Cape Town Uncovered: From Seaside Cafés to World-Class Wine Country

Cape Town is Southern Africa’s most beautiful, most romantic, and most celebrated city. And it is also its culinary capital, recently crowned Best City for Food in the World by Condé Nast Traveler. Join me in my exploration of some of Cape Town's best dining spots and a cuisine that is generous, diverse, innovative, and deeply rooted in history and community.

Cape Town is a city that needs little introduction. Wedged between the mighty Table Mountain and the cold Atlantic Ocean on one side and the warmer Indian Ocean on the other, its sandy beaches, rugged mountains, and historic winelands are famous around the world.

Often called the "Mother City," Cape Town is South Africa’s most romantic, scenic, and culturally rich destination - and it’s also the country’s culinary capital. From laid-back braais to globally recognized fine dining, the food scene here is as colorful and diverse as the Rainbow Nation itself. Cape Town was even crowned Best City for Food in the World by Condé Nast Traveler readers - and it’s easy to see why. Since its establishment in 1652 by the Dutch East India Company, Cape Town has been a melting pot of cultures, from indigenous African communities to European settlers and Southeast Asian slaves who became known as the Cape Malays. Their culinary influences shaped a rich, multicultural food tradition that remains deeply woven into the city’s fabric today.

For an authentic taste of traditional African cuisine and culture, Cape Town offers several warm, community-driven spaces that go beyond the plate. In the Bo-Kaap, Marco’s African Place is a lively institution known for its rich stews, grilled meats, and live music that pulses with the rhythms of the continent. In the nearby township of Langa, Mzansi Restaurant offers an immersive dining experience set in a family home, complete with storytelling, home-cooked meals, and local jazz. These are not just places to eat — they’re opportunities to connect with South Africa’s roots, history, and hospitality through food that’s made to be shared.

For a complete contrast, head to the V&A Waterfront - Cape Town’s most visited destination and home to a world-class marina, shops, and restaurants. One standout is Willoughby & Co, still beloved by locals for its inventive sushi and seafood. The open kitchen buzzes with activity as chefs prepare crowd-pleasers like their signature Salmon Grenades and grilled kingklip - a firm, meaty fish unique to South African waters.

In Camps Bay the Twelve Apostles mountain range frames turquoise waters and a bustling promenade of cafés and restaurants.

Follow the coastal road to Camps Bay, Cape Town’s most glamorous beachside enclave. Here, the Twelve Apostles mountain range frames turquoise waters and a bustling promenade of cafés and restaurants. On the slopes above, the historic Roundhouse building is now home to Salsify, a modern fine-dining restaurant by chef Ryan Cole that pairs hyper-seasonal cuisine with sweeping sea views. For a more relaxed experience, the adjacent Lawns at the Roundhouse offers daytime dining and cocktails on the lawn - equally stunning in setting, but delightfully informal.

Back in the city, FYN has emerged as one of Cape Town’s most innovative restaurants, earning a spot on the World’s 50 Best list for its fusion of South African ingredients and Japanese precision. Equally buzzworthy is Belly of the Beast, a minimalist, reservation-only spot where the chefs cook whatever’s fresh - often using the whole animal - and serve it in a communal, intimate space.

Over in Woodstock, the creative district continues to draw a cool crowd. At The Pot Luck Club, perched in a glass-walled loft in the Old Biscuit Mill, you’ll find Asian-inspired small plates with bold flavors and views to match. Just next door, The Salon, also by Luke Dale-Roberts, offers a more intimate and refined tasting menu experience. Though his renowned Test Kitchen - once a global culinary icon—has closed its doors, these two distinctive venues ensure his innovative culinary legacy continues to thrive.

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For a more bucolic escape, drive into the leafy heart of Constantia, South Africa’s oldest wine region. Here, vineyards stretch along the slopes of Table Mountain and the heritage is palpable. At Jonkershuis, nestled in the historic Groot Constantia estate, you can enjoy a Cape Malay-inspired lunch beneath 300-year-old oaks - a true taste of the Cape’s past and present. For something more contemporary, head to Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia, where innovative small plates are served in a glass-walled dining room overlooking terraced vineyards and distant ocean views - a modern culinary experience set against timeless scenery. ust down the road, Foxcroft offers refined yet relaxed dining with a seasonal menu that balances bold flavors and delicate technique, making it another standout in the Constantia culinary landscape.

Finally, make your way along the False Bay coast to Kalk Bay, a character-filled fishing village with a bohemian soul. Among its art galleries and antique shops sits the ever-popular Olympia Café, where rustic breakfasts, baked goods, and chalkboard specials draw loyal locals and curious travelers. For something more refined, Harbour House just across the road offers seafood straight from the boats, served with waves crashing beneath your feet and sweeping bay views in front of you.

Cape Town’s food scene continues to evolve, but its soul remains the same - generous, diverse, innovative, and deeply rooted in history and community. Whether it’s fresh fish in a coastal shack, aged steak at a township braai, or a ten-course tasting menu in a designer loft, the city serves up something unforgettable with every meal.

WHERE TO EAT

Camps Bay

Salsify at The Roundhouse – Fine dining in a historic setting with contemporary flair.
Round House Road, 8040; salsify.co.za
The Lawns at The Roundhouse – Casual outdoor dining with iconic ocean and mountain views.
Round House Road, 8040; thelawnsct.com

V&A Waterfront

Willoughby & Co – A local favorite for sushi and fresh seafood inside the bustling Victoria Wharf.
Shop 6132, Victoria Wharf, 8001; willoughbyandco.co.za

Woodstock

The Pot Luck Club – Creative small plates and panoramic views from a stylish loft space.
375 Albert Road, The Old Biscuit Mill, 7915; thepotluckclub.co.za
The Salon – An intimate tasting-menu experience by Luke Dale-Roberts, next to The Pot Luck Club.
375 Albert Road, The Old Biscuit Mill, 7915; luckedaleroberts.com

City Centre

FYN – Elevated South African-Japanese fusion with dramatic design and bold flavors.
37 Parliament Street, 8001; fynrestaurant.com
Belly of the Beast – Minimalist, set-menu dining focused on local ingredients and whole-animal cooking.
110 Harrington Street, 8001; bellyofthebeast.co.za

Bo-Kaap / Langa

Marco’s African Place – Traditional African dishes, live music, and a warm, communal atmosphere.
15 Rose Street, Bo-Kaap, 8001; +27 21 423 5412
Mzansi Restaurant – Home-cooked meals and cultural storytelling in a township family home.
Langa, Cape Town; mzansirestaurant.co.za

Constantia

Jonkershuis at Groot Constantia – Cape Malay cuisine in a historic wine estate under ancient oaks.
Groot Constantia Road, 7806; jonkershuisconstantia.co.za
Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia – Inventive modern small plates with breathtaking vineyard views.
Beau Constantia Wine Estate, 7806; chefswarehouse.co.za
Foxcroft – Refined yet approachable, Foxcroft serves beautifully crafted seasonal dishes and house-made pastries in a relaxed, elegant setting.
8 Main Road, Constantia, 7806; foxcroftrestaurant.co.za

Kalk Bay

Olympia Café – A beloved bohemian spot for rustic breakfasts and daily chalkboard specials.
134 Main Road, 7975; +27 21 788 6396
Harbour House – Upscale seafood dining perched above the harbor with ocean spray below.
Main Road, 7975; harbourhouse.co.za

WHERE TO STAY