Spyced Restaurant: Cape Malay Dining, Spice Encounters and Live Jazz

Spyced Restaurant is tucked in a quiet corner at the V&A Waterfront’s Silo precinct, and tells the story of African flavour and migration. The dining spot is managed by the same folks who run Gold, one of the oldest African restaurants in Cape Town. Spyced Restaurant, however, focuses sharply on formal Cape Malay cuisine with a dash of theatrical dining. Follow stories of the Spice Route trading winds that once carried cloves, cinnamon and stories from the East to the Cape. Take in Cape Town’s underrated musical talent, and taste a fusion of bold dishes that echo authentic Cape Malay kitchens. Here’s what you need to know.

Spyced Restaurant in Cape Town Cape Malay dining | What's on in Cape Town

The lunchtime Cape Malay cooking masterclass

Lunch at Spyced Restaurant is part lesson, part feast with a guided cooking class hosted in the open kitchen section of the venue. Culinary guide, Fayruza Abrahams, greets you with a fragrant welcome drink and shares interesting stories of Bo Kaap spice shops and ocean crossings.

Learn how to crush coriander pods correctly and blend your own masala in warm stone bowls. The pickling session unpacks how to preserve fresh peaches with fragrant star anise. Fayruza shows the health secrets of turmeric milk, followed by a step-by-step journey on how to fold, pinch and fry the crunchiest curry potato samoosas. End the experience with a three-course lunch crafted to amplify the spice profiles that were used throughout the lesson.

Cost: Cooking experience – R1500pp; Three-course set menu – R450pp, book via Dineplan or call/email

When: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm
Where: Silo 4, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town

Vibrant flavours and sounds in the evening at Spyced Restaurant

The after-dark experience at Spyced Restaurant takes a sensory turn with a multi-course set menu, immersive drumming, and live jazz. It’s the sort of place where you’ll find curious diners who are looking for something different to the usual, jazz-loving locals, and visiting tourists.

Join fellow guests and learn how to play multi-layered African music on the Djembe Drum. The team will teach you how to play different rhythms in harmony with others in a drum circle and create sounds that are joyous and satisfying. It’s an insightful and insanely fun activity.

Menu favourites include fresh mosbolletjie rolls for the bread course, Denningvleis with slow-roasted lamb smothered in a tamarind sauce and confit mash, oven-roasted cauliflower steak, and a kingklip coconut curry, which are worth waiting for – not that you usually have to. Vegetarian and vegan options are all available. There’s an extensive drinks list with some of the top local wine varietals from Cape vineyards.

Between the main course and dessert, waiters at Spyced Restaurant routinely trade their aprons for a space at the demo table to share all about the fundamentals of fine spices and how to blend your own curry base from scratch.

Spyced Restaurant also hosts live jazz shows every night of the week. The artist lineup shines a light on local musicians who’ve nailed the old-school aesthetic, a set list of ballads, bebop numbers and everything in between.

Group, corporate and party bookings are popular and must be booked in advance.

Cost: 12-course set menu – R750pp; Djembe drumming – R150pp. Book via Dineplan or call/email

When: Daily, from 6:30pm to 11pm
Where: Silo 4, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town