V and A Waterfront Restaurants

A Fu Asian Take-Away brings a true Eastern flavour to the V & A Waterfront. This small outlet is owner-run and, as with most little gems like this, plenty of flavour and passion is put into the cuisine. Enjoy traditional Chinese favourites like chow mein, chop suey, sweet and sour chicken, beef and pork or, as a lighter alternative, a delectable Chinese soup. For those with more adventurous taste buds, try the smoky chilli-beef noodles with peanuts. The food is traditional, flavourful, and very affordable and if you are looking for a quick, hassle-free takeaway that does not lack in the quality department, be sure to give A Fu a try.

Buena Visa Social Cafe near Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront is a Cuban themed restaurant and bar. Its authentic decor is eclectic, with a touch of shabby chic this combined with Cuban and Latino beats, Cuban inspired menu and great friendly service combined transport visitors to Havana -the Buena Vista Social Cafe a popular destination for Capetonians, as well as international visitors. The menu has been designed around traditional Cuban, Central American and Caribbean fare, with a heavy Mediterranean influence too. There is a varied tapas menu, with both hot and cold dishes to choose from, including a meze platter, piquant jalapenos chilli poppers, scrumptious chicken skewers and flambéed chorizo. There is also a wide selection of Mexican favourites on the Comidas menu, all with a Cuban twist, such as the Chicken Churasco, which is grilled chicken breast with guacamole and salsa on traditional toasted Cuban flat bread. The Buena Vista Social Cafe is also famous for this meat and seafood. The beef is SA grain fed super beef, aged for 21 days. The Lamb Al Ron, a house speciality, is delicious slices of roasted lamb flambéed in a creamy, Cuban rum sauce. The sea fare includes Cuban inspired linefish, fresh from off the boats and an indulgent seafood platter. The piece de resistance is the Cuban paella – a traditional rice dish with a generous selection of seafood, including prawns. The dish is packed with flavours and made to an authentic recipe; the paella is a fabulous feast!

Ferrymans Tavern, in Cape Town, was the first establishment to open in the V & A Waterfront in 1989. It is a traditional, old fashioned pub with a generous wooden bar counter, brick paved floors, Oregon pine beams and a huge fire place, which during the winter is the perfect place to enjoy a one of the local beers or a great glass of wine. The wonderful homely atmosphere is further enhanced by the old photos, prints and drinking memorabilia that scatters the walls. With a wide range of local and international beers, as well as Ferrymans Ale, which is made exclusively for the Tavern, it is a great watering hole for locals and foreigners alike. There is a great pub menu for the downstairs Tavern with favourites like fish and chips, chicken pie and curry and rice, and daily specials that feature traditional South African fare and seafood. In the Upstairs restaurants patrons can feast on the weekday buffet for lunch, as well as an a la carte menu with wine pairing for both lunch and dinner. There is an outside beer garden for those wonderful hot sunny Cape Town days where patrons can sit back and take in the fabulous views while sipping on an ice cold beer. With play area for the kids Ferrymans Tavern is an ideal place for the whole family.

The Greek Fisherman is in the heart of Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront. Diners are treated to traditional Greek and Mediterranean food and hospitality. Encouraged to sit back and relax while taking in the out-of-this-world view of Table Mountain and the bustle of the working harbour, patrons are treated to great friendly service and delicious food. Best known for its traditional Greek and Mediterranean menu, the restaurant as added a modern twist to some dishes. With a selection wonderful homemade breads, fresh out of the oven, and over twenty five meze and tapas starters to choose from, including Souvlaki (meat skewers served with tzatziki), Spanokopita (spinach and feta parcels) and Atherina (white bait), diners can feast and soak up the lively atmosphere. The main courses are predominantly fresh fish and seafood dishes, as well as the highest quality meats, all cooked to perfection over and open charcoal fire for an authentic taste sensation. The wine list has something for everyone, with With the motto “Food is family, family is life, life is everything” a meal at the Greek Fisherman is a treat to share with the whole family, and one that won’t be forgotten.

On the ground floor of the Alfred Mall in Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront, with a view of the bustling Waterfront il Paninaro Paninoteca e Spaghetteria overlooks an area designated for buskers, ensuring that patrons are treated to a wonderful variety of live entertainment, ranging from a marimba band to traditional African gumboot dancers. Whether it is a traditional cooked breakfast, a morning muffin and steaming hot cup of pure Arabica coffee or a more traditional Coppa Salute (fruit yoghurt in layers with muesli & banana) there is no better place to be to start of the day then the veranda of il Paninaro Paninoteca e Spaghetteria. And for a truly traditional Italian treat, the Cannoli is a house speciality – originating in Sicily, these tube- shaped pastry shells are deep fried and filled with a sweet, creamy filling; deliciously indulgent! This traditional Italian eatery specialises in light meals for lunch and dinner. With a range of over 20 paninis to choose from, there is something for everyone. Only the best breads are used, and fillings include: Parma ham, mozzarella and artichoke pesto on Focaccia bread; mozzarella, tomato and pesto on Grissone bread; grilled chicken, sun dried tomato pesto and rocket on Ciabatta bread. Pastas include a delicious homemade lasagne and a variety of pastas with fresh authentic Italian sauces. Alternatively there is a delicious selection of antipasti to choose from, and a wine list that includes both South African and Italian wines.

Mitchell’s Brewery is the V & A Waterfront’s liveliest pub. Live music, live sports broadcasts and a late license make this a popular destination. There are 6 beers on tap, all brewed by Mitchell’s: three ales, a bitter, a lager and a stout. The service is fast and friendly, the atmosphere is fun and lively, and the food is good hearty pub grub. Whether its oven baked pizza, fish and chips, steak, pasta or pudding, Mitchell’s is the place to be. With amazing views of the harbour and Table Mountain, Mitchell’s Brewery is a very popular place for those looking to settle in to a relaxed time out.

For a truly unforgettable evening of decadent dining in stylish surrounds, try the world-famous Nobu. Fresh South African seafood is complemented with indigenous spices and the superior skill of talented chefs. The sushi and sashimi creations are a must for sushi lovers. A bar offering a selection of Sakes, plum wines and Japanese beer is situated on the upper level for those who wish to sample the best beverages that Japan has to offer. Sample the delights that Nobu has to offer and experience the many reasons why this chain of Japanese restaurants has become so popular across the globe.

The Paulaner Brauhuas is in the Clock Tower Precinct of Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront. With a beer garden overlooking the working harbour, visitors can enjoy the range of beers that are brewed on site, while sampling typical Bavarian food and watching the seal as they gambol around the busy harbour traffic. Patrons of the Pualaner Brauhaus are treated to a traditional Bavarian experience, from the food and beer to the atmosphere and general cheer. Diners are served by waitresses in traditional dress, and male waiters are kitted out in lederhosen. The atmosphere is relaxed and visitors are encouraged to get into the spirit of things, whether chilling in the beer garden or in the main restaurant among the glistening copper brewing pipes. Brewed on site, all the beers and lagers served at the Brauhaus stick to German guidelines. There is a choice of lager, Paulaner Weissbeer and a variety of special beer brewed sporadically. The Brauhaus produces 4500 litres of beer a week, and is the only brewery in the world to store and cool beer below sea level. All the meals are prepared using traditional Bavarian recipes, and only authentic ingredients are used. Specialities include eisbein and roast pork with crackling, as well as a variety of sausage and sauerkraut. For a festive fun time the Paulaner Brauhaus is the place to gather!

Tasca de Belem is one of Cape Town’s finest Tapas restaurants. Located in the V & A Waterfront, the restaurant offers diners exquisite views of Table Mountain and Signal Hill, as well as the busy harbour. There is a truly Mediterranean feel about the restaurant, not only because of its Turkish influenced Portuguese menu, but the atmosphere is relaxed, welcoming and vibrant. Belem is the historical part of Lisbon, where centuries ago explorers set out to conquer the unknown worlds the lay beyond Europe. One of the first journeys made from here was to Turkey, so it is quite fitting that this restaurant should be a marriage between to the two cuisines. Tasca, meaning tavern, offers diners fabulous meze and tapas dishes that are the perfect fusion of these two historical cultures. The dishes on the menu represent the best of both Turkish and Portuguese cuisine with traditional favourites such as Trinchado and Espatada, as well as Shish Kebab and Ali Nazik, Tasca de Belem is a cross cultural cuisine experience for all food lovers.

Situated in the V & A Waterfront, looking out across Cape Town’s harbour, Wang Thai offers the best in Royal Thai cuisine in an exquisite setting. With Table Mountain as a backdrop, patrons can indulge in an authentic Thai dining experience while watching the resident Cape fur seal colony at play. Diners are treated to delicious, authentic dishes from across Thailand, freshly prepared using only the highest quality ingredients. Each meal is prepared under the watchful eye of the Thai trained master chef using traditional regional recipes. Diners can delight on favourites such as spicy Tom Yum soup or traditional Thai curries. For the more adventurous there is Ped Pi-Roed – Angry Duck – served with crispy seasonal vegetables. For an African twist on a Thai meal Wang Thai has created an ostrich curry served with fresh bamboo shoots. There is a variety of seafood available, as well as an extensive sushi menu. The decor is elegant, and features traditional Thai pieces, and this coupled with the delicately balanced flavours of the food and the wonderful views of Cape Town give diners a truly Thai experience.