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Our Top 10 Restaurants in Cape Town
South Africans adore their food and wine and this is reflected in the high quality
of our restaurants, where all styles of cuisine are on offer from Portuguese
to Indian, Thai to French. Typical ‘South African’ cuisine exemplifies its rich
multi-cultural diversity - Cape Malay cookery is a distinctive, aromatic cuisine,
the culmination of centuries-old blending of Malay and Dutch influences. Such
dishes include bobotie, curries, bredies and the sweet, sticky koeksisters. In
KwaZulu-Natal, Indian labourers introduced their culinary tradition in the 19th
century, where it is has been delightfully adapted. Increasingly, traditional
African cuisine is available to taste in some city restaurants and in game lodges,
alongside dishes of European origin. South Africa is also blessed with abundant
seafood; from the Cape crayfish (lobster) of the West Coast to the enormous prawns
of Maputaland and the succulent oysters of Knysna.
The list below is a personal selection of some restaurants to sample in Cape Town. We’ve suggested a range of different options from the opulent and elegant to the convenient and casual. |
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V&A WATERFRONT
One.waterfront
With spectacular views of the mountain and yacht basin, chef Bruce Robertson
has brought a passionate and innovative flair to this elegant contemporary restaurant
with its bold and warm earthy tones. Together with his enthusiastic staff, it
all adds up to the perfect place to have seriously good food. Old-fashioned favourites
are given new twists and unusual flavours are introduced effortlessly. Dishes
such as the milk-poached kingklip served with lightly curried risotto are true
works of art. Desserts that look and taste exquisite are there for your indulgence.
The wine list provides a splendid choice at surprisingly reasonable prices.
Eating Out in SA – Top 10 restaurant
Cape Grace Hotel, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Tel: 021 418 0520
Email: onewaterfront@capegrace.com
Emily’s
Now in its twelfth year, Emily's is as young and vibrant as ever. The restaurant achieved an enviable reputation having been nominated on many occasions as one of South Africa's top ten restaurants. Emily's is one of only a few restaurants, not attached to wine estates or international hotel groups, ever to have won the Diamond award of Diners Club International.
Everything about this place is over the top, from the African artefacts and drapes to the oversized plates on which food is served. Owner Peter Veldsman and chef Johann Odendaal are passionate about African influences and have created dishes reflecting that. Skate wing with calamari, ginger soesie with steamed salad, ‘boeremeisie’ ice-cream and bayleaf custard should give you an idea that this is not normal South African food you're eating. Peter Veldsman was awarded the Blazon of the Chaine de Rotisseurs 2003
Suite 202, The Clocktower, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Tel: 021 421 1133
Baia Seafood Restaurant
Surely a contender for the best harbour views the Waterfront. This stylish, modern restaurant serves platters bursting with seafood. There’s always a choice of prawns, in varying degrees of size and price, crayfish and daily line fish. This can all be enjoyed outside or stylishly indoors. You’ll find an impressive wine list as well as cocktails.
Shop 6262, Upper Level, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront
Tel: 021 421 0935
Email: baiarestaurant@wol.co.za
Cape Town Fish Market
The busy vibe of this warehouse-style fish market tells you it's a popular casual bistro. The menu is a feast of line fish and seafood with the wares on ice for you to see. Little bowls pass you by on the conveyor belt at the well-stocked sushi bar. Service is pleasant and efficient even in season when visitors make things really hectic. The wine list is above average for a casual restaurant. There are also Cape Town Fish Markets in Camps Bay and Tokai.
Shop 159, King’s Warehouse, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront
Tel: 021 418 5977
Email: waterfront@capetownfishmarket.co.za
Shop 21, The Promenade, Victoria Road, Camps Bay
Tel: 021 438 1866
Email: campsbay@capetownfishmarket.co.za
CITY CENTRE/CITY BOWL
Ginja
This restaurant oozes style and creativity. Chef Michael Bassett lends fine dining a sense of imagination. Attention to detail is followed through with a martini-glass lassi partnering lamb shank curry and presentation leaps beyond the plated food to carefully sought-out crockery. A black lacquered tray shows off the sugar work on a dessert and soup is ladled into chunky glass bowls with emerald streaks. Ginja has set menu prices for one, two and three-course meals. Service is smart and swift and the food is gorgeously indulgent yet they have also managed to keep most of the ingredients organic. Some lovely wines are divided into different price categories.
Eating Out in SA – Top 10 restaurant
121 Castle Street
Tel: 021 426 2368
Email: passionfood@iafrica.com
'Starters through to dessert were absolutely amazing. By far the best food
I've ever had. The atmosphere is trendy, but very comfortable. Loved it.’
95 Keerom
Square silhouettes of custom-made wood-striped chairs, raw-brick national monument walls and a resident ancient olive tree upstairs make this the current (and deserving) darling of the city restaurant scene. It is perfectly executed pared-down food where even a bowl of crisps becomes a thing of beauty. The carpaccio, seared or not to your taste, is a must and both the butternut ravioli and Gorgonzola-walnut gnocchi look set to stay. All this is supported by smooth service and by now most have heard how a boat was purchased so 95 Keerom could reel in its private catch of the freshest fish. Good wines are listed with vintages and there is an Italian presence.
Eating Out in SA – Top 10 restaurant
95 Keerom Street, City Bowl
021 422 0765
Email: info@rhodeshouse.com
Wangthai
Easily the best Thai restaurant the Cape has to offer. It serves exquisite authentic fare, ranging from hot to mildly spicey, with plenty of care and attention lavished on the dishes. Loads of vegetarian options. The restaurant is run with efficiency and professionalism and the service is attentive and accommodating.
195 Main Road, Greenpoint, near City Centre
021 439 6164
Rozenhof
Set in a historic Georgian house, the restaurant has loads of charisma and the service gracious. Rozenhof is a classic that looks best at night when its brass chandeliers are blazing. It's also a safe bet as the menu doesn't care to fight to be at the culinary cutting edge. They serve a delicious cheese souffle and the crispy duck with smyrna fig and marsala sauce is excellent. With easy-on-the-pocket options and many by the glass, this wine list has it covered.
18 Kloof Street, Gardens
Tel: 021 424 1968
Five Flies
Chef Gerard Reidy injects youth and playfulness into this landmark Cape Town restaurant, with its polished wooden panels and a black-and-white checkerboard floor. There are many elements to be savoured at Five Flies; from the bare brick wall afternoon wine bar to the interior cobbled courtyard serving casual lunch and dinners, with a sumptuous cigar bar and lounge upstairs. Reidy is known for his way with fish and the cuisine is innovative, flavoursome and surprising. Meal pricing is set for two, three or four courses. A fine local selection of wines is arranged in ascending order of price.
Eating Out in SA – People’s Choice 2004
14-16 Keerom Street, Cape Town
Tel: 021 424 4442
Email: info@fiveflies.co.za
'The atmosphere is elegant yet relaxed and the staff are friendly and professional. Plus it's a cool spot, which means that the management and chef are constantly striving to stay on top of their game, as Capetonians can be a fickle lot!'
Aubergine
An award-winning sophisticated restaurant offering classic creations with a distinctly African flavour. The cooking is a delicious combination of healthy modern, classical cuisine influenced by subtle Asian spices. Each tantalizing course may be complemented by a choice of more than 250 wines. The dessert menu is a sugar fairy’s dream with specialties such as Tiramisu Soufflé and a selection of the finest international and local cheeses are always available. Chef Harald Bresselschmidt’s degustation menu is spectacular. If you’re going a la carte you’ll need some time to study the many pages before making a choice. Do look out for the rabbit sausage. (Three, four or five-course menu a from R215 to R295 per person). The secluded outside courtyard breaks away from the somewhat formal interior of the restaurant.
Eating Out in SA – People’s Choice 2004
39 Barnet Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Tel: 021 465 4909
Email: aubergin@mweb.co.za
CONSTANTIA
La Colombe
Truly memorable dining experiences are few and far between. But to be privy to Franck Dangereux's culinary mastery and charm is a sublime experience. It shows in his perfectly balanced sauces, foams, froths and butters. His attention to detail is supreme. Franck's sensual, country-classic menu is written up on blackboards in French which the thoroughly trained staff are happy to describe in detail. Well-suited to its tranquil setting on the wine farm of Constantia Uitsig, the decor is simple and unfussy. Take advantage of the sensational winter menus that are well worth the price. Book in advance as they have a large and devoted local clientele. The well-organised wine list focuses on wines from the farm and some French wines too.
Constantia Uitsig Hotel
Spanschemat Lane, Constantia
Tel: (021) 794-2390
Email: lc@uitsig.co.za
Catharina’s at Steenberg
Steenberg has restyled the old cellar into a warm restaurant with a cosy cigar bar offering a full selection of Steenberg and Constantia wines as well as whiskies, ports and spirits. In good weather conditions lunches are served outside on the terrace under the oak trees with sweeping views across lawns and historic Cape Dutch buildings to the majestic mountains. Chef Garth Almazan specialises in Cape Continental cooking, updated and enhanced by innovative spices and sauces. Try the ostrich carpaccio, oven-baked mushrooms with Camembert cheese and red onion marmalade! Main dishes are made from the freshest produce, such as the braised lamb shank with root vegetables and a rich port wine sauce. Desserts are a mix of traditional dishes and current delicacies such as pumpkin meringue pie and Cape brandy pudding.
Steenberg Hotel
Off Tokai Road, Constantia
Tel: (021) 713 222
Email: info@steenberghotel.com
Cape Malay Restaurant at Cellars
One of the best places to enjoy Cape-Malay cuisine. Four-course set menus with options for vegetarians. This is where you can sample snoek soup, chicken curry, masala fish and old-fashioned chicken pie, with malva pudding and koeksisters.
Cellars-Hohenort Hotel
93 Brommersvlei Road
Constantia
Tel: (021) 794 2137
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