Cape Town is a top culinary destination, with new restaurants and talented young chefs popping up all the time. We’ve now updated the top 10 restaurants in Cape Town list below with the latest Eat Out Awards (awarded in April) for the top restaurants in Cape Town, as well as some more casual options.
All the Fine Dining restaurants mentioned below are the cream of the crop, so we advise that you book ahead (ie several weeks ahead would be a good time; generally restaurant bookings open 3 months prior) to avoid disappointment. Many of them also ask for a deposit when you make a booking, to avoid people cancelling at the last minute.
Fyn has taken on the mantle of the Test Kitchen (which closed during Covid.) There are whispers of French-Japanese fusion, but it’s more than that. And it’s not just about the food (although FYN excels in that department). It’s also about the service and the drinks. All three intersect to create a dynamic and assured entity. The menu is influenced by Africa, with an overarching Japanese aesthetic.
FYN’s fast-paced inner-city informs the menu β dinner at FYN is something out of this world. They offer a condensed 5-course kaiseki-style meal with wine pairings. (Jennifer was the sommelier at La Colombe for 17 years). The restaurant is on the fifth floor and has views of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head. The interior is sophisticated, warm, and up to date.
Be warned that it is probably likely to be the most expensive dinner you enjoy in South Africa so come with that expectation.
Good to know FYN is number 37 in San Pelegrino The World’s 50 Best Restaurants!
Eat Out Award Stars in April 2025: 3 Stars (Only 7 restaurants in the country have 3 stars)
Pier, by Scott Kirton, promises culinary adventure, theatrics. But with John Norris-Rodgers at the helm, the focus is on the best flavours from the best local ingredients. On offer is a set of 9 or 11 dishes running the gauntlet of the La Colombe group’s skills with aplomb. From the very first “snack” to the petit fours at the end.
Silvermist Wine Estate, nestled high in the slopes of the Constantiaberg mountain, is a breathtaking jewel in the Constantia Wine Valley. And it is here that you’ll find La Colombe. Headed by chef-proprietor Scot Kirton and executive chef James Gaag. With over two decades of accolades, La Colombe has not only directed many careers. But also paved the way for innovative dishes including French-Asian fusion. The restaurant’s clean design is the perfect canvas for James and his team. They create these imaginative dishes with foraged ingredients that turn out beautifully plated with precision.
Another old favourite in Cape Town, but with a new decor twist and name. Nestled in the leafy Camps Bay suburb, Salsify at The Roundhouse offers a breath-taking view of the Atlantic Ocean. It was created by two-time head chef Ryan Cole as a tribute to his father, a veteran fisherman, who also served as Luke Dale Roberts’ head chef at erstwhile Test Kitchen. The menu is straightforward: Fresh fish dishes expertly prepared with care and attention to detail.
Each dish is an exercise in simplicity and refinement, showcasing the natural flavours of sustainable cooking. The interiors have taken design cues from the exterior’s edgy sophistication while still providing sumptuous fabrics and furnishings. Plus, the service is exemplary – there’s no detail left untouched.
Eat Out Award Stars in April 2025: 3 Stars (Only 7 restaurants in the country have 3 stars)
The Chef’s Warhouse has a stunning setting in Beau Constantia. Ivor Jones and Liam Tomlin are the co-owners. Chef Ivor Jones has created an amazing food menu. There’s a specific focus on dishes that use the ingredients from the farm’s gardens. Plus, the farm setting has panoramic views of everything you’ll see while dining there. This is a dining experience worth writing home about!
Good to know Chefs Warehouse Tintswalo Atlantic is making waves with its splendid ocean vistas and a set menu focused on marine delights.
If you’re looking for a high-quality restaurant in the centre of the city, why not visit its sister bistro – the exceptional Chefs Warehouse Pinchos & Winebar. This popular establishment offers unrivalled dining experiences in the heart of the city.
From world-feted chef-patron Luke Dale Roberts, the Pot Luck Club is now headed by chef Jason Kosmas and its menu designed to encourage plate-sharing, so that you can experience the gamut of flavours that are present in a meal. With dishes like lamb with biryani rice and spiced tomatoes, or caramel-spiked chocolate custards, you’ll be tantalized by their large assortment of culinary delights. The restaurant is located on the top floor of the Silo at The Old Biscuit Mill. A lovely spot for urban views. (No, not The Silo Hotel in the V&A Waterfront.)
Eat Out Award Stars in April 2025: 2 Stars
Contact: 021 447 0804
Where to find it: Silo Top Floor, The Old Biscuit Mill, 373 β 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
La Colombe is one of Cape Town’s most beloved restaurants over many a year. Their newest restaurant at the Waterfront has an airy and bright atmosphere perfect for a summer meal with friends. The menu offers five courses with some interesting dishes like Japanese-inspired milk bun stack for starters, prawn salad infused with local flavours, and asparagus that are freshly harvested from Rivonia. And in true Colombe style, it’s reasonably priced! Five courses will only set you back R795 while still maintaining high quality.
At beyond, special attention has been paid to sourcing a diverse range of special raw produce. From rare-breed meats, and seasonal heirloom vegetables to artisanally crafted cheeses, this diversity serves to showcase and celebrate the ‘weird and wonderful’. And the beauty of unique strains and flavours beyond mass production. Nab a vineyard-facing table and make sure Jennifer keeps topping you up with the 2019 chardonnay β intoxicatingly fragrant.
Chef-owner Jesper Nilsson was born in Sweden and has worked in the restaurant industries of both countries.
Here local, seasonal ingredients take centre stage in dishes that are flavour-forward and contemporary. Offering a good balance between meaty and plant-based dishes, the menu consists of small, tapas-style plates meant to be shared for starters, than more traditional main offerings.
The interior is minimalist-industrial clad in moody tones of charcoal with pops of teal, blonde wood and brown leather, an enviable assortment of designer chairs and light pendants, and thriving potted plants. In winter, a roaring fireplace makes a cosy dining experience, while the small, lush courtyard outside is a vibe in summer, with great cocktails on offer and sometimes local music.
The Bombay Brasserie β modelled after its namesake in London β is the perfect place for a romantic dinner. The delicious food is made with traditional ingredients to create some of the finest Indian cuisine outside of India.
You’ve never experienced Indian food like this before! Each dish is a delicate melody of flavours from modern dishes, made from ingredients from India.
Where to find it: Taj Cape Town, 146 Adderley St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
People often think of Aubergine Restaurant in Gardens as one of the few remaining stalwarts of the old days. Given its decades-long commitment to serving dishes that are carefully conceived and creatively prepared. Even with new places opening and closing on a constant basis, this 19th-century home maintains an air of solemn elegance that is inviting, warm, and tasteful.
When Neil Swart wanted to pursue his dreams of unhindered culinary creativity, he searched for a unique and creative space. To find the perfect location, Neil tapped long-time friend Anouchka Horn. The two met when they both worked at Terroir Restaurant. Neil found exactly what he was looking for when he discovered a small space on Harrington Street. With an exposed kitchen and a window facing the street. But once it was renovated, the industrial-mod restaurant could only hold up to 24 guests per service. However, Neil believes that smaller scale cooking will lead to the best flavours in each dish.
There are no set menus β you’re treated to a number of excellent courses (be prepared for a sustainable feast). Plus a bread service, a (life-changing) palette cleanser Γ la Anouchka, and an after-dessert delight (“a last hoorah”, as Neil calls it).
Chat to one of our experienced consultants that’s here to help and guide you.
We use our expertise to narrow down the choices and present feasible ideas, so you can relax and ENJOY the planning process!
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Top 10 Restaurants in Cape Town in 2025/2026 – was written by Cedarberg Africa
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