I grew up in a family where cooking and eating were intertwined with all of our favourite activities.
Fishing led to cooking, camping led to cooking, surfing led to cooking, and quality family time was always spent in the kitchen. I associate food with connection, and with creativity. The older I get, the more I find it necessary to have a creative outlet. With my stick-figure drawing skills not really cutting it (or impressing anyone), cooking and sharing my love for it, has become my expression.
One of the many reasons I love my job is the opportunity to connect with guests through shared culinary joy. Cape Town is an unbelievable canvas for this, and if you know your way around even a little, it’s really hard to have a bad meal here.
Food forms a massive part of my guiding philosophy. It ties together the culture of a city with its people, its history, and even its future. I strongly believe that one of the defining characteristics of any culture is its food, and Cape Town’s food scene shines a light on just how diverse and beautiful this city is.
I thought it was time to share my favourite, and most iconic, places to enjoy a meal in Cape Town. From 5-star fine dining to family-run staples, and everything in between. These are restaurants I return to with friends and family, and can confidently recommend to anyone. After guiding visitors through Cape Town’s culinary scene for many years, I’m yet to lead anyone astray.
Few dining experiences have left me as blown away as a night at FYN. I left proud - proud that Cape Town can host this level of creativity, precision, and vision.
Fine dining isn’t for everyone. It’s theatre. It asks for patience, curiosity, and a willingness to surrender to the experience. Give FYN your time (about four hours) and they’ll absolutely reward you.
Their Japanese fusion tasting menu changes with the seasons, but don’t overthink it- just sit back and let them do their thing. The service is seamless, the setting is elegant, and by the end, the experience feels like a celebration you didn’t even know you were having.
Pinelands, not exactly where I’m dropping off honeymooners or first-time visitors (no offence, Pinelands… you know I love you). But if you want to experience one of Cape Town’s most iconic restaurants, then Magica Roma is non-negotiable.
Family-run for over 30 years, this Italian institution has mastered the art of doing things exactly as they should be done. It’s loud in the best possible way, wonderfully chaotic, and so warm you half expect someone’s nonna to appear from the kitchen insisting you eat more.
Portions are generous, the energy is homely, and by the end of the evening, you feel less like a customer and more like a long-lost cousin who’s come home for Sunday supper.
Hot Tip: Ask the waiter for the Antipasti platter. They’ll make up a platter with whatever they feel, and trust me, whatever they feel is always right.
Another Hot Tip: Order the Veal with White Wine, Mushroom, and Sage, served with spaghetti. Absolute knockout. Clean, classic, and unforgettable.
I’ve watched COOKED grow from a tiny market stand at the Wild Oats Market in Sedgefield to two Cape Town locations, both with loyal fans, and for good reason.
Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to eat in Lindy’s (the owner) home kitchen, and the food at her restaurants hits just the same. Saying it’s “made with love” is a cliché, but screw it - Lindy’s food is full of love, and it shows.
Cooked is Mediterranean-inspired, letting big, bold, clean flavours shine. Nothing is half-hearted here, and the portions are so generous you feel like your Bobba (grandmother) is trying to fatten you up for your first day of school.
The original nook at the Watershed Market is perfect for a quick bagel (Haloumi is my favourite). Their Adelphi Centre location is great for a morning out with the family, where everyone leaves happy and satisfied.
Must order: The iconic Salmon Cream Cheese Latke. This dish put COOKED on the map — and it lives up to every bit of the hype.
This was a tough choice - purely because Cape Town has so many incredible bakeries. If I were French, and all I needed to get me through to dinner was an espresso, a Marlboro Red, and a croissant, I’d be in exactly the right place.
For charm, quality, history, and an unbeatable location, it’s got to be Olympia Bakery & Café.
Picture this: post-surf, still salty, sunscreen smeared across your face, barefoot, and handed a ham-and-cheese-stuffed croissant from Olympia. Absolute bliss.
An institution of the deep south, no stop along the peninsula drive feels complete for me without at least popping my head inside. More often than not, it’s a cortado (made with Truth Coffee) and a cinnamon swirl. Sounds basic? Trust me, it’s not.
Honourable mentions: Jason’s Bakery and South Yeaster (love you guys).
Never before have I seen a bar hit the ground running like Blondie. From the moment they opened, right up to today (and for the foreseeable future), they’ve been buzzing. Blondie brought a totally new energy to the scene and quickly became one of my all-time favourites.
Even if it were just a restaurant, it would still be full every night. The food - inspired by Mediterranean flavours, is exciting, more-ish, and packed with punch. Nothing here is subtle. Plates are designed for sharing, which naturally lends itself to drinking. Couple that with good music and a trendy setting, and you’ve got a recipe for success.
Given the choice between anywhere for a cold beer and a few bites, Blondie sits right at the top of my list.
Notable menu items: The Chicken Prego, Yellowtail Toast, and Crispy Fire-Roasted Potatoes.
Few places feel as authentic as He-Sheng in Seapoint. Sometimes the call of their Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings) is so strong, you simply must answer.
The moment you walk in, it’s clear things are done properly here - partly because half the family is in the dining room hand-folding fresh dumplings, and partly because Chinese beer flows freely.
This might be the only spot I know in the city with Lazy Susans, and it’s the ultimate setup for a proper gathering. Order way too much food, drink lots of Chinese beer, and marvel at unique, well-executed, and absolutely classic dishes that keep coming out of the kitchen.
Must order: Cucumber Salad, Xiao Long Bao, Sliced Tofu Salad, and Salt & Pepper Prawns.
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