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The Western Cape is a popular tourist destination – thanks to Table Mountain, the Winelands and all those pearly beaches – and the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town is a wonderland for those who love to shop, people-watch and sip sundowners near the lapping water, with a huge selection of eating options available. Here’s our list of all the restaurants in the centre and its surrounds, almost all of which boast spectacular views of the harbour or Table Mountain, with our recommendations of where’s good for coffee, celebrations, seafood, steak and more.
Breakfast
Bootlegger Coffee Company
Enjoy breath-taking views while sipping on coffee and a croissant or sample the tasty, moreish meals.
Pure Good @ Workshop17
Pop in for a healthy working breakfast or lunch, freshly pressed juices and a range of smoothies.
Shift Expresso Bar
Enjoy rich, full-bodied and creamy coffee, as well as breakfast, bagels and hearty meals.
The Atlantic at the Table Bay Hotel
Enjoy the buffet breakfast with over 200 items on offer, as well as beautiful views of the harbour and Table Mountain.
The Clipper
For a buffet breakfast and a wide variety of meals in an elegant hotel setting.
Vovo Telo
For freshly baked breads and pastries.
Cafés and coffee shops
Café Alfredo
Café Alfredo offers Euro-style food in a cute café setting inside the mall. The menu also includes go-to bites like burgers, filled croissants and wraps.
Love Revenge & Cappuccino
This coffee shop specialises in Italian ice cream, cakes, desserts and light meals.
Origin Coffee Roasting
For a variety of single-origin coffees and seasonal blends.
The Deli Coffee Co.
Melissa’s has become The Deli Coffee Co. Expect the same beautiful foodie and homeware gift ideas, as well as good breakfasts and coffee.
EB Café
Enjoy coffee and wine refreshments after browsing at Exclusive Books. The terrace offers lovely views.
The Granary Cafe at The Silo Hotel
For breakfast options that include the delicious eggs Benedict, a contemporary lunch-and-dinner menu filled with classics such as tuna tartare and 300g beef rib-eye, the famous Sunday roast, and afternoon and royal teas.
Life Grand Café
For healthy breakfasts, sushi, tapas, salad and patisserie in an opulent setting.
Mugg & Bean
This popular coffee shop has a surprisingly trendy menu featuring red-velvet milkshakes and pulled chicken sandwiches.
A selection of delicious dishes from Mugg & Bean. Photo supplied.
Nouveau Café
Go for a quick bite before or after a movie. (This space is attached to the arts-focused cinema at the centre.)
tashas
Tashas offers reliably good meals, with this branch specialising in Spanish bites like patatas bravas and paella, along with the usual Tashas fare of Mediterranean sandwiches, salads and power bowls.
Vida e Caffe and Vida e Caffe (Clock Tower)
Grab an indulgent coffee along with snacks like muffins and sandwiches.
Family-friendly spots
Col’Cacchio
For artisanal wood-fired pizzas, delicious pastas and gourmet salads.
Pizza and pasta dishes from Col’Cacchio. Photo supplied.
Dip ‘n Dip
The ingenious chocolate café serves a smorgasbord of decadent desserts. Pop in for a scoop, frozen or old-fashioned hot chocolate, milkshakes, waffles, crêpes and a Belgian chocolate fondue.
Gibson’s Gourmet Burgers and Ribs
For gourmet burgers, finger-licking ribs and crazy milkshakes.
A succulent burger from Gibson’s. Photo supplied.
Ocean Basket
For standard fish and chips with the family.
Primi Wharf
For a vibey, urban atmosphere and a big menu that will please everyone in the family.
A selection of delicious dishes from Primi. Photo supplied.
Quarter Kitchen
Head to the Portswood Hotel for an authentic Cape Malay meal.
Spur
Spur’s the place to go for reliable burgers, rib, combos with treats and play areas for the kids.
Mediterranean and Italian
Balducci’s Restaurant
For a sidewalk café vibe and a big menu comprising mostly Italian-inspired dishes, plus sushi and tapas.
A tasty tataki dish from Balducci’s. Photo supplied.
Cooked
For delicious homemade flatbreads and babka.
The Greek Fisherman
For mezze favourites, from grilled sardines to pitas with dips. Sun-splashed Med flavours appear in mains like moussaka, slow-roasted lamb and souvlaki.
La Parada
For a selection of Spanish-inspired tapas and cocktails.
The brunch spread at La Parada. Photo supplied.
Meloncino
For authentic Italian pizzas, pastas, meat, fish and sweet treats. Great views of the water and Table Mountain from the deck.
Picturesque views of Table Mountain and the harbour from Meloncino. Photo supplied.
San Marco
For traditional Italian antipasti, tramezzini, pasta and seafood.
Si Cantina-Sociale
For Mediterranean-style cuisine and an aesthetically pleasing interior.
A Mediterranean-style meal from Si Cantina-Sociale. Photo supplied.
The Yard
The Yard offers a selection of quality dishes with Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Indian influences. The Yard is situated at the Waterfront’s Silo District, directly opposite the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.
Mid-shop pit stops
Anat Falafel & Shwarma
For a takeaway bite of Middle-Eastern flavours. Good value for money.
Cinnabon
For the classic warm, sweet, cinnamon-laden treats. Just follow your nose to the source of the baking aromas.
Debonairs Pizza
For takeaway pizzas (some of which have stuffed crusts).
Gelato Mania
For artisanal gelato from a family-run store.
Häagen-Dazs
For ice cream, sorbet, gelato and frozen yoghurt from the New York brand.
Kauai
For a quick smoothie to keep the hanger away mid-shop.
KFC
The classic takeaway fried chicken. You know the drill.
Get melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts filled and topped with delectable flavour combinations.
Limnos Bakers
For fresh hand-made pastries, cakes and desserts.
A chocolate cake from Limnos. Photo supplied.
Marcel’s Frozen Yoghurt
For slightly less naughty frozen desserts whipped up into flurries with toppings like fudge, Smarties and fruit.
A tub of chocolate Marcel’s frozen yoghurt. Photo supplied.
McDonald’s
You know what you’re getting.
Nando’s
For Portuguese-style flame-grilled chicken dishes with various peri-peri marinades.
Simply Asia Thai Food & Noodle Bar
For very tasty boxes of Thai stir-fries featuring all the good things like basil, cashew nuts and chilli.
Simply Asia duck in Thai gravy. Photo supplied.
Steers
SA’s favourite burgers and chips with addictive special seasoning.
Tortilla Modern Mexican
For fresh, quality Mexican-inspired dishes served at fast-food speed.
Wimpy
For well-loved coffee, milkshakes, sandwiches and more.
Woolworths Café
For watching the hustle of the harbour without the pesky seagulls.
Seafood
Cape Town Fish Market
For a bountiful sushi buffet and excellent weekly specials. This large restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating, and even a West Coast braai space inside complete with an artificial beach.
Sushi from Cape Town Fish Market. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.
Firefish Seafood Restaurant
Enjoy sensational seafood fresh from the ocean at this harbour-side eatery paired with breathtaking views of Table Mountain.
The spectacular view of Table Mountain at Firefish Seafood Restaurant. Photo supplied.
Fisherman’s Choice
For fresh, no-fuss seafood and panoramic views.
Harbour House
Nab a seat at the upstairs deck overlooking the harbour and tuck into fresh sushi. There are hearty bistro dishes, too, for wintry days.
The beautiful interior at Harbour House. Photo supplied.
Mozambik
Dine on traditional Portuguese cuisine in the heart of the V&A.
Sevruga
For an elegant dinner, overlooking the water, of sushi, seafood and steak.
The revamped interior at Sevruga. Photo supplied.
Upstairs at Quay Four
For a more elegant experience than the pub atmosphere downstairs. Great views with must-try seafood.
Willoughby & Co
For sushi, sushi, sushi. There may be a wait (and steep pricing), but it’s worth it.
Special occasions
Bukhara
For a special and delicious meal of spicy Indian cuisine like panner tikka, butter chicken and prawn masala.
Camissa Brasserie
For high-end fare like line fish, Karan beef and home-made pasta. This little brasserie is somewhat hidden in the The Table Bay Hotel, but it’s a beautiful little space styled like an old-fashioned brasserie with wood panelling and leather banquettes.
The warm and inviting interior at Camissa Brasserie. Photo supplied.
Dash Restaurant & Bar
For upmarket cuisine in a hotel setting.
Haiku
For sushi, dim sum and wok dishes with beautiful, intense flavours.
Nobu at One&Only Cape Town
For a very special night out featuring superb sushi and more. The spinach salad is exceptional and the salmon tacos are delicious.
Ochre Restaurant
Dine on head chef Chris Mare’s unique menu of re-imagined local cuisine, with his own interpretations of bobotie and West Coast mussels.
Signal Restaurant
For formal dining in a hotel setting.
Steakhouses
Belthazar Restaurant and Wine Bar
For one of the largest by-the-glass wine selections in SA, plus excellent aged steaks and fresh seafood.
City Grill Steakhouse
For choice cuts of beef and game, as well as a selection of over 150 wines, with a sommelier on hand to assist.
Exterior at City Grill Restaurant. Photo supplied.
Sundowner spots and drinking holes
Bascule Whisky, Wine & Cocktail Bar
For a splendid selection of scotch whiskeys and great cocktails like the classic Old Fashioned.
Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen & Cape Brandy Bar
Cause Effect uses raw ingredients to create masterful cocktails and exceptional tapas.
Den Anker Restaurant & Bar
For Belgian specialities like moules et frites and an incredible selection of beers from around the world. Outside tables offer views of the harbour and Table Mountain.
Ferrymans Tavern
For watching the rugby and drinking beer.
Grand Africa Café & Beach
For spectacular views while you sip on cocktails with your toes in the sand.
Exterior at Grand Africa Cafe & Beach. Photo supplied.
Kapstadt Brauhaus
For traditional German cuisine, after-work drinks and sports matches.
Mitchell’s Scottish Ale House
For beer and watching sports games.
OUIBar + KTHCN at Radisson RED Hotel
For pizzas, burgers and a comprehensive beverage list featuring a selection of local wines, cocktails, gins and spirits.
Quay Four Tavern
For a selection of seafood dishes, beers and pub grub overlooking the dock.
RED Roof at Radisson RED Hotel
For Cape summer days and sipping on sunset cocktails with a killer view of the sea and Table Mountain.
The RED Rooftop. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.
The Alba
The Alba is an exclusive fine dining floating restaurant. Visit them for brunch, lunch, afternoon cocktails or dinner.
The Silo Rooftop
For a relaxed experience with spectacular 360-degree views of the Mother City. Soak up the sunshine with a glass of bubbly, cocktail or wine in one hand and fresh oysters in the other.
The Silo Rooftop Bar. Photo supplied.
Stonebreakers Restaurant
For sunset drinks on the deck, followed by buffet dining in a hotel setting. The restaurant also now offers an à la carte menu.
Vista Bar and Lounge at One&Only Cape Town
For posh cocktails, high teas and spectacular floor-to-ceiling views.
The Willaston Bar
For classic cocktails and a carefully crafted list of local and international wines with stunning views of Cape Town.
The tourist experience
Baia Seafood Restaurant
For upscale-priced shellfish, line fish and calamari in an opulent setting with great views of the harbour.
Ginja
For breakfasts, sandwiches and salads, plus some more serious fare like lamb shin and duck.
Jou Ma Se Comedy Club
For dinner and a show. Guests pay between R90 to R120 a ticket to watch the comedy show, with different comedians each night.
Karibu Restaurant
For South African-inspired dishes, grills, seafood and Cape Malay favourites like bobotie.
MAReSOL
For breathtaking harbour and mountain views and Portuguese-Mozambican cuisine like peri-peri chicken, trinchado and prawns.
Chicken Peri Peri from MAReSOL. Photo supplied.
Shimmy Beach Club
For a pool party like you’ve never had before.
The exterior at Shimmy Beach Club. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.
V&A Food Market
For grabbing a quick bite to eat and seeing a variety of local offerings. The Creamery, Lamb Foldover and Truth Coffee are good picks.
Vista Marina
For glorious views of the harbour and Table Mountain over lingering drinks with friends. Enjoy burgers and pizzas during the day and a more refined à la carte menu in the evening.
The beautiful views at Vista Marina. Photo supplied.
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Fantastic guide!!