Visitors and locals alike are very spoilt when it comes to eating out in Cape Town and the surrounding Winelands. Besides a wide variety of beautiful locations and access to fresh produce, some of the best chefs on the continent choose to live in the Mother City.
You’re in for a lovely surprise when it come to the paying the check!
Your $s go further than you think. For the price of a burger and a mediocre glass of wine in New York, you’ll be able to order the most expensive item on the menu accompanied by the finest award winning local wine.
Here’s a list of fabulous eateries to get your mouth watering over as you get excited about your upcoming visit to the finest wining and dining destination in Africa.
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CHEF’S WHAREHOUSE AT BEAU CONSTANTIA
World class cuisine and views over the Constantia Valley
Chef, Ivor Jones cooking is a celebration of bold global flavours inspired by travel and nostalgia, like his signature Jonesy chocolate bar, typical of his playful approach. Food is produce-driven and influenced by the seasons which allows for a continuous flow of interesting new ingredients and innovative adaptations to classic dishes, each of which is masterfully prepared and creatively yet simply plated.
Much of the produce is grown locally or on the beautiful Beau Constantia farm, a boutique wine farm enviably positioned on the crest of Constantia Nek overlooking lush, rolling vineyards and False Bay in the distance. The building with its cubed glass feature looks seemingly suspended, while inside the sleek open-plan restaurant with exceptional views across the valley.
Where: Beau Constantia Wine Estate, Constantia Nek
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FYN
Multi-award winning in the city
FYN, pronounced ‘fain’ invites you on a journey of flavour discovery. While the ingredients might be proudly South African, using fish, poultry and meat from the best Cape Town farms and fisheries, the menu is Japanese at its core, specifically in the Japanese kaiseki tradition. Dishes change frequently.
Located in downtown Cape Town on the fifth floor of a 19th-century silk factory, FYN has been winning big awards since opening in 2018. The decor is slick, moody, and minimalist – on point with the trendy set it attracts. Book a table for early in the evening, before sunset. The triple-height windows have views over Lion’s Head and Table Mountain.
Where: 5th Floor, Speakers Corner, 37 Parliament St, Cape Town,
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PIER
Immaculate culinary flair in the V&A Waterfront
Situated on the Pierhead in the heart of the V&A Waterfront, with the iconic views that have made this attraction so famous worldwide, PIER restaurant offers an intimate, multi-course fine-dining experience to one of the world’s most-loved destinations.
Expect culinary adventure and theatrics with the focus on the best flavours coaxed from the best local produce. 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 offered with the bill.
Where: Pierhead Building, V&A Waterfront
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KLOOF STREET HOUSE
Brasserie style on Restaurant Row
Housed in a 20th-century Victorian house, Kloof Street House is set back from the busy street and is actually so hidden behind thick shrubs, that you might miss it. Once inside it is like stepping into the pages of The Great Gatsby. The twinkling fairy lights and velvet cushions that line the garden seating area, together with the warmly lit, cosy interiors, make this one of Kloof Street’s most romantic haunts for a special occasion, date night or a no-excuses-needed meal with family and friends.
Relax under the trees outside with a cool cocktail and a tapas platter to share, or settle into a plush chair inside one of the perfectly curated dining rooms for a brasserie-style meal.
Where: 39 Kloof Street, Cape Town
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SEA BREEZE
The freshest seafood in Cape Town
Celebrating the Mother City’s rich seafood heritage, our focus is on sourcing local, sustainable seafood presented creatively and with a lighter touch.
The focus at SeaBreeze Fish & Shell is on sourcing fresh local, sustainable seafood, which is why the menu changes daily, offering a varied taste for some of the freshest catch. Think oysters and MCC, seared tuna burgers served with crispy onions, hake ceviche with cream cheese and squid ink mayo- and of course the classic battered hake and chips, also known as fish ‘n chips.
Where: 213 Bree Street, Cape Town
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BELLY OF THE BEAST
Personalised creative cuisine
Their is a tasting menu for lunch and dinner in a 24 seater restaurant. There are no menu options or set amount of courses. All you do is show up and trust the chefs to satisfy you with their seasonal fare. Belly of the Beast sources from local sustainable producers and use every part of the animal. You can expect some dishes that might test your boundaries, but the menu is always balanced so that everyone will enjoy the experience. The 24 seats make for a very personal dining experience as the chefs cook as well as serve the food.
Where: 110 Harrington Street, Cape Town
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THE POT LUCK CLUB
In a trendy old biscuit mill
The Pot Luck Club is an intimate space that serves as a laid-back eatery and a contemporary art gallery with a dedicated cocktail bar. It’s tucked away on the sixth floor of the Old Biscuit Mill, one of Cape Town’s coolest spots for seeing and being seen. The menu consists of many small plates of modern global flavours. Diners can expect a mix of both fusion and classically influenced dishes on the menu.
Where: Old biscuit Mill, Woodstock
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LA COLOMBE
Award winning Cape Town fine-dining
Dining at La Colombe high up in the trees above Constantia Nek is a spectacular world-class culinary adventure. The tasting menu is a journey and theatrical food experience to relish.
Where: Silvermist Estate, Cape Town
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BEYOND
Among the Constantia vineyards
Set among the vineyards at Buitenverwachting Wine Estate which is steeped in history, and loved and supported by the local community. Chef Peter Tempelhoff was drawn in particular to the authenticity of the property and the feel of a working farm. Templehoff’s enduring food philosophy is one that centers on provenance – a philosophy that ensures that the concept never eclipses the importance of the ingredients. At beyond, special attention has been paid to sourcing a diverse range of special raw produce.
Where: Buitenverwachting, 37 Klein Constantia Road, Constantia
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ËLGR
In the heart of the city
Meaning ‘moose’ in old Norse – a nod to his Swedish heritage, ëlgr chef Jesper Nilsson has created a modern, casual and multi-cultural dining experience. At ëlgr the food, drinks, music and hospitality all work holistically to create the perfect ambiance in an inspiring setting. Subtle forest elements are reflected in calm sage green and charcoal tones with abundant indoor foliage.
A newly installed bar is the focal point of the sunny, spacious courtyard. In collaboration with Sip Exclusive, great cocktails will be served all summer long, occasionally accompanied by local DJs.
Where: 75 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
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SURF SHACK
On the Camps Bay strip
A contemporary seaside diner on Camps Bay’s trendy beachfront. Perched on a prime location – this new contemporary seaside diner adds a little extra flavour to the Camps Bay golden mile. Surfshack takes up residence directly above Paranga, and thus treats patrons to panoramic ocean vistas complete with stunning sunsets. For lovers of diner classics, a vibey buzz and rustic yet stylish decor, look no further.
Where: 201 The Promenade, Camps Bay
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SALSIFY
In Camps Bay’s historic Roundhouse
With sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and the majestic Lion’s Head as a backdrop, Salsify is an award-winning, fine-dining restaurant serving up modern cooking, inspired by nature and driven by the seasons. Within the richly storied walls of the national monument, The Roundhouse, an opulent culinary journey that is accented by daring décor and whispers of history – a meal at Salsify is unlike any other. The multi-course menu, driven by the seasons and grounded in technique, pushes boundaries in terms of delicate yet intense flavors’, interesting textures, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence.
Where: The Roundhouse, Camps Bay
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WATERSIDE
Casual fine-dining in the V&A Waterfront
Waterside Restaurant is on the ground floor of the beautiful Pierhead Building away from the hustle and bustle of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Enjoy the tranquility of waterside dining with the iconic views that have made this attraction so famous worldwide. The offering is a sophisticated, but more casual menu than its sister restaurant, Pier above. The perfect place for for sumptuous summer lunches indoors and on the outdoor deck. Guests can look forward to Cape Malay crayfish salad or Asian pork belly with scallops.
Where: Victoria Warf, V&A Waterfront
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EPICE
For fine dining aficionados in Franschhoek
Epice is an intimate fine dining restaurant located at Le Quartier Français, Franschhoek. Serving an array of delectably curated dishes, the fine-dining restaurant is headed by chef Charné Sampson (previously sous chef at La Colombe), and features a flavour-packed menu inspired by the team’s culinary expedition to India, as well as memories of travels through Spain, Japan, Mexico, Denmark and the US.
Where: Le Quartier Français, Franschhoek
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OKU
Asian in Franschhoek
Ōku Asian Eatery is a Southeast Asian-inspired restaurant on Franschhoek’s main road. The restaurant interior is inspired by the minimalistic design popular in the traditional Asian culture with delicate artwork and unique bonsai trees decorating…
