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New restaurants and experiences to discover
Wine and cocktail bar, beachside Indian cuisine & more
Last updated: Tuesday, 21 July 2026
What’s the latest in Cape Town for 2026? Ouzeri’s just opened a cocktail and natural wine bar upstairs, there’s an all-pink cottage café and bakery in Claremont, and a boozy brunch spot two doors down from The House of Machines. Our guide’s got over 25 new restaurants and experiences for you to try.
A CAFÉ, LISTENING ROOM & WORKSPACE
A33 (Analogue Thirty Three) is where specialty coffee meets music, art, and conversation. Here you’ll find a curated Listening Room, a co-working space for the day’s laptop crowd, and a rotating calendar of events centered around creativity and homegrown stories. This is definitely not a quick coffee stop but more the kind of place made to be lingered in.
Must-try: Sis Faith’s dombolo with oxtail, or her magwinya with savoury mince
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm; Saturday, 8.30am to 4.30pm
Cost: Daily combos (coffee & gwinya or coffee & koeksister) from R50
A33 | 7 Orphan Street | Cape Town City Centre | @a33capetown | Image: DNA Photographers
SUNDOWNERS AND SPORT
Sessions Cape Town occupies an entire 11th floor with pool tables, dartboards, and various screens for you to catch every match that matters. It is also surrounded by sweeping views of the ocean, mountain, and city skyline. A weekday happy hour keeps things lekker with 2-for-1 on tap beers and cocktails, and there’s shareable plates on the menu to match the vibe.
Must-try: Lamb skewers with tzatziki
Hours: Wednesday to Tuesday, 1pm to 12am; Saturday from 12pm; Sunday, 12pm to 10pm
Cost: Starters from R79, mains from R99
Sessions Cape Town | 15 Lower Long Street | Cape Town City Centre | @sessionscapetown | Image: Sessions Cape Town
A HOME FOR LOCAL MAKERS
Where a laundromat, a cinema, and an upholstery workshop once stood, The Paddock has opened its doors as a retail home for Cape Town’s independent, female-owned businesses. Expect handmade leather shoes and bags, small-batch fragrances, linen and knitwear, and homeware you won’t find in a mall. Tucked in the back is Girl Dinner, a coffee and brunch counter serving poke bowls and coffee. Regular craft workshops also keep the space busy well beyond opening hours.
Must-try: A Girl Dinner poke bowl and a browse for something special at Socktopus
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7am to 4pm; Saturday 8am to 2pm
The Paddock | 383 Lower Main Road | Observatory | @thepaddockcpt | Image: The Paddock
RELAXED DINNERS IN SEA POINT
Arlecchino, the latest addition from the Tashas group, combines Mediterranean‑inspired dishes with Cape Town’s coastal setting. Inside there’s Venetian decor including bright patterns and pleated chandeliers. On the menu you can expect both unique dishes and elevated classics, like Amalfi lemon pasta and pineapple carpaccio dessert.
Must-try: Prawn roll (buttered prawns, grilled brioche & marie rose)
Hours: Sunday to Tueasday, 8am to 10pm; Wednesday to Saturday, 8am to 11pm
Cost: Breakfast from R94, Starters from R74, Mains from R158
16 Regent Road | Sea Point | @arlecchino_sa | Image: Arlecchino
BOOZY BRUNCHES AT BARE
Two doors down from The House of Machines is Bare, a minimalist brunch spot with moody lighting and refined interiors. You’ll find brunch with mimosas and bloody Marys, and for lunch or dinner, simple dishes with elevated twists like fish and chips with a lime aioli and malt vinegar.
Must-try: Boozy custard French toast (whipped custard brioche toast, seasonal berries, mascarpone & a hint of sherry)
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 12pm to 11pm; Sunday, 12pm to 5pm
Cost: Brunch from R115, mains from R125
90 Shortmarket Street | City Centre | @weare_bare | Image: Bare
OUZERI’S LATEST ADDITION
The beloved Greek eatery has opened a new bar upstairs, ideal for meeting up with friends before dinner or ending the night with a cocktail. Akra Bar has natural wines and curious cocktails like the Mediterranean Diet, made with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, bourbon and salted honey. The decor is cosy with dark red interiors, velvet plush couches and small round tables.
Must-try: Frappe #1 (espresso, 12-year-old whiskey, mastiha, black cardamom & cinnamon)
Hours: From 6pm, Tuesday to Saturday
Cost: Drinks from R75
58 Wale Street | City Centre | @akra_bar | Image: Akra Bar
WEEKEND MARKET IN CONSTANTIA
The Alphen Market could be your new weekend go-to this summer. Open two weekends a month (check their schedule online), it offers everything from food stalls and wine tastings to kids entertainment, live rugby, and F1 screenings. Plus, it’s pet-friendly. We went to the launch, watch to see what we discovered.
Must-try: Candles made from upcycled wine bottles from Chard & Co
Hours: First and last weekend of each month, from 9am
Cost: Free entry
Alphen Drive | Constantia | @alphenmarket | Image: Alphen Market
PRETTY PINK COTTAGE CAFÉ
Rose Cottage Café is our new go-to for brunch, bakes and all things pink and beautiful. There’s spacious indoor and outdoor seating, and the space is adorned with roses and floral paintings. They serve freshly baked ciabatta, sourdough and desserts every morning. Plus, they’re dog-friendly!
Must-try: Roast chicken phyllo pastry pie
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 8am to 4pm
Cost: Breakfast from R65
Shop 1 | Harfield Centre | 48 Second Avenue | Claremont | @rose_cottage_cafe_ | Image: @nurigallow
CRAFT BEERS AND BAKED TREATS
What do a pastry café and a bar have in common? You’ll find out at Custodian Pastry Bar. It’s a spin-off from Hoghouse Brewing Company, the same spot known for their craft beers and baked treats. Many of Custodian Pastry Bar’s pastries come straight from Hoghouse Brewing Company, and soon they’ll also be serving ales too.
Must-try: Smoked gammon toastie (with caramelised red onion, rocket, smoked jalapeno and dijon aioli)
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 7am to 4pm
Cost: Pastries from R35
Longkloof Precinct | Park Road | Gardens | @custodian.pastry.bar | Image: Custodian Pastry Bar
BEACHSIDE INDIAN FOOD TRUCK
There’s a spicy new spot bringing authentic Kashmiri and North Indian flavours straight from a traditional clay oven in Sea Point. The Tandoor Truck, founded by Kashmiri-born chef Riyaz Mir, serves a range of traditional Indian dishes, including butter chicken, malai chicken tikka (chicken marinated in a creamy blend of spices), & more.
Must-try: Kulfi (Traditional Indian homemade ice cream flavored with cardamom & saffron)
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 12.30pm to 8pm
Cost: Chicken dishes from R175
211 Beach Road | Sea Point | @tandoorclub | Image: The Tandoor
THE LATEST TASHAS CAFÉ
A stylish addition to the tashas family, Café Sofi by tashas sits in a restored Victorian building with mid-century charm. The space is elegant and playful with frilly cream couches, bright yellow cushions and striped floors. Menu favourites include cheese toasties, steak rolls, honey-butter croissants and tiramisu.
Must-try: Steak roll (Fillet steak, horseradish crème fraîche, pickled white onion, pan jus, beetroot & white balsamic dressing)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 7am to 8.30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 8.30pm
Cost: Breakfast from R48
Longkloof Precinct | Park Road | Gardens | @cafesofi_sa | Image: Cafe Sofi
MUSIC PAIRED WITH DINING
The Wiggle Room is a speakeasy-style restaurant with just 12 seats, offering private dinners, chef showcases, and wine tastings. It’s the only restaurant without a traditional menu; instead, songs are paired with curated meals.
Must-try: The menu changes often so check their Instagram for more details
Hours: Thursday - Saturday, 7pm to 10.30pm
Cost: All dishes are costed within the Wiggle package which includes drinks and surprise courses (6,8 and 12-course menu)
61 Bree Street | @thewiggleroomtm_cpt | Image: The Wiggle Room
MORE THAN A CONVENIENCE STORE
Kiosk is a hybrid café, deli, and convenience store all in one. They serve fresh coffee, artisanal baked goods, wood-fired pizzas, and pantry staples, alongside craft beers and other local products. The space has a communal table where customers can gather and eat. It’s really great for breakfast, lunch, or picking up everyday essentials.
Must-try: Levant pizza sandwich (hummus, roasted cauliflower, mint soy yoghurt, sumac, and sesame seeds on fired Neapolitan dough)
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7am to 11pm
Cost: Baked goods from R32
15 Kloof Nek Road | Gardens | @kioskcommunity | Image: Kiosk
THREE STOREY WINE BAR
This three-storey wine bar, Tannin on Bree, spotlights local producers, from ingredients to custom pottery. The ground floor offers bar snacks, sharing platters, and rotating art. Upstairs, seasonal small plates by Chef Blaine are served, while the top floor hosts tastings, private events and wine talks.
Must-try: Fried honey garlic chicken, aji verde with lime ( crispy fried chicken with a sweet garlic glaze, served with a tangy, spicy green sauce and a hint of lime)
Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 4pm to 11pm; Thursday, 12pm to 11pm; Friday and Saturday, 12pm to 12am
Cost: Small plates from R75
86 Bree Street | City Centre | @tannin_on_bree | Image: Tannin
COSY COCKTAIL & WINE BAR
Unclaimed, a cocktail and wine bar on Kloof Street, is a cosy hangout where "all strays are welcome". The drinks are inventive, from twisted classics to the refreshing white sangria. The menu includes dishes like crispy risotto with zesty salsa verde, broccolini, sweet potato salad, and more.
Must-try: The Garibaldi (red Italian liqueur made from herbs, aromatic plants, fruit peels, and fresh orange juice)
Hours: Wednesday - Saturday, 3pm to 2am; Sundays, 12pm to 10pm
Cost: Cocktails from R90
55 Kloof Street | @unclaimedbar | Image: Unclaimed Bar
LESBIAN BAR IN OBSERVATORY
The Duchess Lounge is all about cocktails, drag and burlesque. There’s daily happy hour from 5pm to 7pm, plus all day drink specials with buy-one-get-one-free on beer, cider, and wine. All the staff are queer, and they host a range of events, from drag and burlesque shows to live DJs and karaoke nights.
Must-try: The Lipstick Lesbian (Tequila and grapefruit with a salted rim)
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, from 3pm; Friday and Saturday, from 12pm; Sunday from 12pm to 9pm
Cost: Classic cocktails from R79 during happy hour
123 Lower Main Road | Observatory | @duchess_lounge | Image: Duchess Lounge
MEXICAN EATERY IN GARDENS
Chingadas has a lively interior filled with splashes of red, blue, and orange, patterned tabletops, pop art murals and themed artwork. They have a build-your-own fajita on the menu, with options of chicken, beef, pulled pork and veg. They even have nine different ways to spice up a classic Margarita. Dogs are welcome too.
Must-try: Birria beef tacos (3 corn tacos, shredded feef, mozzarella, coriander & onion salsa, with a rich beefy dipping sauce)
Hours: Tuesday - Thursday, 12pm to 11pm; Friday - Saturday, 12pm to 12am; Sunday, 12pm to 9pm
Cost: Food from R69
50 Orange Street | Gardens | @chingadas_ct | Image: Chingadas CT
HIDDEN BAR ON LONG STREET
There’s a buzzing new wine and cocktail bar hidden behind a bookshelf on Long Street. Nkula spotlights exceptional labels from Black-owned wineries and winemakers, with live DJs keeping the vibe lively all week. On Tuesdays, you can try their tasting special: a trio of handcrafted wine-based cocktails to sip through and find your fave.
Must-try: Nkula cocktail (Mansas African Whiskey, a touch of honey, and their very own Nkula Merlot)
Hours: Daily, 1pm to 2am
Cost: Signature cocktails from R134
188 Long Street | City Centre | @nkula_cpt | Image: Nkula Cocktail & Wine Boutique
AFRICAN & ASIAN DISHES IN DISTRICT SIX
Inspired by the chef’s mother, Rose’s Table is an intimate experience with just 26 seats. What started as a humble pop-up in 2023, open only twice a month, is now a permanent restaurant. The vibe feels like a mother’s love, it’s warm and welcoming. With dinners served Wednesday to Saturday, and hearty lunches on Sunday. Each dish celebrates African roots with Asian influences.
Must-try: Rose’s Generosity Dinner (chard line fish, coconut emulsion, pomme purée, citrus sauce, ginger combe)
Hours: Wednesday, 6pm to 10.30pm; Thursday - Saturday, 6pm to 11pm
Cost: Food from R110
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79 Roeland Street | District Six | @roses_table_restaurant | Image: Rose’s Table
POSSIBLY THE “BEST ESCAPE ROOM EVER”?
That’s what fans are calling HintHunt’s latest escape superhero-themed escape room. You get to collaborate like the Avengers in a room that feels just like Iron Man’s lab with sleek white walls and moving screens. You even have a Marble agent giving you clues on an iPad like your own Jarvis in HintHunt’s Marble escape game.
Must-try: Marble escape room
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 10am to 7pm; Friday to Saturday, 10am to 8.30pm; Sunday, 10am to 5.30pm
Cost: R395pp in a team of 6 (Marble); Other escape games from R350pp
Watershed | 17 Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | @hinthuntafrica | Image: HintHunt Africa
FRESH SPOT WITH FRESHER PRODUCE
Tambourine, fresh on Harrington Street, crafts beautifully detailed small plates using produce from Moya We Khaya. They run a regenerative farming project in this community garden in Khayelitsha. They support small-scale farmers, work with traceable, family-run dairies, and make everything from scratch.
Must-try: Chicken wings stuffed with bacon jam, glazed in bourbon & peri peri sauce
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 6pm to 10.30pm
Cost: Food from R100 
104 Harrington Street | District Six | @tambourinecpt | Image: Tambourine
NOW BOARDING ON FLIGHT #777
The 777 Coffee Shop is an aviation-themed café named after the iconic Boeing aircraft, and they have the decor to match. From a boarding gate-style sign to servers in pilot uniforms, it’s a playful pre-flight experience. Their menu centres mostly on their warm drinks. They also have spiral croissants dipped in chocolate and sandwiches (chicken mayo and spicy tuna).
Must-try: The 777 tiramisu
Hours: Monday - Sunday, 6am to 9.30pm
Cost: Beverages from R35
66 Keerom Street | City Center | @the777coffee_shop | Image: The 777 Coffee Shop
NEW BAR & CAFÉ ON KLOOF NEK
The Power and the Glory has expanded and moved upstairs to a new space called The Power Above (where the Moveable Feast used to be). Open from breakfast to dinner, the café gets great daytime sun, while the evenings have a buzzing bar atmosphere. On Sundays any pizza from the menu comes with a free glass of wine or a draft beer.
Must-try: Chilli lime white wine spritzer
Hours: Sunday - Friday, 7.30am to 2am; Saturday, 8am to 2am
Cost: Cocktails from R120; mains from R90
13d Kloof Nek Road | Tamboerskloof | @thepowerandtheglory | Image: The Power & The Glory
CHEF BASSON’S NEW EATERY IN THE CBD
Ongetem is chef Bertus Basson’s first new sit-down restaurant in Cape Town. There’s an open-plan kitchen with lots of fire cooking and unpretentious food made for sharing. Eat with your hands and laugh loudly if you want. It’s built on his philosophy of “the butcher, the baker and the cocktail maker,” so expect everything from bold meat cuts to cocktails and desserts.
Must-try: Furikaki fries (fries drizzled with mayo, hot spices, spring onion and dried fish skin)
Hours: Everyday, 6.30am to 9.30pm
Cost: Food from R45
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24 Park Road | Gardens | @ongetemcpt | Image: @mark_pretorius111
MOODY WINE & DINE ON HARRINGTON STREET
Lunacy Wine Bar is a moody, upscale spot in District Six. The menu, curated by Chef Riaan Schobesberger, has cold plates like beef tartare with wontons, and desserts such as espresso sponge with charred plum. The wine selection is an appreciation for the classics: It’s mostly African, with a touch of international blends.
Must-try: Sweet potato fingerlings (fries with lime cream cheese and paprika oil)
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 4pm to 11pm
Cost: Food from R70
48 Harrington Street | District Six | @lunacy_wine | Image: Lunacy Wine
DINE & DISCO, BABY
BABY is the newest nightlife gem, combining a glamorous cocktail experience with an 80s disco. The bar vibe is cosmic and elegant, with a shimmering disco ball and walls and floors covered in leopard print. You can sip cocktails, eat food like prawn tacos and teriyaki chicken skewers. And at night you can groove to disco soundtracks.
Must-try: Disco Trio (Shaved prosciutto, chilli, garlic & oregano olives, french baguette, cultured butter)
Hours: Friday - Saturday, 9pm till late
Cost: Food from R75
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13 Regent Road | Sea Point | @babycapetown | Image: BABY
SURPRISE SURF, TURF & WINE
Right above Galjoen in Harrington Street, is a new cosy 16-seater restaurant with a surprise tasting experience that focuses on flavours of the Western Cape. There’s no set menu or number of courses. Chef Adél Hughes brings together local ingredients and unique wine pairings, and her dishes celebrate the connection between land and sea.
Must-try: Pickled veldkool, springbok tataki, tomato, herb oil, sea lettuce chip
Hours: Dinner is served from 6.45pm, Monday to Saturday. Reservations are essential.
Cost: R1 050 per person
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99 Harrington Street | District Six | @seebamboes | Image: Seebamboes
SEA POINT’S GO-TO BRUNCH SPOT
Sea Point’s new go-to spot for brunch and wine is Juno. Think fresh breads, flaky pastries, and a grab-and-go fridge for those on the move. The interior is dotted with round mirrors and fresh flowers (which you can purchase) and the menu has everything from hummus and mezze platters to Asian slaw salads and shakshuka.
Must-try: Smoked salmon on rösti
Hours: Monday - Sunday, 7am to 6pm
Cost: Coffee from R30, meals from R75
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6 Kloof Road | Sea Point | @juno.capetown | Image: Juno
6-COURSE MEAL ON A… BUS?
Ever tried dining in a moving restaurant? Bus Cuisine is a double-decker bus that takes lunch and dinner to the next level (literally). They serve four and six course meals made by award-winning chefs, paired with some of the best Cape wines. Plus, each table has a window so you can soak in scenic sea views while you eat.
Must-try: Chocolate spring rolls with crème anglaise, citrus slices, and a drizzle of honey
Hours: Monday - Sunday, from 9am for breakfast
Cost: Breakfast is R995pp, lunch is R1 295pp, dinner is R1 495pp
Departure from The Commodore Hotel | V&A Waterfront | @buscuisine | Image: Bus Cuisine
TASTE CHOCOLATES AND ICE CREAM
It’s the Spice Route’s latest addition. You can now try a chocolate tasting at the Beyer’s Chocolate Room. There’s locally made chocolates and coffee, plus ice cream tastings are also available. Inside you’ll find a colourful and bright interior that makes you feel like a kid in a candy store.
Must-try: Premium chocolate tasting
Hours: Monday - Sunday, 9am to 5pm
Cost: R60 per person for chocolate tastings, R100 per person for premium chocolate tastings
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Suid-Agter-Paarl Road | Southern Paarl | Paarl | @beyerschoc | Image: Beyers Chocolate
ITALIAN CRAFT COCKTAILS
This restaurant in the CBD evokes feelings of a laidback Italian summer. There’s Limoncello cosmopolitans, tiramisu martinis, and unconventional eats like bite-sized lasagne crocchetta. And if that’s not enough, there’s a vibey rooftop bar upstairs from Filini at Radisson Cape Town Foreshore.
Must-try: Tiramisu martini or Limoncello cosmo
Hours: Daily, 6.30am to 10pm
Cost: Cocktails from R95; Mains from R129
29 Heerengracht Street | 021 427 4800 | info.capetown@radisson.com | @radissonhotelcapetown | Image: Radisson at Cape Town Foreshore
SAFARI FOR WINE LOVERS
With Durbanville Wine Safari, you can explore this lush wine valley by safari vehicle, tasting some of the region’s finest wines at Nitida Wine Estate, Maastricht Wine Estate, Durbanville Hills and more. Grab your friends and spend the day doing their Hop-on-Hop-off safari and curate your own wine route.
Must-try: Hop-on Hop-off Day Trip
Hours: 9:30am to 6pm (Closed Mondays)
Cost: R300 per person
Durbanville | @durbanville_wine_safari | Image: Durbanville Wine Safari
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