Best Places to Eat in Cape Town: 18 Tried-and-Tested Restaurants We Actually Loved

Saleha
Jan 19
7 min read

Cape Town’s food scene is overwhelming in the best way possible. From breakfast spots worth waking up early for, to comfort food, grills, buffets, markets and dessert stops, there’s no shortage of options. But with so many places trending at once, it’s hard to know what’s genuinely worth your time and money.

All the places on this list are spots we’ve personally eaten at (sometimes more than once) and enjoyed enough to recommend without hesitation. This isn’t a roundup of what’s trending online, but what actually delivered on flavour, atmosphere, and value. Whether you’re visiting Cape Town or looking for your next local meal, here are 18 best places to eat in Cape Town.

Cafe 51 (Woodstock)

Best for a comforting breakfast and relaxed group dining

Cafe 51 is one of those places that quietly gets everything right. We visited for Eid breakfast and immediately felt welcomed, from the warm service to the cosy atmosphere. The full breakfast was generous and satisfying, with sausages, macon, eggs, beans, tomatoes and sourdough toast doing exactly what a breakfast should do: keep you full and happy.

What stood out beyond the food was the space. There’s room for small catch-ups and big family gatherings, and the team clearly knows how to cater for both. They’re also open until 5pm, making this a solid option beyond breakfast.

Florentin

Best for breakfast specials and a cosy, aesthetic setting

Florentin combines beautiful interiors with genuinely good food. The space alone makes you want to linger, with soft lighting and warm colours creating a calm, inviting atmosphere. Add to that a weekday R99 breakfast special and you already have a winner.

The Turkish eggs were creamy and indulgent, the shakshuka was baked just right, and the Lahmacun flatbread completely changed our minds about flatbreads. Crisp potatoes rounded off the meal perfectly. They also cater for halaal diners, which makes this an easy recommendation. This works perfectly as part of a Cape Town weekend itinerary.

Shift Espresso (Canal Walk)

Best for fresh pasta and an elevated casual dining experience

Shift Espresso surprised us in the best way. Known for their café-style meals, they’ve now added fresh pasta dinners on weeknights, and it’s worth planning around. Their pasta is made in-house and you can taste the difference.

The Spicy Arrabbiata brought real heat, the Fungi Alfredo was rich and comforting, and the Tuscan Cream struck a great balance with basil pesto and roasted tomatoes. Add cosy decor, comfortable seating, and a team that genuinely cares, and this becomes a great option for both lunch and dinner.

La Vigna (Somerset West)

Best for winter specials and refined comfort food

La Vigna’s winter 2- or 3-course menu is one of those deals that feels like a proper treat without being over-the-top. Set within a beautiful hotel, the experience feels special from the moment you arrive.

The minestrone soup was warming and hearty, the fish cakes were veggie-forward and well balanced, and the mains really shone. The Cape Malay chicken curry was comforting, but the braised beef short rib pie edged it with its tender meat and perfect pastry. Dessert was good, but the savoury courses were the real stars. All meat is sourced from halaal butchers, which is a big plus.

Mykonos (Sunday Buffet)

Best for an affordable, filling buffet meal

If you love a buffet, Mykonos delivers. Their winter Sunday buffet offers variety, generous portions, and flavours inspired by Greek-style comfort food. From salads to slow-cooked meats, fish, rice dishes and desserts, it’s designed to leave you full for the rest of the day.

It’s halaal-friendly, offers vegan options, and works well for families or group outings. At R235 per adult, it’s good value for the amount and quality of food on offer.

Conscious Carnivores

Best for burgers, mocktails and indulgent comfort food

Conscious Carnivores continues to be one of Cape Town’s strongest contenders for great burgers. Their newly renovated space feels intimate and luxurious, without losing the warmth that made people love them in the first place.

The Beef A La Crème and Nashville Chicken Tenders were both standout dishes, with portions large enough to be mains despite being listed as starters. Their mocktails are consistently good, and their Spanish Latte remains our favourite cold coffee in the city. This is a place to take your time and enjoy the experience.

Gogi (Halaal Korean BBQ)

Best for interactive dining and Korean flavours

Gogi offers something different with its Korean BBQ-style dining. You can grill your own meat at the table or order from the kitchen. The BBQ Bulgogi and Galbi were flavourful and fun to cook, though better shared alongside other dishes.

The kitchen-prepared items really impressed us. The Korean fried chicken and Dakgangjeong sticky wings hit the perfect balance between crispy, spicy and sweet. Starters like corn dogs, dumplings and tokkochi are worth ordering generously. If you’re visiting the city, pair this list with our things to do in Cape Town guide.

Damascus

Best for a unique Middle Eastern breakfast experience

Damascus brings Syrian breakfast flavours to Cape Town in a way that feels both authentic and approachable. The hummus with lamb was our standout dish, rich and comforting even if it’s not traditionally a breakfast option.

The shakshuka leaned heavily on herbs rather than oil, which made it feel different from other versions around the city. Pair that with Syrian coffee or mint tea, and finish with baklava or waffles, and you’ve got a memorable breakfast that feels like something new.

Kapoochka

Best for comforting Indian food

Kapoochka is one of those places we'll eat at when we want home food without the effort. Their meals are delicious and mouthwatering, and we've never regretted ordering something new from their menu. Saleha loves the pani puri to this date, funnily enough that was the first thing that we ever tried at Kapoochka.

Pizza Familia (Gordon’s Bay & Access Park)

Best for grills, ribs and value-for-money meals

Pizza Familia manages to balance two cuisines surprisingly well: grills and pizza. Their ribs were tender and flavourful, falling off the bone, and the rib burger delivered exactly what you’d hope for after tasting the meat on its own.

Their pizzas hold their own too, with plenty of options to suit different tastes. Portion sizes are generous, prices are reasonable, and it’s a solid option whether you’re dining in or grabbing takeaway.

*The ribs at Pizza Familia are fall away, melt in your mouth ribs*

N1 Truck Valley

Best halaal food truck market experience

Food truck markets can be hit or miss, but N1 Truck Valley stood out because everything we tried was good. From loaded fries to burgers, corndogs and waffle fries, the quality across vendors was consistent.

It’s fully halaal, which makes it easy to explore without hesitation, and it’s best enjoyed with a group so you can sample more stalls. Vendors rotate regularly, keeping things fresh and interesting.

Eastern Food Bazaar

Best for affordable variety in the city centre

Eastern Food Bazaar is a Cape Town institution. It offers an impressive range of Asian and Mediterranean dishes at prices that still feel fair. The food court-style setup is part of the experience, and once you understand the ordering flow, it’s smooth sailing.

Our go-to orders are the chicken tikka, shawarma and dosas. Portions are generous, flavours are reliable, and it’s a great stop whether you’re local or visiting the city.

LA Farms

Best for premium meat and simple, bold flavours

LA Farms lets the quality of their meat do the talking. Whether it’s their burgers or grills, sauces take a back seat to well-cooked, flavourful cuts.

The sirloin, lamb chops and wagyu fillet steak sandwich were all excellent, with the sandwich standing out as one of the best we’ve had in Cape Town. Their chips, fried in wagyu tallow, are a perfect pairing and hard to forget.

Knead Dean Street

Best for brunch and surprisingly good lunch options

Second chances matter, and Knead Dean Street proved that. On our return visit, the lunch menu stole the show. The spicy mince toasty and Korean-style crunch burger were flavourful, well-balanced, and genuinely memorable.

The space is warm and inviting, with friendly staff who make the experience even better. If you’ve only been for breakfast before, lunch is where this spot really shines.

Cookie Co (Bree Street)

Best for cookies in Cape Town

Cookie Co nails texture and flavour. Their cookies have a crisp outside, gooey centre, and rich chocolate that keeps us coming back. The chocolate chip cookie is the standout, but everything we’ve tried has been consistently good.

Located on Bree Street, it’s an easy stop for dessert or a sweet treat after a meal.

Fish on the Rocks (Hout Bay)

Best for classic fish and chips with a view

Fish on the Rocks is iconic for a reason. Affordable seafood, massive portions, and unbeatable ocean views make this a Cape Town staple. The hake and chips never disappoint, and the prawns are always a good add-on.

It’s busy, a bit chaotic, and absolutely worth it. Make time to walk around the area and soak in the views while you’re there.

Nuri Sushi

Best for fried sushi and reliable delivery

Nuri Sushi does fried sushi extremely well. Their fried California rolls, whether tuna, salmon or prawn, are consistently satisfying. We often order delivery, but the Parliament Street location is also great for eating in, and it works out great for big groups.

It’s perfect for sharing, starter lovers, or when you want something comforting and familiar.

Vegan Goods Market (Tokai)

Best for plant-based food and community vibes

Even if you’re not vegan, the Vegan Goods Market is worth visiting. This surprised us. The food is creative, flavourful, and surprisingly filling. From sweet potato-based pizzas to curries, samosas and jollof-style dishes, there’s a lot to explore.

Beyond food, the market has a strong community feel, with friendly vendors and a wide range of lifestyle stalls. It runs monthly on Sundays and is well worth planning around.