Best Hotels for Foodies in Cape Town
Bordering the Atlantic Ocean on one side and world-class wine country on the other, there’s no surprise Cape Town is the premier destination in South Africa for all things gastronomic.
South Africa aces casual bites from meats charred to perfection on the braai (barbecue) to curry-filled ‘bunny chow’ bread bowls. Yet in cosmopolitan Cape Town, the fare really kicks up a few notches. From Michelin-quality restaurants turning out artful plates to swish cocktail bars and beachside eateries dishing up freshly caught seafood, fabulous – and diverse – cuisine comes as standard in this South African city. Much of the finest food here happens to be served in the hotels, so whether you’re into swish cocktail bars, fine-dining haunts or laid-back breakfasts, you’ll find culinary euphoria at the best Cape Town hotels for foodies.
1. The Table Bay Hotel
Hotel
The reason most people book into the Table Bay? The views: stretching out across blue Atlantic waters, framing the postcard-perfect silhouette of landmark, Table Mountain. But while the vistas – and the location, right on the buzzy V&A Waterfront – are prime, it’s not the only draw. Camissa Brasserie dishes up elegant plates with local flair, such as springbok antelope dusted in biltong. The sense of place extends to the dessert list, too; think boozy Amarula milk tart with rooibos tea jelly.
2. Ellerman House
Boutique Hotel, Spa Hotel
Upmarket Clifton, with swish bars and seafood restaurants, is a well-known haven for foodies. And a stay at Ellerman House kicks it up another notch. Wine is a big factor – 7,500 bottles are at your disposal, many from the finest South African wineries – with a sommelier who leads daily afternoon tastings. The restaurant is a winner too; not just for its Atlantic views but also for its fine-dining plates showcasing the unique produce of the country. Fancy a snack? Stock up on free, freshly baked cakes in the guest pantry.
4. Hotel Verde
Airport Hotel, Hotel
An airport hotel isn’t where you’d normally expect to find a foodie experience, but hear us out. Verde’s Nuovo Restaurant turns out genuinely solid eats, from pan-seared hake with green herb crust to juniper and cacao nib-rubbed local game. It doesn’t have to be gourmet bites, though – after a busy day exploring the Cape Town sights, or ahead of catching an early morning flight, you can enjoy a simple chicken burger or margherita pizza.
5. The 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa
Boutique Hotel
Sundowners in the Leopard Bar; gourmet picnics in the fynbos shrubland; a dedicated sushi bar dishing up tuna tataki and prawn tempura rolls – there’s something for every kind of foodie at the 12 Apostles. Even breakfast is given loving attention, with chilled glasses of Cap Classique sparkling wine, washed down with flaky viennoiserie and freshly shucked oysters. As for the rooms, they hold appeal in their own right, with cappuccino colours opening up to terraces with national parks and sea views.
6. Cape Grace Hotel
Hotel
7. Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel
Hotel, Cottages
The high tea is legendary: a parade of intricately wrought sweet bites and savoury nibbles served in an airy conservatory space, from which tables spill out onto manicured lawns. But the edible delights at Mount Nelson, one of the oldest and grandest hotels in Cape Town, don’t stop there. Breakfast, enjoyed under the warm sunshine in gardens studded with blooms, is an affair worthy of an entire morning. Come evening, frothy glasses of champagne flow freely in Mount Nelson’s Planet Bar.
8. Steenberg Hotel
Boutique Hotel
9. One&Only Cape Town
Boutique Hotel
Everything at One & Only is geared up for indulgence: from a decadent spa – set on a dedicated island – to serene pools and classy rooms, the latter fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water. That goes for the dining, too. Aside from hosting the only outpost in Africa of swish sushi brand, Nobu, it has an epic ‘wine studio’ – one of the best-stocked cellars on the continent – and a lobby lounge that’s host to flaky pastries by day and craft cocktails come sundown.
10. The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel
Boutique Hotel
Set in a grand Cape Dutch-style manor, with a roaring fireplace, petite pool and bedrooms with airy terraces, Cellars-Hohenort strikes a balance between elegant and homely. The same goes for the restaurant; an intimate, glass-walled conservatory overlooking camphor trees that turns out casual springbok from the braai. At the Greenhouse – one of the most celebrated restaurants in the country – multi-course tasting menus rule the roost while the Martini Bar serves eye-catching creations, such as a white chocolate and chilli martini.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
- Post ID: 1353286
- Sponsored? No
- View Payload