Cape Town has some of the best food in the world. If you were hoping to kick start a new diet while being here, you've chosen the wrong foodie destination. After a month of eating our way through multiple restaurants, we've put together a list of the top places to eat. Whether you are ready to splurge at a Michelin started restaurant or crave a quick burger, there's something on this list for everyone.
Here's where to find the best breakfast spots in Cape Town!
Lola's
228 long street
This was the first restaurant we went to in Cape Town. We had a red eye from Singapore and our apartment wasn't ready for check in and long story short; we spent two hours in this cute breakfast hub having the best Eggs Benedict.
Try their French Toast and latte!
Bootlegger Coffee Co.
39 Regent Road, Seapoint
known for brewing some of the best coffee in Cape Town, this cozy cafe has a breakfast and brunch menu that does not disappoint. It's a perfect place to bring your laptop and send a few last minute emails while you sip your coffee and eat your scone.
Try their Veggie Burger and hazelnut ice coffee!
Manna Epicure
151 Kloof Street
This place doesn't only have amazing food, but their atmosphere is right on point. The food reflects a dynamic fusion of French cuisine with a South African twist.
Try their Parma Breakfast: free range eggs, Parma ham, Parmesan shavings and basil pesto on toast
Le Petit Manoir
54 Huguenot Road, Franchhoek
Actually located in Franschhoek, Le Petit Manoir is the perfect place to go the morning after full day of wine tasting. The contemporary restaurant has a Mediterranean flare and offers freshly home baked breads and pastries.
Try their Croissant French Toast, Scrambled Eggs and Cream Cheese Icing
Kauai
50 Kloof Street
Similar to Tropical Smoothie meets Panera, this cafe serves a surplus of health smoothies, breakfast wraps and salads.
Try their Frozen Coffee Cappuccino
The Deli Co Waterfront
VA Waterfront
Great for a quick bite, The Deli Co Waterfront is a wholesome coffee shop with artisan open faced breakfast sandwiches, strong coffee and delicious pastries.
Try their Salmon Stack Hash brown topped with smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers salsa and a poached egg
Max Bagels
120 Bree Street
Coming from New York, if there was anything I missed while traveling, it was a bagel. Max Bagels have awesome bagel sandwiches and plain bagels available for customers..plus they deliver
Try their B.A.T: an everything bagel with cream cheese, bacon, avocado, tomato and mayo
Here's where to find the best lunch spots in Cape Town!
Here's where to find the best lunch spots in Cape Town!
The Kitchen
111 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock
It may look like a casual place for coffee and light sandwiches, but it also happens to be Michelle Obama's favorite restaurant in Cape Town. A fairly modest cafe, their bookshelves are lined with cook books and their simple sandwiches are to die for.
Order the Love Sandwich
Cafe Paradiso
110 Kloof Steet
A perfect location for a leisurely lunch or even a potential business meeting, Cafe Paradiso is a beautiful garden restaurant that serves simple country style dishes with a Mediterranean touch.
Try their roast beef open sandwich with with horseradish creme fraiche, pickles, red onion Jam & rocket
Royal Eatery
273 Long Street
This place has the best burgers! We went several times and got almost every burger on the menu..along with a milkshake! They offer beef, chicken, ostrich and fish and over 20 flavors of double thick shakes.
Try their El Burro Burger, Classic Royale Burger and the Sprinter
Knead
50 Kloof Street
A great lunch place that offers a wide range of baked foods and fresh bread great for sandwiches!
Try their tuna melt
Col'cacchio
7205 V&A Waterfront
This restaurant, started by two lovers, serves the most mouthwatering Italian inspired meals. Their artisanal wood fired pizzas have made them famous all over the country.
Try their avocado, bacon and feta cheese pizza!
Here's where to find the best dinner spots in Cape Town!
Hudson's
69 Kloof Street
Hudsons is an American-style burger joint, that play a rock and roll setlist and serves fantastic burgers in their urban atmosphere.
Try the Tribeca Selection Sliders
Black Sheep
104 Kloof Street
Our hotel was nice enough to book our reservation to Black Sheep well in advance. Black sheep is oftentimes completely booked and it's easy to see why. Their specials and main menu are labeled on their blackboard and they have an extensive wine list to go with their Table Mountain View.
Try their Seared Chili Squid w/ Auvergne purée, roast pepper pesto, & olives
Grilled Hanger Steak with Japanese pickled mushrooms and Tahini
Mamma Roma Ristorante
Dean Street, Newlands
With rich pastas, wood oven pizzas, flavorful salads and fresh baked bread, Roma Restaurant serves family style appetizers and generous portioned meals for a perfect Italian dinner.
Try their pesto gnocchi
Fat Cactus
47 Durban Road, Mowbray
This is some of the best Mexican food in all of Cape Town. Their entire restaurant is decorated in old school cowboy posters and Mexican sombreros and they serve huge pitchers of flavored margaritas!
Try their chipotle chicken nachos and fried fish tacos!
Hussar Grill
10 Main Road, Rondebosch
The Hussar Grill was voted the best steak restaurant in Cape Town Food24. Not only is their food to die for, but they are also proud recipients of the Diners Club Platinum Status Award for their wine selection. At the end of your meal, they give you a complimentary chocolate vodka martini shot!
Try their Filet Mignon with béarnaise sauce
Sargent Peppers
194 Long Street
A contemporary bar with a terrace, this restaurant turns into a hot night spot in the evenings.
Try their bacon, avocado and feta pizza with sweet chili sauce
Fork Tapas and Pinchos Bar
84 Long Street
Serving contemporary Spanish tapas perfect for sharing, Fork is a culinary experience for all foodies. It's informal dining and bite sized portions give a new twist to modern cuisine.
Try their raclette fondue with chorizo, ricotta and spinach ravioli with poached egg, crunchy calamari salad, and patatas bravas!
95 Keerom
95 Keerom Street
Contemporary modern lines of decor gives the restaurant an eclectic flair. The upstairs is open plan and glamorous with a tree planted right in the middle. They serve a new interpretation of Milanese cuisine which goes great with one of their signature cocktails.
Try their Grilled Lamb-chops with olive oil and rosemary
Bombay Bicycle
158 Kloof Street
This unique and quirky restaurant is anything but ordinary. Deep in a fantasy world, you are given an absurd hat upon arrival to wear throughout the course of the meal. The chairs are also swings attached to the ceilings so you can swing while you eat.
Try their ahi tuna
Zenzero
Victoria Road, Campsbay
This beautiful restaurant is situated right by the beach and has stunning views of the sunsets. The restaurant is just as elegant inside, with bookshelves against the walls and a beautiful bar to the corner, Zenzero is full of great vibes.
Try their Filet Mignon with pepper sauce
Bungalow
Glen Country Club, Clifton
Perfect for sunsets, this stylish restaurant has an ocean-view terrace. Their food focuses on global seafood dishes including sushi and the famous king klip. It can be chilly outside though so be sure to bring a sweater.
Whole Baby Kingklip and French Mojito
Potluck Club
375 Woodstock
The Pot Luck Club, situated on the top floor of the Silo of the Old Biscuit Mill, is fully booked every night for months so be sure to get a reservation well in advance! The menu is always changing and the award winning chef constantly amazed his customers.
Try their Pork belly and fresh chili ceviche
The Test Kitchen
375 Woodstock
The test Kitchen consists of a Dark Room and a Light Room and is open only for dinners. Like the Potluck club, you will need a reservation months in advance but the menu is constantly changing as the chef tries out different recipes
Ask the chef for his daily recommendation!
