As Cape Town’s thriving restaurant scene continues to grab headlines and wow diners from near and far, we called on SA’s top chefs to vote for their best restaurants in Cape Town (that is, of course, when they’re not conjuring culinary magic in their own kitchens).
We divided the questions into eight categories, to ensure we covered the gamut of experiences (and price ranges). There were several ties for first and second places, which shows just how many fabulous restaurants we have to choose from in and around Cape Town – even our chefs have a hard time picking just one. The winners and runners-up are revealed below.
Do you agree with the chefs’ picks? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
We’d like to thank all the chefs who participated in 2024 (arranged below in alphabetical order). We appreciate you taking time from your busy schedules to provide your much-valued input.
A desire to offer a fine-dining experience without the stuffiness or intimidating price tag led Jess van Dyk (formerly of La Colombe) to open a beautiful restaurant in Stellenbosch’s old post office. She serves reinvented South African classics infused with Asian influences in sharing plate style – “fun dining”, as Jess likes to call it!
Rated by Charné Sampson, Fabio Daniel, Glen Williams, Marcus Gericke, Paul Prinsloo
Contact 021 203 5165, reception@postandpepper.co.za
Where to find it 146 Bird Street, Stellenbosch
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“Chef Jess delivers visually with a great flavour profile, and always makes it special for her guests.”
Marcus Gericke (Chorus)
Chilled, pooch-friendly vibes by the sea and under the milkwoods in Noordhoek, The Aegir Project serves delicious, more-posh-than-pub food, and some of the craftiest beers on the peninsula. Founded by Rory Lancellas, his wife Carey and their dog Aegir in 2015, this small independent brewery produces a range of natural and additive-free ales, pilsners, lagers and stouts.
Rated by Ashley Moss, Isca Stoltz, Justin Barker
Contact 066 587 9324
Where to find it 65 Beach Road, Noordhoek, Cape Town
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In a beautifully calm space above Green Point Main Road, chef Graham Oldfield serves a concise Asian small-plate menu with bao buns as the hero (they even feature in dessert). The place gets packed to the brim with regulars looking for flavour-filled bites, including moreish Korean fried chicken, hoisin-braised duck leg, pork belly, gochujang sweet potato, and spicy prawns – all artfully plated on Chinese supermarket crockery.
Rated by Marco Cardoso, Ryan Shell, John Norris-Rogers
Contact 066 022 1165, restaurantbaodown@gmail.com
Where to find it 1st Floor, Exhibition Building, 79 Main Road, Green Point, Cape Town
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“Hands down the best casual restaurant around town, relaxed atmosphere and incredible food.”
Marco Cardoso (De Eetkamer)
This convivial restaurant on Wale Street, channelling the Aegean islands with its curved white walls, mosaics and tapestries, is owner-chef Nic Charalambous’ tribute to his Cypriot heritage. It’s where you’ll find some of the most exciting cooking in Cape Town at the moment. Nic takes you on a flavour odyssey, with thoughtful and beautifully presented dishes spotlighting the individual flavours of different Greek islands and regions.
Rated by Jess van Dyk, Kevin Grobler, Matt van den Berg
Contact 061 533 9071, seeyou@ouzeri.co.za
Where to find it 58 Wale Street, Cape Town
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“I start to salivate when I think of the meal I had here, it is DAMN good food! The setting, the ambience, and the amaretto sours!”
Jess van Dyk (Post & Pepper)
With artful plating conjuring enchanted underwater gardens, a focus on seafood and a fabulous harbourside location, Pier delivers a fine-dining culinary adventure (as expected from a member of the La Colombe restaurant family). Chef John Norris-Rogers’ tasting dishes deliver a delightful experience with aplomb – from the opening “snacks” to the “treasure chest” petit fours. The team masterfully traverses a spider-silk thread between theatrics, molecular gastronomy and classic French technique, overshadowing even the floor-to-ceiling vistas.
Rated by Anouchka Horn, Asher Abramowitz, Charné Sampson, Justin Barker, Marcus Gericke, Matt van den Berg, Nic Charalambous, Peter Duncan, Serushia Naidoo
Contact 021 879 6328, reservations@pier.restaurant
Where to find it Pierhead Building, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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“The location is beautiful, and the service is outstanding. The flavours are consistent, and you know that you are guaranteed a great experience for your special occasion.”
Asher Abramowitz (Heirloom)
Chef Ryan Cole is quietly pushing the boundaries and creating a new modern South African cuisine at Salsify, inspired by nature and the ocean, and driven by the seasons. The 10-course fine-dining menu tugs the nostalgia strings with its local flavours given surprising and brilliant culinary twists. Enhancing the experience is excellent service, two top-tier wine-pairing options, fantastic views of the Atlantic from the hillside above Camps Bay, and edgy-chic interiors.
Rated by Amori Burger, David Schneider, Gary Coetzee, Glen Williams, Jason Kosmas, Lara van Heeden, Liam Tomlin, Neil Swart, Scot Kirton
Contact 021 010 6444, reservations@salsify.co.za
Where to find it The Roundhouse, Roundhouse Road, off Kloof Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town
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“I’m a big fan of Salsify!”
Jason Kosmos (Pot Luck Club)
This perennially buzzed-about restaurant, suspended above the famous vine-clad valley, offers a set menu of fine-dining-calibre shared plates delivered with glorious views and casual finesse. Chef-patron Ivor Jones (who co-owns the eatery with Liam Tomlin) concocts an array of imaginative dishes, with an emphasis on freshly harvested produce from the farm’s gardens, and adds an inspired injection of global flavours.
Rated by Darren Allsop, Isca Stoltz, Kerry Kilpin, Roxie Mudie, Virgil Kahn
Contact 021 794 8632, cw@beauconstantia.com
Where to find it Off Constantia Main Road (M41), Constantia Nek
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“I just love Ivor’s food!”
Kerry Kilpin (Tryn, Bistro Sixteen82)
Fine dining with its heart in Stellenbosch, Mertia is hidden away upstairs in the old Standard Bank building, its floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over old oaks. Marais Kirsten-Uys and chef Matt van den Berg have created a sophisticated, intimate, understated and very comfortable space aimed at locals. They’ve dialled down the fine dining smoke and mirrors to create a tasting menu that their fathers would recognise as a “proper meal”, delivering plenty of delightful flourishes, and celebrating nostalgia and the flavours of home.
Rated by Drikus Brink, Gary Coetzee, Ivor Jones, Jess van Wyk, John Norris-Rogers, Kevin Grobler, Lara van Heerden, Liam Tomlin, Marco Cardoso, Paul Prinsloo, Phil Carmichael, Ryan Shell, Tracy-Leigh Gaag, Vusi Ndlovu
Contact 076 644 8448, reservations@mertia.co.za
Where to find it 20 Bird Street, Stellenbosch (entrance off the Millstream side street)
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“Food flavour combinations are insane. The attention to detail with decor, service and food is exceptional. This place is what dreams are made of!”
Marco Cardoso (De Eetkamer)
Since opening at Constantia Uitsig in December 2023, Ember & Oak has quickly filled a gap for locals with an informal but tasty array of global tapas. Tim and Judy Pick have created a short menu of delicious small plates to browse on the terrace tables outside the Uitsig heritage cottages, along with a glass or two of Uitsig wines. The vineyard, lawns and Constantiaberg mountain views are spectacular, but it’s the flavourful, unpretentious (and affordable) small plates that are already drawing a crowd.
Rated by Charné Sampson, Glen Williams, Kerry Kilpin, Peter Duncan, Scot Kirton
Contact 067 499 5621
Where to find it Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate, Spaanschemat River Road, Constantia, Cape Town
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“Great food, fun atmosphere and the menu changes regularly so there is always a reason to go back.”
Glen Williams (Foxcroft)
Chef Phil Carmichael (who has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe, alongside icons such as Michel Roux Jnr, Gordon Ramsay and Jason Atherton and gained his own star at Maze Prague) recently opened his own restaurant in the heart of Stellenbosch. Mill St Bistro combines French techniques and the best of local produce in a bistronomy-style offering that is sophisticated but unfussy.
Rated by Amori Burger, Charlton Prins, Christophe Dehosse, Matt van den Berg, Virgil Kahn
Contact 021 020 1301, reservations@millstbistro.co.za
Where to find it Cluver Markotter Building, Mill Street, Stellenbosch
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“Great ingredients, well executed, and it’s welcoming and friendly.”
Christophe Dehosse (Vine Bistro)
Chef Franck Dangereux was one of the forerunners of the fine-dining scene in Cape Town, establishing the original La Colombe on Uitsig farm over 25 years ago. But at The Foodbarn, you’re not here for fancy dining; Franck’s “been there, done that”. His roots in southern France inform his hearty, earthy style (bouillabaisse, slow-stewed tripe and trotters) served with bonhomie in a relaxed, family- (and even dog-) friendly setting.
Rated by Ashley Moss, Kerry Kilpin, Nic van Wyk, Phil Carmichael, Scot Kirton, Tracy-Leigh Gaag
Contact 021 789 1390, info@thefoodbarn.co.za
Where to find it Noordhoek Farm Village, Corner Village Lane and Noordhoek Main Road, Noordhoek, Cape Town
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“Franck just keeps on serving good food that never disappoints, you know you are always going to have a great meal with him”
Nic van Wyk (Kleine Zalze)
A stalwart on the restaurant scene, this fine-dining establishment – housed in a characterful old building in the heart of Cape Town – has been serving creative dishes and meticulously planned wine pairings since 1996. German-born chef-owner Harald Bresselschmidt is held in high regard by top chefs in South Africa for his culinary achievements. His food philosophy emphasises fresh produce sourced directly from farmers and trusted suppliers. And his substantial wine list is second to none.
Rated by Christophe Dehosse, Giorgio Nava, Matt Manning
Contact 021 465 0000, info@aubergine.co.za
Where to find it 39 Barnet Street, Gardens, Cape Town
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“Chef Harald’s cooking is classic and he has a fantastic wine list with some unlisted hidden gems in his cellar – make sure you ask sommelier Ralph for the bottles that are not on the list!”
Matt Manning (Grub & Vine)
This perennially buzzed-about restaurant, suspended above the famous vine-clad valley, offers a set menu of fine-dining-calibre shared plates delivered with glorious views and casual finesse. Chef-patron Ivor Jones (who co-owns the eatery with Liam Tomlin) concocts an array of imaginative dishes, with an emphasis on freshly harvested produce from the farm’s gardens, and adds an inspired injection of global flavours.
Rated by Kevin Grobler, Peter Duncan, Ryan Shell
Contact 021 794 8632, cw@beauconstantia.com
Where to find it Off Constantia Main Road (M41), Constantia Nek, Cape Town
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“You always know it will be a great meal.”
Kevin Grobler (Scape)
Authentic with a capital A, HeSheng prides itself on lip-smacking food that has Sea Point locals, Chinese patrons and some of Cape Town’s top chefs coming back for more. New owners (two young couples who worked with Ma and then took over in 2023) have kept the same no-frills philosophy of cheap-and-cheerful decor and honest-to-goodness food, and pretty much the same menu of adventurous dishes that you won’t find elsewhere in the city.
Rated by Amori Burger, Nic Charalambous, Roxie Mudie
Contact 021 433 0739
Where to find it 269 Main Road, Sea Point, Cape Town
An all-round first-class experience awaits at this warm and welcoming restaurant on a perfectly manicured estate in Stellenbosch. With stellar service, beautifully plated, contemporary French-inspired cuisine from chef Fabio Daniel, and sommelier Cameron Bishop on hand to guide you through the impressive international wine selection, it’s no wonder that fellow chefs and foodies continue to rate it among the best in the country.
Rated by Christophe Dehosse, Darren Badenhorst, Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, Kevin Grobler, Matt Manning, Paul Prinsloo
Contact 021 881 3757, dining@rustenvrede.com
Where to find it Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
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A heavenly Winelands setting, high on the slopes of the Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and an amphitheatre of mountains. Bertus Basson’s restaurant (headed up by chef Marcus Gericke) in Waterkloof Estate’s famous glass-box dining space, an architectural marvel hovering over the vineyards, offers an experience menu inspired by fine local ingredients and SA cuisine, what Bertus refers to as “simple, focused, seasonal cooking”, and what should really be called a masterful symphony of flavour.
Rated by Ashley Moss, Eric Bulpitt, Neil Swart, Scot Kirton, Virgil Kahn
Contact 021 858 1491, bertusbasson.com
Where to find it Waterkloof Wine Estate, Old Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, Somerset West
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“Always putting guests first and no better view over the mountains than from the terrace.”
Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen
Surrounded by a charming garden with wide-spaced seating under trees, The Table evokes scenes from the Tuscan countryside, complete with good food, good wine and good company, Chef Brendan Thorncroft and his wife Leigh ensure that only the best produce from small-scale farmers in the area is used in their three-course sharing menu, all served on wonderfully mismatched vintage plates.
Rated by David Schneider, Drikus Brink, Isca Stolz, Jess van Dyk, Lara van Heerden
Contact 072 696 0530, bookings@thetablerestaurant.co.za
Where to find it De Meye Farm, Muldersvlei Road, Stellenbosch
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“The setting is just amazing, the food always hits the spot between familiar but something different, and it just makes for the best day out… always.”
Jess van Dyk (Post & Pepper)
A narrow brick-walled slip of a burger bar on the coolest stretch of Kloof Street, Zuney does farm to table in the realest sense of the phrase. The name comes from the valley in the Eastern Cape where two neighbouring family farms have been raising certified wagyu herds since 2014, grazing on pasture and leading the best possible life. Three deliciously simple and juicy burgers showcase the depth of flavour of the wagyu beef and thin cut chips are fried in wagyu fat to give a flavour reminiscent of biltong… guaranteed to give you cravings for weeks to come!
Rated by Asher Abramowitz, Glen WIlliams, Gregory Czarnecki, Matt van den Berg, Peter Duncan
Contact 076 430 7584
Where to find it 69A Kloof Street, Cape Town
“Best burgers in Cape Town.”
Gregory Czarnecki (Heirloom)
A French-fries bar? Count us in! Chefs Reuben Riffel and Aviv Liebenberg have added a frite-and-burger bar to Franschhoek’s main street to satisfy everyone’s fried-snack fantasies. Think triple-fried frites with homemade mayo, and some heartier burger options in the mix. The new location is set back from the main street with outside tables beside a stream (and a cosy fireplace for rainy days).
Rated by Lara van Heerden, Lucas Carstens, Marco Cardoso, Scot Kirton
Contact 084 502 5119
Where to find it 7 Reservoir Street next to public library or
22 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek (entrance off Huguenot Street, walk way opposite Woolworths)
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“Very few things make me happier on a Sunday evening, after a long week of work, than a juicy truffle burger and a full portion of frites with aioli. They consistently deliver perfection and the super friendly service makes it even more perfect!”
Lara van Heerden (Jan Franschhoek)
Opened by Liam Tomlin and Dimo Papachristodoulou in 2016, this exciting Indian tapas-style eatery is a case of the more (dishes you share), the merrier. The popular Tapas for Two, curated by head chef Nate Coe, comprises eight dishes, served in three courses.The spice levels gradually increase as you progress, so the flavours keep popping, culminating in the most heavenly curries that, combined with the exotic interior decor and lighting, will transport you to the fragrant streets of Delhi.
Rated by Jess van Dyk, Kerry Kilpin, Matt van den Berg, Roxie Mudie, Serushia Naidoo, Virgil Kahn
Contact 021 286 2110, info@thalitapas.co.za
Where to find it 3 Park Road, Gardens, Cape Town
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“Thali has a wonderful take on Indian tapas, making it super special as you get to try numerous dishes.”
Kerry Kilpin (Tryn, Bistro Sixteen82)
Everything from the sleek, double-volume interiors and swanky backlit bar to the highly skilled chefs and efficient and friendly staff is out of the top drawer at Nobu, One&Only Cape Town’s Japanese-Peruvian restaurant. Gastronomically speaking, the flavour-bursting dishes will send your tastebuds to Osaka and back; the black cod miso is legendary (if you’re in the mood to splurge).
Rated by Ashley Moss, Phil Carmichael
Contact 021 431 5888, guestexperience@oneandonlycapetown.com
Where to find it One&Only Cape Town, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Co-owned by chef Hatsushiro Muraoka (Papa San of Takumi, Minato and Tokyo fame) and chef Ben Bettendorf, this no-frills eatery on lower Long Street is where you’ll find sushi, ramen and tempura prepared the authentic way. If you’re here for lunch, order the Bento Box, or the tempura is some of the best in town – feather-light, with a flaky batter and mouth-watering dipping sauce.
Rated by Giorgio Nava, Scot Kirton
Contact 021 418 4040, info@obirestaurant.co.za
Where to find it 14 Long Street, Cape Town
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Downstairs from their celebrated Fyn restaurant, chefs Peter Tempelhoff and Ashley Moss’s streetfood celebration of Japan has hungry diners rapt for utterly delicious bowls of authentic ramen and other Japanese streetfood. Ramenhead is dark and moody inside, but flows out onto the square with tables and sofas under fairylights strung from the trees. On a perfect night, it’s a stunning location in an under-the-radar section of town.
Rated by Glen Williams, Michael Fuller
Contact 067 312 8061, info@ramenhead.co.za
Where to find it Speakers Corner, Church Square, 37 Parliament Street, Cape Town
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“Ashley’s single minded determination to create the best, most authentic bowl of ramen shows. I could eat this everyday with no questions asked and die happy.”
Michael Fuller (Spek en Bone)
So much more than a braai (vuur means “fire”), this convivial, cooking-over-coals dining experience at Remhoogte wine farm takes you on a leisurely seven-course journey of intriguing tastes paired with the estate’s wines. A long table is set under an old oak tree next to the converted stable kitchen where there’s indoor seating beside the fire. Chef Shaun Scrooby’s fire-cooking goes beyond the basics: smoking, steaming, searing, then elegantly plating each course.
Rated by Drikus Brink, Paul Prinsloo
Contact 083 600 4050 (WhatsApp)
Where to find it Remhoogte Wine Estate, R44, Stellenbosch
Book through DinePlan
Chef Ryan Cole is quietly pushing the boundaries and creating a new modern South African cuisine at Salsify, inspired by nature and the ocean, and driven by the seasons. The 10-course fine-dining menu tugs the nostalgia strings with its local flavours given surprising and brilliant culinary twists. Enhancing the experience is excellent service, two top-tier wine-pairing options, fantastic views of the Atlantic from the hillside above Camps Bay, and edgy-chic interiors.
Rated by Anouchka Horn, Charlton Prins, Ebie du Toit, Fabio Daniel, Ivor Jones, Justin Barker, Neil Swart, Ryan Shell, Virgil Kahn
Contact 021 010 6444, reservations@salsify.co.za
Where to find it The Roundhouse, Roundhouse Road, off Kloof Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
“Ryan seems to be innovating constantly, and pushing procedure-driven menus. Great service too.”
Virgil Kahn (Hoseki)
The acclaimed flagship of Scot Kirton’s gastronomic empire serves up inventive, immaculately styled and utterly delicious plates amid a tranquil forest setting. Beyond the ambience of the space and intricacy of the menu, there’s a playful sense of whimsy under executive chef James Gaag’s guidance – which makes it an event rather than a meal. From the charming ‘dove’s nest’ starter and tuna La Colombe (served in individual tins) to the final sweet bite, the feast unfolds with a sense of theatre that’s truly unforgettable.
Rated by Charné Sampson, Darren Allsop, Glen Williams, John Norris-Rogers, Paul Prinsloo, Peter Duncan, Roxie Mudie
Contact 021 794 2390, reservations@lacolombe.co.za
Where to find it Silvermist Wine Estate, La Colombe Road (off Constantia Main Road/M41), Constantia, Cape Town
Book Through DinePlan
“It really is a jewel. And to consistently produce the experience, quality of food and service that they do is an inspiration to all chefs in South Africa.”
Darren Allsop (Vue Shortmarket)
One of the most exciting epicurean experiences in the city, Peter Tempelhoff’s sophisticated, loft-like innercity space offers food and décor that is African-inspired, but with an overarching Japanese aesthetic. The multi-course kaiseki-style menu runs the full gamut of flavours and textures, each yielding a hit of flavour so lingering and sublime, you never want it to end.
Rated by David Schneider, Gary Coetzee, Gregory Czarnecki, Lucas Carstens, Marcus Gericke, Michael Fuller
Contact 021 286 2733, info@fynrestaurant.com
Where to find it Church Square, 37 Parliament Street, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
“They seamlessly get it right from food to service, with all the moving parts in-between. Their intentional and authentic use of ingredients is really inspiring.”
Michael Fuller (Spek en Bone)
Which are your favourites? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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