The foodie scene is on another level in Cape Town. Cape Town has foodie delights available at every price point with a wide range of amazing restaurants. My family has always instilled in me a deep appreciation for good food and I love trying out new restaurants with cuisine from all over the world. I’ve put together my Cape Town Foodie Guide which is just a small slice of the melting pot of food available in Cape Town. Let me know which spots you’re going to try or which restaurants I need to add to my Cape Town Foodie Guide list!

Planning a trip to Cape Town and need a place to stay? For budget travellers check out Never at Home, Kloof Street. Book a stay at Gorgeous George for beautiful interiors and a funky rooftop bar. Or stay at or Kloof Street Hotel to be in the heart of the city. Browse Booking.com for countless accommodation options:

Cape Town Foodie Guide: Breakfast and Brunch Spots

The Ladder, Bree Street

The Ladder is a stunning coffee shop in the CBD of Cape Town with good coffee and delicious breakfasts. They also have a mini art gallery on their walls rotating between different artists from month to month. Located in Bree Street it is the perfect brekkie spot for those based in town. The Ladder also call themselves a traditional arts and crafts studio and host a number of different creative workshops throughout the year including embroidery, clay and watercolour workshops. Check out their website for upcoming events. 

Find their menu here. 

Trading Hours:
Mon – Fri: 7am – 4pm
Sat: 8am – 2pm
Sun: Closed

Whatsapp orders/queries: 0795776268

Starlings, Claremont

Starlings is the OG Cape Town breakfast spot and it has stayed so popular for so many years for good reason! It honestly is one of the best places in Cape Town for a delicious breakfast or brunch. Their menu is diverse and the food is divine! They are located in Belvedere Road in Claremont in what used to be a house. The different rooms and garden have been turned into a beautiful suburbs cafe.

Find their menu here. 

Trading Hours:
Monday to Friday  7am – 4pm
Saturday 7am – 4pm
Sunday Closed

Shop 079 473 3554; Trish 083 640 7926

Our Local, Kloof Street

Our Local is an old storehouse that has been converted into a plant-haven restaurant. Ecelectic is the name of the game here with antique furniture, chairs hanging from the ceiling and long tables perfect for a group brunch. They’ve got shaksuka, omelettes and sourdough. 

Find their menu here. 

Tradining hours
Mon – Sun: 8AM – 4PM

Phone: 064 642 5004

Swan Café, Buitenkant Street

Swan Café is an authentic Parisian Crêperie in the heart of Cape Town. They serve sweet crêpes and savoury buckwheat galettes. Everything on the menu is *chef’s kiss* delicious! They also have a very attractive R50 coffee and cinnamon sugar crêpe special. 

Find their menu here:

Trading Hours:
Tues to Fri: 8:00 to 15:00
Saturday: 8:00 to 15:00
Sunday and public holidays: 9:00 to 14:00
Mondays: closed

Reservations: 079 454 4758

 

Four & Twenty, Chelsea, Wynberg

Four & Twenty Café & Pantry is located in the charming Chelsea Village area in Wynberg. It is a French-style café with a delicious breakfast and brunch menu. The food is scrumptious and the café is cosy. 

Find their menu here. 

Trading hours & reservations:

Monday – Saturday: 8am – 5pm (Hot kitchen closes at 3:30pm)
Reservations:
Monday – Friday: for 5 people or more
Saturday: Breakfast reservations only at 8am, 8:30am & 9am for 5 people or more

Sunday: 9am – 4pm (Hot kitchen closes at 3:00pm)
Reservations:
5 people or more at either: 9am, 11:30am or 2:00pm

021 762 0975

Butter All Day, Loop Street

Butter All Day has the best Eggs Benny in town! I visited this cute brunch spot on a solo brekkie mission and had the most delicious eggs benedict! Everything on the menu is butter oriented with a scrumptious array of egg dishes, flapjacks, waffles etc. Their motto is everything is better with butter, and I tend to agree!

 

Find their menu here. 

Trading hours & reservations:
Monday closed
Tuesday-Saturday 8am-3pm
Saturday 9am-3pm
Sunday 10am-2pm

082 853 1939
[email protected]

 

Cape Town Foodie Guide: Lunch spots

Clarke’s Bar & Dining Room, Bree Street

Clarke’s is a trendy, hipster-friendly spot with an impressive array of plants, quirky vibes and some scrumptious food. They do all-day breakfast, really delicious lunches and drinks. Their burgers look particularly mouthwatering. Every Saturday and Sunday they have a Mimosa Special of R25 Mimosas between 10am and 2pm. Their Happy Hour is from 5pm – 6pm with R35 cocktails, pints and wine on Monday- Saturday. Come on down for an afterwork drink or an office lunch break. 

Find their menu here:

Opening Hours:
Monday: 7:00 – 16:00
Tuesday – Friday: 7:00 – 22:00
Saturday: 8:00 – 22:00
Sunday: 8:00 – 15:00
In the evenings the kitchen closes at 21:30, last rounds at 21:30

Phone: 087 470 0165

El Burro Tacqueria, Kloof Nek

El Burro Tacqueria is a hidden gem with delicious and affordable Mexican food. They are a perfect lunch spot with their weekday (Mon-Thurs) 3 for 2 lunch special. Grab soft shell tacos, cheesy enchiladas, nachos & guac, churros and traditional horchata. Their decor is colourful and fun and you’re bound to love your foodie visit here. There is another El Burro on Green Point Main Road and it has a more extensive menu with full plate options with the Kloof Nek spot specialising in Mexican Tapas style dining. I haven’t been to the Green Point one yet but I’m very keen to try it out soon!

Find their menu here. 

Trading hours:
Mon – Sun: 12pm – 9:30pm

021 422 3554

Poke Co. 

The Poke Co. is Cape Town’s best Poke Bowl restaurant. They’ve got tuna, salmon, tofu, chicken, edamame beans, mango, avo, nori, wasabi mayo and delicious sauces. You can make your own Poke bowl or chose one of their fan favourite combos. They’ve got locations in Kloof Street, Sea Point, Loop Street and Claremont. Their aesthetic is pink and playful! 

Find their menu here. 

Trading hours:
SEA POINT:
Mon – Fri 8AM- 9:30PM
Sat 8AM – 9:30PM
Sun 10AM – 9:30PM

​CBD:
Mon – Sat 8AM- 9:30PM
Sat 9AM – 9:30PM
Sun 11AM – 9:30PM

​KLOOF ST:
Mon – Fri 8AM- 9:30PM
Sat 9AM – 9:30PM
Sun 11AM – 9:30PM

​CLAREMONT:
Mon – Fri 8AM- 9:30PM
Sat 9AM – 9:30PM
Sun 11AM – 9:30PM

​Loop Street: 087 470 0125
Kloof Street: 021 286 9597
Sea Point: 087 701 9692
Claremont: 087 470 0583

 

Travelling to Cape Town? Make sure you purchase an e-sim for your trip. Use my code OLIVIA7947 for 3$ off 

 

Cape Town Foodie Guide: Snacks

Mochi Mochi, Buitengracht St

Mochi Mochi is the new Japanese kid on the block and its got some sweet treats to offer. Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made  pounding glutonious rice into a chewy, sticky dough. They’ve got the most delicious menu of Japanese treats including Japanese cheesecake (10/10 reccommend), mochi ice cream, and mochi truffles. It’s such a fun place to try something new and the decor is quirky too. Originally located on site with Torii and Tjing Tjing rooftop bar, Mochi Mochi has moved to a new location in Buitengracht Street. 

Find their menu here. 

Trading hours:
Tuesdays: 9am to 5pm
Wed to Sat: 8am to 5pm

Whatsapp 063 885 5788
Call us
021 422 4374
021 422 4920

Jason Bakery, Green Point 

Jason Bakery has the most delicious croissants, pastries, doughssants and sourdough breads. They also have a sit down restaurant but their bakery is really where it’s at. I’m talking sweetie-pie croissants and the most insane cruffins. Follow them on Instagram for their weekly menu drops. 

Find their menu and preorder forms here. 

Trading hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday to Saturday: 7am to 3pm
Sunday: 8am to 2pm

021 433 0538

Honest Chocolate, Wale Street

Honest Chocolate is the most decadent place and will be a firm favourite for any chocaholic. Death by chocolate is the name of the game here with a full chocolate menu. Try their short and dark hot chocolates, banana bread bunny chow, or a chocolate tart (they have gluten free and vegan options available). This is awesome starting point for any First Thursdays Art Gallery adventure. 

Find their menu here. 

Trading hours:
Sunday 09:00-16:00
Monday – Friday 10:00 – 18:00
Saturday 09:00 – 17:00

 

South Yeaster, Hout Bay 

Another amazing new kid on the block. South Yeaster was born from the lockdown sourdough craze and since has become a full blown bakery business with a sellout shop. They stock croissants, sourdough breads, and a range of delicious pastries. If you find yourself in the Republic of Hout Bay make sure you grab one of their almond croissants- I think they are the best I’ve ever had!

Trading hours:
Wednesday – Saturday 8am – 2pm 

​They have 2 deliveries, so please take note:
8am – sourdough, croissants, binocular boys, loams
9:30am – sourdough baguettes, almies, other specialty pastries and breads 

[email protected] 

Grumpy & Runt, Dunkley Square

THE BEST VEGAN DONUTS! Grumpy & Runt is a cute little deli and donut shop originally located in Dunkley Square but have now moved to Eat Ditto in Kloof Street and it is home to the best vegan donuts you will ever eat, if not THE best donuts you will ever eat. They are huge, juicy and topped with the most scrumptious flavour combinations. Think birthday cake donuts, milk tart flavour, hazelnut chocolate, NYC cheesecake with blueberry, lemongrasss & crème brûlée, turkish delight & pistachio and a million other divine combinations. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine sure is! Keep an eye on their Instagram page for the Wednesday Weekly flavour drop! 

Trading hours:
Mondays & Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday – Friday: 8am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 9am -2pm

[email protected]
[email protected]
+2760 365 4917

The Creamery

My favourite ice cream spot in Cape Town HAS to be The Creamery. Many are torn between Kristen’s Kickass Ice Cream and The Creamery but my allegiance lies with The Creamery. As an Old Westerfordian I was in High School when the Creamery first began and have been enjoying their delicious scoops for the past ten years (!!!). I love their simple flavours made with the most natural ingredients from local farms and businesses. They now have 7 locations across Cape Town and still make the most delicious ice cream!

Trading Hours:
Newlands Monday-Sunday 09.00 – 22.00
Palmyra Junction Monday-Sunday 09.00 – 22.00
Constantia Emporium Monday-Sunday 9.00 – 21.00
Twenty on Vineyard Monday-Sunday 12.00 – 20.30
Mouille Point Monday-Sunday 09.00 – 22.00
Durbanville Monday-Sunday 09.00 – 22.00
Oranjezicht City Farm Saturday 8.15 – 14.00, Sunday 9.00 – 14.00

Pop them an email at [email protected], or call their head office on 021 447 7690. Visit their website for individual store numbers. 

 

Cape Town Foodie Guide: Dinner spots

Bao Down, Green Point 

I’ve been hearing incredible things about Bao Down for a long time now and decided it was finally time to pay a visit myself. Wow! Just wow. The decor is so on-point with classic Korean pinks, plants and aesthetics. The food is absolutely divine. This is definitely more of a treat restaurant and perfect for a special date. The food is bao buns served in portions of two. I would recommend getting 3-4 bao portions between 2 people. We got the prawn toast (THE best thing on the menu), spicy Korean fried chicken (it’s V spicy!) and pork belly. All of it was so divine. We also then shared a dessert: lemon & miso tart with double thick cream and cornflake crumb- just incredible! You can expect to pay around R450 for dinner and drinks for two. 

Find their menu here. 

Trading Hours: 
Lunch Friday’s & Saturday’s 12-3pm 
Dinner Tues – Sat 5-10pm 

You’ll definitely need to book ahead of time as they fill up quite quickly. To make a reservation click on the “Book Now” link on their website or send them an email [email protected] Contact: 066 022 1165

Mai Thai Sushi, Gardens 

Calling all sushi lovers! We all know how it goes- you love sushi so much but it’s always a bit too pricey to order all the sushi your heart desires. And that is why this all-you-can-eat sushi buffet at Mai Thai HAS to be on every sushi lover’s radar. Luke and I have spent some time figuring out which restaurant in Cape Town has the best all-you-can-eat sushi buffet on offer. We tried Active Sushi, Hamachi and finally settled on Mai Thai as THE BEST all-you-can-eat sushi special in Cape Town. For R219 per person you can eat as much sushi as your heart desires every Wednesday and Saturday 12:30- 21:20. The deal includes 8 salmon roses per person (!!!), all their sushi from the kitchen and conveyor belt and a selection of dim sum, springrolls and starters. Their sushi is really delicious and the setting is atmospheric. 

Find there menu here. It is a bit out of date but the menu items haven’t changed too much. 

Trading hours:
Mon- Sun 12:30-9:30

021 465 5846

Downtown Ramen, Harrington Street

Downtown Ramen is an incredibly authentic Japanese noodle-bar. Downtown Ramen is a real hole-in-the-wall kind of spot with dim lighting, a sizzling kitchen, tavern style dining and the most delicious ramen bowls. The ramen options are shoyu pork-belly ramen, miso ramen, chicken katsu and kimiko. The also have enormous bao buns (perfect for sharing as a starter), the most delicious Korean popcorn chicken and waffle with sesame ice cream. 

Trading hours:
Mon-Sat 1-9pm

 021 461 0407

Pizza Shed, Observatory or Bree Street

Pizza Shed has theee best Neapolitan-style pizzas in Cape Town. Their dough is a fermentated sourdough handstretched into the most scrumptious bases topped with fresh San Marzano tomato sauce, hunks of Fior di latte, and fresh Basil. This pizza just sings of pure Italian goodness! I love the plain and simple margherita topped with some avo but they have a variety of scrumptious flavour combinations to choose from. Pizza Shed have opened up two incredible new pizzerias, one in vibey Bree Street and another in Obs with a rooftop view. Their summer sessions look like the biggest vibe! Check out the Obs store’s Margherita Monday special for 2 for 1 Margheritas. 

Find their menu here. 

Trading hours:
Obs: Mon-Sun 12-9pm 
Bree: 12-9:30pm

Curry Club, Gardens

Who doesn’t love a good Indian curry? Curry Club has got it going on with the most delicious North Indian curries. Their chef is from the Punjabe region in India and whips up 50 single curries in an hour- there’s no batch cooking here- only the freshest curries made to order! Your dinner will begin with a delicious starter on the house- fresh spinach leaves flash-fried in a pea-flour batter. You then have an amazing array of options to choose from for the main event. They have delicious lamb, paneer (vegetarian), seafood and chicken curries in a variety of different sauces including kastoori and chana masala. Curry Club’s purpose is flavour over fire-power, dishes are served medium chilli strength to allow the taste of the herbs and spices to flow through. Request hot or mild if you desire. All main plates come with basmati rice. Curries are priced at R130 for vegetarian options and R155- R175 for meat options. The food is honestly really incredible, with huge portions and such pretty presentation!

Find their

Trading hours:
Tues – Sun 12:30pm – 8:30pm
CLOSED ON MONDAYS
Last orders at 7:45pm

Tel number: (021) 300 3971
Email: [email protected]

 

Some honourable mentions for dinner must go to Three Wise Monkeys (I haven’t been yet but I’ve heard rave reviews), Timbuktu for a delicious Ethiopean dining experience, and Lucky Bao. 

 

Cape Town Foodie Guide: Fine Dining 

The fine dining scene in South Africa is absolutely incredible. I have only ever had the privilege of one fine dining experience and it was at Foxcroft. It was absolutely amazing. My parents have been to La Colombe which they raved about. 

Foxcroft, Constantia 

“At Foxcroft, we aim to cook with the same intensity and thoughtfulness as fine dining but in a more casual and approachable format.” The food is absolutely exquisite with an incredible 7 course set menu for R595 per person. Each and every mouthful tastes like something from Masterchef and the attention to detail is amazing. You can also opt for a plant-based menu. They also offer a reduced menu with Foxcroft bread, 2 tapas, 1 main course, 1 dessert for R395 per person. Set within the leafy Constantia suburb, Fowxcroft feels both relaxed and elegant. 

Trading hours: 8am-9pm

Reservations can be made on their website. 

La Colombe, Constantia 

La Colombe is frequent contender on our Top 10 list and no stranger to S.Pellegrino’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants. It’s at the top of the fine dining scene in Africa and worth all the hype. I have never had the privilege of dining at La Colombe but my parents have been twice and absolutely loved every second of the experience. There are a number of menu options and they will often have spring, winter and autumn specials. They currently have their Spring Special at R795 a head for an impressive 12 course meal running for lunch until 30 Nov. Thereafter their summer rate will increase to R995 per person. Words cannot describe the caliber of the cuisine at La Colombe but it is absolutely exquisite. 

Find their extensive menu options here. 

I hope this Cape Town Foodie Guide has been helpful and you have a few new spots on your “to-try” list! 

Check out my blog post on The Table at De Meye for another amazing foodie recommendation in the winelands, or my blog on the Cape Town cafés that’ll give you all the Bali vibes.