Restaurants in Cape Town
If you're hungry, you're in the right place. Cape Town has the monopoly on fine dining in South Africa and its restaurants have staying power too, so many of its award-winning stalwarts manage to remain exciting. Prime steaks, local Cape Malay dishes, Thai cuisine, traditional South African fare: it's all here and there's something to suit every budget.
The Cape Town restaurants below have been hand-picked by our guide author and are grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over R600)
Moderate (R400 to R600)
Cheap (up to R400)
These Cape Town restaurant prices are for a three-course meal for one, including half a bottle of house wine or equivalent, tax and service. A service charge of around 10% may be added to your bill in most restaurants. 10% tipping is customary.
Expensive
Karibu
Cuisine: South AfricanSet on the V&A Waterfront, within full view of the mighty Table Mountain, Karibu blends traditional South African cuisine with a modern sophistication that results in first-class, delectable dishes. Try their braai (South African BBQ) or Weskus Snoek (Cape mackerel) for the ultimate Cape Town dining experience.
Address: , 156, The Wharf Centre, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8002
Telephone: +27 21 421 7005/6
Website: https://www.kariburestaurant.co.za
The Test Kitchen
Cuisine: ContemporaryA trendy restaurant with classic elegance, The Test Kitchen is located in the heart of Woodstock, the hipster suburb of Cape Town. Award-winning Chef Luke Dale-Roberts puts the emphasis on experimentation, offering a unique melding of international flavours covering the world from Peru to South Africa. Think dishes like pork belly with wood roasted sweet potato and smoked chestnut or springbok with beetroot, bone marrow and hazelnut. Reserve your table months in advance if you can.
Address: , The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Cape Town, 7915
Telephone: +27 21 447 2337
Website: http://www.thetestkitchen.co.za/
Moderate
Gold
Cuisine: AfricanGold offers the full ‘African Experience’, combining dishes from across the continent – such as South African ostrich biltong, Ghanaian peanut chicken and Egyptian lentils – with authentic performances that include singing, dancing, music and a traditional puppet show. With a distinctly African décor that encompasses artworks and artefacts, Gold is the place to go for a taste of Africa.
Telephone: +27 82 414 9663
Website: http://www.goldrestaurant.co.za/
Mama Africa
Cuisine: South AfricanMama Africa serves up traditional dishes like bobotie (a spiced minced meat dish with an egg-based topping) and wild game in a truly cheerful atmosphere. You can expect ear-to-ear smiles, over-the-top portions, and a live Marimba band delivering infectious African beats late into the night. The colourful décor, which includes masks, drums and wood-carvings, definitely adds to the South African vibe.
Address: , 178 Long Street, Cape Town, 8001Telephone: +27 21 424 8634
Website: https://www.mamaafricarestaurant.co.za/
Cheap
Lola's
Cuisine: EuropeanFor an unpretentious and delicious meal, this cosy corner café certainly ticks all the boxes. Scrumptious breakfasts, excellent coffee and a mouth-watering lunch menu are all on offer here. The fresh food and friendly staff make Lola’s the perfect place to go for a chilled out culinary experience.
Telephone: +27 21 423 0885
Website: http://www.lolas.co.za/
Mariam’s Kitchen
Cuisine: South AfricanFor a no-frills, over-the-counter dining experience head to Mariam’s Kitchen, synonymous with the Gatsby – a foot-long sandwich stuffed with your choice of fillings. The restaurant shares a block with three hotels, making it an ideal spot for a value-for-money lunch break before heading out towards the hustle and bustle of the V&A Waterfront, just a 20-minute walk away.
Address: , 31 Heerengracht Street, Cape Town, 8000
Telephone: +27 21 421 3636
Website: http://mariamskitchen.co.za/
