Want an elegant dining experience while still keeping warm this winter? Look no further than this guide to snug, cosy restaurants that keep guests warm with fireside dining, good food, and a lively atmosphere.
Chingadas
This vibrant Tex-Mex restaurant thrives on colourful decor, messy eating, and lots of cocktails. The space is made up of many interleading rooms and multiple fireplaces, ensuring the atmosphere is as warm as the food. It’s a relatively new addition to the trendy spots near Kloof Street, distinguishing itself with its family-friendly environment and proudly Mexican identity.
Chingadas is perhaps best known for its build-your-own margarita, with a handy guide that teaches guests how to make the perfect drink for them. Its food menu is extensive, with traditional favourites including nachos and fajitas, alongside unique offerings like avocado fries and a churro cheesecake.
Book a table on Dineplan.
When: Tuesday – Sunday | 12pm – 11pm (Tue – Thu) | 12pm – 12am (Fri & Sat) | 12pm – 9pm (Sun)
Where: 50 Orange St, Gardens, Cape Town
The Strangers Club
Nestled in a historic Green Point home, this cosy eatery is a fireside brunch spot known for filling breakfasts, warm toasties, and a diverse assortment of hot drinks. Whether it’s a cold morning on the way to work or a chilly Saturday brunch by the fireplace, The Strangers Club is a great place to stop for a steaming cup of coffee in the middle of the city.
When: Monday – Saturday | 9am – 4pm (Mon – Fri) | 9am – 2pm (Sat)
Where: 1 Braemar Rd, Green Point, Cape Town
ROOI
At this sophisticated dining space, guests experience fire-cooked meals, with an emphasis on sustainably sourced cuts and ingredients from local suppliers. Sitting in a warmly lit, wood-and-stone interior with a carefully selected wine list featuring offerings from boutique vineyards and lesser-known farms, ROOI is ideal for a luxury dinner indoors.
Guests can indulge in a selection of steaks, including South African Wagyu and Prime Beef steaks, and ‘ROOI Selects’ such as Aged Mutton, Kalahari Venison, and Masala Spiced Kingklip. The seafood offering on the menu is highlighted by flame-grilled South Coast Rock Lobster and tuna.
Make a reservation on Dineplan.
When: Daily from 6pm to 10pm
Where: ROOI, One & Only Cape Town, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
Die Damhuis
Housed in one of the oldest buildings in the Western Cape, this restaurant is a must-try spot for anyone in the Mother City. The menu is extensive, with South African favourites such as Cape Malay seafood curry, bobotie, salads, and Saldanha oysters.
One of Die Damhuis’ most attractive traits is its setting: just off the coast of Melkbosstrand, the interior is authentically inviting, while Table Mountain looms in the distance, just above the ocean. The building is divided into three sections, with the intimate Voorhuijs featuring a crackling fireplace, while gas heaters warm the Fisherman’s Tent area.
Reservations can be made on the website.
When: Tuesday – Sunday | 12pm – 11pm (Tue – Thu) | 9am – 11pm (Fri – Sun)
Where: 32 Beach Rd, Melkbosstrand, Cape Town
Asoka
Asoka, one of the gems of Kloof Street, offers good food and hypnotic music. Set in a beautifully restored Victorian house, the intimate lighting, flickering fireplace, and rich wooden interiors create a warm, cosy atmosphere the moment visitors walk through the door.
Known for its Asian fusion sharing platters and expertly-prepared cocktails, Asoka is a haven for both food lovers and night owls. As the evening progresses, the energy shifts with a curated lineup of house music, turning the lounge into a vibrant late-night spot. On Sundays, the night is underscored by live jazz to end the week on a high note.
Reservations can be made on the website.
When: Daily | 6pm – late
Where: Asoka, 68 Kloof Street, Gardens
On The Rocks
This aptly-named eatery is right on Blouberg’s famous beach, with a perfect view of Table Mountain on the horizon. For the winter, guests dine inside near a Venetian fireplace – the menu featuring classic breakfasts, light salads, gourmet mains, and a wide array of seafood.
Guests can book on Dineplan.
When: Monday – Sunday | 9am – 10pm
Where: 45 Stadler Street, Blouberg
Bardelli’s
A celebrated local mainstay found in the heart of Kenilworth. Known for its hearty, home-style dishes and its commitment to quality ingredients, Bardelli’s has been voted the best Pizzeria in South Africa. From wood-fired pizzas with crisp bases to rich pastas and indulgent desserts, every dish is crafted with care and authenticity.
The cosy, quirky interior – complete with warm lighting, vintage décor, and a welcoming fireplace – adds to the restaurant’s charm. The upbeat ambience and genuinely friendly staff create a welcoming environment, perfect for a cold winter night.
Booking is available on the website.
When: Daily | 12pm – 10pm (Sun – Thu) | 12pm – 10.30pm (Fri & Sat)
Where: Cnr Kenilworth & Wessel Rds, 51 Kenilworth Rd, Kenilworth
De Volkskombuis
A culinary institution in the heart of Stellenbosch, De Volkskombuis’ menu features everything from wood-fired pizzas to traditional favourites like bobotie. The indoor fireplace keeps the dining space toasty, while wine enthusiasts can enjoy many favourites from throughout the Cape, alongside a special Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective section for local producers only.
Reservations available via the website.
When: Monday – Sunday | 7am – 10am; 12pm – 3pm; 6pm – 9pm
Where: De Volkskombuis, Aan-de-Wagenweg, Krigeville, Stellenbosch
ëlgr
ëlgr is an elegant urban restaurant, serving shared-plate dishes with simple, fresh ingredients. The menu is an ever-changing feast of exciting flavour pairings, while a wood-fired oven bakes Neapolitan-style pizzas for diners, and the wine list features many local favourites. Headed by Chef Jesper Nilsson, the menu takes inspiration from Nordic cuisine, combining it with traditional South African meals.
Found squarely in the middle of Kloof Street, ëlgr offers a chance to relax in a warm haven of good food and elegant dining, especially important in the winter months.
Reservations can be made on the website.
When: Monday – Saturday | 6pm – 11pm
Where: ëlgr, 75 Kloof Street, Gardens
Nobu
Known worldwide for its luxury seafood menu, the restaurant’s iconic double‑volume space is a warm and inviting shelter from the Cape Town cold. The acclaimed hot-dish menu includes fan favourites like seabass, crayfish, and black cod, while the special lunch offerings feature yellowtail jalapeño and seafood ceviche. The food is complemented by a curated selection of sake, wine and artisanal cocktails.
Bookings for Nobu can be made on the website.
When: Monday – Sunday | 6pm – 11pm (Mon – Sun) | 12pm – 3pm (weekend only)
Where: Nobu, One & Only Cape Town, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
The Wine Glass
This spot in Stellenbosch is a warm and welcoming destination for wine enthusiasts, offering over 130 local wines by the glass. With tasting flights designed to guide visitors through the best of the Stellenbosch region, it’s the ideal spot to explore new varietals.
The menu features delicious Mediterranean tapas, sharing plates, and mains, all crafted to complement the wines and elevate your experience. As the temperature drops, the cosy fireplace and inviting atmosphere make it an ideal winter escape while finding some new wine favourites.
Reservations can be made on the website.
When: Monday – Sunday | 11.30am – 10pm (Sun – Fri)
Where: The Wine Glass, 13 Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch
Kloof Street House
Kloof Street House is a funky, eclectic restaurant housed in a beautifully restored Victorian home on one of Cape Town’s most iconic streets. The space is a charming mix of vintage décor and modern flair, with multiple dining rooms, a romantic lounge with plush couches, and welcoming fireplaces, making it the perfect winter retreat.
The brasserie-inspired menu offers everything from premium steaks to vegan bakes, while the extensive cocktail list adds a touch of sparkle to the evening. With its unique ambience and friendly, attentive staff, Kloof Street House creates a homely yet stylish setting for a memorable night out.
Reservations can be made on the website.
When: Monday – Sunday | 11am – late (Mon) | 10am – late (Tue – Sun) | Kitchen closes at 12am
Where: Kloof Street House, 30 Kloof Street, Gardens
Jonkershuis at Groot Constantia
Jonkershuis Constantia is nestled in the historic core of the Groot Constantia Wine Estate next to the historic Manor House and surrounded by ancient oak trees. This family-owned and managed bistro boasts a diversity of settings, from private dining grandeur and intimate fireside dining to typical Italian village gatherings in its vine-covered courtyard.
With an extensive wine list, courtesy of the surrounding Groot Constantia Wine Estate, and a variety of Cape Malay-inspired dishes, Jonkershuis offers a scenic winter experience.
Reservations can be made on the website.
When: Monday – Sunday | 8am – 9pm (Mon – Sa) | 8am – 5pm (Sun)
Where: Jonkershuis Restaurant, Groot Constantia Road, Groot Constantia Wine Estate, Constantia
De Tafel at Palm House Boutique Hotel
De Tafel Restaurant in Wynberg is an intimate, fine-dining concept eatery where dishes are crafted and presented meticulously, using ingredients that engage all senses. Here, they use seasonal ingredients and next-level cooking methods to create an immersive exploration of Cape heritage in the quiet, leafy parts of Wynberg.
The elegant, dinner-only fine-dining restaurant is one of the most exciting new gourmet destinations in Cape Town, offering a multi-course menu that draws on the indigenous flora and flavours of the Cape.
Bookings can be made via the website.
When: Wednesday – Sunday | 6pm – 10pm
Where: De Tafel Restaurant, Palm House Boutique Hotel & Spa, 10 Oxford Street, Wynberg, Cape Town
Epice
Epice, derived from the French word Épice, meaning “spice,” is an intimate fine-dining restaurant located in Le Quartier Français, Franschhoek. The menu is carefully curated around the global spices used in each dish, both to ground and enhance the array of flavours.
The restaurant serves many curated dishes and features a flavour-packed menu inspired by the team’s culinary expedition to India, as well as memories of travels through Spain, Japan, Mexico, Denmark and the US.
Bookings can be made via the website.
When: 6pm – 8pm (Mon – Thu) | 12pm – 2pm & 6pm – 8pm (Fri – Sun)
Where: Le Quartier Français, Cnr Huguenot & Berg St, Franschhoek
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