Over-the-top dining, theatrics, and journeys “around the world” are just some of the many treats that await you when you visit a fine dining restaurant in Cape Town.
From aesthetics and curated menus to world-class wine and beverage pairings, these restaurants are redefining the fine dining scene in the Mother City.
Here are some to add to your bucket list:
Fyn Restaurant
Voted one of The World’s 100 Best Restaurants, Fyn is changing the game when it comes to fine dining and flavours. Culinary greats Peter Tempelhoff, Ashley Moss, and Jennifer Hugé are at the forefront of this award-winning eatery, blending Japanese precision with South African flavours in an urban, industrial-chic setting. The menu is carefully curated, with pescatarian and plant-based options available, all plated with flair.
As the folks at Fyn would say: “Check your assumptions with your coats and join us on a journey of flavour discovery.”
Location: 37 Parliament St, Cape Town City Centre
Price: From R1375 per menu
Contact: Visit fynrestaurant.com/
Homespun by Matt
Homespun by Matt in Blouberg is unassuming at first, located among some of the area’s top foodie spots. Once you step inside, you enter a whole new world, adorned with antique gems and upcycled items. Everything has a story, from the hotel doors turned dining tables to old mirrors used as lights. The menu is an adaptation of European cooking methods, influenced by Asian, local, and, as owner Matt Schreuder describes it, “worldly flavours.” Opt for their tasting menu, which can be adapted for vegetarian and pescatarian eaters, or their three-course menu, both with the opportunity to pair with the finest wines.
Location: Porterfield Rd, Table View
Price: 3-course menu: R525 and with wine pairing: R440, Tasting Menu – R695, and with wine pairing: from R420
Contact: Visit www.homespunbymatt.co.za
Salon
Salon, a multi-course dining journey by Luke Dale Roberts, draws inspiration from his global travels and culinary adventures. The Journey menu offers a curated selection of dishes that start in South Africa and traverse through Mexico, Japan, France, Korea, and the Philippines. Each dish enhances the theatrical experience, which can be paired with cocktails, wine, or tea at an additional cost. The menus are adapted for pescatarian and vegetarian preferences, though vegan, alcohol-free, and allium-free options are unavailable.
Location: Ist Floor, silo building, The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Rd, Woodstock
Price: From R795
Contact: salonct.co.za/
La Colombe
La Colombe is no stranger to the fine dining scene in Cape Town, having won a slew of awards, including World’s 50 Best (49th) and Best Restaurant in Africa for 2024 and Eat Out Best Restaurant in South Africa in 2023. The menu is carefully curated for all tastebuds, with a reduced menu on offer for those who are not big eaters. This Contemporary French-meets-Asian fine dining experience also offers a reduced vegetarian and Chefs Menu. Your experience can be paired with some of the region’s award-winning wines.
Location: Silvermist Wine Estate, Main Road, Constantia Nek
Price: From R 1095 pp, depending on your choice of menu.
Contact: lacolombe.restaurant/food
The Happy Uncles
Known as South Africa’s first halal fine dining experience, The Happy Uncles showcases 4, 6, and 8-course menus, merging South African cuisine. The restaurant, located at The Spice Yard in Salt River, offers a laid-back interior. Elevated menu items such as amagwinya, West Coast crayfish, and malva pudding are worth a try. As the menu changes seasonally, repeat visitors are treated to even more tantalising options.
Location: 100 Voortrekker Rd, Salt River
Price: From R720 pp
Contact: Visit www.thehappyuncles.com/
Heirloom, The Cape Grace
For views of Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront, Heirloom at The Cape Grace luxury hotel is worth a visit. Beyond the indulgent views, the restaurant introduces a fresh culinary vision to the city’s celebrated food scene. Led by the esteemed Chef Gregory Czarnecki, the menus are inspired by the abundant landscapes of the Western Cape and crafted to sustainably source the freshest seasonal ingredients from local farmers and suppliers. Guests can choose from three menus: the Heirloom Tasting & Degustation Menu, the Plant-Based Menu, and the Pescatarian Menu. There is also an À la carte menu with 2 and 3-course options.
Location: W Quay Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Price: From R1700pp
Contact: Visit www.capegrace.com/restaurant/heirloom-restaurant/
The Red Room, Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel
You will be wowed the moment you walk down the moody red-panelled staircase into The Red Room at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel. The newest restaurant from Liam Tomlin and chef/partner David Schneider is a sophisticated retro celebration of Pan-Asian cuisines. Expect plenty of red, gold, and black, warm lighting, smoky glass wall panels, rich contemporary fabrics, artworks, and much more.
Gluten-free and halal options are available (the restaurant does serve pork and alcohol but can accommodate guests with their vegetarian or pescatarian menus).
Location: 76 Orange St, Gardens
Price: From R850pp
Contact: Visit www.chefswarehouse.co.za/the-red-room
