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Cape Town's melting pot of flavours
Eating out in Cape Town
Dining in the Cape Winelands.
© South African Tourism
Did you know?
It's important to note that almost all Cape Malay restaurants in Cape Town are strictly halaal so no alcoholic beverages are allowed on the premises
Eating out in Cape Town is easy - the city's natural abundance of land and sea combined with cultural diversity ensure that there are menus to suit all palates and price ranges.
In Cape Town restaurants and eateries offer a wide variety of choices, including a few you would never experience elsewhere in the world. For an authentic township chisa-nyama (barbeque) experience head for Mzoli's Place in Gugulethu. Any time of the day or night you will find this venue humming with high spirits. Pick your meat at the butchery portion of the eatery and then watch while your choice is seared on an open fire. Beer is available at the neighbouring shebeen (tavern) and you can be sure of a soccer-crazy crowd to help you celebrate victories or drown sorrows.
If township ebullience is not your style why not try our finest fusion food? Cape Malay cuisine is the culinary inheritance of those Cape Town residents whose ancestors arrived as Malay, Javanese and Indonesian slaves in the mid 17th century. In the intervening years an intriguing sweet, aromatic and utterly South African food genre has emerged. Cape Malay people historically lived in the Bo-Kaap district and it is still home to many of their most authentic restaurants. Try the Noon Gun where Chef Zainie Misbach serves an achingly perfect clove and citrus peel infused lamb curry.
Cape Town is famed for its fine dining and should you wish to celebrate in style you will be spoilt for choice. Whether you favour molecular gastronomy at Nova or classic French at Bon Appétit you really can't go wrong. If you struggle to decide on a dining destination simply wander down the restaurant strips of Long Street, the CBD, Kloof Street, Gardens or the beachfront at Camps Bay.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Cape Town Tourism Information
Gateway Information Centre
Shop 107, Clock Tower Centre
South Arm Road
V&A Waterfront
Cape Town
Tel: +27 (0) 21 405 4500
Fax: +27 (0) 21 405 4524
Email: info@tourismcapetown.co.za
Restaurants and Eateries
- Mzoli's Place: Shop 3 NY115 & NY108, Gugulethu
Tel: +27 (0)21 638 1355 - Noon Gun: 273 Longmarket Street, Bo-Kaap, Cape Town
Tel: +27 (0)21 424 0529 - Nova: 70 New Church Street, Cape Town
Tel: +27 (0)21 422 3585 - Bon Appétit: 90 St Georges Street Simonstown
Tel: +27 (0)21 786 2412
How to get here
Domestic and international airlines fly in daily to Cape Town International airport, and the host city is also easily accessible by car, bus or train.
Around the area
There’s lots to experience in and around Cape Town. There are numerous restaurants both in the city centre (around Long and Loop Streets ) and at the V&A Waterfront. If you like fresh fish then try the Hout Bay Harbour or Kalky’s in Hout Bay.
Tours to do
If you're a serious food-lover then you must spend a day or two in Franschhoek, the food capital of South Africa. You can also dine at the various wine estates in the area.
Get around
If you're staying in the city centre you can get around on foot. Alternatively you can hire a taxi to get to your chosen restaurant.
What will it cost
Restaurant prices range from moderate (approxR120 to R180 per person for a decent one to two course meal) to anything over approx R500/R1000 and beyond at the high-end restaurants. Note that seafood is generally quite expensive.
Length of stay
Stay for a week or longer.
What to pack
Elegant dining wear, if you are planning to visit some of Cape Town's finest restaurants.
Where to stay
There are many hotels and self-catering apartments; why not book your accommodation in the old Malay area of Bo-Kaap.
What to eat
Seafood, Cape Malay cuisine, township barbeques and street food on the move.
Best buys
Local Cape Malay spices designed to spice up any curry dish.