My guide to eating out in Cape Town: 2026 update
I am constantly asked for recommendations on where to eat in Cape Town by internationals who follow DrizzleandDip.com and by friends and acquaintances who visit the mother city. As I am mainly a recipe-focused content creator and do everything in my business myself, this list is updated as best I can. The restaurant landscape in Cape Town is constantly changing. Please scroll to the bottom, where I have another list of my favourite bars, casual eateries, and markets.
This is a comprehensive list based on where I love to eat and where I tend to eat again and again. There are restaurants out there that are really great, and I’m still trying to get there. This is my list based on my experience, and no offence to any restaurant that isn’t featured here.
For the most up-to-date restaurant, follow me on Instagram @Drizzleanddip or @EatingCapeTown.
I’m dividing this up by area and then adding a few other categories at the end, like best places for drinks, breakfasts, casual eateries, sushi, pizza, etc.
CAPE TOWN CITY, GREEN POINT & WOODSTOCK
Amura by Ángel León, Mount Nelson
Amura marks three-Michelin-starred chef Ángel León’s first restaurant outside Spain, and it is one of the most significant openings Cape Town’s dining scene has seen in years. León, known globally as Chef of the Sea, spent two years studying our coastline before opening, and the result is not Spanish food transplanted to South Africa but a genuine conversation between two coasts that share a deep maritime DNA.
The setting, in the Mount Nelson’s reimagined spaces designed by Tristan du Plessis, is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Seaweed strands painted onto domed ceilings, warm timber and bronze, filtered lighting that evokes sunlight through ocean depths, and a spectacular double-height wine library at the centre of it all.
The food is technically brilliant and unlike anything else available in this city. The electric green plankton risotto, made with sustainably farmed phytoplankton, is one of the most unique dishes I have tasted. Langoustines are cooked tableside using a living salt technique that forms crystals across the shellfish before your eyes. Yellowtail tartare with escabeche and Cape citrus. Pickled West Coast mussels with seaweed-dusted chips that are dangerously good, as is the prawn toast. Don’t miss the chocolate florentines made with caramelised fish scales. Mind-bending and delicious.
This is not a restaurant for every week, but for a special occasion or a guest you want to impress, Amura delivers something profound. Book is strongly advised, but they do take a few walk-ins around their bar counter. Find out more here.
This is an edgy contemporary fine-dining restaurant in the city centre, amongst Cape Town’s best. Headed up by renowned chef Peter Tempelhoff, it is a refined and exciting dining adventure. You can read more about the restaurant here.
Ouzeri is a trendy eatery on Cape Town’s Wale Street, known for its contemporary Cypriot and Greek cuisine, and it’s one of my absolute faves. Chef Nic Charalambous draws from his Cypriot and Greek heritage, family recipes, and culinary traditions to create a modern interpretation and incorporate carefully sourced South African produce. Ouzeri continues to balance contemporary and authentic Cypriot Greek cooking, highlighting regional cuisine and local ingredients.
Ongetem
Ongetem at the Canopy by Hilton in Cape Town’s Kloof Street district is Bertus Basson’s bold new city spot. True to its name, meaning “untamed,” the menu is generous, unpretentious, and meat-forward, with a focus on in-house butchery and fire cooking. The open kitchen adds energy, the wine and cocktail list is excellent, and the vibe is relaxed yet elevated. Highlights include the aged sirloin with Café de Paris butter, hand-cut fries, and a table-side Waldorf salad you’ll return for. This is hotel dining, reimagined and I love it.
Blondie, Kloof Street
I love the food and Blondie, which is Mediterranean-inspired and leans strongly into sharing plates, vegetables, and bold flavour. The acid salad and roast potatoes are a must. The charred whole cauliflower has become something of a signature, and deservedly so. Everything is reasonably priced, which makes it easy to order widely and eat well without having to think too hard. They even have the option to order the whole menu.
The drinks are good too, and the Paloma is the cocktail to order. It does have quite a party vibe, and it can get very busy with a younger crowd, so I prefer to go off-peak. An earlier Saturday lunch or early evening, and then leave before things get too crazy.
The modern, casual and multi-cultural menu by Chef Jesper Nilsson (with a strong nod to his Nordic roots) is served in a calm, zen-like setting with a gorgeous outside (covered) courtyard. The newly installed bar serves inspired cocktails alongside a state-of-the-art pizza oven. The menu is designed to share, and I would highly recommend doing this between 4 people vs 2. This way, you can sample more, and the portions are very generous.
Situated on picturesque Parliament Square in the city and below sister restaurant Fyn, Ramenhead is Peter Tempelhoff’s venture, bringing traditional ramen to the Mother City. Silky house-made noodles are part of the mix, where the broth is made for days to develop an intense umami flavour.
Pier V&A Waterfront
Pier is one of my favourite restaurants in South Africa and the best fine dining experience at the V&A Waterfront. Situated on the first floor of the Pierhead Building with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the working harbour, the setting alone is extraordinary. The food, however, is what earns it that position.
From the La Colombe stable and led by chef John Norris-Rogers, formerly of La Petite Colombe in Franschhoek, the multi-course tasting menu is conceived as an ode to the ocean. South African seafood and coastal ingredients are handled with technical precision and real creativity. The cooking moves fluidly between classic French technique, molecular touches, and distinctly South African flavour without ever feeling inconsistent.
The service is impeccable, warm and knowledgeable without being stiff. The meal ends with a treasure chest of handmade chocolates, a detail that tells you everything about how much care goes into the whole experience. The cheesecourse is also very memorable and worth experiencing.
COY sits in a standalone building beside the Bascule Bridge, with the working harbour on one side, luxury yachts on the other, and Table Mountain filling the backdrop. The moody, sophisticated interior designed by KT Interiors matches the ambition of the cooking. It’s a beautiful room in a spectacular location.
Chef Ryan Cole’s second restaurant after Salsify is led in the kitchen by co-head chefs Teenola Govender and Geoffrey Abrahams, and their new COY Edit is a confident evolution. Sixteen small plates designed for mixing and matching, available for lunch and evening bar snacking. Accessible and unpretentious without sacrificing any of the kitchen’s ambition.
The cooking is rooted in Southern African ingredients and African culinary traditions, with spice, heat, and real personality in everything.
Available Monday to Sunday from noon. Bookings essential.
This is where you will find exquisite Japanese cuisine. It’s also the only place I know that serves fresh wasabi in the city. There is a focus on quality, and the sushi is of a very high standard. It has a very calm and pampering atmosphere with good service. In winter, they offer a special menu that makes things a little more affordable.
Restaurateurs Neil Swart and Anouchka Horn, known for their popular restaurant Belly of the Beast in Cape Town, have opened a new seafood restaurant called Galjoen. Located near their original establishment, Galjoen focuses on sustainably caught South African seafood.
Head Chef Isca Stoltz, formerly the Sous Chef at Belly of the Beast, leads the kitchen and draws inspiration from childhood memories of Mozambique’s seafood-rich shores. Galjoen offers a set menu that changes based on seasonal availability, allowing Stoltz to create dishes that highlight the freshness and flavours of the seafood.
The restaurant partners with leading seafood merchants to ensure a steady supply of ethically sourced produce. Galjoen‘s interior design, crafted by Annelise Vorster and Yolandi Vorster, features a subtle coastal motif, incorporating elements inspired by galleon ships and the ocean. Galjoen offers a true taste of South African seafood.
They are currently only open for dinner, but will be open for lunch in the future. Galjoen is located at 99 Harrington Street, Cape Town.
This is a multi-course set menu and therefore does not cater for certain dislikes or eating requirements. Best suited for fish-loving omnivores, pescatarians and vegetarians (not vegans)
Seebamboes is an intimate 16-seater restaurant tucked away on the mezzanine level within GALJOEN in Cape Town. The restaurant takes a fresh approach to surf and turf, blending land and sea in unexpected ways. The talented team, led by chef Adél Hughes, has designed a seasonal tasting menu featuring dishes like aged rump with seebamboes served in a Betty’s Bay dashi broth (so good) or snoek pâté with biltong powder and braaied grapes.
Bookings are open with dinner service from Tuesday to Saturday at 18:45. Enjoy the experience with or without a pairing. Their focus is on natural and more unusual wines from maverick winemakers, each available by the glass. If you enjoy adventurous wines, you’re in for a treat. I personally prefer more traditional wines, so this is not something I love about this restaurant.
As a bonus, the restaurant offers stunning views of Table Mountain, and on a clear evening, you can watch the full moon rise.
I enjoy this tiny eatery with classic Chinese and Asian dishes. Booking is essential in season.
This is a great spot for breakfast or lunch in the city centre. The menu in this stylish restaurant always includes a few South African flavours and is carefully curated. Particularly popular amongst interior designers, architects and style lovers.
Bao Down (Greenpoint)
If you like local and quirky owner-run spots, this is the best in town. Small with vintage kitsch, it is always buzzy. There is a small menu of delicious modern Asian food, which includes popular street food favourites like Bao with pulled pork. This is highly recommended, and reservations are essential.
The Potluck Club (just out of the city in Woodstock)
Highly acclaimed Asian-inspired tapas menu. Housed at the top of a grain silo, a New York warehouse loft styled, it has magnificent views. Very popular and advisable to book in advance for evening sittings. But you could try lunchtime if you can’t get in at night. They do the most fabulous long Sunday brunch paired with bottomless bubbly or Bloody Marys (winter months).
El Burro (Green Point)
This is my favourite Mexican restaurant and I love their ceviche and fish tacos. The pork chilorio is also delicious if I can ever get away from the first two. Booking is advisable in the evening and essential on weekend nights but has moved downstairs to a smaller space that was formerly Cabrito serving more Taqueria-style food. They have a big selection of tequilas and mescal too. Their sister restaurant El Burro Taqueria on Kloof Street is another fab spot for a quick bite on the run.
Luck Dale Roberts’ latest fine dining tasting menu restaurant at the Biscuit Mill in Woodstock (below the Pot Luck Club). I adore this cosy, intimate restaurant. I recently sampled their Winter 2025 Explorer menu, and it was outstanding, ranking among the top 3 fine-dining meals I enjoyed in 2025. Carla Schulze is raking in awards and is one of South Africa’s best chefs.
IL Leone Mastrantonio (Green Point)
I have only ever had amazing pasta at this popular spot, and I always eat their seafood or prawn linguini. They serve the very best and thinnest flatbreads that are so crispy and delicious, that they are worth visiting for alone.
This is my current favourite place to meet for drinks in Cape Town, but the food in the restaurant is a bit mid for me. I have had a few hit-and-miss dining experiences, so I prefer it for drinks. It’s Mediterranean/Middle Eastern/Greek inspired. Perfect for sharing. I love the decor, the vibe, the upstairs balcony, and the downstairs lounge for a late-night razzle.
See the bottom of my post for a few city centre bars I recommend.
SOUTHERN PENINSULA
CONSTANTIA
Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia
Ivor Jones heads up this Chefs Warehouse in partnership with Liam Tomlin. Located on Beau Constantia wine estate with exquisite views over the Constantia Valley. World-class food under the watchful eye of head chef Ivor Jones. You can check out my full review and pics here.
One of my all-time favourite restaurants in Cape Town is nestled high up on Silvermist Estate. Deservedly seen by many as the country’s finest restaurant, it is an experience not to be missed. The highly innovative tasting menu changes with the seasons and is expected to delight all your senses with touches of theatrical food theatre. They also offer a really good winter and spring special menu, which is slightly pared down but still amazing.
See my review of the 2022 menu and the 2019 Chefs’ menu
This cosy bistro with a buzzy open-plan kitchen serves an innovative small plate menu that is perfect for sharing. There is a cheese and cured meats pantry for viewing, and the ambience is cosy and intimate. The have recently moved to Constantia Nek and I will update this post as soon as I have eaten there.
Housed on Steenberg next to the winery is a modern bistro with designer elements. I love this restaurant for breakfast, lunch or evening tapas. Here you will find delicious food with an Asian thread in a beautiful setting overlooking the mountain and vineyards. Be sure to have a wine tasting on your way in (or out). For more about Steenberg, check my post here.
KALK BAY
Kalk Bay is one of my favourite areas to visit in Cape Town, and my all-time favourite place is Olympia Café. Slightly worn and grungy, it is like eating in your grandmother’s kitchen. You are seen as a friend, not a customer, and the staff have been there for many years. This 28-odd-year-old iconic eatery is super casual and focuses on amazing seafood dishes. You will always find a few vegetarian dishes, salads and pasta on the menu too. I tend to order only the linguini di mare, a dish they have had on the menu as long as I can remember, and it’s one of my tastiest dishes in Cape Town. Their mussels served with freshly baked ciabatta from their own bakery next door are also delicious.
Harbour House has a lofty aerial view over the Kalk Bay harbour and provides diners with a working harbour view. Crisp white tablecloths and interiors provide an opulent, relaxed experience. Harbour House has a larger and more sophisticated menu than its more casual sister downstairs (Live Bait). You can’t fault either in terms of their location, and they serve delicious seafood dishes at both. I love the beach house feeling that is quintessentially Cape Town, and the harbour with waves crashing right against the side of the building is noteworthy.
Other things to do……
If you are in Kalk Bay in summer, make sure you go for a swim in the Dalebrook tidal pool
NOORDHOEK
The space has been reinvented post covid and I haven’t been. The deli has moved over to the Foodbarn space, which is now open for breakfast, lunch and supper.
Housed in a modern barn on a farm village, you can expect a rustic yet modern atmosphere with really good service. This is one of my personal favourites, and I’m a big fan of the cooking of chef-owner Franck Dangereaux, who was at the helm of La Colombe for many years. He also does amazing cooking demonstration dinners and chef’s table Friday lunches, where a menu is paired with a specific wine estate. Expect solid French cooking flair blended in with local ingredients in a stylish but casual bistro setting.
This is a family-friendly restaurant in the greens of Noordhoek Farm Village. A casual lunch under the oaks in a whitewashed cottage makes for a perfect leisurely afternoon, and if you have children, they have free rein. They frequently have very popular live music on weekends and evenings. Check the schedule for any lineup that might coincide with your visit.
I love this very casual brewery taproom and eatery. In summer, you can show up straight off the beach. They do fantastic burgers and pizza. If this were closer, I would be going there all the time. This is one of my favourite casual eateries in Cape Town.
HOUT BAY
Chefs Warehouse – Tintswalo Atlantic
Housed in the gorgeous Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge on Chapman’s Peak Drive and literally on the water’s edge, you couldn’t get a better location for this lovely restaurant. A contemporary 4-course (8 dishes) tapas set menu is served at lunch and dinner as per the signature Chefswarehouse style. This one is for special occasions.
The Chapman’s Peak Hotel
I eat here regularly and love that you don’t need a reservation. The pretty beach views and the delicious calamari served in a pan. This is pretty much the only thing I eat here. They have an incredible wine list, which I think is the best wine list in Cape Town or South Africa.
SEA POINT
I used to live in Sea Point, and there are a lot of restaurants and casual eateries around here. I won’t put any of them in my must-visit places, but there certainly are a few great spots that I go to from time to time.
I enjoy:
Arlecchino by Tashas, Sea Point
Arlecchino has arrived in Sea Point leaning into a nostalgic idea of Italian dining, where going out feels like an occasion rather than a quick meal. For me it evokes the Sea Point of my childhood, when this suburb had a glamorous European feel and felt just a little bit fancy.
The space earns that feeling. Terrazzo floors, marble details, and classic furniture give it a sense of polish without ever feeling overdone. It’s elegant, a little theatrical, and very much designed for lingering.
The menu, developed by Tashas Group culinary director Jill Okkers, runs from breakfast through to dinner and is broad without feeling unfocused. Breakfast ranges from acai and chia bowls to panettone French toast with mascarpone and crème anglaise. There are generous salads, comforting pastas, and seafood dishes that encourage sharing. The pasta is a highlight, cooked perfectly with excellent ingredients.
Dessert is where it really delivers. The tiramisu, made at the table with espresso-drenched madeleines under a blanket of mascarpone cream, is exactly the kind of theatre this restaurant does well. The pineapple cheesecake is sublime too. I’m yet to try the pizza and will be heading back for that soon.
It’s the kind of restaurant that suits both a long lunch and an unhurried evening, where conversation, atmosphere, and food carry equal weight. A very welcome addition to the Sea Point dining scene.
Arthurs Mini Super
Great for coffee, breakfast, brunch, or lunch, this is a very popular, highly Instagrammable spot in Sea Point.
This is one of my favourite local delis and is where I get my bagels. It gets very busy at the weekend.
The Mojo Market
This is a new food emporium that has opened in Regent Road, Sea Point, and is a great place to visit if you want to taste a variety of dishes from small producers. They often have live music in the central seating area so there is a vibe. Nice views over the Sea Point pool too. I love the oysters and mussels from the Mussel Monger and Dashi poke opposite. The vendors change here quite a bit.
This is my favourite Chinese restaurant in Cape Town. They do great house-made dumplings.
Delicious Indian tapas dishes are served at this busy local restaurant. Their Pondicherry Kingklip curry is sublime. They don’t take reservations
Paris Cape Town
Here you will find some of the best, if not the French pastries & bread in Cape Town.
A cute Mexican Mezcalaria. Great for a taco and cocktail.
CAMPS BAY
I tend to avoid Camps Bay as it’s such a touristy location.
Salsify at The Roundhouse is an award-winning fine-dining restaurant located in Cape Town’s historic Roundhouse, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Lion’s Head. Led by Chef Ryan Cole, the restaurant presents modern, seasonal dishes that highlight local and foraged ingredients, reflecting a commitment to sustainability. The dining experience is enhanced by the building’s rich history and contemporary, art-filled interiors, creating a unique blend of tradition and innovation. Guests can choose from a 10-course Chef’s Menu or a reduced menu, both showcasing inventive flavour combinations and meticulous presentation. Salsify won Restaurant of the Year in the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards.
STELLENBOSCH
Post & Pepper is a stunning eatery in Stellenbosch housed in the historic Post Office building on the corner of Bird & Plein Streets. Owner Jess van Dyk, formerly of Franschhoek’s Protégé restaurant (La Colombe group) created a restaurant she would love to eat at. The dishes are balanced, inspired and with nostalgic South African flavours dotted here and there. I LOVE it!
Arum at Boschendal (between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek)
The historic 1812 cellar at Boschendal has been beautifully reimagined to house Arum, a farm-to-fire restaurant where smoke, char, and flame function as ingredients as much as technique. The setting is extraordinary: a working farm with a vegetable garden directly outside and mountain views that remind you exactly where you are in the world.
The restaurant is led by Peter Tempelhoff, Ashley Moss, Jennifer Hugé, and executive chef Travis Finch, and the alignment across every element of the experience is clear from the moment you sit down.
The bread course alone sets the tone. Kapokbos and olive focaccia alongside wood-fired ciabatta, the best I’ve tasted, served with salted farm butter. Starters were excellent: stracciatella with fire-roasted beetroot, Cape octopus with guanciale and smoked corn, and rooibos-smoked duck with squash and mango chutney. For mains, a 21-day-aged T-bone cooked over flame, exceptionally good.
Jennifer has created something genuinely special with the wine programme, collaborating with Boschendal’s winemakers to produce exclusive estate-grown, single-varietal pours including Semillon from the La Colline vineyard, Alicante Bouschet, Marselan, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre. The cocktail programme, built from house-made tinctures and botanicals, is equally considered.
Desserts include pineapple pelargonium mousse, cherries in Shiraz, and caramelised honey pain perdu. I ran out of room before the Three Degrees of Cheese, which I remember fondly from the Greenhouse. Reason enough to go back.
Open for breakfast daily, lunch and dinner Wednesday to Sunday. Private dining available.
Jordan – at Jordan Wine Estate is a fabulous spot now run by Marthinus Ferreira. I have had lunch there twice and loved everything I ate.
Dusk, Mertia, and Terra are three places I highly recommend that I have not yet dined at.
Delaire Graff Restaurant on Delaire Graff Estate
I like nothing more than to sit on this terrace under the oak trees and gaze at the spectacular views in summer. The food ranges from casual to more fine-dining-style dishes and is delicious. They have a lovely wine-tasting room in an opulent setting, so you always feel quite spoilt when you go there. PS: I have not been since the restaurant has been revamped.
Hōseki at Delaire Graff Estate
I recently enjoyed a special lunch at Hōseki at Delaire Graff Estate. I hadn’t been since the restaurant changed from Indochine. Housed in the same beautiful space, and still headed up by Chef Virgil Kahn, the menu leans towards refined Japanese-style small plates, with plenty of seafood and Wagyu, and there’s an Omakase option if you want to hand over the reins.
A simple 3-course set menu where all the ingredients are carefully sourced from top-quality local producers. The menu changes weekly and reflects the seasons. Everything is brought to the table and served family style. You sit outside in the shade or next to the vineyards, and on wintery days, they take a limited number of indoor tables. The restaurant is in its third iteration of owners, and Leigh and Brendan have maintained the excellent reputation this restaurant has always had. Expect delicious, well-cooked but simple fare, adding a few special touches. It’s been a favourite of mine for the longest time.
Good to Gather, Rozendal, Stellenbosch
Located on Rozendal Farm, husband-and-wife Luke Grant and Jess Shepherd run a tiny farm-to-table restaurant serving seasonally inspired lunches on Saturdays and Sundays. It is one of the most special lunch spots in the Winelands. In summer, you eat in the oak-shaded courtyard. In winter, inside the Vinegar Tasting Room with a wood-burning stove and views into the cellar where Rozendal’s beautiful botanical vinegars are made.
The cooking is seasonal, honest, and served partly family style. Book well in advance. Go slowly. Stay for the whole afternoon.
This country eatery on Joostenberg Wine Estate is only open on weekends with a superb weekly set menu. The food is served family-style in their outside courtyard. See the full review & details of how to book (essential) here.
The Tokara restaurant is now under the helm of Head Chef Carolize Coetzee, and the menu is produce-driven with ties to traditional South African cooking (recipes, ingredients, techniques). Tokara is a truly beautiful restaurant/wine estate with breathtaking views over Stellenbosch. NB. I have not been in a long while, so I am not 100% up to date with the restaurant.
If you are looking for a lighter meal or breakfast in the Winelands, this is a beautiful restaurant with a gorgeous view.
A reinvented restaurant under culinary consultant Nic van Wyk, you can expect an innovative small plate menu alongside a few classic dishes. I recently had lunch here and the sharing menu sits alongside a plated a la carte menu. The steak was particulary good.
If you find yourself looking for a casual spot for lunch or supper in Stellenbosch town, Spek and Bone is another of Bertus Basson’s restaurants and offers a small plate menu in a wine bar environment. Tucked away in a historic building next to Oom Samie se Winkle, it is very quaint and well worth a visit.
Blix – is my favourite bar in Stellenosch, in Dorp Street.
FRANSCHHOEK
La Petite Colombe, Leeu Estate, Franschhoek
The sister restaurant to La Colombe in Constantia, La Petite Colombe sits within the beautiful grounds of Leeu Estate, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over manicured gardens, vines, and mountain backdrop. It is an effortlessly beautiful setting for what is one of the most accomplished fine dining experiences in the Cape Winelands.
Head chef Peter Duncan leads a kitchen that takes South African ingredients seriously and treats them with genuine creativity. The multi-course tasting menu moves with confidence between the familiar and the unexpected, and the cooking has a precision and consistency that places it firmly among the best restaurants in the country.
You can read all about their 2018 Winter menu here (when it was located at Le Quartier), and 2019 Spring menu
A beautiful fine dining restaurant at Le Quartier Francais in Franschhoek. The menu is a tasting menu (full or reduced) with or without wine pairing, and is outstanding.
This is a small-plates, casual fine-dining restaurant at Le Quartier Francais. The food is flavour-packed and inspiring. I have not dined here in a while.
This is Liam Tomlin’s latest Chef’s Warehouse restaurant now in the old Kitchen at Maison space. Beautiful and edgy food in a lovely restored old house overlooking vineyards. Highly recommended.
PAARL
A stylish country eatery on the new Vrymansfontein Farm & hospitality hub of Vondeling wines. Small and large sharing plates are on the menu, which is Mediterranean-inspired, produce-forward forward and delicious. All served family style. There are exquisite views from every corner and this is a lovely addition to the area.
I have eaten in the restaurant, and it’s a totally unique and lovely dining experience, but complicated to get into as a non-resident. They block book most of their tables for their hotel guests, but if you are prepared to take a chance, you can put your name down and hope that from about 1.30pm onwards tables will become available. They do take bookings from 2 months in advance if you are planning ahead. A walk through their gardens is an absolute must, either way for any visitor. I’ve put it under Paarl because it’s actually located in Paarl, although it’s often classified as being in Franschhoek. It’s located on the way to Franschhoek from Cape Town.
You can read all about my stay in 2021 here.
SOMERSET WEST
Chorus, a new restaurant by Bertus Bason, has opened at Waterkloof. Beautiful panoramic view with a fine dining menu inspired by South African flavours.
DURBANVILLE
PATERNOSTER
A bit further afield, but if you find yourself in Paternoster up the West Coast visit:
Hyper-local Strandveld dining experience by acclaimed chef Kobus van der Merwe. A unique and very special dining experience.
This is another must-visit when in Paternoster. A convivial local eatery with amazing oysters. I have not been recently.
Best places for fancy drinks
The Silo Rooftop bar (reservations required for non-hotel guests) or the Williston Bar at the Silo Hotel
The Planet Bar at the Belmond Mount Nelson
The Vista Lounge at the One & Only
Best place for casual drinks
Athletics club and social
The Dark Horse on Kloof Street. A fun local pub-style bar
Dust & Dynamite – A proper old cowboy saloon in Caledon Street in the Eastern Precinct of Cape Town
The Power & The Glory – Kloof Nek Road
The secret gin bar behind Honest Chocolate (Wale Street)
La Perla in Sea Point
ANTHM, 63 Loop Street, CBD
One of the best cocktail bars in Cape Town, ANTHM brings a New York sensibility and Japanese precision to the CBD. Master mixologist Tetsuo Hasegawa, formerly of the legendary Angel’s Share in New York’s East Village, runs a bar that looks like an old Japanese kominka, complete with antique furniture, vintage glassware, and curated vinyl playing throughout. The cocktails are meticulously made and named after the music being played. Small plates of Japanese and South African-influenced food run alongside. Walk-ins only, Tuesday to Saturday from 5.30pm.
House of Machines, 84 Shortmarket Street, CBD
Part coffee shop, part cocktail bar, part craft beer haven, part motorcycle workshop, part menswear store. It shouldn’t work as well as it does, but House of Machines has been one of the most characterful spots in the CBD since 2013. The exposed brick, heavy wooden beams, and glass-enclosed bike workshop at the back give it a gritty, authentic feel that no amount of design budget could manufacture. The cocktails are solid, the craft beer selection is good, and the live music on weeknights is worth planning around.
Aperitif, 227 Bree Street
Aperitif opened in 2023 at the top end of Bree Street, bringing Italian and French aperitivo culture to Cape Town in a relaxed, neighbourhood-bar format. Negronis, spritzes, and vermouth-forward drinks sit alongside signature sandwiches and small plates designed for that in-between-things hour. No reservations, which keeps it spontaneous. Open Tuesday to Sunday.
Culture Wine Bar, 103 Bree Street
Upstairs at Grub and Vine, Culture is one of the finest wine bars in South Africa. Over 50 wines by the glass spanning local and international producers, with a particular strength in South African cult classics, natural wines, and fine imports. It won the Grand Prix at the Star Wine List of the Year awards in 2023 for best overall wine list. The food is small and snacky. The atmosphere is warm and genuinely wine-focused without being pretentious. Weekly live music adds to what is already one of the best reasons to spend an evening on Bree Street.
Favourite Bakeries
Paris Cape Town
Jason’s Bakery in Green Point
The Sweetest Thing Patisserie (Simonstown)
The Hoghouse Bakery – N’dabeni
Lions Bread – Bo Kaap
Fave casual eateries for a burger, hot dog, drink etc
Clarkes on Bree
Jerry’s Burger Joint
Jason’s Bakery
The Dogs Bollocks and Yard – Gardens (great pizzas’s and burgers)
Free Bird for the best chicken burgers (order on Uber Eats as its a dark kitchen)
For smash burgers, try Zuney on Kloof Street (now also at the TimeOut Market in the V&A), Brash in Sea Point or Le Pickle in de Waterkant.
The TimeOut Market at the V&A
Favourite Portuguese Eateries
Diaz Tavern – this is my number one preferred Portuguese restaurant, and I am a regular here.
Vasco De Gama Taverna (otherwise known as Vascos) in Green Point is another good option. Excellent prego’s
Fabrica do Prego – Silwood Centre, Rondebosch & Mojo Market in Sea Point.
Tonis on Kloof – I love the peri peri prawns here
Best ice cream
Kristen’s Kick-Ass Ice Cream – Noordhoek, Newlands, Constantia, Muizenberg, Stellenbosch, Somerset West
Unframed on Kloof Street (totally amazing)
The Creamery
Favourite Streetfood, Asian and Dim Sum
The Melting Pot
Bao Down
Tomsins in Bree Street – booking is essential as it is a tiny space
He Sheng in Sea Point
How Bao Now
Obi – Long Street
Best sushi
Willoughby & Co – V & A Waterfront
Kyoto Sushi Garden
Nobu – The One & Only
12A at the 12 Apostles Hotel
Obi
Best Tea
The Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel
The Cape Grace Hotel
Best Breakfasts
Our Local Kloof Street – A beautiful indoor garden where you can buy the plants too. They also have a Sea Point location, which I still need to try.
Bistro 1682
Olympia Cafe
Hemelhijs
The Loading Bay
Jason’s Bakery
The Foodbarn Deli
Kleinsky’s Deli
Tasha’s – Constantia Village
Cafe Sofi – Gardens
Favourite Italian Restaurants
Il Leone Mastrantonio – Modern and traditional Italian food housed in a beautiful heritage building. Their prawn pasta and crispy flatbreads are delicious.
Osteria Tarantino – De Waterkant (small and owner-run – must make a reservation)
Magica Roma in Pinelands is somewhat of an institution; everything has remained the same here for decades.
A Tavolla in Claremont is consistently very good.
Best Coffee Shops
Deluxe Kloof Street
Espresso Lab – Biscuit Mill
Shift – Vredehoek
Norfolk Deli – Sea Point
Rosetta – Bree Street
Plato – various locations
Best Food Markets
Oranjezicht City Farmers at the V&A every Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 2 pm. In summer, they are open on a Wednesday evening too. This is my preferred farmers’ market, but it can get extremely busy over the summer festive season.
The Time Out Market at the V&A
This is a world-class market and part of the international Time Out franchise that sees this concept in cities such as Lisbon, Montreal, New York and Barcelona. Local chefs. I absolutely love it. It’s quite busy, and everything is self-service, so this is not a relaxed dining experience. It’s good for a quick bite and an opportunity to experience a few local chefs’ food and local wines.
Neighbourgoods Market at the Biscuit Mill – This is Cape Town’s most famous food market and is worth visiting if you haven’t been, and for tourists visiting the city. This is more of a lifestyle market with live music, DJ’s, etc.
Best Pizza
Pizza Connection in Woodstock – Expect authentic Napoli and Roman-style pizzas created by a passionate Italian owner.
Pizza Shed in Bree Street and Kalk Bay
Col’caccio – in the Foreshore. I’m a fan of their vast menu and very thin-based pizzas. I love the Foreshore branch (also the first).
Massimo’s in Hout Bay– Haven’t been for ages because I don’t live anywhere nearby, but this used to be a fave.
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Fabulous! Thanks Sam. We don’t know Cape Town very well and will be there in November. Just what we needed.
Page bookmarked. Going to go through this list one-by-one!
Amazing photos
This is a fabulous, comprehensive list. Will save it for next time I’m in Cape Town! Thank you.
Hi! Thanks for mentioning Hallelujah here! Please note we are open on Saturday nights again since the beginning of the year ?.
Thanks for letting me know Emma, I have updated.
Great list thanks. you have to try all the excellent restaurants in and around stanford to complete this list. It’s becoming a gourmet destination.
Fantastic guide and experiences and information.Many thanks
Awesome thanks for doing this! Some of my favourite restaurants and some I am definitely going to investigate
What an amazing list! x
Thanks a lot for this great list
What an amazing post! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this!
Capetown is such a beautiful place. I long to visit Capetown with my wife and children. Soo. So so awesome. Peter Oluoch, https://vc.uonbi.ac.ke
Thanks Peter and I hope you get to visit soon.
Great list! It’s as if I had written it myself, as it’s got all my favorites on it. One or two I haven’t tried that I will check out, thanks.
Best places for coffee in Cape Town? I have my favorites but would love your feedback in case there are any I am missing!
Hi Simone, I should have mentioned that there are no coffee shop recommendations because I don’t drink coffee so don’t feel like I can honestly recommend them. Sorry.
Great list, Sam:)..have tried many and they are superb!!! Who, in your opinion, does the best afternoon tea, please? Many thanks!!
Hi IIana, I’m still going to add in the best high teas, but for now I would say The Mount Nelson, One & Only and The Cape Grace.
Thanks so much Brigitte
Fantastic!!! But what about the best scones??
Hi Diane, no idea as I haven’t done research into this specific baked item 🙂
HI Lotter, thanks so much for your comment, but as mentioned in my post, Im not publishing comments that promote other restaurants. I have been flooded with people spamming this post with THEIR recommendations whereas this is my guide.
Thank you for this list makes choosing a restaurant for date night so much easier!
It’s a pleasure enjoy!
Hey Sam. Great list, thanks, will definitely help at the guest house. Someone commented about destinations in Stanford, did you explore that at all or could i somehow get a hold of that lady, Helen? We are going there for a girl’s weekend and want to see what is still open in May. Thanks!!
HI Brooke. My fave place in Stanford has closed down – it was Mariannas and it was brillliant (the only place I ever went to). I will ask my friend who has a house there what they can recommend. I think GRootbos is nice to visit – a beautiful property not sure about the food these days as ate there ages ago
This list is awesome, wife and I are en route to SA right now, really appreciate you putting this together! If you’re ever in the states we’d be happy to point you in the direction of some great grub to reciprocate 🙂
Thanks Todd and enjoy!
Sam, such a comprehensive list, one really needs no more. Each chosen by someone who really knows her way around food. Love, Michael
Thanks, Michael, can you imagine how many calories I have consumed to get to this article 🙂
Brilliant post ! Thanks so much. My mouth was salivating as I read through …
Thanks Ulrich
So grateful for this incredible guide.My husband and I love restaurants and food in general and I’ve found it very frustrating in the past having to sift through a number of very average places when we could be eating in a great place!!
It is worthwhile considering other categories for your next update; takeaway/at home, as it’s such a big deal these days, veggie/plant based and picnics. Fitting the first two categories is Plushi Platter, now a restaurant in Woodstock as well as by delivery. Just the most creative menu, delivery package and quality/value. Everything else is subjective, it’s your list, far be it from me to suggest alternatives to your well curated, extensive list. Thank you.
Hi Tim, I could perhaps do another post on takeaway places in CT but for now, this list is already so long that I wouldn’t want to add that to my guide. Its about eating OUT in Cape Town.