5 Best Restaurants in Cape Town, South Africa

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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.

Moro Gelato

$ | Sea Point Fodor's Choice

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.

Ice Cream Fodor's Choice Family $ Dessert
85 Regent Rd., Cape Town, South Africa
www.morogelato.co.za
Known For
  • Traditional gelato in a pretty space
  • Decadent milkshakes
  • No artificial anything and seasonal flavors made using local ingredients

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Tapi Tapi

$ Fodor's Choice

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. 

Ice Cream Fodor's Choice $ Dessert
76 Lower Main Rd., Cape Town, South Africa
076-914–5614
www.tapitapi.co.za
Known For
  • Handcrafted African ice-cream
  • Flavors created with ingredients you've never heard of
  • A bit of an education, especially if Tapiwa is available to chat
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.

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The Creamery Cafe

$ | Newlands

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. 

Ice Cream Family $ Dessert
Newlands Quarter, Dean Street, Cape Town, South Africa
879 3404
https://thecreamery.co.za/
Known For
  • Open until 11 pm
  • Quality and handmade ice cream
  • Local favorite

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Recommended Fodor's Video

Gelato Mania

$ | Camps Bay

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.

Ice Cream Family $ Dessert
85 Victoria Rd., Cape Town, 8005, South Africa
078-696–5055
gelatomania.co.za
Known For
  • Extensive selection of flavors
  • Dairy-free options available
  • Decadent waffles

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Kristen's Kick-Ass Ice Cream

$ | Newlands

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.