Asoka: Slick Cocktails + Sharing Plates + Live Music on Kloof Street

A revamped Victorian house decorated with a lavish helping of eastern promise, Asoka is an atmospheric bar and restaurant built around a 150-year-old, fairy-lit olive tree on Kloof Street. And, despite so many restaurants vying for attention on this popular strip, Asoka stands out, as it has for 30 years, as a vibrant venue – with punchy Asian-inspired sharing plates from chef Dean Seddon and drinks to match!

Fusions of flavour

The eclectic decor provides the perfect backdrop for classy cocktails, finger-licking plates that are designed to be shared and a glass of wine or two from the well-chosen winelist. Chef Dean reimagines classic dishes with a twist of Asian flair: so the beef tartare comes with pickled ginger and ponzu mayo; braised lamb rib with sambal, tahini yoghurt and minted salsa verde.

Tops on our list when we visited were the Asiago cheese croquettes with roasted garlic aioli; incredibly moreish chilli and garlic prawns with toasted ciabatta; hake tempura with wasabi mayo; and the gorgeous truffled teriyaki beef fillet. For dessert we shared a truly delicious malva pudding; a deeply satisfying salted caramel cheesecake; and classically melty and decadent chocolate fondant.
View the menu

Hungry Mondays special

If you’re feeling peckish on a Monday, Asoka’s three-course dinner special (R265) is not to be missed. Pick one dish from each section of the shortened menu (choose a different one each and share obvs). Think wild mushroom and gorgonzola arancini, tempura vegetables or tuna tacos for starters. Then wagyu beef sliders, fish tempura, braised lamb rib, or spinach salad with miso-yaki roasted aubergine. And one of the legendarily divine desserts to finish.
When Monday, 5.30pm – 12am
View the menu

Hot beats

Evenings at Asoka are elevated by live music from some of the city’s top musicians: Tuesday Jazz nights (always a sell out) see Mr Keys and the Funky Munks playing a two-hour jazz set from 8pm followed by progressive house by JanuaryOne. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, the scene is turned up a notch, when resident DJs Brenton Stoffberg, Eskay, Meek and Anmar hit the decks. And the newly launched Sundays Live sessions kick off at 8.30pm with live Jazz, electro jazz, funk bands and classic vocalists.

Come for dinner, stay for the rest!

Good to know The kitchen stays open until midnight – a rare occurrence in Cape Town!
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 6pm – late
Sunday, 5.30pm – 12am
Contact details 021 422 0909, [email protected]
Address 68 Kloof Street, Gardens
Enquire Now

Discover all of the Cape’s hidden gems – subscribe to our weekly newsletter.