Driving down past Sea Point into Camps Bay is always a thrill. The sparkling sea stretches before you and the vibrant beachfront beckons. This Cape Town playground possibly has a higher concentration of exciting restaurants than anywhere else in South Africa.
It’s true all over the world that sometimes restaurants trade on their location and neglect the important matters of food, service, and courtesy. Camps Bay is one of the busiest areas imaginable in summer and occasionally standards slip under the strain. However, the 11 Camps Bay restaurants showcased here exemplify the very best the area has to offer.
Let’s dive in and discover the culinary highlights of Camps Bay plus a few insider tips.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Best For All-Day Dining – Mantra Cafe
- 2 2. Best For Weekend Breakfast – Zenzero
- 3 3. Best For Family Lunch – The Lawns At The Roundhouse
- 4 4. Best For Sunset Dining – Surfshack
- 5 5. Best For Mediterranean – Bilboa
- 6 6. Best For Seafood – Codfather Seafood and Sushi
- 7 7. Best For Fine Dining – The Azure Restaurant
- 8 8. Best For Affordability – The Pottery
- 9 9. Best For Steak – Hussar Grill
- 10 10. Best For Indian – The Raj
- 11 11. Best For Date Nights: Bo-Vine Wine and Grill
- 12 The Camps Bay Strip
- 13 FAQs
1. Best For All-Day Dining – Mantra Cafe
- Address: 43 Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town
- Hours: Monday – Sunday:8.30 am – 10.30 pm
- Price: R200 breakfast and R750 dinner
- Menu picks: Seared Kudu Carpaccio (lunch); pan-seared linefish with a vermouth reduction (dinner). Feel free to dip into the Bar Menu too.
Mantra Cafe’s handsome stairway leads you into one of the best restaurants in Camps Bay. This terrific eatery is equally well suited to breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
The space comprises a lower deck-like level and an upper section decorated in cream, greens, and browns. Elegant light features and lovely plants pull everything together. From your table, you’ll gaze upon a heavenly sweep of the white beach, palms, and turquoise ocean.
The fantastic menu offers something for everyone and the attentive service is a pleasure.
2. Best For Weekend Breakfast – Zenzero
- Address: Shop 2A, The Promenade, Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 12 pm to 11 pm; Saturday – Sunday: 9 am to 11 pm
- Price: R250 (breakfast); R700 (dinner)
- Breakfast menu picks: Roast Apple Pancakes; Soft Egg Scramble; Baked Eggs from the fire.
With a perfect beachfront location, stylish decor, and a relaxing ambience, Zenzero is a winner. It’s a great spot for weekend breakfasts. You can grab a quick oatmeal and smoothie or kick back and chill for a couple of hours. The book library against the walls encourages chilling.
Breakfast is only the tip of the iceberg. Zenzero delivers superb all-day dining. Wood-fired fare is a speciality – think coal-roasted seafood, fire-roasted vegetables, and woodfired pizza. Add to that a hint of Italian influence, a diverse wine list, and cocktails mixed with theatrical flair; there is much to love here.
Reservations are recommended, especially during the busy season. In winter, the restaurant is warmed by a toasty fire.
3. Best For Family Lunch – The Lawns At The Roundhouse
- Address: Round House Road, Off Kloof Road, The Glen, Camps Bay, Cape Town
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday:12 pm – 11 pm; closed Monday
- Price: R500
- Menu picks: Lawns Chicken Burger (Korean fried chicken, kimchi, miso aioli and pickles); Mediterranean Roast Chicken Pizza; truffle & parmesan fries (my favourite).
The Lawns is a pocket of green between mountain and sea. Pretty picnic benches on the rolling lawn accommodate diners under parasols. The 12 Apostles mountains are a majestic backdrop and the mood is al fresco.
The menu promises fresh, quality comfort food. The quality is fine, though the food doesn’t reach the spectacular heights of the scenery. Tasty burgers, decent pizzas, tapas, a variety of fresh fish, and salads are served with a smile.
A kids’ playground set amidst trees and greenery provides tons of fun for the little ones.
The Lawns has parking adjacent; however, finding parking can be quite a challenge so it’s best to come a bit earlier. It’s an ideal spot for lunch after a morning on the beach. Being an outdoor venue, rain and high winds can be a spoiler.
4. Best For Sunset Dining – Surfshack
- Address: 201 The Promenade, Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town
- Hours: Monday – Sunday:12 pm – 11 pm
- Price: R700
- Menu Picks: A bucket of prawns; bacon beer cheeseburger; blackened cajun salmon; Poor Man’s Lobster (prawns, avo, lime salt, and chive aioli).
This contemporary diner is a casually upmarket affair, inviting you to recline in tasteful wooden furniture under tasselled umbrellas. Not your average beach shack then, though it does have amazing sea views and showcases epic sunsets.
It also has amazing cocktails and an appetising selection of casual food like pizzas, burgers, and seafood.
It’s best to book your shack spot in advance.
5. Best For Mediterranean – Bilboa
- Address: Shop 120, First Floor, The Promenade, Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town
- Hours: Monday – Sunday:12 pm – 11 pm
- Price: R900
- Menu Picks: Tahini-Crusted Seared Tuna; Moroccan Beef Kofta; Veggie Falafel.
Enjoying fab views over the beach and towards Lion’s Head, Bilboa is one of Camps Bay’s most desirable locations. This upper-level restaurant serves Mediterranean flavours in an elegant open-air setting.
A spacious terrace, dotted with swish umbrellas, is the ideal location for cocktails or sparkling wine at sunset. An extensive menu offers seafood, steak, pasta, salads, and more. Fresh ingredients and Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours produce culinary delights.
The service is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. The team seems to thrive in the lively atmosphere of a near-full house.
This is unquestionably a terrific spot in summer, but what about winter? In the colder months, Bilboa is kept nice and warm by heaters and a fire.
The dress code is smart casual and bookings are essential. Bilboa doesn’t allow corkage which means you can’t bring your own wine.
The Kove Collection
Bilboa, like Surfshack and Zenzero, is part of the Kove Collection of restaurants. Chinchilla, The Bungalow, and Paranga are other Kove sites in Camps Bay. They all boast incredible locations and solid reputations. Most Kove restaurants require a security deposit, around R250 per person, to secure a reservation. The deposit is offset against your bill.
6. Best For Seafood – Codfather Seafood and Sushi
- Address: 37 The Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town
- Hours: Noon to late
- Price: R500 – R900
- Menu picks: The sea’s rich harvest – crayfish, shellfish, calamari, langoustines, butterfish, sardines, kingklip, and more. Sushi too. Choose tasty sides of rice, chips, vegetables, and sauces.
This unique restaurant offers a simple yet satisfying concept: choose your fresh fish and shellfish from the counter, and let the experts weigh and prepare it to perfection. Sit back and enjoy your meal in the buzzy main restaurant or the intimate wine cellar.
You are quoted a price when the fish is weighed. If it’s too pricey, you can ask for a smaller portion. Thankfully, the wide choice comes with a wide price range.
Of all Camps Bay restaurants, Codfather is one of the most popular and probably one of my favourites, despite lacking a fancy view.
7. Best For Fine Dining – The Azure Restaurant
- Address: Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town
- Hours: Breakfast: 7 am – 10.30 am (available to non-hotel residents); Lunch: 12.30 pm – 3.30 pm; Dinner: 6 pm – 10 pm
- Price: R900
- Menu picks: Steamed langoustines; venison loin; banana and caramel dessert. Azure emphasizes seasonality and sustainability. Seafood delicacies like crayfish, oysters, and mussels feature prominently. Also, enjoy excellent vegetarian dishes and local comfort foods such as Cape Malay Curry.
For a change of pace, head 5 km along Victoria Road to the glorious 12 Apostles Hotel. This luxury 5-star establishment backs onto Table Mountain National Park and overlooks half of the Atlantic Ocean!
The Azure Restaurant is the hotel’s premier dining facility. Voted South Africa’s Best Hotel Restaurant in 2020, Azure continues to champion culinary adventures, such as its mouthwatering five-course tasting menu (R1,025 with a wine pairing).
Aim for a window table to fully appreciate the raw beauty of your surroundings. 12 Apostles Hotel is the only property on this spectacular stretch.
The hotel’s Leopard Bar is also excellent. Drop in for a pre-dinner cocktail or nightcap.
Note: Azure’s semi-formal dress code requires trousers and closed shoes for men.
8. Best For Affordability – The Pottery
- Address: 41 The Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town
- Hours: Thursday – Saturday: 9 am – 9 pm; Wednesday – Sunday: 9 am – 5 pm
- Price: R350
- Menu picks: Grab a scrambled egg wrap for breakfast; tuck into The Potters Pizza with biltong for dinner; relish an Oreo waffle any time you crave!
The Pottery is part of a small successful group with branches in Jeffreys Bay, Ballito, and Stellenbosch. In Camps Bay, the local owners have fostered a friendly family atmosphere that welcomes regulars and newcomers alike.
The simple menu focuses on light but nourishing smoothies, wraps, waffles, toasties, and pizzas.
‘Living Life Creatively’ is The Pottery’s motto. They host creative events such as live music, ceramic plate painting, and date night specials. The spot becomes a buzzing sidewalk cafe on busy evenings.
Check out the shop which carries Wonki Ware crockery as well as eco-conscious beach, urban, and surf labels from proudly South African creators dedicated to slow fashion.
For another relatively affordable Camps Bay eatery, consider Tiger’s Milk.
9. Best For Steak – Hussar Grill
- Address: Hussar Grill, Camps Bay – Shop 2, 108 Camps Bay Drive, Camps Bay, Cape Town
- Hours: Monday – Saturday:5:30 pm – 11 pm; Sunday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Price: R625
- Menu picks: Fillet on the bone; venison; ribs.
Perched on an overlook above the bay, Hussar Grill is a steak lover’s paradise and undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Camps Bay. This classy steakhouse guarantees Class-A beef and game aged for a minimum of 28 days.
An award-winning wine list features some of the finest vintages from the Cape Winelands.
In summer, try and arrive at the Hussar Grill, Camps Bay before sunset. Sipping a whiskey and watching the golden day slip away is magical. The cocktail menu contains a page of tempting sundowners too. A margarita, berry mojito, or martini will surely hit the spot.
10. Best For Indian – The Raj
- Address: Shop 4, The Promenade, Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town
- Hours: Monday – Sunday:10.30 am – 10 pm
- Price: R500 – R700
- Menu picks: Butter chicken; Bombay Aloo; Lamb Rogan Josh. The fluffy naan bread is just right. The Raj has several vegan and vegetarian options too.
You’ve savoured excellent seafood and an array of Mediterranean specialities. How about something more spicey?
Look no further than The Raj, which serves authentic curry dishes combining North Indian and Tandoori influences with local ingredients. The Raj Group also operates restaurants in Sandton, Sun City, and V&A Waterfront, which are all Halaal-friendly.
The samoosas and kebabs here are very more-ish. Fortunately, I’ve learned not to overdo it with the entrees because the main dishes are rich and generous.
This comfortable restaurant is appreciated by many Indian visitors.
11. Best For Date Nights: Bo-Vine Wine and Grill
- Address: Shop 1, The Promenade Shopping Centre, 85 Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town
- Hours: Monday – Sunday:12 pm – 11 pm
- Price: R700
- Menu picks: Dry-aged Karoo Wagyu; Wet-aged Ribeye or Picanha (with pepper brandy sauce). All the steaks are listed with suggested wine pairings.
Walking from the beachfront into Bo-Vine, you feel immediately that you’ve entered a serious steakhouse.
Backed by renowned chef Pete Goffe-Wood (a judge on Masterchef SA), Bo-Vine has been purring with the sound of happy meat lovers for a few years now.
They certainly know their steaks here. Local sourcing and ‘farm-to-table’ is the philosophy. It’s one of those places where they bring the meat to your table to help you choose your cut. The servers exude passion and knowledge.
Seafood and chicken dishes as well as risotto and salads are also served.
The restaurant manages to combine sophistication with easy comfort. This is reflected in the wine list, which carries a superb selection of Cape wines as well as offerings from Burgundy and the Rhone Valley.
A great restaurant for lunch, and an even better spot for date nights.
The Camps Bay Strip
The main Camps Bay strip stretches for less than 1 km and is home to dozens of restaurants, cafes, and shops, including the Promenade Shopping Centre on the Llandudno end. Venues on this golden stretch benefit from stunning views, especially those on the upper level. Visitors flock to these Camps Bay restaurants from all over South Africa and the world.
When visiting, here are some handy pointers:
- The scenic route to Camps Bay via Kloof Road past The Glen is expected to be closed for much of 2024 following storm damage.
- Camps Bay restaurants are expensive. At high-end eateries, you can pay R400 for a main meal and between R150 and R200 each for a starter and dessert. You’ll also need to factor in a service charge or tip of at least 10%. The prices quoted in this guide are rough approximates for a three-course meal and a drink.
- Reservations are advisable. Some venues request a deposit of R200 – R300 per person to secure the reservation. This is deducted from the bill; the requirement is sometimes waived for a small group.
- Parking can be hard to find in-season. Many visitors avoid the parking hassle by Ubering in.
FAQs
When is the best time of the year to visit Camps Bay, Cape Town?
Camps Bay gets very busy from December to January. The restaurants are buzzing during this period which often means overcrowding and delays. October, March, and April are great months to visit for a more relaxed feel.
What are the best vegetarian restaurants in Camps Bay, Cape Town?
Plant is the leading vegan restaurant in Camps Bay. FireFly Cafe, Mantra Cafe, Zenzero, and The Pottery are some of the vegan and vegetarian-friendly venues in Camps Bay.
Is Cafe Caprice in Camps Bay a good restaurant?
Cafe Caprice has long been one of the trendiest spots in Cape Town. While it has lost a little of its glamour it is still very popular, hosting a variety of events throughout the year, including live music nights and DJ sets. There is a fair selection of food and drink options available but the venue is not in the top tier of Camps Bay restaurants.
