Cape Town

Eclectic cuisines and fascinating dishes from all over Africa culminate on the Mother city's shores, making Cape Town one of the world's most exciting gastronomic capitals. This city's unique brand of hedonism is fueled by a pursuit of flavors evident from an exciting Cape Town's breadth of trendy markets and original food trucks. Fine dining is no exception, with the city ground zero for a vibrant and youthful culinary scene abuzz with fresh talent and boundary-breaking gourmet concepts.

WOLFGAT | SOUTH AFRICAN

With a heavy focus on sustainability, Kobus van der Merwe’s restaurant in beautiful coastal Paternoster serves a seven-course menu built on local indigenous ingredients in dishes inspired by the surrounding landscape. With only 20 diners per sitting, the restaurant has an intimate atmosphere and, more importantly, maintains sustainability by keeping it small.

It is situated in a building dating back 130 years, built around an archaeologically significant cave that is home to ceramic remains, sheep bones and ostrich eggshells dating back up to 2,000 years. With outdoor and terrace seating looking out onto the ocean in this quiet fishing village, Wolfgat is the perfect place to admire the stunning view and appreciate the provenance of the food, much of which comes from within 10 kilometers.

PIER RESTAURANT | FRENCH, ASIAN, MODERN

The newest addition to Scot Kirton’s restaurant empire is not “just another” La Colombe experience. Pier promises culinary adventure and theatrics, as expected, but with John Norris-Rogers in charge, the focus is clearly on the best flavors coaxed from the best local produce. On offer is a set of nine or 11 dishes running the gamut of the La Colombe group’s skills with aplomb. The depth of flavor from the bone marrow butter with the bread course, the sublime tableside poached oysters, and the seamless integration of mussels, soubise, and Black Forest ham is impressive.

THE WATERSIDE RESTAURANT | FRENCH, ASIAN, CONTEMPORARY

Tempting guests for a spot of ocean-side dining on the ground floor of the Pierhead Building is The Waterside Restaurant – offering a sophisticated, but more casual menu that guests can enjoy both indoors, and on the outdoor deck – perfect for sumptuous summer lunches. This is the most recent addition to its seven-strong stable is a harborside eatery at the V&A Waterfront – a light, bright, pared-down space with views and a deck that makes you feel as if you’re on a superyacht. Roxy Mudie’s creative five-course Chef’s Menu reveals refined, beautifully plated cuisine – in the La Colombe style but more casual than its sibling, Pier, upstairs. From the unique Japanese-inspired milk bun stack for starters, through a Cape Malay-tinged prawn salad; snap-pea risotto with zucchini and asparagus; grass-fed beef; and exquisitely prepared seabass, to a “treasure chest” of hand-crafted bonbons for a sweet finish.

GRUB & VINE | INTERNATIONAL, MODERN

Thirty-three-year-old Chef Matt Manning has certainly hit a culinary sweet spot – and filled a gap in the discerning-foodie market: beautifully prepared and executed dishes that taste heavenly. The characterful interiors – distressed concrete floors, avian prints, rattan chairs, atmospheric hanging lights, and pot plants – enhance the buzzy vibe in the compact 50-seater. That, and the fact that the galley is on show, so diners can watch Chef Matt and his busy team while they wait for their meals.

SALSIFY | SOUTH AFRICAN, MODERN

Overlooking an exquisite stretch of the Atlantic Ocean in a leafy pocket of Camps Bay, Salsify at The Roundhouse is owned by 32-year-old Ryan Cole.Each dish is a miniature wonder: refined, sustainable cooking at its unshowy best. The interiors, too, are impeccable: a judicious mix of edgy sophistication, with avant-garde art set against sumptuous fabrics and furnishings. And, as you’d expect, service is exemplary.

CODFATHER SEAFOOD & SUSHI | MEDITERRANEAN

The Codfather doesn't need to impress with Instagram glitz and glamor. They've been on the scene long enough to have established themselves as one of Cape Town's best seafood restaurants. With world-class sushi and a deli selection of only the freshest seafood, you'll undoubtedly find anything your heart desires. The remarkable thing about the restaurant is its _Wine Cellar Experience _should you require a quieter and more intimate dining experience surrounded by thousands of beautiful bottles of wine.

UTOPIA – DINING ELEVATED | MEDITERRANEAN

This venue offers an elevated fine dining experience, above the hustle and bustle of Cape Town, with a 360-degree view over Mother City. Set 15 floors up at the Mirage building on Chiappini Street in De Waterkant, the rooftop comes with some truly breathtaking views over the water and the city skyline. The Utopia menu offers freshly cooked flavors, specializing in seafood and grilled meats, and a selection of Mediterranean dishes. Complemented with a list of handpicked boutique wines, this is a great spot for a special occasion dinner, or for enjoying a crafted sunset cocktail on the terrace.

HEMELHUIJS CAFE | EUROPEAN

Owner Jacques Erasmus’ passion for travel is evident in the ever-changing, thoroughly modern, and whimsical decor of this oasis in the CBD. The highly creative seasonal menu is bursting with options, one more delicious than the next. Whet your appetite with a freshly squeezed juice, then settle in for a comforting homemade potato rösti with lightly smoked trout, soft whipped herb cheese and a soft poached egg, or old-fashioned grilled farm-style sausage in a rich tomato smoor with buttered toast.

ATHLETIC CLUB & SOCIAL | MEDITERRANEAN, MIDDLE EASTERN

Refined yet edgy, this social club stirs up the bar and restaurant scene in downtown Cape Town, with three storeys of impeccable interiors, an easy-eating Mediterranean-themed tapas menu (of surprisingly generous portions), and friendly service. The Edwardian building’s colorful history is on display in the trophy-filled cabinets, vintage sports equipment, and memorabilia, and framed newspaper clippings of erstwhile stars who frequented it.

TJING TJING MOMIJI | JAPANESE

Momiji is a tranquil and understated space showcasing Tjing Tjing’s talented kitchen team's creativity, personalities and passion for modern Japanese culture and cuisine. The eaterie offer a seasonal set menu and not an á la carte which is offered at Torii, the rooftop bar and at the lounge. However, there is an extensive wine, spirit, sake and cocktail list available.

TJING TJING TORII | JAPANESE

You’ll find this brightly-colored street-food joint at street level, where the pulsating pace, ultra-cool electro-indie beats, Harajuku-inspired décor, and on-the-ball service are the perfect backdrop for flavor-popping Japanese street food. Torii offers Japanese food typically found in yokocho, in an eclectic space inspired by multiple layers of old and modern Tokyo, like an array of options, including ramen and yakitori (skewers), rice bowls, tebasaki (chicken wings), and classic Japanese confections (such as mochi truffles with a Tjing Tjing twist and fluffy Japanese cheesecake).

THALI | INDIAN

From Liam Tomlin (head honcho of the Chefs Warehouse group of restaurants), this exciting Indian-tapas eatery is a case of the more (dishes you share), the merrier. The popular Tapas for Two, curated by Head Chef Nate Coe, comprises eight dishes, including sambals, poppadoms, and tandoor, culminating in the most heavenly curries that, combined with the exotic interior decor and lighting, will transport you to the fragrant streets of Delhi. The dining experience at this Indian eatery delights guests with its outdoor dining experience, it is like a little piece of India in a private, shaded urban garden. Additionally, it also offers a private dining room upstairs. The beautiful birdcage room seats 10 people with your mini lounge and intimate dining space.

KLOOF STREET HOUSE | INTERNATIONAL

Beneath the pressed ceilings of this 20th century Victorian house is a reservoir of design passion. From beautiful chandeliers to a suitcase-stacked bar, the restaurant is a visual feast for the diner with a curious mind and a wandering eye. Every inch of the house is archival, a memoir of a time or place that escapes the modern city around us. On balmy summer evenings, the garden is a retreat where travelers and locals meet to share tales over dishes. Cuisine is simple but expertly put together and offers an explosion of flavors. Also, try some world-class cocktails.

FYN RESTAURANT | JAPANESE, AFRICAN

FYN, the 50-seat urban eatery is co-owned by Chef Peter Tempelhoff, Jennifer Hugé (service and beverage director), and Ashley Moss (culinary director) – a dynamic and assured trio. The menu (and décor) is African-inspired, with an overarching Japanese aesthetic, making for an utterly seductive (and delicious) combination of tastes, flavors, textures, and styles. FYN’s fast-paced innercity informs the menu – condensed five-course kaiseki–style experience – with some of the most original wine pairings. As for the setting, the restaurant is on the fifth floor, boasting sky-high views of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head. Interiors are sophisticated, warm, and up-to-the-minute, with the kitchen in the center of the space.

KYOTO GARDEN | JAPANESE, SUSHI

Kyoto Garden is one of Cape Town's signature Japanese restaurants. It offers an authentic menu that focuses on sushi, sashimi, and seafood but also includes items like Wagyu beef, duck, and ramen. This restaurant sits proudly and unassumingly in the heart of the city – and you might miss it if you didn't know it was there. Kyoto Gardens has been a firm favorite with Cape Town locals for years.

AUBERGINE RESTAURANT | EUROPEAN VEGETARIAN

Aubergine Restaurant opened its doors in September 1996 with a vision of creating a gastronomic haven in an atmosphere of timeless elegance. Housed in the former 1830 home of the first Chief Justice of the Cape, Sir John Wylde, Aubergine is in the historic Gardens area of Cape Town. The restaurant is open all year round for dinner and during warmer months for lunch when guests can enjoy meals on the lush terrace. Private dining areas are available for small groups.

ËLGR | CONTEMPORARY

ËLGR marries Nordic roots of its owner and Chef Jesper Nilsson, with an appreciation for African produce and wine. Taking its cue from minimalist Scandinavian design, ëlgr is suitably dressed in a soothing palette of charcoal, black, and pops of sage green and peels back from the buzz of Kloof Street to a plant-filled courtyard. The menu is designed to be shared, with dishes coming to the table in an effortless and exciting parade. The charcuterie platters and raw-beef salad have fans all over the city and Jesper’s ability to transform ordinary vegetables like kohlrabi and beetroot into showstoppers is making food critics sit up and take notice.

BELLY OF THE BEAST | MODERN

This online-booking-only fine-dining restaurant sprang up sneakily on Harrington Street when Owner-Chef Neil Swart chose to pursue dreams of unhindered culinary creativity, roping in long-time friend Anouchka Horn, whom he met while working at Terroir Restaurant. An exposed kitchen lines one side of the small space, with a street-facing window on the other. The industrial-mod eatery serves a maximum of 24 guests per service, as Neil believes smaller-scale cooking enhances the depth of flavor in each element. There are no set menus – you’re treated to several excellent courses (be prepared for a sustainable feast), as well as bread service, a (life-changing) palette cleanser à la Anouchka, and an after-dessert delight (“a last hoorah,” as Neil calls it).

THE POTLUCK CLUB | INTERNATIONAL

A ballad of different shades of wood tucked away on the sixth floor of an old biscuit mill, this is one of Cape Town’s coolest spots for seeing and being seen. British-born Luke Dale-Roberts favors sharing plates evoking an American-style potluck dinner from the 1950s. Umami-rich pork belly with pecan butter and parmesan sits alongside rabbit terrine with crispy pancetta and deconstructed fish tacos, in the form of ceviche with black bean pureé. Situated on the top floor of the Silo at The Old Biscuit Mill, the stylish eatery boasts exceptional city views, especially at night.

THE CONSERVATORY AT THE CELLARS-HOHENORT HOTEL | SOUTH AFRICAN

The Conservatory at The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel in Constantia Heights offers the epitome of a modern South African dining experience. From the indigenous bonsai on the table to the explorative, locally-inspired fare dished up by Executive Chef Tronette Dippenaar and team, the restaurant is an all-out celebration of everything South African. The dynamic kitchen team looks to the oceans, gardens, paddocks, and orchards of sunny South Africa to find ingredients infused with meaning and combine them to arrive at exciting, inspiring dishes.

HOMESPUN AT THE ANDROS | FRENCH

With one eatery in Blouberg and a second now opened at Andros Boutique Hotel in Claremont, Michelin-star trained Chef Matt Schreuder’s Homespun invites guests to indulge in a three- or five-course tasting menu with a twist inspired by Asian, local and global flavors. The cozy restaurant features a rustic and homely aesthetic and everything on the menu is home-made using quality, local ingredients

LA COLOMBE AT SILVERMIST | MODERN FRENCH

The award-winning La Colombe in the Constantia Valley is one of Cape Town’s most renowned restaurants. La Colombe is on the Silvermist Wine Estate and serves a contemporary French-meets-Asian fine dining menu by Chef James Gaag. Using the freshest seasonal products, diners can look forward to the signature tuna ‘La Colombe’ – a tinned miniature yellowfin tuna creation featuring micro herbs, avocado pureé, and an umami broth while overlooking the scenic Constantia wine valley, False Bay and Hout Bay.

CHEFS WAREHOUSE | VEGETARIAN, GLUTEN-FREE

Chefs Warehouse is revered throughout Cape Town and the Winelands with restaurants in Cape Town, Constantia, Franschhoek and now the luxurious boutique hotel, Tintswalo Atlantic. Renowned Chef and Restaurateur Liam Tomlin and Chef Braam Beyers invite you to enjoy magnificent views and delicious contemporary tapas that draw inspiration from the Atlantic Ocean right on the restaurant’s doorstep.

LA COLOMBE AT SILVERMIST | MODERN FRENCH

The award-winning La Colombe in the Constantia Valley is one of Cape Town’s most renowned restaurants. La Colombe is on the Silvermist Wine Estate and serves a contemporary French-meets-Asian fine dining menu by Chef James Gaag. Using the freshest seasonal products, diners can look forward to the signature tuna ‘La Colombe’ – a tinned miniature yellowfin tuna creation featuring micro herbs, avocado pureé, and an umami broth while overlooking the scenic Constantia wine valley, False Bay and Hout Bay.

THE FOODBARN CAFE & TAPAS | EUROPEAN, VEGAN

Internationally renowned Chef Franck Dangereux is widely recognized as one of the forerunners of the fine-dining scene in Cape Town, having established the original La Colombe restaurant on Uitsig farm more than 20 years ago. Franck’s next adventure was starting The Foodbarn in Noordhoek Farm Village: “I wanted to bring fine dining to the streets.” Here, diners are treated to decadent seasonal cuisine in a relaxed, family-friendly (and even dog-friendly) environment! Franck’s roots in southern France inform his hearty, earthy style (bouillabaisse, slow-stewed tripe, and trotters), but it is the bonhomie of this converted barn, with its farm-inspired décor, and the relaxed Noordhoek Village vibe making dining here a wonderful day out for the entire clan.

If there’s anything besides kitesurfing that goes really well in Cape Town, it’s partying. You will find numerous clubs and bars on Longstreet. But be sure to take a look at the side streets as well, as they often hide first-class party locations. You will discover the vibrant and varied nightlife scene in Cape Town. You’ll find the perfect venue for you and your preferred night out. Whether you want to go all-out clubbing or if you’d like a more laid-back dinner and drinks with a view, Mother City has your covered.

TJING TJING ROOFTOP BAR

Enveloped in wooden mansards in a 200-year-old attic, this signature Japanese shrine-inspired red bar takes center stage since Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar opened its doors in 2011. Lounge-style seating is complemented by bar-height tables and luxurious indigo wallpaper with embroidered bathing Macaque monkeys. Three kokeshi doll tables subtly infuse layers of personality and Japanese subculture. The Samurai warrior doll represents the past, the Harajuku doll symbolizes the present, with the Cyberpunk doll infusing a Japanese futuristic twist. The bar opens up to an airy outside rooftop terrace and is well known for its current indie and electronic music. You can expect a wide selection of bespoke cocktails (including classics by request), Japanese whisky, gin and sake as well as an extensive wine list, including Tjing Tjing's own house wine, made by David & Nadia Wines.

THE WILLASTON BAR

The Willaston Bar at The Silo Hotel in the V&A waterfront is the perfect option if you are looking to sip on a G&T with the most surreal views of the Cape Town city and Table Mountain. The bar setup is classy and elegant, and has a relaxed and luxurious ambience with hexagonal windows that are the perfect Instaframe for your cocktail sunset pictures. Take your loved one here for a romantic after dinner drink, or get here early to enjoy the views of the sun going down over the city. With more than 30 gins available, 25 are local South African craft gins. They also stock a range of different tonics to pair with the gins, offering flavors like hibiscus, basil and elderflower.

THE LEOPARD BAR @ 12 APOSTLES HOTEL

Watch the sun dip beyond the Atlantic Ocean as you sip on signature cocktails from talented mixologists. Home to some of the best sunset views in Cape Town, The Leopard Bar offers a sundowner experience you won't forget. Passionate service and a creative bar menu are accompanied by laid-back live music setting the mood each evening. Enjoy an impressive selection of South African wines and craft beers, inventive cocktails, and a wide collection of cognac, whisky, and port. The Leopard Bar is also a popular spot for whale watching – whales are frequently seen between July and December, with sightings of southern right whales all but guaranteed during August and November.

THE GIN BAR

When gin started becoming the talk of the town, this secret little gem popped up. Tucked away in the secret Mediterranean-style courtyard of Honest Chocolate, The Gin Bar boasts 118 gins from all over the world, with 52 of them being produced locally. Sit back and relax as the bartenders immerse you in their selection of local and international gins. Learn to identify a myriad of botanical flavors, and experiment with different mixers and garnishes. The vibe here in the early evening is a relaxed speakeasy atmosphere, becoming more of a stand up venue with the hustle of locals and tourists as the sun sets.

THE BLUE ROOM | JAZZ CLUB \

The Blue Room at Grub & Vine is a live music and cocktail lounge that pays homage to the soulful sounds of jazz and the blues. A collaborative venture between Grub & Vine's Chef Patron Matt Manning and well-known jazz artist Buddy Wells, the lounge also sports a state-of-the-art recording studio, where you'll catch musicians in action from time to time. The Blue Room is open from Wednesday-Saturday for tapas and cocktails with live performances from some of the country's top jazz, soul and blues artists.

CULTURE WINE BAR

A collaborative venture by Chef Matt Manning and Chris Groenewald, Culture Wine Bar offers a curated selection of fine wines from the country’s most respected names, cult classics, hidden gems, natural wines, and special imports from across the globe. And because food and wine will never be parted, they offer a small menu to whet your appetite, with snacky bits like charcuterie, cheese and whatever else catches the chef’s fancy that day. Look out for the prawn Po’Boy, pork pie or Chef Matt’s famous Croque Monsieur.

COCO | NIGHTCLUB

Situated in Loop Street in the heart of Cape Town’s party scene, Coco bar is in a prime spot attracting a very diverse, yet high-class crowd. The focus, at Coco, is on creating a very sensual and glamorous experience, not only in décor, but in the supreme customer attention and high-end bottle service. Speaking of décor, Coco enlisted the talents of Gregor Benner, the interior designer who helped put places such as Paranga and Bungalow on the map. You’ll find a bar that pays homage to Moet and a dance floor that oozes sex appeal. Recline on beautiful suede lounges and admire artwork and finishings with strong Victorian and Baroque influences. Book a table or booth upstairs among the disco balls and lights and admire the allure Coco enthuses.

JADE LOUNGE | NIGHTCLUB

One of Cape Town’s closest nightclubs, the state-of-the-art creates the splendor of what it offers in size. You won’t see any hoodies or tops here; people are dressed to the nines for a memorable night in the city. Thursday is the most popular night here, where people attending parties can focus on R&B, and on Fridays and Saturdays they borrow from the deep house. Sunday at Jade allows people to prepare for next week and play R&B jam quickly overnight. There is no entry fee, but be aware that no one under 23 is allowed.