130 Best Restaurants in Cape Town, South Africa

Entirely vegan and plant-based with health front of mind, the food here is nutritious and utterly delicious. From freshly-squeezed juices to incredible smoothies (ideal on hot days), and dishes like chickpea curry, butter bean stew, and tacos filled with spicy cauliflower, avocado, cashew nut cream cheese, and Mexican beans and brown rice, no corners are cut and the emphasis is on making every mouthful delicious, rich, and packed with nourishment. There are also homemade bagels, wraps, soups, and pasta with some sort of cheesy-tasting alternative made from nuts. There are two more locations, the original in Gardens, just off Kloof Street, and another in Observatory.

A surprise repurposing of a former auto repair shop, this vast warehouse-like space is full of mix-and-match furniture and packed to the rafters with plants—whether it's a nursery with a restaurant or a restaurant with a nursery is beside the point—and has become a true neighborhood gathering spot. You come here for the personality of the waitstaff, the comforting food (breakfasts, lunches, toasted sandwiches, and dinners, plus all manner of baked goods, and no expectation that you sit down for anything more than tea or coffee), the buzz, and the marvelous assortment of people, many of them strangers sharing tables. There's a separate room at the back where free-roaming laptop workers are often connected to the outside world via free-flowing Wi-Fi.

Both Cyprus and Greece have a fondness for local tavernas known as ouzeri, where people hang out over plates of meze and drink barrel wine in tumblers. Close to the very heart of the city, this Greek-Cypriot restaurant established by the young, brilliant chef Nic Charalambous pays tribute not only to his upbringing in a traditional, Orthodox Cypriot household, but also to the many sociable eating-and-drinking-and-schmoozing experiences he’s had on Cyprus and across the Greek isles. The atmosphere, mood, and charm are straight from another world, and the food's unlike anything else in the city. Each dish beautifully showcases Nic's special way of taking genuinely home-style, traditional dishes and giving them a contemporary, highly creative twist, with a firm focus on utilizing local ingredients. The feasting might include warm green olives (a standard at any Cypriot mealtime), taramasalata in which to dip homemade chickpea fries, eliopita (olive bread) stuffed with butter-soft roasted garlic, and Macedonian lamb manti or braised lentils with squid and youvetsi (a dish from Corfu) made with beef shin.

From fried termites (majuru) and mopani worm chili bites (madora) to ox trotters (zondo), tripe (guru), and kapenta (a tiny sardine-like lake fish that's dried) cooked in peanut butter, this no-frills restaurant showcases some of the interesting, unique, and delicious tastes of Zimbabwean cuisine. Popular, and perhaps less intimidating, choices include their hearty oxtail stew (also a beloved South African dish) and tilapia steamed, pan-fried, or cooked in a curry sauce. Dessert isn't really a thing here, so consider heading to Tapi Tapi, a Zimbabwean ice cream parlor in the nearby Observatory neighborhood.

An evening spent with a dozen-or-so strangers at this anti-restaurant fine-dining experience is as much of a pleasure as is tucking into the exquisite five-course wine-pair meal created by Julia Hattingh, the young and vibrant chef-owner, who was raised in the Cape Winelands. Hattingh's knowledge of terroir and experience in some of the region's best kitchens are reflected in her brilliantly created and executed menus that feature local, seasonal ingredients. Hattingh personally introduces each dish that's served family style at a single 18-seater wooden table and then joins the table to chat and socialize toward the end of the evening.

Like so many of chef Luke Dale Roberts's restaurants—such as The Test Kitchen, the former fine-dining establishment that truly put Woodstock on the international culinary map—Salon transports diners to another era with its rich golden hues, velvet banquettes, art deco artwork, fringed vintage-style lamps, and tinted, textured glass panels. Along with executive chef Carla Schulze, Roberts takes diners on a global culinary journey inspired by the international places he's cooked, eaten, and learned about food. Without too much complication, diners are surprised again and again by inventive ideas that have their roots in Mexico, the Philippines, Morocco, Mexico, South Africa, and elsewhere—a literal culinary journey that's equal parts nostalgia and innovation.

Chef Nolu Dube-Cele has created one of Cape Town's absolute must-try restaurants, a place where you can enjoy many of the country's diverse traditional dishes that haven't yet made their way from the home kitchens to restaurant menus (although this is steadily changing). At this lovely spot by the canal that runs through Battery Park, you can tuck into a variety of dishes like chicken sosaties (skewered meat), meat potjie (stew), tripe, and the crowd-pleasing "roadrunner," a free-range chicken cooked slowly in its own juices. There's a great selection of vegan dishes, too, including salads made using healthy grains such as sorghum, as well as "roosterkoek" breakfast buns and sandwich buns stuffed with mince and chakalaka. It's everything necessary to get you properly acquainted with the real-deal gastronomy of this country. The eponymous "seven colours" is a nickname for meals traditionally served at special gatherings, when there's an assortment of differently colored foods on the plate: yellow rice, orange pumpkin, green spinach or beans, red beetroot, and brown meat. 

Amid the tribal masks, beaded place mats, and raw-wood headrests, this vast café is a breath of fresh air tucked away from the mainstream in a historic building in the backstreets of Green Point. It's such a secret that you could walk right past it without knowing it's there, but do seek it out because it's not only a lovingly restored oasis, but the food (mostly breakfasts and brunches, but also excellent lunches) is wonderful and the kitchen is always striving to bring more creativity to the menu. Expect dishes like Turkish eggs (homemade labneh topped with poached eggs), chicken livers with mosbolletjie (a traditional Cape Dutch sweet bun), and some super-healthy and entirely vegan options, plus salads, burgers (falafel, beef, or chicken), grilled sandwiches, and freshly baked cakes for lunch.

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. 

Consistently rated South Africa’s top restaurant and on the top 50 restaurants in the world list, this industrial-elegant boutique eatery in Cape Town’s trendy Woodstock neighborhood is a struggle to get a table at, but the fantastical sensory and culinary journey that awaits you is a worthy and potentially life-changing reward. Since opening in 2009, TTK, as it’s known, has led fine-dining trends in foodie-mecca Cape Town. Keeping one step ahead of the game, chef-owner Luke Dale Roberts has curated a food-theater experience that, in a manner at once playful and artful, employs all five senses to transport you through a mind-blowing array of courses, with an end result that feels simply magical. Come with your best appetite, as the richness of the meal—starting with canapés like a shortbread-foie-gras with gold-leaf, moving on to dishes like lamb sweetbread with liquorice liver jus, and finishing with the likes of duck breast with duck liver stuffing and sour cherry—is also superlative.

Booking system has become month-to-month, so instead of planning months in advance, log in very early on the morning of the 1st.

What began as a mere ramen outpost has expanded its menu to include sushi and bao (silky soft steamed buns), crispy tofu, and a bunch of delicious experiments like yakitori sticky wings, bao dogs tuna, and salmon sushiritos (burritos with sushi inside). They've also done taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes stuffed with red bean paste or Nutella) and have matcha-infused steamed buns stuffed with salted custard filling for dessert (a must-try). Their ramen continues to be a favorite luring folks from across the city, so it's usually bustling, but tables turn quite quickly though, so get yourself on the waiting list or grab a drink from the bar while you watch all those happy diners slurping up their noddles, chins glistening with delectable, umami-rich broth.

At the top of the Helshoogte Pass with simply amazing views of the valley and mountains, Tokara is a Winelands must-visit. Chef Carolize Coetzee grew up in small-town South Africa and honors local ingredients and cooking methods in her wide range of dishes. Lunch is à la carte, while dinner guests choose between four- or six-course set menus, each with a wine-pairing option.

At this restaurant—part of Cape Cadogan, the boutique hotel next door—chef Amori Burger's (who has done time on TV food shows and worked in the bush cooking at safari lodges) concept revolves around the idea of a family feast. Menus change with the seasons and gravitate around a theme Amori and her squad of chefs are exploring, but guests can choose between a couple of tasting menus or dip into the à la carte selection of small plates, all of it made to be shared. Think of it as food cooked by your (South African) grandmother if she were a world-class professional chef with a contemporary outlook: sharing plates of tasty vegetables, mains with hints of nostalgia, everyone reaching across the table, and lots of fine wine. Just off Kloof Street, the venue is a double-story colonial-era manor house that's been jazzed up and turned into a seriously eye-catching space, decorated in green and white, with tables that spill onto the outside terrace. 

A true survivor, this authentic Thai restaurant on a busy Kloof Street intersection has been around for what seems like forever. Barely a thing has changed, and it still entices its regulars with fragrant curries, delectable stir-fries with cashews or roasted chili, and of course, the spicy tom yum soup. The menu is extensive without being overwhelming, and you can mix and match your choice of meats, vegetables and tofu, or prawns with a choice of curries (their red curry is a favorite), or pick a straightforward rice or noodle dish.

With its superb cuisine and excellent service, diners adore this French bistro located in an old Cape Dutch building on Heritage Square. Using classic French techniques but drawing on local produce and adding some fusion twists, dishes like the signature raw Norwegian salmon salad with ginger, soy, and shallots are served in a warm wood-floored dining room with a vertical garden feature, as well as in a lovely outside courtyard. The culinary magic is mostly found in the form of daily specials presented chalkboard-style, including dishes like a duo of tuna with avocado wasabi-and-jalapeño dressing, or the veal tongue with Gruyère and local waterblommetjies (water lily). Lunch is buzzier than dinner, but the food is splendid every time. In the summer enjoy a tapas and drinks menu from 3 to 6 during the week in the courtyard.

In this warm space of yellowwood tables, sash windows, and reed ceilings, chef-owner Harald Bresselschmidt has served classic European-with-a-twist cuisine since 1996 at one of the city’s oldest fine-dining establishments. Using the freshest South African produce prepared with classical European methods, the chef cooks with wine in mind, and Aubergine's cellar and pairings are unsurprisingly superb. Seafood options are excellent, as are meat dishes like the gemsbok sirloin with chestnut puree. In summer, the garden seating of this historic 1830s home is recommended. Lunch and winter specials are more affordable ways of enjoying this classic restaurant, and apart from its à la carte options, there are degustation menus available.

This relaxed but glam eatery in the posh Vineyard Hotel & Spa outside Cape Town attracts well-heeled regulars, who come for chef Mike Basset's consistently excellent fusion flair, evidenced in dishes like squid ink spaghetti with yuzu pearls and the divine truffle-teriyaki beef fillet topped with perfectly crisped tempura vegetables. Evenings are all about the amazingly good-value seven-course tasting menu. Lunches are more casual but also offer a five-course tasting menu option. Black chandeliers and tones of gray and silver make for an ambience of cool evening elegance, while daytime diners will appreciate the gorgeous garden and mountain views. Don't neglect the fabulous wine list, which features many of the country's best.

This once-great Italian restaurant is still a pleasant stop, but with all the other fabulous food in Cape Town, it no longer rates as a must-do. Expect classic Milanese cuisine, including fresh salads, a whole section of carpaccio options (perhaps the stars of the menu), fresh pasta like butternut-squash-filled ravioli with brown sage butter, and plenty of fish and meat dishes. The upstairs interior is Eames-inspired with its bentwood chairs; downstairs, the exposed stone reveals the building's ancient history, which began in 1682.

Originally on Long Street, this restaurant was created in 2007 by Senait Mekonnen with an emphasis on authentic Ethiopian recipes served in the traditional way—guests sit at low tables and eat with their fingers. Although the menu gives detailed and vivid descriptions of what you can expect from each dish, a tasting platter that samples about five different main course items (vegan options available) is a good place to start. Each dish comes with injera flatbread made from gluten-free teff flour, the Ethiopian staple, which you peel off and use to scoop up the various stews, vegetables, and meats steeped in beautifully spiced gravies. You can also ask for a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, and on certain nights there's live Afro-jazz. Service is friendly and on the ball, and Senait studiously ensures that the food is consistently reminiscent of home.

Don't miss Mount Nelson's legendary high tea, which has been offered since the hotel was erected in 1899 to welcome the then Prince of Wales on his visit to the Cape. Served from noon to 3 pm, afternoon tea offers sweet and savory treats and more than 40 tea varieties, which an expertly trained tea sommelier can guide you through. You should most definitely book in advance. 

This super little retro-themed deli-cum-pantry-cum-café serves beautiful breakfasts and low-key lunches with a side-order of authentic Cape Town too-cool-to-care swagger. You can pick up essentials like butter or fruit and veg (from Umthunzi Farming Community), find ethically sourced cold meats (Frankie Fenner), jars of Willy’s Chilli (by owner Will Hobson) and get tasty pastries, or sit down for the city’s finest hot dogs and top-notch toasted sandwiches. Tuesday through Saturday nights, it gently transforms into a bar, and there's the occasional dinner, too.

Although Azure's blue-and-white nautical-theme decor may feel a bit outdated to some, the restaurant's jaw-dropping sea and mountain views are reason enough to experience the mostly inspired menu. Dishes like the Malay-style mussel curry, venison loin, and roast chicken may sound simple and old-school, but the treatment is top-notch, the focus on proper cooking techniques, Cape produce, and clean flavors rather than trying to wow you with fancy trimmings, a reminder of what's important when eating out. Diners can choose between the à la carte or tasting menu.  Ask for a window table.

Boasting one of the largest selections of wines by the glass (more than 250) in the world, Belthazar is also recommended for its consistently good if pricey steak and seafood. Enjoy gorgeous Table Mountain and harbor views from the all-weather outdoor seating at lunch, or at dinner, the moodier interior, where a team of sommeliers can recommend the best wine match for your meal. Venison options like the springbok fillet served with a chocolate-chili sauce are delicious, and the Chicago-cut beef is more than a pound of on-the-bone heaven. Mozambican seafood options like prawns and langoustines are also very popular.

On the historic Buitenverwachting wine estate in Constantia, this fine-dining establishment spares no punches in the flavor department with its Japanese-inspired dishes. The warm, wonderful service and the graciousness of the space fit perfectly with the tranquil countryside setting. An unpretentious tasting menu that sounds elaborate but is actually a pretty straightforward distillation of uncompromisingly high-quality ingredients, expert kitchen technique, and wondrous culinary creativity means that everything just works. The full 6-course "Tasting Experience" is R1,250 (plus R850 with paired wines). Request a table on the balcony in warm weather to enjoy the wonderful vineyard views.

This much-loved Bo-Kaap landmark keeps it real with its non-frills, homestyle approach to traditional Cape Malay cuisine. Dishes include bredies (thick slow-cooked stews, usually tomato-based and made with spices, meatballs, mutton, or lentils and vegetables), denning vleis (a traditional dish made with lamb or mutton and cooked with tamarind), curries, and of course beloved snacks like samosas, half-moons (savory breadcrumb-covered, fried dough bites filled with meat or vegetables), and chili bites (spicy deep-fried morsels, usually chickpea flour–based, made with onion, spices, and herbs). The menu isn't limited to Cape Malay cuisine offering Indian dishes and light meals like toasties (toasted sandwiches like grilled cheese) and wraps.

Located in a historic manor house, this hotel restaurant serves tasty and hearty Italian fare from multiple dining rooms whose white walls are adorned with edgy South African art and or shelves packed with books. As much as this place is about atmosphere and socializing, its menu is packed with classic crowd pleasers like seafood linguine, Bolognese rigatoni, steak Florentine, and osso buco—hardly groundbreaking, but the basis for a pleasant night out, especially if you splurge on wine and save space for dessert. And there's lighter fare, such as burgers, garlic prawns on a bap, and salads, too  On a summer's day it's worth coming early for a drink at the lovely outdoor Rose Bar in the garden adjacent to the restaurant.

With tables spilling onto the sidewalk, there's almost always a buzz at this vibrant neighborhood café. Expect all-day traditional breakfasts and café fare with a Cape Malay twist—spicy masala mince shakshuka, burgers with cheese and macon (a halal-friendly bacon substitute), pastas, smoothies, and flat whites alongside baked goods and sweet treats like koesisters (a fried dough dessert steeped in syrup). If you can't find a table, head across the street, where the annex also incorporates The Sweet Spot, a good place to find imported sugary treats. 

From their Wagyu beef burgers and steak tartare to slow-cooked oxtail and lamb cutlets dusted with biltong spice, the focus here is meat, meat, and more meat. That's not to say that they don't cater to vegetarians and seafood-seekers, but to be totally honest, if you fall into either of those categories you'll be far better off elsewhere. Pride of place here goes to the selection of dry-aged and wet-aged cuts of steak, plus a supporting act in the form of an extensive wine selection. Ultimately, it's a fancy steak house, but with the beach across the road and the option of al fresco seating in summer (and a fireplace inside in winter), it's sure to hit the spot if you need to satisfy a carnivore craving.

Ornate, handblown glass chandeliers, lots of dark wood, marble and luxurious fabrics, and above all, pitch-perfect high-end new interpretations of classic cuisine from across the subcontinent converge to create a space of almost fantastical opulence. There's a choice of vegetarian and non-vegetarian "Gourmet Experience" tasting menus, or you can dip into the variety offered by the à la carte options, which include a signature butter chicken in a creamy tomato gravy with fenugreek, crispy Malabar style kingklip, and a delectable dal makhani (lentil) dish that's been simmered overnight. Everything, from the refined ambiance to the authentic spicing and slow-cooking approach will transport you to a dazzling night out in India.

With a prime location for views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Twelve Apostles mountains, Bungalow has plenty of outdoor seating that makes this the place to be on a warm, sunny day. The menu features beautifully plated sushi, plenty of classic meat dishes, burgers, roasted chicken, and good options for vegetarians. Trendy is indeed an applicable word, so don your chicest aprés-beach outfit and make a booking.