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Kosher Restaurants Cape Town
A selection of certified meat or milchik eateries in the Mother City
Not only is Cape Town home to a vibrant Jewish community, but our pretty metropolis, with its various historical synagogues and gorgeous landscapes, attracts a sizeable number of practicing Orthodox individuals during the holiday seasons too. So naturally, a handful of meat or milchik kosher restaurants have popped up over the years to provide these groups with tasty fare that conforms to Jewish dietary laws.
Unfortunately though, there aren’t many of these sorts of eateries and those that do exist aren’t very well advertised, so if you’re not part of the local community, you likely won’t know where to find them. We’ve therefore compiled a short but comprehensive overview of kosher Mother City diners that have been certified by the Cape Beth Din. And for those eager to snack at home, we’ve also put together a little guide to supermarkets and wine farms selling kosher products.
KOSHER RESTAURANTS CAPE TOWN
Avron’s Place
The longest running kosher meat restaurant in South Africa, Avron’s Place on Sea Point’s Regent Road is a very popular choice amongst Cape Town’s Orthodox Jewish community. The humbly adorned, family-friendly eatery, which is supervised by the Beth Din, serves a wide variety of dishes, including beef ribs, burgers, mixed grills, boerewors, Cape lamb curry, vegetarian platters, pastas and sushi. Though prices are generally rather reasonable (particularly by kosher food standards), Avron’s drops costs further on Tuesdays with a special on its beef burger and chips (R49 instead of the usual R59). The restaurant also does takeaways and catering for functions and will gladly pack Shabbat meals for visitors to Cape Town.
Opening Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11am – 3pm; 5pm – 10pm; Friday: 11am – 2:30pm
19 – 33 Regent Road | Sea Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 439 7610
Coffee Time
Set in an old house in a lush, garden environment, this kosher milchik coffee shop is a fine option for a relaxing breakfast, brunch or lunch on a sunny day. Guests can sit outside on the lawn while enjoying stunning views of Table Mountain and tucking into anything from a scrambled egg, salmon and humus wrap or fish bobotie with homemade chutney to tuna lasagne, a sandwich, salad, quiche or smoothie. The eatery runs an early-morning special between 8am and 11am (a combo of two eggs, grilled tomato and mushrooms goes for R25) and also serves a delicious, and incredibly popular, buffet lunch every Wednesday between 12:30pm and 2:30pm. For those will allergies, there are gluten-free and sugar-free options, and Coffee Time caters for functions – think weddings, bat/bar mitzvahs or birthdays – too. As the cherry on the kosher cake, all proceeds from the restaurant go to supporting the Astra Centre, which aims to provide employment for those with mental illnesses and special needs, so diners can rest assured their meal is helping out a good cause.
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8am – 3:30pm; Friday: 8am – 3pm
20 Breda Street | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 461 8414
Café Riteve
This charming milchik café, which was founded in 2000, is conveniently located right in the heart of town on a piazza that’s part of the same centre as the historical Gardens Shul, the South African Jewish Museum, the Cape Town Holocaust Centre and the Jacob Gitlin Library. The menu is large and varied and includes items like a three-egg omelette, sushi salad, grilled hake, falafel with dukkah wedges and humus, tuna and mushroom cannelloni, smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich and chocolate ganache-filled croissant. For the thirsty, the eatery also sells a range of shakes and juices as well as kosher wine and liquors. It caters for special occasions and offers takeaways, but unfortunately doesn’t deliver; though, considering that the interior is tastefully adorned and the ambience inviting, Jewish diners will likely want to spend some time at the café in any case.
Opening Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 8:30am – 5pm; Friday: 8:30am – 3pm
88 Hatfield Street | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 465 1594
Goldies Deli and Diner
Started by Goldie Wener back in 1992, this popular kosher food spot has evolved over time from a small home business to include a meat and parev deli, a sit-down diner and a bakery. The simple but flavourful fare is still made from Goldie’s grandmother’s recipes, and options include burgers, steak rolls, schwarmas, bagels, salads, fish cakes, breakfast plates and more. Plus, there are specials every Wednesday and Friday (these change weekly but you can look forward to deals like a three-course meal for four for R120) and there’s also a very affordable seniors menu for elderly individuals living in and around the area (delivery is free in Sea Point). The bakery stocks delectable treats like carrot cake, cinnamon twists, chocolate brownies, doughnuts, cupcakes, apple crumble, croissants and teiglach. Kosher Cape Town dwellers can also place orders for Shabbat meals if they don’t have the time to prepare the dishes themselves.
Opening Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 8:30am – 8pm; Friday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
174 Main Road | Sea Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 439 3008
Kaplan Centre Canteen
Based at the University of Cape Town in the Kaplan Centre, this meat and parev canteen feeds the institution’s vibrant Jewish student community as well as any members of public that pop by. The light and airy eatery, which has been certified by the Beth Din, dishes up curries, fish cakes, falafel pitas (in summer), salads, soups, chicken pies, muffins and more, and all meals are available at cost price to university learners with vouchers. Because of its location, the little café is ideal for those based in the Southern Suburbs or anyone keen to get a feel for Cape Town campus life while snacking on some tasty kosher bites. Do note though, the canteen is closed from the beginning of December until the end of January for the long varsity vacation.
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 8am – 3pm
Kaplan Centre | Rachel Bloch House | Cnr of Ring and Library roads | Upper Campus | University of Cape Town | Rondebosch | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 650 2688
Note: The Highlands House coffee shop and tea room in Upper Buitenkant Street also serves up kosher milchik sandwiches, bagels, fish dishes, cakes, scones and muffins. However, it’s only open to those visiting elderly family members and friends at the on-site care centre.
PLACES TO BUY KOSHER FOOD AND WINE
The following supermarkets have dedicated kosher sections stocking warm and cold food products:
- Checkers Sea Point: Regent Road | Sea Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 430 4680
- Spar Sea Point: Regent Road | Sea Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 439 0914
- Pick n Pay Adelphi: 127 Main Road | Sea Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 434 8987
- Pick n Pay Claremont: Cnr Campground and Main roads | Claremont | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 674 5908
- Shoprite Checkers Milnerton: Cnr Koeberg and De Grendel roads | Milnerton | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 528 1680 (kosher meat section only)
The following Cape wine farms create kosher reds and whites under the supervision of the Beth Din:
- Kleine Draken: Pieter Hugo Street | Paarl | Western Cape | +27 (0)21 863 2368
- Backsberg: Simondium Road | Klapmuts | Paarl | Western Cape | +27 (0) 21 875 5141
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