These days, Cape Town is well-known for being a foodie mecca – but there are always going to be new or even lasting restaurant winners, which consistently bring good service, great food and a pleasant eat-out experience to the table.
Here are the top 14 restaurants in Cape Town:
#1 The Foodbarn
Over the space of a few years, Top chef Franck Dangereux has worked wonders over at The Foodbarn. Serving French-inspired dishes, the restaurant offers excellent fine dining and superb food in a restored old barn.
At night, the deli turns into a tapas bar but either way, expect excellent food. Also, on Wednesday evenings, The Foodbarn offers a Pop Up Kitchen at the Community Market in Farm Village.
Contact: (021) 789 1390
Website: http://www.thefoodbarn.co.za
Address: Noordhoek Farm Village, Corner Village Lane and Noordhoek Main Road, Noordhoek, Cape Town
#2 Azure Restaurant
Photo credit: 12 Apostles Hotel via www.12apostleshotel.com
Complete with fine dining and amazing views across the Atlantic, Azure’s setting never fails to make a great impression upon its visitors, yet it is the seafood, which takes the centre stage here.
Enjoy the best local and international cuisines, made by executive chef Christo Pretorius, as you dine in style. Favourites include: classic prawn cocktail or fresh line fish, though you will also find grills, poultry/game and even a Cape Malay curry on Azure’s menu.
Dress code is semi-formal, and booking is advised.
Contact: (021) 437 9029
Website: https://www.12apostleshotel.com
Address: Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town
#3 Obi
Since Takumi’s closing, sushi legend Papa San has teamed up with chef Ben Bettendorf to bring Capetonians this urban Asian eatery, which specialises in sushi, tempura and ramen.
At Obi restaurant, guests can enjoy delicacies like shoyu ramen, an extensive sushi range and even great tempura options too.
Contact: (021) 418 4040
Website: http://obirestaurant.co.za
Address: 14 Long Street, Cape Town
#4 The Woodlands Eatery
With a lovely, considerate menu – which caters to the tastes and diets of all – The Woodlands Eatery is a rare find.
They are famed for their pizzas, which come with a choice of interesting toppings and even include the option of a cauliflower base. There is also seafood and other top meals to enjoy here.
Contact: (021) 801 5799
Website: http://thewoodlandseatery.withtank.com
Address: Gardens, Cape Town
#5 Kyoto Garden Japanese Restaurant
Photo credit: Claire Gunn Photography, Kyoto Garden Sushi via kyotogardensushict.com
At Kyoto, expect delicacy, subtleness and enduring Japanese cuisines and flavours, brought to you by owner Scott Wood’s stellar Kyoto team. This Japanese food shrine offers sushi, sashimi, seafood and more.
There’s a wonderful sushi bar to enjoy as is only fitting – but leave space for dessert to enjoy something naughty but nice, like cherry blossom ice cream or perhaps a tempting cocktail too.
Contact: (021) 422 2001
Website: https://kyotogardensushict.com
Address: Kyoto Garden Sushi, 11 Lower Kloofnek Road, Cape Town
#6 Hudsons – The Burger Joint
A regular feature on ‘Best burger’ lists in Cape Town, the American-inspired diner (with a contemporary twist) that is Hudsons gives guests well-made burgers, finished off with inventive toppings.
Each burger tells its own story, and everything from the names to the ingredients have been carefully chosen by owners, Ross and David.
Now, with branches in Green Point and Claremont – as well as the original Kloof Street establishment – Hudsons is more far-reaching than ever before.
Contact: (021) 426 5974
Website: http://theburgerjoint.co.za
Address: 69A Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
#7 Cheyne’s
Chef-owner Cheyne Morrisby offers creative combos, artful plating and delicious, strongly South Pacific cuisine, prepared using firmly Asian cooking methods.
Thanks to his culinary talents, Cheyne’s has become a real Hout Bay institution, though he hasn’t stopped there, for now Lucky Bao and the new Shio are also under his capable guidance.
Contact: (021) 790 3462
Website: https://www.facebook.com/cheyneshoutbay
Address: Hout Bay, Cape Town
#8 Manna Epicure
Reflecting French and South African cuisines both, with a delightful Argentinian twist too, Manna Epicure is the epitome of fine dining in Cape Town.
With an emphasis on hospitality, styling and, of course, excellent food, Manna is like a tender Heavenly mercy sent down to food lovers.
Contact: (021) 426 2413
Website: http://mannaepicure.com
Address: 151 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
#9 Royale Eatery
Photo credit: Royale Eatery via www.royaleeatery.com
Royale Eatery really does make burgers fit for royalty… With over 50 burgers (and counting…) to choose from, this is a go-to burger spot in Cape Town and is also one of its top eateries.
They offer vegetarian and vegan options, if you’re not a meat-eater, whereas as a side with your gourmet burger, enjoy a choice between fries, sweet potato chips or salad!
Contact: (021) 422 4536
Website: http://www.royaleeatery.com
Address: 20 Vineyard Road, Claremont, Cape Town
#10 GOLD Restaurant
At GOLD – an African restaurant in the heart of the Mother City – expect an extensive menu, which offers tastes and styles from northern Africa to the Cape.
Whether you like your food hot and spicy or soft and gentle (like Tanzanian mango-and-lime chicken), GOLD has something for everyone.
What’s more, your unique culinary experience is complemented by live, interactive traditional entertainment.
Contact: (021) 421 4653
Website: www.goldrestaurant.co.za
Address: 15 Bennett Street, Green Point, Cape Town
#11 Active Sushi
In 2008, Active Sushi was born for the owner’s sushi addiction. Now, with its different city branches, the focus is on providing customers with top notch sushi at reasonable prices.
Active Sushi is so much more than a dining experience though… It’s a sushi extravaganza, and their vision is to make sushi more enjoyable for and easily accessible to all.
Contact: (021) 418 2604
Website: http://www.activesushi.com
Address: 81 Buitenkant St, Cape Town
#12 The Brasserie
This neighbourhood local and lovely bistro is something of a home away from home for locals and foreigners alike.
Dine here with family and friends and enjoy creating lasting memories over good food.
Contact: (021) 712 1363
Website: http://brasseriect.co.za
Address: Shop 1, Forest Glade House, Tokai Road, Constantia, Cape Town
#13 NV-80 Grill & Bar
Photo credit: NV-80 via Facebook
Situated in the heart of Sea Point, this popular bistro offers great variety, which includes meals like: charred queen prawns or caramelised pear and gorgonzola salad.
With comfy seating for up to 120 guests, here at NV-80 Grill & Bar, you really can have a ball, as you sip on sundowners or tuck into a great meal with those you love.
Contact: (021) 439 7112/4
Website: http://nv-80.co.za
Address: The Point, Shop 8, First Floor, 76 Regent Road, Sea Point, Cape Town
#14 Hemelhuijs
At hemelhuijs, quality is of the utmost importance, as far as chef-owner Jacques Erasmus is concerned. This ever-changing space, in the heart of the Mother City, is something of an oasis for visitors.
Enjoy freshly squeezed juices, delicious cocktails or blended coffees from their small but seasonal menu or a lovely, light meal in between work or play.
Contact: (021) 418 2042
Website: http://www.hemelhuijs.co.za/restaurant.htm
Address: 71 Waterkant Street, Cape Town
These are just some of the many restaurants in Cape Town consistently churning out good reviews, service and above all, food.
Make sure you eat your way through them, for some fun variety and food satisfaction in the Mother City.