4 Best Restaurants in Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is the culinary capital of South Africa and quite possibly the continent. It certainly has the best restaurants in southern Africa. Nowhere else in the country is the populace so discerning about food, and nowhere else is there such a wide selection of high-quality restaurants. Western culinary history here dates back to the 17th century—Cape Town was founded specifically to grow food—and that heritage is reflected in the city's cuisine and the fact that a number of restaurants operate in historic town houses and 18th-century wine estates.

Cape Town dining today offers a global culinary experience, with Cape chefs showing the same enthusiasm for international food trends as their counterparts worldwide. French and Italian fare has long been available, but with Thai, Japanese, and Pan-Asian influences flooding in, accents of lemongrass, miso, and yuzu have become de rigueur in fine-dining kitchens. Middle Eastern cuisine is finally making some headway, and the Americas have also come to the fore, with plenty of burgers and ribs, and even chicken and waffles popping up on menus these days, not to mention a few South American and passable Mexican eateries. Ubiquitous pan-Asian fare is probably not as good as what you might be used to in major American cities; sushi is also easily found, though largely limited to tuna and salmon, and often prepared with lots of drizzled mayo and sauces. The locavore trend toward organic produce and healthful dishes is also gaining popularity, though attitudes toward vegetarianism in this meat-happy land remain somewhat backward.

Jarryds Brunch & Bistro

$$$ | Sea Point Fodor's Choice

This friendly daytime bistro serves a variety of globally inspired breakfasts (from shakshuka to huevos rancheros and everything in between), brunch classics with a modern and imaginative twist, and an all-day lunch selection of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and more. They have a few inspired, must-try desserts, like cheesecake French toast and a lotus pancake stack, but you might simply want to be here with a coffee and an eye on the parade of passersby—the people-watching is top-notch.

la Belle

$$$ | Clifton

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.

La Belle

$$$ | Constantia

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).

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La Boheme

$$$ | Sea Point

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.

Cape Town

Cape Town

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