Cape Town is well known for its unpredictable weather, and winter is no exception. From rainy days to summer-like warmth, venturing out for a meal can be a challenge. After experiencing four seasons in one day, these restaurants will draw you in with cosy fireplaces and delicious food. There’s something for every taste bud. From high tea, to burgers and three-course meals – escape the winter chill at one of these amazing restaurants.
Top 10 List sourced from the exciting new Dineplan app
#1 High Tea at Truth
Steam punk mixed with high tea seems like an unlikely pairing, but Truth effortlessly fuses the two to create a unique and fun experience. High tea options include a Classic non-alcoholic version for R360, Pol Roger Champagne High Tea for R480, or Pol Roger Winston Churchill Champagne High Tea for R990. Everything is served in three different courses prepared by French-born chef Kamal Hamzaoui, starting with the Amuse Bouche, followed by the Café Course, and finishing off with Le Grande Révélation.
Your choice from an entire selection of Single Origin and Nigiro Teas are perfectly paired with nine different Petit Fours including a chocolate éclair, cream scone with homemade jam, or a smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich. With its edgy vibe and inventive taste combinations, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience.
High Tea: Sunday 1 pm and Monday—Saturday 3 pm-5 pm
36 Buitenkant Street | Cape Town | +27 (0) 200-0440 | za.truth.coffee/pages/high-tea
#2 Homage 1862
Homage isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an immersive dining experience. The handmade crockery, dining tables made out of salvaged ceiling wood, and plants on the wall accentuate the warm ambiance. With a large wood fireplace located in the open space and comfortable, retro furniture it feels like you have been transported back in time.
The menu features flame-grilled South African favorites combined with Asian undertones to create small plates. With an attentive staff and seasonal menu, Homage creates a unique and delicious experience. A secluded area is located upstairs and is the perfect place for cocktail hour. The music and comfortable furniture create a relaxed atmosphere that will make you feel right at home.
Hours: Tuesday 12pm-4pm, Wednesday to Saturday 11:30am-11:30 pm, closed Sunday & Monday
168 Loop Street | Cape Town City Centre | +27 (0) 422-0900 | www.facebook.com/homage.1862/
#3 Aubergine Restaurant
The eclectic restaurant has simple décor yet sophisticated vibes. German chef and owner Harald Bresselschmidt prepares innovative dishes with Eastern and Western influences that combine fresh, local ingredients sourced directly from farmers and trusted suppliers with seasonal flavors.
Dishes include lunch, dinner, and vegetarian options with either an A la Carte or Degustation Menu with optional wine pairing. Offering hand-selected local and international wines that are sure to compliment your entrée, Aubergine is all about creating a unique and sensory dining experience.
Lunch: Wednesday to Friday (October to April) 12noon-2pm
Dinner: Monday to Saturday (closed two Mondays per month) 6pm-10pm
39 Barnet Street | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0) 465-0000 | www.aubergine.co.za
#4 Lou Lou’s Bar
Classy, trendy, and unique—all three words perfectly capture Lou Lou’s bar. Whether you’re stopping by for an after-work drink, a night out with friends, or a romantic evening with your partner – you’re greeted with good vibes and a welcoming atmosphere. The dim lighting, golden accents, and leather-back booths transports you to a simple, happy time.
The fresh and flavourful food is hand-crafted to bring a new-age take on tapas, fusing Asian, Italian, and contemporary cuisines. After dinner, the music gets louder and the party vibe is pumped up. With unique food and great drinks, the fun vibe escalates on Friday and Saturday nights with “Dinner and Dance.” A live DJ plays some of your favourite oldies, blues, jazz, and dance music to get you bobbing to the beats.
Hours: Monday to Saturday 11am-2am; Sunday closed
10 Jarvis Street | Green Point | Cape Town | +27 (0) 418-0015 | www.loulous.co.za
#5 Rick’s Café Américain
Looking to have a comfortable meal out? With three open fireplaces and Moroccan-themed decor inspired by the film Casablanca, Rick’s is a great homey spot. No matter what your dietary preferences might be—vegetarian, omnivore, or straight-up carnivore—you’re sure to find a meal you love with Rick’s eclectic menu options and warm atmosphere.
With its vibrant, happy atmosphere and 600 different beverage options the bar is ranked among one of the top drinking spots in Cape Town. From wines to whiskies, beers to cocktails, aperitifs to brandies, and more than 30 different types of tequila in between Rick’s has something for everyone.
Hours: Monday to Saturday 11am- 2am; Sundays closed
2 Park Road | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0) 424-1100 | www.rickscafe.co.za
#6 Toni’s on Kloof
Enjoy traditional Portuguese cuisine and cooking at this local favourite spot. The relaxed and warm atmosphere create a comfortable environment to dine with friends and family. The vibrant yellow and blue traditional Portuguese colours paint the outside of the restaurant and accent the decor inside.
Consistent and loyal Portuguese dishes, made on order with quality, fresh ingredients are created with great care and passion. Enjoy local favourites such as Peri-Peri Chicken, Mozambican Curries, Feijoada, Prawn Rissoles, Portuguese Seafood Rice, and many more.
Hours: Monday to Sunday 12 pm-3 pm, 6pm-11 pm
88 Kloof St | Tamboerskloof | Cape Town | +27 (0) 423-7617 | www.tonis.co.za
#7 Den Anker Bar & Restaurant
The spectacular setting in the V&A Waterfront offers unparalleled views through floor-to-ceiling windows. With exceptional seafood creatively prepared it makes it easy to understand why Den Anker has been around for over 24 years. Tasty local South African specialties, which change weekly, give visitors and locals alike a wonderful and fresh experience. Their menus are centred around local, seasonal foods and offer specialties such as fresh crayfish, imported shrimp, foie gras brûlée, and decadent chocolate desserts.
Paying homage to their roots, the Den Anker Bar has six different imported Belgian beers, imported from small breweries and ensuring many different flavours and styles. These are brewed on tap and include De Koninck, Vedett Extra White, Liefmans Fruitesse, La Chouffe, Maredsous Blond, and the exclusively brewed Anker beer made in Lochristi by Den Anker’s Belgian founder, Denis Bouckaert. With one of a kind tastes, friendly and attentive staff, and picturesque views, your experience at Den Anker is sure to be unforgettable.
Hours: Monday to Sunday 11 am-10 pm
Pierhead | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town | +27 (0) 419-0249 | www.denanker.co.za
#8 Life Grand Cafe Waterfront
With the motto, “Food you want to leave home for. Food you feel at home with.” you get a sense of what the Life Grand Café is all about. Its intriguing design and open, bright space creates a decadent dining experience. Inside you’ll find a salad bar, crudo bar, coffee bar, and cocktail bar which offers a variety of creative and interesting cocktails, such as the Love Potion and Youth Elixir.
The menu offers over 100 entrees, ranging from Mediterranean-style food to classic entrees with a twist – all prepared in a wood-burning oven. With five fireplaces and beautiful views of the vibrant Waterfront Pier, it is an ideal location for great food and a warm atmosphere.
Hours: Monday to Sunday 7am-11pm
2 Pierhead Road | V&A Waterfront |Cape Town | +27 (0) 205-1902 | www.facebook.com/lifegrandcafesa/
#9 Dash Restaurant & Bar
Reportedly named after the Queen’s favourite pet, Dash offers panoramic views of Table Mountain and a live pianist during dinner from Tuesday through to Saturday. Although it sits in the Queen Victoria Hotel, the restaurant and bar are open to the public. With a menu that changes every few weeks and a dedicated chef, you are sure to have a unique and exquisite dining experience every time you visit.
Looking for a place to have drinks after work? The bar at Dash, with its signature royal purple bar stools, offers an extensive selection of single malt whiskies and wines. Mirror ceilings reflect the double-sided fireplace and remarkable artwork, surrounding you with feelings of warmth and elegance.
Hours: Monday to Sunday 6:30am- 10:30pm
Queen Victoria Hotel | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town | +27 (0) 418-1466 | newmarkhotels.com/places/restaurants/dash/
#10 The Stud Burger & Saloon
Enjoy great vibes, good music, and delicious burgers at this trendy bar and burger spot. With a focus on gourmet burgers and grills plus true dedication to their mantra “preparing quality food,” this eatery is a great local favourites. Creative themed dishes add to the relaxed and fun environment.
There is something for everyone at The Stud Burger & Saloon with great vegetarian and vegan burger options as well. Complement your burger with one of the wide range of craft beers on tap, bottled beers and ciders, or a glass of red or white wine. Stay warm at a table inside near the fire and enjoy the view of the vibrant Woodstock street life.
Hours: Monday to Saturday 12pm-4pm, Sunday 4pm-11pm
Happy Hour: 6pm to 7pm Tuesdays & Thursdays
76 Roodebloem Road | Woodstock | Cape Town | +27 (0) 447-4613 | www.facebook.com/thestudburgersaloon/
How We Discovered Our Top 10 Restaurants with Fireplaces in Cape Town
Dineplan was launched on December the 1st, 2012. In 2011, Greg Whitfield and Martin Rose, started dreaming about creating software that would revolutionize the South African restaurant industry. They went to school together and with their solid friendship as foundation, they started an exciting entrepreneurial journey together.
The dynamic duo approached local restaurants to find out more about their reservation needs. From their finding they created software to help manage bookings. Restaurants across the country use their innovative system, from the Cape Peninsula to Phalaborwa.
After six years of finetuning the reservation system, they launched the Dineplan app in early 2018. They already have access to the behind the scenes booking information and can now offer dining patrons the ability to tap into this information and make instant bookings at the Dineplan restaurants. Restaurant lovers can pick and choose from 1000’s of Dineplan restaurant users.
Using the Dineplan App
If you are looking for restaurants with a specific feature, Dineplan has categorized their vast database. Choose between a variety of filters including cuisine, price, attributes, and rating. The attribute options range from child friendly, romantic, and great views to sunsets, serves Halaal, and pet friendly.
Step 1: Select a Location
You can either use your current location or type in the city/suburb
Step 2: Access filters
Click on the menu icon at the top right
Step 3: Select Attributes
Click on the filter option to categorize the results
Download the app now on the iTunes or GooglePlay store
