Chapter 3: Casual Dining
There’s a time and a place to splurge on fine dining. For every other meal, these casual pit stops will more than do the trick.
Black Sheep
The Black Sheep restaurant has been a labour of love for the Japha and Silva families. Every aspect of your experience, from the food to the décor, has been a journey to create a restaurant very close to their hearts. It is the culmination of 20 years of food, laughter and excellent wine.
Why go?
The food is no-frills, no-fuss, fresh and funky. There’s usually a small selection of comfort fare, but the real focus is the ever-changing array of adventurous blackboard specials.
No-frills, no-fuss just fresh and funky, Image Credit: The Black Sheep Restaurant
Details
a: 104 Kloof St, Cape Townt: +27 21 426 2661w: blacksheeprestaurant.co.zah: Monday, 17h00 – 21h30 and Tuesday to Saturday, 12h00 – 21h30
Blockhouse Kitchen
Nestled on the historic Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate, Blockhouse Kitchen is a modern, airy and beautifully dressed 250-seater space where you’ll find delicious, easy-to-eat comfort food.
Why go?
The estate sits in a valley at the bottom of a beautiful mountain range with breathtaking views. The restaurant’s tagline: “Social. Seasonal. Simple”, very much echoes the dining sentiment.
Strong focus on wholesome and healthy food, Image Credit: Blockhouse Kitchen
Details
a: Spaanschemat River Rd, Constantia, Cape Town, 7806t: +27 21 794 3010w: blockhousekitchen.co.zah: Tuesday to Saturday, 08h00 – 21h00 and Sunday to Monday, 08h00 – 17h00h: Breakfast Daily: 08h00 – 11h30
Maria’s Greek
Open since the 1950’s! Maria’s is one of Cape Town’s oldest and most loved restaurants. Situated on charming Dunkley Square in the old part of the city, loyal guests return for lunches, dinners, mezes, baklava, chunky Greek salads, and other favourites.
Why go?
This warm and comfortable taverna-style eatery serves hearty, flavour-packed Greek food that takes no prisoners, and has been doing so for years. The food is organic, green and free-range where possible.
Flavour-packed Greek food, Image Credit: Maria’s Greek Café
Details
a: 31 Barnet Street, Dunkley Square, Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa, 8001t: +27 21 461 3333w: facebook.com/MariasGreekCafeh: Monday: 11h00 – 22h00; Tuesday to Saturday, 08h30 – 22h00 and Sunday, 10h00 – 16h00
Woodlands Eatery
This cosy neighbourhood bistro boasts decorations sourced from junk shops and scrap yards to create a quirky, nostalgic feel that pairs perfectly with the authentic Italian cuisine on offer.
Why go?
Look forward to some of the best woodfired pizza in town as well as meals combining an Italian edge with the existing local flavors.
Some of the best woodfired pizza in town, Image Credit: Woodlands Eatery
Details
a: 8 Breda St, Gardens, Cape Townt: +27 63 710 4742w: thewoodlandseatery.comh: Monday to Friday, 12h00 – 22h00 and Saturday to Sunday, 12h00 – 22h00
Beyond
From rare-breed meats, and seasonal heirloom vegetables to artisanally crafted cheeses, Beyond serves to showcase and celebrate the ‘weird and wonderful’ and the beauty of unique strains and flavours beyond mass production.
Why go?
Beyond is steeped in history with heritage and family at its heart. Embracing the feel of a working farm, the restaurant offers an elegant but unpretentious experience where comfort and enjoyment are the primary objectives.
Sourcing a diverse range of special raw produce, Image Credit: Beyond
Details
a: 37 Klein Constantia Rd, Nova Constantia, Cape Town, 7806t: +27 21 794 0306w: beyondrestaurant.co.za
h: Lunch: Tuesday to Sunday, 12h00 – 14h30 h: Dinner: Tuesday to Thursday, 17h30 – 22h00 and Friday to Saturday, 18h00 – 20h00
Burger and Lobster
Situated on Cape Town’s trendy Bree Stree, this trendy restaurant and cocktail bar flips the script by presenting the unpredictable combination of burgers and lobsters on the same menu.
Why go?
The juicy, gourmet burgers, the melt-in-your-mouth lobster meat, and the vibrant ambience make for the perfect night out.
Bon appétit!, Image Credit: Burger&Lobster
Details
a: 105 Bree Street, Cape Town t: +27 21 422 4297w: burgerandlobster.co.zah: Monday to Sunday, 12h00 – 22h30
Grub & Vine
This refined bistro-style restaurant believes that good food and wine cannot be separated, and that’s precisely what you’ll find on the menu.
Why go?
The warm, inviting atmosphere, accompanied by chef Matt Manning’s honest cooking and seasonal menu, makes for the ideal setting for every occasion.
Order from the small seasonal tasting menu or the Menu Du Jour for a multiple-course culinary experience, Image Credit: Grub & Vine
Details
a: 103 Bree Street, Cape Townt: +27 87 153 5244w: grubandvine.co.zah: Brunch: Saturday, 11h30 – 15h00h: Lunch: Monday – Saturday, 12h00 – 15h00
Club Kloof
This self-proclaimed Italian-ish restaurant and bar on Cape Town’s iconic Kloof Street serves Italian-inspired dishes in style
Why go?
From famous sourdough pizzettes to signature pistachio and olive butter, you’ll be glad to share and taste all Club Kloof creates.
Our advice is to arrive hungry, Image Credit: Dineplan.com
Details
a: 84 Kloof Street, Cape Townt: +27 72 415 3752w: clubkloof.comh: Lunch: Tuesday – Sunday, from 12h00h: Dinner: Tuesday – Sunday, from 18h00
Cowfish
This cosmopolitan restaurant caters to every palate by offering gourmet burgers, mouth-watering steaks, fresh seafood, and expertly made sushi.
Why go?
With delicious food that’ll please the whole table, Cowfish’s unique fusion of Western and Eastern-inspired cuisine is a creative masterpiece – not to mention its signature cocktails!
Not only are the dishes beautifully presented, but they’re delicious, too, Image Credit: CowFish
Details
a: Corner Waterkant and 50 Bree Street, Cape Townt: +27 21 879 3669w: cow-fish.co.zah: Monday to Friday, 12h00 – 22h00 and Saturday, 11h00 – 22h00
Ember & Oak
You’re invited to an unconventional experience as Tim and Judy Pick rewrite the rules of dining at this fantastic tapas restaurant.
Why go?
The combination of delicious, unpretentious food, spectacular views of Constantiaberg Mountain, and the Chardonnay and Savannah slushies will have you rebooking the moment you ask for the cheque.
Each small plate is a flavour bomb waiting to delight your tastebuds, Image Credit: Claire Gunn
Details
a: Constantia Uitsig, Tokai Rd, Cape Town, 7806t: +27 67 499 5621w: bio.site/emberandoakh: Tuesday – Saturday: Coffee from 10h00; Kitchen from 12h00 – 21h00h: Sunday: Coffee from 10h00; Kitchen from 12h00 – 16h00
Quentin at Oakhurst Barn
Located on one of the oldest farms in Hout Bay, this restaurant and cellar mix traditional and modern cuisine to create a unique menu.
Why go?
This restaurant is exactly what it claims to be, ‘Cape country cooking and hospitality at its grandest’!
Homemade, seasonal food is always on the menu, Image Credit: Quentin at Oakhurst
Details
a: Oakhurst Farm, Main Road, Hout Bayt: +27 21 790 4888w: oakhurstbarn.comh: Tuesday to Thursday, 13h00 – 22h30; Friday to Saturday, 09h00 – 22h30 and Sunday, 09h00 – 17h00
Chapter 3/14
