I am returning to Cape Town in late February/early March and was looking for some restaurant recommendations.
A lot has changed since I visited in October 2019 with many post-COVID closings. The famed Test Kitchen – which more than lived up to its reputation in 2019 – is now a more experimental, apprentice shop for budding culinary students. I am sure it is excellent and I will likely pay it a return visit but it is no longer a “must see” destination.
Places I have already lined up: La Colombe, FYN, Jan at La Motte.
I may try some of the other Luke Dale Roberts establishments like The Pot Luck Club but if there are recommendations you can share, especially if they have a noteworthy South African wine list I would appreciate your thoughts.
Cheers!
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We visited Social Table in early 2020 and really enjoyed it.
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FYN was one of the highlights of our trip last year. Jan at La Motte was nice, but we preferred his other restaurant in Tswalu Kalahari. Other restaurants in CPT we thought were great:
- Ouzeri - very casual but incredible food
- Salon (by Luke Dale Roberts) was quite nice
- Chef’s Warehouse Beau Constantia
- The Pot Luck Club
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A visit to Capetown is being planned for next January so following this thread.
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you already know about Luke Dale Roberts but I’d add Salon to your last, as someone else mentioned
Fergus Henderson (St John’s), Margot Henderson (Rochelle Canteen) and Rose Chalalai (Rose Kitchen) are doing a two day pop up at Krone Wine Estate on the 24 + 25th Feb that should be brilliant.
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I am working with two travel agents - one for the overall trip (multistop) and one specific to cape town. But the guy from the first company is from cape town so he is giving me input on my CT portion too.
bottom line- both independently said Belly of the Beast is their favorite CT restaurant.
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Man! I wish I saw this sooner… I own an importer/wholesaler/retailer focusing SOLELY on South African wine called Culture Wine Co. I visit South Africa a couple of times per year. I have this blog post below as a great list-format of the best places to eat, drink and stay. If you ever have questions, hit me up! I am SO happy to help!!
I am super happy to help. Definitely start here
BIG TIME rec all these places. Although, I would def recommend you also look at Chef’s Warehouse Tintswalo - it’s in the most remarkable location (base of a mountain on the water in Chapman’s Peak). Hard to get to but worth every second. Be sure to go just before sunset
Chapman’s Peak Drive is epic in itself.
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Ah yes, never been to Chef’s Warehouse Tintswalo, but heard the views (and food) are phenomenal! Will try and go on our next visit to Cape Town 2 months from now!
Some great tips and addresses in your blogpost! My 2 cents about some of the places you mentioned on your website (for everyone looking into going to Cape Town and surroundings):
- Kloof Street House is a really fun restaurant. We go at least once a year and it’s always packed and a vibe.
- Oranjezicht market on the weekends is a must. Great ambiance, lots of fun different food stalls, great produce.
- Tasting at Hamilton-Russell was probably my wine highlight of South Africa thus far. Intimate tasting with Anthony, beautiful setup - both at the lake as well as in the cellar, lovely wines. Highly recommend!!
- Creation is a good one too - but more popular/commercial. Good casual lunch spot when you’re in the area.
- Delaire Graff is a beautiful property, but when we were there they only did tastings inside, which is a shame as the views from the gardens are really nice. Never stayed at the hotel, but heard it’s nice!
- Babylonstoren is a beautiful property. The tasting however is a commercial shitshow and I would only recommend going if you’re planning on eating at one of the restaurants or staying overnight in one of the fynbos cottages which are really nice.
- Chef’s Warehouse at Maison is a really good restaurant that I would also recommend. Also stayed at one of their villas, which was nice, but not spectacular. You should be able to find better for the price. Same applies to their wines by the way.
- Bouchard Finlayson is a fun one for a tasting. Not too commercial, very laid-back. Good charcuterie and cheese board!
- Restless River I heard a lot about and would love to do a tasting, but last time they were too busy with harvest. Never tried their wines, but again, heard lots of great things! Might try to get in once more in a few months.
- Richard Kershaw I really like the wines, but not sure you can do a tasting? Last time I checked his offices/winery were in some kind of industrial neighbourhood in Elgin? Can be wrong here! I think the same goes for Vilafonté. Really love their wines, but I don’t think they have a tasting facility?
If I may make some hotel suggestions - Ellerman House in CPT really is spectacular and for me personally the best hotel in Cape Town (haven’t stayed in all of them, but it’s a notch above The Silo and the Mount Nelson).
La Residence in Franschhoek is also a must. Both of the above hotels are expensive, but even if you just go for lunch or dinner you’ll quickly see why they are special. If you’re visiting the Hemel-en-Aarde Vallei, then Birkenhead House in Hermanus is the place to stay. Photos don’t do it justice. It’s really a special place. Not sure you can just go for a meal if you’re not a hotel resident, but worth inquiring!
Can’t wait to go back to South Africa! What a special place!
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do you think Oranjezicht market is worth it on Wednesdays too? our schedule won’t allow saturday but could do wednesday
Thoughts on Grub & Vine and Belly and the Beast? The former seems to have a solid wine list.
One of the best all around wine tastings we’ve done anywhere was at Leeu Passant in Franschhoek. We ate at La Petit Colombe there - sibling to the one you’ve booked in Constantia. Both were tremendous.
In Cape Town we had a low key but excellent meal at Silk - Asian Fusion