Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash The Best Dive Bars in Cape Town East CityPhoto by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash
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The Best Dive Bars in Cape Town: East City

A colloquial American term, “dive bar” usually refers to an infamous neighbourhood bar where locals love to grab a drink and socialize. A good old-fashioned dive bar has a dodgy edge to it, but it simply adds to the character of the place.

That place you go to, to drown your sorrows or just celebrate that you survived the week. It’s the place where strangers become friends, even if you always just nod and smile at each other. Grimy and grungy, full of good booze.

The Best Dive Bars in Cape Town East City

#1 Dust and Dynamite Bar | 27 Caledon St | Zonnebloem

Opening times: Tuesday to Friday, 3PM – 2AM | Saturday 6PM – 2AM

This one is an authentic Wild West Saloon! Step inside, through the swinging saloon doors and tip your hat at the cowboy standing guard at the entrance. It’s full of cool memorabilia and old rock&roll tunes. The owner, Wayne Keet, is a real-life cowboy and you might be lucky enough to meet him.

A honky-tonk piano, wood panelling, cowboy hats dangling from the roof – for a moment you will be transported into a bygone era. Enjoy a beer in a unique setting. It’s tucked away on a little side street, around the corner from the Fugard Theatre.

Visit the Dust and Dynamite Facebook page for more information

The Best Dive Bars in Cape Town East City

 

#2 Lefty’s | 105 Harrington Street | Zonnebloem

Opening times: Monday to Friday 4PM – 1AM | Saturday 4PM – 12AM

If you want to rub shoulders with the locals, this is the place to go. Tourists also enjoy popping in for an authentically “local is lekker” experience. You must try their delicious ribs or a unique oyster shot. Get your coins ready for a classic arcade game and reminisce over the good ol’ days at the outdated bar.

Visit the Lefty’s Facebook page for more information

The Best Dive Bars in Cape Town East City

#3 SurfaRosa | 61a Harrington Street | Zonnebloem

Opening times: Tuesday and Wednesday 12PM – 2AM | Friday and Saturday 12PM – 4AM

Also located on the buzzing Harrington street, it’s another option for your weekly drink pit-stop. It has a completely different vibe to Lefty’s, so you can spice things up by rotating between the two popular dive bars.

It’s located below Harringtons Lounge, tucked away between office buildings. Dimly lit, with a great cosy vibe, you can settle in and let the daily worries roll off your shoulders while relaxing with a drink in your hand. You’re guaranteed to mingle with an interesting mix of people who love frequenting the bar.

Visit the Surfarosa website for more information.

Related: Harrington Street Restaurants

The Best Dive Bars in Cape Town East City

#4 Kimberley Hotel | 46 Roeland Street | Cape Town City Centre

Opening times: always open

Since 1895 the Kimberly Hotel has kept patrons bedded and beered. If only the walls could talk… Don’t expect any fancy mixology action from the bartender, order a cheap beer and start your buzz for the evening if you want to do a bar hop and move onto something more sophisticated later. You will meet some quirky characters here, get ready for a wild old school bar experience!

Visit the Kimberley-Hotel Facebook page for more information

The Best Dive Bars in Cape Town East City

#5 The Shack | 45 De Villiers Street | Zonnebloem

Opening times: Monday to Friday 12PM – 4AM | Saturday to Sunday 6PM – 4AM

It’s a Capetonian institution, with just the right mix of anti-establishment attitude to keep the doors open for many years to come. Situated on the edge of rebellious District Six, the air is infused with punk rock tunes. Grab your cheapie beer, and head over to a pool table or play a bit of foosball. The crowd is usually a young, rowdy bunch but it’s a space that effortlessly mixes generations.

Visit the The Shack Facebook page for more information.

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Giulios Cafe
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Giulio’s Café – Italy Meets Cape Town

When you step inside this quaint little corner café, you forget for a moment that you are in the middle of Cape Town’s CBD. It opened in October 2015 as a daytime diner, and since March 2018 they started offering dinner on Thursdays and Fridays, with live music.

The space is perfect for a fun gathering with friends or family. Or use it as an informal first date option, it’s not too casual and not too fancy.

A Son and Mom Duo

Giulio Loreggian and his mom always dreamed about opening a little corner café. After school he first attempted to follow in the footsteps of his accountant family, but soon realised that his passion lies with food. He shifted over to the SA Chef Academy and completed a one year culinary course.

After completing it, Giulio got a big break — the opportunity to work with Jamie Oliver’s executive chef in London. He stayed there for just over a year, but decided to rather move back to Cape Town. Upon his return he worked as a private chef before taking a leap of faith at age 26, to open the little corner café.

Giulios Cafe

A Home Away from Home

The restaurant serves authentic homemade Italian dishes. All the items on the menu are personal favourites of Giulio and his mom. The pristine white colours and marble finishes remind you of an Italian restaurant somewhere in Rome or Venice.

Giulio’s Italian charm draws people in, and customers soon become his friends. This warm hospitality flows into the vibe of the space, creating a great relaxing atmosphere. The son and mom duo believes in a hands-on approach. They personally painted the tables. And Giulio’s mom, a terrific artist, painted the famous roof scene as well as other artworks scattered around the space.

You might be intrigued with the wreath circle hanging from the roof (which they weaved themselves) It is used to wed couples under. Giulio’s Café has been turned into a wedding banquet hall a few times since its opening. The space can host up to 50 people, perfect for a special intimate event. You can hire the space for other celebrations as well.

Passionately Serving Authentic Italian Food

You know you are in for a feast when the chef is a true blood Italian! Giulio loves keeping the dishes authentic, but he does add a bit of African flair here and there, such as the Peri-Peri chicken livers. A few dishes from their menu to tantalize your taste buds:

Breakfast (available all day): La Colazione — poached egg, crispy bacon, pork apple and sage banger, balsamic-roasted tomatoes, flat mushrooms, wilted spinach, smoked paprika, beans with toast of your choice

Lunch: Panzerotti di Franca — hand-made pasta filled with spinach and ricotta served in a basil and pomodoro based sauce, and parmesan cheese

Dinner: Involtini di Pollo — ricotta-stuffed chicken breast wrapped in parma ham, with potato gratin, pan-fried wild mushrooms, and a whole-grain mustard sauce

They also serve pizza. And be sure to try the Italian Bake of the Day for dinner. The menu is versatile and the space lends itself to being both a daytime and evening eatery.

Giulios Cafe

Visit Giulio’s Café Now

With its handy location in the centre of town, it’s the perfect spot for a quick lunch date or meeting. A night time outing will treat you to the vibe of the city transforming into a more mysterious setting. You will find Giulio bustling about between the kitchen and the patrons on most days. He’s starting a fun new trend for the restaurant décor — if you want to become part of the family, ask him to take a Polaroid picture of you and your friends.

For more information, visit www.giulios.co.za  and follow @giulios_cafe on Instagram.

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Food Trucks Around Cape TownPhoto by The Inside Guide
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Food Trucks Around Cape Town

Food trucks are fast becoming much more than a trend in the Mother City. These food trucks often flock events, markets, and festivals, and are most likely to pop up at a location near you. From thin-crust Italian pizzas, Middle East delicacies, flavourful Mexican cuisine, to American-style barbeques, Asian street foods, and Afro-French bites — here are some of the innovative and delectable foods being served out of trailers, carts and vintage vans in and around Cape Town.

Earthfire Pizza

Food Trucks Around Cape Town

Earthfire Pizza serves scrumptious thin-crust, oven-baked pies to events and markets all over the Cape, rivaling even the best pizzerias in town. They specialize in making delicious gourmet pizzas and cater for an array of events and functions, including weddings, birthdays, festivals, schools, corporate and sporting events, or wherever you find you need good pizza. This food truck was born out of a childhood dream of selling pizza out of a silver stream trailer on the Camps Bay strip but can be found in the most amazing, beautiful, quirky and bizarre locations in and around the city. They can be found at Cape Point Vineyards on Thursdays, at The Range Market on Fridays, at Root 44 Market on Saturdays and Sundays and daily at Mojo Market. Follow their Twitter and Facebook accounts for more information.

Shawarma Express

Food Trucks Around Cape Town

If you ever need a quick meal that’s both filling and tasty, Shawarma Express is the food truck to go to. This popular place for a quick bite serves Middle Eastern traditional delicacies such as shawarmas and falafels which are served along with various local craft beers. They sell the best shawarma in town and make a great falafel at an affordable price. They serve lunch and dinner. Great food, friendly staff, and good value for money. What more can you ask for?

Follow them on Facebook  for more information.

Didi’s Bitchin’ Burritos

Food Trucks Around Cape Town

Didi’s Bitchin’ Burritos serve tasty, quick and wholesome Mexican food in Cape Town through a variety of dishes such as Burritos, Nachos, Quesadillas, Tacos, salads and a whole lot more. These Mexican favourites are served from a 1978 Volkswagen AutoVilla called “Rosie” which was converted into a full service, mobile kitchen and serving station. They specialize in Bitchin’ Afri-Mex Burritos, offering wholesome Mexican cuisine that will not only warm your stomach but also your heart. You can find them at Salt Circle Arcade in Woodstock from Mondays to Fridays. They also offer a delivery service for offices in the area. You can even find them on OrderIn.

Visit didismexican.co.za for more information.

The Good Life

Food Trucks Around Cape Town

The Good Life is a gourmet food truck serving fresh, fusion food at hotspots in and around Cape Town. Their exciting fusion dishes sound almost too good to eat. You can expect a fusion menu of prawn tempura with sumac aioli, designer beef burgers with truffle infusion, and vegetable couscous pitas. Find this sleek black vintage bus either in Oudekraal or near Charly’s Bakery in Harrington street Monday to Saturday from 8AM to 6PM. They are also available for private functions, events, and weddings.

Follow them on Twitter and on Facebook for updates and info.

Lotus Food Truck

Food Trucks Around Cape Town

Lotus Food Truck focuses on serving delicious contemporary Asian street food with their fresh salads, succulent Satay’s, delicious beef short rib, fragrant snacks, refreshing drinks, and more. They use seasonal and the freshest ingredients and makes everything from scratch — down to their own dipping sauces and dressings. They offer Capetonians Asian street food that is fresh, tasty and great value for money. Lotus serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, and drinks. They visit various business parks and public spaces during the week. Lotus also caters for private/corporate events and make a great addition to weddings and festivals.

Visit lotusfoodtruck.co.za for more information.

Related: Cape Town Friday Food Truck Market

Frozenyo

Food Trucks Around Cape Town

Established in 2014, Frozenyo is Cape Town’s first frozen yogurt food truck. They serve frozen delights made from the finest locally produced yoghurt product with their turquoise and yellow truck. Frozenyo uses real yogurt that contains live cultures and probiotics. Their products are low in calories and gluten free. Plus it offers the same cold satisfaction of ice cream but in a healthier way. Frozenyo can be booked for private/corporate events and weddings.

Visit frozenyo.co.za for more information.

Jack Rabbit

Food Trucks Around Cape Town

Jack Rabbit offers delectable gourmet dishes, from Truffle Mushroom Burgers to Pulled Beef Tacos. Their food includes Cubanos, inverted poppers, burger Sliders, pork belly sandwiches, rustic pizza, quesadillas, and more. Jack Rabbit offers basically everything rich, saucy, cheesy, with a balance of crispy to that “hmm” factor. All their sauces are also self-made. Mostly based in Durbanville, this trendy food truck can be seen all around Cape Town at a number of popular events. Jack Rabbit caters for events, the public as well as private functions.

Follow them on Facebook  for updates and info.

Scandalous Food Truck

Food Trucks Around Cape Town

Bringing delicious, indulgent food to the streets, Scandalous Food Truck offers scandalously delicious Italian food on the go. They cater to most tastes and preferences and serves Italian dishes, burgers, and sandwiches. You will find this epic food truck at almost every legit market, music festival and event in Cape Town. They can also be booked for functions and private parties.

Visit scandalousfood.co.za for more information.

Salty Flames

Food Trucks Around Cape Town

Salty Flames specialises in smoked food menu items. In June 2017, just 6 months after winning the Ultimate Braai Master Season 5, the winners Nick Perfect and Chanel Marais, decided to bring delicious braaied and smoked foods to hungry diners across the Cape. All their food is homemade, flavourful, fresh, and locally made with the use of seasonal ingredients. They offer a good number of vegetarian options as well. Salty Flames is available for all festivals, private/corporate events, and more.

Visit saltyflames.com for more information.

Related: Craving sushi? See our favourite sushi delivery in Cape Town.

Wahine Food Truck

Food Trucks Around Cape Town

Wahine brings something from the Pacific Islands to you with an array of cuisines from India, China, Korea, Japan, Tahiti, Hawaii, and Fiji to create an ever-changing menu. Their aim is to provide customers with healthy, wholesome, balanced fast food alternatives that are locally-sourced or even grown by the quirky food truck team themselves.  Wahine can be seen at all trendy events in Cape Town, offering healthy and delicious Polynesian-inspired eats, with an increasing number of vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Follow them on Facebook for more details.

Mon Ami French Afrik Bistro

Food Trucks Around Cape Town

This French-Afrik bistro on wheels is a fully functional mobile kitchen and catering service.  They serve French and South African fusion dishes such as steak rolls, fresh salads and wraps with beef steak, caramelized onions or coconut, and lime chicken and avocado or roasted veggies and feta from their cute trailer. Mon Ami is available for sporting events, concerts, markets, festivals and expos. This food truck can even come right up to your doorstep to serve its fresh and delicious culinary delights!

Visit mon-ami.co.za for more information.

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Mantra Cafe in Camps BayPhoto by Johann van der Merwe
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Mantra Café – Fabulous Food with a Fantastic View

Location: 43 Victoria Rd, Camps Bay

The Camps Bay restaurant strip has the reputation of being glitzy and glamorous. And oftentimes locals steer clear of it because of this, many of the restaurants cater specifically for tourists. But Mantra Café has managed to hit the sweet-spot between offering clientele the glitzy setting, with epic sunsets, but in a relaxed dining environment.

A hidden Camps Bay gem, Mantra Café opened in December 2016. It combines spectacular beach views with superb food and friendly service. They’ve also added little personal touches to the décor, such as the photo on the balcony. The owners grew up in Camps Bay, and it’s a picture of their parents frolicking on the Camps Bay beach in the 60’s. As you travel down the buzzing Camps Bay Beach road, past Café Caprice and heading towards the Kauai (between Van Kamp street and The Meadway) – look out for the sign pointing towards a set of stairs leading you away from the noisy street. If you hit Col’Cacchio, you’ve gone too far. Situated on the first floor above The41, Mantra gives you the opportunity to soak up the expansive ocean views, without the clutter of the road and passer-by’s blocking your view.

It’s Not Your Typical Camps Bay Restaurant

Mantra Cafe in Camps Bay

Photo by Johann van der Merwe

From the uncomplicated décor, to the simplistic yet delicious dishes, Mantra aims to offer something refreshingly different in the area. It’s perfect for an impulsive sundowner after a day on the beach, or a special occasion to spoil a loved one. Whether you are wearing your flip-flops or high-heels, you’ll feel right at home in this relaxed yet sophisticated beautiful space.

The earthy tones used in the décor perfectly complements the warm afternoon glow that bathes the restaurant in a soft orange light. At sunset the balcony is an Instagrammer’s paradise! You can watch the sun sink towards the horizon in its full glory over the vast Atlantic Ocean.

Delectable Food in a Spectacular Setting

Mantra Cafe in Camps Bay

Photo by Johann van der Merwe

All the dishes are prepared from scratch on-site – from the hand-cut chips, to the delicious Malva Pudding. We’ll give you a sneak peak of the menu to get your mouth watering.

Starters: Sticky Chicken Wings, wood-fired in a sticky BBQ sesame sauce; Grilled Calamari in a fresh green Chimichurri Sauce.

Mains: Seafood Pasta, creamy linguini pasta with fresh line-fish, prawn, mussels, lemon zest and fennel leaves; Spicy Lamb Curry served with cucumber raita, salsa, chutney and basmati rice.

Desserts: Pear Frangipane, poached pears baked in almond frangipane served with vanilla ice cream; Trio of Homemade Ice Cream including Rooibos, butterscotch and vanilla ice cream.

Mantra aims to bring a fresh new trend to the Camps Bay restaurant strip. Instead of purposefully only catering for tourists, they want to create a delightful oasis where both tourists and locals can feel equally welcome.

And people definitely sit up and take notice of them. According to TripAdvisor they have managed to impress both the tourists and locals. They now rank among the top spots on the Camps Bay beachfront and they are part of the Top 5 Restaurants list in the area.

Visit Mantra Café Now

Mantra Cafe in Camps Bay

Photo by Johann van der Merwe

This lovely little spot offers you a secret hideaway from the bustling restaurant strip, and the view from upstairs will take your breath away. Make sure you plan your outing to perfectly match the rhythm of the setting sun.

The laid-back ambience of Mantra will rejuvenate your soul – feel like a tourist in your own city! Or if you are visiting from out of town, put this down-to-earth café on your to-do list. And on your way out, pop in at the adjoining décor shop to buy a memento of your experience. They stock a variety of proudly South African brands, with a product selection of their favourite local artists.

What’s more, they’ve just launched some incredible Winter Specials. Tucked away from the elements, Mantra offers a cosy location for a winter night out. View the full list of specials here

Visit www.mantracafe.co.za for more information and follow @mantracafe.za on Instagram.

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Top 5 Places to Eat Crêpes in Cape Town

Crepes are a type of very thin pancakes served with a variety of fillings which are commonly added to the centre. This delightful food is best served with coffee, tea, buttermilk, and cider. And because crepes are such a favourite breakfast meal or dessert here in the Mother City, we made a list of the Top 5 Places to Eat Crêpes in Cape Town.

#1 Swan Café

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A quaint little spot that is the first of its kind in South Africa. The Swan Cafe, authentic Parisian Crêperie. ⁣Tag someone who loves pancakes ⁣ Follow @secretcapetown for more and tag us or use #secretcapetown to be featured.⁣ ⁣ Photo by @swancafect .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ #Foodie #foodies #capetownfood #capetown #cityofcapetown #amazingcapetown #seecapetown #visitcapetown #thisiscapetown #ig_capetown #pictureperfect #southafricaza #visitsouthafrica #africa #ig_southafrica #thisisafrica #capetownmag #instagramcapetown #weheartsa #capetowntourism #westerncape #capetownsouthafrica #meetcapetown #capetownetc #thisisafrica #southafrica #capetowntravel #explorecapetown

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Location: Corner of Buitenkant and Barrack Streets, Zonnebloem 

Located on the corner of Buitenkant and Barrack Streets, Swan Café is a little French style eatery in town that offers great crepes in a beautiful setting. This sweet stopover is known for its creative interior, delicious food, and very good coffee. This Parisian crêperie is a quaint little place — beautifully decorated and styled. The café’s ambiance is very pleasant with hanging red bird cages, and walls adorned with digital swan wallpaper and art. It is a cool place to hang out with friends and soak in the French chic vibe.

On the menu are a variety of savoury and sweet crêpes, plus delicious coffee and an interesting tea selection. At Swan Café, all crêpes are made from scratch daily and are served with a dash of cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon. The galletes are made of gluten-free buckwheat flour, served with Swan side salad. The unique fillings include delicious ingredients such as blue cheese, orange sauce, fresh thyme, and toasted flaked almonds.

Swan Café is open from 8AM to 4PM on Mondays to Fridays. And from 8AM to 2PM on Saturdays.
Visit swancafe.co.za for more information.

#2 Ta-Da! Crêperie and Coffee Bar

ta da creperie Top 5 Places to Eat Crêpes in Cape Town

Location: 37 Victoria Ave, Hout Bay

Ta-Da! Crêperie and Coffee Bar is a little gem at The Boardroom Adventure Centre, along Victoria Avenue in Hout Bay. With its quaint and colourful interiors and relaxed shaded outdoor seating, Ta-Da! makes wonderful sweet and savoury crêpes and other delicious food.

Popular for their great coffee, friendly service, and delicious crêpes, this pet-friendly crêperie claims to be the best coffee and breakfast destination in Hout Bay. Savoury crêpe fillings include spinach, sun-dried tomato, feta, olives, and jalapeño peppers. The sweet crêpe fillings include honey, cinnamon, and homemade fudge. Ta-da!’s sought-after crêpes come in generous sizes with rather amusing names. And because this wonderful crêperie is located along the popular Atlantic seaboard cycle route, it makes for a perfect pit-stop.

Ta-da! is open from 7:30AM to 8:30PM. They close at 5PM on Sundays and Mondays
Follow the Ta-Da! Facebook page for more information.

Related: Ten Top Cape Town Courtyard Cafés

#3 The Big Box Café

the big box cafe Top 5 Places to Eat Crêpes in Cape Town

Location: 18 Roeland St, Cape Town City Centre 

Experience fantastic French hospitality, play fun board games, enjoy delicious crêpes and wonderful Tribe coffee at The Big Box Café! A brainchild of Eric and Emilie Breteau, The Big Box is a sister company of La Grosse Boite, a board games café in La Rochelle on the Atlantic coast of France. This unique café is the first of its kind in Cape Town.

At The Big Box Café, you can play different board games while enjoying freshly-made crêpes with savoury and sweet fillings in a relaxed, fun environment. They have an incredible selection of unusual and engaging board games. Some of the classics such as Scrabble, Monopoly, Battleship, and Chess are also available. Playing games at the café is free. You can also purchase games at the café or on their website, ranging from R99 to R1 000. The games on offer change frequently so that you can come across a new game each time you visit. They also host a variety of themed evenings and events like the all-night game sessions. The Big Box Café is truly a great spot for a fun, quirky evening out with friends.

The Big Box Café is open Mondays to Wednesdays from  8AM to 5PM, Thursdays and Fridays from 8AM to 10PM, and Saturdays from 10AM to 10PM

Visit thebigbox.co.za for more information.

#4 Den Anker

den anker Top 5 Places to Eat Crêpes in Cape Town

Photo by robertbellon.co.za

Location: Pierhead, V & A Waterfront

Situated on the quayside of Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront is one of the city’s oldest and best-loved restaurants, Den Anker. This popular Belgian beer house and restaurant not only offers picturesque views of the harbour and Table Mountain but also an extensive menu with a strong emphasis on seasonal dishes and fresh seafood. Den Anker is a good place to get a light lunch or an evening meal and they offer the best dessert — crêpes which are flambéed at the table.

Den Anker is open Mondays to Sundays from 11AM to 12PM
Visit www.denanker.co.za for more information.

#5 Skinny Legs Café

skinny legs luxury cafe Top 5 Places to Eat Crêpes in Cape Town

Location: 70 Loop St, Cape Town City Centre

Skinny Legs Café offers you a more health-conscious approach to your crêpe indulgence. Their Buckwheat pancakes are a great alternative option to the usual gluten-based crêpes. And they taste just as delicious! The savoury fillings are very unique such as creamed feta, rose harissa, and minted pea puree. And you should try one of their yummy freshly-squeezed juices.

Skinny Legs Café is open Mondays to Fridays from 7AM to 4PM, and Saturdays from 8:30AM to 2PM.
Follow the Skinny Legs Café Facebook page for more information.

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Top 5 Places to Grab a Cocktail at the Waterfront in Cape TownPhoto by helena yankovska on unsplash
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Top 5 Places to Grab a Cocktail at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town

The V&A Waterfront is one of the biggest restaurant hubs in Cape Town. This unique, vibrant place is filled with a wide array of restaurants, cocktail bars, and sundowner spots where you can grab a drink or two to soak up the vibe. With so many options, it can be hard to decide where to grab the perfect cocktail. We’ve hunted down the Top 5 Places to grab a cocktail at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

#1 Bascule Whisky, Wine and Cocktail Bar

bascule-bar Top 5 Places to Grab a Cocktail at the Waterfront in Cape Town

Bascule Bar is situated on the bottom floor of the renowned Cape Grace Hotel, at the water’s edge of the beautiful V&A Waterfront Marina, offering relaxing views over the buzzing marina, with the stunning Table Mountain as a backdrop. This brown-hued space complements the hotel’s overall nautical feel. It features warm, wood interior furnishings and a quaint fireplace. The bar also makes use of whiskey barrels as tables beside plush leather couches.

This vibrant destination is perfect for a light lunch or a cup of coffee during the day. At night, it transforms into a lively bar, making it a perfect setting to take in the sights and sounds of the busy Waterfront. As the sun sets, cocktail connoisseurs and social butterflies gather to enjoy sundowners and lively music, along with tasty tapa dishes.

A delectable array of over 400 whiskeys from across the globe matches the breathtaking views from the bar. They also have an exceptional selection of the Cape’s most sublime wines. Bascule Bar offers a great whiskey, wine, and cocktail menu. And while whiskey is at the beating heart of this bar, its skillful bartenders have mastered the art of mixology and can shake up a wide variety of signature cocktails. And their whiskey-based cocktails are top notch.

Visit the Bascule Bar website for more information.

#2 Harbour House

Harbour House Top 5 Places to Grab a Cocktail at the Waterfront in Cape Town

Harbour House is a sophisticated restaurant that offers a fine dining experience of international cuisine with Mediterranean elements in an elegant setting. It overlooks the bustling Victoria Basin and the quay. Harbour House is known for its superb blend of time-honoured favourites and creative new dishes. They serve the freshest seafood and ingredients, making it one of Cape Town’s favourite seafood restaurants.

They have a good wine list and serve some of the best cocktails in town. This famous restaurant is the ideal spot to observe the bustling Waterfront from up high while you feast on splendid food and drink flavourful cocktails.

Visit harbourhouse.co.za for more information.

#3 Shimmy Beach Club

shimmy beach club Top 5 Places to Grab a Cocktail at the Waterfront in Cape Town

At Shimmy Beach Club you can sip a cocktail with your toes in the sand, while looking out over the ocean. It’s situated on the harbour edge, giving you a different perspective of the V&A Waterfront, away from the bustling main section. The menu offers you light meals, wood-fired pizza, and sushi.

Shimmy Beach Club hosts regular events, with a yearly summertime music series by local musicians Goldfish. Schedule your cocktail outing just before a show to start off the party on a high note!

Visit shimmybeachclub.com for more information

Related: Top 10 Things to Do at the V&A Waterfront

#4 Quay Four

quay four Top 5 Places to Grab a Cocktail at the Waterfront in Cape Town

It’s one of the oldest landmark restaurants in the charming V&A Waterfront quay. They offer high-quality food with breathtaking harbour views. At Quay Four, you can choose between the terrace right on the quay, known as the downstairs tavern, or the elegant upstairs restaurant. The terrace seats up to 360 people and buzzes with locals and visitors all year round. They offer a variety of light meals and salads as well as an impressive range of award-winning beers on tap. It is a great place to meet with friends and savour a few drinks as the sun sets.

The restaurant upstairs, on the other hand, offers a smart casual dining experience and places emphasis on mouth-watering seafood, venison and meat/poultry dishes. They also have a notable wide selection of delicious cocktails. Whether upstairs or downstairs, both visitors and tourists alike can enjoy a delicious drink and excellent food while watching the stunning harbour views of a glorious Cape Town sunset.

Visit quay4.co.za for more information.

#5 The Willaston Bar

willaston bar Top 5 Places to Grab a Cocktail at the Waterfront in Cape Town

The Willaston Bar is situated on the sixth floor of the famous Silo Hotel and showcases some of the Mother City’s most extraordinary views through the 5.5m high pillowed glass windows at a high vantage point. The bar got its name from the first ship to export grain from the original silo building to Europe in 1924. They welcome their guests with the bar’s colourful and meticulously designed interior. The bar has a wide selection of crafted cocktails, classic drinks and an indulgent variety of local and international wines.

What makes this bar one of the top places to grab a cocktail in the Waterfront is because the menu boasts with a cocktail for everyone and for all occasions. Whether you’re after an old favourite or something complex and intriguing, The Willaston Bar has got it for you. Your other option at the Silo Hotel, is the rooftop bar, if you want fresh air while sipping a cocktail.

Visit the Willaston Bar website for more information.

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Wolfgat Restaurant of the Year 2019
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Wolfgat Wins Restaurant of the Year 2019 Award

A small restaurant just outside of Cape Town has won the sought-after title of Restaurant of the Year 2019. No, not just in South Africa, in the world! That’s right, we have the best restaurant in the world right on our doorstep.

Their beginnings were humble and the mastermind behind the concept, Kobus van der Merwe, aims to keep it simplistic and authentic. After winning the award he said that he won’t be pushing up prices just because of the global stamp of approval. He feels that his victory was an achievement for the whole African content.

World Class Cuisine on the West Coast

Chef Kobus van der Merwe only started cooking seriously at age 30. His team consists of six members (mostly female) and they don’t have any formal training. He opened the restaurant in 2016. A 130-year-old cottage houses the restaurant, with a historically significant cave on the property as well. The restaurant is right on the Paternoster beach.

Kobus believes in using freshly sourced ingredients. Every day the team forages for products from the wild Atlantic shore. He also makes his own butter and bread on site. He creates unique seven-course tasting menus, at R850 per person. It’s a fraction of the price you would pay at a top-notch Parisian restaurant.

WOLFGAT WINS RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 2019 AWARD_

The menu includes seasonal veldkos, sustainable seafood, plus local lamb and venison. Seaweed from the local rock pools, wild herbs, and other products from his own sustainable garden further enhances the dishes.

Wolfgat only serves 20 diners per seating. This way the team can keep it sustainable. All the indigenous ingredients are specific to the West Coast location. He calls it his Strandveld food menu. At the World Restaurant Awards in Paris, Kobus impressed the judges with his dedication to sustainable cooking, and his back-to-basics style. The 38-year-old chef feels greatly humbled by the award.

The Wolfgat Team Impresses Internationals

Kobus has gathered a team that shares his dream of sustainable cooking. After receiving the award, he was eager to head home to celebrate with them, over a glass of South African sparkling wine. Every day they help him to gather the succulents, dune spinach, and herbs needed to create his masterpieces.

The special seasonal tasting menu includes dishes such as angelfish with bokkom sambal and wild garlic masala, limpets, mussels and sea vegetables, twice-cooked laver (seaweed), and more. Wolfgat also received the award for best “Off Map Destination” restaurant.

At Wolfgat the team works together with no kitchen hierarchy, everyone is involved each step of the way to create world-class cuisine. Your dining experience will include a team member explaining to you the dish you are eating, elaborating on the sourcing and preparation.

Wolfgat Restaurant of the Year 2019

Photo by TripAdvisor

Years of Culinary Passion Captured

After school he studied at the Institute of Culinary Arts in Stellenbosch, one of the best chef schools in the world. But he only completed one year of the two-year diploma programme, deciding to pursue his dream of becoming a musician. Kobus was also a former EatOut webeditor. It reawakened his passion for fine dining after meandering away from it for a few years. At 30 he decided to make a shift in his career, focusing on cooking. Although he’s influenced by spicy local Cape Malay cooking, his philosophy is to keep the ingredients as pure and untreated as possible. He calls it “hyper local cuisine”.

In 2010 his parents bought the restaurant Oep ve Koep in Paternoster, and this gave Kobus the opportunity to experiment with sustainable culinary options. For seven years he worked with his parents to build the business. It gave him the perfect platform to prepare for his own culinary venture in 2016.

New Awards Include Affordable Dining

This was the first World Restaurant Awards ceremony. It was set up by Joe Warwick, one of the 50 Best Restaurants list founders. It included affordable dining options, focusing on more dining diversity plus unique eateries.

The 50 Best Restaurants list often leans strongly towards giving French cuisine preference, these new awards strive to have a strong focus on “diversity and integrity”. Their judging panel portrays this, it consists of 50 women and 50 men. They also have tongue-in-cheek awards such as “Tattoo-free chef of the year”, won by Alain Ducasse (France) and “Tweezer-free kitchen of the year” won by Bo.lan (Bangkok).

The judges include Rene Redzepi from Denmark’s Noma restaurant, the cookbook king Yotam Ottolenghi, and Clare Smyth, the Northern Irish chef that was the first female chef to win three Michelin stars in Britain. Judges were gathered across the globe, from 37 different countries in total. Their focus was on integrity and excellence.

Wolfgat Restaurant of the Year 2019

Photo by The South African

A Restaurant on a Mystical Cave

The world-famous restaurant is situated above the Wolfgat cave. This location holds special meaning to Kobus, with the site holding a wealth of archaeological and geological significance. The Wolfgat cave holds archaeological finds over 2 000 years old. Various ancient artefacts were found including beads and stones, ceramics, ostrich eggshell, bones, and marine shell. Bedding and hearths are also possibly buried here.

John Parkington, a leading archaeologist, says that the Wolfgat cave is a vast chamber that lies under a remarkably large calcrete shelf. According to him underground stream erosion formed the cave, which eroded the softer sand under the cemented shelf. The locals believe that its underground passages meander kilometres into the surrounding land, possibly as far as the Cape Columbine reserve.

Wolfgat Restaurant of the Year 2019

Photo by Winemag.co.za

Book Your Seat Now

Wolfgat captures the rustic beauty of the West Coast. The interior is simplistic, yet elegant. It has a fireplace, perfect to create a cosy atmosphere for an intimate winter dining setting. And the stunning views of the ocean complements the delicious food. You can watch the fishermen in their brightly coloured boats as you nibble on food from the very same waters.

The word has spread fast about this amazing secret restaurant, book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Visit www.wolfgat.co.za for more information.

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