From fine dining options to authentic street food fare, Cape Town’s Indian and Asian foodie scenes take in top restaurants in the CBD, Woodstock, and along the Atlantic Seaboard.
Thali
Served over three courses, Liam Tomlin’s contemporary Indian menu will take you on an aromatic journey of the subcontinent, with flavours that are sure to instantly transport you to the fragrant streets of Dheli – modern Indian dining at its very best. It’s important to note that Thali does not take bookings – arrive early to snag one of the atmospheric courtyard tables.
https://www.chefswarehouse.co.za/thali
Bombay Brasserie at the Taj Cape Town
Set in a sumptuous dining room within the Taj Cape Town hotel, Bombay Brasserie weaves together Indian and Cape Malay cuisine to create a masala melting pot of regional Indian flavours. Start with pre-dinner drinks in the Bombay Brasserie Bar before moving on to firm favourites such as Baingan Bharta (clay oven smoked aubergine), and Tikka Masala (charred Tikka with fenugreek in an onion and tomato sauce). For the full experience, order the set menu for two.
https://www.facebook.com/BombayBrasserieCT/
FYN
One of only three South African restaurants to make it into the top 100 of the World’s Best Restaurants 2021 list, Peter Tempelhoff’s FYN is one of the Mother City’s most memorable – and stylish – dining experiences. Residing on the fifth floor of a commercial block, with a distinct Lower Manhattan feel and jaw-dropping Table Mountain views, the restaurant’s condensed kaiseki-style menu runs the full gamut of (incredible) flavours and textures. http://fynrestaurant.com/
The Pot Luck Club
While Luke Dale-Roberts’ award-winning The Test Kitchen sadly closed down, its sister restaurant continues to shine. Situated on the top floor of the Silo at The Old Biscuit Mill, The Pot Luck Club boasts rather spectacular city views, and a sharing menu that doesn’t miss a bit flavour-wise – from salty, sour, and bitter to sweet and umami. As in all of the renowned chef’s restaurants, the open kitchen provides a theatrical focal point.
South China Dim Sum
A longstanding favourite of many a Capetonian, this iconic hole in the wall on vibey Long Street is the place to head to for tummy-filling goodness following a city tour, or ahead of a night out on the town. The simple, Cantonese Tea House-style eatery dishes up authentic, mouth-popping dishes that has happy punters return time and again for their dim sum fix.
https://www.facebook.com/SouthChinaDimSumBar/
Bao Down
Cape Town’s hottest bao spot has been busting at the seams ever since throwing its doors open in 2018 – no wonder it recently relocated from its original Oranjezicht location to a larger space in Green Point. The delicious bao buns and other small sharing plates make for a great start to a fun night out with friends.
https://www.baodowncapetown.com/
Tjing Tjing Torii
Offering casual Japanese street food, Tjing Tjing Torii brings a bite of Tokyo to the Mother City. The ramen bowls, steamed buns, gyozas and bento and sando boxes are all excellent choices, just make sure to leave room for the chewy mochi doughnuts for dessert. Tip – head to Tjing Tjing Rooftop upstairs pre- or post-dinner for excellent drinks and mesmerising views.
https://www.tjingtjing.co.za/
