Cape town is multicultural and amazing area of foods with delicious foods from all over the world and for all age and classes of people. This lively city can pride itself with a great choice in both local and global cuisine without overcharging you an arm and a leg. In this guide, you are going to meet nine restaurants that we’d like to present in details as they serve outclass meals at reasonable prices. Whether searching for great food to taste thru local specialties or just inspire yourself where to eat, in Cape Town you’ll be able to satisfy your hunger. You might find our blog that lists usual African dishes interesting and bear in mind to try bobotie out, we loved it!
1. GOLD Restaurant
An Odyssey in the Cuisines of Africa
The element of entertainment is also equally emphasized in the case of the restaurant called GOLD Restaurant. A number of clients claimed that for €22 per head, they were served 14-course meal, which was prepared to present the taste of North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Africa. Every meal is delicately crafted to provide patrons with an array of the African continent’s palate. This carnival of flavours has a hard time matching – South African grilled bread roostkoek, Xhosa vegetable fritters imfino beef patties, sweet potato pancakes typical for Malawi and many other dishes which are delicious enough to make a separate meal by themselves! The popular dishes include Zanzibar fish curry with coconut and spinach and Northwest African couscous with cauliflower amongst others.
But there is one thing more – the spirit of GOLD Restaurant is rather happy and joyful, which is rather comforting. In between the courses, they have live performances of the African dance and songs, therefore, making it not only delicious for the tongue but for the eyes as well. And that atmosphere is reflected in the restaurant environment as it is nicely divided into several rooms that do not look identical, but have a common energetic spirit. It is easier to arrange the structure of the place considering the private table arrangements or a large group, so that everyone can watch the show and eat simultaneously.
This also makes it disability accessible where due to the popularity, one needs to make a booking beforehand. Took our chances after getting a place on the waiting list, so do not leave it up to fate. It defines true fusion with with the visitors being able to enjoy good food while at the same time being able to get a feel of the local culture of Cape Town.
Location and Practical Tips
The physical location of GOLD Restaurant is in Central Cape Town and therefore the accessibility of the place is not a problem. It is prohibited for cars to stop nearest to this theatre, so the most convenient means of transport are taxi or any ride-sharing service. There is not dress code for the restaurant, however, the guests are welcome to put on bright colors as the atmosphere of the restaurant is jolly. And let it be known that this doesn’t end in the food; it is also the culture, so do not be shy in participation to the cultural troupes as the environment is joyful.
Culture and exclusivity of the products sold
Instead of simply stating what the novel is about, it is about what GOLD Restaurant serves: it is about the taste of Africa. The offerings are wide ranging and offer a lesson on the food of the various African countries; a learning that comes with the feast of the stomach. Even the performers of the songs and dances that were acted out in the restaurant wore folk costumes and spoke about their people’s culture along with the food they offered. This creates the offering beyond the restaurant experience but as a cultural center and identifier to African traditions in Cape Town.
2. Eastern Food Bazaar
A Budget-Friendly Culinary Adventure
The atmosphere of the Eastern Food Bazaar is a food hall kind of environment situated between two working streets in the city of Cape Town. By this place, any frugal customer seeking a variety of tastes while observing their pocket should consider it a paradise. The organisational structure is similar to the food court which has several fast foods outlets; however, the specialty is Indian foods. The long narrow hall is normally associated with the smell of spices that attracts the clienteles as well as tourists.
The bazaar lays a variety of foods including the kebabs, pizzas, and Indian foods such as samosas, rotis, and biryanis. Among the specialties it is necessary to mention the bunny chow, which is a tasteful curry served in the loaf of bread which has been opened from inside. The dish originated in Durban in the Apartheid time of South Africa but the dish is widely savored across the country now. Available for as a low as €2. from €50 to €7—a rather low price for the hearty dinner which could be barely afforded.
Location and Atmosphere
What started Eastern Food Bazaar is also strategically located – it can easily be a place to grab a bite in the midst of a busy day of shopping and sight-seeing. The place is rather simple and not much attention is paid to the atmosphere because the priority is on the quality of the meal. It has formal ambiance which is relaxed as most of the clientele is busy executing their orders of the most preferred meals. Very much a do it yourself franchise, be ready to wait in a line and find your own place to sit. Accessibility is great as people from all walks of life gather and the setting is relatively lively which makes it a truly Capetonian affair.
Cultural diversity and cuisine interaction
The bazaar offers meals that are associated with Cape Town’s diverse culture. Even though the primary concentration is on the Indian meals, you will also have the influence of Middle Eastern as well as the western meals. Such versatility is proof of the cultural variety of the city, and a chance for the visitors to taste several types of meals at once. Due to the cheaper prices, several dishes can be ordered at once, quite beneficial to people who switch between meals often.
3. Ocean Basket Camps Bay
Seafood Delights by the Sea
Based in one of the most beautiful regions the Camps Bay, Ocean Basket Camps Bay is one of the finest seafood restaurants. This restaurant is one of a chain of restaurants that originated from Pretoria in 1995 with the primary service in seafood. Seafood is prominently displayed on the menu that goes from the classics such as fish and chips to the latest trends in Japanese cuisine, sushi and sashimi included.
Instead, we ordered the seafood platter for two; this was served with tasty and fresh prawns, calamar, sea bream and mussels in butter and lemon sauce. The platter also included potatoes and rice, which made the serving big enough to be called a complete meal. The taste of the fish and chips are well defined and at a price of around RM90 it is very fairly priced excellent value for money. The seafood served is fresh and cooked to proper standards; however, they cannot equal fine dining seafood restaurants. Still, for the given price, it is one of the best places to enjoy a sea foods assortment.
Location and Dining Experience
Located stricking distance from the beach curve, Ocean Basket Camps Bay is an excellent place to take a casual dinner. The interior and the overall atmosphere of the place take place at the restaurant, as well as its relaxed family oriented theme. For those more relaxed type of eaters, it may be advisable to take your meal away and heading to one of the nearby beaches to eat the seafood as you listen to the waves crashing on the beach.
Local Flavours and Wine and Cheese Combination from the South Africa
While placing your order, you can also order variety of wines available in South Africa to go hand in hand with your meal. This country is famous for wine making and the restaurant has an excellent choice of wines that go well with the marine food. Whether you formally are a wine taster or an occasional wine consumer or even if you are a wine novice, trying out wines coming from South Africa can bring so much more to a meal. The restaurant’s staff is also very friendly and they are also well conversant and they can give suggestions on the best vintages to compliment the foods.
4. Kalky’s
The best and most popular dish : good old Fish and Chips with Seaview!
To get real fish and chips experience in Cape Town, it is recommended to go to Kalky’s. Located in a quaint town of Kalk Bay, this is a perfect place for the fish and chips lovers as it serves some of the best fish and chips in Cape Town. It is perhaps a very popular restaurant among the locals because they serve food in large quantities and costs a lot cheaper than the other restaurants. The surrounding is rather informal and domestically looking, wooden tables and giving a feeling of self-service are friendly too.
Kalky’s has one of its branches positioned by the seashore bringing the view of the harbor and the deep ocean. It is the best place to rebuff after a day of tension, looking at the beautiful sceneries of the Cape Peninsula while enjoying good food. The fish is fresh that has been fried and well accompanied by some chips. We only ordered two portions of the pap and we agree it is one of the best that we have tasted in Cape Town. The portions are liberal making it a good candidate for sharing.
Atmosphere and Local Charm
It’s a friendly environment and Kalky’s has a rather assorted clientele of the local people as well as foreign guests who appreciate rather limited but delicious offerings available in the café. There is also an added bonus since the restaurant is situated in Kalk bay which has more of the bohemian artistic crew. Using the powder room subsitute after your meal why not have a leisurely walk around the harbor area where you are able to witness fishermen at work or enjoy shopping at stores and arcade of art galleries.
Sustainability and Freshness
In terms of the quality of the dishes, Kalky’s focus, to buy fresh seafood and use local products, does surface here. Because of the minimal working done to the fish, it is almost perfect for any lover of fish and seafood to try out this restaurant. A concern that is common in any place that deals with seafood is that of sustainability, and Kalky’s complies with this aspect. It is the creamy veggie sauce though that really shines and the fact that everything is cooked to order with such quality and in such a responsibly sourced manner makes eating at Kalky’s a very guilt-free pleasure indeed.
5. Tiger’s Milk
We admittedly loved our Comfort Food and Stunning Sunsets and its unique take on food-writing.
Tiger’s Milk is one more excellent eat-in point in the Camps Bay vicinity. Being rather relaxed and offering quite tasty comfort food, this restaurant has established itself as the place people prefer. Menu comprises burgar and pizzas, fresh and tasty fish and sea food, fresh and tasty salads and many more. Personal favorites in our order were the calamari served with aioli sauce and a beautifully made truffle ham sandwich that was tasty and fairly priced.
Another thing that gratified using Tiger’s Milk eatery is a possibility to have dinner outside on the terrace sipping the view appealing the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. Hussar is situated in a good location and-is very beautiful at night – perfect for a romantic dinner. The prices are affordable, and most of the foods barely go above €10 per head with the drinks inclusive. Tiger’s Milk is another restaurant that serves good food, amazing views and has a laid back friendly atmosphere and so is a must stop for food lovers in Cape Town.
This section includes the key offerings that are typical for the restaurant and the dishes constituent the locals’ traditional eating habits.
This of course, makes Tiger’s Milk is a restaurant for all, as evidenced by their hugely extensive menu. Besides the types of meals that are commonly considered comfort food, there is also a choice of meals to include local meals and meals specific to the South African region. Especially popular is the Steaks/Burgers, hair-raising real beef burgers with different toppings. The meats, poultry, and game dishes like grilled fish and calamari are also ordered regularly to exemplify the restaurant’s policy for farm-to-table-foods.
Localised Casual Dining
It can mainly be described as a relaxed atmosphere given the restaurant’s name – Tiger’s Milk. The appearance of the place is quite contemporary and elegant with a few traces of industrial look. Live music is frequently played in the restaurant which also functions as a venue for different events. Be it the rush hour or evening snack or a quiet dinner, Tiger’s Milk cover all sorts of occasions well. The staff is courteous and conscious of the patients’ situation to make every visit as comfortable as possible.
6. Col’Cacchio
Italy comes to life in Cape Town through these produced flavors.
Col’Cacchio is therefore hub for all lover of Italian food. The food at this rather famous restaurant chain is rather traditional Italian food – including pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven, pasta dishes, and salads. It aims at serving quality meals to all its customers by purchasing quality ingredients which are also fresh in market and prepares delightful meals from them. We ordered the ‘half margherita and half parmigiana pizza’, along with ‘amatriciana pasta’ and appreciable Italian touch to it can be witnessed from the taste.
Other options such as Vegetarian and vegan diets are also accommodated in Col’Cacchio menu and there are several options under this category. The interior and the general looks of the place are very relaxed and cause no appearance of being too formal and therefore is an ideal place for a family dinner or a casual dinner with friends. The average food portion per dish costs between R100-140 (£5-7), hence, it is relatively cheap to have Italian food in Cape Town.
Authenticity and Quality Ingredients
Focusing on the Italian cuisine, Col’Cacchio is determined to offer its clients the genuine Italian taste of the dishes. The pizzas are made in a wood fired oven and I added that this was because the outside was crunchy while inside the pizza had a smoky taste. The made entrees and side dishes are all made from scratch and served piping hot the pasta dishes are prepared fresh with traditional recipes to boot. There is also a choice of authentic Italian desserts which will help to complete your meal to the fullest, namely tiramisu and gelato.
Warm and Homey Environment
The appearance of the eating places at Col’Cacchio reflects a warm and welcoming outlook of the current generation with a modern feel. For kids particular attention is paid to the menu and there are coloring books available in the restaurant to entertain the children. The staff are friendly and professional and offer great suggestion, always ready to help. Taking both from Col’Cacchio’s interior and from what customers reported, it can be concluded that eating in the restaurant or ordering delivery, the restaurant managed to provide a satisfactory dining experience that is true to Italian food culture.
7. Truth Coffee
A Steampunk Coffee Haven
The following facts are testimony to the fact that; Trust Coffee is not any ordinary coffee business; instead, it is a voyage. This coffee shop situated in Cape Town is celebrating the title as the world’s best coffee shop. La Décorations industriales et Steampunk donc l’amBIance est à la fois originale et chic. In terms of interior design, there is equipment like old working heavy machinery, metal pipes, and installation, and dark tones dominate the color palette.
The coffee served at the Truth Coffee is excellent coming from freshly roasted coffee beans in the place. Brewing ranges from espresso to hand brew pour-over, guaranteeing that at the cafe, each cup is made to the customer’s recommended taste. Apart from coffee, Truth Coffee offers the customers breakfast meals, sandwiches and pastries. We ordered croissant and cakes, which were tasteful filled with chocolate and was baked this morning.
A Coffee Lover’s Paradise
The culture of Truth Coffee is all about making quality coffee and this is clearly depicted from the process used. The personnel at the cafe, includes baristas, is highly trained and knowledgeable about coffee, suggesting the best coffee for their clients. The coffee beans are buying from the sustainable farms and roasted in small batches to serve the best quality coffee with the flavor. They also provide fresh roasted beans for sale; you can take the quality cup of Truth Coffee at the comfort of your home.
The main goals of the restaurant would be defining a unique and stylish atmosphere, strengthening Bromley’s culinary position, and maintaining a high quality of services.
The setting in the Truth Coffee is rather steampunk, which makes the atmosphere genuinely marvelous. All the decorations of the machinery, the paintings, and trinkets in the cafe are part of the cafe’s character. The environment is calm and the servers are friendly which creates a good place to chat as one takes a cup of coffee. For the coffee lovers, those who appreciate a warm cup of coffee or a simple lovers of coffee locating with friends and family, Truth Coffee is among the must visit joints in Cape Town.
8. The V&A Waterfront Stop
There is La Parada V&A Waterfront restaurant which is situated in one of the most visited districts in Cape town – V&A Waterfront. This restaurant has a wide menu list that can be described as a combination of Spanish dishes and other types of cuisine. From conventional Spanish bar snacks like patatas bravas and croquettes to meat lovers’ burger, pasta, sushi and much more, consumers get the best.
The V&A Waterfront has a wonderful view of the harbor and the Table Mountain especially for a meal or a snack. Such opportunities to see such amazing views are offered by this restaurant’s possibility of an outdoor dining area. The foods are slightly expensive as compared to the other eating places in Cape Town, but it is worthwhile because of the tasty foods and favorable place. Regarding the food, we had a meal that cost us approximately €12 for one person and the portions contained different foods and beverages.
Food and Drink Collection Spain and beyond
The food that is served at La Parada is Spanish delicacies with a slight fusion of the South African culture. Tapas are more appropriate for sharing and thus give the diner a chance to taste a little of everything. There is also South African food offering on the menu that diversifies the treatment of local food in the restaurant. The company combines traditional Spanish dishes with the local ones, which gives the clients a resolute feeling of delight and expectation.
An active and beautiful environment for consuming food.
V&A Waterfront is one of the prominent areas that is filled with lots of shops, place of interest and entertainment joints. Through its location in this lively part of the town, La Parada is perfect for diners to rest and have a good meal after a day of sight seeing. There is always music and occasional fun events that make up atmosphere of the restaurant fun and inviting. Be you after a fast and easy meal in the middle of the day or a bit fancier option in the evening, La Parada is a perfect place for you.
9. Firefly Cafe
A Comfortable Nook for Breakfast/Lunch
Firefly Cafe is a beautiful restaurant based in the beautiful area of Camps Bay. This rather small and homey cafe is the perfect place to grab morning breakfast or brunch since they offer quite the selection of mouthwatering meals. This coupled with traditional breakfast meals such as eggs benedict, yoghurt and muesli, and pancakes are on the menu. I tasted eggs benedict and potatoes, the portion was large and the food was cooked to perfection. The other notable food was yogurt and muesli with fresh fruits, it was yummy, creamy and revived my energy.
The coffee served in the cafe is also good made from quality beans and prepared proficiently by the baristas. You would like to have lattes, cappuccinos, or just a plain coffee, Firefly Cafe is there to serve you. The restaurants’ informal ambiance and superb staff are a bonus to the fact that it is ideal for taking time to eat.
Where People Are Free to Be Themselves
Firefly Cafe is situated in the Camps Bay promenade whereby the beautiful view of the ocean can be viewed and this makes it have one of the best locations to take a meal. This cafe has interior and exterior eating spaces; the exterior tables are also appealing photo spots. Interior decoration is plain but elegant, and apart from that, the environment gives one a warm feeling like they are at home.
Ideal to Start the Day on the Right Note
The Firefly Cafe is a perfect place for a good breakfast or a brunch that will not take much time. Basically, the menu is amazing and gives a chance to try both sweet and Non-sweet deserts. The atmosphere of the cafe is quite relaxed therefore it can suit as the breakfast place if you are planning to spend the rest of the day sightseeing in Cape Town or just reading a book by the sea. It is always a pleasant time to be there due to the friendly staff as well as merit-making quality by offering food.
Finally, it is possible to conclude that Cape Town is an outstanding international city with the variety of restaurants, cafes and bars for any the desire and wallet. In GOLD Restaurant where people can have an experience of cultural dining or the simple yet homey ambiance of Firefly Cafe where mouth watering dishes can be bought at cheapest price. The restaurants are well suitable for food lovers who are interested in trying out new this that are locally prepared or maybe someone who simply needs a good meal in an interesting and beautiful environment in Cape Town. Therefore, put on your food goggles and fasten your seat belts to dig into the mouthwatering cuisine of this amazing city!