Everything I Ate In Cape Town, As A Vegan Chef

Last month I was invited to go to Cape Town in South Africa for the Good Life Show, an event that puts the spotlight on food (especially plant-based), drinks, conscious living, and wellness brands. I was so honoured to be asked to host masterclasses and cooking demos in this city because it’s a rising foodie hotspot. I wouldn’t say that Cape Town is the first place I think of when I’m talking about plant-based or seasonal eating. Not because they don’t have brilliant produce, but their diets are very carnivorous and always have been, so it’s exciting to see that plant-based eating is quickly emerging in South Africa, and I really felt that when I was there.

I grew up in Tanzania, which is East Africa, so while it’s not quite the same, it did bring a comforting sense of returning home. I wasn’t planning on doing a food diary, but the food there was really bloody good. There are so many great restaurants – mostly of European influence – and it’s a beautiful place with many different pockets of regions that feel world’s apart from each other. I’d have liked to have seen and tried more local cuisine (though it’s a little tricky for vegans), but I managed to find some brilliant places. Read on for my top picks of where to eat in Cape Town.

Where To Eat In Cape Town, South Africa: A Plant-Based Chef’s Guide

Sea Point

KIKI

This is such a gem on Regent Road that offers delicious flavours from Athens and the Greek riviera. Once you step foot inside, it’s all blue tiles and terracotta pots which feels as authentic as the food tastes. They have the classics like taramasalata and super fresh tzatziki dip, but then also add a twist to their skewers, meat and fish dishes. It’s a small plates style restaurant, but the portion sizes in South Africa are generally quite big, so make sure you arrive hungry.

Section 52, Piccadilly Court, 85 Regent Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa

BRASH

I love this place. I love that it’s founded by two young lads who are best friends with absolutely no cooking experience, who just wanted to make brilliant burgers. And that is exactly what they’ve done – no fuss, no frills, smash burgers that taste delicious. The menu is super simple as you only have two burger options: a classic, which is very American, and the ‘Mack Daddy’ which uses the signature BRASH sauce: mayo-based, slightly sweet, slightly tangy, and slightly spicy.

90 Regent Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa

JARRYDS Brunch & Bistro

This is one of those places with a menu that is totally foolproof. It’s an all-day brunch spot with quite an extensive menu that has a few different cuisines like English, American, Greek, Italian, Aussie and Spanish, so whatever you fancy, there’s something for you.

90 Regent Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa

Maggy Lou’s

This is a very cool spot with a very cool backstory: Maggy Lou was apparently a pioneer in the late 60s in Sea Point, serving up delicious homemade food from her iconic Promenade food truck. People would line up for hours just to taste her food. And this cosy little all-day café pays tribute to her legacy. There are really wholesome café classics but the star of the show, for me, were her prego rolls. This is something the South Africans have adopted from the Portuguese and it’s basically flame-grilled chicken, beef, or mushroom, slathered in their special sauce, and put in a perfectly toasted bun. Simple but always satisfying. It’s also a buzzy cocktail spot in the evening that serves drinks like a Pickletini.

206 Main Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa, maggylous.co.za

The Nines

Speaking of cocktails, if you want to do something a little fancier while you’re there, I highly recommend this rooftop restaurant and bar (the perfect date night spot) that has incredible views of upper Sea Point. I didn’t try the food here – although the seafood looked delicious and fresh – but we enjoyed a few evening tipples. They have a brilliant extensive menu of cocktails: vintage (things like Old Fashioned and French 75’s), classics (if you want a Moscow Mule or Paloma), and masterpieces (their creative signature cocktails that were great).

9th Floor, Station House, 19 Kloof Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa, kovecollection.co.za

Mojo Market

If you’re not sure what kind of food you’re in the mood for, this is a great place to be. It’s a lively, casual indoor food market with so many options of food and drink – from local Biltong to flatbreads to barbecued meats. They also have live music every day and it becomes such a vibe with people up and dancing – and they show live sports, if that’s more your thing. Definitely worth checking out their event calendar to see what’s on for the day or night you might be visiting.

30 Regent Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town, 8060, South Africa, mojomarket.co.za

Seven Colours Eatery

This was by far the best meal I had during my trip. This popular eatery had the most phenomenal South African food that’s loved by tourists and locals (that’s how you know it’s good). Chef Nolu cooks up ridiculously good home staples like slow-cooked oxtail with bolletjies (the fluffiest little sweet buns), samp (maize corn cooked in cream), juicy wors (sausages), and hearty veggie stews. All of them take elements from different cultures, from Afrikaans to Xhosa, so it’s the best place to experience South African cuisine. All the produce and even the wines are locally produced too.

Battery Park@Waterfront, 3 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

Oranjezicht City Farm

If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for a farmers’ market. This is one of the best I have ever visited – it’s the largest in Cape Town and supports over 40 local farmers and 80 artisanal food traders. This is honestly a foodie’s dream, there’s so much food to try here – from oysters to fresh bread to cured meats to cheese to fresh pasta to gluten-free food. Make sure you bring lots of empty bags and baskets because it’s guaranteed you’ll fill them up very quickly.

Haul Road, Granger Bay Blvd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

Willoughby & Co

If you love seafood, then you have to visit this specialist spot. They’ve got seafood dishes from all over the world, like fish and chips, seafood robata skewers, seafood curries and pastas, but the highlight for me was the sushi. They had super fresh sushi rolls and sashimi options, but honestly with such a large menu that has everything seafood has to offer, if I could go again, I’d order one from each section. I just need to grow a few extra stomachs.

Shop 6132, 19 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa, willoughbyandco.co.za

Woodstock

Neighbourgoods Market

This area of Cape Town is the cool Soho area – food, fashion, creatives, artisans. This market, which is in The Old Biscuit Mill, has lots of local crafts and fashion and gourmet food stalls which offers all sorts of cuisine – you can have anything from an ostrich burger and biltong to dim sum and sweet desserts. It’s a lively spot to soak in Cape Town’s contemporary culture.

373 Albert Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa, neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za

Espresso Lab Microroasters

OK, not quite food, but if you need coffee to function then I would try this place immediately. It was voted as the best coffee shop in Africa and 11th best in the world, which is mega. They do serve food so you can enjoy tasty focaccia open sandwiches or a pastry with your coffee. What I love is that the coffees are all from fully traceable farms and estates and they take the time to build relationships with growers and exporters to ensure sustainable, fair and equal trade. Each cup is a snapshot of place and people: a Colombian hilltop, a Rwandan CWS, a Salvadoran volcano, or a Costa Rican family farm. Knowing this just makes the coffee all the more enjoyable.

375 Albert Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa

Camps Bay, Getty Images

What Else To Do In Cape Town

Before I go, some last bits that aren’t food-related, but the stuff my family and I enjoyed…

• Go to Camps Bay for the beautiful beach and posh seafood spots.
• Visit the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa to spark up creativity and inspiration.
• Take a drive down Chapman’s Peak Drive (the locals call it ‘Chappies’) which takes you to the Cape of Good Hope (for stunning nature trials) and Boulders Beach (known for being home to a colony of the sweetest African penguins).
• As you head towards Boulders Beach, stop by Kalk Bay, a charming seaside village that has quirky boutiques, art galleries, antique stores and cute cafés.
• Visit Bo-Kaap in Cape Town – it’s famous for its gorgeous brightly-coloured houses and is a great spot to take in the Cape Malay culture. There are some brilliant local spice and food shops, but aside from soaking in the culture, it’s a photographer’s dream spot. 
• My last tip is: if you see a Steers takeaway or at a petrol station, get some hot chips! Absolutely divine.