Cape Town offers a host of exciting, innovative date night restaurants, perfect for a special night out, or even your standing weekly date night. Read on to find out our favourite spots in the city for delicious food, great ambiance, and a well-curated evening out.
Bascule Bar & Lounge
For a unique and intimate date, consider a night at Bascule Bar and Lounge at the V&A Waterfront. This spot offers an elegant atmosphere with stunning mountain views and the serene charm of the yacht marina. It’s an ideal location for a relaxed, yet sophisticated evening, especially if you love and enjoy whisky or fine spirits.
Enjoy a curated selection of rare whiskies, scotch, and bourbons, or indulge in a guided tasting session to learn more about the art of distilling. With a newly designed interior, moody lighting, and an impressive contemporary art collection, it sets the perfect backdrop for conversation and connection. Pair your drinks with the bar’s inventive small plate menu, like the Linefish Ceviche, and enjoy cocktails inspired by nature.
When: Mon to Sun | 12 noon – 12 midnight
Where: Cape Grace Hotel, W Quay Rd, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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ROOI at One&Only
For a truly special date night, treat your partner to an unforgettable experience at ROOI at One&Only Cape Town. This bold and sophisticated grillroom offers a fresh twist on traditional South African cuisine, making it the perfect spot for an elegant yet inviting dinner. The menu showcases local flavors, from gourmet braai dishes like South African Wagyu steaks and flame-grilled South Coast Rock Lobster to indulgent desserts like Hertzoggies and Malva pudding.
Enhance your meal with an exceptional selection of wines, premium cocktails, and spirits inspired by South Africa’s nine provinces.
When: Daily from 6pm to 10pm
Where: ROOI, One & Only Cape Town, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
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Bombay Brasserie
This Valentine’s Day, let Bombay Brasserie set the stage for a love story to remember. Crowned Cape Town’s most romantic restaurant by DiningOut.com, this sophisticated gem within the Taj Cape Town invites you to an evening of indulgence, elegance, and exquisite cuisine.
Treat yourself and your partner to an exclusive seven-course Valentine’s dinner, featuring a choice between non-vegetarian or vegetarian menus. Each dish is a testament to artistry, flavour, and passion.
Reservations via email: [email protected] or call +27 21 819 2000
When: Monday – Saturday | 6pm – 10.30pm
Where: Bombay Brasserie, Taj Cape Town, Wale St, Cape Town
Nobu Cape Town
Nobu Cape Town, located within the One&Only resort, is the only Nobu in Africa, offering an unparalleled culinary experience.
At Nobu Cape Town, the menu introduces a series of dishes that pay homage to the local palate. Among them is the Yuzu Cured Sea Bass with Orange Amazu, the Springbok with Truffle Tosazu and a Coconut Mango Pana Cotta to end. Each plate offers a meeting point between tradition and reinvention. These offerings are complemented by an expertly curated selection of sake, wine and artisanal cocktails, each chosen to heighten the sensory experience and encourage convivial sharing.
At the heart of the dining experience lies the Omakase, a dynamic exchange between guest and chef, guided by intuition and unity. Each evening unfolds in harmony, where dishes flow with a sense of connection and balance, blending Nobu classics with locally inspired creations for a journey unique to Cape Town.
Bookings for Nobu can be made on the website.
When: Daily | 6pm to 11pm
Where: Nobu, One & Only Cape Town, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
Amura by Ángel León
Guided by Head Chef Guillermo Salazar, Amura brings a thoughtful dialogue between Andalusia and the Cape to its culinary philosophy. Salazar’s approach blends technical precision with a minimalist, expressive style that reflects both his international background and the raw beauty of the local coastline.
The menu highlights the ocean as muse, drawing on its depth, texture, and sense of discovery. Rather than relying on complexity, the dishes focus on elemental flavours and a strong sense of place, honouring both the Atlantic and the culinary traditions that shaped Salazar’s craft.
The drinks programme follows the same spirit of innovation, incorporating coastal influences and collaborations with local producers. From bespoke spirits to ocean-aged wines, the selection is curated to complement the restaurant’s coastal identity while exploring the meeting point between Andalusia and the Cape.
Bookings can be made on Dineplan.
When: Tuesday – Saturday | 12.30pm – 3pm (lunch) and 6.30pm – 10pm (dinner)
Where: Mount Nelson Hotel, 76 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Ginja
Set on the Pierhead at the V&A Waterfront, Ginja serves a versatile, contemporary menu that draws on South African flavours and locally sourced ingredients. Views take in the working harbour with Table Mountain beyond, while an all‑day offering covers breakfast through dinner.
Enjoy water-side ambiance and outdoor dining at this iconic spot at the V&A Waterfront.
Bookings can be made on Dineplan.
When: Daily | 6.30am – 11pm
Where: Victoria & Alfred Hotel, Pierhead, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
The Conservatory
The Conservatory, situated in The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel and Spa offers guests unparalleled garden vistas from both the sun-drenched terrace and the indoor tables.
It is one of Constantia’s finest daily breakfast, lunch and dinner venues.The Conservatory menu places a great emphasis on fresh produce from both The Cellars-Hohenort gardens and local green-friendly suppliers, and this gives it the unique ability to showcase a true taste of the Constantia Valley.
Friendly service and an award-winning wine list ensure that The Conservatory offers guests and locals an exceptional everyday dining experience.
Bookings can be made on Dineplan.
When: Breakfast: 7am- 10.30 am | Lunch: 12pm -2.30pm | Dinner: 6pm -9.30pm
Where: The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel and Spa, 93 Brommersvlei Road, Constantia, Cape Town
ëlgr
Nestled in the heart of Cape Town, ëlgr restaurant stands as a beacon of culinary creativity and urban charm. Headed by the visionary chef Jesper Nilsson and his expert team, ëlgr offers a unique dining experience centered around globally inspired shared-plate delicacies. The menu, a dynamic canvas of ever-changing flavor marriages, showcases the artistry of combining diverse culinary traditions into exquisite, shareable dishes.
Bookings can be made via email ([email protected]).
When: Wednesday – Saturday | 6pm – 11pm
Where: 75 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town
The Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel and Spa
The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel & Spa, tucked in the lush Constantia Valley, is opening up their gorgeous Greenhouse venue for a special Valentine’s Day dining encounter.
Head Chef Daniel Blignaut leans towards South Africa’s diverse culinary landscape to weave together a five-course menu that spotlight local ingredients and bold, comforting flavours that are designed to be enjoyed together.
Start the evening with a glass of bubbles before you try the chef’s selection of freshly prepared roosterkoek, mosbolletjie and braaibroodtjie. Further menu highlights include marinated prawns with Cape Malay vinaigrette, grilled line fish, and stuffed squid as well as lamb kofta with spiced tomato and onion relish, springbok kebab, confit quail with crispy sorghum, matlebekwane steamed dumplings in a comforting vegetable stew, and much more.
A fragrant lavender lemonade palate cleanser refreshes between courses. A decadent duo of desserts features strawberry and chocolate panna cotta, served alongside peaches and cream with peach mille-feuille, chocolate, chantilly cream and vanilla-honey ice cream.
Cost for the experience is R1295pp, and includes a welcoming drink and five courses. Bookings can be made via email [email protected] or call 021 794 2137
When: Saturday, 14 February from 6:30pm
Where: The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel and Spa, 93 Brommersvlei Road, Constantia, Cape Town
Grub and Vine at Norval Foundation
Situated at the Norval Foundation – a custodian and haven for African visual art – Grub & Vine Norval serves elegant bistro-style fare paired with fantastic wine, in an idyllic Winelands setting that pays homage to nature’s own artistry.
The menu is small and seasonal, with an emphasis on honest cooking and fresh produce. After a visit to the Norval Foundation, warm up with a delicious meal at Grub and Vine.
Reservations can be made on the website.
When: Open for dinner Wednesday – Saturday | 6pm – 9pm
Where: Grub and Vine, Norval Foundation, 4 Steenberg Road, Tokai
Everything About the Norval Foundation
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 cosy dining rooms and a romantic lounge with plush couches.
The brasserie-inspired menu offers delicious, hearty dishes, while the glamorous cocktail list adds a touch of sparkle to the evening. With its intimate ambience and friendly, attentive staff, Kloof Street House creates a homely yet stylish setting where you can relax and unwind, making it an ideal spot for a memorable night out.
Reservations can be made on the website.
When: Monday – Sunday | 12pm – late (Monday) | 10am – late (Tuesday – Sunday)
Where: Kloof Street House, 30 Kloof Street, Gardens
De Tafel at Palm House Boutique Hotel
De Tafel Restaurant in Wynberg is an intimate concept eatery, where the dishes are crafted and presented meticulously with ingredients that engage all senses. Here you can leap into a world where seasonal ingredients and next-level cooking methods converge in the quiet and leafy parts of Wynberg and close to Constantia.
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 takes its cue from the indigenous flora and flavours of the Cape.
Bookings can be made via the website.
When: Wednesday – Sunday | 6pm – 9.30pm
Where: De Tafel Restaurant, Palm House Boutique Hotel & Spa, 10 Oxford Street, Wynberg, Cape Town
