GDKSS

We are planning a trip to south africa in July and we are looking for suggestions to any worthy restaurants ( we are foodies!) in capetown. we will only be there 3 nights. thanks

kurt_a

A couple of ideas to tease you with:

Cape Malay cuisine is the 'cajun' of South Africa -- a port city creole of all the wonderful influences that have affected this place for the last 3 centuries. The authentic food of the Cape. You must indulge. High-end is the Cape Malay restaurant at Cellars-Hohenort or the Cape Colony at the Mount Nelson. Local folks eat at Zorina's Cafe (3 generations) for lunch or Biesmillah. If you're feeling adventurous, try the one day Cape Malay cooking course with Andulela (http://www.andulela.com/english/mala..._workshop.html) that comes highly recommended.

Consider staying at Rodwell House for the most sophisticated food-wine pairings you're going to find in town. 15,000 wines from around the world in the cellar and an amazing chef. Newly opened in December 2006, 5-star everything. Located in St James. Restaurant only for guests, I believe.

Have breakfast or lunch at Olympia Cafe in Kalk Bay. Authentic as they come and great food.

The most consistently good top-notch restaurant over my decade of time here has been Aubergine - definitely has the best sommelier in town as well. Another consistently excellent, established place is Savoy Cabbage.

If you've never had Ethiopian cuisine (or even if you have!) then Addis in Cape is a must. The best outside of Ethiopia or Kenya that I've had.

Go for oysters and champagne at Riboville, but give dinner a pass. Gorgeous space but the food isn't up to scratch (yet).

Constantia Uitsig restaurant is top notch.

Go to Franschhoek and wallow in it. Foodie heaven. La Quartier Francais and Reuben's are the hot ones. Book early! Amazing cheese shop too...and the wine...and chocolates.

Overrated:
- Ginja
- one.waterfront
- The Showroom
- anything in Camps Bay
- Haiku

Fun but not foodie quality:
- African Cafe
- Tank

Let the debates begin!

Kurt

--
afrikatourism.blogspot.com

Kavey

I'd worry that my recommendation were outdated were it not for the fact that I've read more recent reviews backing it up - I'd strongly recommend Le Bon Vivant in Franschhoek. Food quality and service to rival the well-known names and yet prices much more reasonable. Probably one of the best meals we had in South Africa on our 5 week trip.

We also enjoyed some very delicately prepared fish/ seafood at Baia which is located at the waterfront. It's a touch more formal than other Cape Town restaurants, just for you info.

DJE

Also dined at Baia while in Cape Town. Wonderful crayfish. Enjoyed the seafood very much and ended up going twice during our week long stay.

suecron

My husband and I lived in Cape Town for 6 months last year and are back again for another extended stay. Our home is in the San Francisco Bay area so we have eaten at a lot of good restaurants. Higher end restaurants that we have returned to a number of times are Showroom, Jardine, Ginja, Savoy Cabbage and Reubens(in Franschhoek). Other upscale restaurants that we tried, enjoyed but never retuned incude One Waterfront, Aubergine (pricier than most),La Colombe(mainly didn't return here because the previous chef left),Cape Malay and La Petite Ferme(Franschhoek). We were disappointed by The Tasting Room. Aside from the fact that there was too much food, for so many courses, the food was mediocre and very expensive. Less expensive restaurants that we return to again and again include Fork(delicious tapas), Cargills (a great place to dine before going to the Baxter theater), Buzbey Grill(a real local place), Posticino for pizza(another place locals frequent)and Kabab Mahol (very good Indian food).
Much like Zagat is the Rossow's Restaurants 2007 that reviews Cape Town and the Wineland restaurants with some Garen route places also included. You might want to purchase this when you arrive in one of the local bookstores.

amolkarnik

This is perhaps a very touristy recommendation, but Mama Africa?