heart Behind Café Italia: Angelo Buglio
The story of Café Italia is deeply intertwined with the passion and experience of Angelo Buglio, a Sicilian whose family has long been involved in the hospitality industry. Having grown up helping in his family’s store in Italy, Angelo developed a deep-rooted love for food and hospitality.
Determined to broaden his horizons, Angelo traveled the world, working with top-tier companies like 1-Group and Michelin-starred Garibaldi, where he honed his skills in restaurant management, bartending, and delivering exceptional dining experiences. Now, at the helm of Café Italia, Angelo is committed to creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere where every guest feels like part of the family, all while enjoying authentic Italian dishes.
Caffe Italia: A Masterful Mediterranean Design by Buglio & Mazzaglia
Caffe Italia boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere, carefully crafted by its owners, Angelo Buglio and Nicola Mazzaglia. The interior is a seamless blend of contemporary Mediterranean charm and timeless design elements, creating a space that feels both stylish and comfortable.
The use of kit-kat tiles is one of the standout features, their sleek arrangement adding a playful yet sophisticated touch to the space. These tiles, with their modern design, provide a perfect contrast to the colouful tones of the terrazzo tabletops that adorn the café. The terrazzo, with its unique speckled patterns, infuses a sense of artistry into the café’s decor, evoking the Mediterranean’s vibrant and eclectic spirit.
The owners have thoughtfully incorporated warm Mediterranean colors, with soft, sun-kissed tones that echo the warmth of southern Europe. This color palette enhances the welcoming vibe, making the space feel cozy and inviting, whether you’re inside or outside.
The rattan furniture adds an element of casual elegance, with its natural texture providing a sense of comfort and relaxation. The balance of soft, organic materials like rattan with more polished surfaces such as terrazzo and tiles creates a harmonious and balanced environment.
Caffe Italia offers both indoor and al fresco seating, allowing guests to enjoy the atmosphere in any season. The indoor seating area feels intimate and relaxed, with the right amount of openness and comfort, while the al fresco space invites visitors to bask in the fresh air, surrounded by the gentle warmth of the Mediterranean-style design.
Together, Angelo Buglio and Nicola Mazzaglia have created an interior that blends functionality with beauty, offering an experience that is both warm and visually stimulating.
Meet the Chef: Enrico from Venice
Leading the kitchen at Café Italia is Chef Enrico, a talented chef from Venice, known for his expertise in traditional Italian cooking. With his meticulous approach to crafting authentic Italian flavors, Chef Enrico ensures that every dish served at Café Italia reflects the rich culinary heritage of his home country.
A Unique Tapas Experience
One of the standout features of Café Italia is its innovative tapas menu, which is constantly evolving. In a world-first concept, the tapas are served on a conveyor belt, offering guests an interactive and exciting way to sample a variety of dishes. The ever-changing menu ensures that each visit offers something new, making every dining experience unique.
The tapas are presented on color-coded plates, each corresponding to a different price point: red plates at $10.50+, grey plates at $11.50+, and blue plates at $13.50+. This system adds a playful element to the dining experience while allowing guests to choose from a variety of options.
Aperitif: Astoria Lounge Prosecco DOC NV $13 per glass | $62 per bottle
VENETO – ITALY
GLERA | CHARDONNAY
This sparkling Prosecco delights with a lively effervescence and a pale yellow hue with hints of green. The aroma opens with a bouquet of fresh floral notes, followed by the crisp sweetness of ripe pears and Golden Delicious apples. On the palate, it is velvety and rich, offering a smooth, well-rounded texture that finishes with a delicate, balanced elegance.
Angus Beef Carpaccio $35.00
Thinly sliced raw Australian beef / shaved fresh seasonal truffle / Italian truffle puree/ sliced Grana Padano cheese/ bread on the side
This dish features ultra-thin slices of high-quality Australian Angus beef, impeccably fresh and tender. The raw beef offers a melt-in-your-mouth experience, with a rich, savory depth that is enhanced by the luxurious addition of shaved seasonal truffle.
The truffle’s earthy aroma and subtle flavor blend harmoniously with the creamy, slightly nutty notes of the Italian truffle purée, which adds a velvety richness to each bite. Sliced Grana Padano cheese brings an extra layer of depth with its sharp, nutty taste, perfectly complementing the other ingredients.
Accompanying the carpaccio is a slice of fresh bread, which offers the ideal vessel for mopping up any remaining truffle purée or olive oil. This dish strikes the perfect balance between freshness, richness, and indulgence, making it a standout on the menu.
Suggested Wine Pairing: 2022 Xavier Vignon Cote Du Rhone Rosé $13 per glass | $69 per bottle
RHONE VALLEY – FRANCE
GRENACHE – MOURVEDRE – CINSAULT – SHIRAZ/ SYRAH
The 2022 Xavier Vignon Côtes du Rhône Rosé from the Rhone Valley, France, offers a delightful experience with its clear, brilliant amber-pink hue. The aroma entices with fragrant notes of ripe raspberries and a hint of wild strawberry, setting the stage for a generous and fruity taste on the palate. This rosé delivers a vibrant burst of flavor, followed by a long, crisp finish that leaves a refreshing, lingering sensation.
Mix-and-Match Your Ravioli Experience
At Café Italia, guests can enjoy a personalized pasta experience by choosing from a selection of ravioli fillings and pairing them with a variety of delicious sauces. The ravioli options include one filled with Italian ceps mushrooms, wild mushrooms, and creamy ricotta; another featuring wild mushrooms, ricotta, and Italian black truffle; and one packed with a blend of four different Italian cheeses. For seafood lovers, there is ravioli combining sweet crab and lobster meat with smooth ricotta, while a classic option is filled with ricotta and Italian cheeses. Those who prefer something traditional can enjoy ravioli filled with Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, and black pepper. Finally, there is ravioli with a light, fresh filling of ricotta and spinach.
To complement these ravioli fillings, guests can choose from a variety of sauces, ranging from rich and creamy to vibrant and spicy. One option is made with chopped Italian sausage, wild mushrooms, butter, cream, garlic, and onion, which adds a savory depth to the dish. For a bold and simple choice, there is a sauce made with Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper. A fresh, herbaceous sauce features basil pesto, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan. Those who enjoy a bit of spice can opt for a sauce with South Italian tomato, garlic, chili, and parsley. Another option offers a rich tomato sauce with garlic, onion, and cherry tomatoes, while a zesty sauce made with fresh chili, garlic, onion, and breadcrumbs provides a satisfying finish.
With these diverse ravioli and sauce combinations, guests can create a fully customized and authentic Italian meal.
Ravioli Truffle $29
Stuffed with Italian ricotta, wild premium mushrooms and Italian black truffle
Truffle
French cream sauce/ Italian Parmiggiano Reggiano cheese, Italian truffle puree and truffle lace oil
The Ravioli Truffle at Café Italia is an exquisite dish that showcases the essence of Italian indulgence. The ravioli is stuffed with a rich mixture of Italian ricotta, wild premium mushrooms, and the luxurious Italian black truffle, creating a decadent and earthy filling. Each bite offers a melt-in-your-mouth experience, as the combination of the creamy ricotta and the aromatic truffle provides an exceptional depth of flavor.
To elevate the dish further, the ravioli is served with a velvety French cream sauce, which perfectly complements the richness of the filling. The sauce is infused with the nutty tang of Italian Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, adding a subtle sharpness that balances the creaminess. A touch of Italian truffle purée adds even more depth, while the truffle lace oil drizzled on top intensifies the luxurious truffle flavor, creating a fragrant and sophisticated finish.
Experience Caffè Italia’s Artisan Pizza Styles
At Café Italia, the pizza menu offers a variety of styles, each crafted with care and using the finest ingredients. Whether you prefer a traditional approach or a modern twist, there’s a pizza to suit every taste.
The Contemporary Napoletana style pizza features a 30cm diameter, high-edge crust with six slices. This pizza is made with a 48-hour fermentation process, resulting in a light, airy texture that provides the perfect balance between crispness and chewiness. The traditional Napoletana style is characterized by its slightly thicker, puffy crust and the use of fresh, simple toppings, embodying the authentic flavors of Italy.
For those who enjoy a thinner, crispier crust, the Thin Crust/Ruota di Carro style pizza offers a 32cm diameter with a low edge, also featuring a 48-hour fermentation process. This pizza is light yet satisfying, with a delicate crunch and the perfect amount of toppings. It’s ideal for those who prefer a more refined, cracker-like crust that lets the toppings shine.
The Pinsa Romana is another unique option, made with a 24-hour fermentation process. This 18×32 cm pizza, cut into eight slices, has a thicker, airier texture thanks to a blend of wheat, soy, and rice flours. The result is a pizza that’s slightly lighter and more digestible, with a delightful balance between soft and crispy.
If you’re in the mood for something a little different, the Calzone style pizza offers a folded pizza, providing a pocket of flavor and a crispy exterior. With 48 hours of fermentation, the dough is rich and flavorful, and the folded nature of the calzone allows the fillings to meld into a delicious, oven-baked package.
For those with dietary restrictions, gluten-free pizza is available, offering a thin crust that’s still full of flavor. With a 28cm diameter and six slices, it’s perfect for gluten-sensitive diners who want to enjoy a traditional pizza experience.
Additionally, there is the Whole Meal Pizza, made with a 24-hour fermentation process. This 30cm diameter, thin-crust pizza features whole wheat flour for a heartier, more rustic flavor. It’s ideal for those who are looking for a nutritious yet satisfying option without compromising on taste.
Each pizza is finished with a drizzle of Sicilian extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), adding a final touch of richness and enhancing the authentic Italian flavors.
Bresaola $35
South Italian Tomato sauce / Italian mozzarella fior di latte / bresaola beef ham / arugula rocket salad / shaved Italian Grana Padano cheese
The Bresaola Pizza at Café Italia offers a delightful combination of fresh, vibrant flavors, perfect for those who appreciate both traditional and contemporary Italian ingredients. This pizza is served in the Contemporary Napoletana style, featuring a 30cm diameter, high-edged crust that has been meticulously fermented for 48 hours. The result is a soft, airy crust that offers just the right amount of chew and crunch, making it the perfect base for the rich toppings that follow.
The pizza is generously topped with South Italian tomato sauce, which provides a tangy and slightly sweet foundation. The creamy Italian mozzarella fior di latte melts beautifully, offering a mild, fresh flavor that pairs wonderfully with the more savory elements of the pizza. The highlight of this dish is the bresaola, a tender and flavorful air-dried beef ham from Northern Italy. Its delicate, slightly salty taste adds a sophisticated depth to the pizza, making it stand out from more traditional offerings.
As a finishing touch, a handful of arugula rocket salad is placed on top, lending a peppery freshness that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the cheese and bresaola. The final flourish is a generous shaving of Italian Grana Padano cheese, which adds a nutty, savory note that ties all the flavors together.
Each bite of this pizza offers a perfect balance of flavors, with the richness of the mozzarella and bresaola complementing the fresh, zesty arugula and the sharpness of the Grana Padano. The combination of textures—from the crispy crust to the tender bresaola and the refreshing salad—makes this pizza an elevated, flavorful choice for anyone looking for a sophisticated twist on the classic pizza experience.
Ribs $42
US Baby back pork ribs in Usa BBQ sauce served with Belgian french fries
From the moment the dish is placed in front of you, it’s clear that a lot of care has gone into crafting this meal. The ribs are cooked to perfection, with the meat so tender it practically falls off the bone with the slightest touch. Each rib is generously coated in a rich, smoky BBQ sauce that delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and tang. The sauce clings to the ribs beautifully, infusing each bite with its deep, satisfying flavors. The smoky depth of the sauce complements the natural flavors of the pork, creating a mouthwatering experience that’s both hearty and indulgent.
However, the star of the dish isn’t just the tender, flavorful ribs – it’s also the Belgian French fries that accompany them. Crispy, golden, and impossibly crunchy on the outside, these fries provide the perfect contrast to the softness of the meat. The fries are light and fluffy on the inside, offering a delightful texture that complements the richness of the ribs. They’re seasoned to perfection and deliver a satisfying crunch with every bite, making them the ideal sidekick to the juicy, flavorful pork.
Together, the combination of succulent, fall-off-the-bone ribs and perfectly crispy fries makes for a truly memorable meal. The balance of flavors and textures is exceptional, and the attention to detail is evident in every bite.
Suggested Wine Pairing 2023 Margaret River | Cabernet Sauvignon $14 per glass | $66 per bottle
AUSTRALIA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
The 2023 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia is an exceptional choice to pair with Caffè Italia’s US Baby Back Pork Ribs. This full-bodied red wine, with its rich tannins and deep flavors of black currant, plum, and a hint of spice, perfectly complements the smoky, savory depth of the BBQ sauce on the ribs. The wine’s boldness cuts through the richness of the pork, providing a lovely contrast that enhances the dish’s flavors. The subtle oak influence adds an extra layer of complexity, which balances beautifully with the tender, juicy meat and the crispy Belgian fries. The Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure and acidity help cleanse the palate between bites, allowing you to fully enjoy each component of this mouthwatering meal. Whether sipped alongside the ribs or enjoyed with each bite, this wine elevates the overall dining experience, making it a perfect pairing.
Affogato $12
Espresso coffee served with your choice of Italian Gelato
The affogato is a delightful and indulgent way to end your meal. This dessert features a perfectly poured shot of bold, aromatic espresso, which is served over a scoop of velvety vanilla gelato. The hot espresso contrasts beautifully with the cool, creamy gelato, creating a luxurious blend of temperatures and textures. The rich bitterness of the espresso enhances the smooth sweetness of the vanilla gelato, resulting in a perfectly balanced flavor profile. As the espresso melts into the gelato, the combination becomes even more indulgent, offering a satisfying mix of warm and cold, creamy and bold.
Cappucino $7
The cappuccino is a perfect balance of rich, bold espresso and velvety steamed milk, topped with a light dusting of frothy foam. The coffee is expertly brewed, delivering a robust yet smooth flavor that is both invigorating and comforting. The espresso offers deep, complex notes, while the steamed milk adds a creamy texture that softens the intensity, creating a harmonious blend. The frothy top adds a delicate finish, with just the right amount of sweetness and texture to complete the experience.
Caffe Italia
81 Clemenceau Ave, #01-15/16, Singapore, 239917
Tel: 9895 6857
