Restaurants and Dining - Eating out in Cape Town

Cape Town is home to a wide variety of excellent restaurants presenting a range of cuisine from fresh Mediterranean flavours to exotic Asian spices, local Cape Malay dishes and traditional African meals. Restaurants in Cape Town are generally well-priced and are often run by top internationally trained chefs. In addition you'll generally find excellent wine lists offering a wide selection of top local wines and, more often than not the location itself will offer superb views and a memorable ambience.

For a comprehensive guide to restaurants in Cape Town visit www.wininganddining.co.za

Dining with a View

With a wide range of restaurants to choose from, there is no excuse for leaving Cape Town without having enjoyed a meal that offered a spectacular view. Being a seaside town, there are many beachfront and waterside restaurants to choose from and, in the city bowl Table Mountain often forms a spectacular backdrop.

 >>  For a beachfront setting and to watch the sunset from your table, try one of the restaurants in Camps Bay, Clifton or Bantry Bay

 >>  For a spectacular view of Table Mountain across the bay, try one of the beachfront restaurants in Blouberg.

 >>  Try Kalk Bay or Simon's Town for quaint seaside and harbour restaurants with beautiful views of the False Bay coastline.

 >>  The bar and casual restaurant on top of Table Mountain will offer you a aerial view of the city.

Spectacular view can be enjoyed from the top of Table Mountain

Winelands Dining

The beautiful backdrop created by mountains and vineyards has led to many excellent restaurants being found in the winelands regions of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Constantia. All three areas are home to award winning restaurants - from traditional Cape fare to French cuisine.

 >>  Try one of the award winning restaurants on either Buitenverwachting or Constantia Uitsig wine estate in Constantia.

 >>  Settled by the French Hugenots, Franschhoek now offers many restaurants with a distinctly French flair. Try Reuben's or Le Quatier Francais on the quaint main street or La Petite Ferme for a beautiful vineyard setting - to name but a few!

 >>  For a lazy Sunday afternoon lunch try the mouth-watering Mediterranean style buffet at Olivello in Stellenbosch or opt for a picnic at Le Pique Nique at Boschendal wine estate in Franschhoek or at Delair Wine Estate on the Helshoogte Pass.

The terraceat Le Quatier Francais in Franschhoek

Cape Cuisine

With its origin as a stop-off on the spice route between Europe and the East, it is no surprise that Cape Town became infused with a medely of flavours. Traditional Cape dishes have a strong Malay influence and dishes worth trying are Bobotie (curried mince topped with an egg based topping), Smoorsnoek (a stew of flaked fish with potatoe and tomatoe), Milk Tart (custard tart) and Bredie (flavoursome stew). African dishes are tradionally starch based and include various types of beans, pulses and 'mielie-pap'.

 >>  For traditional Cape Malay dining try Jonkershuis restaurant at Groot Constantia, Emily's at the Waterfront or The Cape Malay Restaurant at the Cellars-Hohenort Hotel in Constantia.

 >>  For African fare try Imvelo Xhosa restaurant at the Waterfront or Africa Cafe, Mama Africa or Marco's African Place.

Seafood is also popular in the Cape with fresh linefish as well as oysters appearing on many menu's. Ostrich is also popular and for the more adventurous various other game such as springbok and kudu can be tried.

Family Dining

While many of Cape Town's restaurants offer a fine dining experience, there are also plenty of restaurants that cater for families and are 'kiddie' friendly. These restaurants typically offer a play area for children and a special children's menu. Besides the standard fast-food options, the Spur steak ranches as well as St. Elmoes pizzerias cater for families. A few other child orientated options include the Barnyard Farmstall in Tokai (complete with chickens, ducks, pigs and more), Cafe Roux and the Foodbarn in the Noordhoek Farm Village in Noordhoek, Dunes on the beachfront in Hout Bay, Scarecrows in Hout Bay and Deer Park Cafe in Vredehoek in the City Bowl.  Spier Wine Estate in Stellenbosch is great for family picnics (choose from the delicious spread available in the deli to create your own basket).  Picnics are also available at Groot Constantia Wine Estate and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens - pre-book to avoid dissappointment.

 

top