SA’s Top Chefs Name Their Best Restaurants in Cape Town 2017

Chefs Top Restaurants

… according to SA's top chefs.

To get us gastronomically excited for 2017, we asked 14 of SA’s top chefs where they go for a bite when they’re not whipping up feasts in their own kitchens. Their answers range from pricey fine-dining establishments to delightfully relaxed wallet-friendly joints. Here are Cape Town’s Best Restaurants, according to our top chefs.

OUR PANEL OF CHEFS

(in alphabetical order)

The 10 Best Restaurants in Cape Town

1. Chefs Warehouse & Canteen

Cape Town Restaurants – Chefs Warehouse
Image: In Search of the Good Life

What was launched as a Cookery School by acclaimed chef Liam Tomlin, Chefs Warehouse & Canteen was reformed into a gastronomic treasure trove where, aside from enjoying canteen-style fine dining, guests can shop for kitchen paraphernalia, speciality ingredients, recipe books and even chefs’ clothing. Liam and his team recently opened a branch at the picturesque Beau Constantia, with chef Ivor Jones at the helm.
The menu changes daily, according to availability, much like the seating… there’s a “no booking” policy in place.

CHEFS WHO RATE IT

Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen
Luke Dale Roberts
Michael Broughton
Justine Drake
Eric Bulpitt
Reuben Riffel
Rudi Liebenberg
Bertus Basson
George Jardine
Scot Kirton
Glen Foxcroft Williams

Contact 021 422 0128, info@chefswarehouse.co.za
Address Chefs Warehouse & Canteen, 92 Bree Street, Cape Town City Central, Cape Town

2. Greenhouse

Greenhouse – Best Restaurants
Led by the legendary Peter Tempelhoff, one of two Relais & Châteaux Grand Chefs in South Africa, and Ashley Moss, this much loved eatery at The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel should feature on every foodie’s to-do list. Drawing inspiration from sea and land, Greenhouse offers modern South African cuisine at its best, accompanied by sophistication, refinement and a magnificent five-star setting.

CHEFS WHO RATE IT

Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen
Scot Kirton
Rudi Liebenberg
Luke Dale Roberts

Contact 021 795 6226, reservations@collectionmcgrath.com
Address Greenhouse, The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel, 93 Brommersvlei Road, Constantia Heights, Cape Town

3. La Colombe

La Colombe – Best Restaurants
This upmarket vineyard restaurant is situated in scenic Constantia, a region that has seriously upped its restaurant game of late. One of South Africa’s most acclaimed fine-dining establishments, La Colombe masterfully marries foraged-for local ingredients with a wonderful sprinkling of French flair.
Insider tip Scot Kirton, who heads up La Colombe’s kitchen, and his longtime pastry chef Glen Foxcroft Williams recently opened a casual fine-dining restaurant (yes, we know it sounds like an oxymoron) nearby. It’s called Foxcroft, and it’s one of our favourites.

CHEFS WHO RATE IT

Reuben Riffel
Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen
Kerry Kilpin
Glen Foxcroft Williams

Book through DinePlan
Contact 021 794 2390, reservations@lacolombe.co.za
Address La Colombe, Silvermist Wine Estate, Constantia Main Road, Constantia Nek, Cape Town

4. South China Dim Sum Bar

Dim Sum Bar – Cape Town restaurants
Image: Genevieve van Vuuren

With a menu that’s simple, varied and ever-changing, South China Dim Sum Bar dishes up fresh and flavourful Asian street food. Owner-chef Edmund Hung’s philosophy – merging good food, warm service and earth-friendly practices – underpins the entire experience.

CHEFS WHO RATE IT

Peter Tempelhoff
Bertus Basson
Rudi Liebenberg
Kerry Kilpin

Contact 078 846 3656, southchinadimsumbar@gmail.com
Address South China Dim Sum Bar, 289 Long Street, Cape Town City Central, Cape Town

5. The Test Kitchen

The Test Kitchen – Best Restaurants
Bold, experimental, contemporary, TTK (as it’s known among insiders) is where Luke Dale Roberts and his team let their creative cooking juices flow. Serving nouvelle cuisine, with a South African bent, this newly renovated restaurant was ranked 22 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016, as well as Best Restaurant in Africa in the Continental Restaurant Awards 2016.

CHEFS WHO RATE IT

Michael Broughton
Rudi Liebenberg
Scot Kirton

Contact 021 447 2337, reservations@thetestkitchen.co.za
Address The Test Kitchen, The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town

6. Ash Restaurant

Ash Restaurant Cape Town
A nose-to-tail meatery, motivated by sustainability and the concept of charcoal cooking. Chef Ash Heeger – who worked at The Test Kitchen and La Colombe – teamed up with Andy Fenner (of Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants and Publik Wine Bar) to bring you Ash, where good wine, meat (naturally), and coolness merge.

CHEFS WHO RATE IT

Luke Dale Roberts
Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen
Bertus Basson

Contact 021 424 7204, reservations@ashrestaurant.co.za
Address Ash Restaurant, 81 Church Street, Cape Town City Center, Cape Town

7. The Foodbarn

The Foodbarn – Best restaurants
This Noordhoek institution, where top chef and La Colombe founder Franck Dangereux works his magic, offers a petstake on fine-dining. Housed in a charming old barn, The Foodbarn offers a unique food experience; in addition to the restaurant, there’s also a deli (which transforms into a tapas bar at night) and pop-up kitchen, every Wednesday at the Cape Point Vineyards Noordhoek Community Market.

CHEFS WHO RATE IT

George Jardine
Kerry Kilpin

Contact 021 789 1390, info@thefoodbarn.co.za  
Address The Foodbarn, Noordhoek Farm Village, Corner Village Lane and Noordhoek Main Road, Noordhoek

8. Rust en Vrede

Rust en Vrede – Best Restaurants
Located on the historic, award-winning Rust en Vrede wine estate in the heart of the Cape Winelands, this restaurant offers the quintessential winelands restaurant experience, combining fine dining, superb service and an elegant setting.No wonder it continues to win prestigious awards, such as ranking No. 85 on The Elite Traveler’s Top 100 Restaurants in the World 2014.–

CHEFS WHO RATE IT

Gregory Czarnecki
Luke Dale-Roberts

Contact 021 881 3757, dining@rustenvrede.com
Address Rust and Vrede Wine Estate, Annandale Road, Stellenbosch

9. The Shortmarket Club

Shortmarket Club
Jointly owned by chef Luke Dale-Roberts, his interior-designer wife Sandalene, fellow chef Wesley Randles, and manager Simon Widdison, this world-class eatery combines extraordinary food, immaculate interiors and exceptional service, making dining here a memorable occasion. The stylish space feels like a private-members club (sans the stuffiness and sleaze). Food-wise, expect edgy versions of classic dishes. Sensational.

CHEFS WHO RATE IT

Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen
Reuben Riffel

Contactt 021 447 28 74, info@theshortmarketclub.co.za
Location The Shortmarket Club88 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town

10. La Mouette

La Mouette – Best Restaurants
Image: Sunday Times Neighbourhood

Culinary couple Henry and Mari Vigar teamed up with good friend Gerrit Bruwer to establish this fine, seasonally inspired modern restaurant in a quaint old building along Regent Road in Sea Point. Offering great à la carte options and an excellent-value Tasting Menu that changes regularly, La Mouette is unsurprisingly a local favourite.

CHEFS WHO RATE IT

George Jardine

Contact 021 433 0856, reservations@lamouette.co.za
Address La Mouette, 78 Regent Road, Sea Point, Cape Town

The Inside Guide would like to thank each of our executive chefs and their personal representatives for their valued feedback.  

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Disclaimer:

The Inside Guide has made every effort to ensure that the information in this post was correct at the time of publication. However, we do not assume any liability caused by errors, such as price, cost, time, and location.

Time of publication: 18 January 2017

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