10 Top Chinese Restaurants in Cape Town

Selection of the best Chinese restaurants in Cape Town and Surrounds

Winding down on a Friday night is not quite complete without crispy duck and pancakes or twisting your chopsticks around a bowl of pork fried noodles. Why is Chinese food so popular? Perhaps it’s because the range of dishes offer something to suit every taste, from sweet and sour dishes synonymous with the Huan cooking of central China, to Singapore’s penchant for hot and spicy flavours. To top it off, Chinese food blends the best ingredients, served up in satisfying portions. Check out our top selection of Chinese restaurants and takeaways that are feeding Cape Town a taste of the Orient.

1 - Chef Pons
This authentic Chinese restaurant is a favourite amongst local celebrities and South African Politicians. The restaurant is a warm venue with low lighting that will provide some respite during the winter months. Try sizzling Mongolian lamb.
Tip: the largest menu for Asian dining in Cape Town.
Rheede Street Mall | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 1633

2 - Jewel Tavern
Jewel Tavern is all about tacky tables and chairs, mass produced crockery and hand-rolled pork dumplings. It doesn’t get much more authentic than this. The venue offers an affordable and extensive menu, using sweet flavours like soy sauce and sugar. The venue can easily accommodate large groups, so head here for that special occasion.
Tip: beef hotpot is liberally sauced with ginger and chili.
101 St Georges Mall Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 4041

3 - Empire Asian Restaurant
Half of the clientele that eat at Empire Asian Restaurant are Chinese, which speaks volumes about it’s authenticity. The restaurant serves up popular Southern Chinese favourites such as, steamed whole fish and deep fried prawns with chili and garlic. Read more about Empire Asian.
Tip: diners are Chinese themselves, which endorses authenticity.
50 Main Road | Sea Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 434 3458

4 - Mr. Chan
Mr. Chan is a stylish venue, situated in Sea Points bustling main road. The chilli ribs and Sezhuan Kingclip are particularly tasty.
Tip: fried lobster with noodles is delicious.
178 Main Road | Sea Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 439 2239

5 - Xiang Yuan
This small, intimate venue has a delicious menu, which includes Beijing duck, stewed beef and kingklip in hot sauce.
Tip: their R99 buffet boasts dishes made fresh.
245 Main Road | Sea Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 434 4987

6 - Tong Lok
Tong Lok literally means ‘together in happiness’ and there are six branches in Cape Town. This Cantonese restaurant uses a traditional wok with a rounded base and cooks over a high pressure flame to seal flavours and preserve the natural taste of ingredients.
Tip: try their sushi buffet, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Centre Court | Milnerton | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 551 4871

7 - Yo Eastern Fusion
Yo Eastern Fusion serve choice dishes from a range of Eastern countries such as China, Thailand, Indonesia, Mongolia and Malaysia.
Tip: there is a wide selection of Chinese curries on offer and 23 varieties of rice and noodles to accompany them.
No.12 Ocean Square | 4 Ocean Way | Sunset Beach | Milnerton | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 551 8288

8 - Jacky’s Chinese Buffet Restaurant & Take-a-ways
Jacky’s boasts 21 dishes on their all you can eat Asian buffet, including starters, main courses and assorted sushi, for an outstanding R65 per person. The restaurant is fully licensed and booking is essential.
Tip: the spring rolls are crispy; especially great when dipped in sweet and sour sauce.
Shop 14 | Delmar Centre | Corner of Hennie Winterbach Street & Rothschild Avenue | Panorama | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 930 0770

9 - Ho Ho’s
Mr and Mrs Ho, who are jovial enough to laugh at their own name, have kept their promise to provide a friendly service to Capetonians for the last 10 years.
Tip: this restaurant is famous for their sweet and sour pork and chicken with noodles.
The Kenridge Centre | Kenridge | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 914 0984

10 - Chai Yo
Those in the central China camp should head to Chai Yo for what is regarded in Cape Town as the best sweet and sour pork. The menu offers a wide selection to suit a variety of tastes including seafood, beef, chicken, curry and noodles.
Tip: the perfect venue for winding down on a Friday evening with friends.
65 Durban Road | Mowbray | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 689 6157

For more information on the best places to eat out visit our Eating Out Section.

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