3 Best Restaurants in Hout Bay, 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.

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 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.