32 Best Restaurants in Cape Town, South Africa

Named for the year the Steenberg wine estate on which it sits was established, this not-to-be-missed bistro serves dishes intended to be paired with the estate's vintages, but remains the opposite of hoity-toity fine dining. Dishes like beef tataki with shimeji mushrooms or sustainable fish with kimchi and umami cream are the perfect foil to a minimalist environment of bleached wood, metallic accents, and high ceilings. The outside terrace with its gorgeous mountain views is the perfect setting for brunch or lunch. If you miss lunch, you're in for a treat with a tapas menu that includes the likes of polenta frittes with baba ganoush, sticky harissa lamb ribs, and rosti with goat feta.

Serving a range of exquisitely prepared international fusion cuisine in a casually elegant-industrial setting, this restaurant and bakery in the heart of leafy Constantia is a true gem. The extremely seasonal menu changes often, but includes about a dozen mind-blowing tapas options—incorporating flavors from harissa to ponzu to smoked garlic—as well as a half dozen more traditional mains, such as chalmar beef with duck fat fries and café au lait sauce, or pan-seared line fish with mussel chowder. The gorgeous presentation would have you expect a much costlier bill, but is probably inevitable given that the chef-owners both hail from La Colombe, one of Cape Town's most lauded fine-dining establishments. An amazing wine list and in-house bakery where you can pick up fresh croissants, macaroons, and exceptional pastries complete the picture.

Hidden in the Montebello Design Center and Nursery is this quaint little cafe that has been serving locals for decades. Serving thoughtful breakfasts, light lunches, sandwiches, and a select number of delicious hot meals. There is an extensive cake, pastry, and deli counter with all kinds of homemade goods. On warmer days, a seat outdoors allows you to view the wonderful plants in the nursery next to it and there's a small play area for kids to enjoy. 

Super-stylish Hemelhuijs is both a showcase for a range of exquisite and fanciful ceramicware, and a centrally located restaurant serving equally fanciful and exquisite food. Though a little pricey for lunch, the owner-chef's inventive seasonal dishes burst with freshness and flavor (think pear-and-celeriac salad with hazelnuts and trout, or a crispy panfried veal of sublime flavor and texture) are well worth it. On one of Cape Town's few pedestrian walkways (near the footbridge crossing busy Buitengracht Street), this tiny designer space, where food is served in gold-painted bowls under chandeliers hanging with beads, driftwood, and star-shape seedpods, is truly a treat. Needless to say, breakfast and brunch are also divine.

This trendy cafe serves breakfast and brunch classics with a modern twist like brioche French toast with white chocolate and cornflake crunch, Reuben eggs benedict, smoothie bowls, and a large section of toasts (think avocado). The space can get packed but the service is efficient and friendly, and there's great coffee to boot. 

This well-loved bakery and cafe is where locals meet for coffee, breakfast, or to buy their freshly baked bread and pastries. The cafe menu serves classics like eggs Benedict and Reuben sandwiches, and on Saturdays, they sell their famous "doughssants" (donut meets croissant) which tend to sell out by mid-morning, so go early, it's worth trying! 

A popular Sea Point institution since 2014, this New York–style deli blends traditional Jewish recipes with the best local ingredients to bring freshly baked bagels and an assortment of schmears, toppings, and homemade sauces. Be sure to grab other delicious pastries like babka and rugelach when not sold out. 

This new food market at the cruise terminal near the Waterfront showcases some of the best local foods that Cape Town has to offer. Try some killer wings from Sidewing, or a beloved traditional Koesister (a Cape Malay spiced donut) from Fuzzy's Food and grab a good cup of coffee from Coffee by Moses. Want something more filling? Try a tasty dosa from Indikaap's ayurvedic kitchen or a South African braai plate from Pitso's Kitchen. Whatever you get, enjoy it outside in the sunshine, watching cruise ships parking on the dock. 

Located in the vibey Dunkley Square, this lovely Greek restaurant serves all kinds of Greek mezzes which can be ordered as a platter, or traditional dishes like moussaka, calamari, and lamb chops. This local favorite also serves pitas, souvlaki, and burgers, as well as good vegetarian options. On good weather days, have dinner outside for a magical ambiance. 

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. Signature dishes like the crayfish-and-prawn cocktail, beef Stroganoff, and rice pudding have a classic old-school bent and are divinely comforting, while more contemporary dishes like the prawn dhal in a coriander yogurt with pineapple salsa, or nouvelle mushrooms on watercress panna cotta are also true winners. While the à la carte menu is full of crowd-pleasers, the tasting menus—though sometimes excellent—do not always hit the mark. However, with this level of exquisite service, fairly reasonable pricing for fine dining, and such breathtaking views, diners are in for a treat overall. Come when you can enjoy the view, and inquire about specials like the "wine journey" or family Sunday lunches.  Ask for a window table.

An all-day breakfast bistro and bar, this bright little cafe in the heart of Cape Town serves yummy breakfasts and lunches like pancakes, eggs Benedict, wraps, and burgers. As the name implies, buttery goodness and comfort foods are on offer, but the menu is large and includes lots of fresh salads and vegetable-filled options as well as all-day cocktails and great coffee.

Serving good, unpretentious fare in an elegantly quirky space with lovely views across the historic Steenberg wine estate, this is a decent fine-dining go-to no matter the time of day. An oak-shaded terrace overlooking manicured lawns makes for a lovely, lazy lunch spot, and the restaurant's interior with its origami swans hanging from high ceilings and huge windows is a stylishly bright space. The lunch and dinner menu feature dishes like pork belly with butternut puree and a cashew-crusted fillet. A Sunday lunch buffet with a South African theme and accompanying live music is a family affair, and various canapé platters are also available throughout the day and can be taken in the delightfully plush bar and lounge area. A private dining room seats up to 24 and is a gorgeous and intimate venue for a special occasion.

A Bree Street institution beloved by the young and hip, Clarke's is known for many things, among them its burgers (with their famously butter-fried brioche buns), drinks (from smoothies and fresh juices to excellent cocktails and everything else you'd expect from a place with the word "bar" in its name), and delicious breakfasts (the huevos rancheros are yummy if not strictly authentic). As day turns to night, this light and bright restaurant (seating options range from a few tables on the sidewalk, to a designer-diner interior, to a small plant-filled courtyard) morphs from a child-friendly brunch spot to a casual coffee and burger joint, to a vibey nighttime bar, where DJs and parties are not unusual. Service is friendly and fast.

Located in the leafy green of the Company's Gardens, this restaurant serves a wide range of light meals, teatime favorites, and South African fare from morning to late afternoon. It's a gorgeous place to sit and watch the buzz of Cape Town's foot traffic passing you by, and also great for kids.

Discover the wonders of South African haute cuisine in this modern, glassed-in conservatory overlooking the beautiful gardens of the historic Cellars-Hohenort Hotel. The cuisine is playful but high-end, with a medley of multicultural techniques and flavors being used to great effect on local ingredients, resulting in dishes like a springbok (local venison) loin served with tempura shiitake mushrooms, karoo lamb with pumpkin mousse and fynbos honey, or Atlantic tuna with kimchee and apple. A stylish room in tones of silver, gray, and dark chocolate with bare dark-wood tables allows the garden views outside to shine, while at night, warm lighting highlights well-chosen artwork. Solicitous service and an amazing wine list go without saying. 

With floor-to-ceiling shelves stacked with everything delicious from French Champagne to truffle oil, Giovanni's is a classic Italian deli with many extra global ingredients, making it a great place to stock up for a gourmet picnic or enjoy a bite to eat at the counter. There's always a wide selection of hams and cold cuts as well as fantastic cheeses, and the fridges have fresh pasta dishes and greens, but the deli section and espresso bar are where most customers congregate. At possibly the oldest deli in the area, locals jostle for a seat with models and film-industry folk who come for the coffee and the vibe. Though a little chaotic at peak times—and to be honest, the raised counter seating is not especially comfortable—this place shouldn't be missed. And it's just a block away from the soccer stadium and Green Point park.

Set in a 19th-century building at Groot Constantia, the Cape's oldest wine estate, this family- and group-friendly restaurant provides a hearty taste of the Cape's culinary heritage, as well as crowd-pleasers of the salads, burger, pasta variety. Traditional Cape Malay dishes worth trying include bobotie (spiced minced beef studded with dried fruit and topped with a savory baked custard), the karoo lamb curry, and smoked snoek (fragrant Cape oily fish) pâté. The South African dessert melktert, or milk tart—similar to baked custard—is both traditional and delicious, and the cheesecake is legendary.

This cozy cafe has a prime spot on the promenade, where you can enjoy freshly baked pastries, great breakfasts, or a heartier meal with beautiful views of the beach. French toast, eggs Benedict, and buttermilk pancakes are crowd favorites, as are the smoothies, freshly pressed juices, and good selection of teas. 

A charming cafe in the Alphen Boutique Hotel, La Belle Constantia has fresh bakes, salads, and more filling lunches, though they are known for their cakes and pastries—be sure to try the lemon meringue or the berry frangipane. In warmer weather take advantage of the delightful outside seating. 

This quaint sidewalk café in the charming and pedestrian-friendly De Waterkant neighborhood above Green Point serves good coffees and teas, not to mention tasty breakfasts and lunches, both available all day. The quiches and savory pies are all flavorful, and the carrot-walnut cake remains deliciously moist. There are also more hearty options on offer—Karoo lamb shank, sticky spare ribs, and mac 'n' cheese—as well as a full bar and dinner service.

A more casual offering at the old Roundhouse, the Lawns has the same beautiful views and greenery, and there's lovely outdoor seating perfect for summer cocktails, lunch, or snacks. While food isn't the main draw, you can order decent pizzas, salads, pastas, burgers, fish and chips, and lovely desserts. The parking is treacherous so plan to take a taxi or Uber and get ready to enjoy long hours of lounging in the sun. 

Delivering great and unfussy café food from a gorgeously casual space, Mantra's second-floor vantage provides sweeping views of the beach and sea while also lifting you above the street-level irritations of cars and hawkers. The scones and smoothies are fantastic at breakfast (it’s quickly become a favorite local breakfast joint), while tapas, salads, pizzas, and heartier mains from mussels to burgers to pork ribs are available from 11:30 till closing. The clean and bright interior of natural wood, lovely artwork, and Moroccan-inspired tiles creates a spacious and tasteful ambiance that invites lingering. The desserts are excellent, and the service is extremely friendly.

A four-generation family-run business, this fuss-free bagel shop and deli specializes in traditional boiled and baked New York–style bagels that are made fresh daily, with a number of delicious toppings—go with a simple schmear of cream cheese on a poppy-seed bagel or try the brisket, smoked salmon, or pastrami. They also serve great coffee, pastries, and an amazing New York cheesecake. 

This all-white café on trendy Bree Street is the go-to place for delicious, creative, and relatively healthful Middle Eastern–style fare, which is heavy on salads like quinoa with roasted vegetables and cranberries, pesto potato with peas and olives, or green beans with orange and hazelnut. The few mains options like butter chicken or lamb-and-lentil biryani are also stellar. For a set price, you can load up with three or four salads plus one main, and eat at the counter inside, a handful of tables outside, or take away. Don't forget to save space for the fantastic desserts like date balls or poppyseed cake with white chocolate ganache.

A new cozy cafe in Cardiff Castle known for great croissants and other French pastries. Breakfast and light lunch options are also on offer and there is pleasant seating outside, tastefully decorated with pretty pot plants, bougainvillea flowers, and greenery. 

What started in Bo-Kaap as Cape Town's first vegan cafe, can now be enjoyed with views of Camps Bay. This tiny but bright cafe is perfect for breakfast or a takeaway to enjoy as a beach picnic; everything is freshly prepared and they guarantee 15 minutes to make your order. 

Serving yummy, organic fare from breakfast through lunch, this minimalist designer café is a popular downtown option where you will often find locals on laptops enjoying items like raw muesli with Greek yogurt or coconut quinoa porridge. Lunch includes several salad and sandwich options, and healthy mains like zucchini linguine.

During the warm summer months—and on the many good winter days—Capetonians are fond of taking picnic baskets up the mountain; the best time to picnic is after 5, as some say sipping a glass of chilled Cape wine while watching the sunset from Table Mountain is one of life's great joys. If you fail to bring your own provisions, this large self-service restaurant at the top of Table Mountain serves reasonable hot breakfasts, sandwiches, buffet-style meals, and local wine. The adjoining Wi-Fi Lounge dishes up a spectacular view along with free Wi-Fi, nonalcoholic beverages, beer, bubbly, and bar snacks.

With its steampunk design, full bar, and live performances on many nights, this spot captures the happening atmosphere in Cape Town's creative area that was once part of District Six. A great coffee shop with a variety of coffees and teas, the fun usually spills out onto the pavement so come prepared to have fun.