151 Kloof St, Cape Town Central, South Africa
Cuisine:
European, Mediterranean, Tapas
Good for:
Bar Scene, Breakfast/Brunch, Credit Cards, Dinner, Doing Business, Families with children, Local Cuisine, Lunch, Outdoor Seating, Reservations, Romance, Special Occasions, Wheelchair Accessible
Expert Review
Manna Epicure is one of those places that I had never heard of and then suddenly I was hearing their...
Manna Epicure is one of those places that I had never heard of and then suddenly I was hearing their name everywhere, and all for good reasons. In fact, people were literally raving about them. Then I noticed their name in a top 30 list. Seems they had made it! Which is not easy in Cape Town, a place where restaurant competition is fierce. I knew I had to see what the fuss was about.
And what the heck is an “epicure,” I kept asking? Google helped: “a person who takes particular pleasure in fine food and drink.” Ah, well that makes sense.
Manna Epicure is a small establishment set in busy Kloof Street (although quite high up in Kloof Street, so parking was easier than I thought it would be). Luckily we made a booking because the place was pumping. We went with two friends, ordered a delicious bottle of rose and settled in for the evening. I was impressed with the staff. I loved the fact that our waiter had tons of tattoos and wore a smart white uniform. The combination reminded me of what Cape Town was all about. The acceptance of creativity amid a rather high-class restaurant. Wonderful.
As a starter we went for the cheese croquettes with green fig preserve, as well as the whole baked camembert cooked in white wine and thyme. Both were served with ciabatta. It was a delicious start to the night. After that we all chose steak as the main. I also ordered a side dish of sautéed mushrooms and spinach as well as the cauliflower. The steak was done to perfection. I cannot fault it.
Possibly my only complaint was that I found the food to be a bit too pricey for what you get. I think all the steaks should come with a complimentary side dish rather than having to buy those separately, and I found the side dishes far too small for the price.
Other than that though it was divine. I noticed another table had ordered burgers, which I think are excellent value for money and looked incredible. I wouldn’t mind trying that next!
What a lovely place to spend an evening!
Expert Review
Manna Epicure is a curbside house converted to a restaurant with a vibey, hip atmosphere. The small eatery offers al...
Manna Epicure is a curbside house converted to a restaurant with a vibey, hip atmosphere. The small eatery offers al fresco dining on the patio overlooking busy Kloof Street. The interior dining area is almost as airy, with huge doors opening out to the patio and looking onto the street. White-washed floors, and the all-white walls and ceiling combined with stylish décor of natural wood and green plants give Manna Epicure a low-key beach housey atmosphere. Chefs working in the open kitchen set back in the corner churn out a variety of artisanal breads as well as daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The menu is a fusion of South African favorites, French classics, and a hint of Argentinian flair. I visited for a weekday lunch, but I would return for breakfast—the menu looked amazing, especially the crayfish Florentine. They also offer homemade breads including coconut, rye, country, pecan and raisin, ciabatta, and gluten free.
The lunch menu focuses on salads, panini sandwiches, and a few seafood and braai options. I had Panko-crusted calamari served with a moyo verde mayo and side salad of wild rocket and parmesan. Reflecting the mixed regional influences of the cuisine, the plating on rustic wooden boards also had an elegant tone. The calamari was hot, tender, and crispy, and the salad, though a little unwieldy to eat, was good as well.
The dinner menu is slightly more formal. It repeats several of the lunch options and adds in a few more specialties such as cote de boeuf and chateaubriand, both served for two. Prices are reasonable for creative, well prepared food in a very stylish yet informal and enjoyable atmosphere.
All in all, I would recommend Manna Epicure for a hearty breakfast, business lunch, or special dinner. As the restaurant is quite small, I would recommend reservations.