Cape Town, South Africa — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Cape Town, South Africa
Restaurants
Expensive
Aubergine
A perennial favorite among gastronomes, this sophisticated restaurant seats diners around a palm tree on the terrace. Dishes are inventive, if sometimes a little exuberant, with twists on some classical favorites. Like the Olives of Ostrich fillet with orange and balsamic butter, or pralines of beef fillet encrusted with five aromas. A knowledgeable sommelier will make good recommendations, but be prepared for hefty mark-ups on the wine lists.
39 Barnet Street, Gardens
Tel: (021) 465 4909.
Website: www.aubergine.co.za
Beluga
Steaks, seafood and sushi are the staples at this popular but unstuffy see-and–be-seen at restaurant. Seared tuna is among the favorites. Wine connoisseurs can pop into the wine attic to select a bottle from the extensive offering. Some people whinge about the service, but cool and chic Beluga just stays right up there as a city favorite.
Prestwich Street, Green Point
Tel: (021) 418 2948.
Website: www.beluga.co.za
La Colombe
It’s tough to choose just one vineyard venue, as several estates have award-winning restaurants. Some say La Colombe on Constantia Uitsig estate offers the finest dining in the country. Its summerhouse-style ambience means you can savour exquisite food by the pool. Asian elements pep up classic French-style cuisine with rich choices like confit of duck with foie gras cream and truffle dressing. Its wine list is almost a book, and service is professional.
Constantia Uitsig, Constantia
Tel: (021) 794 2390.
Website: www.constantia-uitsig.com
Moderate
Jakes on Summerley
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner this is one of those unpretentious places that regulars never abandon. Wrapped around a Brazilian pepper tree, the restaurant offers a covered courtyard for al fresco dining amid a cheerful, friendly and sometimes noisy atmosphere. Its flatbreads make a welcome change from pizzas, but save room for the decadent desserts.
5 Summerley Road, Kenilworth
Tel: (021) 797 0366.
Website: www.jakes.co.za
La Med
This relaxed seafood and pizza place is popular with locals and tourists alike. A massive terrace is great for alfresco dining or drinking, with more of those stunning sea and mountain views that get even better at sunset. It stages occasional comedy nights and daily afternoon chill out sessions with DJs. The food is basic but affordable.
Glen Country Club, Victoria Road, Clifton
Tel: (021) 438 5600.
Website: www.lamed.co.za
Mama Africa
Locals dismiss this as a tourist trap, but it’s packed every evening and you’re a tourist, so why not? African themed food include its best selling but expensive Game Grill, with crocodile, ostrich, springbok and kudu on the menu. Marimba bands play in the evenings except on Sundays. The percussion, brass instruments and voices blending traditional African with Latin American rhythms can make conversation difficult but it’s the atmosphere that counts.
178 Long Street
Tel: (021) 426 1017.
Website: www.mamaafricarest.net
Cheap
Kalkys
A no-frills eaterie that attracts locals as well as tourists. It sits on the harbor at Kalk Bay and serves fish and seafood fresh from the ocean. Reknowned for large portions at low prices, with dishes including the ever-popular fish and chips or more expensive crayfish. Daily line fish specials are chalked on the blackboard.The restaurant lacks an extensive wine list, although the house wine is quaffable, and there’s no corkage charge if you bring your own. Best at lunchtime, when you can sit and watch the fishing trawlers. It stays open until 2100 but the kitchen closes before then.
Kalk Bay Harbour
Tel: (021) 788 1726.
Noon Gun teashop
Here’s an unusual one - a restaurant with a view that takes in Robben Island, the cable car station on the top of Table Mountain, and the city center below.The restaurant in colorful Bo-Kaap is named after the noon gun stationed above it, which is still fired every day. Get there before 1145 to hear a short history of the gun and witness its firing, before dining on spicy Cape Malay dishes and curries. It’s open for lunch an dinner, but it’s a Muslim restaurant so no alcohol is served. Good job, considering the amazingly steep and twisty road back down again.
273 Longmarket Street, Signal Hill
Tel: (021) 424 0529.
Website: www.noonguntearoom.co.za
Santa Ana Spur
This steak-house franchise must be doing something right, because there’s often a queue to get in. Kids love the place, and the salad bars, when they’re on form, can be delicious. If you’re earning hard currency, you’ll be laughing all the way to the brownies.
Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront
Tel: (021) 418 3620.
Website: www.spur.co.za
Nightlife
Balmy evenings, excellent local wines and the Afro-Euro mix collide to make Cape Town a party place, especially in summer. Nightlife in Cape Town varies: young crowds cruise the string of bars, restaurants and music clubs in Long Street and Kloof Street in the city center. Green Point is the main gay haunt, while the V&A Waterfront is awash with restaurants and nightlife for a generally older, more affluent crowd. Camps Bay is a hugely popular spot, thanks to its selection of beachfront bars.
Friday editions of the Cape Times (www.capetimes.co.za), Cape Argus (www.capeargus.co.za) and the weekly Mail & Guardian (www.mg.co.za) have entertainment sections.
Bars
Julep
Charmingly described by its young, lively regulars as slightly grungy but cool, Julep is an unassuming little bar with a DJ and sometimes live music.
It offers all the classic cocktails and some originals. The décor lends itself to intimate evenings as you sink in its squishy sofas - and sink further as you work through the menu. It gets so crowded you're bound to make new friends. Bar snacks help balance out the alcohol.
2 Vredenburg Lane, off Long Street
Tel: (021) 423 4276.
Website: www.julep.co.za
Murano Bar
A newcomer to the scene that's quickly picked up a following is Murano, in the revamped 15 on Orange Hotel. The 360 degree views of Table Mountain, Lion's Head, Signal Hill and the city add to the ambience. The bar looks a bit like a space pod with blue lighting and a cascading chandelier dangling 20,000 murano crystals. Beam me up, Scotty.
15 on Orange, Orange Street, Gardens
Tel: (021) 469 8000.
Website: www.15onorange.com
Planet Bar
Money no object? The Mount Nelson Hotel is an old institution, but it stays in the limelight, thanks to this upmarket champagne bar. Its velvet, satin and leather decor offers elegant colonial surroundings, while the wine and champers list is rivalled by a cocktail menu. What else should you snack on other caviar and oysters. There's a terrace outside, but if you really want to be among the stars, look up. Lights replicate the constellations for a truly stellar view.
Mount Nelson Hotel, 76 Orange Street, Gardens
Tel: (021) 483 1737.
Website: www.mountnelson.co.za
Clubs
Jade Lounge
A mixed but mainly older crowd frequents the Jade Lounge, upstairs from Manos restaurant in Green Point. The style is vaguely French, with leather sofas and chandeliers, and it's mood is definitely more laid-back and sophisticated than hectically pumping. On Wednesdays, it offers old school swinging jazz.
39 Main Road, Greenpoint.
Tel: (021) 439 4108.
Website: www.jadelounge.co.za
St Yves
Young wannabes are driving out to Camps Bay - although the rich ones already live there - and hitting St Yves. Maybe start there for sundowners to drink in gorgeous views over Camps Bay beach from the balcony. Do the pub crawl along the seafront to check out the talent, before ending the evening back at St Ives.
The Promenade, Victoria Rd, Camps Bay
Tel: (021) 438 7717.
Tiger Tiger
Oh, so young! And they look even younger on the School Disco party nights, one of the regular themed evenings at this watering hole. Six bars and a spacious dance floor are unashamedly aimed at party animals, though there's no admittance for women under 18 or men under 20. Two resident DJs play funk, house, hip-hop and R & B. Candlelights on the walls and intimate seating areas let you get down to it on and off the dance floor.
103 Main Rd, Claremont
Tel: (021) 683 2220.
Website: www.tigertiger.co.za
Live Music
Green Dolphin
If jazz is your scene, swim over to The Green Dolphin restaurant in the V&A Waterfront's Alfred Mall. It's hailed as the city's premier jazz venue with live music every night. It even has its own three-volume CD collection and has hosted Herb Ellis, Natalie Cole and Jim Galloway. Tuck into its continental and seafood and pasta specialties.
V&A Waterfront
Tel: (021) 421 7471.
The Rainbow Room
A recent addition to the city's live music scene, this jazz club has taken over the downstairs area in a lifestyle center that contains an art gallery, deli and café. Spacious and air conditioned, with a Thai-leaning menu. Themes include Afro-jazz, avant garde and funk/soul. Not open every night yet, so check first.
Mandela Rhodes Place, Church Street
Tel: (021) 422 1418.
Website: www.therainbowexperience.co.za
The Waiting Room
Wait no more - this is becoming one of Cape Town's hippest spots, popular with the after-work drinks crowd and presenting a selection of local artists with diverse musical flavors. Originals, rather than cover versions, with the emphasis on folk and funky jazz. Once the waiting room for a popular burger bar for the Long Street mass market, it has now expanded and boasts a funky rooftop bar.
273 Long Street
Tel: (021) 422 4536.
