10 Best Outdoor Restaurants – Cape Town

Cape Town is a beautiful city and offers gorgeous scenery. It’s also filled with a bounty of culinary options to satisfy any appetite. Lop these two together and you have the perfect dining experience. There is nothing quite like dining outdoors with a light sea breeze whispering as you dine in the warm African sunlight.

There are quite a few restaurants that offer an al fresco dining experience to discerning patrons in Cape Town. But, to help make the choice easier, let me take you on a journey of divine dining at some of the best outdoor restaurants in Cape Town.

1. Best For Romantic Meals: Kloof Street House

• Address: 30 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
• Opening hours:
  • Mondays: 12:00 p.m. until late
  • Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 a.m. until late
  • The kitchen closes at midnight
• Contact: 021 423 4413
• Reservations: You can reserve your table on the Kloof Street House website.

Set in a beautiful Victorian house, Kloof Street House’s venue is as incredible as the meals. In summer, the outdoor dining area is opened up, and patrons can enjoy the fairy lights in the garden that create a magical atmosphere. While the restaurant is open for lunch, this is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic moonlit meal.

From Mediterranean dishes like Moroccan-spiced lamb rump to South African Karoo Wagyu, the main menu has an eclectic range of flavours. But if seafood is what you are craving, then the grilled kingklip and mussels in a creamy cape malay sauce may be more to your liking. For dessert, my favourite is always the salted caramel cheesecake and vanilla pod ice cream.

If that wasn’t enough, on Sunday afternoons you can relax to the sounds of Jazz filtering through the restaurant from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

2. Best For Socialising: The Lawns at the Roundhouse

• Address: Round House Road, Off Kloof Road, The Glen, Camps Bay, Cape Town
• Opening hours:
  • Tuesday to Thursday: 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Fridays: 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Weekends: 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Closed on Mondays
• Contact: 021 438 4347
• Reservations: You can book on the lawn or on the deck.

In the heart of Camps Bay, nestled at the foot of Table Mountain and with gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean, there is nowhere better to sit with friends and enjoy the food and drinks than The Lawns. Cocktails on the deck are a firm favourite, with classics like Margaritas and signature cocktails like the Camps Bay fizz.

If you’re popping in for breakfast, I urge you to try the blueberry flapjacks. They come with maple syrup, crispy bacon, and caramelised nuts. Alternatively, try their delectable Belgian chocolate croissants.

For a starter, you should try the deep-fried mac ‘n cheese croquettes. And for mains, the pan-fried trout is delicious, and a must-have side is the truffle and parmesan fries.

The Lawns at the Roundhouse is a great place to hang out with friends and family. And the best part is that you can bring your furry friends along for a day in the sunshine.

The restaurant’s opening and closing times are weather-dependent, but if the skies are sunny, you can enjoy spectacular views of Table Mountain.

3. Best For Light Meals: The Conservatory At The Cellars – Hohenort

• Address: 93 Brommersvlei Road, Constantia Heights, Cape Town
• Opening hours:
  • Breakfast: 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • Tea: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Lunch: 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Dinner: 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Contact: 021 794 2137
• Reservations: You can book on the website

The Conservatory serves its meals in a beautiful and lush garden setting. And many of the ingredients in the meals are actually grown in their own gardens! The idyllic setting is perfect for tranquil meals in the fresh Cape air. The conservatory is close to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, which gives you an idea of the beautiful surroundings.

Personally, it is always a coin toss between their signature dish, which is the Boland cheese soufflé with cheesy gin sauce, and the tempura prawns with hot vermicelli noodles. And that is just for starters.

Here you can enjoy a variety of dishes, from the truly South African Springbok loin to a Thai seafood curry. Squid lovers will come back again and again for the crispy calamari. Vegan meals are also available, with options like beetroot carpaccio and a mouth-watering mushroom and lentil lasagne. For a sweet ending to the meal, the coconut parfait is a delicious treat.

4. Best For Breathtaking Views: On The Rocks Restaurant

• Address: 45 Stadler Road, Bloubergstrand, Cape Town
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Contact: 021 554 1988
• Reservations: A booking link is available on the website

On the Rocks Restaurant is aptly named. Dinner on the deck is weather-dependent, which is understandable when you realise the deck is literally on the rocks, right by the ocean. However, on a clear day, it offers the best views of Table Mountain and Robben Island.

When it comes to the food and the service, there is nothing quite like this gorgeous outdoor restaurant. Your dining experience is perfected with the delicious dishes on offer. The chicken wrapped in bacon with cauliflower rice is a must-have. And if you can’t settle on an option and want to get a taste of local flavours, try their Cape Malay Curry, which has kingklip, prawns, potato, and rice.

Their mussels Marniere with a creamy white wine garlic sauce is possibly the most delicious dish on the menu that will have you returning for another “On the Rocks” experience. And for a perfect end to the meal, you have to try the crème brûlée. On The Rocks Restaurant is not just about food; it’s an immersive experience.

5. Best For Hungry Couples: Sotano

• Address: 121 Beach Road, Mouille Point, Cape Town
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Contact: 021 433 1757
• Reservations: You can make a reservation on Dineplan

Sotana Restaurant is in Mouille Point, close to the Green Point Lighthouse, and just a few minutes from the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. They offer Mediterranean-style food and sushi and it’s a fun dining spot for meals throughout the day – breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

For your main meal, their seafood varieties are incredible. From octopus to saffron-infused Spanish Paella, your seafood cravings will be satisfied. At Sotano, the portion sizes are fabulous, and you won’t leave hungry.

One of my favourite sweet dishes is churros and I cannot visit Sotano without getting my fix. The deep-fried dough is just out of this world.

Sotano is pet-friendly and there is a special menu for your fur babies and water bowls so they can quench their thirst. On the menu, there are meatballs and sausages, as well as chicken and vegetables, so your pets can enjoy treats as well. This works well if you take your dog for a walk on the promenade and then decide to have a quick meal.

6. Best for African Game: Arnold’s Restaurant

• Address: 60 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
• Opening hours:
  • Monday to Friday: 6:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Weekends: 7 a.m. to late
• Contact: 021 424 4344
• Reservations: Book your table on the website

Arnold’s Restaurant is located in Gardens, near the Cape Town city centre. It has incredible views of the mountain, aiding its warm and inviting ambience. You can sit in the outdoor dining area, where you can enjoy the fresh air while sipping on your refreshments and soaking up the mountain views.

If you enjoy game meat, then this is one of the best outdoor restaurants in Cape Town where you can satisfy your cravings. For game lovers, I would recommend the smoked warthog ribs or crocodile tangine, which are their signature dishes.

While their speciality is venison, they do serve a variety of other dishes as well. I have to recommend the wild berry camembert for starters – those flash-fried, crumbed wedges are delectable. And for dessert, get a taste of the South African malva pudding, served with an Amarula cream sauce. Yum!

You can pop in for breakfast, lunch, and dinner because they open early. For drinks, they host a happy hour all afternoon from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Ask for their cocktail menu – you won’t be disappointed. They do have traditional cocktails, but for something a little different, try their Bloody Bacon (yes, this is my favourite cocktail).

7. Best For Casual Dining: Wang Thai

• Address: Lagoon Beach Drive, Milnerton, Cape Town
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Contact: 021 551 9254 or email lagoon@wangthai.co.za
• Reservations: Reservations aren’t required, but you can book on the website

Wang Thai is a modern, lagoon-side restaurant in Cape Town. You literally walk out to the lagoon. It has a very informal feel to the restaurant and is perfect if you want to enjoy some seafood while watching the gorgeous ocean.

The atmosphere is friendly, and the food is tasty. You can taste the fusion of spices that creates a culinary sensation in every meal.

Your meal is prepared with the finest and freshest locally sourced ingredients by Thai-trained chefs. If you like hot and spicy foods, then they have something for you as well.

If prawns and duck served Thai style are what you are after, then Wang Thai is your restaurant of choice. However, I would be remiss if I did not recommend their sushi – try their salmon roses, they’re delicious!

8. Best For On-Beach Dining: Grand Africa Cafe & Beach

• Address: 1 Haul Road, V&A Waterfront, Granger Bay, Cape Town
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Contact: 021 425 0551
• Reservations: You can book on the website

The Grand Africa Cafe and Beach welcomes everyone to enjoy a casual and free-spirited culture. With stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and Robben Island, you can settle back to enjoy one of the most charming outdoor restaurants in Cape Town.

The wooden deck and elegant decor offer a quaint but welcoming dining experience. You also get a choice of areas where you can eat. There are various bars, ocean-view decks, and private function venue areas, but I always love dining on the beach with my feet in the sand.

The prime-cut beef is a whopping 0.5 kgs of pure grass-fed meat, prepared to perfection. If the fresh sea air hasn’t left you quite that hungry, then the fillet bearnaise may be more to order.

Personally, I love feasting on their prawn linguine and ending my meal with a tiramisu that an Italian nonna would be proud to serve.

9. Best For Pub Lunches: The Wild Fig Restaurant

• Address: 1 Liesbeek Ave, Observatory, Cape Town
• Opening hours:
  • Monday to Saturday: 12 p.m. to 22:30 p.m.
  • Sundays and public holidays: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Contact: 021 448 0507
• Reservations: Call 021 448 0507 to make your booking

Pop into The Wild Fig Restaurant in Mowbray. The building is an eighteenth-century farmhouse with a lovely outdoor eating area in the beautiful Cape sun for patrons to enjoy an al fresco dining experience.

From chargrilled sirloin with crispy onion rings to crocodile nicoise, there is a great selection of dishes to choose from. I like trying a variety of their dishes because they have a new take on Mediterranean and Asian meals that I quite enjoy.

For mains, I enjoy the crispy roast duck or sticky pork belly. However, the shitake mushrooms are very popular. For dessert, you should definitely try the white chocolate cheesecake, where sweet and tangy meld in a fusion of flavours.

10. Best For Special Occasions: Jonkershuis Constantia

• Address: Groot Constantia, Groot Constantia Road, Constantia, Cape Town
• Opening hours:
  • Sunday to Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Friday and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Contact: 021 794 6255
• Reservations: You can call the Jonkerhuis Constantia for reservations

Jonkerhuis Constantia is one of the best outdoor restaurants in Cape Town. You can dine in the covered courtyard or on the lawns, set on the Groot Constantia Wine Estate – the perfect location for special occasions. You can enjoy a fine dining experience al fresco in the shade of old oak trees.

The wine estate is a gorgeous setting for weddings or anniversary celebrations, but it is also the place to be if you want to step back in time to a period when life was simpler. You can take your meal as a picnic on the sprawling lawns or at the outdoor seating, which is in the covered courtyard.

They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with breakfasts being hearty farmhouse-style feasts and your later meals offering Cape Malay flavours. Lamb curry and beef bobotie are two of the dishes on the menu that cannot be overlooked. For dessert, you must try their decadent chocolate nemesis, which is gluten-free!

Being on a wine estate, it is understandable that the wine menu is just as incredible as the food, so a wine pairing is a given. This place is the ultimate when it comes to outdoor restaurants and is a must-visit.

FAQs

What do I wear to the best outdoor restaurants (Cape Town)?

It is always best to check with the management at an establishment where you will be dining to determine the dress code. However, most of the restaurants in Cape Town accept smart casual wear.

What outdoor restaurants are there in Cape Town CBD?

Kloof Street House is right in the city centre and is a lovely place to enjoy some of the finest dining in Cape Town. Don’t go home until you have tried some of the local dishes on their menu.

When is the best time of year for outdoor dining in Cape Town?

The summer months are definitely the best times, but spring and autumn are also perfect for outdoor dining. Just check the weather forecast for predictions of rain on the day.