| Dining Overview | Top  |
In this city, the dining buzz phrase to watch for is "Cape cuisine." It's made up of the finest local ingredients and borrows from all points of the culinary compass. Local delicacies worth trying include crocodile, ostrich and a large selection of game fish (called line fish)—snook and yellowtail are scrumptious. The selection of local shellfish includes crayfish (Cape rock lobster) and abalone (also known as
perlemoen, although the best is exported to Japan). The most ubiquitous local delicacy is known as biltong (pronounced
BILL-tong): spicy strips of dried venison, ostrich or beef. It is comparable to beef jerky, only better. Samosa (pronounced
sa-MOO-sa) is spicy, curried vegetables or meat in a triangular deep-fried pastry.
Koeksisters (pronounced
COOK-sisters) are syrup-soaked doughnuts.
Other local delicacies: bobotie (pronounced bo-BOO-tee), a spicy ground meat with a savory custard topping; bredie (pronounced BREE-dee), a stew of meat, often lamb, with vegetables; waterblommetjies (pronounced VA-ter-blom-a-kees), a nutty-tasting flower that grows wild in ponds; and stuiwe pap (pronounced STAY-ve-pup), a firm cornmeal porridge similar to polenta. Tripe, known as upens (pronounced OO-pence) in African restaurants, and mopane worms (dried caterpillars, pronounced mo-PAH-nee) are strictly for the daring palate. For something more traditional, you should try authentic African and local cuisines, such as Cape Malay and Boerekos cooking (Afrikaans cooking with a strong Dutch influence). The most vibrant African restaurants offer live music to go with your meal.
Restaurants are concentrated in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront; the top end of Long Street and its extension, Kloof Street (heading up the hill toward Table Mountain); on or near Dunkley Square in Gardens; Victoria Road on the Camps Bay Promenade (great views of the Atlantic Ocean, but pricey); Green Point (Somerset Road going into Main); Sea Point (an entire main street filled with delis, restaurants and bars); False Bay's fishing villages; and the lush and historic Winelands. Two Web sites that offer lists of Cape Town restaurants are http://www.dining-out.co.za and http://www.eatout.co.za.
Breakfast is generally served 9-11 am (if you want to eat earlier, hotels or established coffee shops, such as Melissa's, are best); lunch runs noon-3 pm; dinner is 7-10 pm or later.
Expect to pay within these general guidelines, based on the cost of dinner for one, not including drink, tip or tax: $ = less than R60; $$ = R60-R100; $$$ = R101-R150; $$$$ = more than R150.
| Local & Regional | Top |
The Square
Formerly Au Jardin, this award-winning restaurant in the central courtyard of the Vineyard Hotel offers a good selection of Cape cuisine and other South African meat and seafood dishes, now supplemented by a sushi menu. The restaurant has marvelous views of an expansive garden and Devil's Peak. Smart-casual dress. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations required. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. 60 Colinton Road, Newlands, Cape Town. Phone 021-657-4500. http://www.vineyard.co.za.
Menu items cover a wide range of African cuisines, from the Cape to Cairo. Sixteen dishes make up the communal feast, a geographical and gastronomical delight. Daily for dinner. Reservations required. $$$$. Most major credit cards. 108 Shortmarket St., Heritage Square, City Centre, Cape Town. Phone 021-422-0221. http://www.africacafe.co.za.
Lovely dining in the former home of Sir John Wylde, first chief justice of the Cape in the 19th century. The architecture is old, but the menu is a blend of new South African and Continental. Even traditional Cape dishes are given a twist. In summer you can dine in a leafy courtyard. Extensive wine list. Monday-Saturday for dinner; Wednesday-Friday for lunch, also. Reservations required. Smart attire requested—a jacket for men and a suit or dress for women. $$$$. Most major credit cards. 39 Barnet St., City Centre, Cape Town. Phone 021-465-4909. http://www.aubergine.co.za.
Feast on a buffet of traditional
kos (food)—from
bobotie to spit-roasted lamb—and enjoy a cabaret performance after dinner. Country-style restaurant with Cape hospitality and pastoral views. Monday-Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations essential. $$$. Most major credit cards. Bloemendal Farm, on M13 (30 minutes from City Centre), Durbanville. Phone 021-975-7575. http://www.bloemendal.co.za.
One of the finest dining experiences in the country, it's also one of the most laid-back. Ogle local and international celebrities lunching or dining on Luke Dale-Roberts' exceptional fare, which marries South African specialties and Mediterranean staples. Gorgeously situated in the historic vineyards of Constantia, Uitsig is great for both lunch and dinner. Reservations essential. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate, Spaanschemat River Road, Constantia. Phone 021-794-2390. http://www.constantiauitsig.co.za.
One of South Africa's top restaurants. An award-winning wine list, superb cuisine and a lush garden make it a top dining experience. The restaurant is inside the historic old parsonage, built in 1829, and the entire country house is a national historical monument (you can stay the night in the elegant accommodations). The menu changes four times a year, but the emphasis is always on fresh seafood, local meats and delectable desserts. Tuesday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Monday and Saturday for dinner only. $$$. Most major credit cards. 41 Lourens St. (30 minutes from City Centre, in the Winelands), Somerset West. Phone 021-850-1660. http://www.die-ou-pastorie.com.
In the luxurious Clock Tower precinct of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Emily's is the mainstay of Boer nouvelle—new South African cooking with its roots firmly in Afrikaans culture. The chefs conjure up incredible fusion food, such as the fondue of baked sweet potato, ox tongue terrine and ostrich carpaccio. They boast an experimental wine list, too. Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner, Sunday for lunch only. Reservations required. $$$. Most major credit cards. The Clock Tower, Suite 202, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town. Phone 021-421-1133. http://www.emily-s.com.
This deliciously atmospheric place is one of Cape Town's landmark restaurants. Housed in the 1752 Dutch Club building, the old-worldly charm of its wood-paneled walls and black-and-white checkerboard floor is offset by a vibrant and somewhat playful contemporary menu that will appeal greatly to seafood enthusiasts. The aura of time-warped decadence is reflected in the presence of a plush wine bar and cigar lounge. Daily for dinner, Monday-Friday for lunch. Reservations not accepted. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. 14-16 Keerom St., Cape Town. Phone 021-424-4442. http://www.fiveflies.co.za.
Marco Radebe delivers authentic African dishes in a congenial atmosphere. Choices range from a pan-African platter (grilled fillet of springbok, kudu, ostrich and crocodile) and Mozambique prawns with couscous to traditional Xhosa dishes and home-brewed sorghum beers. Live music (African jazz, marimba and other varieties) keeps things lively. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. $$. Most major credit cards. 15 Rose Lane, Bo-Kaap, Cape Town. Phone 021-423-5412. http://www.marcosafricanplace.co.za.
On the menu you'll find authentic recipes that reflect the Bo-Kaap's Malaysian, Indonesian and Indian roots, conjuring up spreads of sweetmeats, fish masala, chicken
breyani and tomato
bredie. Save room for the infamous
koeksisters. This family restaurant on the slopes of Signal Hill has fantastic views of the City Bowl. No alcohol served. Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner. $$. No credit cards. 273 Longmarket St., Bo-Kaap, Cape Town. Phone 021-424-0529.
With stunning views and an equally stunning menu, one.waterfront at the Cape Grace Hotel is one of Cape Town's classiest restaurants. From the creative wine list to the muted brown and beige decor, it's all about elegance and simplicity. The imaginative menu varies seasonally but always contains a good selection of seafood choices along with dishes with a Cape Malay influence. Daily for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Reservations required. $$$$. Most major credit cards. West Quay Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town. Phone 021-418-0520. http://www.onewaterfront.co.za.
Set on the ground floor of the prestigious Mount Nelson Hotel, this restaurant has an international reputation for its combination of classic colonial architecture and contemporary South African cuisine that incorporates all the latest global culinary trends. An excellent venue for formal business lunches: You can sample the fare without spending a fortune. Try the fine selection of cheeses. The wine list is impeccable but pricey. Smart-casual dress. Daily for dinner. Reservations required. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. 76 Orange St., Gardens, Cape Town. Phone 021-483-1948. http://www.mountnelson.co.za.
Renowned for its beefy, bountiful burgers and superb Karoo lamb dishes, this eating, meeting and drinking venue has a fine local reputation. Also caters to vegetarians with a veggie burger and even some vegan dishes. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. 74 Upper Waterkant St., Green Point. Phone 021-421-6666. There is a second location at 1 Marine Circle, Tableview 2441. http://www.manhattan.co.za.
Cajun cooking in the best New Orleans tradition with fine harbor views. The chef's signature dishes include blackened fish and glazed pork ribs with fresh cranberry marinade. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. Smart-casual dress. $$$. Most major credit cards. On Victoria Wharf, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town. Phone 021-418-3633. http://www.mortons.co.za.
Sumptuous North Indian cuisine is presented in this smoothly operated restaurant, which has gained a reputation as the finest Indian eatery in the country. For best results, order a number of dishes and share with others at your table. Vegetarians are well-catered to. Second branch in central Stellenbosch. Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner, Sunday for dinner only. Reservations required. $$$. Most major credit cards. 33 Church St., City Centre, Cape Town. Phone 021-424-0000. http://www.bukhara.com.
Arguably the finest Japanese restaurant in Cape Town, situated in what we think is the most elegant building. This restaurant is a good reminder that Japanese food is more than just sushi. Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner only. Reservations recommended. $$. Most major credit cards. The Courtyard, 100 Main Road, Sea Point. Phone 021-434-6885. http://home.intekom.com/fujiyama.
Asian fusion cuisine par excellence. Open-plan kitchens, chefs imported from China, and unimaginably good dim sum and Chinese stir-fry. Noisy, bustling and busy, particularly on weekends, this has become the place to see and be seen. Open Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday for dinner only. Reservations available. $$$$. Corner of Burg and Church streets, City Centre, Cape Town. Phone 021-424-7000. http://www.haikurestaurant.com.
This Vietnamese restaurant offers a feast for the palate and panoramic views of Table Mountain. Try the imperial palace pork with bamboo shoots and sun-dried chilies. Leave room for mung-bean mousse or flambeed deep-fried bananas in rum with ice cream. Sunday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner only. Reservations required. $$. Most major credit cards. Smart-casual dress code. 1 Nicol St., Gardens, Cape Town. Phone 021-424-7669.
Superb wines and French cuisine contribute to a memorable fine-dining experience. The seasonal menu includes salmon tartare and a scrumptious
tarte tatin. Daily except Monday for dinner. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. 20 London Road (in the Hotel le Vendome), Sea Point. Phone 021-430-1200. http://www.le-vendome.co.za.
A very popular hole in the wall, Maria's has been in Cape Town forever, serving all the delicious Greek favorites from massive meze platters to slow-cooked Greek lamb and retsina. Busy and noisy. Temporarily closed for renovations. Reservations recommended. $-$$. 31 Barnet St., Dunckley Square, Gardens, Cape Town. Phone 021-461-8887.
Take the train to Kalk Bay and enjoy this bohemian restaurant set in a former theater with stunning views over False Bay. The chef specializes in Mediterranean cuisine and seafood. A summer favorite is the open focaccia with roasted veggies and cheese. While you're there, visit the most memorable little harbor in the Cape Peninsula or buy interesting bric-a-brac from the area antiques stores. Daily for breakfast and lunch; Monday-Saturday for dinner. Reservations not accepted. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 134 Main Road, Kalk Bay. Phone 021-788-6396.
This is one of the most stylish restaurants in Cape Town set on the site of the original stables and slave quarters built for The Company's Gardens in 1682. The food is Northern Italian, in particular Milanese, and a huge and comprehensive menu is complemented by fish caught daily by the owner. The pasta and risotto are contemporary takes on traditional dishes, and there's wonderful carpaccio—both meat and fish—and mouth-watering desserts. Open Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner only. $$$. Most major credit cards. 95 Keerom St., City Centre, Cape Town. Phone 021-422-0765. http://95keeromstreet.lagazzettadelsudafrica.net.
All the Italian staples: pasta and pizza with a slant toward Northern Italian fare, salads, breads, oils and more. It's a busy family place in a busy section of popular Newlands Village. Reservations not necessary. Daily for lunch and dinner. $. Most major credit cards. 32 Kildare Road, Newlands, Cape Town. Phone 021-683-5989.
Meat, seafood and pasta happily coexist in this restaurant, which is one of the oldest restaurants in Cape Town.
Tagliolini with mushroom and truffle oil is a popular choice. Excellent game fish, and plenty of options for vegetarians. The admirable wine list does justice to South Africa's famous estates. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. Beach Road, Sea Point. Phone 021-439-9538. http://www.laperla.co.za.
| Latin American | Top  |
Cantina Tequila
This casual and affordable Mexican eatery combines cheerful service with unpretentiously earthy decor and a varied menu of spicy Mexican dishes, draught beer and a reasonably priced wine list. Daily for lunch and dinner. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 86 Edward St., Tyger Valley, Bellville. Phone 021-919-1556. http://www.cantinatequila.co.za.
Inspired by their many trips to Cuba, the owners have created a small Havana in Kalk Bay. With the lively decor and an interesting Cuban menu, dining there is truly an adventure. Start with the Hemingway salad and round off your meal with the rich Cuba rum pudding. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. $$. Most major credit cards. Main Road, Kalk Bay. Phone 021-788-1566. http://www.capetocuba.com.
| Middle Eastern | Top |
Atmospheric Kurdish restaurant and kilim gallery. Recline on sumptuous cushions while enjoying delicious mezes, naan bread and marvelously tempting main dishes. Belly dancers perform on most nights (and can be arranged in advance by request). Daily for dinner. Reservations recommended. $$. Most major credit cards. At the corner of Long and Church streets, Cape Town. Phone 021-424-4664. http://www.mesopotamia.co.za.
Overlooking the sea at Muizenberg, this laid-back venue is quite a find. The emphasis is on light Lebanese dishes such as homemade hummus and
dolmades, olive bread and sweet pastries. Great for a picnic-style meal. Daily for breakfast and lunch, Thursday for dinner, also. $. Most major credit cards. 165 Main Road, Muizenberg. Phone 021-788-3264.
This restaurant and champagne bar's 16th-century Dutch architecture creates an unforgettable ambience. The menu includes vegetarian dishes inspired by international cuisine and the freshest produce available. Even nonvegetarians are delighted by the signature tomato tart, and everyone should leave room for the hot chocolate pancake. Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, dinner only on Saturday. Reservations required. $$$. Most major credit cards. 101 Hout St., Heritage Square, City Centre, Cape Town. Phone 021-424-2626.
| Breakfast & Brunch | Top |
A good choice when you want to munch on freshly baked croissants and muffins as you savor steaming coffee over the local newspaper. And what's wrong with pecan chocolate fudge cake for breakfast? Shop at the deli before or after your meal to stock up on fig nougat and biscotti—perfect to take along on a hike up Table Mountain. With shops now in several locations around the city, you can always get your fix. Daily for breakfast and lunch. $. Most major credit cards. 94 Kloof St., City Centre, Cape Town. Phone 021-424-5540. http://www.melissas.co.za.
| Coffeehouses | Top |
Fantastic late-night meeting spot that offers more than 60 varieties of coffee, the most exotic being Blue Mountain. Monday-Friday 8:30 am-midnight, Saturday and Sunday 8:30 am-2 am. $. Most major credit cards. 41 Regent Road, Sea Point. Phone 021-434-5160.
The very best coffee in town. Sit with the trendy, young and old alike, and people-watch while you sip lattes and cappuccinos—the likes of which you won't often find outside of the Mediterranean. The shop offers coffee to go, Portuguese pastries and filled sandwiches. Several other branches dotted around Cape Town. Open daily to 10 pm. $. Shop 1 Mooikloof, 34 Kloof St., Gardens, Cape Town. Phone 021-426-0627.
Den Anker Restaurant & Bar
With a prime location on the Victoria & Alfred waterfront, this Belgian restaurant is an excellent place to enjoy a sundowner as the waves lap the jetty and seals bask in the last dying rays of sunshine. Dinner includes a wide selection of Belgian seafood and other specialties, ranging from mussels to rabbit. Good selection of Belgian beers and local wines at the ship-shaped bar. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. On the Pier head in front of Alfred Wharf, Cape Town. Phone 021-419-0249. http://www.denanker.co.za.
Owner Deirdre Cargill serves classic European cuisine with French leanings. Don't skip the chocolate-and-hazelnut crepes. Monday-Saturday for dinner only. Reservations required. Smart-casual dress. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 20 Station Road, Rondebosch. Phone 021-689-2666.
This winery restaurant on the Steenberg Estate offers stylish dining in a lovely Cape Dutch building with alcoves created from the original wine vats. The Cape meets the Continent in the kitchen, and the wine list includes labels from the home estate as well as the other leading estates of the Constantia Valley. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations required. Smart-casual dress code. $$$. Most major credit cards. Steenberg Estate, Spaanschemat River Road (in the Steenburg Country Hotel), Constantia. Phone 021-713-2222.
Housed in a farmhouse built in 1670, with an a la carte menu that changes every month. The warm homestead fire is ideal for cool nights. Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner. $$$. Most major credit cards. Pandoer Street, Welgemoed. Phone 021-913-4962. http://www.deoude.co.za.
Appealing to the bygone glamour of yesteryear, Pigalle is a sleek and sophisticated dinner-dance venue. With its opulent furnishings, eye-catching displays and spectacular chandeliers, you'd never believe that the restaurant was once an old ice rink. Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner. Reservations required. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. 57 Sommerset Road, Green Point. Phone 021-421-4848. http://www.pigallerestaurants.co.za.
An old favorite in the heart of Obz (Observatory)—a laid-back student suburb—serving great food at prices that won't empty your pockets. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. 155 Lower Main Road, Observatory. Phone 021-448 5555. http://www.obzcafe.co.za.
Baia Seafood Restaurant
Situated on the first floor of Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with fabulous views over the harbor, this stylish seafood restaurant serves excellent line fish but is renowned for its prawns, served in the Portuguese style with plenty of garlic, lemon and peri-peri. Vegetarian selections are available as well. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$$. Most major credit cards. Shop 6262 Victoria Wharf, Cape Town. Phone 021-421-0935.
Seafood with a spectacular view in an airy, glassy dining space above the ocean. Crayfish, prawns and mussels are always on the menu. The perfect place for a long Saturday lunch. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. $$. Most major credit cards. Kalk Bay Harbour, Kalk Bay. Phone 021-788-4133.
A revamped Victorian cottage, cozy and constantly filled with the hubbub of diners. Look no further than the jambalaya or the seared, scrumptious Cajun calamari. The chalkboard menu changes regularly, but seafood is always prominent. Tuesday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Monday and Saturday for dinner only. Reservations recommended. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 10-B Kloof Nek Road, Cape Town. Phone 021-424-3838.
The best fish restaurant on the Atlantic Seaboard side of Cape Town. First have an appetizer from the sushi bar, then select from the range of marine delicacies at the display counter. The giant tiger prawns are not to be missed. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations required. Smart-casual dress code. $$$. Most major credit cards. 37 The Drive, Camps Bay. Phone 021-438-0782. http://www.codfather.co.za.
| Other Options | Top |
Generous helpings in a sophisticated, sunny setting with an outdoor piazza. Exciting, experimental cuisine that merges modern Californian and Mediterranean trends. There's a sushi bar, too. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $$$. Most major credit cards. Shop 6162, Quay 6, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town. Phone 021-421-6002. http://www.balduccis.co.za.
A culinary magnet smack in the middle of Cape Town's movie and modeling district. Try the wood-roasted prawns with green chili salsa or the chargrilled sirloin. The walk-in wine attic suspended over the cocktail bar is reflected in a wine list to be taken seriously. Cafe open Monday-Saturday for brunch, lunch and dinner. Restaurant open for lunch Monday-Friday and for dinner daily. Reservations required. Smart-casual dress. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. The Foundry, Prestwich Street, Green Point. Phone 021-418-2948. http://www.beluga.co.za.
California-influenced cuisine in an airy establishment with a fantastic view of Camps Bay Beach. Popular with the fashionable set. The emphasis is on seafood. Daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations required. Smart-casual dress. $$$. Most major credit cards. 69 Victoria Road (in the Promenade), Camps Bay. Phone 021-438-2040. http://www.blues.co.za.
You will always have a very fine meal at Ginja, tucked away in an old warehouse in the Bo-Kaap district bordering the City Centre. Very popular with the stylish and trendy, its menu never disappoints. The food style is fusion, and it's exotic, daring and delicious. Reservations essential. Monday-Saturday for dinner. $$$. 121 Castle St., City Centre, Cape Town. Phone 021-426-2368.
No, not the shoes, but a super-stylish and just-as-sexy restaurant on Cape Town's bustling Kloof Street. Its diverse three-, four- and five-course set menus are a fusion of European, Asian and South African flavors. So sit back and sip a cocktail while you wait for your slow-roasted lamb terrine with Cantonese sauce. Just be sure to leave room for the scrumptious white-chocolate mousse with berry sorbet. Daily except Monday for dinner. Reservations required. $$$$. Most major credit cards. 30 Kloof St., Cape Town. Phone 021-422-4747. http://www.manoloeat.co.za.
An institution perched on the hill overlooking Hout Bay with grassy slopes for the kids to play on. We like to go for the Sunday brunch buffet 9-11 am, when the chefs cook eggs to order. A lunch buffet is served Sunday from 1 pm with roast lamb, pork, chicken, veggies, salads and desserts. Afternoon tea with scones and cream is sublime. Open daily except Monday and Saturday for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. $$. Most major credit cards. 1 Victoria Drive, Hout Bay. Phone 021-790-1450. http://www.suikerbossie.co.za.