Our favourite restaurants in Cape Town

Cape Town is regularly ranked as one of the top culinary capitals of the world – and our Travel Researchers often get asked to recommend great restaurants and foodie hotspots to experience cutting-edge cuisine, local favourites and award-winning dining.

Here are a few the best restaurants in Cape Town and neighbouring Constantia that cannot be missed during a luxury South African holiday. Don’t forget that it is always worth booking well in advance (sometimes before even travel) as many of these culinary jewels have waiting lists a couple of months in advance, so please speak to your Travel Researcher if you’d like to reserve a table.

Atlantic view bites

This beach cafe enjoys a prime position on the seafront shoreline with views of the Atlantic and Robben Island. Chef Dominic Faict has introduced a fresh summer menu in addition to the usual favourites like pizza seafood, sushi, steak, pasta and salads. A team of marvelous mixologists has devised an extensive cocktail menu, featuring signature cocktails and well-loved classics. The perfect spot for lunch, sundowners, dinner and after-dark beats.

grandafrica.com | 1 Haul Road, V&A Waterfront | +27 21 425 0551

Indian tapas

Working with Chef Nate Coe, Liam Tomlin has created a contemporary Indian restaurant around the concept of ‘thali’ which is traditionally a selection of regional Indian dishes. Served over three courses, the meals begin with milder flavours and work towards hotter curry stylings. There are always vegetarian tapas as well as vegan and gluten-free options on request. Due to the relaxed style and spacious dining room, they do not take bookings. Closed on Sundays.

chefswarehouse.co.za/thali | 3 Park Road, Gardens | +27 21 286 2110

Contemporary braai and wine

A personal dining experience with only 24 seats and an exposed kitchen. They serve a tasting menu for both lunch and dinner, trusting Chef's Anouchka Horn and Neil Swart to satisfy with their seasonal fair and a focus on meat with their contemporary take on South African braai and paired wines. They source from local sustainable producers and use every part of the animal. Closed Sundays.

bellyofthebeast.co.za | 110 Harrington Street | +27 76 220 5458

Italian elegance meets culinary artistry

Discover the sophisticated ambience of Il Leone, where a walk-in wine cellar, private dining room, and bar await. This renowned establishment, beloved by Mastrantonio patrons, serves up delectable cuisine that has caused a sensation in Cape Town's culinary scene. With top-notch ingredients, expert preparation, and generous portions, every dish is a masterpiece. The friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide you through their extensive wine selection, ensuring the perfect pairing. Immerse yourself in a truly unique dining experience at Il Leone, where impeccable service and exceptional flavours merge to create culinary perfection.

kensingtonplace.co.za/il-leone/ | 38 Kensington Cres, Gardens Cape Town | +27 21 424 4744

Sustainable seafood

Alex and Ruth Grahame’s cosy restaurant is a firm favourite among locals - especially during happy hour at the oyster and wine bar. It has a small but well thought-through menu featuring exciting seafood options like angelfish tacos, tuna burgers and a moreish Cape Malay seafood curry. Non-seafood eaters can tuck into a hearty ribeye steak or their vegetarian version of the Cape Malay Curry. The wine list is small but features top-notch local wines at reasonable prices and rum lovers will spoilt for choice too.

seabreezecapetown.co.za | 213 Bree Street | +27 74 79 39 349

International tapas

Located on the sixth floor of an old biscuit mill, this is one of Cape Town’s coolest eating spots with 180-degree views of the city, harbour and Table Mountain. British-born Luke Dale-Roberts favours sharing plates that evoke an American-50’s-style dinner. The menu takes inspiration from South America to Southeast Asia and celebrates basic tastes – salty, sour, sweet, umami and bitter. New chef Jason Kosmas has also introduced classic Mediterranean flavours reflecting his Greek and Italian heritage.

thepotluckclub.co.za | 375 Albert Road, Woodstock | +27 21 447 0804

Contemporary African cuisine with Asian influences

Choose a table with brilliant views of Lion's Head and Table Mountain or by the counter if you want to feel watch tremendous chefs Peter Tempelhoff, Ashley Moss and Jennifer Hugé at work. The menu is African inspired with Japanese influences throughout, served in five-course, kaiseki-style menus. There are also pescetarian, vegetarian, and vegan menus. It’s a well-thought-through and simply delicious eating experience peppered with elements of food theatre and surprise.

fynrestaurant.com | 5th Floor, 37 Parliament Street | +27 21 286 2736

Seafood by the ocean

Situated right on the water's edge in the picturesque harbour of Kalk Bay, this iconic restaurant boasts exquisite views of the working harbour, False Bay and the Hottentots Mountain Range, and is a great spot to watch seals at play whilst tucking into delectable sushi and other fresh, sustainably-sourced fish and seafood.

harbourhouse.co.za | Kalk Bay Harbour | +27 21 788 4136

Up and comers

This new restaurant set up by Luke Dale Roberts and Sandalene Roberts is a space for up-and-coming local chefs who are being trained in the art of cooking and hospitality. While the menu is constantly changing the crowd-pleasers are usually at hand. From Thai-style mussels to gourmet burgers, Test Kitchen serves up classics in a fun, family-friendly setup. The tasting menu is excellently priced, and the cocktails will keep the fun flowing. Closed Mondays and Sundays.

ttkfledgelings.co.za | Biscuit Mill, Woodstock | 021 447 2337

Expect the unexpected

Chef Ryan Cole and his team have been dominating the food scene in Cape Town for some years now. The multi-course menu, driven by the seasons and grounded in technique, pushes boundaries in terms of delicate yet intense flavours, interesting textures, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence. Sustainable cooking at its unshowy best. The iconic views of the Twelve Apostles mountain range and Camps Bay beach are reason enough to visit. Closed Mondays.

salsify.co.za | Roundhouse Road, Camps Bay | +27 21 010 6444

Fine dining inspired by the sea

The latest venture by The La Colombe Group, right on the Pierhead at the V&A Waterfront. Situated away from the hustle and bustle of the shopping district, PIER offers diners tranquil, waterside dining. Headed by John Norris Rogers serving a multi-course tasting menu inspired by the sea and using the finest ingredients sourced locally. Highlight dishes include confit mussels slowly cooked in chorizo oil and oysters poached tableside.

pier.restaurant | Pierhead Building, V&A Waterfront | +27 21 879 6328

Tapas and casual fine dining

This modern restaurant with its sleek open-plan kitchen is seemingly suspended, overlooking the lush Constantia wine valley. Housed in a modern glass cube with an alfresco terrace, the dining room is the scene for a set menu of nine tapas plates for two. Chef Ivor Jones’ puts his unique perspective tapas-style set menu celebrates quality seasonal ingredients and Southeast Asian flavours. Much of the produce is grown locally and the wines are exemplary.

beauconstantia.com | 1043 Constantia Main Road | +27 21 794 8632

French Asian fusion

Set high above the Constantia wine valley in more of a treehouse than a restaurant, this stylish, light and airy space enjoys stunning views of the vineyards. Chef James Gaag offers an eight-course tasting menu that gives interpretations of local flavours presented in a refined, sometimes quirky, manner or a reduced menu depending on your preference. La Colombe enjoys iconic status so bookings are essential well in advance of arrival in Cape Town, especially in summer.

lacolombe.restaurant | Silvermist Wine Estate, Constantia Nek | +27 21 794 2390

Tapas and casual fine dining

This modern restaurant with its sleek open-plan kitchen is seemingly suspended, overlooking the lush Constantia wine valley. Housed in a modern glass cube with an alfresco terrace, the dining room is the scene for a set menu of nine tapas plates for two. Chef Ivor Jones’ puts his unique perspective tapas-style set menu celebrates quality seasonal ingredients and Southeast Asian flavours. Much of the produce is grown locally and the wines are exemplary.

beauconstantia.com | 1043 Constantia Main Road | +27 21 794 8632

Vineyard views

An elegant but unpretentious experience overlooking vineyards with special attention paid to sourcing a diverse range of special raw produce from smaller growers, farmers and local producers who form part of a sustainable ecosystem. From rare-breed meats, and seasonal heirloom vegetables to artisanal cheeses, this diversity serves to showcase and celebrate the ‘weird and wonderful’, and the beauty of unique strains and flavours beyond mass production.

beyondrestaurant.co.za | Buitenverwachting, 37 Klein Constantia Road | +27 21 794 0306