Dining and Drinking

Unbeknownst by many visitors to Cape Town, there is a superb tradition of cuisine in the city. The Malay slaves transformed the traditional dishes of Europe and Britain into a unique "Cape Malay" style, using the spices from the passing boats. Such dishes include Bobotie and Breedies. However, most restaurants focus upon Mediterranean and Pacific Rim influences. Naturally, fish and other seafood is very important too, and there is a growing number of African restaurants.

Cape Town was always "the tavern of the seas", and is an important wine-growing area to boot, so some good drinking is in order. There is a genuine love of dining and drinking in Cape Town, and you will find local cuisine and various styles from around the world cooked and presented superbly. Many restaurants have beautiful settings and decor. Most visitors are also amazed at how inexpensive it is to eat out. Too good to be true? Just try.

The Atlantic Seaboard

In Camps Bay, Blues is a perennial favorite. Next door, and sharing the same magnificent view over the beach, is Villamoura, a top quality and very popular fish restaurant. On the main road there are also a number of less formal and trendy eateries.

For general fare and family diners the Waterfront and Sea Point Main Road have numerous places to eat. For good Chinese food, try the Fortune Garden on Beach Road in Sea Point. Anatoli's is a popular Turkish Restaurant in Greenpoint, and Beluga's is in "The Foundry" around the corner. On the Waterfront is Emily's, where you will find superb South African cuisine (and a good deal of eccentricity too).

Some of the hotels have excellent restaurants, particularly the Cape Grace, the Radisson Waterfront Hotel, and the Mount Nelson in Gardens.

For bars try the Ambassador Hotel in Bantry Bay at sunset. In the Waterfront try the historic Ferrymans, Quay Four, or the Sports Café.

Gardens & Woodstock

Aubergine and the Blue Danube are popular for continental cuisine. The top of Long Street is abuzz in the evenings with all manner of trendy places; for African food and vibes try Mama Africa at number 178. If nothing piques your interest here, try Kloof Street, a minute's drive up the hill, for more cafés and restaurants.

On Church Street in central Cape Town, near Greenmarket Square, Bukhara is an excellent Indian Restaurant.

Constantia

Constantia lays claim to some of the finest dining in South Africa. Amongst which, Buitenverwachting offers superb Haute Cuisine and, more relaxed but just as classy, La Colombe provides excellent Provencal cuisine. A very enjoyable, well priced restaurant and excellent bar is at Peddlars, on the Bend.

The Winelands

Don't miss the restaurants of Franschhoek: Haute Cabriére, Le Quartier Francais and La Petite Ferme are all well regarded, and other restaurants in the area are excellent, too. In Paarl, Bosman's at the Grande Roche Hotel is a very formal and award-winning Haute Cuisine restaurant. The Jonkershuis on the Spier estate offers an excellent and fascinating traditional Cape Malay buffet. The Boschendal Estate offer a famous picnic during the summer months.

In terms of wine tasting it is very unfair to single some estates over others—try your luck! You are unlikely to be disappointed. But, to mention some good places to start: Fairview near Paarl; Delaire (mainly for the view); Warwick in the lovely Idas Valley and Cabriére in Franschhoek for excellent champagne-style wines.

Blouberg

At sunset, the Blue Peter Hotel has a popular bar and light food where diners can watch the sun set over Table Mountain. On the Rocks is a formal restaurant with exceptional views.

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