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Before you set your sights on some of Cape Towns restaurants, it pays to know just how lavishly you can splash out. In this city, even the fanciest eateries are within your wallets reach. Dining out is a national pastime – with many South Africans finding it cheaper to pop out to eat – in the mid-price/cheap eats end of the scale, rather than cook at home. Sound good? You bet. Portions are plentiful, but weve got a tip for you about that. Ingredients are high quality and, though youll want to track down some South African favourites, the sushi in this city is fresh and innovative. Were tempted to say youll not eat a bad meal in Cape Town. But our round up of the best restaurants stacks the odds even further in your favour. Oh, and if you see a Don Pedro on a menu, order it for dessert. A very grown up, but usually small shake that comes loaded with a hearty shot of liqueur or whiskey. It definitely adds that certain something to a meal in Cape Town. 

Test Kitchen

Adding yet more fuel to Test Kitchens fire – were going to recommend trying to get a reservation here. And when we say theyre like gold dust, it would possibly be easier to find gold on Cape Towns streets than get a Test Kitchen table. Reservations open four times a year and youve got to act fast to bag one. That disclaimer done, whats the fuss about? Well, UK chef, Luke Dale-Roberts, has got his restaurant listed in the worlds top 50 with a menu stuffed full of South African ingredients. The tasting menu puts that local fare to good use in international dishes that sound familiar – pork scratchings anyone? – but the flavours reach new heights of nom. Allow four hours for a meal here and a surprisingly affordable (for a treat) £100 per person.

Cape Town Test Kitchen
Instagram @thetestkitchenct

Orbzii TipDale-Roberts has two alternatives to Test Kitchen in Cape Town. Book into the Pot Luck Club or the Short Market Club for equally refined eats. 

Cape Town Codfather
Instagram @codfather_campsbay

Codfather

If you love a long and leisurely peruse of a menu – youre in for a shock at the Codfather. You choose your fish cuts from a fishmonger style display of freshly caught fillets, steaks, shellfish and just about any other seafood you can imagine. Once youve chosen, your haul is weighed, priced and sent to the grill for cooking. While you wait, you can choose from an ever-restocked sushi train. Or, just stick to the sushi, the Codfather wont mind. Busy, sometimes chaotic and confusing if youre not expecting the quirky way to order. But, youll not get fresher fish, the sushi train is enough to bring you here without ever slinging a langoustine on the grill and the upscale Camps Bay is a nice change from Cape Towns city vibe.

Orbzii Tip: Fancy some fish without having to queue or shout above the buzzy atmosphere? Eat at slightly unconventional times to avoid the rush. 

FYN

FYNs the sort of place where a course may well arrive on a slab of seasoned oak. Overcome that and youll not look back. For an eye-wateringly low £35 you can sample the sort of food thatll usually cost 3-4 times that in similar class establishments elsewhere. 10 courses will steadily arrive, bringing with them a raft of South African ingredients. The ancient African grain and homely milk tart sound pedestrian – but they nicely balance the oryx, ostrich egg custard and spekboom menu items. A feast for your eyes, the Michelin-style presentation hints at this restaurantaspirations a little. Michelin inspectors dont evaluate Cape Towns eateries. If they did? FYN looks like a contender.

Cape Town FYN
Instagram @fynrestaurant

Orbzii Tip: Cape Town wine tours are the place to sample some vintages – but at a place like FYN, its hard to resist the wine pairing option.  

Cape Town Gold Restaurant
Instagram @goldrestaurantcapetown

Gold Restaurant

Cape Towns restaurant selection is about as eclectic as they come. Global eats arent in short supply. But you do need to try some local dishes while youre here – or run the risk of foodie FOMO. Gold Restaurant is Cape Towns place for a very African feast. Yes, youll spot some South African recipes – but the 14 course tasting menu brings together cuisine from Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana – and, well, the list goes on. The added music, drumming, puppets, dancing and decor never leave you in any doubt that youre anywhere other than Africa. It could stray into tacky territory – but the refined dining and genuine African traditions keep things firmly in line, if a smidge on the touristy side. Expect to pay R500 per person (£24) – plus an extra £5 to have a go at the drumming.

Orbzii Tip: The menu is a tad meaty. If youre veggie, vegan or just averse to trying some of the more experimental cuts – every dish has a vegetarian or vegan alternative.  

Sevruga

In the market for a plush lunch of cocktails and sushi? Perhaps with a sea view? Of course you are. Waterfront restaurants in Cape Town arent hard to find. But its worth taking the time to reserve a spot at Sevruga. Outdoor tables get the full harbour view treatment – served with a nice side of people watching. Indoors, decor and ambience get a little more refined – but lose the views.  

Theres much to tempt you away from the sushi. Think tender racks of lamb and a beef fillet dish with a tantalising truffle sauce. Youre here for the seafood though. Cape Town – and South Africa – have some stellar sushi restaurants. But Sevruga is hard to beat for flavour, location and their blissful cocktail menu. Fear not plant based eaters, Sevrugas got a vegan sushi option for you too.

Cape Town Sevruga
Instagram @sevruga_restaurant

Orbzii Tip: Weve pegged Sevruga as plush. And, make no mistake, it is. But you can eat handsomely everywhere in Cape Town – for very little. The pound to rand conversion rate puts Sevrugas signature 16 piece sushi plate at a modest £14. More than enough for a lunch – with budget to spare for a cocktail. 

Cape Town Lekker
Instagram @lekkervegan

Lekker Vegan

Braais (barbecues), biltong and a love for all things meat-based once made Cape Town a difficult spot to be vegetarian, never mind vegan. But there are some all-vegan dining spots in Cape Town worth a look. Lekker Vegan is the place to go for vegan junk food. Huge burgers, vegan mayos, sauces and the ever-popular South African comfort food gem – a chip roll. UK vegans will spot a familiar brand. Frys fake meats hail from South Africa and Lekker puts them to great use. Theyve also added the Beyond Burger to their offering, which is a welcome sight on any burger list.  Adventurous types might be curious about the Cannabis ice cream and dope mineral water. Dont worry, CBD infusions keep things strictly legal. Burgers are around £4.50, with a chip roll coming in at £2. Cheap vegan eats done well.

Orbzii Tips: Everywhere from cheap eats to swish restaurants portions can be huge. So youll often see locals leaving with bags and boxes of leftovers. Theres no stigma attached to asking for a doggy bag in South Africa. For something a little more refined, ask for your leftovers to be boxed instead. 

Ravenous and ready to get to Cape Towns restaurants? Download the Orbzii app to get your feet under the citys top tables.