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DESPITE ITS POPULATION of 4.8 million, Cape Town often has a small-town feel. A chat with a friendly local at the farmers’ market or on the shores of one of the city's many stunning beaches leads you to a wealth of recommendations for restaurants with menus that champion fresh, regional ingredients, whipped up by innovative chefs.
Fine dining is exciting in Cape Town, but so are the brasserie, braai (traditional South African barbeque), and casual seafood offerings. Collectively, the city’s array of restaurants skews international; it’s easy to have an incredible Italian pasta lunch and a springbok steak dinner, all within a block. But at its heart, Cape Town is a community of coastal enclaves, and its laid-back beach vibe reveals itself in the cafe culture. Think: a smoothie, açai bowl, vegan treat, or inventive salad at a casual coffee shop after a hike up Table Mountain or a sunset yoga class.
There is perhaps no better guide to South African cuisine, with a fine point on Cape Town, than Chef Nicky Gibbs, the South African founder of Crofter’s Kitchen, a native plant-focused, fine-dining restaurant in the city’s picturesque Noordhoek neighborhood. “We're just more connected to the earth,” she explains of Cape Town chefs. Having traveled the world to head kitchens in five-star hotels and on tour with some of music’s biggest stars — Paul McCartney, Madonna, and David Bowie, to name a few — she returned to her beloved Cape Town in 2015 to join the movement of chef-owners emphasizing local sourcing. For Crofter’s Kitchen, Gibbs pulls ingredients from her own backyard, and anything she cannot grow she purchases from local markets.
In this guide, she’s selected food and drink spots that share her commitment to locally sourced, seasonal cuisine. But remember, the food scene in Cape Town is buzzy, so reservations are a must.
Where to Eat and Drink
The Foodbarn Café & Tapas
Laid-back fine dining with regional flair
“I love keeping things local and supporting my community,” says Gibbs. “The food here is the best and the vibe is always happy — service always comes with a smile. I call France-born chef-owner Franck Dangereux a god of flavor, who uses the best...
“I love keeping things local and supporting my community,” says Gibbs. “The food here is the best and the vibe is always happy — service always comes with a smile. I call France-born chef-owner Franck Dangereux a god of flavor, who uses the best of local ingredients.” The Foodbarn Café & Tapas is a welcoming space that, depending on the day, serves breakfast, lunch, and a tapas-style dinner. Dangereux’s mission, aside from serving up high-quality local ingredients, is to provide a space for guests to truly experience “unpretentious fine dining.”
Kapokbos Restaurant
Seasonal, country bites overlooking a vineyard
“It’s a drive from Cape Town and, wow, is it worth it!” Gibbs exclaims. “Juan and Samantha Morris-Fourie are the chefs who run the restaurant, and I was lucky enough to spend some time working with them. The food is garden-to-table seasonal and...
“It’s a drive from Cape Town and, wow, is it worth it!” Gibbs exclaims. “Juan and Samantha Morris-Fourie are the chefs who run the restaurant, and I was lucky enough to spend some time working with them. The food is garden-to-table seasonal and showcases the best of South African cuisine.” Kapokbos Restaurant is nestled in the Weltevrede Wine Estate near Bonnievale and has stunning views. Come for lunch Tuesday through Sunday, or visit during limited dinner hours on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic
Sunset snacks and cocktails
“This place offers oceanside dining with breathtaking views,” says Gibbs. “And the food is just as incredible. The menu features great tapas made from the best of local, sustainable ingredients and is perfect for a sunset bite.”...
“This place offers oceanside dining with breathtaking views,” says Gibbs. “And the food is just as incredible. The menu features great tapas made from the best of local, sustainable ingredients and is perfect for a sunset bite.” While Chefs Warehouse is known for its spectacular seafood, vegans and vegetarians are welcome and can easily be accommodated — just make sure to indicate any dietary preferences in your reservation notes. Enjoy lunch, dinner, or snacks and cocktails here seven days a week.
Limoncello Ristorante
Authentic Italian cuisine in a relaxed environment
“I love the freshness and flavor of this Southern Italian restaurant, and it serves the best pizzas in town,” Gibbs reveals. Limoncello Ristorante is helmed by Luca and Cecilia Castiglione and is beloved for its authentic Italian dishes and casual...
“I love the freshness and flavor of this Southern Italian restaurant, and it serves the best pizzas in town,” Gibbs reveals. Limoncello Ristorante is helmed by Luca and Cecilia Castiglione and is beloved for its authentic Italian dishes and casual atmosphere. In addition to pizzas, their menu boasts homemade pasta, more substantial dishes like rib-eye steak and grilled fish, as well as lighter bites like mozzarella salads and grilled baby squid.
Where to Get Gourmet Provisions
Wild Peacock
A high-end deli and grocer
“Located in the Stellenbosch winelands, this is the best deli in the area for all things,” Gibbs reports. “All the meat and fish are sustainably and ethically sourced, something that is very important to me. As long as the places we shop look after our...
“Located in the Stellenbosch winelands, this is the best deli in the area for all things,” Gibbs reports. “All the meat and fish are sustainably and ethically sourced, something that is very important to me. As long as the places we shop look after our environment, I think we'll be okay.” Wild Peacock has been providing ingredients to local restaurants and elevated grocery staples to walk-in retail customers for more than 20 years.
Metro Organics
An urban organic farm with ready-made options
“The microgreens, herbs, fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, berries, edible flowers, and dried ingredients at this local farm are all tasty and fully organic,” says Gibbs. “My menus at Crofter’s Kitchen are often set according to what's best at Metro Organics.”...
“The microgreens, herbs, fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, berries, edible flowers, and dried ingredients at this local farm are all tasty and fully organic,” says Gibbs. “My menus at Crofter’s Kitchen are often set according to what's best at Metro Organics.” The farm sells directly to the public and is open to both restaurants and retail shoppers, making it an ideal stop for some of the area's freshest produce. More recently they began making colorful, flavorful, vegan, and gluten-free veggie wraps to take away for lunch.
The Foodbarn Deli Shop
Essential picnic ingredients
“Sometimes you just need a great ready-made meal. This is my go-to. The bakery offers the best baked goods around. I know the baker and he loves what he does. The fridges are full of great charcuterie, spreads, and cheeses. You can put the best...
“Sometimes you just need a great ready-made meal. This is my go-to. The bakery offers the best baked goods around. I know the baker and he loves what he does. The fridges are full of great charcuterie, spreads, and cheeses. You can put the best picnic together for a day at the beach or in the winelands.” The Foodbarn Deli Shop shares the restaurant's commitment to locally sourced ingredients.
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Elizabeth Fazzare Writer
Elizabeth Fazzare is a New York-based editor and journalist who covers architecture, design, and culture for publications including Architect, Architectural Digest, and Dwell. She was previously the senior architecture and design editor at Cultured magazine, and an editor at Architectural Digest.
