Quick answers — eating in Cape Town
- Best restaurant overall
- Fyn
- Best value
- Belly of the Beast (ZAR 800 - 1,000 / USD 45 - 55)
- Strongest cuisines
- Modern European, Japanese, French, Spanish, Nordic
- Dishes to try
- Bobotie, Biltong, Bunny Chow, Malva Pudding
- Booking window
- Book at least 2-3 months in advance for top-tier restaurants like La Colombe or Fyn, especially for weekend evenings. Reservations open on specific dates, so check their websites.
Booking well in advance, often weeks or months for top establishments, is essential. Dress codes typically range from smart casual to elegant, though never overly formal. Tipping around 10-15% is customary for good service. Dinner hours usually commence between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, with kitchens often closing around 9:30 PM to 10:00 PM.
Modern European
Best modern European restaurants in Cape Town
Modern European is the catch-all for kitchens that borrow technique from France, produce from their own region and ideas from everywhere — usually tasting-menu only.
Salsify at The Roundhouse
Acclaimed local fine diningModern South African · Camps Bay · ZAR 1,600 - 2,000 / USD 85 - 105
Ryan Cole
Set in a historic building overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Salsify offers a sophisticated and artistic dining experience. Chef Ryan Cole’s menu focuses on exceptional local ingredients, transformed with creativity and precision. The restaurant marries heritage architecture with contemporary design, providing a stylish backdrop for innovative South African cuisine.
Order: Springbok tartare, West Coast mussels with cider velouté
Riverine Rabbit (closed)
Acclaimed local fine diningModern South African · Central Business District · ZAR 850 - 1,100 / USD 45 - 60
Ash Heeger
Although it has now closed its doors, Riverine Rabbit was celebrated for its inventive and sustainable approach to South African cuisine. Chef Ash Heeger crafted refined dishes using locally sourced ingredients, often with a focus on wild foods and bold flavours. The industrial-chic interior provided a stylish backdrop for its innovative tasting menus.
Order: Karoo lamb, dishes showcasing seasonal foraged ingredients
Bomba Cape Town
Acclaimed local fine diningContemporary African · City Bowl · ZAR 900 - 1,200 / USD 50 - 65
Vusi Ndlovu
Bomba Cape Town (previously known as Emazulwini Restaurant at Makers Landing, and later part of the new 'The Nines' development) is helmed by acclaimed chef Vusi Ndlovu. It's a vibrant ode to contemporary African gastronomy, reinterpreting traditional flavours with modern techniques in a stylish, often buzzing setting, offering a unique cultural narrative through food.
Order: Umleqwa (traditional Xhosa chicken), braai-inspired dishes
Japanese
Best Japanese restaurants in Cape Town
Japanese rooms range from counter omakase, where you eat whatever the chef cut that morning, to kaiseki menus built around the season. Counters are small — book early and arrive on time.
Fyn
Acclaimed local fine diningContemporary Japanese-African · City Bowl · ZAR 2,000 - 2,500 / USD 105 - 130
Peter Tempelhoff
Fyn offers a unique 'Tokyo-meets-Cape Town' kaiseki-style experience, marrying Japanese precision with South African ingredients and flavours. The loft-style dining room, with its striking open kitchen and panoramic city views, provides an immersive and theatrical culinary journey, consistently pushing creative boundaries.
Order: Kwelele (Nguni-spiced beef with black garlic and umami broth), Karoo lamb with miso
French
Best French restaurants in Cape Town
French cooking is still the backbone of fine dining almost everywhere — expect sauce work, butter, precise service and set lunch menus that cost a fraction of dinner.
La Colombe
Acclaimed local fine diningModern French-Asian · Constantia · ZAR 2,000 - 2,500 / USD 105 - 130
James Gaag
Nestled in the picturesque Constantia Uitsig wine estate, La Colombe is renowned for its theatrical and inventive multi-course tasting menus. The elegant, contemporary setting complements the intricate dishes, showcasing refined techniques and playful presentations that elevate fine dining to an art form, making it a perennial favourite.
Order: Signature tuna and caviar 'tin', Forest floor dessert
Spanish
Best Spanish restaurants in Cape Town
Spanish dining runs late and sociable: tapas standing at the bar, then a proper sit-down at 9pm or later. Basque kitchens in particular sit among the best in Europe.
Chef's Warehouse at Beau Constantia
Acclaimed local fine diningModern Tapas · Constantia · ZAR 1,200 - 1,500 / USD 65 - 80
Ivor Jones
Perched on the Beau Constantia wine estate, this restaurant offers spectacular panoramic views of the Constantia Valley and False Bay. The menu features 'Tapas for Two,' a constantly evolving array of beautifully plated, globally inspired dishes designed for sharing, reflecting the seasonal bounty with finesse and bold flavours.
Order: Miso-glazed aubergine, Yellowfin tuna with black garlic
Nordic
Best Nordic restaurants in Cape Town
New Nordic kitchens work with a short local season — foraged herbs, fermentation, seafood — and usually serve one long tasting menu with no à la carte.
ëlgr
Acclaimed local fine diningModern Scandinavian · Gardens · ZAR 1,000 - 1,400 / USD 55 - 75
Jesper Nilsson
Housed within the historic old Cape Town Gardens Fire Station, ëlgr brings a taste of modern Scandinavia to the Mother City. The focus is on wood-fired cooking and natural wine, delivering refined yet rustic dishes with fresh, seasonal ingredients. The relaxed, stylish ambiance complements the thoughtful, uncomplicated culinary approach.
Order: Wood-fired cauliflower with brown butter and capers, Oysters with fermented gooseberry
Budget
Where to eat cheaply in Cape Town
Eastern Food Bazaar
A bustling, vibrant market offering a huge variety of affordable Indian, Middle Eastern, and Asian street food. Portions are generous, from curries to shawarmas, typically ZAR 60-120.
Biesmiellah
An iconic establishment in the Bo-Kaap, serving authentic Cape Malay cuisine. Enjoy flavourful bobotie, curries, and samoosas in a relaxed setting, with main dishes costing around ZAR 120-180.
Roxy Late Night
A casual, beloved spot in Gardens, famous for its juicy burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Perfect for a late-night bite or a casual dinner, with burgers typically priced ZAR 90-150.
Clarke's Bar & Dining Room
A popular Bree Street eatery known for its excellent all-day breakfast, classic diner-style dishes, and delicious artisanal burgers. Expect to pay ZAR 100-180 for a hearty meal.
Mojo Market
A lively indoor food hall in Sea Point featuring various stalls with diverse cuisines, from seafood to pizza and sushi. Great for groups, with meals typically ranging from ZAR 80-180.
Local dishes
What to eat in Cape Town
Bobotie
A fragrant, mildly spiced mince dish topped with an egg-based custard and baked. Often includes dried fruit like apricots and a hint of curry powder, bay leaves, and turmeric. This national dish of South Africa, with its Cape Malay origins, offers a comforting blend of sweet and savoury flavours, typically served with yellow rice and chutney, found in many traditional restaurants around Bo-Kaap and the City Bowl.
Biltong
A traditional South African dried, cured meat, similar to jerky but typically softer and often spiced with coriander, pepper, and salt. It comes in various cuts and types of meat, from beef to kudu. Widely available in supermarkets, butchers, and roadside stalls, it's a popular snack for locals and a must-try for visitors seeking an authentic taste of South Africa.
Bunny Chow
Though originating from Durban, this popular street food is available in Cape Town. It’s a hollowed-out quarter, half, or full loaf of white bread filled with a fragrant curry, usually mutton, chicken, or bean. Eaten with your hands, it’s a hearty, flavourful, and often spicy meal, reflecting the diverse culinary influences found across South Africa, often found at casual eateries.
Malva Pudding
A sweet, sticky, and spongy pudding of Dutch origin, often described as a baked apricot sponge cake. It is typically drenched in a hot, creamy sauce immediately after baking, allowing it to soak up all the delicious liquid. Served warm, usually with vanilla custard, ice cream, or whipped cream, it’s a beloved dessert found on menus across the city, particularly in traditional South African restaurants.
Gatsby
A colossal submarine sandwich unique to Cape Town, often large enough to feed several people. It typically consists of a long roll filled with various ingredients, most commonly slap chips (fries), polony, atchar (pickled vegetables), and a choice of meat like steak, calamari, or chicken. It's a hearty, affordable, and iconic local fast-food staple, best found at neighbourhood takeaways.
Potjiekos
A traditional Afrikaner stew cooked in a three-legged cast-iron pot over an open fire. Meaning 'small-pot food,' it typically contains meat (beef, lamb, or poultry), vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and cabbage, and spices, stewed slowly without stirring. The flavours meld beautifully, creating a rich, hearty dish. While often a home-cooked meal, some traditional restaurants and markets offer this authentic South African experience.
Braaivleis
More than just a barbecue, 'braai' is a cornerstone of South African social culture. It involves grilling various meats – boerewors (sausage), lamb chops, steak, chicken – over wood coals. The experience is communal and deeply ingrained in local life. While you might not find a 'braai' restaurant, many eateries offer grilled meats, and markets often feature stalls replicating the authentic 'braai' flavour.
Koeksisters
Two distinct types exist: the Afrikaner koeksister, a plaited dough dipped in an icy sugar syrup, and the Cape Malay koesister, a round, spiced, fried dough rolled in coconut. Both are sweet, traditional pastries. The syrup-drenched version is crispy and sweet, while the Cape Malay one is soft, cake-like, and fragrant with spices like cardamom and cinnamon. Find them at bakeries and markets.
How to book a table in Cape Town
- · Book at least 2-3 months in advance for top-tier restaurants like La Colombe or Fyn, especially for weekend evenings. Reservations open on specific dates, so check their websites.
- · Many fine dining establishments require a deposit or full pre-payment for tasting menus, which is usually non-refundable for cancellations within a certain timeframe (e.g., 72 hours).
- · Consider booking a fine dining lunch experience as a more accessible and often more affordable option. Menus can be similar to dinner, providing excellent value and the same culinary artistry.
- · Be mindful of no-show policies; they often result in forfeiture of your deposit or a cancellation fee. Communicate any changes to your reservation promptly and directly with the restaurant.
FAQ
Cape Town restaurant questions travellers ask
What is the best restaurant in Cape Town?
Fyn in City Bowl is the benchmark table — Contemporary Japanese-African, led by Peter Tempelhoff, acclaimed local fine dining, around ZAR 2,000 - 2,500 / USD 105 - 130 per person. Order the Kwelele (Nguni-spiced beef with black garlic and umami broth), Karoo lamb with miso
Where is the best modern European restaurant in Cape Town?
Salsify at The Roundhouse in Camps Bay is the modern European table to book in Cape Town (ZAR 1,600 - 2,000 / USD 85 - 105 per person). Other strong options: Riverine Rabbit (closed), Bomba Cape Town.
Where is the best Japanese restaurant in Cape Town?
Fyn in City Bowl is the Japanese table to book in Cape Town (ZAR 2,000 - 2,500 / USD 105 - 130 per person).
Where is the best French restaurant in Cape Town?
La Colombe in Constantia is the French table to book in Cape Town (ZAR 2,000 - 2,500 / USD 105 - 130 per person).
Where is the best Spanish restaurant in Cape Town?
Chef's Warehouse at Beau Constantia in Constantia is the Spanish table to book in Cape Town (ZAR 1,200 - 1,500 / USD 65 - 80 per person).
Where is the best Nordic restaurant in Cape Town?
ëlgr in Gardens is the Nordic table to book in Cape Town (ZAR 1,000 - 1,400 / USD 55 - 75 per person).
Where can I eat well in Cape Town without spending a fortune?
Belly of the Beast is the best-value table on this list at roughly ZAR 800 - 1,000 / USD 45 - 55 per person. Beyond fine dining, locals point to Eastern Food Bazaar, Biesmiellah, Roxy Late Night.
How far in advance should I book restaurants in Cape Town?
Book at least 2-3 months in advance for top-tier restaurants like La Colombe or Fyn, especially for weekend evenings. Reservations open on specific dates, so check their websites. Many fine dining establishments require a deposit or full pre-payment for tasting menus, which is usually non-refundable for cancellations within a certain timeframe (e.g., 72 hours).
What food is Cape Town famous for?
Bobotie, Biltong, Bunny Chow, Malva Pudding, Gatsby — the dishes most worth eating where they come from. A fragrant, mildly spiced mince dish topped with an egg-based custard and baked. Often includes dried fruit like apricots and a hint of curry powder, bay leaves, and turmeric. This national dish of South Africa, with its Cape Malay origins, offers a comforting blend of sweet and savoury flavours, typically served with yellow rice and chutney, found in many traditional restaurants around Bo-Kaap and the City Bowl.
Planning the rest of Cape Town?
The full Cape Town guide has a seven-day itinerary, neighbourhoods, museums and the mistakes to avoid.
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