The Bets Cape Town Dining Experiences

What are the Cape Town Dining Experiences? You may immediately think of the terms ‘pop-up restaurants’ and ‘underground dining’, which have become increasingly popular around the world over the past decade, and are a trend that has now reached Cape Town. Pop-up restaurants are the circuses of the culinary world, popping up for one night only, disappearing in the blink of an eye, leaving guests astounded. It’s a hybrid of your average dinner party and a Michelin star restaurant.

From the diverse range of delights found at markets to mobile food trucks and secret locations, there is one thing these pop-ups have in common: culinary innovation and unique experiences sure to add that little bit extra to date night.

Here are Rhino Africa’s top picks for Cape Town’s unique dining experiences!

Our Top 5 Cape Town Dining Experiences

1. Secret Eats

Secret Eats is the newest underground Cape Town’s dining experience, and a completely unique one at that – no event is ever the same. You register to Eat, Cook or Host. Obviously eating took my fancy. I received my invite and sent off my RSVP – knowing nothing of the location, chef or menu for the evening. At 8am on the morning of the event the first details were revealed.

Secret makes it taste better

We were to arrive at a secret location in Observatory, ready with our secret password to gain entry of course. This time the venue was a contemporary home, converted from its days as a textile factory and warehouse. It was the perfect simple, yet stylish, backdrop to our evening as the bar tenders welcomed us with Bombay Sapphire cocktails before we took our seats and caught our first glimpse of the menu to come.

Chef Laurie Meiring was the man behind the food that night. Every event features a different chef, showcasing what they have to offer. With each course came a delicious wine, paired by the minds behind Ooh Box, but don’t be shy to bring a couple of bottles of your own to pass between your new friends.

I won’t give away much more but for those who like adventure and fancy yourselves as a bit of a foodie, Secret Eats is truly one of the best Cape Town dining experiences you can enjoy.

For visitors to Cape Town this is a great way to experience the true personality of Cape Town away from the touristy attractions. Meet those who call the city home and experience the cosmopolitan fashion and quirky nature of the Cape Town food scene in a setting that is sure to take you away from the norm and into the extraordinary.

Read more about Secret Eats here. Email: eat@secreteats.com

2. Limoncello Food Truck

Introducing…. mobile dining! Food trucks are no longer for ice creams and hot dogs – gourmet meals are emerging from the fleet of luxury food trucks hitting streets the world over.

Limoncello leads the fleet of Cape Town Food Trucks with its Italian creations at the hands of Chef and owner, Luca Castiglione. Tweet or call and before you know it you’ll be twirling spaghetti vera and delving into Calzone. Dig in and enjoy the view!

Tweet: @CTFoodTrucks / Tel: +27 (0)82 502 3014 /
Email: info@capetownfoodtrucks.co.za

3. Eastern Food Bazaar

One of the best things about South Africa is the ability to feel like you live in a hundred countries at once. In some regions safaris and wildlife are the order of the day, in others it’s beaches, and others it’s food. You can visit a cosmopolitan bar overlooking the sea or hike up Table Mountain with a picnic. One of my personal favourites is entering the world of the Eastern Food Bazaar.

I’ve never been to India, but I’ve seen enough movies to know what to expect from one of their famous food markets – the Eastern Food Bazaar is exactly that. Hundreds of people fill what can only be described as a tunnel in the centre of Cape Town. Stalls run down one side selling every dish of Eastern cuisine imaginable, with seats filling the rest. The hustle and bustle, the smells, the cries for orders… exactly what I had imagined.

Place your order, pay (a shockingly minimal fee) and prepare yourself for a feast of what will be one of the largest and tastiest experiences of your life. This is also what a Cape Town Dining Experience means!

96 Longmarket St, Cape Town / +27 (0)21 461 2458

4. The Yard

For a few months I walked past an unassuming driveway, filled with garden furniture, the casual music filling my ears as much as the smells of the enticing kitchen creations filled my nose. I assumed it was a secret hang out for the surrounding businesses. I later discovered it to be the hidden gem of Cape Town.

Yard operates under many names: Deluxe coffee for – you guessed it – coffee, Mucky Mary’s for their famous ‘hubcap’ breakfast, The Bitches Tits for indulgent sandwiches and tacos and finally, for the lucky 50 quick enough to sign their names up at 5pm, the Dogs Bollocks serves some of the best gourmet burgers in town. Oh, and…BYOB!

6 Roodehek Rd, Gardens, Cape Town / +27 (0)83 440 7843

5. Neighbourgoods Market

If you aren’t quite sure about venturing into one single venue for one experience that you may love or hate, why not go to the place where it all happens under one roof – Neighbourgoods Market at the Biscuit Mill. From food trucks to bakeries and oyster bars to giant pans of paella, there isn’t much more the avid foodie could ask for.

Spend the day tasting craft beers and local wines, washed down with a gourmet pizza or simply fill up tasting tapenades and cheeses to your heart’s content. There’s even the occasional piece of chocolate brownie to try! Truly, this is one of Cape Town Dining Experiences that you absolutely have to try if you’re staying a few days in the Mother City of South Africa.

Saturdays 9am-2pm / 373 Albert Rd, Woodstock, Cape town

Look for more Cape Town Dining Experiences?

If you’re looking for something in particular, don’t hesitate to contact us! We’re living in Cape Town, we’re proud of our city, and nothing pleases us more than sharing our knowledge about this great city with you.