Often when you arrive in a new city it can be confusing to choose somewhere for dinner, especially with the wide variety of choice in Cape Town.
This guide offers just a few pointers for someone new to town, but by all means explore, there are many fantastic places where you can enjoy delicious food.
Cape Town is known for its eclectic feel and there are many different kinds of dining establishments, from humble cafes to world class fine dining restaurants, visitors and Capetonians alike are spoilt for choice. The restaurant scene is very dynamic, forever changing as new places spring up and others fade away.
This is by no means an extensive look at the restaurants of Cape Town, but will hopefully offer a few pointers of where a visitor to Cape Town can experience a range of delicious meals from traditional Cape Malay, African and fine dining.
Biesmiellah - Cape Malay
If you are looking for a taste of traditional Cape Malay cuisine you should try Biesmiellah in Wale Street in the Bo-Kaap quarter. The Malay cuisine focuses on sweet, sour and spicy flavors and you can try traditional dishes like Tomato Brieedie, or a delicious Pienang Curry which is a sweet and sour beef curry.
Africa Café - Traditional African
For traditional African meals the Africa Café is a vibrant eatery in the heart of Cape Town which serves a range of Ndebele, Xhosa and Zulu dishes including Umngqusho, or Samp and beans a traditional corn and bean dish.
There are also dishes from the rest of Africa such as Channa Fish and Cassava Bread. They also serve more traditional fare like Sticky Chicken wings.
Burgers - The Royal
Cape Town has a range of fast food joints Nando's serving Portuguese inspired food, or Steers. KFC, McDonalds and Subway should all be familiar, but if you want a really good burger you cannot leave Cape Town without a visit to the Royal Eatery in Long Street.
The atmosphere is very bohemian and vibrant. They have a range of over 30 types of burgers and such as the Santori, a pork burger with teriyaki sauce, chili and ginger -yum!
Colonial Charm - The Mount Nelson
If you are looking to experience the Africa of old look no further than Cape Town's grand old lady the Mount Nelson. There are several restaurants at this grand old Cape Town hotel.
You can enjoy a delicious breakfast in the Oasis restaurant, where you can sit overlooking the rolling lawns and the pool. They serve a continental style breakfast buffet, as well as cooked English breakfasts to order.
One of the World's best High Tea's - The Mount Nelson
The food highlight of this hotel is the Mount Nelson High Tea which is considered to be one of the best in the world. You have to book in advance, and it's quite expensive, but you get to eat as much as you want from the buffet.
There is always a range of sandwiches, fresh scones, cakes, gateaux's and savories. The tea ceremony itself is an experience, with a range of teas on offer, as well as sage advice on exactly how long to brew it for!
