It was a sad day when we found out that beloved German eatery The Sneaky Sausage, located above The House of Machines, had closed down. Thankfully the space has been put to good use by Latin-American Picadas Latino Bar. The bar and restaurant serves small bites of food to share then later turns into a Latin dance space. Zola Nene went to check it out.

Fast facts

Cost: R120 average main meal
Parking: It’s best to park in Loop Street or Bree Street then walk to Shortmarket Street
Best for: Dinner with friends followed by a night of Latin dancing
Star ratings: Food and drinks: 3; Ambience: 4; Service: 3

Food

The menu is simply written on a chalkboard and is explained in detail by the waiting staff. Breakfast is served all day – choose from a muesli bowl, avo on toast or a chorizo sandwich. The rest of the menu is a selection of ‘picadas’ (dishes to nibble and share). The signature empanadas, made using a family recipe, are ordered individually and can be either beef, chicken or vegetarian. The pastry is short and crisp and the beef filling is rather bland, but is elevated by the accompanying chimichurri. Choose between the Parma ham croquetas or the mushroom-and-truffle variant, which has a lovely crispy crust but could use a little more truffle flavour.

A post shared by Picadas Cape Town (@picadascpt) on Apr 10, 2018 at 4:29am PDT

The chicken schnitzel is apparently Lionel Messi’s favourite dish and consists of crumbed chicken layered with ham, tomato sauce and mozzarella. It comes served on a bed of delicious potato-and-pea mash. Another signature dish is the burnt carrot ribbons served with goat’s cheese and a dash of vinaigrette. I recommend asking for a little extra dressing, as the charred carrots can seem a little dry otherwise. The standout dish is the Argentinian Trio, a trio of tender steak cooked to your liking, lathered with chimichurri and served on ciabatta rolls with rocket and roasted cherry tomatoes.

A post shared by Picadas Cape Town (@picadascpt) on Apr 19, 2018 at 4:54am PDT

The dessert selection consists of only two items: churros or a pancake, both served with dulce de leche. The churros were very chewy and overcooked. The pancake was light and fluffy and served with a generous amount of sauce.

Drinks

The drinks menu is extensive, with a large selection of liquors available, including a choice of Karoo tequila. There is also a large menu of signature cocktails, all expertly made by the experienced barman. Else opt for something from the selection of local wines and beers available.

Ambience

The restaurant is very vibey and loud, with Latin music blaring all night long. Guests are encouraged to get up and dance on the dance floor. Tables are limited, so it’s best to book ahead if you’re dining with a large group.

The interior of Picadas. Photo by Zola Nene.

Service

Service is relaxed and efficient, and food arrives as it is ready – don’t expect to receive all your food at the same time.

And…

Picadas offers a catering service for private functions and events.

Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay for their meals in full. Read our full editorial policy here.

Have you eaten at Picadas? Write a review and tell us what you thought.