Indulge and Devour

From Italian Delights to Greek Mezze, Vegan Doughnuts and Artisanal Treats in Cape Town

Undoubtedly one of the best parts of travelling is trying and tasting the local fare. I am a firm believer in eating your way through a destination, and Cape Town offers ample opportunity to do just that. This city is home to diverse cultures and, subsequently, cuisine. On a single street you’ll find Asian, Middle Eastern, Western, Mexican and every fusion in between. During my recent visit to the Cape of Storms, I sampled as much of the local foodie scene as humanly possible. Because there is so much on offer, Capetonians believe it is sacrilege to eat at the same place twice. This is precisely the attitude with which to approach Cape Town’s cuisine!

Giovanni's

Giovanni’s is a bistro, deli and special foods grocer in Green Point, walking distance from the Waterfront. It is Italian heaven! On the shelves you’ll find a wide selection of spices, coffee, condiments and imported biscuits and bakes. Floor-to-ceiling shelves showcase the best of Italian and South African wines. However, it is in their self-service deli fridges where the magic happens: home-made pesto, buffalo mozzarella and burrata cheese, smoked, sliced meats and a divine garlic aioli, plus brilliant Italian breads that are baked fresh by Giovanni’s daily. From the deli counter you can select a spread of dips, salads and ready-made dishes – from pollo al limone to roasted zucchini. Everything fresh is made in-house and to the ultimate Italian standard of flavour. I recommend grazing through their selection and having a beach picnic with your goodies from Giovanni’s.

Maria’s Greek Café is picturesquely located between the narrow streets of Cape Town’s Gardens suburb. The red-brick paving, expansive trees, wood tables and chairs emulate an uncanny Mediterranean vibe, and have been doing so since the 1950s. Their indoor seating surely mirrors the ambience outside, but when the weather is good, al fresco is mandatory. Maria’s menu features Greek favourites as much as the more niche cultural cuisine you might yet have to try. While they have great main meals on offer such as calamari and a generous Greek salad, Maria’s is focussed on mezze. From succulent chicken skewered onto rosemary sprigs and flavourful lamb kebabs, to the classic spanakopita, dolmades and fried halloumi, order a spread and salivate every time you think back on this meal.

Maria’s Greek Café

The Station on Bree is situated on one of the city’s most loved streets for dining and shopping. Conceptually based on the London underground, the restaurant’s interior is filled with metropolitan British paraphernalia. But the tube inspiration transcends the decor – The Station on Bree’s menu travels from one cuisine to the next, drawing inspiration from the culturally diverse capital of England. Portuguese prego, British burrito and Lady Di Thai green curry are just some of the foreign-inspired dishes on offer. Their salads reign supreme and naturally the fish and chips are a sell-out. This spot is not only a favourite for local after-work drinks and dinner, but their wide selection of delicious grub will please just about every palette in your entourage.

Grumpy & Runt is a quintessentially Capetonian little bakery specialising in vegan doughnuts. Every week they launch a range of eight unique flavours that rarely repeat, so each indulgence at Grumpy & Runt is completely different. Think outrageous flavours like smashed cinnamon bun with blueberry glaze drizzle, milk tart custard & crushed shortbread filled with pink vanilla glaze or lemon-poppyseed cake on cranberry glaze with lemon drizzle. They’re all hand-rolled, cut and fried fresh every day, and often sold out before teatime. If you lack a sweet tooth, Grumpy & Runt also do sourdough sandwiches, filled bagels and the fluffiest, most delicious pretzels I have ever sunken my teeth into.

Grumpy & Runt

The Old Biscuit Mill is a great destination for artisan-made goodies from fashion to home decor. They’re open on weekdays for a unique open-air shopping experience, but on Saturdays The Old Biscuit Mill is transformed to host the Neighbourgoods Market. Live DJs spin the decks, drawing large crowds, and the indoor market features food and drink vendors covering every imaginable cuisine, food group and taste sensation. Your best bet is to stroll through the endless options first and then do a second round for purchasing. Choose from noodle bars, harvest tables, burgers, shawarma, poke bowls, fresh juices and ice teas. The list is endless, and one could easily spend the whole day here, feasting on yummy food, dancing it off with the cool kids, browsing local design and craft, and stocking up on fresh fruit and veggies.

The Old Biscuit Mill

Charene Labuschagne

Photography by: Charene Labuschagne