A culinary collaboration, named after owner chefs Leigh Trout and Kevin Mink (in case you were wondering), who formerly ran Birds in this grand old heritage building. Inspired by fresh seasonal ingredients, the short tapas, lunch and dinner menu tempts with a checklist of continental classics, well-prepared and attractively presented with robust, wholesome flavours.
Simplicity, good technique with a serious gourmet twist and good value are a winning formula. The office regulars come for the standout pork belly with smoked pork broth, ginger, soy and rice noodles. For starters, share tasty tapas infused with local flavour, from buttery West Coast mussels poached in a Cape Malay broth to crispy white bait with aioli.
Staying in the comfort zone, for mains enjoy crusty signature chicken pie enhanced by a divine mushroom and truffle sauce, spicy Indian butter chicken and cauliflower curry with all the trimmings, or tender pepper-crusted beef fillet with duck fat-roasted potatoes. Vegetarians should opt for the ethereal gnocchi with wilted spinach, mushroom, poached egg and parmesan.
For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the oozy dark chocolate fondant, or a retro treat of sweet pear and apple crumble with custard.
Drinks
Well-chosen, if expensive list of the Cape’s top wine labels by the glass and bottle.
Service
Smart and polished from beginning to end.
Ambience
Chic and intimate in a gorgeous old building that has led many lives behind the exposed brick walls and giant windows. A showpiece is the magnificent new mural of Cape Town in the seventeenth century where the open kitchen used to be.
Best for…
A smart business lunch or intimate dinner downtown.
(August 2019)
Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay for their meals in full. Read our full editorial policy here.
User reviews
★★★★★
11 Reviews
Amanda Lion
★★★★★
Mink & Trout WOW what can I say such a amazing small restaurant.
I enjoyed there special menu and was blown away by the freshness of the food and the service.
The waiter recommended the chicken Pie and the steak,all I can say is praise to the chef who prepared this amazing dish.
I would recommend this restaurant to anyone that comes to cape town.
5 Stars all around.
Thank you to Chef Dien who made our food and making me a repeat customer
Peter Schenk
★★★★★
This is a true great experience ! The staff (Anati) is very helpfull and relaxed, but most of all experienced. The ambiance is very relaxed, nice interior, and the food is great! We will be back!
Amie McDonald
★★★★★
What a great experience! I’m visiting Cape Town from London and couldn’t have asked for a nicer resturant for lunch!
Great food, lovely staff and a very cool place.
I highly recommend the Thai green curry delicious and very authentic also all the desserts (We did try everyone).
Really great, thanks guys!!
Amie McD
Charlotte McCormick
★★★★★
The food was absolutely outstanding. We had the Thai Green Curry and Gnocchi. Both amazing. And the desserts were to die for. Perfectly executed. Cannot wait to come back again. Bravo!
Nadia Minnaar
★★★★★
Lovely atmosphere, lovely staff. Thank you for having us Mink and Trout
Loren Westoby
★★★★★
Don’t doubt it, do it!
Matt Thompspm
★★★★★
Great food, great service awesome ambience
Jeroen Bakker
★★★★★
My wife and I were looking for a decidedly urban, cape town-based, wedding reception and we decided on Mink & Trout.
Housed in a splendid example of Cape-Dutch architecture, the restaurant features a great veranda, dining and bar area, which lend it well for our wedding reception - accommodating different spaces where people could chat, eat and drink.
Nevertheless, what should attract any urban dweller and Cape-Town visitor alike are the culinary delights with which Chef Leigh treated us. At the wedding reception, Mink welcomed us with tasteful bites and continued with a great canapé as starter-dish followed by a choice of main dish and dessert. I must say that the lamb was exquisite.
Beside the ambience and the food, what I am left with today is a great experience in dealing with the Chef and his staff. They helped my wife and I to organize a, for us, memorable evening. It gave us great joy to see that the staff were happy to host us. Mink & Trout's staff did not stop smiling, being attentive and honest, which all are a reflection of their management.
In conclusion, I would definitely recommend a visit, if not several, to Mink & Trout.
Tarryn Carolus
★★★★★
Just enjoyed the business lunch, had a tasty Thai Green Curry. The service was quick and attentive. Will definitely come back for an affordable lunch out the office.
Jonathan Moore
★★★★★
Just had a fantastic meal at Mink and Trout. The service was so friendly. Adored the Chicken Pie - shaped like Lion's Head - and the tapas were excellent. Sorry we are leaving tomorrow. A definite when we return!