The 11 Best Places to Eat in Cape Town, South Africa
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Seeing it all in Southern Africa
If you landed on this page but want to see all of the highlights of Southern Africa by starting in Cape Town - including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and ending in Zimbabwe - then you could simply skip this article and go straight to booking the 20-Day Africa on a Shoestring tour instead. You can thank us later!
However, if you’re putting together your own trip and sticking to the Cape Town area, you have come to the right place! This is a list of some of the best places to eat in and around Cape Town, and how to get there.
Renting a Car in South Africa
Renting a car in South Africa is the best way to explore Cape Town and the surrounding areas - like the Garden Route - plus driving is relatively easy in South Africa. Having your own car gives you the flexibility to travel at your own pace and see places that are simply not possible on group tours or public transportation. Plus, it is not advisable to take the public transportation in Cape Town if you don't have to.
We used Sixt Car Rental to rent our car and didn't have any issues apart from receiving one traffic violation via email nearly 4 months later for running a red light - which was probably legitimate because that was during our drive to the hospital on the day our son was born and I recall a situation where that likely happened, but my wife was dilated at 8-9 cm when we arrived at the hospital so I really didn't have time to stop (just missed the yellow light)! Additionally, it amounted to only $22.74, even with Sixt Car Rental handling the whole situation. Highly recommended!
The Best Places to Eat in and around Cape Town
1. Moyo at Kirstenbosch
Adult: R70 Child (6-17): R20 Child (under 6): Free
Estimate: 2-4 hours (without concert or meal, 4-5 hours with meal)
Probably the most serene and beautiful botanical garden we have ever seen - and not just because of the sheer grandeur of the view of Table Mountain’s cliffs just behind it. “Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden is proof that not all gardens were created equal.” “The most beautiful garden in Africa, and one of the great botanical gardens in the world, a trip to Cape Town is not complete without a visit.” This is the perfect place to enjoy picnics on the lawns, enjoy a glass of chilled Chardonnay before a summer sunset concert, or explore the many shady trails. There are also summer sunset concerts held each week on Sunday. Check out the panoramic views from the “Boomslang” - the Centenary Tree Top Canopy Walkway!
2. Jonkershuis & Simons Restaurants at Groot Constantia
Adult: R105 Adult (+Chocolate): R155 Child: R15
"Groot" in Dutch and Afrikaans translates as "great" in English. Walk around the oldest and most historic wine farm in South Africa, then walk around the vineyards at your leisure to watch wine production in action, visit the historical manor house, do a wine tasting - or a chocolate & wine pairing - and even eat lunch in one of the two restaurants: Jonkershuis and Simon’s - which reflect a rich Cape Malay heritage and a magical old world charm. Enjoy a la carte, deli café, popular picnics, private banquets, or intimate interior fire side dining. Try the “Visitor Route Experience” where one ticket gives you entrance to the historic Manor House museum, the original Cloete Cellar, a cellar tour, 3 self-guided tours (including a vineyard tour), a tasting of 5 wines (or a pairing of 5 wines & 5 chocolates) and even a Spiegalau Crystal wine glass!
3. Biesmiellah Restaurant in Bo-Kaap
The Biesmiellah Restaurant serves traditional Cape Malay spiced food such as bobotie, chili bites, bay leaf crayfish curry, samosas, koeksisters, mango lassies and faloodas (milk, rose water, almonds, and ice cream). It’s the number one restaurant to try if you’re looking for traditional Cape Malay foods. Alternatively, you can check out Marco’s African Place, which has an African culture atmosphere, food, daily live music, special jazz events, and even traditional African art.
Learn more about the Bo-Kaap area in our “The Best things to do in Cape Town” article or explore the Bo-Kaap area and indulge in a full history of Cape Town on the Historical Cape Town City Day Tour.
4. V&A Food Market
The Old Power Station, on the shoreline of the V&A Marketplace, is home to the V&A Food Market – a marketplace with a “craft-food” type atmosphere. It has 42 street-food type booths with locally produced food products and restaurants. Try a yogurt smoothie, vegan ice cream, specialty teas, oysters, Belgian waffles, a springbok wrap, grass-fed biltong, handmade chocolate, craft beers and South African gin. It is open seven days a week.
5. The Old Biscut Mill & Neighborgoods Market
Probably our favorite market in the Cape Town area, the Neighborgoods Market is a place full of great African food and specialties. Luke’s Rosti is a popular breakfast place, the Flammkuchen has the best Apple beverage I’ve ever tasted, and the types and tastes of food are simply endless at this market. You certainly won’t find yourself going hungry after a visit here!
Open Saturdays from 9AM - 3PM - You’ll need to find parking on the street, which typically comes with a fee.
“Housed in the historic sky-lit warehouse of The Old Biscuit Mill, the market quickly established itself as a catalyst for - and celebration of - the urban renaissance that has seen the once dilapidated neighbourhood of Woodstock become the thriving heart of the city’s creative industries. A decade later it remains the essential showcase of Cape Town’s finest micro-merchants, designer-makers, specialty-producers and food-alchemists.”
6. Ons Huisie Restaurant for Brunch
Amazing brunch overlooking a gorgeous bay and beach park. You can see Robben Island from the shoreline. They also serve delicious fish and South African specialties. Excellent location for kids and to simply have a walk on the shorelines. Great view of Table Mountain just around the corner! Check out their menu for more information.
7. On the Rocks Restaurant
Just down the block from Ons Huisie is On the Rocks, which is a clean modern beach-styled restaurant which serves smoked fish breakfast plates, Jonkershuis, Shakshuka, Cape Malay Curry with Kingklip, Grilled Kudu, Klein Karoo Ostrich Carpaccio, Mussels, Oysters, and a number of other seafood plates.
We were looking for a place with amazing food with a location similar to Bientang’s Cave Restaurant in Hermanus, and were referred to this location. The views are stunning, the shoreline is magical, and the food is delicious!
8. Bay Harbour Market
Not far from Chapman’s Peak is this wonderful market of arts, crafts, music and food. You’ll find a great assortment of coffees, teas, pies, health foods, desserts, South African dishes, seafood, and beer alongside specialty clothing, bags, souvenirs, and helpful household items.
Just outside of the marketplace is Hout Bay - where you can catch a glimpse of seals! Parking along the street is necessary and for a fee.
9. Chef’s Warehouse Beau Constantia
Looking out upon the wine fields of Constantia, this upscale fine-dining experience requires reservations months in advance. Each piece is exquisitely prepared with taste profiles that will leave you wondering if you’ve ever eaten any real food in your entire life. They truly are masterpieces of flavor and sensation!
The backdrop of the vineyards is a huge added plus, especially at sunset! We wish we could eat here every single day.
10. Steenberg Vineyards & Bistro Sixteen82
When in a pinch for some fine wine and delicious tapas, look no further than Steenberg’s Bistro Sixteen82. You can go on a wine tour here, or just peruse the path around the restaurant to look at the magnificent valley and vineyards.
Amazing tasting wines and finely prepared tapas will leave you wanting to come back. They are all prepared expertly and we dare say, almost as delicious as Chef’s Warehouse! Meals only served at lunch, tapas are served all day long.
11. Saltwater Grill Pinelands (Howard Center)
If we weren’t staying in Pinelands, just East of Cape Town’s city center, we aren’t sure we would have found this gem! This Saltwater Grill fills up every single night with locals, so reservations are typically required - although not too difficult to obtain. The food is prepared well and tastes amazing. Everything we tried was perfect!
Their specialty is seafood, and we highly recommend adding this restaurant to your list. In fact, we brought our parents here to test it out and we all liked it so much that we couldn’t stop talking about it. So, we came back for another round the following week! It’s on our list again for the next time that we are in Cape Town!
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