For Ambience, Comfort Food and Great Prices
I took it upon myself to traipse about the city to discover 5 of the best winter restaurants, bars, or bistros in Cape Town during June and July, since I had so much leave that I didn’t know what to do with it. It’s been a dreary, wet and windy July in Cape Town, with havoc-wreaking winds and smacking sheets of rain plastering the forecasts almost weekly. And while many of us have surrendered to hibernation mode, curled up with steaming mugs of hot chocolate (or in my dad’s case, those Pukka chai lattes he refuses to admit are fancy), I found myself itching for something a little more… edible.
Specifically: the perfect spots to escape the cold, indulge in something tasty, and still leave the table with enough in my wallet for tomorrow’s groceries.
It’s no secret that Cape Town’s CBD is often the go-to when hunting for ‘hidden gems,’ but let’s not beat around the concrete bush here. Just because a place isn’t on Kloof Street doesn’t automatically make it a secret. So I squared my shoulders, rounded up my trusty, hungry band of friends, and set out on a mission: to find five restaurants that tick all the winter boxes. And what are those boxes, you might be asking? Well, I looked at scoring restaurants according to:
- Cosy enough ambience that makes you forget about the rain; music, heaters, the occasional covered outdoor seating area really gets me excited for a winter bistro.
- Properly delicious food, well-plated but not fussy and not those pretentious goeters we call ‘tapas’.
- Prices that don’t feel like a consultation fee just for glancing at the menu. Jirre.
It’s really important to mention here that I am by no means a food critic. I’m just a gal, sitting in a restaurant, hoping to find a space that ticks the boxes of my mission. Some of my ratings might not make sense, but in my mind, I’m considering things like how the lighting or ventilation affected our table, or how attentively our orders were taken when asking about intolerances or dietary preferences (not going to point fingers, mistakes or mishearing can happen!), versus how the plates arrived to our table (were they hot or cold, was it smaller portion than anticipated, was the description on the menu generous; you know the drill). Of course, my journey came with some unexpected discoveries, like walking into a suburban café and realising a steaming bowl of homemade curry of the day, paired with a hot coffee and a smiling waiter, can sometimes beat even the fanciest bistro on charm alone. Alas, that’s a story for another day!
So, whether you’re looking to hide from the wind for a couple of hours with a good soup, or you’re plotting your next birthday dinner party (like I did this year, lasagna and all; yes, made with Ina Paarman’s stock powders and every guest left their plate licked clean, thank you very much), here are my five must-try winter spots for great ambience, food and pricing:
1. Kleinsky’s | Sea Point
Ambience: 4/5 ★ Food: 4/5★ Price Range: 4/5★
Honestly, if you’d told me a bagel café could also serve damn good bagel-fied burgers, soup & sandwich combos, and cakes so good you consider ordering one for take-home, I’d have called you crazy. But Kleinsky’s is all that and more. Think impeccable service, adventurous bagel-of-the-month specials, and a perfect perch for a dreary afternoon. My winter menu recommendation is to get their soup and sandwich combo, with a cheesy toastie and creamy, hearty tomato soup for only R90. But, if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, take a look at their online menu to gear yourself up for some epic noshing.
2. Ou Meul Bakery & Café | Oranjezicht
Ambience: 3.8/5 ★ Food: 4/5★ Price Range: 4/5★
An unexpected nook in Oranjezicht as a winter refuge. Ou Meul serves up freshly baked banana bread, hearty vegetarian soups, and maybe the best caramelised onion & cheese toastie you’ll find for under R120. Their warm winter oats bowls with banana are the perfect breakfast to fuel a rainy workday, just remember that it is a family area so seating can be a bit tight if you’re bringing your kiddos. To get a bit more familiar with their yummy kips, why not read their online menu here? In-store specials are also subject to availability and location, but I hear this Ou Meul serves a mean chicken burger special for winter. Don’t snitch!
3. Our Local | Gardens
Ambience: 4/5 ★ Food: 4/5 ★ Price Range: 3.8/5★
Quirky, welcoming, and disarmingly good. Their 2-for-R150 burger special (from 5–8pm) is reason enough to pop by. Choose from bourbon-glazed beef, spicy buttermilk chicken, or a garlicky falafel & beetroot hummus veggie burger, each served with these almost classically thick fries. A vibe that is always checked, just keep in mind that if you’re going on a date here, you might be sharing a table and the menu is well curated enough to justify its higher price point. For those of us that like the socialising, it’s a decent place to meet new people and engage in fun conversation. We had the sweetest waitress last night that upon hearing one of us at the table speaking in Afrikaans, barely contained her excitement and asked us, ‘Praat julle Afrikaans? Oh my word!“. 10/10 highlight of my evening being able to chit-chat to her! (Mel, you have my heart).
4. The Yard at Dog’s Bollocks | Gardens
Ambience: 4/5 ★ Food: 4/5 ★ Price Range: 3/5★
A cult classic (especially for the foodie freaks outchere). Giant breakfasts for under R100, Philly cheese steak for R120, and pizzas so big you could feed four without a hint of pretentiousness. Plus, cheeky service and plenty of indoor charm when the weather outside is frightful. I’m yet to see someone absolutely body the Matt Dougal challenge, but hey, the week is still young!
5. The Wes Bistro and Bar | Foreshore
Ambience: 5/5 ★ Food: 5/5 ★ Price Range: 3/5 ★
With their R395 four-course winter set menu (I count the complimentary breads as a starter because goodness gracious, that generous serving of butter saved my soul), this newcomer feels like a steal for the quality and finesse you’re served. Warm lighting, impeccable plating, and enough options to please everyone at the table without alienating vegetarians. Plus? Wes Anderson themed cocktails – vulpus vulpus, Foxy! I ordered a very stylish cocktail with hints of playful cherry and vermouth, but you’ll just have to go peruse their menu here for their cute bar snacks. It’s important to note that this shindig is one that you have to book for in advance, for lunch and dinner services from their a la carte menu, a discretionary 12.5% service charge will be added to your bill, which waiters mention to you beforehand. If you’re booking via DinePlan and make a deposit, then it will automatically be deducted from your bill.
Whether you’re treating yourself to a solo soup and coffee, hosting friends for a birthday dinner (again, Ina Paarman’s stock powders are the ring-bearers and unsung heroes this year. Read more about her recent #HiberNation campaign here), or just searching for a winter-friendly specific kind of dining spot that won’t break the bank, these five spots prove that cosy comfort and affordability can coexist beautifully in Cape Town.
So, if you stuck it out this far, baie dankie! Next up, grab your coat, leave the guilt at home, and let your tastebuds warm up while the rain does its thing outside.