Cape Town Dining Guide

My favorite Cape Town Restaurants for celebrating a special occasion

My Cape Town Dining Guide shall help you to find the real gems in the Cape Town restaurant scene. As eating out is one of my favourite past times - as you might have suspected already, I can tell you there are so many great places for dining out that you are really spoilt for choice when eating out in the Mother City.

So if you want to celebrate a birthday or anniversary in style, have a special business lunch in mind or want to treat your loved one for a special Cape Town dining experience on Christmas, New Year’s Eve or Valentine’s Day, I am sure you will find the perfect gourmet destination in my guide.

Expats in Cape Town and locals alike who do not wish to entertain family and friends at home are able to find great Cape Town restaurants for a fabulous dining out experience.

And if you can book a table at least a day ahead you can be sure to find your table prepared and ready for you and will not have to rush around to find great food in your preferred restaurant.

For Your best Cape Town Dining experiences

Here is my list of favourite Cape Town restaurants (in alphabetical order) where you will be served gorgeous food and where you can enjoy the great ambience when visiting not only at special occasions.

My Top 10 Restaurants for a special occasion

This stylish Waterfront restaurant is renowned for the freshest seafood dishes and fine grilled food. Superb food and great views across the Waterfront grant this Cape Town restaurant a special treat. Baia is located on the upper level of the Victoria Wharf at the V&A Waterfront and you can be sure to find the perfect ambience for any special occasion or business dinner.

V&A Waterfront Victoria Wharf. Tel: 021-421-0935, www.baiarestaurant.co.za

2. Barouche Restaurant at Blaauwklippen Wine Estate, Stellenbosch

One of the popular wedding settings in the Cape Winelands the restaurant and gardens let you feel like being set in a fairy tale. The food is fabulous, the service really attentive, the ambiance still feels casual enough to be comfortable with the whole family. So if you want to celebrate your birthday with your family this is the place to be. There is even a horse-drawn carriage which will keep not only your kids entertained.

R44 south of Stellenbosch. Tel: 021-880-0133, www.blaauwklippen.co.za

3. Bloemendal Restaurant, Durbanville

This restaurant in the Durbanville winelands guarantees for a really special South African Dining experience. They offer their special Cape Malay Buffett and the setting of the Restaurant is simply spectacular. The restaurant which is located on top of a hill offers 180 degree views. So you will admire the rolling hills of the Cape Winelands and Table Mountain in the distance as well as the Stellenbosch Mountain ranges. More info.

Dubanville Hills, Racecourse Road (M13). Tel: 021-975-7575, www.bloemendal.co.za

4. Blowfish Restaurant, Dolphin Beach, Blouberg

If you love seafood or sushi and want to choose the cut of your fish fillet from the fish counter this is the right place for you. The atmosphere is relaxed but stylish. The views of Table Mountain and the city lights from their window tables are complimenting the delicious food on offer. Come to see the stunning sunsets over Table Mountain and you will have an unforgettable evening for sure. Bookings essential, this place usually is really busy in the evenings.

Blouberg, Marine Drive off R27. Tel: 021-556-5464. More info here.

5. De Leuwen Jagt Restaurant at Seidelberg Wine Estate, Paarl

The food in this Cape Winelands Restaurant is divine. Famous South African chef, Cass Abrahams, who worked her for several years influenced the cuisine. There are many delcicious Cape Malay dishes on offer and you will enjoy splendid views over the green winelands. From November till March they offer Sunset Dinners on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. They also have got a wonderful terrace outside the Restaurant and a deli counter on the estate.

Suid Agter Paarl Road. Tel: 021-863-5217, www.seidelberg.co.za

6. Den Anker, Cape Town Waterfront

This is another one of my favorite Cape Town Dining Places at the Cape Town Waterfront. The owners are from Belgium and so the mussels and French fries as well as their pepper steak are truly Belgian style which is divine. Go and try out, we have lived in Belgium for a while and this place really comes next best thing to living there. The location is fabulous too, go there for a lovely sunset dinner and see the Table Mountain change its colors. Lovely place for a romantic dinner or relaxed business meetings.

V&A Waterfront Pierhead. Tel: 021-419-0249, www.denanker.co.za

7. Food Barn Restaurant, Noordhoek

This fashionable restaurant in a well restored old barn in the Noordhoek Farm Village is offering gourmet food in a relaxed setting. This is a great place for family celebrations, as kids can run about in the newly refurbish playgrounds just outside the restaurant. Read more about my Cape Town Dining experiences at French chef Franck Dangereux’s Food Barn here.

Noordhoek Farm Village. Tel: 021-789-1390, www.thefoodbarn.co.za

8. Jardine Restaurant, Cape Town CBD

This award winning Cape Town restaurant is a fabulous place to go for a really nice (business) lunch break or festive dinner. They have got a reasonable menu with high quality, perfectly arranged and delicious tasting food. How about trying their seven course tasting menu? This really is a treat. Cape Town Dining at its best. There is a lovely bakery and relaxing bar on the ground floor too. They also cater for larger functions.

185 Bree Street, Cape Town CBD. Tel: 021-424-5640, www.jardineonbree.co.za

9. moyo at Spier Wine Estate, Stellenbosch

Are you ready for an outing to the Winelands and indulging in a truly African dining experience? Then head to Moyo Restaurant of Spier Wine Estate near Stellenbosch. You will be seated either in the huge main tent close to the buffet or in the garden either in smaller tents or high up in the trees. The buffet-style food is well presented and most delicious. There are many stall-like counters where the chefs will explain what the foods on offer contain so you can choose according to your taste. With live music.

Stellenbosch, Lynedoch Road (R310). Tel: 021-809-1133, www.moyo.co.za

10. Silvertree Restaurant, Kirstenbosch

The setting of this restaurant in Cape Town’s Botanic gardens sets the scene for a relaxed fine Cape Town dining experience. Make sure you reserve one of the tables on the verandah and listen to the songs of the birds and admire the best of Cape Floral Kingdom at its best. The service is great and the food is lovely. Great for family celebrations.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Tel: 021-762-9585, www.kirstenboschrestaurant.com

Picture clipboard on this Cape Town Dining Guide shows from the left: 1. Blaauwklippen Estate, 2. View from Bloemendal Restaurant, 3. Lunch at Jardine, 4. Inside the Noordhoek Food Barn, 5. Seidelberg Wine Estate.

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