Cape Town restaurants open and close all the time. Sometimes it’s because the owners move, sometimes it’s because of bad management, and sometimes it’s just bad luck.

We’ve certainly had to say goodbye to our fair share of beloved restaurants over the last few years – especially since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

These restaurants may be gone, but they will never be forgotten.

We’ve put together this tribute list to honour the memories of all the restaurants that have closed down, the ones we’ve visited and loved, the ones we’ll never forget.

The Latest Cape Town Restaurant Closures

  • Greenhouse: This I Love Foodies favourite at the Cellars-Hohenort sadly stopped trading towards to the end of 2021.
  • La Mouette: The closing of La Mouette was heart-breaking. This restaurant was an institution, a landmark restaurant to visit, and one that continuously made it onto the I Love Foodies must-visit restaurant list.
  • La Tête: This nose-to-tail restaurant sadly closed its doors – just when we had planned on visiting.
  • Upper Bloem: It seems like just the other day that Upper Bloem opened its doors – and we’ve had to bid farewell already.
  • The Test Kitchen: A shock to many, Cape Town’s most award-winning restaurant closed its doors.

Prior Cape Town Restaurant Closures

Don’t worry, we won’t go through all the years in chronological order.

Here is a compilation of some of the many restaurants we’ve reviewed since the start of I Love Foodies in 2015 that have since closed down.

They’ve all offered us beautiful experiences – and beautiful memories.

We can look back fondly at all of them.

  • 95 on Keerom: This Cape Town institution is one of many to have closed down.
  • Bacon On Bree: This was a fab restaurant on Bree Street dedicated to all things bacon.
  • Balducci: This V&A Waterfront gem sadly closed its doors.
  • Benguela on Main: This was our favourite Somerset West restaurant by the fantastic Jean Delport.
  • Beluga: The closing of this sushi-and-cocktail favourite came as a real surprise!
  • Brownies and Downies: The inner city was possibly the hardest hit in the first few months of the Covid-19 pandemic, and Brownies and Downies had to close its doors.
  • Bird’s Cafe: This Bree Street gem served the best breakfasts and amazing fine dining dinners.
  • Cabron: We only visited Cabron once but they served tacos and tequila. Need we say more?
  • Cafe Chic: A Gardens fine dining restaurant in a beautiful old home.
  • Cafe Dijon: This De Waterkant gem was one of the first restaurants we reviewed for I Love Foodies.
  • Charango: This was a Peruvian restaurant on Bree Street – the first time we had ceviche!
  • Chefs: This was a cute “fine dining” cafeteria with great food but casual ambience.
  • Cocoa Wah Wah: Student favourite Cocoa Wah Wah in Rondebosch has also closed its doors.
  • Culture Club Cheese: This Bree Street gem was an I Love Foodies favourite. We visited all the time to eat at the deli or to buy cheese for home. Luke and his restaurant are sorely missed!
  • Dalliance: Dukka-spiced tuna 🤩  We definitely have fond memories of this V&A Waterfront restaurant.
  • Dear Me: This Longmarket Street cafe had the best build-your-own breakfast menu!
  • Deckhouse Crabshack & BBQ: This was an I Love Foodies favourite, offering crabs, jambalaya, and all things New Orleans.
  • Exhibit A: This beautiful fine dining establishment just opened its doors late in 2019 but, sadly, wasn’t able to weather the Covid-19 storm. Dining at Exhibit A was certainly an experience, and, hopefully, the team will put together something new as soon as they are ready.
  • Faithful Food: We loved this health spot with great smoothie bowls and sandwiches.
  • Firefish: Another lost V&A Waterfront seafood restaurant.
  • Franky’s Diner: This diner had the best American-style burgers, milkshakes, and curly fries!
  • Home Bru: This Obs cafe was a great spot for breakfast, food, and drinks.
  • HQ: Oddly, HQ closed before the start of the pandemic in South Africa. This funky eatery was a firm I Love Foodies favourite.
  • Inside & You’re Out (IYO): This cool little Bree Street burger spot had a Cluedo-style menu.
  • Jason Bakery – Bree Street: The iconic Bree Street branch of Jason Bakery has closed its doors. This is definitely the end of an era. But,  the bakery is still going strong from its Green Point branch.
  • Jessy’s Waffles: Jessy’s Waffles was famous for its vegan waffles that never failed to impress but, unfortunately, this niche cafe also had to close its doors.
  • Kahve Road: This Cavendish cafe had some gorgeous cakes and coffee options.
  • Lapo’s Kitchen: We’re distraught that this fantastic Italian private dining experience closed down.
  • Lockdown Cooks: Running over the lockdown period, these guys had the best home high tea delivery.
  • Lupa Osteria: This Italian restaurant had a branch at the V&A Waterfront – we loved it.
  • The Mess: This restaurant in De Waterkant focused on sharing plates and communal dining.
  • Meloncino: This Italian Waterfront restaurant was expensive but divine.
  • Marrow by Melting Pot: This Bree Street gem had amazing small plate dishes.
  • Mezepoli: We loved this Greek tapas dining restaurant in Camps Bay – the feta-stuffed calamari were divine.
  • Mink & Trout: This Bree Street gem had a fantastic fine dining menu.
  • Mondiall: Always close to our hearts, I Love Foodies spent a lot of time at this V&A Waterfront restaurant.
  • Myoga: The award-winning Myoga Restaurant at the Vineyard Hotel has been a firm favourite for many, and its closure saddened the hearts of beloved diners. But restaurant-entrepreneur Mike Bassett will not disappear from the industry, so look out for future endeavours coming your way.
  • Odyssey Gastropub: The Odyssey graced Bree Street and offered casual pub grub.
  • On19: This top-floor restaurant at The Westin Cape Town offered the most amazing views – and amazing food. It’s since been converted to a members-only area.
  • Oyo: Located at the V&A Waterfront, this restaurant was a gem. They had the most amazing Cobb salad.
  • Primal Eatery: This Bree Street restaurant was fantastic, with the best charred octopus and delicious steaks!
  • Punjab Wok: This Century City restaurant served some great Asian & Indian food.
  • Raya Kitchen: Located at the Taj Hotel, Raya was one of the first authentic Thai restaurants we experienced with amazing dim sum and phenomenal food.
  • Roast & Co: This chicken restaurant had the best starters (and fantastic chicken).
  • Sentir: We only visited this Long Street fine-dining spot once, but it left a great impression.
  • Savour at 15 On Orange: We loved this fabulous restaurant.There’s a new one in the same venue.
  • Shimmy Beach Club: This used to be the must-visit destination in summer – and they had fab food!
  • Shortmarket Club: The closure of this Luke Dale-Roberts restaurant came as a surprise but the team has confirmed it, with no reopening in the foreseeable future.
  • Slug & Lettuce Kloof Street: These guys had the best low-carb burger served on a giant mushroom. We spent a lot of time here over the years – and sorely miss this spot!!!
  • Smak Deli: Smak Deli may have closed its doors but the team isn’t going anywhere. Chef Katia will undoubtedly have something else up her sleeve very, very soon.
  • Soet Society Cafe: We loved visiting this great breakfast and cake spot in Durbanville.
  • Sotano on Bree: Sotano’s Bree Street branch didn’t last too long but was a great spot to nip in for a bite.
  • Stacked: Stacked was a diner-style cafe with simple burgers, waffles, and more on Kloof Street.
  • Starling & Hero Bicycle Cafe: This was the cutest little spot at the Woodstock Exchange with great sandwiches!
  • The Kitchen: This Woodstock favourite was one of the first to shut its doors when Covid-19 hit. Serving up delicious salads and a favourite lunch spot for many, this one came as a surprise.
  • The Larder: An I Love Foodies favourite, The Larder Cafe in Claremont was devastated by Covid-19. But we have high hopes that Chef Sonja Edridge will impress with her culinary creations in the future.
  • The Stack: The Stack was well known for its great food, divine cocktails, and gorgeous interiors. This is certainly a one-of-a-kind establishment that will be sorely missed.
  • Twaalf: This Stellenbosch gem surprised us with some hearty goodness.
  • Umi: This Camps Bay restaurant had the most amazing soya sauce. An odd thing to remember, but very true.
  • Wellness Warehouse Cafe: The flagship Wellness Warehouse on Kloof Street had a great health cafe.

Last updated: January 2022

All information correct at time of publication. We do not accept any liability caused by errors, including, but not limited to, changes in price, menu, opening times, address, or other contact details. 

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