Western Cape Restaurants

Grab your friends and head straight to A Touch of Madness for a tasty meal and a great bottle of wine. This unique restaurant in 'Obs' offers a blend of South African Fusion with a little madness. It caters for most tastes with falafal dinners and filled butternuts to delicious beef and venison steaks. On Monday evenings you can listen to Off The Wall poetry readings from 8pm. Thursday nights are Irish music sessions from 9pm and every alternate Sunday night at 8pm you can hear the tunes of Blacksmith, a Bluegrass band. Open 7 days a week from 12 noon until late (Monday to Saturday) and 5pm until late on Sunday.

Known as one of Knysna’s top restaurants blended with old world charm and housed in a quaint 1848 year old manor house, Boogies Restaurant charms the palate and senses with original and unique dishes much suited to the characteristics of this old manor house. Charming and unique, patrons can dine on daily specials or experience cuisine from the menu taking in the fresh breeze on the veranda under the shady oak tree. If intimate dining suits the taste - cosy up to the crackling fireplace warmed by original yellowwood and Oregon pine floors for a wintery warm experience.

Located along Main Road, this popular local haunt specialises in great British pub grub with a wide range of local and international beers. The ambiance bustles with activity and the festive vibe makes it the ideal location for alfresco pub lunches while watching the game. Live music on Saturdays and Sundays.

Crabs Creek Restaurant and Pub is a place so special, even the tide visits them twice a day. Well, that’s what the sign says and during season you will be hard pressed to find a table. Right on the water’s edge, the gorgeous views of Knysna Lagoon don’t get better. Offering fresh seafood, standard pub grub and bistro meals, draught on tap and live music, Crabs Creek is the place to visit for a guaranteed good time. Open for lunch and dinner daily, 11am until late.

Try the Elephant and Barrel for good old English pub fare in a friendly setting in Franschhoek.Featuring classic meals like bangers and mash and pies, the team behind this quaint spot really knows what classic pub fare is about. Hearty meals satisfy and true to form, imported beers flow like water. There is also a nice selection of wines for those who don’t fancy a pint.A terrace makes for a great area to relax in on warmer days and when the weather is more like it usually is in England, the cosy interior will keep patrons warm.Experience the best that old English pub fare has to offer at the Elephant and Barrel.

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.

Reputed as one of the oldest pubs around, Fireman’s Arms is the place to hangout during big sporting events. A bustling vibe and familier faces makes this place a haven for locals and boasts a fireman’s pole which tempts over indulged drinkers to climb to the top and sign the ceiling. The menu offers the usual suspects like bangers ’n’ mash and fish ’n’ chips and some surprising hearty meals such as slow-cooked fare pork neck or oxtail and thin-based pizzas. Located on the corner of Buitengracht Street, Fireman’s Arms proffers hearty pub grub, beer on tap and bustling sports ambiance.

Perfectly located within the heart of Knysna, perched on the shimmering waters edge, surrounded by sweeping views and tranquil sunsets, Fisherman’s Cabin welcomes patrons with a warm laidback ambience and fresh selection of seafood, meat and combination dishes. Enjoy a lazy al fresco lunch sampling Malay Seafood Curry Pot – A medley of seafood medium spiced served in a “Potjie” with savoury rice or fresh oysters dressed in fiery Tabasco sauce. With a selection of the freshest seafood, fish, combination dishes and sushi, patrons can also enjoy a choice of beef, chicken and pork dishes rounded off by delicious homemade baked deserts and fresh local wines and beers. Watch the lingering sunset over the Marina and lagoon while enjoying a tranquil lunch or romantic dinner indoors or on the covered terrace.

Located on the edge of the village and considered a favourite watering hole, the pub and grill is the hub of the village and the relaxed and informal setting makes it a family affair. Children are well entertained with a large play area while adults indulge in hearty pub fare, ice-cold draughts and big screen sports. Friday’s plays host to live music, pushing up the tempo late into the night while ice-cold rounds make way for hearty grills and pub dishes.

A social spot perfect for sharing and socializing offers expansive lawns shaded by an age old giant Oak. Tapas style dishes make great focal points during conversation as the wine flows and children flock to the sprawling lawns enjoying popular games. Harry-Q.Bar is a relaxing pub dining experience set amidst the beauty and splendor of the Stellenbosch Wine Route.

JC Brasserie and Pub is located at the Best Western Cape Suites Hotel and boasts home-style cooking and vegetarians options. The menu serves tasty breakfasts and lunches, with Thursday burger specials and assorted hearty meals and light finger food the rest of the week. JC Brasserie and Pub is a warm and welcoming place with hearty home-style cooking set beneath the sparkling lights of City Bowl.

Housed in an old turn of the centaury cottage that’s been beautifully restored, this spacious eatery and wine bar wines and dines palates with delicious contemporary pub cuisine. The pub exudes a restful ambiance, with passion and flavour evident in the food and wine. During summer months, take advantage of the beautiful terrace dressed in a Parisian feel and enjoy alfresco lunches, sundowners or tea at the attractive round tables shaded by umbrellas.

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.

Patricks Pub and Restaurant rests in the heart of Mossel Bay and is the ideal place for quick snack or lingering evening meal. Serving everything from Toasted Sandwiches to Eisbeins and a refreshing glass of Ale, patrons can enjoy a relaxing meal or spill out onto the large entertainment area hosting a cosy fire on cool days and aromatic braai. Patricks Pub and Restaurant is the perfect venue for an easygoing, comfortable meal surrounded by local faces and warm smiles.

'Peddlars' is a favorite watering hole with many locals and tourists alike. It's always buzzing and has a wonderful garden area which is usually packed in the summer. The restaurant has recently been refurbished and reopened without loosing any of it's unique character. Throughout the winter months there is always a hearty fire to ensure that the restaurant is warm and cosy, whilst diners enjoy one of their well known signature dishes.

Located along Buitenkant Street, Perseverance Tavern exudes history and old world charm, dressed in historic paintings and traditional pub décor. The menu is diverse rich and offers expansive choices ranging from bangers and mash to espetadas. Visit Perseverance Tavern for delicious pub grub and a journey into the past.

Just awarded ‘Best Pub Lunch’ in the Western Cape, diners visit Players Café to soak up the views, play golf or just relax and indulge in a wide range of dishes. The breakfast menu proffers variety and the famous Golfers Breakfast; a full-bodied buffet and bucket with 100 balls. Lunch caters with famous burgers and draught beers on tap, enjoyed alfresco under shady parasols. Main courses vary from pasta, steaks, seafood and delicious deserts – all enjoyed within the picturesque surrounds of River club.

One of the most famous restaurants in Cape Town’s V & A Waterfront is Quay Four. Patrons can choose between the tavern downstairs which serves good pub grub and seafood, or Upstairs @ Quay Four, which offers diners a more sophisticated eating experience, overlooking the bustling harbour. With live music every night, Quay Four’s Tavern downstairs hums with activity all year round. The water laps the edge of the restaurant, and diners are usually treated to a show from the harbour’s resident seals while they enjoy a cold beer, thirst quenching cocktail and feast on a delicious meal. There is selection of light meals, salads and traditional pub grub – one of the most popular dishes is the traditional fish and chips. There is also a huge variety of fresh seafood, including oysters, mussels, prawn, crayfish and fresh line fish, as well as a selection of seafood platters. For the more carnivorous diners, there is a delicious range of fine cuts of meat from the grill. Upstairs the focus is on fine dining. Diners can feast on a choice of lobster, fine seafood. All meals are complimented by an outstanding wine list, as well as superior service. Quay Four prides itself with its reputation for good, fresh food and friendly service, and time and time again it delivers.

Favoured as one of Knysna’s favourite hot spots serving good pub meals with a glass of locally brewed beer or wine, The Bell Tavern retains its rustic charm with wrought iron roof, iron block floor and whitewashed walls. Serving a choice of grills, pies, burgers and salads, patrons can relax and linger the day away mulling over the locally brewed beers and wine housed by the small stone-lined wine cellar. Enjoy hearty chicken & mushroom or steak pies, baked daily or the Belvidere burger brimming with trimmings followed by moist finger licking Malva pudding. Arrive unannounced, relax and order a drink in the comfort and character of The Bell Tavern in Knysna.

For that authentic Irish pub experience give The Brazen Head a try. Situated in the historic university town of Stellenbosch, this local hang out delivers hearty pub grub as well as a lively atmosphere. Expect a warm hospitable atmosphere, that the Irish refer to as ‘Craic’ is duplicated here with furniture, décor and subtle background music that will have one feel instantly transported to a Dublin Pub. The pub cum restaurant offers good old Irish food along with traditional South African fare to cater to the palate of its patrons. Specialty drinks that add a stamp of authenticity include Guinness and Kilkenny, famous Irish whiskeys like Tullamore Dew and Jameson's along with Bailey's. The Brazen Head also offers great lunch specials, Sunday Roasts and a big screen TV for sport fanatics. The venue also hosts corporate events.

Set the bottom of Chapman’s peak is an endearing country pub and restaurant known as ‘The Toad’. A friendly venue proffering delicious bistro-style dishes with a South African influence. With the beach a stone’s throw away, this 1850’s style thatched farmhouse is the only place for a superb Sunday lunch. The dishes on the menu change regularly and the portions are very generous. Patrons have a choice of dining on a bustling deck, a patio, an all-weather lawn, in a cosy downstairs dining room or a traditional pub area upstairs. Fireplaces enhance the cosy and warm ambience in this family-centred pub and restaurant. A children’s play area will occupy the kids while you relax. Affordable prices and impeccable service adds the finishing touch to a wonderful dining experience.

Ye Old Tavern greets familiar faces at this local haunt in a relaxed and informal setting inviting lazy lunches and intimate dinners. Curl up to the roaring winter fire perusing traditional fare or soak up the summer ambiance with a glass of chilled wine before tempting the palate with the delicious menu. Ye Old Tavern boasts favourite dishes such as Lamb shank, bobotie, Butterfish, Cape Malay chicken curry and the best steaks and spare ribs in town. For starters, try the tangy red pepper mouse - a delicious mousse fusion of roasted red pepper, garlic and a hint of peri-peri served with toasted bread For mains, fall off the bone tavern lamb shank - slow roasted with fresh herbs and cooked to perfection, served on a bed of butternut and thyme mash and drizzled with rich red wine sauce Desert would not be complete without crispy banana caramel spring rolls - freshly baked phyllo parcels filled with cinnamon spiced banana, served with roasted nuts, caramel ice cream and toffee sauce. Ye Old Tavern charms with traditional fare and age-old ambiance laced with contented chatter and colorful cuisine.