20 Of The Best Cape Town Fine Dining Restaurants To Visit In 2024

Cape Town is a fine dining gem. You’ll find a world of the best restaurants with award-winning chefs and tantalising dishes – and often at very reasonable prices.

To help you experience the top restaurants in Cape Town, we’ve curated a list of some of our favourites. These Cape Town fine dining restaurants are must-visits for 2024. Some of these you’ll know. Others may come as a complete surprise.

Over the last few years, many of the previous best restaurants in Cape Town, like the beloved Greenhouse Restaurant at Cellars-Hohenort or Luke Dale-Roberts‘s acclaimed The Test Kitchen, have fallen away. These may be gone, but they are not forgotten, and you can reminisce about the fallen gems in our tribute article on Cape Town restaurant closures.

But onwards and upwards.

Since we couldn’t possibly choose a number one restaurant in Cape Town, we’ve decided to list the below trendy restaurants in alphabetical order.

So, here you go, our list of 20 of the best Cape Town fine dining restaurants to visit in 2024!

Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia

Including Liam Tomlin‘s Chefs Warehouse in this list should come as no surprise. This has consistently been ranked as one of the best restaurants in Cape Town.

Situated at the heart of a wine estate, the four-course set menu at this flagship branch celebrates seasonal produce, grown locally or on the Beau Constantia farm, combined into dishes with bold flavours and global influences.

But Chefs Warehouse hasn’t been a stand-alone venue for a long time.

While Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia remains the most iconic venue, there are actually multiple Chefs Warehouse locations in and around greater Cape Town.

We’d also recommend trying the iconic Bree Street Chefs Warehouse At The Bailey, which celebrates the best of European, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisines, the Franschhoek-side Chefs Warehouse Maison for casual fine dining in a county setting, and the Chefs Warehouse Tintswalo Atlantic, which draws inspiration from the Atlantic Ocean and focuses on marine produce sourced from small, sustainable, and local suppliers.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Constantia
• Visit Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia: 1043 Constantia Main Road, Constantia Neck
• Contact Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia: Phone +27 21 794 8632 or e-mail cw@beauconstantia.com

Chorus

The beautiful Chorus in Somserset West overlooks False Bay and the Western Cape mountain ranges, and is definitely a restaurant worth writing home.

Situated on the Waterkloof Estate, Chorus is famous for its glass-box dining space that overs over the vineyards. And as a Bertus Basson restaurant, diners can expect to indulge in culinary masterpieces that aim to impress.

Dishes are inspired by local ingredients, flavours, and seasonal cooking, and guests can enjoy four- and six-course tasting menus.

While the wine pairings celebrate Waterkloof wines, the wine list also features extravagant wines from many other South African producers.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Somerset West
• Visit Chorus: Chorus at Waterkloof Wine Estate, Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, Somerset West
• Contact Chorus: Phone +21 21 007 4230 or e-mail info@chorusrestaurant.com

Dusk

Dusk is an immersive dining restaurant in Stellenbosch, featuring low lighting that moves attention away from the ambience to the quality of the food.

Chefs Darren Badenhorst and Callen Austin take diners on a 13-course tasting menu experience, with our without beverage pairing, where dishes are designed to push the boundaries of fine dining.

There’s also an emphasis on local, indigenous foods, foraging, fermentation, and a zero-waste approach, and many of the ingredients used in the dishes are made in-house.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Stellenbosch
• Visit Dusk: 43 Plein Street, Stellenbosch
• Contact Dusk: Phone +21 21 023 4100 or e-mail reservations@duskrestaurant.co.za

Epice

Named after the French word for spice, Epice (pronounced eh-peace) is an intimate 45-seater fine dining restaurant in Franschhoek.

Dishes are inspired by a range of spice-loving nations, though diners need not worry about food that packs a punch. Instead, dishes are designed to take diners on a culinary journey that’s packed with exotic flavours like turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, smoked paprika, and more.

At the same time, the restaurant still stays true to the fine dining elegance to be expected from restaurants in the La Colombe group.

Diners can enjoy both reduced and vegetarian versions of the tasting menu, all while soaking in the mesmerising Franschhoek views.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Franschhoek
• Visit Epice: Le Quartier Francais, Corner of Berg and Huguenot Streets, Franschhoek
• Contact Epice: Phone +21 492 4044 or e-mail reservations@epice.co.za

Foodbarn

Situated off the beaten track in Noordhoek, the Foodbarn is a fine dining gem worth making the trip for.

Run and owned by internationally acclaimed chef Franck Dangereux, this restaurant has been on the Cape Town foodie map for years, and consistently sets to impress with delightful and original dishes packed with flavour.

In addition to its more exclusive tapas-style fine dining dinner menu, you can also visit the Foodbarn for cafe-style breakfasts and lunch every day of the week.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Noerdhoek
• Visit Foodbarn: Noordhoek Farm Village, Village Lane, Cape Town
• Contact Foodbarn: Phone +27  21 789 1390 or e-mail info@thefoodbarn.co.za

Foxcroft

In many ways, Foxcroft is the perfect restaurant.

Unpretentious and open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Foxcroft gives you everything you need – and, it consistently manages to impress.

With a laid-back atmosphere, gorgeous Constantia mountain views, and reasonable prices, this restaurant is our number one choice for an approachable fine dining experience.

Foxcroft keeps things fresh with an ever-changing tasting menu and makes regular, reduced, and plant-based variations available.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Constantia
• Visit Foxcroft: Shop 8, High Constantia Centre, Groot Constantia Road, Constantia
• Contact Foxcroft: Phone +27 21 202 3304 or e-mail reservations@foxcroft.co.za

READ OUR FOXCROFT RESTAURANT REVIEW

FYN

FYN unites the kitchen and the dining room to create a sensory and culinary experience in a semi-casual setting.

Headed up by culinary genius Chef Peter Temelhoff, the FYN take on fusion cuisine aims to delight on all levels. Like many modern restaurants, you’ll also find various tasting menu options in addition to the standard menu, including pescatarian, plant-based, and bento experiences.

Also visit Ramenhead on the ground floor below FYN for phenomenal Japanese cuisine – the creamy mushroom gyoza are a must-try.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Cape Town City Centre
• Visit FYN: 5th Floor, Speakers Corner, 37 Parliament Street, Cape Town
• Contact FYN: Phone +27 21 286 2733 or e-mail info@fynrestaurant.com

Gåte Restaurant at Quoin Rock

Gåte Restaurant at the Quoin Rock Estate is an absolute delight.

Not only does it offer fantastic views and great wines, but the food creations are real works of art with beautiful flavours and delightful combinations.

Gåte offers a full tasting menu, but reduced tasting menus and vegan reduced tasting menus are also available.

All tasting menus are available with our without wine pairing, but we’d recommend opting for the full tasting menu with wine pairing for the complete experience.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Stellenbosch
• Visit Gåte: Quoin Rock Wine Estate, Knorhoek Road, Knorhoek Valley, Stellenbosch
• Contact Gåte: Phone +27 21 888 4750 or e-mail gate@quoinrock.co.za

READ OUR GÅTE RESTAURANT REVIEW

Grub & Vine

Chef Matt Manning serves up five-star quality food in this bistro-style restaurant at the heart of Cape Town’s CBD.

Both the wine list and the food menu change regularly to keep things at Grub & Vine fresh and exciting while supporting various local producers.

Expect fabulous food served as a seasonal tasting menu, available with or without wine pairing.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Cape Town City Centre
• Visit Grub & Vine: 103 Bree Street, Cape Town CBD
• Contact Grub & Vine: Phone +27 87 153 5244 or e-mail info@mattmanningchef.com

Homespun

Homespun is the only restaurant across the bay that continuously makes it onto our best Cape Town restaurants list.

Situated in Blouberg, Homespun stands out like an unexpected blooming rose and offers a contemporary fusion menu that’s crafty and delicious.

With an unpretentious and simple space, the restaurant lets its food to the talking – and it’s likely to seduce you with its delicious tasting menu or three-course set menu. Conveniently, the tasting menu is available with or without wine pairing, but also with a unique 1/2 glass wine pairing.

Also visit Homespun’s second location in Claremont, which features slightly different tasting menus.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Blouberg
• Visit Homespun Blouberg: 3C Porterfield Road, Table View
• Contact Homespun Blouberg: Phone +27 21 556 2824 or e-mail reservations@homespunbymatt.co.za

Kloof Street House

You can never go wrong with Koof Street House.

A classic home converted into a restaurant at the heart of Cape Town’s Kloof Street, this gem lights up the city with its old-school charm. The garden and interior are exquisite, with nooks and crannies filled with wonderful secrets and stories.

Dishes are simple but expertly put together and offer an explosion of flavours. Kloof Street House doesn’t offer tasting menus, but you can select an array of dishes from their à la carte menu or try their two- or three-course lunch specials.

Also, try some of their world-class cocktails.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Gardens
• Visit Kloof Street House: 30 Kloof Street, Gardens
• Contact Kloof Street House: +27 21 423 4413 | info@kloofstreethouse.co.za

La Colombe

Consistently voted as one of the best restaurants and the world and the best restaurant in Africa, a visit to Cape Town wouldn’t be complete without dining at La Colombe.

It truly is an honour to dine here, and if you only choose one Cape Town fine dining restaurant to visit, this should be it.

La Colombe presents an out-of-this-world experience, from culinary creativity to extravagant tastes and world-class service. Diners can enjoy the acclaimed chef’s menu but also indulge in vegetarian or reduced tasting menus.

Also visit La Petite Colombe in Franschhoek , its equally excellent partner restaurant.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Constantia
• Visit La Colombe: Silvermist Wine Estate, Main Road, Constantia Nek
• Contact La Colombe: Phone +27 21 794 2390 or e-mail reservations@lacolombe.co.za

READ OUR LA COLOMBE REVIEW

Pier

A newer addition to the La Colombe group of unforgettable restaurants and with Head Chef John Norris-Rogers guiding the team, Pier Restaurant boasts exceptional seaside dining with a central location at the V&A Waterfront.

The ocean-inspired menu is served in a set of 12 tasting dishes, with elements of theatrics, molecular gastronomy, and classic French technique at play.

The restaurant is situated on the first floor of the picturesque Pierhead Building, with floor-to-ceilong windows allowing for uninterrupted views of the iconic Waterfront harbour.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: V&A Waterfront
• Visit Pier: Pierhead Building, V&A Waterfront
• Contact Pier: Phone +221 879 6328 or e-mail reservations@pier.restaurant

Reverie Social Table

Reverie Social Table is a rare fine dining gem in the rough streets of Observatory.

Based on the concept of social dining, everyone packs away their phones and shares one large table, ready to be delighted by Chef Julia Hattingh’s exceptional creations, beautiful stories, and lots of wine.

With an ever-changing seasonal menu, you’re never quite sure what you’ll get.

But we can guarantee that it will always be delicious.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Observatory
• Visit Reverie Social Table: 226A Lower Main Road, Observatory
• Contact Reverie Social Table: Phone +27 21 447 3219 or e-mail info@reverie.capetown

READ OUR REVERIE SOCIAL TABLE REVIEW

Salon

Acclaimed chef Luke Dale-Roberts of The Test Kitchen fame returns to Cape Town’s culinary scene with Salon.

The restaurant’s nine-course menu takes diners on a journey, with each signature dish celebrating a country Dale-Roberts has worked in. This is more than a sit-down dinner; it’s a celebration of a chef’s voyage and experience throughout the years.

Also visit The Test Kitchen Fledgelings, set up with the simple goal of providing training to those with no access to formal chef’s or gust service training, and now operational in presenting six-course discovery menus.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Woodstock
• Visit Salon: 1st Floor, Silo Building, The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock
• Contact Salon: Phone +27 87 093 5890 or e-mail hello@salonct.co.za

Salsify

Chef Ryan Cole and his team have put Salsify on the map – and it plans on staying.

This restaurant is situated at The Roundhouse, a heritage building in Camps Bay nestled under the sloping rise of Lion’s Head.

Salsify conjoins the classical charm of the venue with historical artworks and dishes that are full of awe and flavour.

Offering 4-course and 6-course tasting menus available for lunch and dinner, as well as a sumptuous Sunday lunch, Salsify has something to meet all your fine dining wishes.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Camps Bay
• Visit Salsify: The Roundhouse, Roundhouse Road, Camps Bay
• Contact Salsify: Phone +27 21 010 6444 or e-mail reservations@salsify.co.za

Thali

Liam Tomlin, of Chef Warehouse fame, and Dimo Papachristodoulou from The Fat Cactus and Long Street Cafe, joined forces to open Thali in 2016.

The restaurant is best described as “Indian fine dining“.

Yet, it is so much more.

It is an interpretation of Indian food that features dishes from across the Indian country, maximising flavour and enhancing presentation and the fine dining aspect.

On the menu, you’ll find a three-course tasting menu that takes you from mild to hot dishes, a vegetarian tapas menu designed for two, as well as a vegan menu designed for one or two people.

Pescetarian options are also available.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Gardens
• Visit Thali: 3 Park Road, Gardens
• Contact Thali: Phone +27 21 286 2110 or e-mail info@thalitapas.co.za

The Pot Luck Club

One of the last remaining strongholds in the Luke Dale-Roberts restaurant portfolio after the closing of The Test Kitchen and The Shortmarket Club, The Pot Luck Club is a must-visit tapas venue at the Old Biscuit Mill.

The restaurant has been serving an exceptional small plates menu since 2012, offering contemporary and Asian-inspired tapas dishes to enjoy alone or share with friends and family.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: Woodstock
• Visit The Pot Luck Club: Silo Top Floor, Old Biscuit Mill, 373 – 375 Albert Road, Woodstock
• Contact The Pot Luck Club: Phone +27 21 447 0804 or e-mail reservations@thepotluckclub.co.za

Tryn

Tryn is the Steenberg Wine Estate’s signature restaurant, offering an elegantly designed dining area, a modern cocktail bar, and a tranquil vineyard terrace overlooking the idyllic Constantia Valley Winelands.

It is a marriage between classic charm and modern confidence, featuring a menu of traditional dishes with touches of contemporary flair, expertly created by Chef Kerry Kilpin.

Be prepared to be wowed with every course, from amuse-bouche right through to desserts.

We also love the focus on ethically sourced and sustainable products.

Visit Tryn: Steenberg Estate, Steenberg Road, Constantia Valley

Contact Tryn: +27 21 713 7178 | info@tryn.co.za

READ OUR TRYN RESTAURANT REVIEW

Waterside Restaurant

This harbour-side eatery, situated underneath the Pier Restaurant in the iconic Pierside Building at the V&A Waterfront, offers guests a casual fine dining experience.

Diners can enjoy the elaborate five-course Chef’s Menu or indulge in the slightly cheaper Reduced Menu.

But both will leave you impressed.

The Waterside Restaurant has seating indoors and on the outdoor deck, making this the perfect location for delicious summer lunches with mesmerising waterfront views.

Your need-to-knows:

• Neighbourhood: V&A Waterfroont
• Visit Waterside: Pierhead Building, V&A Waterfront
• Contact Waterside: Phone +27 21 879 6328 or e-mail reservations@thewaterside.restaurant

Cape Town Fine Dining Notable Mentions

We wanted to keep our best restaurants list short, but there are many more top places to visit in Cape Town.

So, we’ve had to include a few more fancy restaurants in Cape Town in a special mentions section.

The below few also rank among the best Cape Town fine dining restaurants worth visiting:

• Arkeste: Arkeste by Richard Carstens on the Chamonix Wine Estate offers delightful menus drawing from a range of influences.
• Belly of the Beast: If you’re after exquisite nose-to-tail dining, Belly of the Beast is an excellent choice with a tasting menu for lunch and dinner.
• Cafe Charles: The casual Cafe Charles in De Waterkant stands out as an establishment well worth the visit, with exceptional breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.
• Codfather: This Camps Bay seafood restaurant may not look like much, but the Codfather has some of the freshest fish in town with a unique deli-style approach and world-class sushi.
• Elgr: Inspired by Chef Jasper Nilsson’s Nordic background, Elgr restaurant on Kloof Street combines a world of flavours to create unique dishes.
• Haute Cabriere: While offering fantastic views of the Franschhoek Valley, Haute Cabriere aims to keep your eyes on the food with excellent dishes and fine wine.
• Hemelhuijs: Hemelhuijs is the inner-city casual fine dining spot that’s got you covered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Kyoto Garden: Kyoto Garden is a not-to-be-missed award-winning Japanese restaurant in the city.
• La Petite Ferme: A Franschhoek gem, La Petite Ferme offers a seasonal set menu at exceptional prices, phenomenal views, and fantastic service.
• Ouzeri: Ouzeri celebrates Greek regional dishes with a small but well-crafted menu.
• Sea Breeze: This Bree Street seafood restaurant may have a small menu, but Sea Breeze consistently manages to astound with every dish.
• Werf Restaurant at Boschendal: The exquisite Werf Restaurant on the Boschendal Wine Estate epitomises soil-to-fork dining.

Of course, this list of 5-star restaurants in Cape Town is by no means exhaustive either.

Cape Town truly is a culinary hotspot that’s worth exploring time and time again.

Last updated: February 2024

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