World-class wineries to township barbeques. Michelin-starred chic to barefoot beach bars. The sensory feast that is Cape Town should be right at the top of every foodie traveler’s list. Join me as I take you on a tour of the top restaurants in Cape Town. We’ll explore my favorite eating experiences across the length and breadth of my friendly, diverse, and incredibly beautiful home town.
1. The Foodbarn, Noordhoek
We’ll start at the very beginning: in the lush green village of Noordhoek. Tucked away at the foot of Chapman’s Peak drive, this is where world-renowned Chef Franck Dangereux has revitalized the local community with his Foodbarn Deli.
Pop in in the morning for locally roasted coffee and the best croissants outside of Paris. Throughout the day, enjoy casual home-from-home meals. And in the evening sample some incredible flavors and textures when the relaxed space is transformed into a vibey Tapas bar.
2. Lekker, Kalk Bay
Taken from the local Afrikaans language, ‘Lekker’, meaning somewhere between ‘lovely’ and ‘fantastic’, is a word used across all cultural groups in South Africa. No other word quite has the same ring to it when describing something you really like.
This friendly, vibrant café-style restaurant in the bohemian Kalk Bay, sits just across from the train station. It comes with a perfect view of the brightly colored fishing boats coming and going in the harbor.
Here you’ll sample modern twists on South African favorites. Offerings include their ‘Boerewors’ (local sausage) beef burger, Cape Malay curry, and Lamb and Butternut Bredie. In addition, a carefully curated selection of local craft beer, wine, and gin is also available.
3. Buitenverwachting Restaurant, Constantia
As you wind your way from the trendy Constantia suburbs towards the Buitenverwachting estate, it’s hard to believe that you’re in the middle of a sprawling city. This historic wine farm has really capitalized on that ‘hidden gem’ feeling, merging their original thatched farmhouse with a tastefully revamped modern courtyard.
The ‘rustic-traditional’ menu is my favorite, serving interesting combinations like angelfish and seafood linguine with chermoula, and Oriental lamb with date couscous. In addition, as one of the top restaurants in Cape Town, Buitenverwachting also offers a fine dining ‘Indulge’ menu. This dining option enjoys rave reviews and is a perfect accompaniment to the estate’s award-winning wines.
4. Dunes Restaurant, Hout Bay
Families flock to the relaxed beach-side appeal of Dunes in Hout Bay every day of the week. With incredible views of the beach and surrounding mountains, it’s not hard to see why.
There’s something for everyone at Dunes, from burgers to nachos to BBQ ribs and pizza. Of course, their main claim to fame is their seafood, which doesn’t disappoint. Enjoy linefish of the day, deep-fried calamari, sushi platters or a traditional fish and chips. At the same time, you can keep an eye on your kids in the playpark as the sun sets over the mountain.
5. Café Caprice, Camps Bay
A cocktail at this landmark on the Camps Bay promenade is on many a visitor’s bucket list. And it’s not just because it’s the best place to spot big-name celebs when they’re in town!
Caprice has it all: award-winning cocktails, unpretentious café food, and incredible sunset views. To top it off, the relaxed lounge atmosphere keeps it pumping all through the day and late into the night.
Kick off your shoes, enjoy a salad or club sandwich, sample a signature cocktail, and watch the beautiful people of Camps Bay tanning the day away on the palm tree-lined beach.
6. Mykonos Taverna, Sea Point
Who needs a sea view when you can feast your eyes on giant platters of meze in an authentic Greek atmosphere? The family-run Mykonos Taverna, a Sea Point institution, entertains and delights as it delivers Greek culture with South African flair. Using the freshest ingredients, they create signature dishes full of flavor.
Sit on the sidewalk and soak up the diverse Sea Point atmosphere as you sample Greek favorites like souvlaki, tarama, dolomades and spanakopita. The freshly baked pita bread is sublime, the lamb chops are cooked to perfection, and the crispy calamari in secret sauce is worth writing home about!
7. The Black Sheep, Cape Town
In the heart of the City, with fantastic views of our most famous landmark, Table Mountain, you’ll find the most passionately South African restaurant that Cape Town has to offer.
The Black Sheep delivers an eclectic mix of food that pays homage to the array of cultures and traditions in our city. For instance, the menu changes daily, inspired by whatever fresh, local, and ethically-sourced ingredients the chef has managed to get his hands on. Staples like my favorite bacon and blue cheese burger sit alongside all manner of local game and fish. If you’ve been wanting to try a Springbok stew or Kudu loin, this is definitely the place to do it.
The top restaurants in Cape Town offer an eclectic variety of dining options. In addition, Cape Town’s growing foodie scene has a restaurant to satisfy every taste and budget. With new restaurants popping up weekly, and a huge variety of fresh local ingredients easily available, eating your way through our beautiful city will be an unforgettable experience.
Cape Town Food Tours
Looking to explore the Cape Town foodie scene in a bit more depth? Here are three great tours to consider:
6 comments
I loved my trip to Cape Town, especially the food and wine. We went to quite a few restaurants and were amazed with the quality of the food. I am so annoyed I didn’t do a food tour when I was there!
I have quite a few friends that have visited Cape Town, but for the life of me, I cannot remember them speaking about the food! So wonderful to see the food scene is so vibrant and eclectic!
These all sound so good! Never been to Cape Town but hope to make it there soon.
Great places! Will add to my list of places to visit next time I’m back home in South Africa.
I loved Cape Town so much! And was shocked at how affordable the restaurant food and drink pricing was – we seriously did not expect that!
We love your content. Regards from Pissouri Bay Divers from Cyprus.