Restaurants in South Africa
-
A
Africa Café
Touristy, yes, but still one of the best places to sample African food. Come with a hearty appetite as the set feast comprises some 15 dishes from across the continent, of which you can eat as much as you like. The décor, different in every room, is fantastic. Bookings are advised and it’s closed on Sunday from June to October.
reviewed
-
B
Anatoli
You can always rely on this atmospheric Turkish joint that’s a little piece of Istanbul in Cape Town. Make a meal out of their delicious meze (R12 to R30 a dish) both hot and cold.
reviewed
-
C
Moyo’s
The ‘Africa chic’ decor (Moroccan souq–style seating areas, African artefacts, candles glowing in alcoves) and entertainment (face-painters, musicians) of this busy chain is certainly crowd-pleasing, if a little touristy. Food here is pan-African with everything from Algerian chicken to Tanzanian fish curry and is good, if not exactly authentic. There’s also a top-notch wine list for oenoophiles.
reviewed
-
D
Café 41
A beautifully designed bistro-style restaurant serving Mediterranean fare from an extensive menu (the great big meze platters are good value). There’s a large outdoor deck, and a hidden section that makes you forget you’re in a shopping village. Service is a little on the slow side though.
reviewed
-
E
Catz Pyjamas
Eateries in New Melville are generally not as good as those around 7th St - this is where you will find the usual chain eateries - but they are generally easier on the pocket. The Catz Pyjamas can be a little sterile, but it's open 24 hours and the cheap food is welcome after a long night out.
reviewed
-
F
Table Mountain Café
Hallelujah! Table Mountain finally gets the café it so deserves. This self-serve place offers tasty deli items and meals, compostable plates and containers, and good coffee. They also sell wine and beer so there’s no need to cart your bottle up the slopes to toast the view.
reviewed
-
G
Empire Café
The surfies’ favourite hang-out is a great place for a breakfast or lunch of well-made pasta dishes and salads. Local art exhibitions enliven the walls. Call to see if it’s open for dinner on Thursday and Friday, November to March.
reviewed
-
H
Beach Cafe
Durbs’ hot beach hang-out. Soak up the sun in a deck chair or sun lounge, or chill out with a cocktail on the restaurant deck, overlooking the beach and life guards.
reviewed
-
I
Lotus Thai
The lotus-themed interior of this Thai restaurant is striking – black enamel walls are etched with white lotus motifs, there are large green-and-white lotus prints on the walls, and the black chairs have lotus-print cushions. In the centre of the restaurant is a large raised circular sushi bar with glass lily pads suspended above it. Outside you can dine in private pagodas. It’s not all about the flash design though; the food is fresh, authentic and delicious.
reviewed
-
Mzoli’s
Tourists, TV stars and locals gather at this vibey butchery serving Cape Town’s tastiest grilled meat. It’s all DIY. First buy your meat, and make sure you get them to add their special sauce. Take it to the kitchen to be braaied (barbecued) and then find a table outside – it gets very busy at weekends. Beers and other drinks are available from vendors nearby. Bring plenty of napkins as cutlery is nonexistent.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Blue Crane
The Blue Crane is part of the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary – the Roberts of the famous bird books. The restaurant overlooks a lake that is the breeding site for the endangered blue crane, South Africa’s national bird. It does Afrikaner potjiekos and the pub is great at sundown. The entrance to the restaurant is off Melk St, which is a right turn off Middle St as you head west.
reviewed
-
K
Melissa’s
You’ll find branches of this distinguished deli and café across town, but we’re fond of this one with a prime view of the Green Point Stadium. It’s R135 per kg for the delicious buffets and you can browse the grocery shelves for picnic fare or gourmet gifts. Other branches are at Newlands, Kloof St and Waterfront.
reviewed
-
L
Loft
A warm, funky spot with the feel of a New York bistro, this place is full of bright modern prints and colourful chandeliers. There’s a tiny mezzanine floor at the back with a couple of tables and chill-out sofas, and a hip crowd packs in to enjoy mostly meaty treats such as springbok wrapped in bacon, and ostrich carpaccio.
reviewed
-
M
Cargo Hold
A seafood encounter of the most novel kind. On the Phantom Ship in uShaka Marina, your dining companions are fish with very large teeth – the glass tank forms one of the walls to a shark aquarium. Well-known for casting some high-quality fish dishes with international flavours.
reviewed
-
N
Harrie’s Pannekoek Huis
Part of a chain of very popular pancake houses offering mostly savoury pancakes with interesting fillings such as spicy chicken livers. They’re a little stodgy, but you can work off your selection at the adjacent curio shop, one of Pretoria’s best.
reviewed
-
O
Karma
Bringing traditional Indian cooking into the 21st century, this stylish place puts a contemporary spin on the old favourites and offers a smorgasbord of tasty vegetarian dishes for those sick of the South African meat obsession.
reviewed
-
P
Savoy Cabbage
The long-running Savoy Cabbage remains a great place for inventive cooking, and gives diners the chance to try local game meats, like zebra and wildebeest. The tomato tart is legendary, as are the cabbage rolls.
reviewed
-
Q
Vida e Caffé
Considered by many the best coffee fix in town, with tasty snacks and beautiful people moving in and out all day. Come just after closing time (17:00) and score a free leftover muffin; they're huge.
reviewed
-
R
Fork
Whether you just want to graze on a few tapas-style dishes or cobble together a full meal, this super-relaxed venue is the business, serving inventive if not strictly Spanish nibbles with excellent wines.
reviewed
-
S
Sandbar
One of Camps Bay’s better-value options is this less self-consciously fashionable café with street tables, serving good sandwiches and light meals. They also serve cocktails.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
T
Ant Café
This hole-in-the wall Italian eatery has a distinctly Bohemian edge to it and whips up tasty pizzas in snug surrounds. Note that only cash is accepted.
reviewed
-
U
Zack’s
Offering cafe-style dining, this stylish (chain) eatery serves good bistro fare washed down with a blast of fresh sea air.
reviewed
-
V
Charly’s Bakery
Don’t leave Cape Town without eating one of Charly’s chocolate cupcakes, famously decorated with blindingly bright icing designs by his wife Jacqui. There’s also a fantastic range of baked goods, including pies, and a wonderful new location in the historic premises of the one-time Judaica emporium Beikinstadt.
reviewed
-
Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
If God were to top off the beauty of the Drakensberg with an artificial gourmet treat, Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse would be it. This luxury retreat is owned by renowned South African chef, Richard Poynton. Guests (a maximum of 24) enjoy a nightly six-course menu of quality produce prepared innovatively and accompanied by rich, creamy sauces. Each of the 11 rooms here is decked out in a theme – from Tuscan to garden – and features quirky touches, such as a picket fence bedhead and Boer memorabilia. The experience comes at a price, though, but this is the one place worth forgetting the wallet…and the calorie count. (As an exception, we have not listed high-season rates…
reviewed
-
W
Cubana
This is a self-described ‘Latino social cafe’ that is a popular and sophisticated spot in the heart of the 2nd Ave scene. The lengthy food menu offers lots of chicken and beef dishes with Cuban sauces; although, if you’ve spent time in Latin America you’ll know right away the taste is not quite authentic. Still, for the Free State, it’s pretty decent. In a semi-open-air, thatched-roof building, the vibe is Caribbean meets Victorian safari – think old school chandeliers, ornate, gold-threaded couches and hookahs.
reviewed