26 Best Restaurants in Cape Peninsula, South Africa

Between the sound of the sea just a few feet from your table, the grandeur of the location at the foot of Chapman's Peak, and the genius of the persistently delicious dishes, this is hands down one of the most unique and memorable places to dine anywhere in or near Cape Town. Diners are treated to a five-course lineup of dishes in a tapas-for-two format (you typically have a choice of two for each course), which feels like a spoiling feast from beginning to end; each serving brings together often unexpected ingredients in service of rare, intricate, quite captivating flavors. That might involve combining sour curry and ponzu with seared tuna, or serving roasted duck with a beetroot, pistachio, and halva tuile. The results tend to be bold, rich, deep tastes that are expertly paired with a dedicated wine service that explores a few unusual vintages. The vegan and vegetarian dishes are just as immaculately thought through, inventive, and delicious as those found on the seafood-focused omnivore menu, so everyone leaves satisfied. And usually quite full.

Not so much a restaurant as a once-in-a-lifetime immersive dining experience during which you sit down with the legendarily masterful chef Nicky Gibbs at her kitchen table for a superlative six-course meal. Menus are inspired by ingredients found in Nicky's garden as well as from local suppliers and farmers and knowledge of food's healing benefits. Each course is paired with a floral or herbal tea, and you'll hear about the medicinal properties of what you're drinking as well as stories behind some of the other produce and dishes. Expect surprising and adventurous flavors, unexpected combinations, and tremendous attention to detail, plus wonderful conversation, enchanting views, and an all-round fairytale setting. That's if you can score a reservation since it's quite understandably frequently booked out.

Owned by the Deus Ex Machina moto, surf, and clothing brand, this gorgeous 17th-century Cape Dutch homestead is handsomely tailored, inviting, and a little bit out of the ordinary. There's a retail space and vinyl room, as well as a selection of tasty meals, some of them a slight nod to the rock-and-roll biker culture that infuses the space—a Bikers Blue Burger, a vegan burger named for Mick Jagger, and prego rolls (a Portuguese steak sandwich), pizzas, tacos, salads, crowd-pleasers like beer-battered hake-and-chips and peri-peri chicken, and several options for children. There is indoor and outdoor seating, and lots to take in while you wait, maybe browsing the clothing and accessories range in the shop, or listening to DJs or live music several nights a week. When you first step inside the farmhouse, you may notice the untouched meal-for-one on a small table in the corner of the entry hall. The story goes that there's a resident ghost and it's a long-standing tradition to put something out for her, lest breaking the cycle should upset her and unleash the unknown.

This gem not only serves excellent coffee and all kinds of tasty treats and sinfully good baked goods to nibble and snack on, but it also has an extensive menu featuring breakfasts, pizzas (not as good as the Pizza Shed across the road) and burgers, small plates (think fish tacos and chicken wings), and a range of full meals. Supporting local producers where possible, they source their ingredients with care, using free-range eggs and chicken, grass-fed beef, and eco-conscious packaging. With lots of indoor and outdoor seating, this café becomes a lively spot during the summer, with occasional live music; note the passing trains along the very close track.

Probably the best restaurant anywhere this side of Chapman's Peak, here's where culinary legend and Gallic chef Franck Dangereux (the creator of the original La Colombe in 1996) has perfected the art of serving delicious, unpretentious French-influenced cuisine. He and his team work their "cafe by day, tapas bar by night" magic in a relaxed, renovated barn setting where there's a strong focus on sustainable seafood, ethical meat, and otherwise seasonal and always excellent produce. These ingredients and polished kitchen techniques are channeled into exquisite breakfasts, a creative lunch menu, and wonderful dinnertime tapas that change regularly but are always delicious no matter how simple (chorizo, red onion, and mature cheddar spring rolls with chipotle dip) or decadent (slow-roasted pork belly with Medjool date–and–butternut purée) they might seem. Completing the picture is a selection of excellent and reasonably priced wine pairings and service that's pretty good considering the borderline rural location.   Just a stone's throw away, the Foodbarn Deli sells fantastic pre-made meals, plus fresh baked goods, and a vast array of foodstuffs for the pantry.

Simon's Town's best restaurant is often packed with regulars who come for good food that's decidedly a few notches above regular café fare. Diners tuck into great breakfasts and a variety of healthy vegan and vegetarian dishes, but there's also a choice of pastas and pizzas, seafood dishes prepared with whatever's fresh off the boat, and a small wine list. Plus, there are coffee drinks, cakes, and assorted light meals if you've got time restraints.

Neopolitan chef Luca Castiglione and his South African wife Cecilia offer what is probably the most authentic, unadorned, and delectable Italian cuisine served on the peninsula, if not the entire Cape region, in a friendly space that's as uncluttered as the cuisine. Flavorsome seafood pasta, beautiful Neapolitan-style pizzas, a handful of classic Italian meat dishes, plus a chalkboard listing daily specials round out the menu, and everything is prepared fresh and served with warmth and energy. There's a children's playground just outside—useful when you find yourself settling in for the afternoon.

This Kalk Bay institution with its mismatched tables and open kitchen is so much more than a bakery that happens to do a roaring breakfast and lunchtime trade. Check out the blackboard for listings of full-scale meals, including a regularly changing roster of delectable and sophisticated seafood dishes, steaks, pork belly, pasta, and soups, all made with the same flair as those scrumptious breakfasts that have been luring hungry mouths since 1997 when this place went from being a greasy fish-and-bait shop to a deli-style café serving a decent cup of coffee.

This family-friendly taproom and restaurant was established to showcase a local independent brewery, but it's become a much-loved institution known for its laid-back dining experience, sea views, sense of community, and delicious food. Whether you come for the healthful (and allegedly hangover-curing) breakfasts, the toasted sandwiches (with interesting fillings such as cheese and barbecue jackfruit or cheddar with toasted pickled pineapple and bacon), the classic (and vegetarian) burgers made with soft Hokkaido-style milk buns, or the Neapolitan-style sourdough-base pizzas and the beers on tap (there are typically nine different beers), you will not be disappointed. There's also room for children to run around and play while you enjoy a relaxing meal, which is an added bonus. 

Located just off the beach, this excellent French-style bakery is an unexpected gem that serves some of the finest loaves of bread and baked treats you'll find for miles. Around the corner from the bakery, on Beach Road, their café serves dependable breakfasts and good light lunches (sourdough toasted sandwiches, burgers made with in-house rustic bread, and the like), plus coffee and fresh-squeezed juices.

Easy eating in a family-friendly atmosphere doesn't get much better than at this café, deservedly beloved by the crowds that flock here, especially when the weather is fine over weekends. Sit outside under the oak trees or inside, where reed-covered ceilings and a wood-burning stove create a cozy climate, and enjoy hearty and tasty wood-fired pizzas, pastas, burgers, and breakfasts served until 4 pm. You can also get a good old, no-nonsense rump steak and chips or a battered hake with a side salad, or go all-in for a meal-sized salad of goat's cheese, crispy butternut squash, avocado, and sun-dried tomatoes. Children have their own menu and a dedicated play area, and the freshly baked cakes and desserts are delicious and huge.

Come for the views and the wines, and there's a good chance you'll be tempted to stay for a full-blown meal at one of the three dining options; some are booked up in advance, so you'll need to plan ahead. There is a slightly upmarket á la carte bistro with wine pairings and dishes that run from steak tartar to deconstructed beef Wellington, or Meldt, the sushi-and-wine component of the restaurant, or The Courtyard, which does more casual family-friendly meals like burgers, pizzas, and fish-and-chips. More in fitting with the beautiful setting, though, the best option might be to reserve a pre-packed basket for a picnic on the lawns—it's probably the most fabulous way to take in the views, and a great spot to simultaneously take in a few bottles of wine. 

This family-friendly café has an extensive menu of pizzas and burgers (each named after a different artist), salads, sandwiches, cakes, breakfasts, and coffee. But the main draw might be the fact that, while enjoying a light meal, you can paint your own ceramics, be they plates, bowls, vases, or figurines. There's a large grassy area outside and a playground for children to run around while you summon your muse (yes, there's wine available), and there are a few breakfast and lunch meals specifically for children, too.  

Head up the stairs to grab a seat and choose from a delicious menu of carefully prepared toasted sandwiches, light meals, coffees, and various treats. Make time to browse the wonderfully assembled antiques and oddities that decorate the space, from furniture and clothing to Elvis memorabilia and old movie projectors, and all kinds of quirky vintage items—everything is displayed with a museum-grade dash of whimsy (you can even pose in a London telephone booth) and everything is for sale. There's seating on the balcony where you can catch a bit of a view, maybe even hear when a whale's been spotted—from up here you'll be able to see it. It's probably the most welcoming spot in town.

This cozy café is the perfect post-beach hangout. The food is lovingly prepared and delicious, with creative plant-centered dishes like arancini, kimchi fried rice, West African peanut stew, jackfruit curry, miso ramen, and lots of meat-free burgers, pasta, sandwiches, and breakfasts made with free-range eggs sourced from ethical farmers. It's also a collaborative space, created by a collective of artists and musicians, hoping to offer a welcoming place that promotes local culture and hopes to help stave off gentrification. 

A beloved institution with a fittingly laid-back vibe, Empire is something of a destination eatery serving wonderful food in a lively, wholesome environment. There's a regularly changing chalkboard menu, plus a variety of burgers, wraps, pasta, and salads, as well as some of the best breakfasts (served all day) on the peninsula—and some seriously habit-forming desserts. And, yes, bloody Marys at breakfast are possible, and if you sit upstairs, a view of the sea is too. 

For yummy bakes, creative meat-free burgers, and their famous crêpes (sweet or savory), this spot is a great antidote to the various chain restaurants found along this popular strip. It's low-key vegetarian and, aside from what you see displayed, they also make incredible healthy smoothies and protein-dense shakes, some with superfood ingredients, and serve freshly squeezed fruit juices, toasted sandwiches, all-day breakfasts, and good coffee. It shares an entrance with Gary's Surf Shop, a legendary place for surf gear and surf lessons.

An unbeatable location on the harbor's breakwater, this iconic seafood restaurant is known more for its location—waves are known to crash against the huge plate-glass windows at high tide—than it is for its food. The fish of the day is usually a reliable choice, and more often than not, it's the freshness of the seafood rather than the brilliance of the chef that makes the food here worthwhile (stick with seafood dishes). The main drawback, though, may be the noise—if it were the roar of the sea, that'd be fine, but it's the din and echo of human voices that undermines any real sense of sophistication.  If you're looking for something a bit more casual and affordable, try sister restaurant Live Bait, which is just downstairs, makes great fish-and-chips and other seafood combos, and is privy to the same great view.

Right on the harbor, this cash-only establishment (there's an on-site ATM) is the first choice for authentic, no-frills, from-the-boat-to-the-plate feasting. Once you've gotten in line and placed your order, grab a table to watch the waves break over the harbor wall as the little boats and their crews go about their chores; servers will bring you your food. Be aware that the seagulls will fight for your leftovers (or take a chance by stealing food from your table), as might a seal that happens to be lounging near the edge of the eating area.

This casual Hout Bay eatery serves a range of delightfully simple Italian fare from antipasti to pasta, as well as what some say is Cape Town's best pizza. Massimo (who is Piemontese) has masterminded these lovely pizzas with a ton of topping choices, and those with dietary restrictions—vegetarians, vegans, gluten intolerance—are welcome. Beyond pizzas, the "spuntini" or antipasti include classics like Italian meatballs, caprese salad, and pan-fried spinach with toasted pine nuts. There's a good selection of craft beer, warm service, and a laid-back ambience that help make this place feel like a home away from home. There are two play areas that add to the appeal if you've children in tow. 

Offering what are easily some of the greatest pizzas on the peninsula, this branch of the much-loved Cape Town chain provides Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas that feature carefully sourced ingredients and never over-the-top toppings. Choices are pretty straightforward rather than overcomplicated, so you get to taste the components properly, including the crusts with their distinctive smoky flavor. A solid favorite is the simple Truffle, bedecked with exotic mushrooms and sprinkled with truffle oil to create an aroma and subtle umami flavor you will dream of long after, but anchovy lovers should order The Salt without hesitation. The venue is bright and friendly, just like the service, and there's usually an unmissable lunchtime special.

Located on the main drag next to the legendary Olympia Café, Salt offers an always-evolving, creative menu that features well-cooked classics-with-a-twist such as grilled sirloin with Chilean pebre salsa or ginger-and-soy pork belly. Check the chalkboard menu for the specials. There's also burgers, pan-fried linefish, a selection of small plates, a handful of excellent desserts, and a decent wine selection.

It is a shack, albeit a very quaintly decorated one with all sorts of bric-a-brac, and perhaps the best scones you'll taste anywhere in the country. They also bake cakes and do a few desserts (try the Cape brandy pudding if available), and have milkshakes and kombuchas, teas, coffees, and the like. Plus it's simply a gorgeous setting, with pet pigs frolicking about and some chickens pecking the ground. It's run by a lovely couple who will also dish out advice on where to hike or what to see next, so it's well worth a detour.

An upmarket option with an Italian focus, this restaurant (upstairs from the Foragers Deli), does good pizzas and pasta (including a wonderful prawn fettuccine), as well as grilled steaks, burgers (at lunch), risotto, and salads. With an owner who hails from San Remo, you can expect food that's freshly made and locally sourced, with pasta that's made in-house (they have egg-free and gluten-free pasta available, too). If prices are a tiny bit higher than you expect, it's a consequence of being a bit far from any main towns, but you won't be sorry.

This small but excellent bakery owned and operated by sibling chefs produces everything from kimchi and Grüberg sourdough croissants to scrumptious baguette sandwiches and expertly brewed coffee; this place is worth getting out of bed early to be there when the loaves exit the oven. There are a handful of tables so you can sit down and immediately tuck in, or grab whatever you need for a picnic or a take-out meal. Don't wait too late as there's a good chance everything will be sold out by the afternoon.

With lots of healthy and vegan-friendly options, from falafel wraps and homemade veggie burgers to excellent breakfasts, good fish-and-chips, and a variety of delicious cakes on display, this is an extremely pleasant daytime dining spot with consistently satisfying food. The atmosphere, too, is a joy, miles from the crazy pace of the city, and it's operated by a crew of charming souls who make you feel right at home.