Image above of the delectable salad from Babel Restaurant
Guest article by Amanda Evans, CEO of Hills of Africa Travel
Cape Town is nothing short of a foodie mecca. Between the local wines, emerging craft breweries, fine chocolates, and delectable tasting menus, it’s impossible to leave lighter than you came, but it’s SO worth it. On my recent trip to Cape Town for the inaugural We Are Africa conference, I found myself more concerned with making restaurant reservations than any sort of sightseeing.
What I loved most is that South Africans aren’t concerned about their culinary heritage for the sake of tourists—it’s really for themselves. They take great pride in the seasonal dishes they expertly pair with South African wines. And the service is consistently excellent from the causal corner delis to the finest dining.
I’ve compiled some highlights from my favorite restaurants and dishes on my most recent visit to my favorite place on earth (Cape Town that is). See below for the best restaurants in Cape Town:
La Mouette: A newcomer on the restaurant scene in Cape Town, La Mouette is located in the Sea Point neighborhood. This quaint restaurant is casual, but elegant and everything is delicately prepared with simple, fresh ingredients so each dish and each flavor stands on its own.
I tried the 6-course tasting menu with wine pairings and, although it sounds like too much food, I left satisfied and not overstuffed—a true art on a tasting menu that large! My favorite dish was Chef Vigar’s take on fish and chips. Very small pieces of the most lightly battered and fried hake with salt cured potatoes on the side. It was simple and a very small portion—just a clean taste of the Pacific Ocean.
Babel: Easily one of the most incredible meals I’ve ever had. I’ve made it a mission in my life to eat at some of the world’s best restaurants and Babel took me by complete surprise.
Located on the grounds of the gorgeous working farm and vineyard of Babylonstoren, Babel is airy and open and features all-white walls with floor to ceiling windows to enjoy the beautiful views around you. Fresh, locally made olive oil sits on your table to enjoy with flaky bread before you dive into their seasonal “yellow, green, or orange salads.” We opted for the orange salad (see photo at the very top of this post), which was gorgeously presented with fresh butternut squash, cumquats, and small baked sweet potato biscuits. I was in heaven!
We followed with their local stuffed trout and lamb chops. Although the entrees were also incredible, I could have easily had another salad course in its place! I loved the food so much that I had to have their oversized beautiful book with pictures and stories of the amazing ingredients they grow onsite. And of course I had no idea how I was going to get this big book home, but didn’t care! I couldn’t imagine not having a momento of one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.
Above is a picture of the front cover of the Babel Restaurant book
A look at the fig, inside the Babel Restaurant book
Roundhouse: If nothing else, you have to go to Roundhouse for the views. Depending on the time of year, ask for a table near the windows and go before sunset so you can see the African sun dip behind the cliffs over the ocean. It’s totally magical to witness. Roundhouse only offers tasting menus, so come with a healthy appetite and sense of adventure since there are not really substitutions and no a la carte permitted.
This was my most surprising meal. I thoroughly enjoyed everything I had here, not least of all the feather-light blueberry soufflé. But by far the best was the slow-cooked beef tongue with parsnip puree and whole grain mustard. Not being the world’s biggest beef tongue fan, but always willing to try dishes, I was shocked. Is this filet mignon?! Is it foie gras?! I can’t tell because it pretty much tastes like the most delicious butter I’ve ever had! It was fantastic. It was the absolute standout on their winter tasting menu.
Liquorice & Lime: This charming restaurant was one of the last places we dined in Cape Town and a standout favorite. Speaking of standing out, we were the only tourists in the place—and that is a fact.
Located just off Kloof Street (162 Kloof St. to be exact), where all the locals hang out, and a short walking distance from one of our favorite properties, Four Rosmead, Liquorice & Lime place is a perfect lunch hangout. Capetonians were popping in for lunch in running gear—obviously looking for a healthy snack after their work out. Couples were huddled in the corner and families with young kids were settling in for afternoon treats.
The menu boasts everything from chicken curry dishes to hamburgers, but everything with a light twist—almost like healthy pub food. It was quick, easy, very local, and the perfect end to a perfect trip in Cape Town to be surrounded by a packed restaurant of locals enjoying a fresh local lunch.
If you are a foodie like me and Cape Town isn’t on your list, you are seriously missing out! My only regret was that I didn’t have longer to spend exploring more of Cape Town’s restaurants and food scene.
For amazing recipes from South Africa (and other countries within southern Africa), click the graphic below for a look at our recipe book!
