LOCAL FAVOURITES
Find out where the locals like to eat and enjoy some of Cape Town's favourite eateries
About Local Favourites
Often it can be difficult for travellers to get an authentic local experience at restaurants while abroad. We want to fix that by taking our guests to where the locals like to eat. Every restaurant is a staple in their community, serving local and internationally themed cuisine or community favorites.
Each of these restaurants are well known among South Africans but may not be on a travellers radar. We hope to show a different side of South African dining that very few visitors get to see.
How It Works
- Choose what kind of food you are interested in trying
- We will match you with a suitable restaurant and make a booking for you.
- You can organise your own transport or we can arrange a transfer for you.
- Remember that you are there for the experience and to engage with locals.
- Some of these restaurants may cater to a different economic bracket than you are used to.
- If you are unsure about what to order, we can offer suggestions for you.
- We can have a menu sent to you prior to your arrival to give you time to choose what you would like.
FEATURED LOCAL FAVOURITES EATERIES
Kalky's
Fish & Chips
Kalky's is one of Cape Towns most popular local eateries. Serving classic fish and chips as well as other local seafood favorites, this is a restaurant frequented by rich and poor alike. The portions are large and the atmosphere is lively and unpretentious. Enjoy a meal while watching the local fishermen bring their catches into the colourful Kalk Bay harbour.
Fish On The Rocks
Fish & Chips
Perched on the rocks at the end of Harbour Road in Hout Bay, Fish on the Rocks is flanked by the vibrant fishing harbour, wharf and old Naval Heritage site. Here, visitors and locals alike enjoy looking across the beautiful bay to the famed Chapman’s Peak Drive, while tucking into some of Cape Town’s tastiest fish and chips.
The Salty Sea Dog
Fish & Chips
Famous for its quality fish and chips, Salties is a Simon's Town institution and conveniently located on the water's edge at the Simon's Town jetty and harbour. When the weather is nice sit outside and soak up the mountain and ocean views and hustle and bustle of this little harbour.
The Indian Chapter Restaurant
Indian Cuisine
It truly is a traditional neighbourhood Indian restaurant; unpretentious, welcoming and warm with a menu that looks to North India for its dishes with a sprinkling of Southern India too. There is also a good selection of exotic Indian desserts.
The Peacock
Indian Cuisine
This is an Indian restaurant and tapas spot situated in Observatory, Cape Town. The Peacock offers Indian inspired cuisine in tapas sized portions making it possible to taste plenty of the dishes on their menu even when visiting in small groups, something most Indian cuisine restaurants do not offer.
Favor8
Indian Cuisine
Situated at the Mandela Rhodes Place Hotel, Favor8 adds its contemporary touch and feel to the hotel. The menu consists of dishes inspired by places from around the world. Choose from dishes like bunny chows from Durban or pastas from Italy.
Olympia Café and Deli
Breakfasts / Brunch
Charly's Bakery
Bakery
Cape Town's favourite, fun, colourful bakery. The fabulous female team here make a huge selection of baked goodies every day and these are always of the highest quality. Located in the city center Charly's stands out as their heritage building is as colourfully decorated as their baked goods.
Jason Bakery
Bakery
Jason's Bakery is a must-visit spot on the culinary street of Bree. Owner Jason Lilley is deeply passionate about baking and is open for breakfast and lunch, offering a wide variety of savoury and sweet farinaceous treats. No matter what’s calling your name Jason is sure to have the baked good to hit the spot.
Rare Grill
Grill & Bar
A small, hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Kenilworth, Rare Grill offers some of the most incredible steaks in the Western Cape. The candlelit dining room gives the whole experience a very romantic mood. Booking is essential as they are popular and therefore regularly full.
Massimo's
Italian Cuisine
This is a landmark for seriously good Italian cuisine in the suburbs. Top-quality imported ingredients, sublime homemade delicacies and Piedmontese passion in Massimo’s kitchen are a winning formula. Pasta and thirty kinds of wood-fired pizza made from stone-ground flour are the favourites of this Hout Bay eatery.
Royale Eatery
Grill
Royale Eatery was one of the pioneers of the gourmet burger trend and continues to deliver top-notch burgers in the heart of trendy Long Street. Alongside the ‘Royale Classics’, mostly variations on a cheeseburger theme, the menu offers a range of creative options. It is a long-time favourite.
Spinach King
Health Food
The aim of the restaurant is to promote the consumption of spinach by producing innovative spinach products. Spinach contains all six major groups of nutrients and it is one of the most affordable vegetables in the world. Their dishes are innovative and delicious, and you will never look at spinach the same way again.
Rick's Cafe
Tapas
Rick's Café Américain on Park Road, off Kloof Street, is a Casablanca-themed Cape Town restaurant renowned for its impressive selection of drinks and honest, North African inspired cuisine. On a sunny day sit out on the roof deck and take in the beautiful mountain views. Cold days are cosy, inside this charming old cottage.
Posticino
Italian Cuisine
This classic Italian restaurant in the heart of Seapoint's Main Road offers authentic, no-frills Italian cuisine. A variety of pasta sauces are served with your choice of pasta. The signature dish is the Italian meatballs – four plump, tender beef meatballs smothered in a rich tomato sauce. It’s an incredibly comforting dish. If available, try the vongole sauce, made from clams and traditionally served with spaghetti.