12 Best Restaurants in Cape Peninsula, South Africa

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.

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. 

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.