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25 restaurants to visit on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard

Friday, August 30th, 2019 by Eat Out

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Looking for some top-notch nosh in Cape Town and don’t want to leave the Atlantic Seaboard? Here are some highly rated restaurants located along the glinting coastline – from the V&A Waterfront to the ‘republic’ of Hout Bay – for light snacks, sundowners and blow-the-budget meals.

These restaurants were rated highly enough by our panel of critics to make it into the 2019 issue of Eat Out magazine. Want to give some shine to a little neighbourhood gem not mentioned here? Let us know in the comments.

V&A Waterfront

Nobu One&Only
Start with salted edamame beans to whet your appetite. A selection of Nobu’s superb sushi should follow. Want to break from tradition? The new-style salmon sashimi never fails to impress. Then, move on to the tempura or the succulent kushiyaki (grilled skewers) of scallops, langoustine or salmon. A side dish of Nobu’s spinach salad with yuzu truffle and dried miso wouldn’t hurt. The extensive dessert menu adds a Japanese twist to a range of classic sweets. Always dreamed of tofu tiramisu or matcha fondant? You’ve come to the right place. There’s also a range of set menus on offer, including the seven-course omakase tasting menu.

Some of the tasty tapas at tashas. Photo supplied by the restaurant.

 

Willoughby & Co.
The legendary sushi has a massive fanbase. The fold-out menu is vast and varied, featuring a wide range of Japanese-inspired dishes, as well as a number of continental classic seafood items and good old fish and chips. The new-style sashimi – thinly sliced raw fish doused with a punchy yuzu-soy dressing and aromatics such as ginger, garlic and sesame seeds – steals the scene. The desserts on offer are pretty standard, including malva pudding with custard and crème brûlée, but hit the sweet-tooth spot nonetheless.

The Willaston Bar at The Silo Hotel
Open throughout the day, The Willaston Bar boasts an extensive menu that runs the gamut from breakfast, salads, sandwiches and platters to desserts. The popular choice is a salad or classic club sandwich stacked with bacon, smoked chicken, steak and served with French fries. For a shareable choice, the tempura platter is worth a sample, while the dense apple treacle sponge with tonka-bean caramel and vanilla ice cream is a sweet way to end off. The high tea spread is sensational.

Green Point

Anatoli Turkish Restaurant ?
More than three decades on, Anatoli is still in its original location; the waiter still does the rounds carrying a mighty wooden tray with hot and cold mezze; and the slow-cooked lamb shank is still enormous. The garlic bread, sliced at your table with a flourish, is memorably good. The signature Anatolian lamb (cubed and cooked with rosemary, oregano, red peppers and tomatoes) is a family-sized helping of richly flavoured, tender lamb served with rice. The borani (spinach with yoghurt, caramelised onions, sultanas and turmeric) is deliciously zesty. You’ll have no room for dessert, which is a shame, because the cheesecake is made with Turkish delight.

? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app.

Cushty
Breakfast options include light home-made granola with seasonal fruits and Greek yoghurt from Gay’s Dairy, and cherry tomato toast with mushrooms, rocket, feta and pecans. If you’re an eggs Benny fan, you can’t go wrong here. Come lunchtime, the deli counter is filled with salads, sides and proteins such as pork sausages, free-range chicken or lamb kebabs and chicken phyllo pies. Pair with colourful veg platters, or go for pasta dishes like Aglio spinach-and-ricotta ravioli with crumbled feta. For something sweet, grab a gluten-free brownie or chocolate croissant on your way out.

Don Armando
This restaurant specialises in steak and prides itself in having the best cuts of aged meat, cooked to perfection. Starters include a steak tartare and succulent sautéed prawns with tomato and a hint of chili. For mains, share the signature picanha steak: an 800g hunk of beef served with hand-cut potato chips, chimichurri sauce and a crisp house salad with balsamic dressing. For those who don’t want steak, choose lamb or chicken. End with churros, caramel flan or heavenly pancakes drizzled with caramel sauce and served with dulce de leche ice cream.

El Burro
The food here is delicately spiced, fresh and flavourful. For starters, try the rellenos (stuffed jalapeños) or the ceviche. The esquites – sweetcorn dressed with parmesan cheese, lime juice, coriander and butter – are truly moreish. For mains, choose from a selection of tacos filled with pulled pork, lamb or vegetables. The line fish tacos have large pieces of delicately battered fried fish cooked to a tender flake, served with guacamole, tomato salsa and pickled onions. There is also a choice of quesadillas, as well as chicken mole and baked enchiladas. Dessert choice is limited but you can’t go wrong with churros.

Giovanni’s Deli World
Endless baskets of fresh bread – of every kind, with enough cold meats, condiments and cheeses to match – enables Giovanni’s diners to build the perfect sandwich. Pesto, an assortment of hummus, tzatziki and other spreads are stacked next to a variety of fresh vegetables and salads. From shiny green beans cooked in olive oil to mouth-watering potato salad, vegetarians are well catered for. A wide selection of meat dishes is available, from tikka chicken to schnitzels.

Jason Bakery
In the morning, look forward to breakfasts such as the spinach-spiked green pancakes, creamy mushroom ragout or fragrantly spiced shakshuka. For mid-morning cravings, indulge in the selection of sandwiches, all served on your choice of home-made Bree Street sourdough, ciabatta or 66% sourdough rye. The afternoon lunch menu has a selection of interesting salads and health bowls, as well as the home-made pie of the day. Also find breads, pastries, tarts and sweets.

Upper Bloem ?

The set menu is divided into three parts. Start with smoked snoek croquettes and lightly cured kabeljou on a crunchy sago crisp and Cape Malay-style onions. Then there are delicately spiced carrots with goat’s cheese; plump mussels in a flavourful broth studded with samphire and a quail ‘Kabaab’ – a take on the Scotch egg – soft-boiled and surrounded by shredded beef on a bed of beetroot. The hearty third part boasts duck breast with quince and samosa crisp, beef short rib with crisp sweetbreads and thinly sliced pickled tongue with fresh green apple. For dessert try ‘After school’, a play on tinned fruit with evaporated milk.

? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app.

Sea Point

Coco Safar
Start your evening at the rooibos bar for a delicate amuse bouche before going to the main dining area. The two- or three-course meal is paired with innovative drinks. The boule feta is a house favourite starter: a chilled sphere of creamed feta cheese filled with a chunky mushroom caponata. Main course options include pumpkin risotto, ostrich lasagne, sea bass curry, brisket and mutton casserole. The brisket is slightly smoked and served thinly sliced with caper mash and braised cabbage. The tropical coconut rice pudding with mango and granadilla purée, lime sorbet and dark chocolate is well balanced. The after-dinner surprise is a fabulous ending. You’ll also know of their stellar coffee and breakfast, for those who are looking for some daytime dining.

Hesheng Chinese Restaurant
The menu is extensive at this Sea Point gem, so it’s advisable to order a range of dishes to share, family-style. Begin with the feather-light dumplings – fried potsticker-style or steamed in bamboo baskets. The beef dumplings are glorious, dipped in a combo of vinegar and soy. Another highlight is the leek pancakes: golden, flaky dough conceals a layer of sweet leeks. Tuck into melt-in-the-mouth eggplant in oyster sauce or nibble on the firm jellied pig’s ear salad laced with chilli. Finish with a glorious bowl of Szechuan beef: it arrives steaming, the broth brimming with chilli, and the beef is scrumptious. There are no desserts on offer.

Jarryds Espresso Bar + Eatery
Breakfasts include sweeter options like milk and honey panna cotta, overnight oats with apple and cinnamon, smoothie bowls, waffles and pancakes. Order eggs any which way with a choice of sides, or try eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, sautéed artichokes and mushrooms, or brisket. For something different, go for a summer quinoa breakfast bowl. Lunch offers salads, sh tacos, pasta, wraps and burgers, with tempting sides like rustic-cut fries with aïoli, fully loaded fries with wasabi Japanese mayo, or sweet chilli and firecracker prawn bites.

Kleinsky’s Delicatessen
This is bagel and latke heaven, both for breakfast and lunch. The breakfast bagel with egg, cheese, tomato and lamb bacon is a hot favourite. Also scrumptious is the latke Benedict – crunchily firm potato pancakes topped by two poached eggs and a creamy Hollandaise sauce, with optional extras like smoked salmon. Hot pastrami on rye is an excellent lunch choice with smoky home-made mustard adding piquancy. The chicken soup, either with noodles or a matzo ball, is good enough to make even the most ardent Jewish mama nod in approval. Finish with the richly decadent New York cheesecake.

Korean Soju
This hole-in-the-wall spot serves up absolutely authentic Korean fare. The umami mushrooms have extraordinary depth of flavour, full of hints of anchovy, soya and dashi. There is great satisfaction in assembling the bulgogi, which is pork and beef basted with a sweet soy sauce with chilli and other condiments in a crisp lettuce envelope. The bibimpap is a feast of aroma and texture: beef strips cooked on a hot stone plate at the table and served with rice, vegetables from the owner’s garden and topped with an egg.

La Boheme Wine Bar & Bistro
Dishes here change according to what’s fresh and abundant at the market. This means braised pork belly could be served as pulled pork and goat’s cheese ravioli with wilted greens, or with roasted butternut, tomato and beetroot chutney. Ditto the rabbit served with accompaniments, such as potato gnocchi, edamame beans and roast cherry tomatoes, or a hefty helping of aubergine and potato purée. The springbok carpaccio with roast garlic, crème fraîche and horseradish is sublime. Vegetarians will typically find a single option each among the starters and mains, which is fine when you land the coconut lentil curry with salted pears. There’s a Mediterranean-inspired tapas menu and crowd-pleasers such as sticky toffee pudding and apple tart for dessert.

La Mouette
Choose between a three- or five-course menu. The five-course option begins with a selection of tapas. The second course is a deconstructed leek and potato soup: smoked mash is served in a bowl with herb oil then the leek velouté is poured at the table. The third course poses a choice between a vegetable kofta and West Coast mussels. The koftas are wonderfully spicy and crisp. Fourth is a choice between herb gnocchi and pork belly. The pork is wonderfully tender and rich, coated with a sticky, flavourful jus. Dessert is a unique interpretation of lemon meringue tart.

Dine al fresco at La Mouette. Photo by Karl Rogers.

Nonna Lina
Sardinian owner Antonella Scamuzzi and his passionate team turn out some of the best pizza in town. Salads are interesting: think artichokes, parmesan, caramelised red onions and roasted pine nuts; or a Caprese with fresh fior di latte. From there, your best bet is a glorious wood-fired pizza. The calzone is spectacular, whether it’s stuffed with taleggio and coppa or loaded with porcini and rocket. The traditional beef lasagna is thoroughly indulgent. Vegetarian? Try the version made with carasau bread, grilled aubergines and tomatello sauce. There’s also a range of fish, veal and lamb dishes. Finish with seadas nostras – this Sardinian speciality is a golden pastry filled with fresh mozzarella, preserved figs and macadamia nuts.

Ristorante Posticino
This restaurant offers authentic, no-frills Italian classics. The signature dish of meatballs – four plump and tender beef meatballs smothered in a rich tomato sauce – is so comforting. If it’s available, try the vongole sauce, made from cooked clams and traditionally served with spaghetti. Pizzas are cooked in an authentic wood-fired oven, giving the dough a perfectly crisp base. End with tiramisu, cassata or Peppermint Crisp tart for good measure. In summer, sit outside on the patio, if you can.

Scheckter’s Raw Gourmet Health Food
This buzzing little vegan café serves up tasty wholesome plant-based food that has even meat-eaters convinced. The wonderfully nutty falafel balls with pink hummus make a great starter to share. Else progress directly to the ‘Best Vegan Burger’ made with lentils, veggie protein, brown rice, oats and flax seeds. Paired with smashed avo, caramelised onions, sweet potato fries and vegan aïoli, it’s a magnificent thing, and looks the part too, with its black charcoal-infused roll. Also on offer: hot dogs, wraps and a range of bowls. Sweets are guilt- free raw, organic treats sweetened with low-GI organic coconut nectar and free from refined sugar, dairy and gluten.

Stop by for something healthy at Scheckter’s Raw. Photo supplied by the restaurant.

 

 

Mouille Point

The Butcher Shop & Grill
The name of the game is meat. You might suffer from order envy if you don’t order the creamiest chicken liver starters. The game carpaccio starter is stylishly presented and also delicious. For a lighter lunch, the fragrant lamb pita showcases the freshness and quality of the meat. The pièce de résistance, however, is the dish of pork chops in black pepper – perfectly grilled and unimaginably succulent. For dessert, malva pudding goes toe-to-toe with halva ice cream.

The Hussar Grill
This long-running steakhouse is all about prime cuts of beef. For starters, expect to find familiar steakhouse specialities, such as chicken livers with sherry and garlic cream, crumbed and fried camembert served with sweet cranberry jelly, and calamari and tartar sauce. Steaks are the focus here: choose your own portion size and cut of meat, on or off the bone. Matured and grilled to perfection, steaks are served with classic sauces such as creamy mustard or green peppercorn. The popular carpetbagger steak with smoked mussels and cheese filling, as well as chateaubriand, are also on the menu. The pork belly ribs deliver smoky, sticky pleasure. End with the chocolate fondant or crème brûlée.

The T-bone steak at Hussar Grill in Mouille Point. Photo supplied.

The T-bone steak at Hussar Grill in Mouille Point. Photo supplied.

 

Camps Bay

Salsify (Camps Bay)

Views, views, views are one of the many drawcards here. Chef Ryan Cole (of The Test Kitchen fame) has brought his flare to the Atlantic Seaboard. Start with options like the beetroot amuse-bouche then move on to the assiette of suckling pig, which pairs well with morsels of salted apple and num num. For mains, the pan-seared springbok is beautiful, while the Peking duck breast provides complex flavours from salted sour plums and walnuts. For dessert, the dark chocolate soufflé is impressive, served with a gorgeously creamy quenelle of milk-chocolate ice cream. The roasted pineapple goes beautifully with the tiny coriander sprouts, tangy kefir snow and torn crumbs of dense coconut cake.

The sea room at Salsify. Photo by Justin Patrick

Hout Bay

Cheyne’s
This popular Hout Bay eatery offers fantastic Asian-inspired tapas. The food abounds with flavour and originality. The menu is divided into four sections: sea, earth, land and happy endings. Oceanic highlights include the soft-shell crab with roasted fennel, miso and lime aïoli, while a hot and sour risotto with prawn ‘popcorn’ totally knocks it out of the park. The baby back pork ribs with sweet yakiniku glaze and toasted sesame will have you licking your fingers, while croquettes of duck, lime leaf and miso are served on squares of fresh watermelon. It’s a revelation.

Massimo’s
This is comforting, international award-winning Italian food. Start with some spuntini (Italian tapas) – the deep-fried baby artichokes are absolutely moreish, served with a creamy pesto dip. For mains, choose from one of the many wood-fired pizzas or home-made pastas. All of the usual suspects feature, as well as some interesting options like spicy chilli con carne. The perfectly cheesy fior di latte margherita will please. On the pasta front, name the sauce and it’s there. There’s also a charity pizza and pasta offering where a donation will be given for each order. Order home-made Italian kisses to seal the deal.

These restaurants were rated highly enough by our panel of critics to make it into the latest issue of Eat Out magazine, which is on sale now. Want to give some shine to a little neighbourhood gem not mentioned here? Let us know in the comments.

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