The Cape Town restaurant scene is forever changing and expanding, with new spots popping up faster than you can order an Uber. If, like me, you’re always on the lookout for a new culinary experience, then bookmark this post. I will be updating it throughout the year to include the latest, most-talked about foodie hangouts.
You can also pop over HERE to view the latest and greatest in the Winelands, and head over HERE to check out what happened in 2017.
Did I miss a spot? Pop your recommendations in the comments below! I am always keen to try something new.
City Center
The Botanical Bar
160 Longmarket Street, Cape Town
From the peeps behind Honest Chocolate Café, The Gin Bar and Marrow comes The Botanical Bar, a dinner and drinks spot that heroes our local botanicals. Their food and drink shows off indigenous botanical flavours, with a range of home-made bitters and aperitifs, cocktails and food. Think smoked snoek with spekboom pâté, buchu and orange marinated olives, or samp and wild mushroom risotto. And for drinks, you can sip on cocktails like The Great Karoo, with Hope on Hopkins Esparanza Tequila, Grapefruit & Spekboom bitters, grapefruit juice
For more info, visit thebotanicalbar.co.za
The Poké Bar
90 Loop Street, Cape Town
The Poké Co is hands down my top choice for delicious Poké bowls. Until recently they’ve only been available for takeout, but now you can also visit them at their new Poké Bar on Loop Street. Grab one of their signature bowls (The Leeward is my favourite) or grab a Poké burrito on the go.
For more, visit pokecoct.com
Skinny Legs Luxury Café
70 Loop Street, Cape Town
This little pocket offers an all-time cafe experience, with healthy breakfast, lunch and beverage options. Their menu is a true representation of the glorious gifts of nature, and has all you need to add a touch of mouth-watering goodness to your day.
For more, visit skinnylegscafe.co.za
The Hot Skillet
70-72 Bree Street, Cape Town.
Gomotsegang Modiselle (G) and Oginga Siwundla (OG) from My Kitchen Rules are serving up comfort food from Young Blood Gallery on Bree Street. They have a small menu with all-day breakfast options like Cornflake Crusted Cinnamon French Toast or Banger and Egg Sandwich, or try their lunch options like Grilled Chicken and Slaw, Line Fish and Pan Salad or Beef Burger.
For more, visit their Facebook page
Gardens & Tamboerskloof
Bao Down Restaurant
3 Vredehoek Ave, Oranjezicht
An eclectic exploration of taste, Bao Down Restaurant is a fusion of Asia’s finest cuisine with a quirky American-inspired spin.Tickle your tongue with their selection of all-time favourite bao yakatory; and taste the oceans finest with their prawn toast or oysters drizzled ‘with lime dressing, topped with pickled jalapeño. For the love of vegetarian, they serve kimchi fried rice and roasted sweet potato complimented by miso and sesame dressing. This intimate matchbox space is the perfect haunt to hang out and enjoy a unique food experience before trawling Cape Town’s vibrant night-life.
For more, call 066 022 1165
Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen
Cause Effect describe themselves as an experiential cocktail kitchen & brandy bar inspired by Cape Town’s fynbos, oceans, vineyards and mountain. They have taken cocktails to a whole new level, serving drinks like Sia’s Dream with hay infused brandy, tonka bean sherry, leamon and lime, egg white and jasmine. Or how about the Boerie Roll with braai boerewors brandy, wild dagga tomato bitters, onion sugar and coriander bread. Needless to say, prepare to have your mind blown.
For more, visit their Facebook page
Janse & Co
75 Kloof Street, Gardens
Chef Arno van Rensburg, who previously headed the The Kitchen at Maison in Franschhoek, has now opened his own eatery right in the middle of Kloof Street, Cape Town. He has teamed up with Liezl Odendaal, previously of Weylandts and Ellerman House. So you know you are in for some seriously good food in an edgy, upmarket environment. You can choose from three to seven courses, with dishes like Chicken Terrine with Smoked Milk, Radish; Sorrel Trout with Plum, Grape and Verjuice; or Octopus, Strawberry, Umeboshi, Mint. They also have a fantastic liquor, beer and wine selection.
For bookings, head to janseco.com
Jessy’s Waffles
58 Barnet Street, Cape Town
You don’t just get waffles, you get gluten-free, vegan waffles. Jessy’s Waffles is a Waffle and Dessert Café that is drawing customers with their fresh take on this comforting classic, as well as smoothie bowls, coffee specials and a variety of foods for both vegans and non-vegans.
For more, visit their Facebook page
Publik Wine Bar
11D Kloofnek Road, Tamboerskloof
Publik has moved into a new digs in Tamboerskloof, taking over from the recently closed Hallelujah (may they rest in peace). They’re all about wines from sustainably farmed vineyards that have been made with minimal intervention in the cellar. Look forward to an excellent drinks menu and discovering hidden gems, as well as delicious tapas, cheeses, charcuterie and snacks.
For more, visit publik.co.za
Today & Tomorrow
71 Kloof Street, Cape Town
The brainchild of Yours Truly, Today & Tomorrow represents an innovative approach to timeless food creations. You can enjoy a simplistic breakfast, light meal and pizza or pasta in the trendy hub of Cape Town.
For more, visit yourstrulycafe.co.za
Green Point & Sea Point
CASA Restaurant & Cabanas, The Ritz
Cnr Main & Camberwell Roads, Sea Point
The Ritz has recently seen a massive rejuvenation and is fast becoming one of the swankiest hangouts in the city. Downstairs you can enjoy a more casual dining experience at CASA Restaurant & Cabanas. Pop in early for the breakfast buffet and à la carte offering, or enjoy some brasserie classics from 11am. Think Rock Shrimp tempura with an umami-packed sriracha/soya glaze, or Peri Peri chicken, cooked sous vide in home-made peri-peri sauce, before being crisped up in a Pira charcoal oven. CASA is also home to a sparkling poolside Champagne Bar where you can sip bubbly while cooling down, and on Sundays you can join them for brunch buffet, served 11am till 5pm for R250/R95 for adults/children.
For more, visit theritz.co.za
Coco Safar
Artem Center, 277 Main Road, Sea Point
Pop in at Coco Safar for a seriously good cup of coffee, expertly brewed teas, delicate desserts, chocolate, lunch, and more. Coco Safar roasts their own coffee with high tech machinery, create their own fine chocolates, and they have just opened the first botanical microbrewery in Cape Town.
For more, visit cocosafar.com
Cushty Deli
6 St Georges Road, Green Point, Cape Town
With an offering of tasty home-style food, Cushty Deli captures a “Home of all things delicious, laidback and neighbourly.” Head over if you’re looking for a comfortable environment to sip a fresh brew of coffee and enjoy good food. They’re especially famous for their heart breakfast menu and a selection of speciality dishes, pies, breads and confectioneries.
For more, visit cushty.business.site
Rafael Lebanese Café
154 Main Road, Sea Point
Rafael is a Lebanese speciality coffee shop from the same peeps who brought you Byblos in Woodstock. Look forward to traditional dishes like baklava, lebanese bread, Turkishapple tea, syrups, powders, sauces and of course great coffee blends.
For more, visit byblostrading.co.za/rafael-cafe
The Ritz Restaurant
Cnr Main & Camberwell Roads, Sea Point
The revolving restaurant at the top of the Ritz offers spectacular city views to pair with your fine dining experience. The gastronomic experience begins in the 22nd floor Champagne Lounge. From here you move to the sexy, sophisticated dining area to enjoy a seven-course menu that reflect local flavours, presented in creative and refined ways. According to them, only sustainable fish on the SASSI ‘Green’ list will be served at Top of The Ritz.
For more, visit theritz.co.za
Upper Bloem
1 Winston Place, 65 Main Road, Greenpoint
Conjured from a melting pot of Cape Town Harbour’s very own culture cuisine, Upper Bloem encapsulates the true flavour of our vibrant local terroir. With bold colour accents and geometric designs, the mise en scène of Upper Bloem mirrors a modern twist on traditional fine dining. Sit back, relax and share a tantalising taste experience with their inviting array of seasonally inspired tapas, artistic meals and a wine selection that will certainly take you on a flavour-filled food journey rich in the spices, textures and colours.
For more, visit upperbloemrestaurant.co.za
East City & Woodstock
Lekker Vegan
37 Barrack Street
Feel like some vegan gourmet junk food? Fill up on burgers, chips, gatsby’s and soft serve, all vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.
For more, visit lekkervegan.co.za
Nourish’d Observatory
186 Lower Main Road, Observatory
For the love of all things natural and harmonious, head to Nourish’d Cafe & Juicery. Their holistic approach to conscious cuisine is inspired by the rhythms of nature and showcases an array of juices, smoothies, gourmet sandwiches and warming soups.
For more, visit nourishd.co.za
Swan Cafe
Corner Buitenkant & Barrack Street, Zonnebloem
For the love of all things french, it’s time to say “Bonjour” to Swan Cafe, a nostalgic Parisian Crêperie. Their specialities include delicate and sensational sweet crêpes served with a dollop of cream, a dash of cinnamon and a drizzle of chocolate; and savoury buckwheat gluten-free galettes. You can wash down this taste of Paris with their Nigro Tea Merchants fragrant tea blends or a strong cup of Damn Fine artisan coffee.
For more, visit swancafe.co.za
The Ceviche Bar
103 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock
Inspired by an juxtaposition of Asian and Latin American food concepts, Ceviche Bar offers a unique approach to seafood. Their menu is a creative concoction of only the finest organic ingredients and fresh sustainably sourced fish, that certainly makes “delicious” the definition of “healthy”.
For more, visit their Facebook page
The Electric
48 Canterbury Street, District 6
This trendy new spot serves up fresh juices, nut milks, sandwiches and bakes in the heart of the East City.
For more, visit their Facebook page
Did I miss something? Pop your recommendations in the comments below. I am looking for any restaurants in central Cape Town that opened between December 2017 and December 2018.
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