Cape Town Eats

A few of my favorite coffee shops, lunch spots and casual dining locations.
42 Places • 11 Saves • ago
Free

Coffee and Breakfast

Rosetta Roastery Cafe (Bree Street)
@driaan
Hands down the most important coffee experience in Cape Town
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Pauline's
@driaan
Stand-up, scandi-inspired coffee bar with excellent cardamom buns,
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Ollies Specialty Coffee
@driaan
One of the best and friendliest baristas in town.
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Saint James Cafe
@driaan
Local favorite corner cafe in Observatory.
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Origin Coffee Roasting
@driaan
Up there with Rosetta with most important coffee experiences in Cape Town
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Giovanni's
@driaan
Classic Italian deli with amazing pastries - grab a bite and take it to the prom for a picnic!
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Egghead Diner
@driaan
70's-cool, top-shelf breakfast and lunch spot - runny eggs and all kinds of buttery, meaty goodness,
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The Ladder
@driaan
Bright and airy Bree street cafe - great place to get some work done.
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Olympia Cafe
@driaan
a Kalk Bay institution.
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Ou Meul Oranjezicht
@driaan
Ou Meul is a franchise that has bought out most farm stalls in the Western Cape - this one is good. Go across the road and stroll through the Oranjezicht Community Farm.
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The Power & The Glory
@driaan
Another institution on Kloof Street. By day where the trendiest Capetonians go to read in public, by night, a bar spilling out onto the street.
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Brunch 'n Lunch

Arthur's Mini Super
@driaan
Most important cafe in Sea Point. Everything here is amazing. Run by the friendly, hilarious Willy Balls.
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The Blue Cafe
@driaan
Kind of a Tamboerskloof neighborhood secret - sidewalk cafe that specialises in locally made goodies (like, seriously local).
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HeSheng Chinese Restaurant
@driaan
Sea Point's favorite Chinese Restaurant.
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BLONDIE
@driaan
This place has the vibe of one of those one of those Spanish beaches where you have to book a recliner - relaxed, funky vibes and an amazing menu of Mediterranean type plates, most of which feature things charred in a pizza oven. At night this place is bursting at the seams with backpackers and trendy youths in very short shorts. Be warned.
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Yen’s Vietnamese Street Food
@driaan
Amazing pho and noodles mom and pop shop!
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Johnny Shawarma
@driaan
South Africans have different definitions of what a shawarma is - this is the one I prefer,
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Hartlief Deli Gardens
@driaan
Amazing Namibian-German deli. Currywurst, sauerkraut, all kind of meaty goodness.
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New York Bagels
@driaan
This place has been around longer than I have been alive - undisputedly the best bagel in CT and arguably the best cheesecake - great coffee as well.
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Kalky’s
@driaan
Classic Capetonian fish and chips experience in Kalk Bay.
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EL Burro Taqueria Kloof Nek
@driaan
I have never been to Mexico - but if you are into that thing this is probably the closest you will get in CT.
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Turkish Döner
@driaan
This place popped up last year and it is better than the doner I had in Turkey. There are real Turks cooking here and sitting on the sidewalk with a doner watching Bo-Kaap do it's thing is a winner of a lunchtime activity.
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Dinner

Tomson
@driaan
South Cantonese street food - a bit pricey but a great night out.
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Details
Pizza Shed
@driaan
My favorite pizza in CT - Neapolitan style, with Bree Street cool all over.
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Details
The Poké Co. - Kloof Street
@driaan
Poke bowls are another thing that South Africans have a liberal definition of - these are good.
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Details
Obi Restaurant
@driaan
A great Japanese dinner spot run by the beloved Hatsushiro Muraoka, or "Papa San"
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Details
Tjing Tjing House
@driaan
Modern Japanese vibes, with lunch, dinner, and bar options on multiple floors.
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Details
ëlgr Restaurant
@driaan
Nordic-African goodness.
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Details
The Cousins Trattoria
@driaan
A low-key but authentic Italian pasta place. Only complaint is it's proximity to the Home Affairs building.
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Details
Downtown Ramen Asian Restaurant
@driaan
For a long time this was the only place you could easily get good ramen in CT.
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Details
Bodega Ramen
@driaan
The new hotness when it comes to satisfying a ramen craving...booking ahead is required.
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Details
Dias Tavern Portuguese Restaurant
@driaan
South Africa has it's own version of Portugese food, probably influenced from it's proximity to Mozambique. Dias is a classic place to experience that in the city.
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Details
Between Us
@driaan
I'm not sure I'm cool enough to write a review of this place - but I don't feel unwelcome here, and the food is great.
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Details
Curry Club
@driaan
Proper curry - and they do delivery!
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Details

Treatz

The Creamery Café Mouille Point
@driaan
This place is really special - amazing ice cream with seasonal flavors. Grab a cone and go for a walk on the prom, or grab the corner seat and stay up late talking nonsense with a friend.
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Details
Mochi Mochi
@driaan
If you have never tried mochi and aren't going to Japan soon then try it!
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Details
Unframed Ice Cream
@driaan
I really like ice cream - this place has good vegan options and great normal options and has won international awards!
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Details
Moro Gelato Sea Point
@driaan
Moro has the creamiest ice cream IMO, with decadent flavors - ugh now I want ice cream.
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Details
ditto Ice Cream & Waffle House
@driaan
Oat milk ice cream - tastes great, even if you drink milk!
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Details
Royal Tea V&A Waterfront
@driaan
If you don't enjoy bubble tea - repent. This is the best place to get the good stuff in CT.
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Details
CAFE CHIFFON
@driaan
East Asian style desserts - fluffy and light cheesecakes and colorful drinks.
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Details
Honest Chocolate Cafe
@driaan
Absolutely amazing small-scale chocolatier that has a courtyard cafe in the heart of the city.
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Details

* * *
CURATED BY
📌 Cape Town 📼 Creator for Bright Trip 🍜Food ⛰️Nature ✨Culture
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Cape Town Eats

A few of my favorite coffee shops, lunch spots and casual dining locations.
42 Places • 11 Saves • ago
Free

Coffee and Breakfast

Rosetta Roastery Cafe (Bree Street)
@driaan
Hands down the most important coffee experience in Cape Town
Add to
Details
Pauline's
@driaan
Stand-up, scandi-inspired coffee bar with excellent cardamom buns,
Add to
Details
Ollies Specialty Coffee
@driaan
One of the best and friendliest baristas in town.
Add to
Details
Saint James Cafe
@driaan
Local favorite corner cafe in Observatory.
Add to
Details
Origin Coffee Roasting
@driaan
Up there with Rosetta with most important coffee experiences in Cape Town
Add to
Details
Giovanni's
@driaan
Classic Italian deli with amazing pastries - grab a bite and take it to the prom for a picnic!
Add to
Details
Egghead Diner
@driaan
70's-cool, top-shelf breakfast and lunch spot - runny eggs and all kinds of buttery, meaty goodness,
Add to
Details
The Ladder
@driaan
Bright and airy Bree street cafe - great place to get some work done.
Add to
Details
Olympia Cafe
@driaan
a Kalk Bay institution.
Add to
Details
Ou Meul Oranjezicht
@driaan
Ou Meul is a franchise that has bought out most farm stalls in the Western Cape - this one is good. Go across the road and stroll through the Oranjezicht Community Farm.
Add to
Details
The Power & The Glory
@driaan
Another institution on Kloof Street. By day where the trendiest Capetonians go to read in public, by night, a bar spilling out onto the street.
Add to
Details

Brunch 'n Lunch

Arthur's Mini Super
@driaan
Most important cafe in Sea Point. Everything here is amazing. Run by the friendly, hilarious Willy Balls.
Add to
Details
The Blue Cafe
@driaan
Kind of a Tamboerskloof neighborhood secret - sidewalk cafe that specialises in locally made goodies (like, seriously local).
Add to
Details
HeSheng Chinese Restaurant
@driaan
Sea Point's favorite Chinese Restaurant.
Add to
Details
BLONDIE
@driaan
This place has the vibe of one of those one of those Spanish beaches where you have to book a recliner - relaxed, funky vibes and an amazing menu of Mediterranean type plates, most of which feature things charred in a pizza oven. At night this place is bursting at the seams with backpackers and trendy youths in very short shorts. Be warned.
Add to
Details

Yen’s Vietnamese Street Food
@driaan
Amazing pho and noodles mom and pop shop!
Add to
Details
Johnny Shawarma
@driaan
South Africans have different definitions of what a shawarma is - this is the one I prefer,
Add to
Details
Hartlief Deli Gardens
@driaan
Amazing Namibian-German deli. Currywurst, sauerkraut, all kind of meaty goodness.
Add to
Details
New York Bagels
@driaan
This place has been around longer than I have been alive - undisputedly the best bagel in CT and arguably the best cheesecake - great coffee as well.
Add to
Details
Kalky’s
@driaan
Classic Capetonian fish and chips experience in Kalk Bay.
Add to
Details
EL Burro Taqueria Kloof Nek
@driaan
I have never been to Mexico - but if you are into that thing this is probably the closest you will get in CT.
Add to
Details
Turkish Döner
@driaan
This place popped up last year and it is better than the doner I had in Turkey. There are real Turks cooking here and sitting on the sidewalk with a doner watching Bo-Kaap do it's thing is a winner of a lunchtime activity.
Add to
Details

Dinner

Tomson
@driaan
South Cantonese street food - a bit pricey but a great night out.
Add to
Details
Pizza Shed
@driaan
My favorite pizza in CT - Neapolitan style, with Bree Street cool all over.
Add to
Details
The Poké Co. - Kloof Street
@driaan
Poke bowls are another thing that South Africans have a liberal definition of - these are good.
Add to
Details
Obi Restaurant
@driaan
A great Japanese dinner spot run by the beloved Hatsushiro Muraoka, or "Papa San"
Add to
Details
Tjing Tjing House
@driaan
Modern Japanese vibes, with lunch, dinner, and bar options on multiple floors.
Add to
Details
ëlgr Restaurant
@driaan
Nordic-African goodness.
Add to
Details
The Cousins Trattoria
@driaan
A low-key but authentic Italian pasta place. Only complaint is it's proximity to the Home Affairs building.
Add to
Details
Downtown Ramen Asian Restaurant
@driaan
For a long time this was the only place you could easily get good ramen in CT.
Add to
Details
Bodega Ramen
@driaan
The new hotness when it comes to satisfying a ramen craving...booking ahead is required.
Add to
Details
Dias Tavern Portuguese Restaurant
@driaan
South Africa has it's own version of Portugese food, probably influenced from it's proximity to Mozambique. Dias is a classic place to experience that in the city.
Add to
Details
Between Us
@driaan
I'm not sure I'm cool enough to write a review of this place - but I don't feel unwelcome here, and the food is great.
Add to
Details
Curry Club
@driaan
Proper curry - and they do delivery!
Add to
Details

Treatz

The Creamery Café Mouille Point
@driaan
This place is really special - amazing ice cream with seasonal flavors. Grab a cone and go for a walk on the prom, or grab the corner seat and stay up late talking nonsense with a friend.
Add to
Details
Mochi Mochi
@driaan
If you have never tried mochi and aren't going to Japan soon then try it!
Add to
Details
Unframed Ice Cream
@driaan
I really like ice cream - this place has good vegan options and great normal options and has won international awards!
Add to
Details
Moro Gelato Sea Point
@driaan
Moro has the creamiest ice cream IMO, with decadent flavors - ugh now I want ice cream.
Add to
Details
ditto Ice Cream & Waffle House
@driaan
Oat milk ice cream - tastes great, even if you drink milk!
Add to
Details
Royal Tea V&A Waterfront
@driaan
If you don't enjoy bubble tea - repent. This is the best place to get the good stuff in CT.
Add to
Details
CAFE CHIFFON
@driaan
East Asian style desserts - fluffy and light cheesecakes and colorful drinks.
Add to
Details
Honest Chocolate Cafe
@driaan
Absolutely amazing small-scale chocolatier that has a courtyard cafe in the heart of the city.
Add to
Details

* * *
CURATED BY
📌 Cape Town 📼 Creator for Bright Trip 🍜Food ⛰️Nature ✨Culture
Send A Tip
Support Driaan Louw’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Driaan Louw Privacy Terms