The Best Restaurants in Cape Town
Cape Town has one of the most exciting food scenes in the world. From award-winning fine dining restaurants that regularly feature on global “best of” lists to relaxed neighbourhood spots and lively markets, the city brings together local traditions and international influences in a way that feels completely unique.
We spent a month eating our way around Cape Town, from seafood shacks on the coast to elegant tasting menus with mountain views. What makes dining here so special is the mix of cultures: Cape Malay flavours, African staples, European techniques, and world-class local wine. Whether you want an unforgettable fine dining experience, a casual dinner with friends, or cheap eats that showcase true South African flavour, Cape Town delivers.
In this guide we share the best restaurants in Cape Town that left a lasting impression on us, plus a few insider tips to help you plan your meals while you’re in the city.
The kitchen at Pot Luck Club
The places in this article with pictures are the ones we actually ate at and the others are ones that came up in our research / came highly reccomended to us.
DinePlan is the go-to app for booking restaurants in Cape Town, making it easy to secure tables at the most popular spots without the hassle of calling around. You can browse by area or cuisine, check real-time availability, and confirm your booking instantly.
Fine Dining and Tasting Menus
Cape Town is known for its world-class fine dining scene, with several restaurants consistently ranking among the best in the world. What makes the experience here unique is that you can enjoy multi-course tasting menus, breathtaking settings, and exceptional wine pairings at a fraction of what you’d pay in London, New York, or Paris.
Belly Of The Beast
One of our absolute favourite meals, Belly of the Beast offers a single seasonal tasting menu served to everyone dining that day. The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed, and the experience here was one of the most memorable we had in Cape Town.
COY
Set at the V&A Waterfront, COY is a fine dining experience that delivers elegant dishes with creative flair. The menu changes regularly, showcasing seasonal ingredients and meticulous plating.
La Colombe
Arguably the most famous restaurant in Cape Town, La Colombe sits high above Constantia with sweeping views of the valley. The food here is theatrical and precise, with a French-Asian influence that has earned it a regular spot on global best-restaurant lists. Make sure you book months in advance. We didn’t dine here but went to its sister restaurant, La Petite Colombe, which you can read more about below.
FYN
Located in the city centre, FYN has a sleek, modern aesthetic and a menu that blends Japanese techniques with South African ingredients. It’s currently ranked among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants and is one of the hottest tables in town.
Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo
This one came heavily recommended, and although we couldn’t get a table on our trip, it’s firmly on the list for next time. Set at Tintswalo Atlantic with stunning ocean views, the Chef’s Warehouse tasting menu format is perfect for sharing. There are also other Chef’s Warehouse locations worth trying in the city.
Salsify at the Roundhouse
Known for its fine dining tasting menu with seasonal, sustainable ingredients, Salsify is another top pick if you’re after a setting as memorable as the food. We didn’t eat here, but did come for a sunset cocktail and some sushi at The Lawns at the Roundhouse with views over Camps Bay.
SALON
One of Luke Dale Roberts’ latest ventures, SALON is an intimate fine dining spot that pushes creativity even further. The restaurant offers themed tasting menus that explore global flavours through a South African lens, with dishes inspired by Roberts’ travels and experience. It’s a smaller, more experimental space compared to his previous restaurants, but the attention to detail and theatrical presentation remain outstanding.
The Test Kitchen Fleglings
The Test Kitchen was once Cape Town’s most famous restaurant, run by Luke Dale Roberts. It regularly featured on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and drew international visitors for its innovative tasting menus.
The original restaurant has now closed, but Luke continues to shape Cape Town’s dining scene. His project, The Test Kitchen Fledgelings, provides young chefs with training and opportunities to progress in the industry while still delivering the high standard of food he is known for. He also operates several other restaurants in the city, so his influence is still very much alive in Cape Town’s food culture.
Local Favourites & Casual Gems
Some of our best meals in Cape Town came from neighbourhood restaurants and casual spots where locals eat. These places combine great food with a relaxed atmosphere.
The Pot Luck Club
If we had to pick one favourite meal in Cape Town, this would be it. The Pot Luck Club (by Luke Dale Roberts) is set at the top of the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, with panoramic city views and a buzzing atmosphere. The menu is built around small plates designed for sharing, each one packed with bold flavours and inventive twists.
The cocktails here are just as memorable as the food, so grab a seat at the bar if you can — it’s the best way to watch the team in action and soak up the energy of the place.
Kiki’s
Kiki’s brings a slice of the Mediterranean to Cape Town, serving up hearty Greek dishes in a setting that feels warm and welcoming. The food is fresh and flavourful, but what really stood out to us was the atmosphere. It’s the kind of place that feels instantly lively, with fantastic service and a buzz that makes you want to linger long after the plates are cleared. A brilliant choice if you’re looking for a fun night out that still feels relaxed.
Bodega Ramen
Bodega Ramen is a brilliant spot for a comforting bowl of noodles. The focus here is on fresh ingredients and clean flavours, with plenty of greens and lighter options alongside the classics. The vibe is laid-back and stylish, making it a great place to grab a casual dinner with friends or escape the bustle of the city for something simple and satisfying.
Faeeza’s Home Kitchen
For an authentic taste of Cape Malay cooking, Faeeza’s Home Kitchen is a must. Set in the colourful Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, this spot feels more like stepping into someone’s home than going out to a restaurant. The food is rich with spice and tradition, from fragrant curries to freshly made samoosas, and everything is served with a warmth that makes the experience even more memorable. It’s a chance to enjoy real Cape Malay flavours while supporting a local, family-run business.
Kloof Street House
Kloof Street House is one of Cape Town’s most atmospheric dining spots. Housed in a Victorian-era building, it feels dark, glamorous, and a little bit mysterious. Think velvet chairs, candlelight, and a Soho House-style vibe where everyone is dressed up. The menu leans towards modern bistro dishes, but people come here as much for the ambience as the food. It’s perfect for a date night or a special evening out with friends.
Boma
Boma celebrates South Africa’s braai culture, with smoky, fire-grilled flavours at the heart of the menu. It’s all about generous portions, meat cooked over open flames, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to order another round and stay late. If you’re looking for a taste of proper braai food in Cape Town without firing up the grill yourself, Boma is the place to go.
Thali
Thali delivers an Indian-inspired sharing menu built around a series of beautifully presented small plates. From fragrant curries to vibrant vegetarian dishes, it’s a stylish spot that’s become a firm favourite on Cape Town’s dining scene.
www.chefswarehouse.co.za/thali
Dias Tavern
A long-standing Portuguese restaurant near the Castle of Good Hope, Dias Tavern is known for generous portions, peri-peri chicken, prawns, and a laid-back, no-frills vibe. It’s one of those places locals return to time and again.
Ouzeri
Ouzeri is a modern Greek restaurant that’s made a big impact, recently earning recognition from the 50 Best Discovery list. Expect fresh meze, grilled dishes, and a contemporary space that balances simplicity with flair.
Seafood & Ocean Views
With its dramatic coastline and working harbours, Cape Town’s seafood is fantastic. Make sure you try snoek, a local fish you won’t easily find outside South Africa — just watch out for the bones.
Codfather
A Cape Town institution in Camps Bay, Codfather is part seafood restaurant, part fish market. You choose your catch from the counter, and it’s cooked to order — simple, fresh, and absolutely delicious. The selection of sushi here is also impressive, making it one of the most versatile seafood spots in the city.
Salt
Perched right above the water in Kalk Bay, Salt combines a relaxed seaside setting with fresh, well-prepared seafood. It’s a little more refined than the classic harbour shacks but still keeps the easy-going charm that makes Kalk Bay such a favourite for seafood lovers. Grab a table by the window for the best views over the ocean while you enjoy a plate of fish or a seafood platter.
Willoughby & Co
Tucked inside the V&A Waterfront Mall, Willoughby & Co might not win awards for ambience, but the food is reliably good. It’s especially popular for sushi and seafood platters, so if you don’t mind the mall setting, it’s a solid option in the city centre.
Kalky’s
For a more laid-back experience, head to Kalky’s in Kalk Bay harbour. It’s famous for its fish and chips, generous prawn plates, and a bustling atmosphere. Expect queues, especially on weekends, but the food is worth the wait.
Fish on the Rocks
Located in Hout Bay, Fish on the Rocks is the place to try traditional snoek and chips. Portions are hearty, prices are reasonable, and the setting by the water gives it that classic fish-and-chip shop feel with a local twist.
Out of Town
If you have a little extra time in Cape Town, it’s well worth heading out to the nearby winelands of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, and Paarl.
Just an hour’s drive from the city, these regions are home to some of South Africa’s most celebrated restaurants, set against rolling vineyards and mountain backdrops. Here you’ll find tasting menus paired with estate wines, long lazy lunches in garden settings, and chefs pushing boundaries with seasonal, farm-to-fork cooking.
La Petite Colombe (Franschhoek)
La Petite Colombe, the sister restaurant to La Colombe in Cape Town, is every bit as impressive — and many say even better. The tasting menu is nothing short of spectacular, blending artistry with bold flavours, and the setting is just as memorable. Surrounded by beautiful gardens with sweeping wineland views, it’s the kind of place you’ll be talking about long after the last course.
La Petite Ferme (Franschhoek)
We stayed at La Petite Ferme and were blown away by the experience. Set on a wine farm with panoramic views over the valley, it’s the perfect spot for a long, leisurely meal. Everything here — from the estate wines to the fresh, seasonal dishes — felt exceptional, and it quickly became one of our favourite memories from the winelands.
Our full review of La Petite Ferme
Babel (Babylonstoren, Paarl)
Babel is part of the famous Babylonstoren estate, one of the most beautiful farms in South Africa. The restaurant is built around the farm’s incredible produce, with a menu that changes with the seasons and celebrates what’s fresh from the gardens that day. It’s a true farm-to-table experience in a setting that feels almost otherworldly.
Fat Butcher (Stellenbosch)
If you’re a steak lover, Fat Butcher in Stellenbosch is unmissable. Known for its incredible cuts of beef, generous portions, and lively atmosphere, it’s a celebration of meat done right. Pair your steak with a bottle of Stellenbosch red, and you’ve got a meal that sums up the best of South Africa’s wineland dining.
Cape Town’s food scene is as diverse and vibrant as the city itself. From fine dining restaurants that rival the best in the world to casual gems, seafood shacks, and authentic Cape Malay kitchens, there’s something here for every taste and budget. What makes it even more special is the combination of incredible flavours, welcoming hospitality, and settings that range from mountain views to bustling harbours.
Tried one of these restaurants, or have a favourite we missed? Leave a comment below. We’d love to hear your recommendations. And if you want more travel and food inspiration, come say hi on Instagram @hungrysoles, where we share even more tips and behind-the-scenes stories from our adventures.
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