Bringing A Little Italy To Kilmac

Roberto Macari FRI13SEPT24

rom a very early age, Roberto Macari knew his entire life was going to revolve around food.

Part of the reason were all those summers in Italy’s Val di Camino, and being blissfully overfed by his nana, Guilia’s.

Another pretty strong reason was that the fact that he grew up in the family behind the much-loved chain of chippers, Romayo’s, still going strong all over Dublin.

“It was just what my family did,” nods Roberto when we caught up with him over at his new Kilmacanogue HQ today. “And I guess I always knew in the back of my mind that I would one day have my own place too. But I also knew that I was going to have to do this my way…”

Roberto’s way is all about celebrating all the best that Italy has to offer whilst also embracing the Irish favourites too, Berto’s delivering everything from classic pasta dishes and authentic Italian pizzas to such Irish delicacies as chicken nuggets, dirty big sandwiches, chicken wings, sausages and a bucket or two of homemade chips on the side.

“In Ireland, food is just as big a part of coming together as it is in Italy,” continues Roberto, “and that’s what we wanted to recognise here. It’s about family, it’s about community, and literally sitting down and breaking bed. Only, in this case, it’s cheesy garlic twists.”

And with Shane McNamara once again snug as a bug in Pluck’s bar next door, his presence is a reminder of just how he and his better half, Caroline, re-introduced eating out to Kilmacanogue.

“What Caroline and Shane achieved here was just amazing,” says Roberto, “and they’ve inspired Berto’s immensely, proving that a friendly, family restaurant is a perfect fit here in this historic building. So, from John Pluck in 1822 all the way to Caroline and Shane, Berto’s is carrying on a great tradition…”

Okay, time for our ramble chat, to see how Roberto got from Camino to Kilmac… 

Open from 12pm to 9pm daily, you can find out more about Berto’s Pizzeria & Cafe here, check out the menu here, follow on Instagram here and Facebook here, and get in touch by email here, or call 012241010.