Top healthy eateries in Cape Town

From gluten-free to vegan, this food will make you feel good 

Last updated: 5 January 2023

When you think of healthy eating, what’s the first meal that pops into your mind? If it’s a salad and glass of water, we’ve got some news for you. These days healthy living has been boosted – it’s full of flavour whether you are vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian or even gluten- and dairy-free. Get addicted to plant-based waffles and ice cream, spinach breads and vegan gatsby’s. You’ll find them at our top healthy eateries in Cape Town. 

GO MEATLESS AT A FAST-FOOD JOINT

This fast-food vegan joint on Loop Street, covered in greenery and wooden panels from floor to roof, serves juicy burgers, loaded boerie rolls, tacos, kinky cornribs and ice cream sundaes, and it’s so good you’ll understand exactly why its named WTF Plant?

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 8am - 10pm; Sunday,  brunch, 8am - 3pm

WTF Plant | 63 Loop Street | Cape Town | 021 569 9371 | @wtfplant | Image: Sarah Jarvis

TRY THE ABUNDANCE BOWL OR MAC N CHEESE

Whether you are vegetarian, vegan, Keto, banting, gluten-free or just plain hungry, it will have something delicious - this popular breakfast spot in Sea Point has it all. Try the vegan and gluten-free choc-chip flapjacks, Abundance Bowl or classic Mac n Cheese (also vegan) for breakfast or lunch. 

Hours: Monday to Sundays, 7am to 3pm

78 Regent Rd | Sea Point | @kanela.cafe.cpt | Image: Kanela Café

TRY MASTERCLASS DISHES AND KOMBUCHA COCKTAILS 

Pear Tree on the Village Square offers an amazing range of food like poke bowls, tofu tostadas and pink falafal tacos. There's choices for meat-lovers too, like crispy pork belly ribs (but we bet anyone will enjoy the charcoal aqufaba and brownie dessert, vegan or not!). It's right by the sea, so relax under the trees and admire the view while you sip on a kombucha cocktail.

Hours: Daily, 10:30am - 9pm

Village Square | 81 Marine Drive | Hermanus | 028 313 1224 | Instagram: @peartreehermanus

TRY THESE PLANT-BASED WAFFLES AT LEXI’S

There is something so nostalgic about eating a waffle with a strawberry milkshake. Now imagine that exact combo, but completely plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free. Lexi’s Healthy Eatery in Sea Point is just the place to take that trip down memory lane, with its Vanilla Power Waffle paired with a Beach Please smoothie (with strawberry protein powder). Enjoy that righteous way of eating at Lexi’s. 

Hours: Mon - Fri from 7.30am - 9pm; Sat from 8.30am - 9pm; Sun from 8.30am - 3.30pm

85A Regent Road | Sea Point | 078 127 1514 | Instagram: @lexiseatery

STOCK UP ON GLUTEN-FREE GOODS HERE

This one's for our gluten-intolerant friends: Say goodbye to those pesky stomach aches. Off the Gluten Path in Woodstock is 100% gluten-free and offers everything from sandwiches to sweet treats. You can also buy from its pantry section and stock up on gluten-free bread, rusks, pizza bases and all the kitchen essentials.

Hours: Mon - Fri from 8am - 4.30pm; Sat from 8am - 3pm; closed on Sundays

7 Ravenscraig Road | Unit 3 Mason’s Press | Woodstock | 082 495 2552 | Instagram: @off_the_gluten_path 

FIND FRESH SMOOTHIES + WRAPS AT THIS GROCER

Wildsprout in Kenilworth has made healthy eating easy and accessible to all with its bountiful food and grocery area. It’s a great spot to grab a quick smoothie or enjoy a healthy lunch (including wraps, sandwiches, burgers, salads and soups). Alternatively you can shop for fresh, organic produce in the grocery area in store, or online.

Hours: Mon - Fri from 8am - 5pm, Sat & Sun from 8am - 2pm

278 Main Road | Kenilworth | 078 576 6124 | Instagram: @wildsproutcpt

LOAD UP ON NUTRIENTS AT THE SPINACH KING

Spinach is a great vegetable for both health and wealth: It contains all six major classes of nutrients and is highly affordable. Spinach King, based in Khayelitsha, promotes this nutritious veggie with products like its famous spinach bread. Swing by the health café and order a nutritious breakfast or lunch with a spinach smoothie on the side.

Hours: Mon - Fri from 8am - 6pm; Sun from 8am - 5pm; closed on Saturdays

40 Khwezi Cres | Village 1 South | Khayelitsha |  084 362 4252 | Instagram: @spinach_kind_sa 

EAT ICE CREAM, EVEN IF YOU’RE VEGAN

We all scream for ice cream, but it can be tough if you are a vegan or on a dairy-free diet. Ditto ice cream parlour serves 100% plant-based ice cream that’s indistinguishable from dairy. You can try out new flavours every week, from Brittle Gone Nuts and Gingery Snap to Marvellous Mango and Granny Smith’s Pie.

Hours: Tue - Thu from 1pm - 9pm; Fri - Sun from 12pm - 9pm 

119 Kloof Street | Gardens | Instagram: @eatditto
 

TRY THESE TINY BUT MIGHTY VEGGIES

Sprouts and microgreens are not just decorations for your meals, they are also jam-packed with nutrients. Sunshine Food Co in Sea Point uses them as main elements in its flavourful plant-based dishes. Whether you try the bunless vegan burger or gluten-free wrap, you will be eating – and loving – mouthfuls of these small tasty greens. 

Hours: Mon - Sun from 9am - 8pm

2 M61 | Three Anchor Bay | 081 825 0925 | Instagram: @sunshinefoodct 

ENJOY VEGAN JUNK FOOD FOR THE SOUL

There is nothing that screams “Cape Town” like a good old Gatsby – pity about the meat, though. Don’t stress, old sport; Lekker Vegan sells a 100% cruelty-free Gatsby that tastes as good as the real deal. Or opt for some other yummy “junk food”, like the juicy cheezy burger or gluten-free nacho bowls.

Hours: Tue - Sat from 7am - 11pm; Sun from 11.30am - 7.30pm

Palmhof Shopping Center | 105 Kloof Street | Gardens | 084 903 6697 | Instagram: @lekkervegan
 

HOP ON THE ZERO-WASTE WAGON

This little gem is completely plastic-free and sells Earth-friendly products. Bring your own container and shop for dry goods, sauces, preserves and even skin-care products at Nude Foods. You can also order some organic teas, artisanal plant-based elixirs and superpowered smoothies and sit outside in the courtyard at Café Nude & Wild Eatery.

Hours: Mon - Fri from 9am - 5.30pm; Sat from 9am - 3pm; Closed on Sundays

5 Constitution Street | Zonnebloem | 021 437 3003 | Instagram: @nudefoods.za

SOME SPECIAL SHOUTOUTS

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