2 Best Restaurants in East City (Zonnebloem), Cape Town

Serving classic South African Portuguese fare—think spicy trinchado (braised beef), prego rolls (rump steak fried in wine and garlic with a fried egg), spicy peri-peri chicken livers, and grilled sardines—for lunch and dinner, this resoundingly popular taverna is an institution, with a dive bar atmosphere. Although there are some great views of Table Mountain, diners come here for the reasonably priced, spicy, and garlic-infused meat and seafood, the cheap drinks, and the dimly lit atmosphere. It's a popular spot for celebrations, so expect karaoke and a live band on weekend nights, when large tables can get up to rowdy fun. There are two other locations in Claremont and Bellville.

At this heavenly little mezze spot, shelves are brimming with fresh-baked pitas and flatbreads, tubs of hummus, tabouleh, and baba ganoush, and loads more traditional Lebanese mezze. After browsing the deli selection, grab a table—there’s a lovely little courtyard at the back—where you can tuck into a falafel sandwich or order some of the best hawawshi (Egyptian stuffed pitas), shawarma, and Turkish doners in town. It's great for breakfasts, too; their shakshuka is an absolute joy.