What to Eat & Do in Cape Town, South Africa
Don’t Miss
If you are going to Boulders Beach to see the penguins, ask your driver to drop you off at the neighboring beach that is connected by an elevated walkway instead. The driver should know what this means. It is less crowded and about a 15 minute walk to Boulders Beach. Sometimes the penguins are hanging out in the forest so you will have a less crowded experience observing them there AND this is where they like to build their nests. Ask the driver if it's nesting season. Your driver can then pick you up at Boulders Beach so you don’t have to walk back.
For a much less crowded penguin experience, visit Stony Point Penguin Colony instead (or in addition). Way less crowded and a great combo with the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, a much lesser known and super beautiful wine region in South Africa that is a great day trip from Cape Town
Don’t miss the sidecar tour of the area! It is soooo much fun. I recommend one of the coastal options for prime views and I definitely recommend rescheduling if rain is in the forecast because it’s not very fun when it rains. The city drive part isn’t as fun when you are constantly sitting at red lights. Definitely request that they bring the dog in your car because they will try hard to make that happen!!!
Fine Dining
Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic - Worth the trip. I actually prefer it at lunch so you get the amazing views (unless you are there in summer when the sun sets late).
La Colombe Restaurant - There are now many locations but I personally think the OG location in Constantia is the best to visit as it's an absolutely gorgeous location in a wine region. Again, I personally think it’s better to visit during lunch or when it’s light out so you can enjoy the views (I loved watching all the ducks, rabbits, etc stroll through the vineyards while I ate). The Michelin Guide hasn’t visited South Africa yet but I honestly think this spot would have 2 or 3 stars if they had visited but the tasting menu is a huge bargain at something like $95, where it would be $300+ in the US. It’s incredible - come hungry! Consider the wine pairing and wine cellar experience if you are a wine person.
Belly of the Beast (City Center) - Tasting menu that changes frequently with no set amount of courses. It’s best for adventurous eaters as they use every part of the animal. Everyone RAVES about this place.
Fyn (City Center) - Incredible South African/Japanese fusion tasting menus. Relais & Châteaux, World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Ellerman House Restaurant (Sea Point) - Ellerman House is my favorite hotel in Cape Town and the restaurant is also incredible (it is Relais & Chateaux after all). I ate there for the 3 course menu at lunch and it was incredible. They operate on set menus that change each day and there are sea views from the windows at the restaurant (and the terrace when the weather cooperates). They allow a select amount of outside guests for reservations when they aren’t full. Reservations are essential.
Restaurants
The Pot Luck Club (Woodstock) - Small plates, buzzy vibes, and glass walls with views of the surrounding area.
TTK Fledgelings (Woodstock) - Just reopened. Modern Latin American cuisine.
Kloof Street House (Kloof Street) - Fun, hip. This is a great spot for a fun night out with friends with good food.
Nikkei (City Center) - Japanese Peruvian fusion cuisine. We loved everything we ate here and the service was also great.
Hemelhuijs (City Center) - Cafe fare and all day breakfast
Bao Down (City Center) - Korean small plates, great for sharing
Three Wise Monkeys (Sea Point) - Ramen
Kleinsky's Delicatessen (Sea Point) - Jewish deli. I do want to clarify that this is nothing close to what you will get in NYC but it’s the best in Cape Town if you want a bagel or pastrami fix.
Scheckter's RAW (Sea Point) - Great for healthy/vegan/vegetarian friendly fare
Codfather Seafood & Sushi (Camps Bay) - In a town so heavily focused on seafood, if you were to say one place has the best seafood, you will instantly get a lot of haters from people who think other places have the best seafood. However, I am here to tell you that this is it. This is where you get the best seafood. No debates will be accepted. I am obsessed with langoustines and they are so hard to find in the US. Also, South Africa has linefish on the menu everywhere and I want to clarify that it refers to how the fish is caught and not what the fish is. Popular linefish species in South Africa include snoek (a staple in SA cuisine), kingklip, yellowtail, geelbek, dusky kob, and roman. Book in advance, this spot is popular!
Cocktails
The Gin Bar (City Center)
Tjing Tjing House Rooftop Bar (City Center)
Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen (Waterfront)
Silo Rooftop Bar (Waterfront) - Reserve at sunset for incredible views and get the rose signature cocktail (trust). The section with the best views are reserved for guests but usually security will let you step over there to take a picture.
Coffee/Tea
Truth Coffee Roasting - Regarded as one of the best coffee shops in the world, you can enjoy cappuccino foam art, all day breakfast, and incredible bread. For the true experience, book a coffee tasting and/or tour of coffee roasting production to really learn about coffee.
Afternoon Tea @ Mount Nelson - The afternoon tea is the best in the world I have ever been too. They literally have a tea sommelier (seriously) who has traveled all over the world and trained with monks to learn everything possible about tea. Come hungry! The amount of treats served with the afternoon tea filled us up as much as a meal would. Pro tip: You must eat the scones the way the South Africans do (the British get highly offended at this). Scone + clotted cream + jam + cheese. It’s delicious! And don’t forget to pet the house cat, Nellie, who is sure to make an appearance.
Markets
Old Biscuit Mill (Woodstock) - On weekends, this turns into an awesome market with vendors, both of things to buy but also food from all over the world. An awesome spot to piece together a meal with lots of fun treats.
Time Out Market (Waterfront) - Lots of fun food stalls under one roof.
Oranjezicht City Farm Market (Waterfront) - Weekly farmers market with lots of fun artisanal producers. Very photogenic.
Mojo Market (Sea Point) - Another, less touristy food market with lots of food stalls right by the ocean
Dessert
Kristen's Kick-Ass Ice Cream (multiple locations) - The name says it all.
Honest Chocolate (multiple locations)
Moro Gelato (multiple locations)
Wine
Hout Bay Vineyards (Constantia) - This is an amazing spot to try South Africa’s signature Méthode Cap Classique (South Africa’s version of sparkling wine, made in the Champagne method) from vineyards high on the mountain slopes above Hout Bay. Appointments are required to visit here.
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is a great day trip. Don’t miss Creation Wines, Ataraxia Wines, & Bosman Hermanus. Also Fynbos distillery at Jolly Rooster is a great spot if you prefer liquor to wine. While you are here, Fick's Pool Restaurant is a really beautiful lunch spot, hanging out on a cliff over the ocean. Klipgat Caves is also where they have found remains that may have been some of the OG humans on earth. Pretty awesome.
Shopping
Beloved Beadwork (Waterfront) - I absolutely love the beaded jewelry and homegoods of Africa. This shop has some cool options.
Woodstock Laundry (Waterfront) - The absolute coolest PJs and loungewear. Their inventory is always sold out online so it is better to go in person.
AAFRICAA (Waterfront) - Great store for handmade gifts and homegoods from Africa.
Whimsical Collection (Muizenberg) - The coolest animal-themed art!
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