Vegan junk food to urban Italian: 5 Cape Town restaurants you must try
The Mother City offers smorgasboard of eateries to suit different tastes and budgets. Here are some of the best
1. URBAN ITALIAN: BOCCA
Milan-born chef Guido Brambilla has ditched Bermuda for Bree Street. Since taking it over in October, he and his wife Adnana have given the ristorante a striking new look.
They've also changed the offering to include more authentic urban Italian cuisine, including Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzette (16cm pizza), stracciatella, panzanella, salumi and caponata.
Don't miss: The Foresta pizzette with wild mushrooms, rosemary mascarpone, parmesan shavings and truffle drizzle, with the stracciatella pot on the side.
Visit: Corner Wale and Bree Street. See bocca.co.za
2. CONTEMPORARY: THE COMMISSARY
The casual 45-seater eatery with its graffiti-blazoned speakeasy entrance offers a tight, unfussy menu that's well priced. Think back-to-basics reloaded, with big, unapologetic flavours.
Don't miss: The Korean fried chicken and Juliet's to-die-for dessert biscuits.
Visit: 88 Shortmarket Street. See theshortmarketclub.co.za
3. HEARTY: ROXY LATE NIGHT
Roxy Late Night is one of the few places you can still pitch up late for a plate.
The hearty food, boho vibe and ongoing specials pull an eclectic crowd, from daytime snackers to students in survival mode, arty nocturnals and anyone with a commitment to good coffee (R10 cup from 8am-11am daily), cold beer (R10 a bottle from 4pm-6pm daily). Easy on the wallet - what's not to love?
Don't miss: The "Who's Your Wingman?" special on Mondays, which translates to 1kg of chicken wings, served all day, for R99.
Visit: 14 Wandel Street, Gardens. See daynightlate.com
4. OUTDOOR: THE LAWNS AT THE ROUNDHOUSE
This outdoor restaurant is on the deck and lawns beneath the historic Roundhouse property, conducive to indulgent lazy lunches and picnics (order your own) in a gorgeous setting.
Open from 8.30am for breakfast. Last orders 10pm, and all menus cater for kids too, turning it into a festive family affair.
Don't miss: The vegetarian avocado and mozzarella salad or, one of the best-sellers, the rotisserie chicken with fries on the side.
Visit: Roundhouse Road, Camps Bay. Call 021-438-4347
5. GOURMET JUNK FOOD: LEKKER VEGAN
For eco eaters looking for delicious deviation, this will sate anyone's appetite for a burger, nuggets or toasties. They've got gourmet junk food down to a fine art, serving up smart, tasty alternatives that are likely to con the most committed carnivores.
Don't miss: The Lekker beefy gatsby with vegan versions of beef strips and cheddar cheese, smothered in spicy sauce with crispy chips on the side.
Visit: 27 Barrack Street/105 Kloof Street. See lekkervegan.co.za