Every country needs a Cape Town. With its glorious mountain-scapes plunging into the frothing ocean, a beach around every corner and more shopping opportunities than will fit in your suitcase, what more could you need? Well restaurants. And boy does the Mother City have the best of them. In the name of research, Timbuktu has been feasting through the city and declared the following absolute must-eats in this guide to the best restaurants in Cape Town…
Chef’s Warehouse at Beau Constantia
Constantia
If the thought of a set menu reduces you to tears, you haven’t been to Liam Tomlin’s Chef’s Warehouse. The eight-course tapas menu for two is a gastronomic, mouth-poppingly good journey through modern South African cuisine, with a couple of international twists thrown in too. There are a few locations to choose from, including Tintswalo for water-side dining and fiery sunsets, Maison for a touch of the Winelands, and Bree Street for cool and quirky city vibes, but the glass-walled box high above Beau Constantia’s neatly-trimmed vines is our favourite. And one last word – save room for the signature lavender and wild honey crème. You might want to lick the plate…
Lunch & dinner – www.beauconstantia.com, 021 422 0128
FYN
Parliament Street, CBD
Set on the top floor of an old silk factory in Cape Town’s CBD, FYN quite literally flies high on the top-notch dining scene in the city. Ashley Moss and Peter Templehoff’s latest restaurant is another entry on the World’s Best list, and every morsel on the nine-course Afro-Japanese menu is perfectly curated and plated yet never over-presented. Open-plan kitchen stations are dotted amongst the tables, allowing diners to feel part of the experience and the view over the city to Table Mountain never gets old. Secure a table well in advance of your arrival in Cape Town, and your only decision left is whether to sample the plant-based, pescatarian, or classic menu…
Lunch & dinner, www.fynrestaurant.com/, 021 286 2733
Thali
Gardens
This Indian gem is definitely one of the best restaurants in Cape Town. If you’re looking for a chicken korma and a peshwari naan, then Thali might not be the place to come. But if spiced pork belly samosas with pomegranate raita, or Tandoori cauliflower, coconut and cashew curry tickle your taste buds, then head straight for the Park Road eatery. In true Liam Tomlin-style, everything is served tapas-style for two, and the portions are just right. Special mention must go to the bartenders, who serve the most exquisite, exotically-flavoured cocktails on the planet.
Lunch & dinner – www.thalitapas.co.za, 021 286 2110
Credit: blacksheeprestaurant.co.za
The Black Sheep
Kloof Street, Gardens
Capetonians like to eat out, but they’re very rarely faithful to one restaurant – unless it’s the Black Sheep, a cosy, bistro-style affair on Kloof. Part of the reason might be the ever-changing blackboard menu, with new dishes thought up every day depending on what the chef has in his kitchen, or the excellent wine list. You never know what you might get, but if the seared tuna makes an appearance, order it now. Afterwards, head upstairs to the chilled-out attic area and sit soft with a digestif.
Lunch & dinner – www.blacksheeprestaurant.co.za, 021 426 2661
Jason’s Bakery
Green Point
For some serious waistband-loosening goodies, head to Jason’s Bakery in Green Point. Doors open at 8am and there’s usually a queue of locals around the corner (always a good sign) but don’t let that put you off – the signature croissant with scrambled eggs and avo is alarmingly good, as are the lunch sandwiches. Sweet treats include the lip-smackingly good ‘doughssant’, somewhere between a croissant and a doughnut, and stuffed with anything from watermelon mousse to mocha cream. If that’s not worth queuing for…
Breakfast & lunch – www.jasonbakery.com, 021 424 5644
Upper Union
Union Street, Gardens
In a beautiful heritage building, with a garden festooned with fairy lights and a balcony that’s perfect for a pre-dinner G&T, Upper Union is like visiting a really stylish friend’s house for a dinner party you know is going to be good. In the kitchen is Chef Amori Burger who cooks from the heart with big, bold flavours, and plates with flair. Much of the menu is designed to be shared – the fig and red onion bhajis and yellowtail tartare with gooseberry gremolata stood out for us, but the menu changes seasonally – and there’s also a four-course set menu with two starters, a main and a dessert. Whichever you choose, you’ll no doubt be back for more.
Lunch & dinner, www.upperunion.co.za/, 021 891 0360
Credit: thepotluckclub.co.za
Pot Luck Club
Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock
Part of the Luke Dale-Roberts gastronomic empire, Pot Luck Club heads the ranks as one the best restaurants in Cape Town. Dale-Roberts is a food artist and here, his signature style is on show in the contemporary tapas bites (fish tacos, Chalmar beef and Korean cauliflower to name a few), all served up from the open kitchen. Each one is as good as the last so don’t be shy – order them all and enjoy every mouthful, accompanied by the spangly views of the city from the lofty location at the top of the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock.
Lunch & dinner – www.thepotluckclub.co.za, 021 447 0804
Credit: willoughbyandco.co.za
Willoughby & Co.
V&A Waterfront
Another of Cape Town’s best restaurants, Willoughby’s has divided the population since the invention of sushi. Serving Japanese-style dishes with a hint of South African-ness, there’s no argument that the sushi is some of the best you’ll ever have (really), especially if you order the 4×4 roll and the chilli-seared tuna. So why the division? It’s in a shopping centre. If you still can’t face your food whilst gazing through the doors of Woolies, try Harbour House outside for the freshest-of-fresh fish, marina views and a little bit of sushi too.
Lunch & dinner – www.willoughbyandco.co.za, 021 418 6115
Salsify
Camps Bay
The original watch-lodge for Table Mountain, the Roundhouse is a Cape Town institution and it’s been given a new lease of life by another of the city’s institutions – chef Luke Dale-Roberts. Expect a menu that pushes all the boundaries (lamb leg tartare with mulberry and hazelnut pesto, anyone?), insanely cool décor thanks to the talents of local street artists, and not a hint of snobbery. Oh, and did we mention the views? Think glittering vistas of Camps Bay at night, and the Twelve Apostles and Indian Ocean during the day – you’ll hardly believe you’re only a few minutes away from the city.
Lunch & dinner – www.salsify.co.za, 021 010 6444
ëlgr
Kloof Street, CBD
Undeniably sleek and effortlessly cool, ëlgr was born from chef Jesper Nilsson’s post-Covid desire to bring something new to Cape Town’s restaurant scene. The result? A casual yet cool eatery decked out in leather chairs, charcoal walls and beautifully-dressed tables. The menu is fresh and unique with a distinctly Scandinavian, less-is-more mentality to flavours (big and punchy), but still with oodles of choice – think plant-based tapas, artisanal pizzas and spectacular cheeses. The carefully-crafted cocktail menu complements the dishes perfectly and is always tempting, even on a Tuesday evening…
Lunch (Saturdays only) & dinner – https://elgr.co.za/, 021 422 0384
Credit: Karl Rodgers
Mulberry and Prince
Pepper Street, CBD
Newbies on the Cape Town dining scene have to try pretty hard to make their presence known, and Mulberry & Prince managed it within a few months of opening – and still have it today! Bringing a taste of New York to a quiet street in the CBD, the interiors are Cape Town through and through, from the dusky-pink art on the walls to the locally-sourced, hunk-of-slate bar top. Food-wise, just go with the flow – ricotta dumplings, stracciatella and octopus tentacles will become your new favourite thing.
Dinner only – www.mulberryandprince.co.za, 021 422 3301
Credit: lacolombe.co.za
La Colombe
Silvermine Estate, Constantia
In a sea of fine-dining restaurants, La Colombe still manages to stand out, not least because of its accolade as one of the world’s (yes world’s!) Top 50 restaurants. Spectacular with a capital S, it’s all about the tasting menu here and it’s one of the very best. We’re talking a full 12 courses of French-Asian inspired food-sorcery, including miso-seared scallops and lamb loin with smoked garlic. To top it all off, the view of the manicured Constantia vineyards and pretty, winding roads make it feature as one of Cape Town’s best restaurants time and time again.
Lunch & dinner – www.lacolombe.co.za, 021 795 0125
Credit: cyberstoep
Belly of the beast
Harrington Street, East Precinct
You know you’re in for a real treat when you arrive at a restaurant and are greeted personally by the chefs – and that’s exactly what happens at Cape Town’s first crowdfunded restaurant, the Belly of the Beast. Located in the trendier-than-thou Eastern Precinct, the space seats only 20 and the taster-style menu changes daily according to what Anouchka and Neil can beg, borrow, forage and buy – think meltingly-soft lamb ravioli, crispy warthog, and South African Kabeljou with the creamiest of asparagus risottos – and a mouth-watering array of desserts. Just opened next door is their latest venture, Galjoen, focused on much the same principle of fresh, sustainably-sourced ingredients but all centred around seafood.
Lunch & dinner – www.bellyofthebeast.co.za, 021 461 0335
Foxcroft
Constantia
From the chef behind the world-famous La Colombe restaurant (and now La Petite Colombe in Franschhoek), Foxcroft is all dazzling dishes, gastronomic genius and quite simply, really, really good food. The set menu is two tapas dishes, a main course and a dessert, and whilst the choices for each are small, it’s damn hard to choose between them. Ingredients are fresh and hearty (artichoke, local cheeses, wild garlic – you get the gist) and the flavours are expertly balanced to match the seasons. As for the restaurant itself, it’s a delightfully laidback affair considering the pure excellence of the cooking so whether you’re in hiking attire, an evening dress, or simply jeans and a jumper, there’s no excuse not to visit.
Lunch and dinner – www.foxcroft.co.za, 021 202 3304
Beyond at Buitenverwachting
Constantia
Peter Tempelhoff is making another appearance on our list of Cape Town’s best restaurants, this time at his old stomping ground, Constantia, at the historic Buitenverwachting estate. Overlooking the sloped vineyards of the farm and decorated in natural woods, terracotta and earthy tones, Beyond’s setting is idyllic and the perfect backdrop for an elegant, unpretentious menu. Tempelhoff and his team take pride in sourcing ingredients as locally as possible and the dishes are crafted around what’s available, from Franschhoek trout, kelp and celeriac remoulade to ostrich carpacchio, and a delectable pumpkin cheesecake served with the finest dessert wine from the estate.
Lunch & dinner – www.beyondrestaurant.co.za, 021 794 0306
Latest blogs
As seen in
