Our top 14 low-carb high-fat meals in the Mother City.
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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43 Responses to “The Best Banting Restaurants in Cape Town”
Malesela
Keri and Banting
Siham
Ive been to a few halaal banting places, but its all chicken or salads. Im looking for a place like Spur or Ocean Basket or Cape Town Fish Market that offers banting food. Real banting food. Im not sure if the patty, creamy spinach or sweet potato chips are prepared in banting style. Even the garlic butter….is it butter or margerine? Please help.
Shanaas
Hi. Any Hallal Banting restaurants in cape town
Ziyaad
Hey I’m also looking for a halaal banting place to eat at, so sad most of the places doesn’t cater for us….. I’m actually thinking of opening a banting resurant my self…. As I see how many people struggle, let me know if there is any halaal places you have found
Anisha
Hi,
Have you opened your halaal Banting restaurant? Would love to support if you have ????
Christine
Balducci’s also has a banting section in their menu at the V&A.
Thanks Inside Guide for this list!
Rita Himschoot
hi is there any restaurant around bellville, parow, goodwood, durbanville ?
Stephen Zwarts
Just had #LCHF cheescake!! So awesome!
Corlia
Any banting restaurants in Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Strand or Gordons Bay area?? 🙁
Leaine
Sweet Like Candi is a baking business focusing on all things banting friendly. Sweet and savoury products available that are all grain free, sugar free and some are also dairy free, as well as Diabetic friendly. We can be found at The Range Market in Tokai on Fridays and the Oranjezicht market on Saturdays. Based in Sea Point http://sweetlikecandi.com/sweet-like-candi-menu-and-prices/
The Inside Guide
Hi Leaine
Sweet Like Candi is mentioned on our latest post, Best Markets in Cape Town under the City Bowl Market.
Thanks.
shahied
Cape Town 2014, Yet there are little to no halaal options for muslim and other LCHF foodies. While some people will be very strick in this regard as halaal encompases the venue and not just the food, there are a large enough group who will accept halaal friendly food from an otherwise non-halaal venue. Simply needing a seperate pot/pan and fridge to stock halaal meat product. The CTICC which is an international venue has a 100% halaal kitchen. Why cant we all share in the bounty of cape town?
Stephen
Check out http://www.cauliqueen.co.za they do cauliflower pizza, wraps, rice and mash! Also Banting mayo, rosemary seed crackers and delish granola!
Taryn
Go visit the Earth Fair Food Market in Tokai on Saturday mornings to get low carb pizza bases (without cauliflower) as well as savoury pies and cheesecake etc.
Doreen
Please take 65 on Main off your list – if the first few lines on the menu says check our prices before you order because Banting ingredients are expensive (!!!!) – you know you are being taken for a ride. The cauli pizza was extremely oily (not nice oily – just oily).
Thanks for the list – most helpful.
Lizette
Yes please !!
Kay
Hi there. This list is great, thanks so much! Would be awesome if you could compile one which lists halâl and kosher Banting restaurants too. I’ll keep checking back for updates.
The Inside Guide
Good point, Abi. All suggestions welcome.
Abi Marthinusen
This is awesome, but can anyone tell me about Banting-friendly restaurants in Northern Suburbs?
Louise
Cafe magnifico and Pulp for banting breakfasts in willowbridge
Kikka in Paarl for lunch and a banting cake of the day
Cafe de la monte in Pinehurst for banting take home meals for two at R60 which are very good value…order by 9:00 and collect after 16:00
Ronel Laubscher
Cafe de la Monte in Pinehurst se kaaskoek vir Banters is awesome verby! Die res van die kos is heerlik en absolute waarde vir jou geld. Regte “huiskos”!
Ali
STARLINGS in Claremont have banting meals too. All their produce is free range too. SO tasty and really good wholesome food.
The Inside Guide
We love Starlings!
Shaley
Starlings food and venue superb. Chicken curry Ish caulk rice amazing!
Janine van Zyl
Cold Gold Artisan Ice Cream in Stellenbosch has been making ice cream according to any dietary requirements even BEFORE the banting diet started…check out their menu (page 2 & 3) on FB for all the delicious flavours
0741825510
http://www.coldgold.co.za
http://www.facebook.com/coldgoldicecream
http://www.twitter.com/coldgoldicecrm
The Inside Guide
Thanks for that.
Jonathan
Bread & Butter in Sunningdale Retail Crossing has a great section in there menu dedicated to Bating. From breakfast all the way through to there amazing baked goods. Well Worth the try. You won’t regret it!!
Annekie
I agree the cheese cake at Bread and Butter is the best!
Dugald
The Annexe in kalk Bay has LCHF options like a delicious rosti with breakfast instead of toast or muffin.
Melanie du Toit
Bread and Butter at the Sunningdale Checkers Hyper is my absolute favourite for banting options. Cheesecake, chocolade torte, cheese souffle, coconut bread… You have to go!
Auds
Hudsons in Kloof Street Gardens will never see me again, banting or no banting. I had the worst meal there in my entire life. Went there after they were mentioned in an article in the news paper. The restaurant was quite empty, even our drinks and then food order took ages to arrive and then the burger was totally cremated. It looked like they got someone off the street to cook it. The manager wasnt even there and this could be part of the problem. No thanks, and beware.
Gerry
Richard’s Bistro in Sea Point also have a dedicated banting menu for all banters out there! Worth checking out. http://www.richardscapetown.co.za
Daniela
Martins Bakery is one of those hidden gems everyone wishes they knew about. Martins has a variety of Carb Free Quiche, Carb Free Breads, Carb Free Shepherds Pie and Carb Free Muesli. You should go check it out: http://www.martinsbakery.co.za/
The Inside Guide
Thanks for that, Daniela – a wonderful tip for southern suburbs peeps.
Kerry
Foresters Arms also offer a few banting items, I had their chili poppers and cauli base pizza – very very tasty.
The Inside Guide
Good to know. Thanks.
Lynn
Cafe D’ Arts in Diep River has had a complete Banting and No Carb Menu out for 8 months! And it is very well received by our loyal customers who all want to know why I don’t advertise this fact. So there it is.
The Inside Guide
Thanks for that.
Mark Wildish
At all Knead Restaurants our menu items can convert to Banting options with our low carb bread.
Palmyra Store offers Low Carb pizza bases which are also gluten free. All our stores will be following suit shortly.
Dirk le Roux
Just drove to Palmyra Knead for the low carb pizza bases and was told that they don’t have any. 🙁 Was so looking forward to it. Will just have to make my own again.
Cravings in Regent Road Seapoint
Cravings in Seapoint has been making carb free pizzas and carb free burger patties plus much more for years
The Inside Guide
Thanks for the tips. Keep them coming.
Cathryn
Arugula Bistro in Welgemoed (in the north) has an entire Banting section to their menu. Their food is outstanding.
Banting Menu
Grass Fed Rib-Eye R149.00
With pan fried veggies and smoked paprika butter
Pan Fried Hake R82.00
With pan fried veggies, fresh lemon and banting tartar sauce
Banting Pork Belly R139.00
With cauliflower purée, baby marrow ribbons and garlic butter
Banting Chicken Salad R82.00
With home smoked chicken, bacon, Parmesan and banting mayo