Best of an indifferent lot: fish and seafood in a stunning setting in Camp’s Bay – go early to watch the sunset and accept the rest; open Sundays.
https://www.paranga.co.za/

The famous, more casual and accessible sister of the renowned erstwhile Test Kitchen. Still Luke Dale-Roberts food, but a la Carte choices, better ambience, stunning mountain and city views and more affordable! Try to book for their legendary Sunday brunch with bottomless bubbly and Bloody Mary bar.
https://thepotluckclub.co.za/

An absolute must-try experience for gourmets and food-lovers looking for a unique and different dining experiences: sit around Chef Julia’s communal table with up to 12/15 other guests and enjoy her 5-course culinary expertise and wine pairing – delightful!
https://www.reverie.capetown/

Excellent fresh fish and seafood, limited menu changing all the time so you know it’s fresh. Look out for great oyster specials – and they do a great ribeye as well if you’re not a fish fan!
https://www.seabreezecapetown.co.za/

This social upliftment project operated by Luke Dale Roberts and wife Sandalene in the home of his erstwhile Shortmarket Club Restaurant is an insider tip for yummy, affordable, small-plate food with a conscience. The project trains unemployed youth in the culinary/restaurant trade. The Japanese pancake is epic!
https://ttkfledgelings.co.za/

Italian corner on Bree Street: combining easy-going Italian cuisine and coffee shop at Locanda on the ground floor, including Martini Terraza. Reliable good Italian cuisine in a prime Bree Street location.
https://www.villa47.co.za/

The ultimate crowd-pleaser restaurant, with a varied menu covering a range of cuisines and tastes, reliably good food, attentive service and welcoming vibe in a central Bree Street location. Good value and open all day.
https://vixi.co.za/

Best fish and seafood in Cape Town by far – but possibly diminished for visitors by the location in the business end of the V&A shopping mall. Worth it for the quality if fish and seafood is your thing – no reservations (but the queue moves quickly and you’ll often be offered a tasting of wine while waiting.
 https://www.willoughbyandco.co.za/

Best Chinese food in town in a cool and contemporary setting right downtown – look no further. Besides the usual Chinese menu items and a good range of dim sum, also serves good sushi and a range of Japanese and Korean grill items.
www.bukhara.com

Great little Japanese izakaya style eatery with a lovely garden setting outdoors when weather permits. Traditional Japanese eats and delectable sushi at affordable prices.
www.izakayamatsuri.com

Get your casual Indian fix at this small local favourite hotspot on the Strip in Sea Point: Sundoo is the home of authentic South Indian cuisine. There are mouth-watering Briyanis and smokey, traditional Tandooris on the menu – all designed as tapas to be savoured and shared.
www.sundoo.co.za

This slick, modern eatery offers a contemporary take on Asian dining to the Foreshore in the heart of Cape Town. The menu features Japanese Izakaya-style dishes, lending itself to a sharing experience with offerings such as dim sum, sushi and a variety of other Asian tapas. Well worth the trip!
www.yucapetown.co.za

Judged by the UK’s Telegraph newspaper for the second year in a row to be the world’s best coffee shop, Truth has to be experienced at least once. Quirky and fun, the coffee is truly outstanding – but there’s more than java to this Cape Town original.
www.truth.coffee