Our Best Restaurants In Cape Town
Delight Your Taste Buds With Our Favourite Restaurants, Offering Up Unique Flavors In Cape Town
The restaurant scene in Cape Town has come a long way in the past two decades, and the city is now firmly established on the international map as a favourite destination for food lovers. With its unique combination of coastal and inland locations, the "Mother City" offers a fantastic range of flavours and cuisines to appeal to every palette.
From award-winning fine dining establishments to low-key pubs and bistros, there is something for everyone when travelling to the Western Cape.
Traditional Cape Town dishes include bobotie (a delicious curried mince dish served with savoury custard), waterblommetjie bredie (lamb stew with a unique difference), and Cape Malay curries are easy to find, and the city's restaurants boast a wide range of international options as well.
Famous for its incredible seafood dishes, the Western Cape offers some of the freshest produce in the world. Whether you are looking for succulent crayfish tails served with garlic butter or a delicious line-caught calamari stir fry, you will be spoiled for choice.
For a truly unique experience, visit one of the many beachfront restaurants and soak up the incredible views while indulging in some of the freshest seafood.
The Cape Winelands is the famed cuisine region of South Africa, and it is home to some of the continent's best dining options. Here you'll find wineries that offer tours, tastings and exquisite restaurants serving up some of the most delicious dishes in the country. The atmosphere is always relaxed and charming, providing the perfect backdrop for a luxurious meal with exceptional wine.
Cape Town has something to offer, no matter what kind of food you are looking for. With its vibrant atmosphere and global flavours, it is no wonder that the city's restaurants are so highly acclaimed.
So don your best dress, grab a partner and head out to experience some of the continent's best cuisine and food options!
NOTE: When updating this page, we are still determining which restaurants have survived; COVID has been tough on the hospitality industry here in South Africa. We will update this page once we have more clarity on the situation.
Our List Of Recommended Cape Town Restaurants
Kloof Street House
30 Kloof Street, CBD. 021 423 4413.
In their own words "an eclectic colonial-inspired restaurant and bar set in a magnificent Victorian house". That about sums it up. You come here for the atmosphere. The rooms are adorned with impressive paintings, relics and curios giving off a more Bohemian than a colonial vibe.
You will also have food with a varied menu utilising fresh local ingredients. Also most enjoyable for a cocktail on the lawn.
Azure Restaurant
The Twelve Apostles Hotel, Victoria Road, Camps Bay. 021-4379029.
In this beautiful hotel situated in splendid isolation between Camps Bay and Llandudno, you will find a restaurant which is both relaxed and opulent and an environment in which you feel immediately comfortable. With sweeping views of the Atlantic, you will eat a broad variety of dishes. Sunday brunch is a treat.
This restaurant pulls off the rare trick in which you could have an intimate tete-a-tete evening but which is also very welcoming for families.
The Foodbarn
Noordhoek Farm Village, Noordhoek Main Road, Noordhoek. 021-7891390.
In a relaxed semi-rural environment and unpretentious surroundings, you will probably enjoy some of the best French cuisines in the country.
The French chef and owner Franck Dangereux has created dishes of natural taste, smells and textures, and much character. Our personal favourite.
Sevruga Restaurant
Quay 5, V&A Waterfront. 021-4215134.
An excellent V&A Waterfront restaurant, specialising in sushi and seafood.
The interiors are lush, but you want to sit outside on the terrace and observe the world with a cocktail in your hand.
The Round House Restaurant
Round House Road (off Kloof Road), The Glen, Camps Bay. 021-4384347.
Another historical Cape building with sweeping views of Camps Bay, the Twelve Apostles Mountains and the ocean. The main restaurant is fine dining bending European cuisine with African ingredients. The wine list and pairing menus are excellent.
During the summer season, the lawns are opened up for a more comfortable dining experience with comfort foods under the banner of the 'The Rumbillion Lawns'.
Buitenverwachting Restaurant
Klein Constantia Road, Constantia. 021- 7943522.
Further, down the Constantia Valley, you will enjoy one of the finest dining experiences in the country. In this old established vineyard, the Austrian chef combines the best local ingredients (the game dishes are mouth-watering) with the best European traditions.
Enjoy your meal with the excellent wines of the estate and take your time. This quality cannot be rushed. A tasting menu is also available.
Bistro 1682
Steenberg Vineyards, Tokai. 021-7132211.
One of the oldest vineyards in South Africa hosts one of the most contemporary buildings and raises the standard of casual dining restaurants.
Whether it is the tapas menu or the raw bar with dishes of sashimi, gravadlax, ceviche, carpaccios and oysters, you will be impressed by the quality and originality of the food. This place is a must visit even if it's only for a cocktail.
Norval Foundation South Africa
With its dynamic atmosphere and captivating art, Norval Foundation in Cape Town offers a unique experience for all ages who appreciate the beauty of art.
No matter who you are, the Norval Foundation has something to astound and delight! From spectacular exhibitions to an expansive sculpture garden featuring one-of-a-kind pieces, as well as a selection of educational workshops for kids - it is all here waiting.
Climbing Table Mountain
Table Mountain is one of the most iconic landmarks in Cape Town, and with the Aerial Cableway closed for a few weeks, now is the perfect time to explore its many paths.
A hike up Skeleton Gorge provides an opportunity to experience nature's beauty while gathering breathtaking views along the way.
With record numbers of visitors coming to Cape Town due to its designation as World Design Capital 2014, and inclusion as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, it is no wonder why this city has been gaining so much attention.
Constantia Valley Wine Route
The Constantia Valley Wine Route is a stunning destination for wine lovers in South Africa. It offers an array of estates, each with its own special selection of wines and unique experiences to enjoy.
From the upgraded wine-tasting venue at Uitkyk Estate to Klein Constantia's "Beyond Restaurant", there are plenty of opportunities to sample some excellent local vintages. For those looking for something special, Groot Constantia is home to Cape Ruby port and Eagles Nest has partnered with the Western Cape Raptor Research Programme.
Horse Riding in Cape Town
Experience an unforgettable adventure and explore the beauty of Cape Town by horseback.
Just a short drive from the centre of town, you will find Noordhoek – a sleepy community known for its stunning beach that stretches for over eight kilometres and is bordered by wetlands, Chapmans Peak and Kommetjie lighthouse.
Sleepy Hollow Horse Riding offers outrides on this beach where you can ride through dunes, trot across pools of water and even visit the skeletal remains of an old steamship wreck!
Design in Cape Town
Cape Town is experiencing an exciting wave of investment, community involvement and physical regeneration due to its designation as the World Design Capital 2014.
This has been evident in the seaside suburb of Muizenberg, where dead corners and buildings have been transformed into vibrant areas full of life.
The murals, sculptures and shops that are popping up all over town are a testament to the power of good design and art in revitalising this once down-at-heel resort.
10 best things about Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa is a vibrant and beautiful city that offers something for everyone.
From its stunning beaches to its majestic Table Mountain, from its world-famous Constantia vineyards to the stunning Kirstenbosch Garden, Robben Island and a great number of 5-star restaurants on offer - Cape Town truly is an unforgettable destination.
Here are 10 of the best things about this incredible city that make it such a fantastic place to visit or live in.
Kirstenbosch, Boomslang Tree Canopy Walkway
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful and diverse gardens in Cape Town. With its sprawling 1,300 acres of land, Kirstenbosch offers a journey of the senses with its vibrant flowers, lush greenery and an array of birdlife.
For those looking for a unique experience, take on the Boomslang Tree Canopy Walkway - an elevated walkway that provides stunning views across the gardens.
Cape Town Kite Festival
The 19th annual Cape Town Kite Festival was held at the beginning of November in Muizenberg, bringing together over 20,000 people for a two-day event.
The festival featured stunt kiting exhibitions, Japanese-inspired Rokkaku kite battles, and a Heritage Kite Competition that encouraged children to build South African swallow or bat-style kites from scratch.
In addition to the fun activities on offer, the festival also supports Cape Mental Health charity and provides an opportunity for local businesses and visitors alike to experience the beauty of Cape Town and Muizenberg.