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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.
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).
Located on vibey Dunkley Square, this lovely restaurant is one of Cape Town's oldest dining establishments, initially started to provide traditional dishes to Greek immigrants. Its owners, one of whom dined here as a boy, continue that tradition, serving all kinds of mezzes which can be ordered as a platter, as well as traditional dishes like moussaka, calamari, lamb chops, pitas, souvlaki, and even burgers, plus new recipes and ideas to keep things interesting.
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.
A true survivor, this authentic Thai restaurant on a busy Kloof Street intersection has been around for what seems like forever. Barely a thing has changed, and it still entices its regulars with fragrant curries, delectable stir-fries with cashews or roasted chili, and of course, the spicy tom yum soup. The menu is extensive without being overwhelming, and you can mix and match your choice of meats, vegetables and tofu, or prawns with a choice of curries (their red curry is a favorite), or pick a straightforward rice or noodle dish.
This much-loved Bo-Kaap landmark keeps it real with its non-frills, homestyle approach to traditional Cape Malay cuisine. Dishes include bredies (thick slow-cooked stews, usually tomato-based and made with spices, meatballs, mutton, or lentils and vegetables), denning vleis (a traditional dish made with lamb or mutton and cooked with tamarind), curries, and of course beloved snacks like samosas, half-moons (savory breadcrumb-covered, fried dough bites filled with meat or vegetables), and chili bites (spicy deep-fried morsels, usually chickpea flour–based, made with onion, spices, and herbs). The menu isn't limited to Cape Malay cuisine offering Indian dishes and light meals like toasties (toasted sandwiches like grilled cheese) and wraps.
Located in a historic manor house, this hotel restaurant serves tasty and hearty Italian fare from multiple dining rooms whose white walls are adorned with edgy South African art and or shelves packed with books. As much as this place is about atmosphere and socializing, its menu is packed with classic crowd pleasers like seafood linguine, Bolognese rigatoni, steak Florentine, and osso buco—hardly groundbreaking, but the basis for a pleasant night out, especially if you splurge on wine and save space for dessert. And there's lighter fare, such as burgers, garlic prawns on a bap, and salads, too On a summer's day it's worth coming early for a drink at the lovely outdoor Rose Bar in the garden adjacent to the restaurant.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A more casual offering at the Roundhouse, this outdoor restaurant overlooking Camps Bay relishes in the fresh air, sunshine, and enfolding nature while children can run around and pets are welcome. Although the menu of pizzas, salads, pasta, burgers, fish-and-chips, and lovely desserts will stave off hunger, the real attraction is the festive mood, so summer cocktails and bubbly tend to be headline acts. Parking is treacherous (and getting out after hours of celebration even trickier), so use Uber and lose yourself in the moment.
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.
Located at the V&A's cruise terminal, Makers Landing is a collection of food stalls, casual sit-down restaurants, and even a culinary school. The initial aim was to showcase a diversity of local food, and even though a fast-food vibe has set in, you can get a proper taste of South Africa at Pitso's Kitchen, taste a unique range of spirits at the Pienaar & Son distillery, or satisfy your sweet tooth with some of the best chocolate at Afrikoa.
A traditional family-run Italian restaurant that has held a firm spot in the heart of Newlands. Expect classic Italian pasta, grilled fish, meats, and a lot of local favorites too. Although the restaurant is in the Dean Street Arcade - so no views - it is somewhere to get a generous and quality Italian meal.
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.
This Greek taverna has been a Sea Point classic since the 1980s, and although it has been refurbished with modern Greek decor and bright-white interiors, it's still a great, down-to-earth place to watch the comings and goings on busy Main Road. The extensive menu features mezzes, souvlaki, dolmades, teropita, seafood, and hearty traditional main dishes like moussaka and kleftiko (slow-cooked lamb).
Very popular sister restaurants located side by side, offering great noodles and sushi, with a minimalist modern Japanese decor. Service is fast and friendly and dishes are made with quality ingredients. The sushi can rival some of the best sushi in Cape Town and the noodles are flavor-packed and fresh.
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.
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.
Almost entirely comprised of outposts of the Cape's most popular restaurants, this food hall has more than a dozen different kitchens and four bars (one that's wine-focused). For immaculate sushi, try Sushiya, where Cape Town’s lauded chef Peter Tempelhoff has collaborated with a Michelin-star chef from Japan, or visit Barakat for a contemporary take on Cape Malay cuisine (order the bobotie, a curried beef mince dish, followed by a couple of donut-like koesisters) or maybe stop by Milo for sish’nyama—aka braai or barbecued food created by one of the country’s most exciting young chefs, Vusi Ndlovu. Plus there's Asian street food from How Bao Now; simply delicious cooking at celebrity chef Siba Mtongana's Siba Deli; and the best ice cream in town from Unframed. Most stalls get going at 11 am—Nosh opens for breakfast at 8 am—and the market stays open well into the night with occasional parties and live music.
