20 popular restaurants at the V&A Waterfront | Cape Town ETC (2024)

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Published by Jules Keohane on April 7, 2023

The V&A Waterfront is home to some of Cape Town’s best restaurants. The shopping hub and port bustle with life, culture and amazing food. It’s near impossible to visit the iconic destination without sitting down for a hearty meal.

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With food choices to suit every preference, mood and weather change, you will never be dissatisfied eating at the .

Here are 20 Waterfront restaurants that are worth a visit

1. TANG

TANG is a luxurious take on the Japanese izakaya style of dining and classic Cantonese-style cooking, transporting diners on a culinary journey in a lavish Asian tropical setting.

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A lightness of being overflows from the exquisite oceanside location as the iconic Table Mountain plays the perfect backdrop. A light, uplifting interior enhances your dining experience while the harbour’s hypnotic energy embraces it. In one of the world’s most famous and visited cities, TANG at the V&A Waterfront offers the perfect escape for the senses by the sea.

Escape the regular and experience the unprecedented with TANG’s signature dishes, including black cod, Wagyu tataki with truffle ponzu and Peking duck. Not to mention dim sum, a new take on traditional wok cooking and a selection of signature sushi.

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• Address:Shop 153, V&A Waterfront, 19 Breakwater Blvd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
• Website: cpt.tanghospitality.com

Also Read: 20 Best Rosebank Restaurants

2. Emazulwini

Mmbatho Molefe’s modern Zulu restaurant, Emazulwini, opened in 2020 and has made waves in the local industry. Emazulwini means “the heavens” in isiZulu, and the restaurant has scored a spot on the “World’s 50 Best 50 Next” list.

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The menu is a seven-course set menu, consisting of dishes such as chicken liver truffle, a pate with a dusting of dark chocolate; Ulimi noshatini, ox tongue and variations of tomatoes; and Isijingi, a sweet pumpkin porridge served with orange caramel, roasted pumpkin pieces and a cinnamon tuille.

• Location: Makers Landing, The Cruise Terminal, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
• Website: emazulwini.restaurant

3. PIER Restaurant

PIER Restaurant, established by the La Colombe group, offers an intimate multi-course fine-dining experience.

The finest local produce takes centre stage, with a special emphasis on inspiration from the ocean. Some of the best dishes include confit mussels slowly cooked in chorizo oil, and oysters poached tableside by the chefs.

• Location: V&A Waterfront, 9 Breakwater Blvd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
• Website:pier.restaurant

4. Quay Four Tavern

Quay Four sits right on the harbour’s edge, so you can watch seals play hide-and-seek and seagulls dive through the salty air as you dine at one of the oldest restaurants at the V&A Waterfront.

The legendary tavern buzzes almost every day with locals and visitors and offers a variety of light meals and salads, as well as hearty pub food for those with bigger appetites.

Try the tavern’s famous fish & chips, their impressive range of beers on tap, or enjoy the live bands playing every night of the week.

• Location: Quay, 4 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
• Website: quay4.co.za

Also Read: 10 of the best restaurants in Polokwane

5. Willoughby & Co

Established in 1996, Willoughby & Co has made its name as one of the most iconic Japanese fusion restaurants in Cape Town. The team of chefs consistently creates new and exciting dishes.

The high-class restaurant offers a fullJapanese kitchen, ranging from fresh, mouth-watering sushi to tempura dishes, oyster shooters, soups and salads.

• Location:Shop 6132, 19 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
• Website:www.willoughbyandco.co.za

6. Mitchell’s Scottish Ale House

Mitchell’s Scottish Ale House offers you mountain and harbour views, a fun atmosphere, friendly staff and a menu to make the hungriest visitor happy.

Enjoy live entertainment and sports on one of the many big-screen televisions, or for the braver diners, Wednesday nights are karaoke nights. Well-known both locally and internationally, Mitchell’s is an institution at the V&A Waterfront.

• Location: Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
• Website: mitchellsalehouse.co.za

Also read: 15 of Camps Bay’s best restaurants to visit this summer

7. Ferryman’s Irish Tavern

Ferryman’s, formerly known as the Original Waterfront Tavern, is one of the oldest spots at the V&A Waterfront. The historical shed has been carefully converted, preserving the quarried bluestone, the Oregon wooden beams and the solid teak pillars.

In summer, the open beer garden buzzes with local entertainment every evening, and for the sports fans, the big-screen televisions always have live sport playing. There is also a play area for the kids, making it a popular local spot.

• Location: Locomotive Shed, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
• Website: ferrymans.co.za

8. The Waterside Restaurant

The Waterside Restaurant offers a sophisticated but casual menu with both indoor and outdoor seating. This restaurant is flexible in that it works for all occasions – from a working lunch to a celebratory meal with friends – or impromptu pop-in on a beautiful summer’s day.

The Waterside’s menu offers crayfish cooked over coals, served with roast quail and sweetcorn, oysters with umami broth and caviar, and strawberries with lemon verbena and coconut, to name a few of their delights.

• Location: Pierhead Building (next to the NSRI, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront)
• Website: thewaterside.restaurant

9. Cape Town Fish Market

If you’re a fan of the fresh seafood stuff, Cape Town Fish Market, the famous seafood restaurant, has everything to satisfy your needs.

The eatery has specials going all the time, with Mondays offering 200g fish and chips or any burger for R68, 280g fish and chips for R94, or a double burger for R112.

On Tuesdays, guest can get 50% off all classic sushi dishes and 30% off all signature sushi dishes, sushi platters & poke bowls. Wednesdays offer the surf and turf (R216) for R162, and the executive surf and turf (R282) for R218.

• Location: G12, Clock Tower V&A Waterfront
• Website: ctfm.co.za

10. Den Anker

Relax on the terrace, and watch the world go by in the working harbour at the V and A Waterfront, or take a seat at the African Queen Bar, where you can experience one of a multitude of Belgian Beers that are served on tap, with some homemade Bitterballen or pommel frites.

An icon in the Waterfront, Den Anker has been around for almost 30 years serving their renowned Moulles Marinieres as well as other Belgian delicacies.

• Location: Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
• Website: denanker.co.za

11. GINJA

A warm and cosy harbour-side eatery, GINJA offers guests a versatile, contemporary menu with South African flavours and a focus on local ingredients.

What’s better than delicious coffee, decadent breakfasts, lavish lunches and dinner paired with a spectacular view of Table Mountain? A great edition to our list of Waterfront restaurants.

• Location: On the Waterfront Pierhead, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
• Website: ginga-restaurant

12. Grand Africa Café & Beach

Grand Africa Café & Beach is all about embracing the free-spirited beach café culture. With stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and Robben Island, Grand balances city life with seaside charm.

The iconic spot has five bars, ocean-view decks, nine private function venue areas, and on-beach dining with all the seafood delights you could ask for.

• Location: V&A Waterfront, Granger Bay 1 Haul Rd, Granger Bay Blvd
• Website: grandafrica.com

13. Camissa Brasserie

Camissa Brasserie is named after the Khoisan word for Cape Town, and offers lovely meals with a view overlooking the working harbour and Table Mountain.

The name originally means “The Place of Sweet Waters”, reflecting the restaurant’s efforts to capture Cape Town’s past and culture through flavourful food, using only the finest, freshest local ingredients.

• Location: V&A Waterfront

14. Harbour House

Harbour House is a restaurant known for fine dining, with its glass walls allowing guests to enjoy the gorgeous setting and waterfront views.

Set against the backdrop of the harbour, the restaurant is simple but elegant and will tick all of your seafood boxes.

• Location: V&A Waterfront, Quay Four, Dock Rd
• Website:harbourhouse.co.za

Also read: 5 Asian restaurants in Cape Town to add to your “must-try” list

15. City Grill Steakhouse

In the mood for alekkerSouth African steak? City Grill Steakhouse knows just how to treat you. The restaurant aims to provide guests with an unforgettable dining experience.

City Grill is particularly thoughtful in everything that they do – from the staff employed, the way the food is prepared and the ingredients that are used.

• Location: Shop 155, 19 Breakwater Blvd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
• Website:citygrill.co.za

16. Workshop17

Workshop17 lies in the heart of the V&A Waterfront’s culture. Located in a warehouse turned local craft market with big glass windows, the café has stunning views of the mountain.

This spot is designed for people who can’t get away from their work, but want to enjoy some delicious eats. Workshop17 is set up to accommodate mobile workers and provide them with yummy sustenance.

• Location: Watershed, 17 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
• Website: workshop17.co.za

17. Dash

Dash Restaurant and Bar sits in the Queen Victoria Hotel and offers diners an elegant but relaxed experience. The restaurant seats only 36 guests at a time to try their fine-dining cuisine.

Dash sources all of their ingredients locally, and has an extensive selection of wines.

• Location: Moorings 5 & Portswood Ridge, 5 Portswood Rd
• Website:newmarkhotels.com

18. Mozambik

After launching in Ballito 17 years ago, Mozambik now has 28 branches across the country, including in the V&A Waterfront. The Afro-Porto fusion cuisine is a primary part of the restaurant’s brand.

Eating at Mozambik, you can try the range of bastings, sauce and rubbing spices created by Chef Brett Michielin that are unique to the eatery. Along with rich flavours, the restaurant has a lovely atmosphere and focuses on having great service.

• Location: Shop 8, Quay 5, V & A Waterfront
• Website:mozambik.co.za

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19. Sevruga

Sevruga Restaurant boasts a mouth-watering seafood, sushi and grill menu using Asian fusion flavours. The delectable food is accompanied by various summer co*cktails and crisp wines.

A contemporary interior, magnificent views, an ocean breeze and friendly staff, Sevruga is a wonderful place to sit back and enjoy our city with a full belly.

• Location: Shop 4, Quay 5, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
• Website:sevruga.co.za

20. Upstairs @ Quay Four

Last on our list of Waterfront restaurants is one of the oldest at the V&A Waterfront and now a famous landmark, Quay Four buzzes with locals and visitors year-round. Upstairs @ Quay Four is an elegant eatery above the tavern, where the emphasis is on fresh seafood and exceptional service.

The á la carte menu upstairs also includes a great feast of irresistible venison, red meat and poultry dishes. Not only do they pride themselves on their quality food and breathtaking harbour views, but also on their notably professional service.

• Location: Quay, 4 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
• Website: quay4.co.za

If you ever find yourself in Johannesburg, be sure to check out The 13 BestMaboneng Restaurants.

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Picture:Cape Town Tourism