Craving Chinese cuisine? Salivating for sushi? Pining for pizza? If your budget doesn’t allow for international globetrotting – whose does during these tough times, the good news is that you don’t have to leave your home-away-from-home when in Cape Town to sample a wide array of foods from around the world.
From Italian to Indian, Thai to Tunisian, you can find pretty much any global cuisine somewhere in the city. Though you’ll probably have to head all the way to Peru if it’s something like roasted guinea pig you’re after (it’s a local delicacy). That said, Capetonians and visitors to Cape Town are spoilt for choice when it comes to food ‒ whether you’re in the mood for food trucks or fine dining.
If you’re looking to narrow down the search, according to Briony Brookes, PR & Communications Manager at Cape Town Tourism, one area has restaurants, cafes and kiosks to suit all tastes. According to Brookes, over the last decade, a thriving restaurant scene has grown in Sea Point making it a one-stop destination for foodies. In fact, you need only head to Regent Road for any food your heart desires.
Whether you have a week to explore the area or you’re just planning on visiting for the day, here is some inspiration to get you started on your journey. Top tip: you could even plan a food tour, visiting different locations for each course.
In it for Italian
Goloso restaurant, bar and pizzeria is a Sea Point institution having cemented its status as a favourite destination for locals and visitors alike over the last decade. It started out with three tables in one room and today is a restaurant and bar seating up to 60 guests in the dining room.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Pasta is hand-made fresh on site and thin crust classic and gourmet pizzas are stone-baked in their Italian pizza oven. You’ll also find a variety of starters, salads, steaks, classic Italian dishes, and homemade desserts and gelato on the menu.
If you’re looking for fussy food, this is not the place for you. What you will find here is frills-free, authentic, simple and delicious. When it comes to Italian food, what more do you need?
Where to find it: 90 Regent Road, Sea Point.
Food with a view
You won’t get much of a view from the street level of Regent Road, unless you head up! Located on the top floor of the Latitude Aparthotel, the Latitude Cafe offers breathtaking panoramic sea and mountain views. The rooftop health cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is an ideal place to spend a summer’s day in Cape Town. Start your day with a healthy breakfast, laze beside the rooftop pool and stay into the evening for sundowners.
If you’re visiting from outside of Cape Town, or if you’re a local looking to situate yourself in the area to properly explore, Latitude Aparthotel also serves as an excellent base from which to take a leisurely stroll to restaurants, shops and the famous Sea Point promenade.
Where to find it: 101 Regent Road, Sea Point.
Mad for Moroccan
Andalousse Authentic Moroccan Cuisine in Sea Point is one of two branches of the popular restaurant serving gourmet Moroccan food in Cape Town.
Dishes include Harira soup, kababs, shawarma, falafel, mezze plates, and slow cooked tajines packed with flavour and meat falling off the bone. All food is homemade using fresh ingredients. The menu also shares some of the history and meaning behind the dishes. Harira soup, for example, is a very important dish in Morocco as it serves as the breaker of the fast during Ramadan.
Where to find it: 72 Regent Road, Sea Point.
One space suits all
Mojo Market offers a variety of world foods under one roof. The seven-day-a-week food and lifestyle market claims that they have something for everyone, and they’re not just saying that. It is an all-in-one destination for food, shopping and entertainment.
Go for the food and stay for the live music, sporting events on screen and four bars (including one which boasts the widest selection of beverages on tap in the Southern Hemisphere).
When it comes to food, it might be difficult to choose just one world cuisine to satisfy your appetite. Just some of the options available include poke bowls, curries, pizza, tacos, seafood, dim sum, cabbage bowls, gourmet mac and cheese, burgers (including plant based options), vegan (and other) sorbet and ice cream, mini doughnuts and handmade popsicles. Make sure you go hungry!
Where to find it: 30 Regent Road, Sea Point.