Cape Town is well known for its fine-dining restaurants and culinary sub-cultures that attract interest far and wide. In fact, visiting Cape Town without going to one of its famous world-class restaurants could even count as an incomplete trip. The city offers award-winning chefs and irresistible dishes that cannot be missed. Thus, we’ve compiled a list of the five best fine-dining restaurants in Cape Town.
1. La Colombe
If there’s one restaurant you’ll visit during your stay in Cape Town, it should be La Colombe at Silvermist Wine Estate in Constantia. Not only has it been voted one of the best restaurants in the world, but it has also been voted the best restaurant in Africa. Boasting an incredible three Michelin stars, La Colombe fuses French and Asian influences to create unforgettable dishes. In tune with the food, the rich vineyard views are spectacular, overlooking the Constantia wine valley, False Bay, and Hout Bay.
2. Pier
The illustrious V&A Waterfront plays host to Pier, one of the most loved restaurants in Cape Town. It offers patrons a multi-course dining experience featuring locally produced ingredients and theatrics to build on the sense of occasion. Situated in the Pierhead building, patrons can choose between a 9 or 11-course meal focusing on the complexity of flavour. In addition, many of Pier’s dishes take inspiration from and concentrate on seafood – fitting the city’s atmosphere.
3. FYN
FYN is one of Cape Town’s and South Africa’s latest restaurants cultivated around a fine dining experience. It combines the kitchen and dining room to create a unique dining experience for patrons. The restaurant on Parliament Street serves unique African and Japanese-inspired dishes, providing a variety of flavours and textures under its artistic decor. In addition, the restaurant caters to pescetarian and plant-based diets. As for FYN’s setting, the restaurant is situated on the 5th floor, giving patrons a great view of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head.
4. Ëlgr
Ëlgr can be described as a contemporary fusion of Nordic and South African flavours and design. Elements of forest and charcoal are scattered across the spacious venue, which is located on Kloof Street. The head chef, Jesper Nilsson, combines his Nordic roots with his love and appreciation for South African flair, which shows in the menu – patrons are offered a choice of authentic and Nordic-inspired dishes paired with a selection of South African wines. In addition, the menu is designed to be shared, so bring along your nearest and dearest for a truly unique experience.
5. Thali
Authentic Indian fine dining restaurants are a delight in Cape Town, none more than Thali. Patrons can find themselves trying the most succulent curries, popadoms, and tapas that take inspiration from dishes across India. Thali, on Park Road in Gardens, focuses on the experience of flavour and presentation to correctly represent the culinary atmosphere of the Indian subcontinent. Furthermore, the restaurant’s decor is filled with Indian influences, adding to the restaurant’s authenticity.
