SA’s Best Chefs Name The Top Restaurants in Cape Town 2018

Who knows more about food than the culinary wizards responsible for making Cape Town’s restaurant scene one of the most acclaimed in the world? With so many great eateries to choose from, it helps when people with such credentials bring their valuable insights to the table.

To get us gastronomically excited for 2018, we asked 38 of SA’s top chefs where they go for a bite when they’re not whipping up feasts in their own kitchens. We divided the questions into categories, to ensure we covered a gamut of experiences and cuisines, and our chefs’ answers ranged from pricey fine-dining establishments to delightfully relaxed wallet-friendly joints.

Meet our panel of chefs

We’d like to thank all the chefs who participated in 2018 (arranged below in alphabetical order). We appreciate you taking time from your busy schedules to provide your much-valued input.

Ash Heeger

Bertus Basson

Brad Ball

Chad Blows

Cynthia Rivera

Darren Badenhorst

Eric Bulpitt

Franck Dangereux

George Jardine

Giles Edwards

Giorgio Nava

Glen Foxcroft Williams

Gomotsegang Modiselle

Gregory Czarnecki

Ivor Jones

James Gaag

Jan Hendrik

Jenny Ward

John van Zyl

Justine Drake

Kerry Kilpin

Liam Tomlin

Lorianne Heyns

Lucas Carstens

Matt Manning

Michael Broughton

Michael Deg

Michelle Theron

Neil Jewell

Oliver Cattermole

Pete Goffe-Wood

Peter Tempelhoff

Reuben Riffel

Rudi Liebenberg

Siba Mtongana

Scot Kirton

Veronica Canha-Hibbert

Zunia Boucher-Myers

Without further ado, here are the best restaurants in each category, according to some of South Africa’s most accomplished chefs…

1. The Best Restaurant for a Casual Meal

WINNER: Four & Twenty Café

This charming café takes the cake for the best casual spot, already a stalwart on our best breakfast spots in Cape Town. Situated in Chelsea Village, Four & Twenty has the feel of a sidewalk café in Paris, making it a fitting winner, since Parisians are famous for taking their food seriously, such that they treat even casual meals as an art form.
Contact 021 762 0975, info@fourandtwentycafe.co.za
Location 23 Wolfe Street, Chelsea Village, Wynberg

Rated by

Honorable Mentions

Pajamas & Jam Eatery
Rated by: Gregory Czarnecki, Zunia Boucher-Myers

“Quirky, busy, delightful. Love the cakes, brekkie options and the ever-changing menu.” – Zunia Boucher-Myers (Avontuur Estate Restaurant)

Hoghouse BBQ & Bakery (Spier Wine Farm)
Rated by: Eric Bulpitt, Michelle Theron

“Hoghouse is simply good food, executed well. They sell the best hot dogs I’ve ever eaten, as well as a nice selection in the deli.” – Eric Bulpitt (Pierneef à La Motte)

The Pot Luck Club
Rated by: Franck Dangereux, Michael Broughton

One of three eateries owned by feted chef Luke Dale-Roberts, the man credited with putting Cape Town on the international fine-dining map. The Pot Luck Club is less formal than its glamorous sister restaurant, The Test Kitchen – aiming for a more laid-back ambience, but with the same utterly delicious cutting-edge cuisine.

2. The Best Restaurant for a Special Occasion

WINNER: Greenhouse Restaurant

The place to go for a truly memorable dining experience, Greenhouse is helmed by Peter Tempelhoff, who was the first Relais & Châteaux grand chef in South Africa, in partnership with head chef Ashley Moss. The setting lives up its name, and is made all the more prestigious by its surroundings (the Cellars-Hohenort Hotel began as a humble farm and guesthouse, way back in the 17th century).
Contact 021 795 6226, reservations@collectionmcgrath.com
Location The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel, 93 Brommersvlei Road, Constantia Heights

Rated by

“Pete has redesigned the interior but still serves up a meal to get dressed up for. The drive through Constantia and the grounds of The Cellars-Hohenort adds to the special feel this restaurant evokes for me…” – Veronica Canha-Hibbert (The Silo Hotel)

“Chef Peter Tempelhoff has gone above and beyond: the menu is sophisticated and showcases some of the best gastronomy Cape Town has to offer.” – Siba Mtongana (Chopped South Africa)

“It’s a very adult space, and you feel the need to ‘dress up’, but it’s also quite intimate. The food and service are also exemplary.” – Pete Goffe-Wood (Ultimate Braai Master)

Honorable Mentions

The Test Kitchen
Rated by: Ivor Jones, Peter Tempelhoff, Ash Heeger

“What better place for a special occasion? Incredible food. Incredible wines. Incredible service. An extraordinary experience that leaves you reminiscing about it for months after.” – Ash Heeger (Ash Restaurant)

La Petite Colombe
Rated by: Glen Foxcroft Williams, Oliver Cattermole, Michael Deg

“Simply put, you get what you pay for: excellent cooking with some of the best service around. Scot, James, John & Morné have nailed it.” – Oliver Cattermole (Bovine)

Jordan Restaurant
Rated by: James Gaag, Liam Tomlin, Jenny Ward

“The cheese room is a special occasion on its own.” – Jenny Ward (Chefs)

3. The Best Quick Bite

Winner: Jason Bakery

Space Talk

The classic corner bakery is the clear winner in this category, and justifiably so. Tucked away among the bricks of bustling Bree Street, Jason Lilley’s joint is the go-to spot for hipsters and innercity office workers looking for artisanal bread, buttery croissants and kick-ass pie. Be sure to stop by on Saturdays for one of those tasty doughssants – Jason’s take on the croissant-doughnut hybrid popularised by the Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York City.
Contact 021 424 5644, orders@jasonbakery.com
Location 185 Bree Street, Central Business District

Rated by

“Jason Bakery – I have an extreme sweet tooth.” – Michelle Theron (Hazendal Wine Farm)

“I could eat ‘The Bomb’ every single day of my life. I think I almost do.” – John van Zyl (former head chef at Thali)

Honorable Mentions

De Vrije Burger
Rated by: Lucas Carstens, Michael Deg

Bertus Basson’s takeaway burger joint, situated in the heart of Stellenbosch, serves 200g free-range beef burger patties (with your choice of additional toppings). There are few things that can beat a burger done right.

Lucky Bao
Rated by: Glen Foxcroft Williams, Michael Broughton

This Asian Street Food Bar in Hout Bay serves baos (fluffy steamed buns with meat and veg fillings), ramen dishes and wagyu burgers, along with some other exotic delicacies.

4. The Best Restaurant for a Healthy Meal

Winner: It’s a tie!

That’s right, there was no clear winner in this category, as most of the chefs passed on the question. Michael Broughton best summed up the attitude of our panel with this response: “As the French say: ‘The diet can start tomorrow”’. Feel free to indulge and enjoy.”

Meanwhile, the chefs who did answer provided such a wide range of suggestions, that we ended up with several contending restaurants, all receiving an equal number of votes.

Bowls on Bree
Rated by: Siba Mtongana, Lorianne Heyns

“I’m all about healthy, clean eating, Bowls on Bree is a great solution to healthy lunches when I don’t have time to pack my own.” – Siba Mtongana (Chopped South Africa)

Raw and Roxy
Rated by: Pete Goffe-Wood, Michelle Theron

“Raw, vegan food – inventive, vibrant and damn tasty.” – Pete Goffe-Wood (Ultimate Braai Master)

Nourish’d Cafe & Juicery
Rated by: Darren Badenhorst, Cynthia Rivera

“Nourish’d makes some really fresh and healthy Buddha bowls.” – Cynthia Rivera (Mulberry & Prince)

Babel Restaurant at Babylonstoren
Rated by: Scot Kirton, James Gaag

Situated on the beautiful Babylonstoren farm, Babel utilises ingredients picked from its expansive gardens. The menu changes seasonally, ensuring guests are treated to the freshest produce.

Hokey Poké
Rated by: Giorgio Nava, Peter Tempelhoff

Like its tongue-in-cheek name, this innercity spot doesn’t take itself too seriously, with its Miami-Deco-meets-downtown-Tokyo vibe. Poke, for the uninitiated, is a raw-fish dish originating in Hawaii and this South African interpretation is straight-up, simple, fresh and delicious.

5. The Restaurant with the Most Authentic Cuisine

Winner: Thali

A clear winner in this category, Thali takes one of the world’s most popular cuisines, and executes it to perfection. With a special focus on tapas dishes, it offers an array of exotic Indian flavours, matched by the vibrant colour of the restaurant’s decor. We’d expect nothing less from culinary master Liam Tomlin, and his former protégé, John van Zyl.
Contact 021 286 2110, info@thalitapas.co.za
Location 3 Park Road, Gardens

Rated by

“Thali does incredible Indian tapas! I also love the warm ambience and décor.” – Matt Manning (private chef)

“incredible food, amazing atmosphere, great service. Indian food is always comforting, and with chef Liam Tomlin’s modern take on it, who wouldn’t love it?” – Siba Mtongana (Chopped South Africa)

“Hands down to Liam Tomlin at Thali – some serious Indian cooking.” – Oliver Cattermole (Bovine)

Honorable Mentions

Marigold Authentic Indian
Rated by: James Gaag, Veronica Canha-Hibbert, Neil Jewell, Liam Tomlin, Michael Deg, Lorianne Heyns

“Vanie [Padayachee] is just next-level” – Veronica Canha-Hibbert (The Silo Hotel)

Genki Sushi Bar & Japanese Tapas
Rated by: Lucas Carstens, Bertus Basson

This cosy eatery in a treed courtyard, just off Stellenbosch’s happening Church Street, Genki does heavenly Japanese sushi and tapas.

Obi Restaurant
Rated by: Reuben Riffel

“Doesn’t take itself too seriously and always delivers.” – Reuben Riffel (Reuben’s)

“Great guise, fantastic food and, of course, the slightly eccentric Papa” – George Jardine (Jordan and Jardine Restaurant)

GOLD Restaurant
Rated by: Ash Heeger

“Gold is a 100% authentic African experience. A fantastic feast with influences from all over the continent served over a couple of hours while being entertained by a never-ending stream of talented drummers, dancers and life-sized puppets. Everyone is so welcoming from the moment you step through the door. It feels like coming home.” – Ash Heeger (Ash Restaurant)

Knus Karoo Kombuis
Rated by: Eric Bulpitt

“An unapologetic Afrikaans restaurant, with a homely feel. Afrikaans menu and cuisine, the way your Ouma would cook it.” – Eric Bulpitt (Pierneef à La Motte)

6. The Best Restaurant in Cape Town

Winner: Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia

As you’d expect, this was a tightly contested category that, for a while, looked as though it was going to end in a tie. But in the end, the new Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia just managed to edge it over a host of strong contenders.
The original Chefs Warehouse in Bree Street garnered numerous accolades, including being named the best restaurant in Cape Town by our panel of top chefs in 2017. So when Irish-born chef Liam Tomlin – 2017’s Chef of the Year – opened a new branch at Beau Constantia Wine Estate, foodies in the southern ‘burbs danced a collective jig! With chef Ivor Jones (Luke Dale-Roberts’s righthand man at The Test Kitchen) in charge of the kitchen, expect the same utterly delicious, beautifully curated dishes that Liam Tomlin’s eatery is so famous for. This, combined with magnificent views, excellent service and a laid-back atmosphere, makes Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia the complete package when it comes to first-class dining experiences.

Rated by

“This restaurant ticks all the boxes; beautiful décor, stunning views, good service and delicious food. I am also a major fan of sharing menus, as they provide an awesome interaction experience for guests.” – Eric Bulpitt (Pierneef à La Motte)

Honorable Mentions

The Test Kitchen
Rated by: Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, George Jardine, Neil Jewell, Pete Goffe-Wood

“I had dinner at The Test Kitchen; the offering is a complete package. There are other restaurants where you can eat a similar standard of food but the show, service and overall experience is unrivalled in South Africa.” – George Jardine (Jordan and Jardine Restaurant)

“The Test Kitchen – for me the most complete, professional experience. The introduction of the Light & Dark experiences have brought back and old school element to the dining experience with the canapés & cocktails before the meal. Plus all of the staff are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, not to mention the fabulous, inventive food.” – Pete Goffe-Wood (Ultimate Braai Master)

La Colombe
Rated by: Rudi Liebenberg, Darren Badenhorst, Reuben Riffel, Ash Heeger

“Sho. La Colombe absolutely blew me away when I visited recently. Everything from the first to last bite was pure ecstasy. Seamless, slick service, an unreal winelist, beautiful setting and delicious food that runs the risk of being too frilly but 100% delivers. Scot is just killing it.” – Ash Heeger (Ash Restaurant)

Greenhouse Restaurant
Rated by: Gregory Czarnecki, Kerry Kilpin, Scot Kirton

The timeless gem, helmed by brilliant executive chef Peter Tempelhoff and head chef Ashley Moss, continues to raise the bar for modern South African cuisine. Its meticulously crafted dishes, combined with the magnificent setting, makes the elegant eatery an obvious inclusion in any list of top Cape Town restaurants.

Janse & Co
Rated by: Veronica Canha-Hibbert, Oliver Cattermole, Matt Manning

“In all honesty, Janse & Co, up the top end of Kloof Street. Been four times in two months and every dish is on point: great cooking with great flavours, excellent winelist with outstanding service.” – Oliver Cattermole (Bovine)

Wolfgat
Rated by: Cynthia Rivera, Lucas Carstens

“Kobus [van der Merwe] brings something special and totally different to the plate, while also showcasing Strandveld cuisine at its best” – Cynthia Rivera (Mulberry & Prince)

La Tête
Rated by: John van Zyl, Giorgio Nava

“Great concept, great food and a really cool and easy atmosphere.” – John van Zyl (former head chef at Thali)

The Pot Luck Club
Rated by: Ivor Jones, Michelle Theron

“Always delicious, vibey and good service (it’s fun)!” – Michelle Theron (Hazendal Wine Estate)

Jordan Restaurant
Rated by: Liam Tomlin

You’ll find George Jardine’s acclaimed restaurant on one of Stellenbosch’s most picturesque wine estates. Here, George and head chef Kyle Burn’s meticulous dishes are served by professional, enthusiastic staff. If you love cheese, you’ll fall in love with the walk-in cheese room filled with local cheeses such as Fairview Blue Rock and Klein Rivier Gruyère.

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