The Best Restaurants in Cape Town: Where to Eat in the Mother City

As the best city in the world for food, Cape Town boasts spectacular restaurants! From the culinary variety in the city centre to award-winning establishments in the winelands, a holiday in Cape Town is a smorgasbord of delightful tastes. There are many reasons why the Mother City has been elevated in Condé Nast Traveller and Time Out Travel. The culinary scene in Cape Town is a melting pot of flavours, with African, Dutch, Malay, and Indian cuisines all having a distinct impact. Then there are the wine regions with exquisite vintages that command respect on the world stage. Cape Town is also home to a wide range of far-flung cuisines. You can taste the mark that the French left here when exploring Franschhoek; the spiciness of Mexico has a well-defined presence in the city centre; and delicious Asian fare is deeply rooted. With so much to do and taste while on a Cape Town holiday, it can be a challenge to narrow down your options! This is why we’ve put together a guide to some of the best restaurants in Cape Town. Browse the list below and download our full guide with even more options.

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Restaurants in the City Centre

Cape Town’s city centre restaurants offer diners a plethora of options, from fine dining to sharing pasta plates and Mexican flavours. These are five of our favourites:

FYN Restaurant

This landmark Cape Town establishment takes fine dining to a whole new level with its take on Japanese and South African cuisine. FYN earned the top three stars in The Sustainable Restaurant Association’s Food Made Good Standard, the world’s leading sustainability certification for the hospitality sector. They were recognised for their plant-based menu and focus on sourcing ingredients from local farmers and small-scale fishers.

Scala Pasta/Bar

With a pasta laboratory that hand-makes pasta fresh every day and local, seasonal ingredients, Scala is a must-visit for all lovers of Italian food. Expect modern Italian antipasti, tapas-style pastas, and a selection of carefully crafted desserts. Browse their daily specials board to see what’s available, but you may be swayed by a classic carbonara pasta – Scala’s signature dish.

Nikkei

This Bree Street establishment has married cuisines from opposite ends of the world. Japanese and Peruvian flavours have been bonded on Nikkei’s menu to create an exclusive dining experience that has made the restaurant stand out among the top restaurants in Cape Town. With their Peruvian bento boxes, piqueos, and signature sushi, you’ll have an amazing fusion dining experience.

The Potluck Club

This chic Woodstock restaurant, created by famed chef Luke Dale Roberts, serves tapas with the stunning Table Mountain as the backdrop. The open-plan kitchen is well-illuminated, so you can watch the chefs do their magic, whipping up small plates featuring global flavours. Oenophiles will enjoy the wines available to complement their meal, which are from well-known South African wineries as well as hidden gems.

Hacienda

Inspired by Baja, California, Hacienda has brought coastal Mexican flavours to the city centre of Cape Town. If you’re in the mood for fresh Mexican fare with an interesting twist, this is the place to go. Don’t miss out on the guacamole – which is made right at your table – as well as the impressive selection of tacos, including barbacoa chicken, crispy snoek, and tempura lobster. They also boast a selection of tequilas and mezcals from the Baja California Peninsula region.

Atlantic Seaboard

Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard hosts some of the most stunning coastal locales in the city. These trendy, ocean-viewing neighbourhoods are dotted with incredible restaurants to explore. Here are a few of our favourites:

Gold Restaurant

A Gold experience is sure to be a highlight of your Cape Town adventure. Indulge in a 14-course African meal paired with traditional Mali puppets, storytelling, and dancing. You can opt for a private dining affair where you’ll get taken on a journey through the history of spice on the continent, from Uganda to Burundi to Zanzibar.

Pigalle Cape Town

Dress in your best and head to Pigalle. With their full in-house stage, resident jazz band, and dance floor, a dinner here is an exciting experience! The menu certainly doesn’t take a back seat – expect fresh seafood, luxurious platters perfect for sharing, Wagyu beef, and South African game like springbok and ostrich.

The Nines

This rooftop restaurant and cocktail lounge is located in a ninth-floor penthouse, boasting 270-degree views of upper Sea Point, the Atlantic Ocean, and Lion’s Head. The high-end dining experience starts with their impressive cocktail menu, which features signature drinks, classics, and vintage mixes. Seafood is the name of the game here, with oysters, yellowfin tuna, langostines, and lobster. Go for sundowners – the sunset view here is unmatched.

The Grand Pavilion

The perfect brunch and sunset spot, the Grand Pavilion overlooks the stunning Atlantic Ocean and offers guests a laid-back luxury vibe. Order a bottle of bubbly with oysters as you relax in the sun-filled dining room and enjoy the ocean breeze. The fresh salads are a must-try, and the range of seafood and grills will impress.

Zest

Zest enjoys pride of place in the hotspot of Sea Point with ocean views. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner can be enjoyed here, crafted from the freshest ingredients. The wood-fired grill is the heart of the kitchen, giving the meat, veggies, and fish a delightful smokey flavour. Expect Mediterranean and Asian influences in the meals, available in both large and small plates.

V&A Waterfront

The premier shopping destination in Cape Town, the V&A Waterfront is also home to a range of top restaurants. A shopping trip here is not complete without stopping at one of these restaurants for a meal:

Tang

Inspired by Japanese izakayas, Tang offers diners a foray into luxurious dining where Asian cuisine is prominent. Tang was awarded Best Asian Cuisine and Best Luxury Waterside Restaurant in Africa in the World Luxury Restaurant Awards 2024, so you can expect an incredible experience.

Willoughby and Co.

Known as one of the best sushi restaurants in Cape Town, Willoughby and Co. serves fresh fish in a unique way. Jalapeno salmon sashimi, tempura creations, and crispy rice dishes are just a few examples of the innovation and creativity at this renowned establishment.

Den Anker

Inspired by Belgian cuisine, Den Anker is well-known for its Belgian beers, bitterballen, and pommes frites. The wall-to-wall windows offer a fantastic view of Table Mountain, the perfect backdrop for a delicious meal. Don’t miss out on their house waffles – a delicious sweet treat to end your meal.

Cabo Beach Club

Cabo Beach Club is a premium beach experience with golden sand and waterfront views. Sit poolside on a lounger and have your lunch delivered to you; choose from sushi, burgers, tacos, seafood, and grills accompanied by your choice of bubbles, wine, or cocktail. As the sun goes down, the tempo increases for a fantastic night of dancing.

Spyced

A Gold Restaurant establishment, Spyced is an ideal place to experience the diverse flavours of the Cape. Enjoy Cape Malay cuisine while listening to the sounds of Cape Jazz. Spyced also offers the opportunity to take Cape Malay cooking skills home with you through lunchtime cooking classes.

Hotel Restaurants

Cape Town boasts an incredible range of five-star hotels, many of which are home to stunning restaurants. From rooftop bars to internationally revered eateries, these are the spots to put on your itinerary:

Planet Restaurant, Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

The pink-painted Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is a Cape Town institution well-known for its lavish high tea. Sink into the old-world glamour of Planet Bar and choose one of the cocktails on offer, a menu in which you’ll encounter local flavours like rooibos and fynbos. When you start to feel peckish, browse their small and big plates featuring global cuisines, from empanadas and duck pancakes to Caesar salad and tikka chicken foldovers.

Oasis Bistro, Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

Also at “The Pink Lady”, an Oasis dining experience is elevated by the garden setting. This is the perfect choice for laid-back dining, either for breakfast or lunch. The menu focuses on locally sourced South African ingredients; enjoy the local seafood creations and meats as well as fresh salads.

Nobu, One&Only Hotel

The One&Only Hotel is home to the international sensation, Nobu. Well-loved around the world, the Cape Town branch is the only Nobu in southern Africa. Get one of the signature sake cocktails to complement the Japanese cuisine with South American spice.

Rooftop Bar @ The Silo, The Silo Hotel

With panoramic ocean and city views, this is the ideal place to relax in the sun with a cocktail in hand and light snacks. The concise wine menu highlights the best the Western Cape wine regions have to offer. Sharing platters, salads, poke bowls, and bao buns will vie for your attention.

Willaston Bar, The Silo Hotel

Another gem in The Silo Hotel, Willaston Bar is open for lunch and dinner. Enjoy modern bar dishes, including bar snacks, soups, salads, and sandwiches. For dinner, indulge in a selection of Indian-inspired, tapas-style small plates perfect for a relaxed evening.

Winelands Restaurants

A new-world wine destination, the Western Cape boasts world-class wine estates that are loved for far more than just their exceptional vintages. Many wine farms entice visitors with wine tastings as well as five-star restaurants. Here are a few of our must-visits:

Hōseki

Located at the renowned Delaire Graff Estate, Hōseki means “jewel”, an ode to Graff diamonds. The copper and blue interior with an art installation of swallows suspended from the roof creates an incredible setting in which to enjoy a Japanese-inspired lunch or dinner. The Omakase Tasting Experience features a chef’s selection of plates with a wine pairing.

Cavalli

The Cavalli Estate’s restaurant was voted South Africa’s most stylish restaurant at the Eat Out Awards and is the first green-star-rated restaurant in the country, cementing it as a must-visit fine dining establishment. Here, the beauty of natural heritage is celebrated, and the cuisine culture is all about sustainable ingredients from local producers. Two- and three-course dining options are available, as well as wine pairing.

Babel @ Babylonstoren

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Babel gained further recognition during the 2024 World Culinary Awards when they were awarded for being Africa’s Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant. Babylonstoren burst onto the wine farm scene for its expansive gardens producing fresh produce. Babel uses these ingredients to create delicious two- and three-course meals that are perfect for sharing with loved ones.

Chefs Warehouse @ La Maison

Chefs Warehouse is a relaxed spot that celebrates the surrounding countryside, local suppliers, and seasonal produce. The old-style farmhouse adds to the country-style ambiance, in which you can enjoy their tapas-for-two menu along with fabulous local wines. The perfect ending to your meal is an ice cream sundae.

Orangerie Restaurant

Located at Le Lude estate in Franschhoek, Orangerie offers morning and afternoon tea accompanied by a selection of freshly baked treats and the estate’s award-winning MCC. For lunch or dinner, you can enjoy French cuisine with contemporary and Asian twists, created from the Cape’s freshest ingredients. These are just a few of the top restaurants in Cape Town to explore while on a holiday in the Mother City. Make sure to book ahead, as many of the above establishments fill up in advance.