130 Best Restaurants in Cape Town, South Africa

From a thick slice of buttered banana bread to lunchtime mushroom and Parmesan risotto, this all-day breakfast bistro in the heart of Cape Town serves yummy and diverse light and not-so-light meals that are unafraid to lean into their decadent side. Whether that means flapjacks or French toast, sourdough or scrambled eggs, you can be sure to taste the buttery goodness that oozes from the wide array of comfort foods on offer. Although there's a salad or two, virtually the only other things on the menu that don't get the butter-love treatment are the drinks, which range from coffee to cocktails and include beer and wine as well as all-day cocktails and great coffee. 

There are plenty of baked goods, including traditional cheesecake, and a very tempting lineup of desserts from matcha chiffon rolls to mango and coconut mousse, plus beautifully buttery scones at this tiny, pastel-hued café in De Waterkant. Sometimes there are savories such as Japanese egg sandwiches or croissants with cheese and tomato, but ultimately you're here to experience some extraordinary baking skills, and you certainly will.

It may be laid-back, shabby, and a bit out of the way, but this locally beloved eatery in a former fishing village enjoys views overlooking a stretch of pristine beach and extremely fresh line-caught seafood. There are salads, burgers, and toasted sandwiches on the menu, but the seafood combos and baskets—which combine fish with calamari, shrimp, mussels, or chicken—are the most popular items. At R439, the seafood platter for two is probably the best bargain of its kind. Don't be tempted to order a garlic-and-cheese roll; you need to save space for what's to come. Service is friendly but can be slow.

Serving good, unpretentious fare in an elegantly quirky space with lovely views across the historic Steenberg wine estate, this is a decent fine-dining go-to no matter the time of day. An oak-shaded terrace overlooking manicured lawns makes for a lovely, lazy lunch spot, and the restaurant's interior with its origami swans hanging from high ceilings and huge windows is a stylishly bright space. The lunch and dinner menu feature dishes like pork belly with butternut puree and a cashew-crusted fillet. A Sunday lunch buffet with a South African theme and accompanying live music is a family affair, and various canapé platters are also available throughout the day and can be taken in the delightfully plush bar and lounge area. A private dining room seats up to 24 and is a gorgeous and intimate venue for a special occasion.

This is a café in wine country, but its in-house bakery has made this place justifiably famous for its exquisite breads, pastries, and cakes. If you're going to have wine and want something more substantial, menu items range from nourishing bowls and breakfasts that lean into organic, clean, nutritious ingredients, to full-blown fried eggs and bacon "Piggy" breakfast. Their burgers, wraps, smoked salmon bagel, and falafel bowl all hit the spot as well.

The front door provides access to two distinct restaurants (one up, one down) both overseen by the same brilliant team and dreamed up by chef and restaurant empire-builder Liam Tomlin who began enthralling Capetonians with his shared tapas menu concept at his first Chefs Warehouse. Now, in another handsomely transformed historic building, three chefs are using their skills and knack for sharp flavors to create more of the same, with a twist—Chefs Warehouse & Canteen (downstairs) is shared tables and global tapas like flavorsome lamb dizi while the somewhat clubby Merchants Bar & Grill (upstairs) offers a choice of an a la carte or set menu, and seating is at individual tables. The food focus is nose-to-tail cooking and slow-prepared dishes, some of them made from ingredients that have spent time in the fermentation and preservation larder. Don't miss the scotch eggs, which you can even order at the bar.

One of Camps Bay's long-standing institutions, this is still considered the place for seafood. Rather than bothering with the menu, guests head to a display of fresh seafood on ice, where, with the help of a waiter, you select everything from fish to shellfish in the quantities and style of your choosing (it's charged by weight). Possible selections include calamari grilled Cajun-style; kabeljou, yellowtail, or bluenose grilled and served with a choice of sauces; or Mozambican langoustines. All orders come with side dishes of stir-fried vegetables, rice, or fries. A conveyor belt of sushi is also on offer, and there are non-fishy and even vegetarian and vegan options, too. Although it is set back from Camps Bay's typical sea views, there are mountain views from an outdoor terrace. The food here is pricey but immaculately cooked (rather than lavishly plated), and always fresh.

Discover the wonders of South African haute cuisine in this modern, glassed-in conservatory overlooking the beautiful gardens of swanky The Cellars-Hohenort hotel. The food is playful but high-end, with various multicultural techniques and flavors used to great effect on local ingredients, resulting in dishes like a springbok (local venison) shank served with shimeji mushrooms in a rich raviolo, Klein Karoo rack of lamb, and traditional Cape Malay babotie. The chef's Boland cheese soufflé is made with a gin-infused sauce that keeps it light, while crispy tempura prawns and charred springbok tataki reference Asian inspiration. A stylish room in tones of silver, gray, and dark chocolate with bare dark-wood tables allows the garden views outside to shine and if you're seated alongside one of the windows, you'll feel almost as though you're outside. In fact, you can sit outside at tables under the trees, between the foliage.

This little ice-cream cafe has blown up in popularity and expanded to several other locations around Cape Town. With handmade ice cream made with free-range eggs and other quality farm ingredients, you can always find the signature flavors (65% chocolate, sweet cream, sea salt caramel, peanut butter) and extra seasonal flavors that have huge followings like cornflake milk, birthday cake, and honeycomb crunch. Staying open until 11 pm, people can be seen queuing for ice cream at all hours of the day. They also serve great coffee and waffles. 

Just a few blocks from the bustle of Greenmarket Square, this airy comfortable café serves delicious breakfast and lunch fare. Lunches tend to have some Asian influences, but you can also expect a good array of salads, pastas, and sandwiches.

Take a break from your Waterfront wanderings at this Belgian-style eatery, where you can enjoy great views while also savoring an impressive range of Belgian beers and as good a pot of moules et frites as you're likely to find anywhere in Cape Town. With its focus on meat and seafood, expect other dishes like fillet béarnaise, rabbit simmered in Belgian beer, or Norwegian salmon in a beurre blanc. Sitting on the pier between the Albert Mall and the Clock Tower (where boat trips to Robben Island depart), this glassed-in Belgian-themed space with a fireplace in winter enjoys lovely harbor and mountain views whether you sit inside or out, and makes for great people- (or seal-) watching.

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.

Cute, sassy and retro-themed, this eggceptionally handsome diner has established itself as a reliable purveyor of tasty comfort food, specializing in anything and everything related to eggs. Foodwise, the focus is on dishes that transport you back to simpler times––steak and eggs; adventurous-sounding egg-themed sandwiches; or a soft brioche bun burger with an egg in there for that extra bit of taste bud–pleasing protein. If eggs aren't your thing, they have wagyu beef burgers, perfectly grilled cheese sandwiches, and tortillas with vegan fillings. What's ineggscapable, though, is the eggy-color scheme: the deep-yellow banquettes; light fittings resembling eggs; adorable yolk-hued outfits worn by on-the-ball waitstaff; the central bar area, adorned with vintage radios and ancient TVs, is infiltrated with golden glass panels; and even the coffee machine is yellow. 

In the heart of Green Point, this fun, cheerful, slightly quirky joint serves great margaritas and tasty tapas-style dishes that may fall short of "auténtico," but will certainly scratch the itch for a taste of Mexico. The ceviche is a winner, as are the tacos, which come with handmade corn tortillas and some pretty imaginative fillings (butternut and goat cheese, marinated artichoke, pulled jackfruit), and the pretty sizeable enchiladas made with flour tortillas. Its sister establishment, El Burro Taqueria, is an equally popular place for delicious Mexican meals in Tamboerskloof.

Up the stairs and in a courtyard corner that literally spills out of her kitchen, Faeeza Abrahams shares recipes, tales of the neighborhood, and insight into local ways of life; a more intimate and authentic taste of traditional Cape Malay cuisine is hard to find. Besides her cooking classes, she also serves a variety of curries, bobotie (mince meat pie), daily specials, and something sweet—koesisters (donuts), milk tart, carrot cake—in her intimate tea garden.

Colorful, quirky, and offbeat, Ferdinando's serves incredible pizzas that are produced and served with care, love, and passion. This place just does everything with tremendous heart, and the result is that, despite being wholeheartedly unassuming, the food is superlative, and the space—a rambling old house with seating in a warren of rooms upstairs and down below—always feels like you've just returned home.

It's hidden away a bit, but once you track down this gelateria, you will marvel at the available flavors (Pino Pinguino—chocolate hazelnut gelato with a layer of Nutella—is always a favorite). The store is part of a large family-run gelato chain that started in Cape Town, and their sorbets, vegan gelato (made with soy milk and sweetened with stevia), and diabetic options are happy-making, too.

With floor-to-ceiling shelves stacked with everything delicious from French champagne to truffle oil, Giovanni's is a classic Italian deli with global ingredients unavailable elsewhere, making it a great place to stock up for a gourmet picnic or to enjoy a bite to eat at the counter. There's always a wide selection of hams and cold cuts as well as fantastic cheeses, and the display counters and fridges have a wide selection of pay-by-weight pasta dishes, salads, and other ready-to-go meals. Though a little chaotic at peak times—and to be honest, the raised counter seating is not especially comfortable—this place shouldn't be missed for its unflinching sense of being part of the Green Point "scene."

In a huge brick warehouse space decorated with African artifacts and artworks, like giant Malian puppets, beautiful beadwork, and wooden carvings, Gold instantly prepares you for the touristy but thoroughly enjoyable meal and show to come. Your 14-course pan-African "taste safari" may include dishes from Cape Malay curry to Moroccan tagine; the food is fine but not the only reason you're here. Throughout the meal, performers emerge to sing, drum, and dance, and their skill makes the trip well worthwhile if you are looking for both food and entertainment. A full vegetarian menu is also available.  Start your evening with the interactive Djembe drumming session, a surprisingly fun way to whet your appetite.

In a restored warehouse, this trendy operation has turned a once-derelict piece of land near the V&A Waterfront into a private beach space with several bars and comfortable covered seating areas inside and out. Although the food—huge rectangular pizzas, colorful salads, Wagyu burgers, seafood platters, steaks, fish-and-chips, and tasty but not-exactly-authentic sushi—is slightly overpriced, remind yourself that you're paying for the view, the toes-in-the-sand vibe, and the chance to rub shoulders with some of Cape Town's shiniest, happiest people. This is simply a beautiful place to have a cocktail and create memorable moments with a like-minded tribe of partiers and carefree pleasure-seekers.

Delicious daytime meals are just one reason there's almost always a crowd in this friendly corner spot on the outer edge of De Waterkant. It could also be the changing art exhibit on the walls or the warm service, but it's probably the tasty meals conjured from nourishing ingredients, the excellent coffee, smoothies, and freshly squeezed juices. The menu adapts according to the seasons as the emphasis is always on fresh, healthy flavors (they have plenty of gluten-free and vegan options available), and the food is exquisitely presented (don't come if you're in a hurry as they do everything to order). You can sit inside or on the sliver of space outside—sometimes there are even people sitting across the road with their mugs in hand. It feels as much like a community get-together as a gracious, intimate neighborhood breakfast spot, and being here always feels like you've discovered a secret hub of culinary excellence.

For a quintessential hippie-chic "Obs" experience, step inside this ultra-friendly "conscious café" which has a health-food focus, but never in any kind of pretentious or excessive way. There are great-tasting breakfasts, falafel sandwiches, wraps with plant-based "chicken," esoteric-sounding health bowls, soups, veggie burgers, and smoothies with names like Gaia and Aphrodite. The health focus also doesn't detract from the fact that, in the back room (entered by ducking under the counter and heading through the passageway), you're allowed to light up your cannabis cigarettes. Many regulars do just that, even at breakfast time. Excellent coffee, beautifully prepared food, and service with a joyful attitude are all part of the vibe here, so it's worth stopping by even if just for a light bite or a drink.

This centrally located and very popular pan-Asian restaurant's complex menu of dim sum, sushi, grilled, and wok-fried items has something for everyone, but picky connoisseurs of Asian cuisine might find the lack of specialization problematic. Popular with business and leisure diners alike, the darkly elegant lacquered box dining room affords partial views of chefs in the four kitchens preparing your food. The dim sum is probably the best option (the crispy prawn cheung fan is excellent), and the Peking duck with paper-thin pancakes are a favorite. Grills include mint lamb chops served with dry red chilies and garlic. Four kitchens mean that dishes arrive when ready, which translates into efficiency, but also the possibility of fellow diners watching while you eat, or vice versa. The owners of Haiku also own Bukhara, the very good Indian restaurant next door.

Sister restaurant to the original Harbour House in Kalk Bay, the V&A location serves the same fresh and tasty seafood menu from an enviable spot overlooking the harbor. Fresh fish of the day—grilled—is always a good bet, but there are a variety of options including seafood risotto, seafood pasta, and platters with a bit of everything on the (expensive and extensive) plate. Sushi and cocktails are served upstairs, from which vantage you can also get views of the mountain and sunset.

A no-frills, utterly authentic, local favorite for freshly-prepared Chinese food, the large menu includes dim sum (wonderful soup dumplings), noodle dishes, stir-fries, beef rolls, and scallion pancakes, as well as Sichuan classics. It may have started as a hidden hole-in-the-wall, but it's been discovered and can get seriously busy at times, and thankfully, the fast service and bustle don't seem to stand in the way of consistently satisfying and tasty food.

New to Newlands is Noordhoek's famous ice cream shop. You can find a variety of signature and seasonal flavors ranging from standards like vanilla bean to more comfort food favorites like rocky road, to kid-friendly mermaid and T-Rex flavors. This playful cafe caters to dairy-free, vegan, and sugar-free eating preferences and has a small seating area outside in the busy restaurant hotspot, the Cardiff Castle. 

There are stories of people coming to Cape Town just for the meat that's served at this deli-cum-grocer-cum-butchery-cum-diner on Green Point's main road. What's different here is that every effort is made to grow healthy animals that produce meat that nourishes and restores health, so everything is free-range and grass-fed, and almost everything on the menu is organic. Expect four-egg scrambles, judiciously spiced, and served with sourdough, or Wagyu macon (a bacon alternative made from beef) and egg sandwiches for breakfast, and beautiful steaks and burgers for lunch. There are Angus beef and Wagyu beef fillet sandwiches that will blow your mind, too. The meat is incredible, but they also take immense care with their small selection of chicken, lamb, and vegan options.

This buzzy, bright, light-filled café enjoys a prime spot facing the beach, while being removed from the crowds, so it offers a sense of respite—plus you can enjoy freshly baked pastries, terrific breakfasts, or a heartier lunchtime meal while keeping watch over the shimmering ocean. French toast, eggs Benedict, and buttermilk pancakes are crowd favorites, as are the smoothies, freshly pressed juices, and difficult-to-resist cakes.

This wonderful inside-outside cafe manages to pull in every imaginable kind of customer, from businessmen doing deals over espresso to ladies from the suburbs out for tea and maybe a full-blown lunch. Apart from being a great breakfast spot, there's also a packed lunch service, with salads, pies, fish dishes, burgers, and lots more to tempt you, so much so that you need to watch yourself if you still have dinner plans (Although you could reasonably stay here for that, too).

Serving hearty unpretentious Mediterranean fare and tapas at reasonable prices, this unassuming wine bar and bistro is often packed. The menu changes frequently, but focuses on Mediterranean-inspired dishes like saffron-scented seafood paella and wild mushroom risotto, plus there's a wonderful selection of classic and experimental Spanish-style tapas. The restaurant's interior is cozy and comfortable, but try to nab one of the outside tables (heat lamps keep things cozy in winter) so you can watch the world go by as you tuck in.