The Best Banting Restaurants in Cape Town

The Banting diet, popularised by Professor Tim Noakes in his book, The Real Meal Revolution, has taken Cape Town, and in fact the whole of South Africa, by storm, having sold over 100 000 copies already. Restaurateurs in Cape Town, aware of the rising popularity of this low-carb high-fat eating plan, have joined the revolution, introducing a range of interesting Banting options on their menus. Here are our current favourites:

1. Nuri Sushi Factory

As far as global cuisines go, sushi, in general, offers quite a few options for Banters – in the form of sashimi or sushi salad. Nuri has made sushi even more appealing for Banters, with its rice-free sushi platter made from all-natural ingredients.
What we love? The Rothschild’s Special is a tasty, fresh and exciting plate of 20 pieces of rice-free sushi hand-selected and created by the chef.
Cost R160
Contact 021 461 8719, www.nuri.co.za
Location Nuri Sushi Factory, Parliament Street, Cape Town CBD

2. Hudsons

Even before the LCHF fad hit our shores, Hudson’s was one of the first joints in Cape Town to offer carb-free menu items. The Guido option – a burger patty with a delicious side salad, instead of mouthwatering shoestring fries – is perfect for Banters.
What we love? The Player is my personal favourite: a beef patty topped with streaky bacon, feta and avo.
Cost R72 (180g)
R84 (250g)
Contact 021 426 5974, kloof@theburgerjoint.co.za
Location Hudsons, Kloof Street, Gardens

3. Little Miss Cupcake

One of the hardest parts of being on the Banting diet is giving up cakes, biscuits and desserts. Which is why we were chuffed to discover Little Miss Cupcake, whose sugar- and carb-free treats really hit the spot for those with a sweet tooth. Find her every Thursday lunchtime at the Earth Fair Market.
What we love? The 85% Lindt sugar- and grain-free chocolate brownies.
Cost R20 per brownie
Contact twitter.com/lyncupcake
Location Earth Fair Market, St. Georges Mall

4. The Local Grill

One of the great pleasures of the Banting diet is the fact that you can eat meat, in all its delicious cuts and varieties, as often as you like. And, if like me, you’re a seasoned carnivore, you’ll agree that few things come close to a good steak. The recently opened Local Grill in Woodstock knows steak! Its impressive meat locker, where you can select your meat according to wetness, age and cut, is stocked with hormone-free, grass-fed beef. And, instead of high-carb sauces, you can choose a delicious spicy rub on your steak.
What we love? The 300g wet, aged Greenfields free-range sirloin served with sautéed mushrooms
Cost R169
Contact 021 447 0934, woodstock@localgrill.co.za, www.local-grill.co.za
Location The Local Grill, Albert Road, Woodstock

5. Nü Health Food Café

Nü’s philosophy of serving good-quality, sustainable and wholesome food has paid off, with health-conscious eaters flocking here for its healthy salads, wraps, smoothies and breakfasts. Banters will be pleased to know that they are catered for, too.
What we love? The Breakfast Salad: poached eggs, rocket, avo, sautéed rosa tomatoes and mozzarella.
Cost R45
Contact 021 439 7269, hello@nufood.co.za, www.nufood.co.za
Location Nü Health Food Café, Main Road, Sea Point

6. Kauai

Earlier this year, the health-food chain struck a deal with Professor Tim Noakes’s Original eating movement, aimed at including Banting options in all its restaurants.
What we love? Madras-style chicken curry bowl with cauliflower rice.
Cost R68
Contact www.kauai.co.za
Location Kauai, Victoria Road, Camps Bay

7. Knead

This well-established bakery and restaurant chain now offers Banting bread – to take home or enjoy in its restaurants.
What we love? The 750g low-carb loaf (in light or dark versions).
Cost R55
Contact 021 788 2909, muizenberg@kneadbakery.co.za, www.kneadbakery.co.za
Location Knead, Beach Road, Muizenberg

8. Rcaffe

With five Banting-friendly breakfast options and three for lunch, this downtown restaurant is great for Banters who work (or live) in the CBD.
What we love? Scrambled eggs with salmon (or bacon), served with avocado and rocket on carb- and gluten-free seed bread spread with sundried tomato pesto.
Cost R85 (salmon)
R79 (bacon)
Contact 021 424 1124, sharon@rcaffe.biz, www.facebook.com/RcaffeCT
Location Rcaffe, Long Street, Cape Town CBD

9. Da Vinci’s

This popular and buzzy eatery has added a Banting option to its burger menu.
What we love? Any of the burgers can be served in a bowl (instead of on a roll) at no extra cost. The bowl is filled with rocket, avo, lettuce, sprouts and seeds and topped with a burger patty.
Cost R60 – R80
Contact 021 424 7504, www.davincis.co.za
Location Da Vinci’s, Kloof Street, Gardens

Insider tip The Banters among us are constantly on the hunt for other LCHF restaurants. Don’t miss our next update, which includes Sweet Like Candi, Den Anker, La Cuccina, The Foodbarn, Chalk and Cork, Dear Me and Starlings, The Gardener’s Cottage, Four & Twenty.

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