50 Best Restaurants in South Africa

This unassuming little bakery and deli in Dunkley Square makes the most scrumptious donuts in the city. Women-owned and all vegan, all sorts of sandwiches, bagels, subs, coffees, and treats are also on offer. Don't miss out on the oat-milk soft-serve truck outside. 

An institution on the Panorama Route, Harrie's Pancakes has included all manner of fillings in their trademark thick, fluffy pancake rolls since 1986. There's classic lemon and cinnamon or far more decadent sweet stuffings such as the iconic South African peppermint crisp crumble with caramel sauce and milk tart custard. For savory palates, the tangy bobotie with chutney vinaigrette is unforgettable.

Kassa and his friendly staff serve up affordable and delectable Ethiopian cuisine at this small restaurant at 44 Stanley—there's a selection of options for meat lovers and vegans (as Ethiopians regularly fast by not eating animal products). While the decor may be simple, comprising of a few photos and paintings of Ethiopia, the food steals the show like Beyaynetu, a vegan combo dish where lentil stew, pumpkin, chickpea gravy, sautéed spinach, curried potatoes, pickled beetroot, and tomato salsa is laid out on injera (a sourdough flat bread). The food is intended to be shared and eaten with your hands, ask Kassa can show you how, after you thoroughly wash your hands at the outdoor sink (you can also ask for cutlery). Top off your meal with a traditional coffee—after all Ethiopia is said to be the birthplace of coffee. 

This new food market at the cruise terminal near the Waterfront showcases some of the best local foods that Cape Town has to offer. Try some killer wings from Sidewing, or a beloved traditional Koesister (a Cape Malay spiced donut) from Fuzzy's Food and grab a good cup of coffee from Coffee by Moses. Want something more filling? Try a tasty dosa from Indikaap's ayurvedic kitchen or a South African braai plate from Pitso's Kitchen. Whatever you get, enjoy it outside in the sunshine, watching cruise ships parking on the dock. 

This small, stylish gelateria has some of the best Italian gelato in Cape Town with traditional flavors like stracciatella, pistachio, and chocolate, as well as locally-inspired flavors like rooibos, milk tart, and whatever produce is in season. The cafe also serves decadent hot chocolate and thick, creamy milkshakes, and there are many dairy-free and vegan options.

Roasted wild garlic ice cream pretty much sums up the experimental nature of the entirely new cuisine that is evolving at this low-key gourmet-with-a-difference restaurant attached to The Ibis guesthouse. Barbara Weitz has been inspired by the abundance of little-known and underhyped medicinal plants that grow wild in the Karoo, and while she makes all kinds of teas with some of what she forages in the veld and grows in her garden, she has been inspired to go one step further and create never-tried-before dishes using ingredients you will never have come across anywhere and will probably never taste again. Barbara even mills her own flour for the various breads she bakes and serves with homemade jams and preserves. You can sit in the courtyard under the stars, or find shelter from the cold inside, but as you work your way through the one-of-a-kind tasting menu (a vegetarian version is possible), you will marvel at the variety of new tastes that Barbara has coaxed from the seemingly strange produce—she harvests such herbs as wild mint, lemon verbena, African wormwood, kankerbos (cancer bush), and olive leaf, many of which she uses for teas, but which also find their way into recipes, for which she's always experimenting. If you've never heard of thistle and dandelion pasta or want to find out what a pickled agave blossom tastes like, you'll want to look for this experience. The restaurant also offers a reduced a la carte menu for lunch, with a few similarly unimaginable dishes. Whatever you do, though, don't pass up the garlic ice cream.

A new offering in Bo-Kaap for delicious bagels with a Cape Malay twist, Against the Grain has great coffee and their famous koeksisters (traditional spiced donuts). With elegant, ornate decor, this little cafe is a lovely place to stop for coffee or lunch in town. 

An all-day breakfast bistro and bar, this bright little cafe in the heart of Cape Town serves yummy breakfasts and lunches like pancakes, eggs Benedict, wraps, and burgers. As the name implies, buttery goodness and comfort foods are on offer, but the menu is large and includes lots of fresh salads and vegetable-filled options as well as all-day cocktails and great coffee.

In a building dating from 1905, Café Riche is one of the better coffee shops in the center of town. It also serves tramezzini (toasted sandwiches) and salads.

What a nice and welcome surprise! Good coffee is generally hard to find in such remote parts, but the owners here have got this right. Though they are not quite baristas, their "flat whites" nevertheless taste like real coffee. The café is also a deli, stocking yummy chutneys (try the peach), relishes, and more. It's got a nice atmosphere and serves good, hearty lunches (it closes at 5). One interesting fact to know is that the owners' husbands work for opposing engineering firms, but that hasn't hindered their cooperation. If you're headed toward Springbok, it's worth calling ahead for a table; there are not many good places to eat here.

Just a few blocks from the bustle of Greenmarket Square, this airy comfortable café serves delicious breakfast and lunch fare. Lunches tend to have some Asian influences, but you can also expect a good array of salads, pastas, and sandwiches.

A treat for coffee lovers, the talented baristas at this unassuming little cafe have built a loyal following over the years. Come for quality coffee and espresso to go and grab some beans as well . . . you'll thank us. Deluxe also supplies several restaurants and cafes all over the country with their coffee blends. 

Cecil John Rhodes used to stop for a drink at Halfway House, halfway between the Kimberley and Bultfontein mines, and because he was short, and it was difficult for him to mount and dismount, he was served on his horse. Today, Halfway House is a lively hotel with several restaurants—the best of which is Hussar Grill, a nationwide chain that many regard as the best steakhouse in Kimberley—and this lovely, relaxing courtyard café, where you can get excellent coffee, pizzas and flatbreads, and lovely cakes.

Stop by for an on-the-go breakfast or picnic take-away, or a sit-down coffee and brunch at the old-style Gourmet Grocer. This is a specialist grocer, deli, bakery, coffee shop, and restaurant, all rolled into one, so you’re sure to find what you’re looking for, whether it’s a scrumptious bagel, toasted sarmie, healthy snack, or decadent treat from their niche, family-run suppliers. It also sells fresh and frozen homemade meals, and stocks craft beers as well as a decent selection of wines. If you like their coffee, you can buy their Birdhaven blend to take home, which is roasted on site at Cofeffe Coffee Bar & Roastery. It’s within safe walking distance of The Peech Hotel and the James and Ethel Gray Park, and deliveries within a 5 km (3 miles) radius are free.

With huge portions of delicious food made with extra-large servings of love, Hogsback's old faithful is located in heart of the town's main drag. The restaurant got a new injection of energy in 2021, and locals and visitors continue to come for the great-value menu which features something to satisfy every possible taste, especially the popular Sunday lunchtime roasts. Pop in for coffee or a beer, arrive early for breakfast, order a steak, or tuck into the tastiest vegetarian dishes in town.

Housed in a Victorian building is a restaurant with French colonial decor—with rich plummy colors, lots of candles, and dark wood—and pictures of the Staffordshire bull terrier for which the place is named. The crab and shrimp cakes, served with a creamy lime dressing, are a standout item on the starter menu, but you'll also be blown away by Thai prawns, marinated in lime, chili, ginger and garlic, served on a Thai green curry risotto. Follow that with the Karoo lamb noisettes with a rich cabernet and rosemary sauce.Classic highlights are the famous crispy duck and satiny lavender-infused crème brûlée. In good weather, ask to sit in the garden.

Surely one of the most picturesque coffee shops in town, this is a fusion between a tea garden and an open-air, urban farm that sells indigenous plants, flowers, and herbs. Bask in the sunshine at this matchbox-sized, inner-city establishment as co-owner Ashleigh "Ash" Machete gives you tips on how to best look after your plants while you sip on your coffee. 

Known for its hearty toasted sandwiches like the Popeye with a beef patty, bacon, caramelized onions, tomatoes, gherkins, cheddar, and a squirt of mustard and ketchup, Jo'Anna Melt Bar's name speaks for itself. Wash it down with the Give Me Hope Jo'anna—a mixture of locally-made Klipdrift brandy, passion fruit, and pineapple syrup shaken with a shot of red wine and a dash of bitters—at the seemingly oversized bar, which is the central feature of this small establishment. The eponymous drink is named after Eddy Grant's iconic song, Gimme Hope Jo'anna (a reference to Johannesburg), which he wrote after visiting South Africa. It was scathing of the apartheid government and encouraged freedom, which lead the ruling National Party at the time to ban it. And what better way to pay tribute to the country's liberation struggle than by "squeaking your takkies" (dancing) when the jukebox or karaoke get going in the evenings.

Right on the harbor, this cash-only establishment is the first choice for a generous portion of fish and chips. It's a great setting, and watching the waves break over the harbor wall when the sea is pounding (and you are inside) is thrilling, just be aware that the seagulls will fight for your leftovers, as will Robby, the resident seal. 

Some nibbles may be required on your journey, and this would be the ideal place for a snack, particularly because stops in this area are few and far between.

A Noordhoek-born business that has started expanding across the Cape, this tiny ice-cream store is the original location. From classic to funky flavors, and colorful kid flavors, this cafe will delight people of all ages and eating preferences as they have a selection of vegan, dairy-free, and sugar-free ice creams. Their freshly made cones are exceptionally good. 

As close to the Indian Ocean as you can get, this restaurant overlooking the main bathing beach has outside tables that are always packed with families sipping milk shakes or friends sharing a bottle of wine and having a bite to eat off a menu with broad appeal. Not the best food on offer in the area, but an unbeatable location.

The smells of freshly baking bread will immediately whet your appetite at this friendly café serving delicious breakfasts, lunches, and treats daily except Sunday.

Slick back your hair, put on your blue suede shoes, and sashay into this red-and-white checkered diner for a burger and fries or an indulgent chocolate toffee sundae. Posters of Elvis, the Beatles, and Marilyn Monroe adorn the turquoise walls while music from a jukebox plays classic tunes. Vintage motorcycles and a flamingo-pink roadster complete the scene.

In an 18th-century townhouse, this light and airy bistro-style restaurant has a lovely outdoor seating area. The kitchen serves breakfast and lunch favorites like eggs Benedict and fish-and-chips. They also have an excellent selection of salads and sandwiches with interesting ingredients such as hickory-smoked pork loin, roasted vegetables, or marinated chickpeas and apricots.

A four-generation family-run business, this fuss-free bagel shop and deli specializes in traditional boiled and baked New York–style bagels that are made fresh daily, with a number of delicious toppings—go with a simple schmear of cream cheese on a poppy-seed bagel or try the brisket, smoked salmon, or pastrami. They also serve great coffee, pastries, and an amazing New York cheesecake. 

This easygoing, unpretentious café serves only breakfast, brunch, and lunch, but is always busy, mostly because the food is so fresh and good. Breakfast is a specialty—do try one of their six wholesome breakfast egg baskets—but you could also pop by for high tea and a taste of their homemade cakes. The croissants are also good, as are their home-baked pies, and the popular half and half—a mixture of a egg basket and crumpets.

This all-white café on trendy Bree Street is the go-to place for delicious, creative, and relatively healthful Middle Eastern–style fare, which is heavy on salads like quinoa with roasted vegetables and cranberries, pesto potato with peas and olives, or green beans with orange and hazelnut. The few mains options like butter chicken or lamb-and-lentil biryani are also stellar. For a set price, you can load up with three or four salads plus one main, and eat at the counter inside, a handful of tables outside, or take away. Don't forget to save space for the fantastic desserts like date balls or poppyseed cake with white chocolate ganache.

Be sure to book a table outside near the lily pond at this relaxed restaurant that serves Cape-meets-Mediterranean-style food in a fabulous country setting. Though the menu is fairly small, you'll still be hard-pressed to make a choice between such tasty options as lamb tagine (stew) served with preserved lemon, venison shanks slow-cooked in red wine and flavored with juniper, and beef fillet dressed with a cracked-peppercorn-and-brandy sauce. If all that sounds too rich for a hot summer's day, try the chicken salad with a lightly curried mayonnaise sauce, almonds, and apricots. On Sundays a Mediterranean buffet (R190) lets you choose from 20 tapas and four main courses; dessert is not included. There's a good kids' menu, and children can have fun in the boats on the nearby dam or play on the lawn while you keep a watchful eye on them.

Friendly service, great food, and good value are the highlights of this eatery serving authentic Italian food with a local flavor. Try the pizza with butternut squash, goat cheese, and chopped tomatoes or the prawns panfried with fennel, garlic, and caper butter—both local favorites. It's very busy in season, so book ahead if you can.