One of the most-viewed restaurant listings in Cape Town, the new Tiger’s Milk on Long Street is a hive of hip activity. We went to see what all the fuss is about.

Food

As befits a place like this, the bill of fare is full of high flavour appeal, generous portions and plenty of visual come-and-get-it. Starters include delicious calamari in two sizes (heads and tails deep fried, served with real aioli with lots of garlic) and tempura prawns (peeled, tails on, and served with crunchy cucumber “spaghetti” – how do they do that?) and a rich sweet-chili version of the aioli to dip it all into. Irresistible.

Delicious chops and chips at Tiger’s Milk Long Street. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The burgers are the pièces de résistance: hefty hulk-size things with a 200g chicken or beef patty and excellent skinny frites. They range from a burger called The Stepchild – with red onion, lettuce and tomato – through to one with truffle-infused mushroom sauce, and then the Triple Bypass with bacon, cheese and mushroom; each one is a meal on its own.

A pizza and a beer at Tiger’s Milk Long Street. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Steaks (sirloin and fillet) are dry-aged for 40 days and can be enjoyed with or without sides. The difference between medium-rare and medium seems to be elusive, but the steak is delicious. Pizzas are skinny-based, with the offering including a gluten-free base at an extra charge. The baked cheesecake is the way to end it all.

Drinks

There’s a small wine list with no lower-end choices, plus some great draught beers, including their own house brand.

Service

Fast and friendly from a trendy crew.

The interior at Tiger’s Milk Long Street. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Ambience

This is a noisy, high-energy venue with loud music much loved by the patrons who are constantly tapping their feet to the beat. Shared counter space encourages congeniality, but there are tables as well for those of us who must sit comfortably. The look is semi-industrial, dominated by a great mock bull’s head on the wall. The smoking area adjacent is the place to see their pizza oven, from whence a constant flow of goodies emerges. The action spills onto the street and the vibe is most appealing – definitely no quiet corners in which to lurk.

And…

Parking is a pain, so get a spot in the Parkade in Strand Street. It’s an easy walk and you can get it over with quickly.

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

Have you been to the hip new Tiger’s Milk in Long Street? Let us know what you thought.