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 bill!
Your $$$ 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 South African 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 WAREHOUSE AT BEAU CONSTANTIA
World class cuisine and views over the Constantia Valley
A celebration of bold global flavours in a spectacular location. 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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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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UPPER UNION
Modern shared dining at Cape Cadogan on Kloof Street
Upper Union is located within a heritage building adjacent to the Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel in the bustling and eclectic Kloof Street neighbourhood, This is a stylish eatery serving up a modern, shared-dining concept in the heart of Cape Town.
The menu features dishes split into big plates and smalls served to share potluck style and are all about punchy flavours packed into hearty dishes designed to bring people together.
Where: 3 Upper Union Street, Cape Town
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OUZERI
Casual dining inspired by regional recipes from Cyprus and Greece
A contemporary celebration of Cyprus and Greece’s regional dishes and culinary traditions. Nic Charalambous, inspired by his travels, aims to bridge the gap between the between the familiar and the experimental with his authentic recipes that have a a modern style and execution of flavours. The seasonal menu is sourced from top local producers and balanced with carefully selected wines.
Where: 58 Wale 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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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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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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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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THE TABLE AT DE MEYE
Authentic family-style in the Stellenbosch wine country
At The Table at De Meye the produce is locally sourced from small-scale farmers and delis. The menu changes weekly (or sometimes more than weekly) depending on the fresh produce available, so that the set menu is always a fresh and delicious surprise! It is a set, three course, sharing style menu.
Where: De Meye Wine Farm, Stellenbosch
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DUSK
Innovative food theatre in Stellenbosch
The dining experience is deceptive simplicity, mystery and all-out theatre at Dusk. The decor and ambience is dark and dramatic with elegant downlighting. Only the open kitchen, with it’s intense team, is lit. The innovative chef duo at Dusk aims for hyper-local creativity and zero-waste sustainability. Fermentation techniques and their early-morning foraging excursions, inform each dish in their 13-course menu of contrasts for the senses.
Where: 43 Plein Street, Stellenbosch
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DE EETKAMER
Original small plates in Stellenbosch
A perfect lunch stop on your wineland’s touring day. De Eetkamer is located in a beautifully renovated old stable with a big open courtyard shaded by umbrellas and trees. The dining experience is a menu of small plates, bursting with diverse global flavors reminiscent of gatherings around a family dining room table.
There’s no set format. Order two or three dishes and a glass of wine from the excellent wine list.
Where: 3 Drostdy Road, Stellenbosch
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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 the walls of the restaurant. The ever-evolving menu showcases traditional Asian-themed tones in a respectful manner whilst using high-quality local and seasonal produce.
Where: 9 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek
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ERNIE ELS RESTAURANT
In the Winelands of Stellenbosch
Known for their generous, hearty, modern farmhouse cuisine in a charming open-plan space that extends out onto a terrace with picturesque views of Stellenbosch and the Helderberg mountains.
Ernie Els Restaurant‘s farmstyle decor echoes the hearty cuisine made from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Executive Chef, Saskia Nel has a deep fondness for the very essence of cooking and believes that “fresh, homemade food is always best”. She enjoys getting back to the basics and building dishes from scratch, like making her own pasta and ice cream, in particular.
Where: Ernie Els Wines, Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
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BISTRO SIXTEEN82
In the Constantia Winleands
Nestled in the idyllic Constantia Valley winelands, Bistro Sixteen82 sits adjacent to Steenberg’s winery and Wine Tasting Room, and spills into its surrounding indigenous gardens with a terraced dining area leading to reflective water features, unfurling into views of the magnificent stone mountains and expansive winelands. The Bistro Sixteen82 menu features inventive dishes that complement the finest locally sourced ingredients. With breakfast, lunch and late-afternoon tapas menus to choose from, Bistro Sixteen82 provides dining with an inimitable contemporary spirit.
Where: Steenberg Wine Estate, Cape Town
EATING IN!
Cape Town hotels that have great restaurants
Mount Nelson: The Red Room, Planet Bar and Lord Nelson
The Red Room: Underground at The Mount Nelson Hotel is elegantly red, gold and black with warm lighting that transports you to another time and place, it brings together original details like smokey glass wall panels with rich contemporary fabrics and artworks.
This is Pan-Asian food done respectfully by the Chef’s Warehouse team, with dishes from China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, The Philippines, Thailand and Việt Nam. These are true-to-their-origin dishes, complete with house-made condiments and dipping sauces.
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Planet Bar: Cool, chic, yet timelessly elegant, Planet Bar buzzes year-round with well-heeled Capetonians and discerningly stylish visitors, sipping sleek sundowners or pre-dinner champagne.
The bar’s celestial décor and inviting seating make for a gorgeous ambiance oozing with opulent intimacy. Whether you’re people-watching from the terrace on a star-sparkling summer night — or curling up at the fire with a glass of pinotage in the cooler months, this is the place to be.
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The Lord Nelson Restaurant has hosted a galaxy of stars since it first opened in 1899. Today, you’ll find our celebrated menus are vibrant and avant-garde — timeless classics suffused with irresistible modernity, served in a romantic, history-inspired setting with botanical tapestries, glistening crystal chandeliers and warm wood textures.
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Tintswalo Atlantic Boutique Hotel: Chef’s Warehouse
Liam Tomlin and chef Braam Beyers invite you to enjoy splendid views and stunning fare at the ocean’s edge. Their familiar Chef’s Warehouse set menu format of contemporary tapas – sharing – in 4 courses draws inspiration from the endless Atlantic ocean views and spectacular local seafood.
Ingredients are sourced from a selection of small, sustainable local suppliers with a focus on marine produce — an homage to the ocean that gently enfolds this exceptional boutique hotel at the foot of Chapman’s Peak Drive.
Where: Tintswalo Atlantic Boutique Hotel, Chapman’s Peak Drive
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The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel: The Conservatory
The Cellars-Hohenort is located in the historical Constantia Valley with panoramic views of the iconic mountain and 9.5 acres of magnificently manicured gardens. At The Conservatory guests can choose from three special locations – the main dining section, with stunning views of the historical garden with its Camphor trees; the ‘breakfast room’; and the terrace overlooking the garden. The menu is classic with a focus on firm favourites, including some of Liz McGrath’s personal recipes. From traditional Cape Malay bobotie, Crispy Tempura Prawns, and Charred Springbok tataki and the signature Boland Cheese Soufflé with Cheesy Gin Sauce.
The Cellars-Hohenort also has a new menu of dainty sweet and savoury delights to further elevate the hotel’s timeless tradition of High Tea.
Where: Brommersvlei Rd, Constantia Heights
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Twelve Apostles Hotel: Azure Restaurant
Azure Restaurant at the Twelve Apostles Hotel is uniquely positioned between heaven and the sea on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard, just beyond Camps Bay – with uninterrupted views of blushing sunsets, breeching whales in season, playful pods of dolphins, and the power of thundering waves.
Essentially a seafood restaurant, Azure is elegantly decadent. With bold, modern swathes of blue, plush leather seating and starched white tablecloths, Executive Chef Christo Pretorius deftly combines international inspiration with home-grown flavours with a menu that celebrates seasonality, sustainability and the bountiful fresh produce of the Cape.
Azure was voted South Africa’s Best Hotel Restaurant at the 2020 World Culinary Awards.
Where: Camps Bay, Atlantic Seaboard
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The Silo Hotel: The Granary Café
The Silo is Cape Town’s most iconic 5-star hotel — a celebration of art, cutting-edge architecture, modern luxury, and Afro-cosmopolitan design.
Towering above the V&A Waterfront, The Granary Café’s spectacular views of the vibrant ‘Mother City’, Table Mountain and Table are the perfect backdrop for fabulously contemporary, playful cuisine. Surrounded as you are by tongue-in-cheek African art, opulent textures and jewel-bright hues, dining at The Granary Café is an undeniably unique experience with its menu infused with the same comfortable, eclectic, and avant-garde style as the hotel’s interiors.
Where: Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
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Cape Grace Hotel: Signal
Popular with our past clients for its incredible full-service, 5-star quality, the Cape Grace Hotel sits on a private quay — picturesquely positioned between the vibrant V&A Waterfront and the tranquil yacht marina.
Signal is at the heart of the hotel. Its innovative menu celebrates the Cape’s rich variety of cultures with dishes that pay homage to local flavours and accent European classics.
Aged Yellowwood furniture, crisp white linen, handcrafted crystal chandeliers, and ceiling-to-floor glass doors create an artful balance between comfort and grand occasion. Experience boldly designed flavours and textures in dishes that reflect the abundance of the South African land, an extensive wine list that includes the very best local and international wines, with desserts that delight!
Where: Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
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Taj Cape Town: Bombay Brasserie & Mint Restaurant
Newly transformed, the Taj Hotel’s Bombay Brasserie redefines sumptuous and alluring with exotic yet contemporary décor and exquisitely layered fine Indian cuisine. It offers a delicious diversity of cooking styles from all across India, with truly ‘Cape Town’ flair and flavor.
This is just a taster …. the choice of unique and interesting eateries in Cape Town, out in the Winelands and beyond is actually quite remarkable. Let us know what your palate and mood feels like and we’ll endeavour to match you with the perfect dining experience.
Where: 1 Wale Street | Corner St Georges Mall
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