Belthazar: A Fine Steakhouse + Wine Bar at the V&A Waterfront

After taking your first bite (and your first sip), it’s hard to know whether to rhapsodise about the wine or the steak at this legendary V&A Waterfront restaurant and wine bar. Its slick New York vibe is amplified when you look up at the warehouse stacking of iconically named wine boxes overhead that make up Belthazar’s formidable wine collection.

Otherwise, it’s all elegance: white tablecloths, Riedel stemware (in which all wines are graciously served) and exemplary service from well-informed waiters in white jackets and bow ties. Add to that some of the best views of harbour and Table Mountain from the terrace tables where you can dine alfresco, and you can see why it’s become a must-do on the Cape Town dining circuit.

The winelist

So let’s talk about the wine first. Owner Ian Halfon’s concept for Belthazar started out with the aim of showcasing the very best of the Cape’s wine. It’s the only place in the world (as far as we know) where up to 250 different wines are available by the glass. And 400 in total on the winelist including sought-after rare vintages, showcased in a temperature-controlled vinoteque. Experienced sommeliers, the latest in tap-wine-dispensing technology from Europe and the USA, and beautiful stemware… it’s a wine-connoisseur’s mecca.

Steak and seafood

The menu is simple but superb: good food designed to complement the wines. Steaks are the main event and there’s an almost overwhelming choice of excellent quality 28-day matured meat: grain-fed Karan beef; Karoo wagyu; and free-range, grass-fed beef from the Natal Midlands. Seafood from the grill is another highlight, and there’s a menu of game steaks – from crocodile to wildebeest – for those wanting a taste of the wild. Like in all good meateries, the sides are not an afterthought, but should complement the cut beautifully. The simply sautéed spinach side and the fresh, perfectly balanced four-tomato salad were highlights on the night we dined there.

Sweet surrender

The pastry chef whisks up a whirl of classics on the dessert front: crème brûlée, malva pudding, Philadelphia baked cheesecake, or a wildly decadent Ferrero Rocher chocolate confection. Or keep things savoury with a South African cheese board as you peruse another superb bottle of wine.

Belthazar’s sophisticated simplicity is an ideal backdrop for a special occasion.

Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 10pm
Contact 021 421 3753, info@slickrestaurants.com
Where to find it Shop 153, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan

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