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Cape Town is the culinary capital of South Africa and quite possibly the continent. It certainly has the best restaurants in southern Africa. Nowhere else in the country is the populace so discerning about food, and nowhere else is there such a wide selection of high-quality restaurants. Western culinary history here dates back to the 17th century—Cape Town was founded specifically to grow food—and that heritage is reflected in the city's cuisine and the fact that a number of restaurants operate in historic town houses and 18th-century wine estates.
Cape Town dining today offers a global culinary experience, with Cape chefs showing the same enthusiasm for international food trends as their counterparts worldwide. French and Italian fare has long been available, but with Thai, Japanese, and Pan-Asian influences flooding in, accents of lemongrass, miso, and yuzu have become de rigueur in fine-dining kitchens. Middle Eastern cuisine is finally making some headway, and the Americas have also come to the fore, with plenty of burgers and ribs, and even chicken and waffles popping up on menus these days, not to mention a few South American and passable Mexican eateries. Ubiquitous pan-Asian fare is probably not as good as what you might be used to in major American cities; sushi is also easily found, though largely limited to tuna and salmon, and often prepared with lots of drizzled mayo and sauces. The locavore trend toward organic produce and healthful dishes is also gaining popularity, though attitudes toward vegetarianism in this meat-happy land remain somewhat backward.
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.
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.
This small, stylish gelateria has some of the best Italian gelato in Cape Town with traditional flavors like stracciatella, pistachio, and chocolate, as well as locally-inspired flavors like rooibos, milk tart, and whatever produce is in season. The cafe also serves decadent hot chocolate and thick, creamy milkshakes, and there are many dairy-free and vegan options.
Try a taste of Zimbabwean cuisine at this cozy restaurant in Salt River that serves fresh traditional meals like millet pap (a type of starch made from millet grains) or kapenta (a traditional dried fish) in peanut butter, or go for a more hearty oxtail stew or tilapia fish in curry. Food is generous, so plan to order a main meal with a starch of your choice, a platter to share, or an individual plate.
This ice cream cafe has become an Obs and Cape Town institution and is a must-visit as Tapiwa, ice cream maker and founder of Tapi Tapi, makes delicious and daring handcrafted African ice creams. This cafe is small but packs a punch, and the ice cream will give you an education and not just a frozen dessert. Tapiwa is on a mission to challenge how the world, including Africans, undermine African foods and ingredients and seeks to bring pride and excitement for African foods from across the continent. He's a one-man show, hand-making all the ice cream himself, with flavors changing weekly- including vegan options. He also offers ice cream-making workshops.
This cute cafe at the Old Biscuit Mill bakes fresh and decadent cakes, cookies, brownies, brioche buns, donuts, and more, as well as select savories like pies, tarts, and quiches. You can order ahead or go early to get some treats before they sell out, as they tend to.
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.
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.
This little ice-cream cafe has blown up in popularity and expanded to several other locations around Cape Town. With handmade ice cream made with free-range eggs and other quality farm ingredients, you can always find the signature flavors (65% chocolate, sweet cream, sea salt caramel, peanut butter) and extra seasonal flavors that have huge followings like cornflake milk, birthday cake, and honeycomb crunch. Staying open until 11 pm, people can be seen queuing for ice cream at all hours of the day. They also serve great coffee and waffles.
Just a few blocks from the bustle of Greenmarket Square, this airy comfortable café serves delicious breakfast and lunch fare. Lunches tend to have some Asian influences, but you can also expect a good array of salads, pastas, and sandwiches.
A treat for coffee lovers, the talented baristas at this unassuming little cafe have built a loyal following over the years. Come for quality coffee and espresso to go and grab some beans as well . . . you'll thank us. Deluxe also supplies several restaurants and cafes all over the country with their coffee blends.
Everyone fancies some gelato on beach days and this is the place to get some in Camps Bay. With several franchises in Cape Town, this family-run gelateria offers traditional flavors as well as sorbet and vegan and diabetic options.
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.
New to Newlands is Noordhoek's famous ice cream shop. You can find a variety of signature and seasonal flavors ranging from standards like vanilla bean to more comfort food favorites like rocky road, to kid-friendly mermaid and T-Rex flavors. This playful cafe caters to dairy-free, vegan, and sugar-free eating preferences and has a small seating area outside in the busy restaurant hotspot, the Cardiff Castle.
The smells of freshly baking bread will immediately whet your appetite at this friendly café serving delicious breakfasts, lunches, and treats daily except Sunday.
A cozy and friendly little Tanzanian restaurant in the bustling CBD, the Meeting Point aims to bring people together, hence the inspiration for the name. The menu features all sorts of tasty poultry, meat, fish, and vegetarian East African classics, but you must try the mandazi, a Tanzanian donut that's crispy, spiced, and not too sweet. They also host storytelling, poetry, and other events, and have a stall at the Neighbourgood's Market at the Old Biscuit Mill on Saturdays.
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.
For what many would argue is Cape Town's best sushi, head to Willoughby's, which is in the V&A's shopping mall, with seating both inside and out. But this is all about the food—there are no views.
You'll pay more for a sandwich here than you should have to, but excellent lighthouse and sea views from the balcony and free Wi-Fi are the draw. The shaved turkey is decent, or simply stick to coffee and a selection of Greek biscuits or a grilled Halloumi (a mild and salty Greek cheese) salad. This is a good spot to catch up on email while enjoying a coffee and a snack.
So much German is spoken by patrons here that it's easy to forget you're in Cape Town. People come to this pristine deli for the largest selection of raw sausages and authentic German breads in town and also for the great-value ready-made lunches. Expect pea or potato-and-leek soups as standards and entrees like farmer's omelets or smoked pork chops. It's easy to get carried away and ratchet up the bill while selecting cheeses and imported meats, so beware. Ask the helpful servers to slice your bread, cut a selection of cheese or meat, and package some salads for an impromptu picnic in the Company Gardens nearby. Another option is to grab a coffee and ready-made salami and mozzarella roll. Don't miss the great barrel sauerkraut and pickled gherkins.
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