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Restaurants in Cape Town

If you're hungry, you're in the right place. Cape Town has the monopoly on fine dining in South Africa and its restaurants have staying power too, so many of its award-winning stalwarts manage to remain exciting. Prime steaks, local Cape Malay dishes, Thai cuisine, traditional South African fare: it's all here and there's something to suit every budget.

The Cape Town restaurants below have been hand-picked by our guide author and are grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over R600)
Moderate (R400 to R600)
Cheap (up to R400)
These Cape Town restaurant prices are for a three-course meal for one, including half a bottle of house wine or equivalent, tax and service. A service charge of around 10% may be added to your bill in most restaurants. 10% tipping is customary.

Expensive

Karibu

Cuisine: South African

Set on the V&A Waterfront, within full view of the mighty Table Mountain, Karibu blends traditional South African cuisine with a modern sophistication that results in first-class, delectable dishes. Try their braai (South African BBQ) or Weskus Snoek (Cape mackerel) for the ultimate Cape Town dining experience.

 

Address: , 156, The Wharf Centre, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8002
Telephone: +27 21 421 7005/6
Website: https://www.kariburestaurant.co.za

The Test Kitchen

Cuisine: Contemporary

A trendy restaurant with classic elegance, The Test Kitchen is located in the heart of Woodstock, the hipster suburb of Cape Town. Award-winning Chef Luke Dale-Roberts puts the emphasis on experimentation, offering a unique melding of international flavours covering the world from Peru to South Africa. Think dishes like pork belly with wood roasted sweet potato and smoked chestnut or springbok with beetroot, bone marrow and hazelnut. Reserve your table months in advance if you can.

 

Address: , The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Cape Town, 7915
Telephone: +27 21 447 2337
Website: http://www.thetestkitchen.co.za/

Moderate

Gold

Cuisine: African

Gold offers the full ‘African Experience’, combining dishes from across the continent – such as South African ostrich biltong, Ghanaian peanut chicken and Egyptian lentils – with authentic performances that include singing, dancing, music and a traditional puppet show. With a distinctly African décor that encompasses artworks and artefacts, Gold is the place to go for a taste of Africa.
 

Address: Green Point, 15 Bennett Street, Cape Town, 8005
Telephone: +27 82 414 9663
Website: http://www.goldrestaurant.co.za/

Mama Africa

Cuisine: South African

Mama Africa serves up traditional dishes like bobotie (a spiced minced meat dish with an egg-based topping) and wild game in a truly cheerful atmosphere. You can expect ear-to-ear smiles, over-the-top portions, and a live Marimba band delivering infectious African beats late into the night. The colourful décor, which includes masks, drums and wood-carvings, definitely adds to the South African vibe. 

Address: , 178 Long Street, Cape Town, 8001
Telephone: +27 21 424 8634
Website: https://www.mamaafricarestaurant.co.za/

Cheap

Lola's

Cuisine: European

For an unpretentious and delicious meal, this cosy corner café certainly ticks all the boxes. Scrumptious breakfasts, excellent coffee and a mouth-watering lunch menu are all on offer here. The fresh food and friendly staff make Lola’s the perfect place to go for a chilled out culinary experience.
 

Address: , 228 Long Street, Cape Town, 8001
Telephone: +27 21 423 0885
Website: http://www.lolas.co.za/

Mariam’s Kitchen

Cuisine: South African

For a no-frills, over-the-counter dining experience head to Mariam’s Kitchen, synonymous with the Gatsby – a foot-long sandwich stuffed with your choice of fillings. The restaurant shares a block with three hotels, making it an ideal spot for a value-for-money lunch break before heading out towards the hustle and bustle of the V&A Waterfront, just a 20-minute walk away.

 

Address: , 31 Heerengracht Street, Cape Town, 8000
Telephone: +27 21 421 3636
Website: http://mariamskitchen.co.za/
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Featured Hotels

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Hippo Boutique Hotel

Just off Kloof Street, close to Cape Town’s CBD and within easy reach of many bars and restaurants, the Hippo Boutique Hotel has sleek, modern rooms with wooden floors and whitewashed ceilings. Facilities include kitchenettes, air-con and Wi-Fi, and there’s also a small rooftop pool. Although there’s a bar downstairs, double glazing keeps the noise out.

Cape Royale Luxury Hotel & Spa

This all-suite hotel is as big on space as it is on design and luxury. The Sky Bar with a rooftop pool deck is the perfect spot to enjoy ocean views before dinner; stay in and try one of their restaurants (which offer Italian Indian and Asian among others) or walk ten minutes to the V&A Waterfront. A complimentary shuttle will transport guests within a 5km (3 mile) radius.

The Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel

This hotel in the CBD offers funky rooms and suites, but it’s the Rooftop Trailer Park which everyone loves here. Seven Airstream trailers imported from the USA have been revamped and individually (and playfully) themed, and although they’re not cheap to stay in they’re certainly unique. There’s also a rooftop bar and cinema, a restaurant and an inside bar called The Daddy Cool that’s a local favourite.

Cape Grace

This award-winning hotel offers stylish accommodation as well as world-class facilities and service. Located on its very own private quay at the harbour of the V&A Waterfront, the Cape Grace enjoys a convenient location at Cape Town's most popular shopping district. The Cape's colourful past can be seen in the hotel's exquisite furniture, rare fabrics, intriguing artefacts and original antiques. Sumptuous tasting menus, rare whisky pairings, luxurious spa treatments and indulgent Afternoon Teas are all thoughtfully created to enhance your stay at Cape Grace.

Daddy Long Legs

Rooms in this art hotel have been decorated by artists, poets, photographers and musicians and themes include music, travel and the tattoo artists, among others. There’s a bar/lounge and balcony overlooking lively Long Street, and self-catering apartments are located nearby. No breakfast, but Long Street is filled with breakfast options.

The Fritz Hotel

In a quiet spot near Kloof Street and just up the road from buzzing Long Street, this charming guesthouse proves that budget doesn’t have to mean bland or unstylish. Original art deco furniture and commissioned pieces give the rooms a quirky feel, and some have balconies with views of Table Mountain, Lions Head and Signal Hill.