Cape Town | A Foodie Guide

Cape Town’s food scene can hold its own with the best in the world. The thing that really set it apart for us was how fresh everything was. Living in Canada, we’re accustomed to a short growing season which means a lot of our food comes from different regions  – avocados from Mexico, Oranges from Florida. But it was clear in Cape Town that its incredible food comes from incredible local ingredients. South Africa has the right climate to grow throughout the year, a bustling wine region and the resources to make everything from scratch.

Whether you’re looking for restaurants, cafés, markets, or bars, or even our favourite grocery store in the world, you can find it all right here in our Cape Town foodie guide.

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Related // The Perfect One Week Cape Town Itinerary

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Cape Town Restaurants | Fine Dining

• The Potluck Club – Overlooking the trendy neighbourhood of Woodstock, Potluck Club is a must for foodies visiting Cape Town. The innovative sharing-plate menu is divided into flavour profiles: salty, sour, bitter, sweet and umami. Creative and worldy dishes get served up one after another, from fish tacos to polenta fries to pork belly. A fresh and fun dining experience.
• Chef’s Warehouse & Canteen – A quick walk from Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, we stumbled upon Chef’s Warehouse & Canteen and were blown away. The tapas for two tasting menu was worth every penny. Elevated seafood, local and seasonal ingredients, artistically served. From oysters to crème brûlée, we were in foodie heaven. Not to mention the brilliant local wine pairing.

Related // The top food experiences in Buenos Aires

• La Petite Colombe in Franschhoek – The 7-course tasting menu at La Petite Colombe might be the poshest meal we’ve ever had. Each dish was crafted to perfection and the entire experience was carefully curated. Our favourite part was the scheduled chef’s table visit midway through the meal. And the treasure box of chocolate truffles at the end was a nice touch.
• Willoughby & Co – Cape Town’s V&A waterfront is not what we’d classify as a foodie destination. Most people flock to the familiarity of its food court. Though the V&A Food Market does offer up some tasty local options, if you’re in the area and looking for a nice dinner, head to Willoughby & Co. Don’t be put off by its location in the centre of the mall, their sushi is some of the best we’ve ever had.

Cape Town Restaurants | Quick Eats

• Jason Bakery – Known for its fresh, buttery pastries made with the best available ingredients, Jason Bakery also has a to-die-for selection of sandwiches. Go for lunch or a leisurely weekend brunch and then try to resist the urge to visit again.
• Woolworths – It may seem odd to recommend a grocery store for a quick bite, but if you have a kitchen, you must find a Woolworths to stock up at. They have an abundance of fresh local produce, a wonderful selection of interesting packaged goods, and meal bundles with all the ingredients and a recipe to create an awesome meal for two or four. Perfect for travelling foodies who want to cook while in Cape Town.
• Kalky’s Fish and Chips – You’ll need to take a car or long Uber to this one but the best fish ‘n’ chips in town is harbour-side at Kalk’s Bay. Grab a picnic table at Kalky’s overlooking the bobbing fishing boats. The fish couldn’t be fresher and the chips are crispy, salty perfection. If you can fend off the gulls long enough to enjoy the full portion you’ll be full for hours. Afterwards you can stroll along the waterfront road lined with craft stores and neighbourhood cafés. 

Related // Stop by Kalky’s on your day trip to Cape Point National Park

Food Experiences

• Faeeza’s Home Kitchen – One of our favourite food experiences in Cape Town was learning to cook Cape Malay cuisine in Bo-Kaap at Faeeza’s Home Kitchen. The class takes place in her home twice a day. We left very full, feeling like family and with some new skills we can’t wait to try out at home.

• Franschhoek Wine Tram – Winery hopping is always a good time but when it’s on a double decker train that connects some of the best wineries in the country it’s pretty unbeatable. They even start you off with a welcome drink before the first stop. Need we say more? Okay, we will, in our full guide to the Franschhoek Wine Tram.

Related // Tour Argentina’s Maipu Wine Region on Bike

Cape Town Bars 

• The Gin Bar – Our favourite bar in Cape Town is a local gem in the CBD. Hidden behind the Honest Chocolate Co. Wale St location, you have to know where the bar is to find it. Once you make your way in, the mix of open courtyard and mid-century seating sets the mood. The bar offers up an array of creative gin cocktails and perfected classics.
• The House of Machines – A more lively vibe only blocks away, The House of Machines is a bar’s bar. Live music, standing tables, classic bar rail. Weekends are sure to draw a crowd into the wee hours.

Related // Our favourite things to do in Cape Town

• Openwine – If you can’t make it to the winelands while you’re in town head to Openwine to taste your way through the region. It was sadly closed when we tried to visit but we’ll be back!
• Clarke’s Bar & Dining Room – Around the corner is a small restaurant with a great bar for classic cocktails or local wine. Bakery by day, this charming room comes alive at night with locals meeting up for after work drinks, dinner or a night cap.

Little Indulgences

• The Creamery @ V&A – The V&A Food Market is the place to eat if you get noshy while shopping but The Creamery is worth a visit all on its own. The heavenly gelato is served up in classic and quirky flavours that are sure to delight.
• Truth Coffee Roasting – Coffee lovers should run, not walk, to this roastery near the District 6 Museum. Certainly the best cup in town, possibly the country, maybe even the world. Truth treats the bean with ultimate respect and you can tell. There’s also a Truth Coffee at V&A Food Market.

• Honest Chocolate Cafe – We thought we found chocolate heaven in Argentina but Honest Chocolate is on a whole other level. These are true connoisseurs of chocolate. From farming to serving, every step is carefully considered so you can be sure that each decadent bite is not only organic but ethical. They honour the flavour of the cocoa bean and showcase it’s range without tampering too much with its flavour or sweetness. Whether you want to nerd out on chocolate or just indulge, this is a stop for you. While their Wale Street store is the flagship you can also find their chocolates at the V&A Food Market

Related // Discover our favourite South America chocolateria

What other Cape Town restaurants should be in our foodie guide?