In this guide, we bring you the best restaurants in Cape Town by neighbourhood. From the False Bay coastline to the Constantia Winelands, the bustling City Centre and its suburbs and the Atlantic Seaboard, our guide takes you from coast to coast on a foodie adventure. Keep reading to get our top picks on the best restaurants in Cape Town by neighbourhood.
Best Restaurants in Cape Town by Neighbourhood
In no particular order, our top picks for the best restaurants in Cape Town by neighbourhood include these gems…
1/ Gardens
Image: rickscafe.co.za
Where to eat: Rick’s Cafe Americain
Where to find it: 2 Park Road, Gardens | +27 (0)21 424 1100 | rickscafe.co.za
Why eat here: Taking its theme from the classic movie, Casablanca, Rick’s is a laid-back restaurant that serves Moroccan, Turkish and Middle Eastern tapas, platters and mains. A wide range of yummy dishes are on offer here, from mezze platters to spring rolls, exotic meats such as crocodile, vegetarian dishes, seafood, burgers, favourites such as chili poppers and plenty more besides. They also have a daily cocktail hour, with heavenly cocktails on offer between 15h00 and 19h00. This restaurant also hosts private parties.
2/ Bo Kaap
Image: www.tripadvisor.co.za / MephistoK
Where to eat: Bo-Kaap Kombuis
Where to find it: 7 August Street, Bo Kaap | +27 (0)21 422 5446 | www.bokaapkombuis.co.za
Why eat here: If you are looking for authentic Cape Malay cuisine, Bo-Kaap Kombuis is where to go. Kombuis means kitchen in Afrikaans. In this restaurant, owners Yusuf and Nazli welcome guests into their kitchen, where they prepare a wide range of delicious dishes. Highlights on the menu include traditional samosas, tasting platters consisting of dishes such as bobotie, lamb curry, chicken curry, fish curry, rice, rootis and denning vleis, along with sosati, dhal, tomato bredie and other favourites.
3/ Vredehoek
Image: www.thewoodlandseatery.com
Where to eat: The Woodlands Eatery
Where to find it: 2 Deerpark Drive, Vredehoek | +27 (0)21 801 5799 | www.thewoodlandseatery.com
Why eat here: Owned by born and raised Italians Matteo Santini and Maurizio Carlo, The Woodlands Eatery offers authentic Italian cuisine that is fused with local flavours. Menu highlights include a range of tasty starters, a good selection of salads, beef, pork, fish and vegetarian tacos, fresh pasta, traditional pasta, classic dishes, burgers, and a mouth-watering range of pizzas. Desserts, wines and cocktails add the final touch to this heavenly menu.
4/ Sea Point
Image: www.lamouette-restaurant.co.za
Where to eat: La Mouette Restaurant
Where to find it: 78 Regent Road, Sea Point | +27 (0)21 433 0856 | www.lamouette-restaurant.co.za
Why eat here: Featured in our list of 50 best restaurants in Cape Town, La Mouette specialises in modern French cuisine with a definite Mediterranean flair. Best known for their incredible tasting menus that feature six dishes plated to perfection, this restaurant offers wine pairing along with menu highlights including vegetarian, seafood, meat and poultry dishes. Their dessert menu is equally impressive, with dishes such as Melting Ferrero Rocher served with salted hazelnut oil parfait, praline cremeux and chocolate sauce.
5/ Green Point
Image: www.restaurants.co.za
Where to eat: Pigalle Restaurant
Where to find it: Somerset Square, 57 Somerset Road, Green Point | +27 (0)21 421 4848 | pigallerestaurants.co.za/capetown
Why eat here: Pigalle specialises in fresh seafood and Chalmar steak, with a menu boasting classic dishes with a subtle Portuguese flair. They offer an a la carte menu plus a set menu. Highlights include chicken livers peri-peri, Trinchado, lobster salad, a variety of shellfish dishes, a line fish selection, grills, poultry, meats and desserts.
6/ Waterfront
Image: tablebay.suninternational.com
Where to eat: Camissa Brasserie at Table Bay Hotel
Where to find it: The Table Bay Hotel, Quay 6, V&A Waterfront | +27 (0)21 406 5988 | www.suninternational.com/table-bay/restaurants/camissa-brasserie
Why eat here: From the official website, “Named after the ancient Khoi name for Cape Town, which means ‘The Place of Sweet Waters,’ Camissa links the city’s past and its cultural heritage in a feast of flavours.” With its views of the V&A Waterfront harbour and mountain, Camissa offers an elegant venue for lunch and dinner. Menu highlights include winter and summer menus filled with treats including platters, mains, starters and desserts.
7/ Hout Bay
Image: massimos.co.za
Where to eat: Massimo’s
Where to find it: Oakhurst Farm Park, Main Road, Hout Bay | +27 (0)21 790 5648 | massimos.co.za
Why eat here: Massimo’s offers the best pizzas in the city, along with an authentic Italian menu for adults, kids and even canine friends. They have a vegan menu, a decadent ‘non-banting’ menu, a pizza menu and a pasta menu. They also offer Spuntini – quick bites that are ideal while you’re waiting on your pizza. Proceeds from selected menus go towards charity, meaning that you can do your bit simply by enjoying food here.
8/ Camps Bay
Image: theroundhouserestaurant.com
Where to eat: The Roundhouse Restaurant
Where to find it: Round House Road, Camps Bay | +27 (0)21 438 4347 | theroundhouserestaurant.com
Why eat here: The Roundhouse is set within a historic estate that was once used as a hunting lodge for Lord Charles Somerset, Governor of the Cape from 1814 to 1827. Today, the restaurant offers lunch and dinner enjoyed in a beautiful location. Meals are enjoyed on the lawn, with bells to signal wait staff, or within the building itself. Whether you are planning a private celebration or looking for somewhere to enjoy a leisurely lunch or dinner, this restaurant offers impeccable service, a delightful menu and a great wine list.
9/ Constantia
Where to eat: Jonkershuis
Where to find it: Groot Constantia, Groot Constantia Road, Constantia | +27 (0)21 794 6255 | www.jonkershuisconstantia.co.za
Why eat here: Situated within the historic Groot Constantia estate – South Africa’s oldest wine estate – Jonkershuis offers fine dining with a South African flair. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a summer and winter menu that ensures the freshest flavours and ingredients. Highlights include Cape Malay style dishes with a contemporary twist.
10/ Kalk Bay
Image: www.harbourhouse.co.za
Where to eat: Harbour House
Where to find it: Main Road, Kalk Bay | +27 (0)21 788 4136 | www.harbourhouse.co.za
Why eat here: Situated on Main Road, overlooking the Indian Ocean, Harbour House offers delightful seafood dishes enjoyed in an airy restaurant. A wide variety of dishes are served here, along with an excellent wine list and other drinks. With the ocean at your doorstep, this spot is ideal for lazy summer afternoons.
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