15 Restaurants Locals Love In Cape Town

From gooey pizza to the famous gatsby, Cape Town has some of the best food around. With so many great restaurants to choose from, it’s hard to pick a favourite. Lucky for you, we’ve found 15 great restaurants locals love so you can try the best The Mother City has to offer.

(Arnold Inuyaki/Flickr)

(Photo courtesy of Arnold Inuyaki/Flickr)

1. Lefty’s Dive Bar 

If you’re looking for tasty dude-food to soak up all the delicious beer then this restaurant is for you. From chicken and waffles to succulent ribs, you’ll get some of the best food on Harrington Street in the city centre.

(warrenski/Flickr)

(Photo courtesy of Warren Ski/Flickr)

2. Royale Eatery

On the infamous Long Street, Royale Eatery is a firm favourite amongst locals. Selling some of the best burgers serviced with delicious sweet potato fries and milkshakes in town, this is one place you need to try.

 (Silver Diner/Wikimedia Commons)

(Silver Diner/Wikimedia Commons)

3. Hudsons Burger Joint

With three branches in and around the city, Hudsons serves amazing burgers, delicious milkshakes, yummy pizzas, and awesome happy hour food and drink specials. The atmosphere is always buzzing with live sport on televisions around the restaurant.

(Maggie Hoffman/Flickr)

(Photo courtesy of Maggie Hoffman/Flickr)

4. Spur

A firm South African favourite, Spur has been feeding locals with their delicious flame grilled spare ribs and burgers for years. There are branches all over town that serve up great breakfast, lunch and dinner.

(wembley.co.za)

(Photo courtesy of wembley.co.za)

5. Wembley Roadhouse 

On the Cape Flat in the suburb of Athlone is Wembley Roadhouse. Selling the best sandwiches in town from masala steak, to crayfish, to tandoori chicken, to their infamous combo sandwich, you’re sure to find something that suits you.

(Vathlu/Wikimedia Commons)

(Vathlu/Wikimedia Commons)

6. Eastern Food Bazaar

In the heart of the city is the Eastern Food Bazaar. Feeding hundreds of locals everyday with a variety of eastern and Asian food, the bazaar has become one of the busiest lunch time spots which says a lot about the food served by the various vendors.

7. Nuri Sushi Factory 

If you love fresh fish, you’ll love Nuri Sushi Factory. With the usual favourites like California rolls and maki, Nuri also has amazing specialty dishes such as vegetarian sushi. 

(Charles Haynes/Wikimedia Commons)

(Charles Haynes/Wikimedia Commons)

8. Kalky’s Fish & Chips 

Located in the seaside suburb of Kalk Bay on the harbours edge is Kalky’s Fish & Chips. With freshest fish collected straight from fishing vessels then deep fried in amazing homemade batter, Kalky’s has the best fish and chips in town.

(Shovan Sargunam/Wikimedia Commons)

(Shovan Sargunam/Wikimedia Commons)

9. Nandos

Another firm favourite around the city, Nandos sells amazing flame grilled chicken made Portuguese style. The chicken is served as burgers, salads or just straight off the bone with sides of french fries, corn or coleslaw. If you love chicken, you’ll love Nandos.

(Kevin Saff/Wikimedia Commons)

(Kevin Saff/Wikimedia Commons)

10. Lookout Deck 

With stunning views of Hout Bay Habour, Lookout Deck serves amazing meals from breakfast to dinner. With the freshest seafood, amazing pizzas and great salads, this nautical themed restaurant is also great for sundowners.

(Ben Sutherland/Flickr)

(Photo courtesy of Ben Sutherland/Flickr)

11. Cape Town Fish Market 

As the names says, the Cape Town Fish Market has a great variety of the freshest seafood including fish, prawn, sushi and oysters. There are numerous branches around the city and it makes a great venue for a romantic dinner.

(David Recordon/Flickr)

(Photo courtesy of David Recordon/Flickr)

12. Panchos 

You can get the best Mexican in town in the funky suburb of Observatory. Set in a fairly big space, the restaurant has chairs hanging from the ceiling, hats on the walls and enough tequila to get you drunk for weeks.

(tomek strabski/Wikimedia Commons)

(Tomek Strabski/Wikimedia Commons)

13. Beluga 

With an amazing half-price sushi, dim sum and cocktails special, Beluga is one of those restaurants that you need to book a seat at. They also have a delicious a la carte menu along with seasonal menus serving everything from pork to duck.

(Jim Sher/Flickr)

(Photo courtesy of Jim Sher/Flickr)

14. Mzoli’s Place

If you like a BBQ, you need to head to Mzoli’s in the township of Gugulethi. Part butcher selling the best meat in Cape Town, part restaurant with open fires to BBQ, you can buy the cut of meat you want to eat and take it straight to the restaurant where someone will BBQ it for you.

(cyclonebill/Wikimedia Commons)

(cyclonebill/Wikimedia Commons)

15. Banana Jam

Serving Jamaican food including jerk chicken, Banana Jam in the suburb of Claremont and is a great place to meet for drinks. They also have some of the best pizza and burgers with a beautiful outdoor section, too.

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