Western Cape Restaurants

Delight your taste buds with wholesome hearty food in a relaxed intimate setting distinctly Mexican. The colourful lighting and authentic memorabilia blended with funky tunes transports you to the lively back streets of Mexico. Aromatic spices dressed with vivid colours and flavours tantalise your taste buds with an abundance of margarita and tequila to put out the flames for those brave enough to sample the chilli on tap. Seating just 22 patrons inside - this hip and happening tequila shrine offers great value for money and starter portions large enough to pass around the table. On balmy summer days, laze around beneath the old El Dinal by the river while satisfying your palette with tacos, burritos, enchiladas and temptingly delicious frozen margaritas.

Genki Sushi certainly lives up to its name, because the Japanese term ‘genki’ translates to ‘Fine or Great’. This authentic Japanese Sushi restaurant offers its visitors a delicious slice into typical everyday Japanese cuisine while soaking up the Stellenbosch vibe. In keeping with its eastern style, the restaurant is not all table and chairs, though such seating is available outside. The Sushi bar, complete with sushi chefs working alongside the owner of the establishment, is the best seat in the house for a quick bite while marvelling at the art of sushi preparation and negotiating chop sticks, wasabi and soy sauce. More than just sushi, Genki Sushi also offers patrons a great selection of Japanese style tappas and side dishes to the likes of tako sunomono (boiled octopus salad with wakame and cucumber), yakitori and a South African inspired kudu-shi which is thinly sliced kudu meat served with sushi rice. The restaurant also has a small selection of wines to complement its food. Located at the very heart of town activity, Genki Sushi is an ideal spot for a Far East eating experience.

Guardian Peak is essentially a winery - with a restaurant. From entering the farm, following the road through the vineyards and finding the restaurant nestled against the breathtaking backdrop of the Helderberg Mountain, one will soon buy into the “living the lifestyle” concept that drives this establishment. If it’s modernity that one seeks, then Guardian Peak will certainly meet expectations. The open plan restaurant boasts a demonstration kitchen, allowing guests to experience the energy and synergy that takes place in a professional kitchen. The menu’s contemporary interpretation of ‘wine with food’ pairing (and not the other way round) leaves no room for ignorant choices when it comes to marrying food with drink. The menu, which is seasonal, is wickedly extravagant. Besides a fare of traditional venison and lamb, patrons will be hard pressed not to succumb to temptations of Courgette & Goats cheese soufflé, Roasted Apple and Raisin Pork Belly or Quail Breast stuffed with bacon and sage. Soak up the South African sunshine on the terrace or feel right at home with the warmth of the fireplace in winter, either way Guardian Peak is a great lunch location.

Kitch Kombuis in Muizenberg Village is owned by local personality, passionate restauranteur and people person, Derek Harrison. Everything that Derek ploughs his efforts into seems to be infused with his personal brand of magic, from the deliciously different smoothie selection, through to the furniture he’s chosen to decorate his new restaurant with. Not only is Kitch Kombuis a coffee shop with a difference, everything inside is for sale, not excluding the very table you’re seated at. Taking its inspiration from European coffee stations, the coffee shop is located adjacent to the Muizenberg train station. With a counter full of healthy baked treats and delicious sarmies, Kitch Kombuis is designed as a meeting place, greeting place and ‘grab a bite before leaving on the train’ place. Great emphasis is placed on serving excellent coffee and providing light snacks, baked and made by members of the Muizenberg community. Young bakers and pastry chefs deliver fresh snacks daily, while Derek and his assistant whip up excellent coffee and more-ish smoothies. Enjoy a freshly baked selection of croissants, veg pies, quiches, wraps, gourmet sarmies and sweet pastries from breakfast through to lunch.

Pielow’s restaurant is a gem of fine dining located in the quaint town of Tulbagh. This intimate and elegant eatery promises guests fine food in a stunning setting. The restaurant forms part of the Oude Herberg guest house. Its tiny dining room exudes ambience with its quiet sophistication. In the summer the courtyard offers the best seating for a late evening of food and drink with friends, or an afternoon bite while watching the town’s rugby team in action. The contemporary menu incorporates the best local produce that can be sourced. Popular dishes include the roast pork with caramelised apples and the rack of lamb with home-made mint sauce. The list is vast with a great selection of local wines. Guests can also enjoy the fact that the restaurant has its very own patch of vineyard and bottles its own home groen shiraz and sauvignon blanc under the Pielow’s label.

This light airy space is the perfect space for a little daytime indulgence, where light meals and aromatic coffees are the order of the day. Order from the menu or enjoy something different from the daily specials, or indulge in an all day breakfast. Relax in quiet ambiance at The Loft restaurant in Fish Hoek.

Located up a side street in Sea Point, The Wooden Shoe is a steakhouse in the traditional sense complete with a small following and rumoured to be the second oldest steakhouse in Cape Town. That being said, don’t expect luxury or fussing over you service, this hole in the wall eatery is all about steaks and character décor complete with clogs adorning the walls. The tiny kitchen hosts legendary steaks, prepared by an overly worked and glowing owner who caters and indulges a local following and in-expensive wine list.