Cape Town is one of the best places in the world to be in love. With ocean, mountain, forest, and beach surrounding the city on all sides, there’s a majestic view around every corner. Cape Town is also where you’ll find some of the best restaurants in the world, with beautiful settings. Here are our favourite restaurants for date night, where the romance flows like a good wine.
Cassia Restaurant, Durbanville
Cassia is situated on the Nitida Wine Estate. The restaurant is light and airy with large windows. Choose a table near the windows for uninterrupted views of the farm dam and vines. The portions are generous and the food is fresh and seasonal—their famous pork belly with litchi-infused passion fruit glaze is bold and hearty, while the linefish and Jamaican flatbread is a unique and flavourful choice.
Website: cassiarestaurant.co.za
Chef’s Warehouse, Constantia
Chef’s Warehouse is set on the modern boutique estate of Beau Constantia. The seating is in a giant “glass box”, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking False Bay from its elevated position. Choose some tapas-style dishes to share with your date, enjoy the gourmet flavours of the carefully crafted menu.
Website: beauconstantia.com
Bardelli’s, Kenilworth
This intimate restaurant found in Kenilworth has long been a staple for Cape Town locals. The venue was originally an old house – built in the 18th century – and there are passageways leading into separate, cosy rooms. The outdoor courtyard is dimly candle-lit. The venue has an authentic, old Italian feel, and the menu has great pizza and pasta, as well as some heartier dishes like oxtail and steak.
Website: facebook.com
Greenhouse, Constantia
If you want your date to be a sensory journey through award-winning fine dining, head to the Greenhouse at Cellars Hohenhort. All dishes are inspired by local produce and reflect the multi-cultural flavours of South Africa. The kitchen’s unique creations change seasonally and rely on the availability of only the freshest produce, very often from the Greenhouse garden. Service is excellent, and the elegant ambience stes a great mood for the evening.
Website: greenhouserestaurant.co.za
La Colombe & The Green Vine Eatery, Constantia Nek
The Silvermist Wine Estate is home to two great restaurants. La Colombe is a world-renowned fine dining restaurant. The views are fantastic and the food is brought to life with magical theatrical touches. The Green Vine Eatery is much more affordable, with a light and airy ambience.
Website: silvermistestate.co.za
The Potluck Club, Woodstock
The Potluck Club is a tapas-style restaurant started by Luke Dale-Roberts, of La Colombe fame. Their Sunday brunch is a fine-dining set menu that kicks off at 11 am. Tapas platters are served with many delectable treats, and the restaurant looks out over Woodstock.
Website: thepotluckclub.co.za
Azure Restaurant, Camp’s Bay
With a veranda set on the slopes of Table Mountain National Park, the rumbling Atlantic in a thousand shades of blue sweeping the horizon for miles around, and sunsets to stir the soul, the fine dining at Azure Restaurant at The Twelve Apostles Hotel is sure to blow you away. We recommend the exquisite roast duck or the biltong and peppadew tart served with cucumber ribbon salad. The floor-to-ceiling windows and deck mean you won’t miss a second of the sunset. The restaurant is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as high tea.
Website: 12apostleshotel.com
La Mouette, Sea Point
La Mouette is the place to go for impeccable fine dining at a fraction of the cost. Their three- and six-course tasting menus are the way to go, with or without wine pairing. There is a leafy courtyard for outdoor dining, and they have tables by the fireplace for winter.
Website: lamouette-restaurant.co.za
Myoga, Newlands
Over two centuries old, the gorgeous 200-year-old Vineyard Hotel is situated in six acres of lush Newlands forest. There are 2 restaurants on the property, including the award-winning Myoga. Before dinner, you can wander through the award-winning gardens to set the mood.
Website: myoga.co.za
Aubergine, Gardens
Aubergine is set in an old building that’s said to date back to the 1980s. It is an award-winning fine dining spot that is known for the lightness and balance of its cuisine and the inventiveness of its flavours. The atmosphere is intimate and quiet—perfect for whispering sweet nothings.
Website: aubergine.co.za
Bistro 1682, Steenburg
Bistro 1682 has an idyllic location on the Steenberg Estate. The dinner menu consists of tapas-style cuisine with a fine-dining flair. The wines made right on the estate are fantastic, and there are few better ways to spend an evening than by washing down fresh oysters with a glass of Steenberg MCC.
Website: steenbergfarm.com
Pigalle, Greenpoint
Pigalle is one of the best seafood restaurants in Cape Town, and although it suits most tastes and budgets, it has a fine-dining flair. There is live music every night, making it a great dinner spot. The menu features classic dishes with a subtle Portuguese flair. Try the rich and delicious scallop starter. This is also where you’ll find langoustines and lobster cooked to perfection. The wine list is extensive, with everything from Dom Pérignon to popular local wines on offer.
Website: pigallerestaurants.co.za
Asoka, City Bowl
Asoka has live jazz sessions every Tuesday night. It’s a trendy lounge, bar and restaurant is a favourite among the city’s ‘in’ crowd, especially on a warm summer’s evening. Add to that some warm lighting and cocktails and you have a memorable evening out.
Website: asoka.za.com
