31 Best Restaurants in Cape Town, South Africa

From late afternoon through midnight you can follow your ears to find the party at this hipsterish hangout, but come here for lunch, and you'll discover some of the most addictive Mediterranean- and Middle Eastern-inspired food in the city. The unusual menu items—wood-fired lettuce, beef and lamb baked into a pita, eggplant done on the coals and smothered with tahini and other goodies, and cured yellowtail on challah toast that you will dream about for weeks—are full of flavor and everything is scrumptious, simple, and served with a smile. And while there's a bar full of everything (at very reasonable prices, much like the food), you can order filtered water, still or sparkling, served from a specialized tap and free of charge. Just be warned that if you're not up for a slice of pandemonium, you'll want to make your exit before the late-afternoon partiers begin to descend, it will gradually begin to throb with young people out for a good time.

Although it's on Canterbury Street, this community-building café is also accessible from Harrington via the "Electric Avenue" alleyway. Occupying a former mechanic shop, expect good, wholesome food, fresh juices, music events and social happenings, and an effort to help feed the local homeless and hungry. If you're looking for a spot to linger, fill up on nutritious drinks and bites, and maybe start a conversation with a stranger—this is a good place to make that happen. At the same time, there's plenty of choice in terms of salads, sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, flatbreads, and an extensive choice of beverages, both healthy and boozy.

Hidden in the Montebello Design Center and Nursery is this quaint little cafe that has been serving locals for decades. Serving thoughtful breakfasts, light lunches, sandwiches, and a select number of delicious hot meals. There is an extensive cake, pastry, and deli counter with all kinds of homemade goods. On warmer days, a seat outdoors allows you to view the wonderful plants in the nursery next to it and there's a small play area for kids to enjoy. 

A Sea Point institution since 2014, this New York–style deli blends traditional Jewish recipes with the best local ingredients to bring freshly baked bagels and an assortment of schmears, toppings, and homemade sauces. Be sure to try out a few of their pastries like babka and rugelach, and their New York cheesecake which has a choc-mint crust (when not sold out). They've expanded and now have a branch in Gardens (and one in Mayfair, London).

From among a seemingly endless variety of flavors, ranging from super-traditional (stracciatella, pistachio, chocolate) to singularly South African (rooibos, milk tart), and seasonal and slightly experimental, the day's selection of what's available is listed on the wall-mounted menu. Better, though, is to chat with the gelato-slingers behind the counter—they'll have tasted them all and will make personalized recommendations. As at other Moro branches across the city, they also serve vegan sorbetto, in flavors like turmeric ginger lemon, gingerbeet, fig, and mandarino.

"No drama, just shawarma" is the motto of this cute Middle Eastern street food joint started by Israeli-born Ofer Hollinger in the stone-walled bowels of the repurposed St Stephen's Church. If you're looking for the juiciest shawarmas and the best-tasting falafel in town, not to mention wonderful stuffed pitas topped with hummus and tahini, there's nowhere quite like this. They also do Lebanese arayes, Yemeni zhouk, burgers with either kofta or falafel, and absolutely delicious Iraqi-style sabich pita with eggplant and boiled egg. Order some mezze to share, along with crispy fries served with spicy mayo, and a bowl of hummus for dipping. You can grab a seat (there is a small outdoor courtyard at the back, and you might find tables of backgammon players out front on the sidewalk) or grab it to go, best washed down with a homemade lemonita (although they do have wine and beer, too).

Entirely vegan and plant-based with health front of mind, the food here is nutritious and utterly delicious. From freshly-squeezed juices to incredible smoothies (ideal on hot days), and dishes like chickpea curry, butter bean stew, and tacos filled with spicy cauliflower, avocado, cashew nut cream cheese, and Mexican beans and brown rice, no corners are cut and the emphasis is on making every mouthful delicious, rich, and packed with nourishment. There are also homemade bagels, wraps, soups, and pasta with some sort of cheesy-tasting alternative made from nuts. There are two more locations, the original in Gardens, just off Kloof Street, and another in Observatory.

From fried termites (majuru) and mopani worm chili bites (madora) to ox trotters (zondo), tripe (guru), and kapenta (a tiny sardine-like lake fish that's dried) cooked in peanut butter, this no-frills restaurant showcases some of the interesting, unique, and delicious tastes of Zimbabwean cuisine. Popular, and perhaps less intimidating, choices include their hearty oxtail stew (also a beloved South African dish) and tilapia steamed, pan-fried, or cooked in a curry sauce. Dessert isn't really a thing here, so consider heading to Tapi Tapi, a Zimbabwean ice cream parlor in the nearby Observatory neighborhood.

Tapiwa Guzha, the Zimbabwe-born ice cream maker and founder of Tapi Tapi, makes delicious and daring handcrafted African ice creams that have turned this proverbial hole-in-the-wall into a Cape Town institution that's a must-visit. Tapiwa is on a mission to challenge how the world perceives African food and indigenous ingredients (like imphepho and sorghum) by constantly seeking out and creating new flavors from across the continent. He hand-makes everything and there's always a couple of new (and unexpected) flavors to try—including vegan options (like musika, made from tamarind and coconut cream). He also offers ice cream–making workshops. 

This super little retro-themed deli-cum-pantry-cum-café serves beautiful breakfasts and low-key lunches with a side-order of authentic Cape Town too-cool-to-care swagger. You can pick up essentials like butter or fruit and veg (from Umthunzi Farming Community), find ethically sourced cold meats (Frankie Fenner), jars of Willy’s Chilli (by owner Will Hobson) and get tasty pastries, or sit down for the city’s finest hot dogs and top-notch toasted sandwiches. Tuesday through Saturday nights, it gently transforms into a bar, and there's the occasional dinner, too.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

In a light-filled space that feels a bit like a community hub (there's a church on the top floor and an art studio that offers classes), the menu focuses on nourishing, mostly healthy meals like chia and fried banana oat bowls; brunch-time croissants filled with Halloumi and a pork banger; or one of their double-patty burgers with roast potatoes on the side. Service is with a smile and the atmosphere pretty exuberant, even when people start setting up their laptops to work while they nibble or settle in to talk business over coffee.

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.

The smells of freshly baking bread will immediately whet your appetite at this friendly café serving delicious breakfasts, lunches, and treats daily except Sunday.

From the chefs behind Tjing Tjing, this Japanese sweet and savory, quick-fix café is a breath of fresh air. Huge effort goes into replicating the authentic tastes and textures you'd find in Tokyo. Showcasing squishy little mochi cakes that are made from glutinous rice and come in an assortment of flavors from milktart to macha and black sesame, this place also serves filled steamed buns, okinomiyaki (pancake) dogs, and nikuman (steamed buns). It's a big, cool, anything-can-happen space to linger as you try out a variety of little treats and morsels, and they also have matcha soft-serve ice cream, sweet buns, daifuku doughnuts, and slices of crustless, fluffy, souffle-like Japanese cheesecake. Plus there's a selection of Japanese green teas.

A four-generation family-run business, this fuss-free bagel shop and deli specializes in traditional boiled and baked New York–style bagels that are made fresh daily, with a number of delicious toppings—go with a simple schmear of cream cheese on a poppy-seed bagel or try the brisket, smoked salmon, or pastrami. They also serve great coffee, pastries, a few traditional sandwiches (like the Reuben and hot beef on rye), croissants, and an amazing New York cheesecake.

This all-white café on trendy Bree Street is the go-to place for delicious, creative, and relatively healthful Middle Eastern–style fare, which is heavy on salads like quinoa with roasted vegetables and cranberries, pesto potato with peas and olives, or green beans with orange and hazelnut. The few mains options like butter chicken or lamb-and-lentil biryani are also stellar. For a set price, you can load up with three or four salads plus one main, and eat at the counter inside, a handful of tables outside, or take away. Don't forget to save space for the fantastic desserts like date balls or poppyseed cake with white chocolate ganache.

A new cozy cafe in Cardiff Castle known for great croissants and other French pastries. Breakfast and light lunch options are also on offer and there is pleasant seating outside, tastefully decorated with pretty pot plants, bougainvillea flowers, and greenery. 

What started in Bo-Kaap as Cape Town's first vegan café can now be enjoyed with views of Camps Bay. This slightly hidden away space is good for a pre-beach breakfast or a bite between suntanning sessions and everything—from lasagna to wraps, burgers, and Asian-inspired meals—is prepared fresh. Apart from kombuchas and other healthier refreshments and coffee, there's a selection of scrumptious baked treats on display, so save some space.

Serving yummy, organic fare from breakfast through lunch, this minimalist designer café is a popular downtown option where you will often find locals on laptops enjoying items like raw muesli with Greek yogurt or coconut quinoa porridge. Lunch includes several salad and sandwich options, and healthy mains like zucchini linguine.

Named for its altitude (1,067 meters above sea level), this cafe-style quick-eats venue has a captive audience at the top of the mountain. Usual suspects prevail: burgers, hot breakfasts, sandwiches, wraps, pizza slices, muffins, cakes, cool drinks, and beer and wine (there's a bar on the level below that serves spirits, too); most of the food sits pre-made behind glass so don't expect fresh, exceptional fare.

For what many would argue is Cape Town's best sushi, head to Willoughby's, which is in the V&A's shopping mall, with seating both inside and out. But this is all about the food—there are no views.

You'll pay more for a sandwich here than you should have to, but excellent lighthouse and sea views from the balcony and free Wi-Fi are the draw. The shaved turkey is decent, or simply stick to coffee and a selection of Greek biscuits or a grilled Halloumi (a mild and salty Greek cheese) salad. This is a good spot to catch up on email while enjoying a coffee and a snack.