This signature restaurant, in the historic Alphen Hotel in Constantia, exudes dramatic, old-world romance: dark woods, plush crimson and violet chairs,... Read More
In once-grungy, now-artsy Woodstock, you'll find this distinctly South African eatery, complete with live entertainment. Forget the fork and knife when... Read More
The red-brick façade, green shutter doors, and tall casement windows say old Cape Town, but inside this Green Point restaurant, the sights,... Read More
There are few restaurants that can tout their claim to farm-to-table cooking quite as strongly as Babel—after all, the restaurant is essentially set in... Read More
If you can't score an invite to a traditional braai, this chic, homey Seapoint spot might be your best alternative. Order a mixed platter for a sampling... Read More
It's easy to dismiss many of the restaurants in the V&A Waterfront as being touristy, but the sleek, stylish Baia is a cut above the rest. Book a... Read More
Don't let the shocking neon yellow splashed over the once-elegant Victorian exterior of the Beer House stop you from going in—this recent addition to... Read More
Chef Yang Zhao's successful dim-sum pop-up has now found itself a permanent home in the lively De Waterkant neighborhood. Favorites include pork buns,... Read More
Stop into this favorite spot for coffee or a quick lunch: the Namibian owners, a mother and her two daughters, prepare all-organic baked goods; the... Read More
You'd be forgiven for wondering if you'd stepped into Paris when you walk through the back doors of Bistrot Bizerca, and into its lovely courtyard... Read More
One look at the slick décor and daily-changing chalkboard menu, and it's easy to see why Black Sheep has quickly become a neighborhood favorite with in... Read More
The whole of Cape Town is clamoring for a table at Bombay Brasserie—this outpost of the London classic is the city's premier Indian restaurant, set in a... Read More
This new addition to Cape Town's extensive list of coffee offerings opened late last year along a lively stretch of Regent Road in the Seapoint... Read More
It feels a bit surprising to stumble into a Boston-themed restaurant in the middle of South Africa. But Boston, in historic Heritage Square, is an Irish... Read More
Part chef, part showman: Robertson is a rare act. Don't let his wacky personality fool you, this man has serious culinary chops, with his specialty... Read More
This Kloof Street café is one of Cape Town's most beloved eateries, with a lovely garden, shabby-chic décor, and delicious menu of hearty comfort foods.... Read More
This chic Noordhoek bistro overlooks a playground, so you can tuck in to a gorgonzola burger while keeping a watchful eye on your kids as they have a go... Read More
Part wine bar and part restaurant, Caveau is housed inside the red-brick Josephine Mill, which once produced grain for settlers in the early 19th... Read More
While Cape Town's culinary prowess has never been in question, one area that was definitely lacking was Peruvian food. The new Charango Grill & Bar,... Read More
Irish-born Liam Tomlin opened Chef’s Warehouse & Canteen as a combination deli and kitchen store, its shelves lined with cookbooks, ceramic plates,... Read More
What kids don't enjoy getting their hands dirty? At Clay Café in Hout Bay, you'll probably want to join them when you see the fun they're having daubing... Read More
Because the Clifton Beaches area is a bedroom community, services are limited; the Clifton Beach House Restaurant is the only restaurant, located at the... Read More
The ocean views from this popular eatery in trendy Camps Bay are sublime, and all the better to remind you of where your dinner is coming from. And what... Read More
Chef Vanessa Marx has been amassing accolades galore in Cape Town, and a visit to her CBD brasserie makes it clear that she's earned them all. Stop by... Read More
Anyone with kids knows that space is of utmost importance, and Deer Park Café, set against the slopes of Table Mountain, delivers, both inside and out.... Read More
This tiny roastery in the heart of the Central Business District has a cult-like following for its brews, using beans sourced from Kenya, Ethiopia,... Read More
Located in the heart of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, this Belgian eatery occupies a cavernous space with a high ceiling, exposed wooden beams,... Read More
South Africa has one of the largest Indian communities in the world outside of India, making it a hub of Indian culture and authentic cuisine. Located... Read More
A stylish barn? It's not an oxymoron—rather, it's the fabulous Foodbarn restaurant in the beachside village of Noordhoek. Thanks to its celebrated... Read More
Cannes-born Dangereux has an impressive pedigree: stints at two Michelin three-star restaurants in Paris and a run as head chef at La Colombe, one of... Read More
A fusion of Euro/Asian flavors practically jumps off the plate at this industrial-chic, 60-seat restaurant in the city’s old Malay Quarter. Beyond... Read More
The humble sausage, known in South Africa as a boerewors, is elevated to new heights at this spot. You can order an "Old Skool Boerie" with caramelized... Read More
You'll find Haas Coffee behind the dark gray gabled façade of a Buitenkant Street building. In this contemporary art gallery meets café, mismatched... Read More
Often lauded as the city’s best pan-Asian restaurant, Haiku serves a wide variety of tapas with Japanese, Chinese, and Thai influences. Located... Read More
The original Harbour House, in the salty seaside village of Kalk Bay, was such a hit that this outpost opened at the tourist-friendly V&A Waterfront... Read More
Order the pear salad with warm brie and toasted pumpkin seeds at the Newton Johnson Vineyards restaurant in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Read More
Chef Jacques Erasmus combines seasonal and classic ingredients like salmon with daikon radish at this chic daytime bistro. The freshly squeezed juices,... Read More
How many bakers can say they have a cult following? Jason Lilley has built up a bit of a rock-star reputation for the croissants he serves up at his... Read More
Whether you’re seeking exotic ostrich fillets, Malay chicken curry, or traditional lamb and sugarbean soup, Karibu’s extensive menu is sure to appeal to... Read More
Nestled in a leafy perch at the Silvermist Wine Estate lies one of the country's culinary gems. Chef Scot Kirton is at the helm of this Constantia... Read More
Chef Henry Vigar turns out elegant tasting menus at his cozy Seapoint restaurant year-round, but come winter they’re a fraction of the price: six... Read More
Art, food, and fashion collide at this fun eatery on Cape Town's burgeoning Bree Street. The surfer-themed shop (don't miss the wooden bar shaped like a... Read More
A relative newcomer to Cape Town’s dining scene, Loaves on Long opened recently in a heritage building on busy Long Street. In that 200-year-old space,... Read More
This new chain has five branches (three in Cape Town and one each in Kalk Bay and Muizenberg) selling just what the name suggests, a gourmet spin on the... Read More
When Dale-Robert's Test Kitchen made its way onto Restaurant magazine's coveted World's 50 Best Restaurants list this year, no one in Cape Town was... Read More
Located inside a restored old house, Manna Epicure café has an airy, all-white interior that blends homelike elements—such as a fireplace mantel lined... Read More
This chic white-on-white spot located in the shadow of Table Mountain evokes the beach home of a sophisticated friend, and its breakfast clientele is no... Read More
The steak salomie at Mariam's—a spicy concoction of curried beef wrapped up in Malaysian-style roti bread—is one of the best-value meals in Cape Town.... Read More
Among Long Street's many ethnic restaurants, Masala Dosa stands out for its menu, inspired by south Indian street food, and for its style, a blend of... Read More
This cozy, cluttered brasserie is filled with aesthetically mismatched pieces—soccer and army figurines battling it out, alongside life-size animal... Read More
Though it’s set in what feels like a mini theme park (a Stellenbosch wine estate/resort with its own amphitheater and cheetah conservation center)... Read More
Overlooking the six-acre gardens of the Vineyard Hotel, Myoga serves an inventive East-meets-West menu in a stylish setting. Illuminated by black... Read More
Head out to the Gugulethu township for one of the liveliest daytime parties around. Bring your own plates and napkins, and choose your meat from the... Read More
Yes, it's a chain but trust me, it's worth a visit. Few people realize that this international chicken heavyweight originated in South Africa. While... Read More
The sushi scene is hugely popular in Cape Town, and you'll find creative, über-fresh rolls at Nuri Sushi Factory for a satisfying meal for two for less... Read More
Naldo and Victor Gonçalves are two of South Africa's most successful restaurateurs, best known for the iconic Pigalle. In this venture—the name comes... Read More
After outgrowing its original digs at the urban Oranjezicht City Farm, this beloved weekly market has moved to the V&A Waterfront. Every Saturday... Read More
Origin Coffee Roasting might be the pioneer of Cape Town's artisanal coffee scene. Located in a historic building on a quiet street next to the De... Read More
Step back in time when you slip into this old-world bar on Bree Street, where Dickens is king. Exposed-brick walls, worn wooden floors, waistcoated... Read More
Chef Bertus Basson is a household name in the Winelands, and you can sample his offerings at his restaurant at the wine cellar of the Hidden Valley Wine... Read More
Tempelhoff has been working his magic at the Greenhouse at Constantia's Cellars-Hohenort hotel, where he's earned the recognition of Relais &... Read More
Pigalle is a stalwart on the Cape Town dining scene: a go-to venue for special occasions, anniversaries, and proposals. The scarlet walls, sparkling... Read More
For more than a decade, Pigalle has been one of Cape Town's best restaurants, and the place for a romantic, elegant dinner. It's also a go-to spot for... Read More
Chef-owner Luke Dale-Robert’s low-key tapas spot is the coastal port’s most buzzed-about restaurant. An airy, loftlike dining room decorated with... Read More
Even if its sister restaurant, the Test Kitchen, is much more formal, I prefer the Pot Luck Clu: its casual, small-plates menu and industrial-chic décor... Read More
This hip new watering hole opened in a subterranean space occupied by the well-known Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants—think the Pat LaFrieda of Cape Town... Read More
The bohemian Observatory district has a clutch of underrated eateries that cater to the nearby University of Cape Town set. Tucked away on a side street... Read More
One of the country's best-loved toques, Riffel is perhaps South Africa's best-known celebrity chef: he runs four branches of his Reuben's restaurant... Read More
The artsy Woodstock district has its own booming coffee scene. My pick in the neighborhood would have to be Rosetta Roastery, on the ground floor of the... Read More
Come for a wine tasting, stay for dinner. This flagship restaurant at a winery of the same name is where Capetonians head to celebrate a special event.... Read More
With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Bantry Bay, this Ambassador Hotel restaurant features one of the most impressive vistas in Cape Town.... Read More
Housed inside two 18th-century Georgian row houses, this upscale South African restaurant combines historic design elements—such as centuries-old... Read More
Local chef Seelan Sundoo has been working his magic at area favorites such as La Perla and Grand Café & Beach long enough that it comes as no... Read More
There is little reason for you to tread into the lovely residential enclave of Vredehoek… except this one. This shabby-chic café on Derry Street has... Read More
Distinguished as the only urban winery in South Africa, Signal Hill is housed in a two-story, colonial-style white stucco building dating back to 1771.... Read More
Named for the cannon shot heard every day at noon in Cape Town, Signal is an upscale South African restaurant located at the Cape Grace hotel. Inside,... Read More
A simple blue awning conceals a stark white space livened up by a scattering of bold canvases at this Loop Street spot. Pop by the café for their all... Read More
Located in a restored Georgian-style house, Societi Bistro evokes a homelike atmosphere with exposed brick walls, worn wooden floors, and a bustling... Read More
Another one of the country's best restaurants, also found in Stellenbosch: Kleine Zalze Wine Estate's signature restaurant has a cozy dining room that... Read More
Chef Luke Dale-Roberts' signature restaurant is number 22 on the World's Top Restaurants list. Here, ingredients such as ginger and yuzu are pickled and... Read More
Housed in a restored 18th-century townhouse, the Africa Café provides a culinary tour of the continent, from Ethiopia and Algeria to Malawi and... Read More
This Cape Town institution has expanded to six outposts across the city, each of which shares a classic, dimly lit-pub aesthetic. This is more of a... Read More
Sometimes it seems like all of Cape Town is a very distant suburb of Brooklyn, New York. This popular bistro-bar may well have been at the forefront of... Read More
One of Restaurant Magazine's top 100 restaurants in the world, this eatery at the venerated Relais & Chateaux boutique hotel Le Quartier Français is... Read More
Located at the Bay Hotel, this upscale South African restaurant provides panoramic views of Camps Bay through a wall of sliding glass windows, which are... Read More
Grab a seat at this rooftop lounge, not unlike a well-appointed attic with its mismatched leather chairs and vintage-photo wallpaper, for cheers-worthy... Read More
Truth Coffee's dim, industrial-chic café is decorated with a bar embellished in tin, copper tables, vintage typewriters and bicycles, and a massive... Read More
Now reborne as Weinhaus & Biergarten, this Bree Street pub is, as the name suggests, a wine bar and beer garden, complete with an unpretentious vibe... Read More
This sliver of a sandwich shop on Long Street was so popular that a larger branch, complete with an open-air beer garden, opened last year. Stop by in... Read More
