DINE A SELECTION OF FOODIE HOT SPOTS
CITY BOWL
THE BLACK SHEEP RESTAURANT 104 KLOOF STREET, GARDENS
BURGER & LOBSTER
021 426 2661, blacksheeprestaurant.co.za
105 BREE STREET, HERITAGE SQUARE, CBD
COL’CACCHIO
Jonny Japha is the man with the plan in the kitchen, plating up the likes of crispy pig tail to start and grilled impala with green bean salad for mains. The menu changes often, so check their website for the daily offering… Not that you will be disappointed with whatever is served up.
021 422 4297, burgerandlobster.co.za
42 HANS STRIJDOM AVENUE, FORESHORE
This eatery is so popular that it’s been given its very own nickname by locals: Kreef (Afrikaans for ‘lobster’). Sample the B&L Burger served with streaky bacon and cheese, or satisfy your seafood fetish with a Lobster Roll dressed in Japanese mayo.
021 419 4848, colcacchio.co.za
BOCCA THE AFRICA CAFÉ
CNR BREE AND WALE STREETS, CBD
CAFE PARADISO
108 SHORTMARKET STREET, CBD
021 422 0188, bocca.co.za
110 KLOOF STREET, GARDENS
021 422 0221, africacafe.co.za
There’s no excuse to skip indulging in a pizza at this homage to the very best of Neapolitan cuisine – but bring your friends along and start by ordering a couple of smaller plates to share. Try the Italian chicken salad, the roasted veg couscous or the ragu pasta. A bottle of Prosecco is all but mandatory.
021 422 0403, cafeparadiso.co.za Combining the feel of a neighbourhood eatery with a gourmet menu, Cafe Paradiso offers the chance to do some serious eating (and drinking, with an extensive list of local wines). All bread and freshly churned butter comes straight from the kitchen to your table, and the kids will adore the make-your-own menu, which will keep their little hands busy.
Take your place in the buffet line, where you will be tempted by mouth-watering specialities from across the continent, such as Botswanan seswaa masala (a delicious medium-strength springbok curry) and magwinya (lightly sweetened fried dough balls). Lively music and an adjoining artsand-crafts shop ensure an all-round sensory feast.
THE BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB 158 KLOOF STREET, GARDENS
AUBERGINE 39 BARNET STREET, GARDENS 021 465 0000, aubergine.co.za
Combining classic European cuisine with South African and Eastern twists, the fine-dining Aubergine has secured itself a spot on many a list of top local restaurants. The menu changes frequently, and the resident sommelier guarantees a memorable evening of wining and dining.
021 423 6805, thebombay.co.za A Bohemian den of merriment, The Bombay Bicycle Club is from the team that brought Cape Town the legendary Madame Zingara. Closely packed tables buzz daily with the eclectic city set, and the menu tempts with wonderful varied delights – from ‘Drunken’ Camembert for starters, to Bombay ribs, peppered sirloin, or a butternut, sage butter, walnut and rocket risotto for mains.
For the best fresh Italian – think pizza, pasta, wholesome salads and decadent desserts – Col’Cacchio wins hands down. Although a franchise, each eatery feels intimate, whether located in busy malls such as Cavendish Square, Canal Walk and the V&A Waterfront, or overlooking the strip at Camps Bay beach.
THE COUSINS TRATTORIA 3B BARRACK STREET, CBD 083 273 9604, thecousinsrestaurant.com Hailing from Romagna in northern Italy, cousins Luca, Simone and Andrea have joined forces to offer their traditional cuisine with zeal in the Mother City. Andrea has mastered the art of crafting fresh pasta every morning, and Luca’s mixology skills mean you’ll always have something delicious to sip with your meal.
CARNE SA 153 KLOOF STREET, GARDENS
THE CRYPT JAZZ RESTAURANT
021 426 5566, carne-sa.com
ST GEORGE’S CATHEDRAL, 1 WALE STREET, CBD
The meatiest of well-known Chef Giorgio Nava’s offerings, Carne SA is a carnivore’s dream. From antipasti through to secondi, it’s carpaccio, grass-fed beef, Karoo lamb and game as far as the eye can see at this city favourite. The decor here is inspired by the original Carne SA that opened up on Keerom Street.
062 614 8731, cryptjazz.co.za
Located in the crypt below St George’s Cathedral (the oldest in Southern Africa), The Crypt has a perfectly moody setting for live jazz. The menu features fusion food, but the emphasis is on the music, with a line-up of both established musos and young talent.
BAO DOWN 3 VREDEHOEK AVENUE, ORANJEZICHT
BOMBAY BRASSERIE 1 WALE STREET, TAJ CAPE TOWN, CBD
CHEFS WAREHOUSE & CANTEEN
DIAS TAVERN
066 022 1165, baodowncapetown.com
Bao Down is the brainchild of husbandand-wife team Philippa and Graham Oldfield, both trained chefs. Phillipa’s experience running her own catering company combined with Graham’s CV, which includes being head chef at Chefs Warehouse, make for a winning combination at this joint. While bao are the speciality, beautifully prepared Korean, Japanese and Chinese dishes are also on the menu.
021 819 2000, tajcapetown.co.za
92 BREE STREET, CBD
Bombay Brasserie is an homage to traditional Indian cuisine in the rich, historical setting of the Taj Cape Town hotel. Flavours are delicately balanced and aromatic rather than scorching hot, though you can choose to increase the heat if you’re feeling up to it. The carefully considered set menus allow you to sample a variety of the best dishes the chefs have to offer.
021 422 0128, chefswarehouse.co.za
021 465 7547, diastavern.co.za A cosy, jovial atmosphere awaits at this Zonnebloem institution, celebrating all things Portuguese. Tuck into a satisfying seafood dish, prego steaks, peri-peri chicken straight off the charcoal grill, and, of course, succulent espetada. Struggling to decide? Ask about their daily specials.
Liam Tomlin’s Chefs Warehouse consists of a small canteen-style eatery that most will tell you is home to the best tapas in the city. A changing daily menu (and no bookings) mean you will want to stop here frequently to try the latest dishes from Liam’s kitchen.
15 CALEDON STREET, ZONNEBLOEM
DOWNTOWN RAMEN 103 HARRINGTON STREET, ZONNEBLOEM
BOUCHON
CLARKE’S BAR & DINING ROOM
BELLY OF THE BEAST
95 HOUT STREET, CBD
133 BREE STREET, CBD
110 HARRINGTON STREET, CBD
021 422 0695, bouchon.co.za
087 470 0165, clarkesdining.co.za
076 220 5458, bellyofthebeast.co.za Entrust your dining experience to Chefs Anouchka Horn and Neil Swart at this inviting spot in the up-and-coming East City precinct – you won’t be disappointed. Sustainable culinary practices drive the menu here, so expect the satisfaction of enjoying a delicious dish that has little impact on the environment.
Love wine and down-to-earth food? Then this charming little spot, situated in an urban winery, is just the place to get your fill of sophisticated, yet relaxed, fare and a selection of local and international wines. Pop in for their weekly Travel Through Your Glass selection from around the world, or book an intimate soirée with your friends at the exclusive cellar table.
A serious contender for the ‘best burger in the city’ award, Clarke’s Bar & Dining Room has a horde of regulars who come for the all-day breakfasts (try the French toast croissant stuffed with honey, Nutella and bourbon bananas), gourmet sarmies (we loved the pulled pork with kimchi and mozzarella) and, yes, those incredible burgers.
An oldie but a goodie, Downtown Ramen has cemented its position as a go-to for Capetonians and visitors to the Cape who are after a little Japanese flavour in the form of the popular noodle-and-broth dish. Also on the menu are bao stuffed with, among other options, charsu pork belly with citrus pickle, and Japanese beer and wine to wash it all down. While the spot’s decor is basic, to say the least, your culinary experience certainly won’t be.
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021 461 0407
