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Boutique hotels in Cape Town

Holidays in Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town
Eating, drinking and dancing

We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Cape Town.

Restaurants

+27 (0)21 419 0007

Tank

Apart from the mouth-watering food at this slick sushi restaurant, there’s eye candy, too - not only in the presentation but in the form of a dazzling saltwater fish tank, which divides the dining area and cocktail lounge.

72 Waterkant Street

+27 (0)21 426 2368

Ginja

Occupying an old two-storey building in the trendy Bo-Kaap district, this restaurant is consistently booked-up. The kitchen serves up global contemporary fusion cuisine with finesse – it’s worth reserving a table up to a fortnight in advance – while Shoga upstairs has more of a bistro look and feel to it.

121, Castle Street

+27 (0)21 422 4747

Manolo

A zhuzhed-up Victorian house, home to one of the city’s chicest eateries, is more South Beach than South Africa. It’s only open for supper from 7pm, and it’s by no means the cheapest option in town, but the European, Asian and South African flavours are suitably sophisticated, as is its clientele. And the sexy long bar that fills the space between the three dining rooms gives Schrager a run for his moolah.

30 Kloof Street

+27 (0)21 790 1100

Mariner's Wharf

If you're visiting Hout Bay, treat yourself to melt-in-your-mouth seafood at this restaurant. Either grab some calamari and chips to go from the fast-food-style outlet downstairs, or ring ahead to book a table on the balcony upstairs and enjoy a best-in-a-lifetime lobster platter.

The Harbour, Hout Bay

+27 (0)21 438 0782

Codfather

Fish and chip lovers will enjoy this restaurant. Chat with the waiter about what the day's specials are and they'll prepare it especially for you.

41 The Drive, Camps Bay Corner

+27 (0)21 424 7000

Haiku

Bang on the modern menu money, these guys'll treat you to Asian tapas. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and on Saturdays only for supper; closed on Sundays. The chic interior features a fab open kitchen; two kitchens are devoted to Chinese cooking and another two are Japanese.

33 Church Street (entrance on Burg Street)

+27 (0)21 794 2390

La Colombe

You'll find this restaurant in Constantia's finest vineyard. It was made famous by chef Frank Dangereux, and its innovative French-inspired cuisine continues to have diners reaching for superlatives. A meal in the garden, on a summer evening, is a wonderfully romantic experience.

Constantia Uitseg, Constantia

Cafés

Vida e Caffe

Start a glorious Cape day here, with a latte and enormous muffin, or Portuguese custard tart.

34, Kloof Street

+27 (0)21 426 2413

Manna

A good spot for brunch; try their bread, baked on the premises – the coconut variety is particularly delicious.

151, Kloof Street

Cafe at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

For a picnic in gorgeous grounds, head to the suburbs of Constantia where this café supplies great value, ready-made hampers.

Constantia

+27 (0)21 789 2538

Café Roux

Recently taken over by chef Frank Dangereux – the man who made La Colombe one of the best restaurants in Cape Town - this is more of a café than a restaurant, and a great place for lunch.

Noordhoek

+27 (0)21 438 0882

Ignite

Fire up your evening at this hot-spot – there’s a fantastic open-air patio on which to soak up the sea air, while seeing and being seen.

The Promenade, Camps Bay

+27 (0)21 438 8315

Café Caprice

Another popular Camps Bay hangout, this time with beach views as eye-watering as the revellers that frequent it.

Victoria Road, Camps Bay