Waterside buzz, Table Mountain views and plenty of gems hidden in plain sight.
With its bustling working harbour and a marina backed by iconic Table Mountain views, the V&A Waterfront has an irresistible buzz year-round. And just when you think you know all the best haunts, something new opens… There’s been a steady wave of fabulous new restaurants settling into heritage buildings around the precinct over the past few years, making the foodscape as dazzling as the waterside setting.
And the most recent news, of course, is that Marble has finally opened in the newly restored Union Castle Building, a glamorous place to recoup your energy after a day of water-based adventures, heli-flip exploring and high-end retail therapy.
Pier
Pier takes you on a fine-dining culinary adventure of note (as expected from a member of Scot Kirton’s La Colombe restaurant family) in a fabulous harbourside location. Chef John Norris-Rogers’ sublime multi-course tasting menus are conceived as an ode to the ocean, every mouthful a visual and palate-enticing delight, as you wind from the opening “snacks” to the petit four treasure chest, by way of deeply delicious curried hake butter with the bread course, octopus with salsa matcha, quail with langoustine and spiced coconut, snoek takayaki, and so much more. With polished and personable service, the team traverses a spider-silk thread between theatrics, molecular gastronomy and classic French technique, overshadowing even the floor-to-ceiling vistas.
Good to know There is a vegetarian tasting menu too.
Downstairs is sister restaurant The Waterside, a more casual approach to fine dining with chef Roxy Mudie.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 1pm (last seating); 6.30pm – 8.30pm (last seating)
Contact 021 879 6328, reservations@pier.restaurant
Where to find it Pierhead Building, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Coy
A new restaurant from award-winning chef Ryan Cole (of Salsify) at the V&A Waterfront (alongside the Bascule Bridge), Coy has sparkling views over harbour, yacht basin and Table Mountain. Head chefs Geoffrey Abrahams and Teenola Govender focus on sustainable, ethical and locally sourced ingredients that tell a story on the plate, looking to the ocean for inspiration. There are two menu options: a seven-course Coy Experience tasting menu (with choices) that follows the coastline around the continent exploring African produce, age-old preparation techniques and forgotten ingredients; and The Twos – two dishes from the main menu for a quick lunch. We loved the moody chiaroscuro feel of the interiors, and the relaxed take on fine dining, and were wowed by a linefish sashimi, sugar cane and caramelised coconut combo served in a ceramic shell; and a melt-in-mouth ox tongue with earthy ras el hanout spices and black rice, that converted even the most hesitant offal eaters.
Good to know Park at the Portswood parking garage and walk towards the Bascule Bridge.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 8.30pm
Contact 021 207 3278, reservations@coyrestaurant.com
Where to find it The Scherwyn Pavilion Building, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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ROOI
Fire is the theme of One&Only Cape Town’s new restaurant ROOI (Afrikaans for red); the name channelling the energy of flames, of vitality and life. The beautifully designed new dining space uses exquisite decor to reflect the warmth, community, fire and conversation of our traditional braai, with a sophisticated sizzle of rich colours and local design. The fire-themed grillroom menu is based around sustainably and ethically sourced South African ingredients. Expect various cuts of South African wagyu beef, aged mutton, Kalahari venison and masala-spiced kingklip. Fire-cooked vegetables, grilled South Coast rock lobster and flame-grilled tuna also star on the menu, with flavours and spices telling the stories of South Africa’s melting pot of cuisines and cultures. A bespoke cap classique cart with a curated list of bubblies, a magnificent mixology menu of signature cocktails, and sommelier Luvo Ntezo’s hand-picked winelist encourages bespoke pairings to accommodate every palate, whatever your choice of meal.
Opening times 6pm – 11pm (last seating at 9pm)
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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The Waterside
Andrea van der Spuy
The La Colombe family of restaurants has garnered a well-deserved reputation for top-notch dining. Part of its seven-strong stable is a harbourside eatery at the V&A Waterfront – a light, bright, stylish space with a deck that feels like you’re on a superyacht. It offers sophisticated and creative fine dining, in the La Colombe style, but it’s more casual than its sibling, Pier, upstairs. The five-course Chef’s Menu reveals beautifully plated cuisine, from the unique milk bun bread stack to start, through seafood, beef, pork belly and vegetarian options, to a “treasure chest” of bonbons for a sweet finish.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 2pm; 6.30pm – 8.30pm (last seating)
Contact 021 879 6328, reservations@thewaterside.restaurant
Where to find it Pierhead Building, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Terrarium
Chef Chris Erasmus’ commitment to sustainable, organic food, from farm and forest to plate is legendary (we’ve missed him since Foliage in Franschhoek closed). So we’re super-excited about the new restaurant he’s spearheading at the Queen Victoria Hotel. Terrarium is an intimate space hidden away above the V&A Waterfront (with stunning views and a kitchen garden of indigenous plants and herbs), its name reflecting the focus on regeneration, community and produce sourced from small, family-owned fisheries, butcheries, smokers and beekeepers. Together with head chef Anlou Erasmus (no relation) and sommelier Marlvin Gwese, Chris is rethinking fine dining, putting a creative spin on sophisticated and sustainable flavour combinations, with an à la carte menu of small plates, as well as the eight-course Fauna or Flora dinner menu (meat-based or plant-based respectively).
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 9.30pm
Contact 021 419 6677, terrarium@queenvictoriahotel.co.za
Where to find it Queen Victoria Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Nobu
The sleek, double-volume interiors and swanky backlit bar at Nobu Cape Town look out over waterside and Table Mountain views and are an impressive setting for a top-drawer seafood experience. Renowned for its impeccable fusion of Japanese culinary traditions, Peruvian flavours and South African flair, Nobu is embarking on a fresh new chapter as it welcomes its first female head chef, Nicky King. Expect fresh twists on beloved classics like miso black cod and Kingcrab Amazu Ponzu on the omakase and à carte menus, alongside inventive new creations that celebrate the Cape’s local agriculture – think sustainably sourced seafood, native botanicals and the region’s most celebrated wines. Or take a seat at the sushi counter for signature classics such as the scallop and smelt egg hand roll, the eel and cucumber maki and yellowtail sashimi. Nobu is an impressive destination for a special occasion.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 6pm – 10pm
Contact 021 431 5888, reservations@oneandonlycapetown.com
Where to find it One&Only Cape Town, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Heirloom
Fresh from an extensive renovation, the signature restaurant at Cape Grace has been re-born as Heirloom, its luxurious new look maximising the iconic hotel’s mesmerising views over the marina to Table Mountain. Chef Asher Abramowitz finds expression in the unhurried spirit and bountiful terroir of South Africa, and has reimagined the offering as an elegant à la carte menu that combines tradition and creativity, and changes with the seasons. Think elevated takes on smoked snoek with roast apricot, kudu tartare, Cape Malay mussel pot with pickled spekboom, a braai lamb rack, millet risotto, veld-raised beef fillet, and charcoal roasted rock lobster tail with seafood bisque.
Good to know The hotel’s iconic Bascule Bar downstairs on the marina also has a sultry and sophisticated new look and feel.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 6.30pm – 9pm
Contact 021 410 7068, capegrace.heirloom@fairmont.com
Where to find it Cape Grace, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, West Quay Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Willoughby & Co
You’ll always find a queue of hungry diners waiting to be seated at Willoughby & Co at the V&A Waterfront. And for good reason – the sushi here is consistently delicious. Their extensive menu offers a variety of beautifully made Japanese and traditional seafood dishes prepared by experienced chefs under the eagle eye of owner Jens Tibshraeny and his professional team. With everything so scrumptious, it’s hard to choose, but one of our favourites is their signature 4×4 dish (four pieces of creamy rock-shrimp maki and four pieces of Rainbow Reloaded rolls topped with deep-fried prawns tossed in a spicy chilli-bean mayonnaise).
Though you’re in a mall, the pale-wood furniture and comfortable padded booths give it its own personality. If you’re popping in for a quick bite, perch at the counter and watch the chefs at work As bookings are not accepted, service is quick and efficient, so waiting for a table isn’t a big deal.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 10pm
Contact 021 418 6115
Where to find it Shop 6132, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Marble
It’s finally here! Chef David Higgs has brought his fire-cooking celebration to Cape Town. At the top of the restored heritage Union Castle building, Marble has wrap-around rooftop views of Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront’s working harbour and the Atlantic Ocean and is set to be the spot for glam sundowners this summer. Offering a real destination feel, the drop-dead gorgeous 220-seater restaurant continues the signature Marble fire-cooking style – with a touch of coastal Cape Town flavour. They’ve added dishes to the menu such as snoek pâté with magwenya, and lamb and beef tartare with pickled waterblommetjies. Mains feature Marble’s celebrated wood-fired Chalmar ribeye, alongside new creations like mussel paella and line fish with burnt leeks and roasted fish bone sauce. Heading up the new Marble team is chef Matt van Niekerk, “The concept of live-fire cooking may not be new anymore, but the way we do it at Marble is always a fresh experience. That’s what excites us about Cape Town,” he says. “Fire has a way of bringing people together – it’s where stories are shared, ideas come to life, and connections are made.”
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 9.30pm
Contact 021 002 8484, capetown@marble.restaurant
Where to find it Union Castle Building, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Baia Seafood Restaurant
Located at the V&A Waterfront, this upmarket eatery is known for its quality fish and seafood dishes that include everything from fresh oysters, linefish sashimi, oven-baked linefish, Portuguese-inspired prawns and langoustines, and Norwegian salmon. The cataplana – a Portuguese-style casserole of prawns, mussels, calamari and various linefish – is divine.
Good to know Baia’s usual premises at the front of the Victoria Wharf centre is undergoing major renovation in 2025, so they currently have a pop-up space on the same floor of the centre, at the back opposite Louis Vuitton.
Opening times Monday – Wednesday, 6pm – 10pm
Thursday – Sunday, 12pm – 3.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Contact 021 421 0935, baiarestaurant@wol.co.za
Where to find it Shop 6262, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Den Anker
Touted as “the most frequented Belgian restaurant at the Waterfront”, Den Anker could, in fact, be the most frequented of all restaurants at the Waterfront – which would not surprise us, given its consistently excellent food, professional service, upscale atmosphere, and the views. This 30-year-old stalwart is perched on the quayside facing Table Mountain, where seagulls swoop, seals bask in the sun, and passing yachts and rowing boats enhance the nautical vibe. On the menu, you’ll find classics such as moules marinières (served with a side of moreish shoestring fries and mayo), steak au poivre, bitterballen, and house waffles, and an exciting range of Belgian beers imported from small breweries in this Benelux country.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9am – 10.30pm
Contact 021 419 0249, denanker@mweb.co.za
Where to find it Pierhead, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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The Granary Café at The Silo Hotel
It’s hard to tear your eyes away from the eagle-eye views from this landmark of the V&A’s Silo District with its multi-faceted goldfish-bowl glass walls. The Silo Hotel’s Granary Café is a quirkily luxurious escape above the Waterfront bustle with an elevated bistro menu from chef Veronica Canha-Hibbert that is heartily delicious and unfussy. For lunch we tucked into generous plates of sea bass cooked to perfection with peas, roast garlic velouté and chimichurri; and braised beef shortrib with pumpkin purée and a zesty tatsoi salad. Then there’s the classic steak frites, seafood curry, or a sandwich menu including a juicy smash burger. A separate dinner menu expands into starters and also includes classic mains interpreted with panache, such as lamb rack, sticky pork belly and fish pie. As we tore ourselves away from the mesmering vignettes of swooping seagulls, yachts gliding through the Bascule Bridge, and shipyard dry dock activity, preparations for afternoon tea were underway with a swoon-worthy array of patisserie.
Good to know Sunday brunches (12pm – 2pm) are open to non-resident guests with a booking. You can also book for lunch at the rooftop bar (the highest point in the Waterfront), which offers a relaxed bar-snack menu of burgers, poke bowls, salads and sandwiches.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 9.30pm
Contact 021 670 0500, dining@thesilohotel.com
Where to find it The Silo Hotel, Silo District, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Tang
“Tang” describes that flavour that sets your taste buds alight. It also refers to the Ancient Chinese dynasty that revered sensory pleasure and creativity. So expect an explosion of Asian flavours, utterly gorgeous plating and fine attention to detail. The Cape Town outpost of the Joburg hotspot has a lavish modern-tropical style suited to its waterside setting. Inspired by Cantonese cuisine and Japanese izakayas, the menu features a contemporary take on classic Asian dishes – cooked in woks and on a robata grill; of course, seafood stars in splendid style (black cod miso, sashimi, sushi…). It’s an all-round luxury sensory experience, sprinkled with that extra magic that only comes with the crowd that gathers here.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 11pm
Contact 076 652 8972 (also WhatsApp), reservationsva@tanghospitality.com
Where to find it Shop 153, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Harbour House
Perched on the water’s edge on a jetty near the Victoria & Alfred Mall, this nautically themed branch of Harbour House takes full advantage of its marina-facing location, offering superb seafood dishes that are as fresh as the ocean air. The white-washed restaurant interior spills onto an outdoor deck for those keen to soak up the harbourside atmosphere. Or perch on the upper deck with its own sushi bar, small plates menu and a creative collection of cocktails. The extensive main menu includes a variety of fish: Norwegian salmon, swordfish, kingklip, seabass, yellowtail and more (depending on what’s freshly caught that day) served with a choice of sauces and pairings. Or go for crayfish, calamari, seafood pasta, and bountiful seafood platters. For meat-lovers there’s rib-eye steak and rack of lamb; for vegetarians, roasted king-oyster mushroom or artichoke gnocchi.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 11pm
Contact 021 418 4744, waterfront@harbourhouse.co.za
Where to find it Quay Four, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Belthazar
The slick New York vibe of this renowned V&A steakhouse and wine bar is amplified when you look up at the warehouse stacking overhead of iconically named wine boxes from the venue’s formidable wine collection. White tablecloths, Riedel stemware and exemplary service from well-informed waiters in white jackets and bow ties, and wide views of harbour and Table Mountain from the terrace tables where you can dine alfresco, add to the elegant but down-to-earth appeal. A wine-connoisseur’s mecca (250 different wines are available by the glass and up to 600 in total), the menu spotlight is on steak, with 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 KwaZulu-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.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 10pm
Contact 021 421 3753, info@slickrestaurants.com
Where to find it Shop 154, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
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3 Responses to “The 15 Best Restaurants at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town”
Priscilla Swain
Harbour House
Herman
To the Editor
The selection of restaurants in the waterfront excluded two restaurants, which are providing excellent food and service.
These are:
Life Grand cafe and
Tasha’s
Any reason why they have failed tp meet your criteria?
Best regards
Herman Rhode
Inside Guide
Thanks for your comments, Herman.
Tasha’s always promises fresh, tasty food and professional service.
In a roundup of just 15 restaurants, we went for unique offerings rather than franchises.