Categories > Guides and Tips
Savour what’s new in town with the best new restaurants in Cape Town!
We’re all for Cape Town’s proven oldies, but there’s something golden about seeing a new Italian bistro or seaside cafe flipping that ‘Open’ sign.
So naturally, our food-mad bunch hit the mountain and sea-hugging town, chasing the scent of baked focaccia and seafood platters. The endgame? To curate a list of up-and-coming restos worthy of your money and belly space.
You’ll find that lineup below, and they’re all dripping with sauces and potential.
Coy
From coy_capetown
Address: V & A Waterfront, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Contact Details: +27 21 207 3278
Operating Hours: Daily – 12 pm to 2:30 pm, 6 pm to 8:30 pm
Flaunting Table Mountain and harbour views with luxe yachts drifting by, Coy caught our eyes immediately. It was, however, the ode to local African produce that made us stick.
We went with the Coy Experience to indulge in Chef Abrahams and Govender’s 7-course tasting menu. The tuna tartare was a standout pleaser, dancing between rich and succulent, with an overall buttery profile.
Close behind in terms of deliciousness was the ox tongue, which was akin to roast beef but way softer. The Springfield Methode Ancienne Chardonnay’s velvety and tropical nuances also paired well with it.
| Tip: You have to dress smart casual, so flip-flops, beach kits, and sporty gear are a no-no. |
Heirloom
From heirloom_atcapegrace
Address: V&A Waterfront, W Quay Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Contact Details: +27 21 410 7068
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – 6:30 am to 10 am, 6:30 pm to 9 pm
- Wed to Sun – 6:30 am to 10 am, 12 pm to 2 pm, 6:30 pm to 9 pm
Cape Grace revitalising Heirloom into a posh fine dining haunt is one of the hotel’s best moves. These days, diners can knock back South African fare while fully soaking in Table Mountain and the marina.
Offering-wise, the veld-raised beef piqued our palate with its unique sweet brandy and bitter coffee aftertaste. The meat itself was also quite lean and incredibly savoury.
Their elevated take on lobster tails is worthy of a piece, too. The seafood’s umami essence was all there, wrapped in charred undertones and sharpened by an intense bisque.
| Tip: Level up the experience by staying for a night or two. |
Yatai Ramenbar
From yatai_za
Address: Ground Floor, Under Nikkei, 87 Bree St, CBD
Contact Details: +27 21 109 8094
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 12 pm to 10:30 pm
- Thu to Sat – 12 pm to 12 am
- Sun – 12 pm to 10:30 pm
Japanese street food turned upmarket was the vibe Yatai Ramenbar gave us.
We kept our trip classic by testing their Shoyo first, a soy sauce-flavoured ramen that was light yet still savoury. Swimming in its luxurious broth were aromatics, bamboo shoots, and chashu pork, all homegrown and seasonal.
Tonkotsu was my personal fave, though, with its velvety broth having the nuances of pork bones, garlic oil, and cream. Not to mention, it matched their sake-based cocktails.
| Tip: Happy hours are on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, starting at 10 pm and lasting until midnight. |
Terrarium
Address: Moorings 5 & Portswood Ridge, 5 Portswood Rd
Contact Details: +27 21 418 1466
Operating Hours: Daily – 12 pm to 9:30 pm
Chris Erasmus put the limelight on local and seasonal flavours when he brainstormed Terrarium. The Flora and Fauna selections prove that.
For Flora, we had the artichoke hearts, fried until their exterior turned crackling. In terms of taste, the dish is generally earthy, with pickled plums introducing a tangy side.
Fauna, meanwhile, gave us meaty cravings with its flame-kissed bone marrow, with sourdough on the side acting as a sponge. Fatty, smoky, and buttery, the plate was pure indulgence.
| Tip: Check their detailed parking guide. |
Amare
From amarecapetown
Address: 29 Victoria Rd, Bantry Bay
Contact Details: +27 21 300 8290
Operating Hours: Daily – 7:30 am to 11 pm
Amare (to love) is a love letter to all things Mediterranean, particularly to the coastal region’s cuisine, aesthetics, and lifestyle. If we’re solely talking about food, though, their mains are the must-try.
The flaky chargrilled linefish, for instance, features a clean and mild fish not overpowered by smokiness. Chalmar beef, which is umami and subtly sweet, is a more full-bodied alternative.
Those not into meat won’t miss out either. There are veg dishes, like the charred aubergines, a deeply smoky and garlicky number tied by parmesan.
| Tip: Tables of 6 or more are subject to a 12.5% gratuity increase. Plan your budget with that in mind. |
KIKI
From kiki.cpt
Address: Section 52, Piccadilly Court, 85 Regent Rd, Sea Point
Contact Details: +27 21 023 2667
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 6 pm to 10 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 9 pm
Greek food and style go modern at KIKI, and it’s a concept oozing throughout the tavern-style resto.
On the plate, you get meze-inspired offerings meant to be shared. Sample dips and dishes include the notably fishy taramá, a trout roe-based spread that matches spiky creations like tangy halloumi and herbaceous chicken thigh (kotópoulo).
And since you need a balancer for those robust plates, KIKI rolls out crispy Greek doughnuts (loukoumades) drizzled with honey.
| Tip: Take a virtual tour before you swing by to get a better glimpse of the venue’s style or atmosphere. |
ëlgr Restaurant
From elgr.restaurant
Address: 75 Kloof St, Gardens
Contact Details: +27 21 422 0384
Operating Hours:
- Wed to Fri – 6 pm to 11 pm
- Sat – 12 pm to 3 pm, 6 pm to 11 pm
We relished in Nordic-African chow at ëlgr Restaurant, probably the only one in town with that combination.
As usual, we picked shareable meals, mainly the staff-recommended white pizza. It wasn’t all hype, as the ricotta and artichoke infused it with a deep, nutty essence that’s then lifted by citrus.
| Tip: Score a 2-for-1 pizza deal by visiting on a Saturday. |
Marble
From marble_capetown
Address: V&A Waterfront, 1 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Contact Details: +27 21 002 8484
Operating Hours: Daily – 12 pm to 10 pm
African depth meets open flames at Marble, and it’s a link-up best described as bold and smoky.
Their wood-fired octopus is what we always start with. A light char permeates throughout the tender, oceanic meat, tied together by chipotle and citrus sauces.
For the centrepiece, Marble’s signature meats are the way to go, especially if you don’t mind having a diet-breaking meal. The Chalmar beef is a great start; it has a melting fat cap and a juicy, hearty meat that’s almost silky.
| Tip: Themed courses are served on Sundays. You’ll find the details on their Insta. |
Ganesh
From ganesh_capetown
Address: 38 Trill Rd, Observatory
Operating Hours:
- Tue – 4 pm to 12 am
- Wed – 4 pm to 11:30 pm
- Thu to Sat – 4 pm to 1 am
- Sun – 2 pm to 9 pm
Loud in all the right tones, Ganesh is an urban-esque stop for laid-back, ‘vibey,’ and affordable dining.
They serve African noshes done traditionally. That means when you order bobotie here, you’ll get an ensemble of ground lamb or beef that’s heavily spiced, with that custard-ish topping.
And what better way to finish than with their iconic lemon meringue pie, a bright, milky treat that snaps?
| Tip: Ganesh is big on dancing events, which are announced on their Insta. |
Bo-Vine Wine & Grill House In The City
From bovine.inthecity
Address: 101 Hout St, Cape Town City Centre
Contact Details: +27 21 203 5800
Operating Hours: Daily – 12 pm to 11 pm
If the Bo-Vine in Camps Bay is too far for your liking, congratulations! They just opened a city centre joint last March 2025.
Of course, you can still expect the same melt-in-your-mouth grilled beef or dry-aged steaks at this second branch. A go-to of mine is their Wagyu ribs, as it’s ridiculously tender and comes with a sticky-sweet coating.
| Tip: A Thursday trip is hard to top if you’re into live DJ music. |
Chingadas
From chingadas_ct
Address: 50 Orange St, Gardens
Contact Details: +27 21 201 0325
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Thu – 12 pm to 11 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 12 am
- Sun – 12 pm to 9 pm
When you park up at Chingadas, you’re in for a hit of Tex-Mex comfort, plated and proud. The tacos, nachos, and cocktails are all authentic, while the energy replicates the buzz of a fiesta in Tijuana.
If we had to choose a favourite, though, it’s hands-down the barbacoa tacos. Flaming pulled beef accented by red onions? That’s a banger, especially when cleansed with a classic or vanilla margarita.
| Tip: Taco deals await Tuesday diners. |
Ongetem
From ongetemcpt
Address: Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof, 24 Park Rd, Gardens
Contact Details: +27 21 569 8880
Helmed by acclaimed chef Bertus Basson, Ongetem follows an ‘untamed’ concept, leading to a flexible eatery for morning brews and beef-leaning dinners.
We went for the latter since steaks are our jam. Among the top feeds were the punchy, well-marbled Denver cut and the thinner, equally beef-forward flank steak, both cooked on open flames.
Libertino
From libertino.ct
Address: 13 Jarvis St, De Waterkant
Contact Details: +27 75 089 3250
Operating Hours: Daily – 6 am to 11:30 pm
You’d have to try pretty hard not to notice Libertino. Seriously, where else can you find a lipstick-shaded trattoria with animal prints and disco bops?
Turning to the menu, vegetarians are eating well here. The handmade pizzas are mostly plant-based—think slices crowned with pumpkin cream, walnuts, and stratacilla.
| Tip: Bookings are highly recommended, given how popular this one is, particularly among evening diners. |
The Wes Bistro & Bar
From wesbistrobar
Address: 55 Shortmarket St, Cape Town City Centre
Contact Details: +27 82 770 3573
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 7 am to 2 pm
- Wed to Sat – 7 am to 3:30 pm
- Sun – 7 am to 12 pm
One look at The Wes, a Grand Budapest Hotel-themed diner, and you’d know it’s camera-ready—in true Wes Anderson fashion.
The French menu delivers as much flair as the interiors. Bistro staples like chicken liver parfait and crème brûlée are especially talked about.
That said, my taste buds fell the hardest for their steak tartare, seasoned to taste with egg yolk, capers, and more full-bodied trimmings.
| Tip: They usually pour Parisian hot chocolate on Thursdays. |
Juno
From serisha_barrat
Address: The Tropicana Hotel, 6 Kloof Rd, Sea Point
Contact Details: +27 21 003 3601
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 6:30 am to 5 pm
- Sun – 6:30 am to 3 pm
Awashed in natural light and piled with baked nibbles, Juno is where we mellow down with a croissant or butternut squash salad.
Their focaccia is also done right. Each piece comes with savoury nuances, enhanced by woody herbs and aromatics.
Beyond that, it doubles as a deli. Preserves, cheeses, and vino are just a few kitchen staples you can nab here post-breakfast or brunch.
| Tip: Follow them on Insta for the latest family meal special. |
