These are the top 10 Restaurants you will find in Cape Town.
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1.Giovanni’s Deli
PERFECT FOR: •QUICK EATS •COFFEE & A LIGHT BITE
Giovanni’s Deli has been a local favorite for as long as most Capetonians can remember. Still a family-run affair three decades after it opened, this spot specializes in the kind of Italian food you’d expect to find, well, in Italy. Cape Town’s European delis are nearly as common as the local spaza or convenience store, but Giovanni’s is in a league of its own. Stop by anytime to pick up pre-cooked pasta to go, or arrive before 9 am to grab an espresso or cappuccino, plus a pastry before they’re gone—the deli fills up fast and sells out just as quickly.
2. The Dog’s Bollocks at Yard
PERFECT FOR: •WALK-INS •BIG GROUPS
Two types of people frequent The Dog’s Bollocks: those that visit despite the name, and those that visit because of it. Either way, it only takes one meal to understand why this restaurant is one of the best places to start or end a night out. The menu is filled with feel-good comfort food, like juicy beef and chicken burgers topped with chili con carne and buffalo chicken wings with a side of cheesy deep-fried potato skins.
3. Nourish’d Cafe & Juicery
PERFECT FOR: •BREAKFAST •GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS •KEEPING IT KIND OF HEALTHY •QUICK EATS •TAKE-OUT •VEGANS •VEGETARIANS
They serve delicious, inexpensive smoothies and bowls that have been put together with more care than most people put into getting ready in the morning. Don’t expect a leisurely breakfast, though. Nourish’d draws a crowd, so plan on sharing a table or taking your food with you.
4. Neighbourgoods Market
PERFECT FOR: •BREAKFAST •BRUNCH •CLASSIC ESTABLISHMENT •GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS •LUNCH •OUTDOOR/PATIO SITUATION •VEGANS •VEGETARIANS
Neighbourgoods Market—or “that market at the Old Biscuit Mill”—is the place to be on weekends, with a lively mix of vintage clothing stalls, a well-stocked bar, and dozens of food vendors selling everything from vegan cakes to steak sandwiches big enough to feed five. It’s a touristy spot, but the live music is fun and the food is good. Plan to come early if you want to avoid the crowds that roll in by noon.
5. Oranjezicht City Farm Market
PERFECT FOR: •BREAKFAST •BRUNCH •CLASSIC ESTABLISHMENT •GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS •KEEPING IT KIND OF HEALTHY •LUNCH •OUTDOOR/PATIO SITUATION •VEGANS •VEGETARIANS
Weekend brunch at the Oranjezicht City Farm Market is a rite of passage for any Cape Town first-timer. Take a lap around the entire place before making a decision on what to eat. Try out stalls like Sepial’s Kitchen for Korean fried chicken and rice, Golden Brown Waffles (the name is pretty self-explanatory), and The Karoo Prick, where you can pick up a bottle of locally made prickly pear gin. OZCF started as a small urban farm that produces to market, but despite its recent growth, you can still stock up on the freshest seasonal produce in the city.
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6. Constantia Glen
PERFECT FOR: •BIG GROUPS •DRINKING GOOD WINE •OUTDOOR/PATIO SITUATION •VEGETARIANS
Stellenbosch and Franschhoek may be the undisputed champions of Cape Town’s surrounding wine country, but some of the best wine actually comes from Constantia, a small, green valley just 20 minutes from the city. All of that makes this spot the perfect entry point for trying world-renowned wines like Van Wyk Riesling, Constantia Saddle Rosé, and Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc while snacking on an overflowing charcuterie platter.
7. La Colombe at Silvermist
PERFECT FOR: •FINE DINING •DRINKING GOOD WINE •SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Ask any local where to find the best wine and fine dining restaurant in Cape Town and the answer will always be La Colombe at Silvermist. The tasting menu changes seasonally, but past highlights include Cape Malay-style snoek, truffled cherry parfait, and mushroom tortellini with smoked Stanford and sherry. La Colombe is located in a renovated treehouse on an organic wine estate, and pairs each of its courses with the best offerings from South Africa’s wine regions. Booking in advance isn’t just recommended—it’s likely the only way you’ll get a seat.
8. Chef’s Warehouse at Beau Constantia
PERFECT FOR: •FINE DINING •DRINKING GOOD WINE •OUTDOOR/PATIO SITUATION •DATE NIGHT
If you’re looking for a spectacular lunch or dinner in Cape Town’s wine country but are less interested in formal service, go to Chef’s Warehouse at Beau Constantia. Located on a working vineyard, Beau Constantia produces a range of boutique wines, including sauvignon blanc and viognier varieties. Do the interactive tasting, then stay for the four-course set menu.
9. Babylonstoren
PERFECT FOR: •BIG GROUPS •BIRTHDAYS •DAY DRINKING •DRINKING GOOD WINE •FINE DINING •GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS •LUNCH •OUTDOOR/PATIO SITUATION •VEGANS •VEGETARIANS
Babylonstoren is one of Cape Town’s most popular vineyards and is great for a lunch break between tastings around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. There are two restaurants, Babel and the Greenhouse Restaurant, that are both located on its working farm. Babel does fine dining and offers family-style platters for group bookings and a seasonal à la carte menu for smaller parties, while the Greenhouse Restaurant is more casual, situated in the middle of the farm’s produce gardens, and serves dishes like spiced garden pot pie and Spanish cured pork loin.
10. Arkeste
PERFECT FOR: •DRINKING GOOD WINE •BIG GROUPS •OUTDOOR/PATIO SITUATION
Arkeste is another relaxed fine dining restaurant that skips the frills and formality. It’s located on the Chamonix Wine Estate in Franschhoek and is a perfect lunch stop along Cape Town’s wine route. The menu mixes Mediterranean and Continental classics with a distinct South African twist—think red wine-glazed springbok with pommes croquette, confit duck with sunflower seeds and beetroot, and for dessert, orange buchu ice cream and almond parfait.
