Everyone knows Cape Town is hailed as a melting pot of cultures, cuisines and people. And this diversity is perhaps most pronounced in our local eateries and cafes that often have a continental influence. You can find everything from Japanese mochi to Greek ek mek and chicken souvlaki to our own hearty South African favourites, like bobotie, slap chips or milk tart.
I have sampled my way through some of the best internationally inspired foods and it’s time to share them with my readers!
In this post, I share my favourite global flavours from local eateries in Cape Town and the Cape Winelands.
A Slice of la Dolce Vita – Italian
Trecastelli (Canal Walk)
It’s hard to find truly authentic Italian desserts and sweet treats in Cape Town but I think I’ve struck gold on that score.
By far my favourite, though, is Trecastelli. They are known for their delectable sweet treats and pastries. But what I love most is that there’s a wide variety but it is all incredible.
With a legacy rooted in Italy that dates back to 1968, father and son duo, Ricardo and Franco have been slowly but superbly injecting Italian fare and flare into the Mother City.
While their flagship location is in Blouberg, I am promoting their Canal Walk branch here, as it’s the one I have personally tried.
Signature Flavours to Savour:
Definitely try their Cannola Siciliano. After all, it is Italy’s favourite dessert and it is filled with sweet ricotta – and plenty of love!
And of course, you cannot leave without a slice of original tiramisu.
The Atmosphere and Setting:
The stand at Canal Walk is minimalist but still beautiful.
Their main location, though, really is an Italian gem in the heart of Blouberg. Here, their restaurant mimics the warmth of neighbourhood brasseries often found in major Italian destinations like Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice.
Best of all, in true Italian style, they offer uncompromising, seductive food.
Good to Know:
Their stand at Canal Walk’s Food Court is well-priced. It offers a wonderful range of delicious, fresh Italian treats.
Planning Your Visit:
Check out their Facebook page here, visit their website or direct your queries to:
- +27 (081) 589 8820
- info@trecastelli.co.za
Mezza Luna (Durbanville)
In recent years, the Northern Suburbs has undergone a bit of a restaurant boom.
There are now plenty of lovely spots to enjoy. In Durbanville, one of our favourites for a coffee or a delicious pizza is Mezza Luna at Cobble Walk.
They have a Caffe and Trattoria situated across from each other. Both are elegant, offer friendly, efficient service and yes, you guessed it, allow you to sample your way through some Italian gems.
Signature Flavours to Savour:
I definitely recommend a romantic meal at their Trattoria (they are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner) but their Caffe is well worth a try too. If only for their properly made hot beverages.
The Atmosphere and Setting:
The atmosphere at both the Caffe and Trattoria is elegant, airy and altogether stylish.
There’s an air of intimacy at the Trattoria, even at their busiest and the Caffe sells a range of authentic Italian goodies that happily add to the decor.
Good to Know:
Try the coffee at the Caffe; it’s some of the best I have had.
Planning Your Visit:
Follow them on social media, check out their website or book a spot at their Trattoria.
IceDream (Hout Bay)
Hout Bay certainly has some quality food spots. One of our new favourites is the small but cheerful Ice Dream Gelateria.
They have been scooping since 1993, after Nonna Liana started this dreamy pink store. More to the point, they are an authentic gelateria owned by an Italian family who is well-loved within the Hout Bay community.
Signature Flavours to Savour:
They have a delicious range of gelato to try! (Even our little foodie approves.)
They also offer hot beverages, milkshakes, iced coffee, affogato and cold drinks to enjoy.
The Atmosphere and Setting:
It is small, cheerfully pink and bright (even in the mistiest Hout Bay weather) and above all, homely.
The photos, quirky decor and lush plants add to the setting.
There is indoor and outdoor seating, although it is perfect for a quick takeaway treat too.
Good to Know:
They are the oldest Italian gelateria in Cape Town and are still going strong!
Planning Your Visit:
Pop into their Hout Bay store or follow them on Instagram or Facebook for their latest updates and tempting treats.
Bonus Italian Gem:
One of our Italian favourites, Scarpetta, permanently closed down after Big Boss Ricky sadly passed away. But I am pleased to share that his family are keeping the dream alive at Lello’s.
We haven’t visited it yet but it’s making waves on the local foodie scene and for good reason! It’s definitely on our must-try list. 🙂
Inspired by Sun-kissed European Harvests: The Restaurant at Noble Hill
When we visited Noble Hill, three things stood out to me: the estate’s determined, admirable sustainability efforts; their incredible wine and platters and lastly, the outstanding restaurant.
Why? Well, because the experience of having guacamole made fresh at your table in a mortar and pestle remains a food highlight for me even to this day.
The kitchen is influenced by a variety of food cultures, from flavourful Mediterranean dishes to the bustling markets of Provence.
Everything here revolves around good olive oil, honest, fresh ingredients and herbs and above all, beautiful, cleansing sunshine.
The restaurant offers breakfast and lunch – and nearby, in the tasting room, you can enjoy exquisite organic wines and platters.
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Signature Flavours to Savour:
If you visit for lunch, don’t leave here without trying their small plate avocado guacamole and tortilla chips.
It’s one of the tastiest, freshest meals I have ever had.
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The Atmosphere and Setting:
The restaurant setting meanwhile offers a mix of outdoor terrace-style seating and outdoor picnic seating.
The decor is relaxed, airy, somewhat exotic and entirely eye-catching in a sophisticated way.
There is an expansive lawn overlooking estate gardens and a beautiful patio for watching the afternoon sunshine through dappled golden-green leaves.
While the restaurant welcomes well-behaved dogs, they are not allowed by the terrace seating.
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Good to Know:
The restaurant often hosts special occasions. For more information or queries surrounding intimate celebrations, please contact them directly.
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Planning Your Visit:
Visit this impressive estate for yourself, check out their website or follow them on Instagram.
Aegean Dreams – Greek: Nostos Hout Bay
Nostos is arguably one of the most beloved dining experiences we have shared as a family.
From its warm hosts and waiters to the incredible Greek cuisine and elegant, yet homely atmosphere of this quaint little Hout Bay spot, there is everything to love about Nostos and absolutely nothing to fault.
- Signature Flavours to Savour:
We loved everything we sampled. For kiddies, the mini chicken souvlaki and rustic fries is a winner.
While for adults, we enjoyed the Village Bread, Keftedes, Hot Holloumi Yiro and the divine Anastasia’s Ek Mek.
Their non-alcoholic drinks are also amazing, including the strong, authentic Greek coffee and mocktails. (At the time of my visit, they did not have a liquor licence.)
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The Atmosphere and Setting:
The setting is playful, stylish and entirely homely.
There is a sense of refined elegance, even though, at times, you feel like you are trespassing in someone’s beautiful home. And perhaps that’s the whole point, as Nostos means “a return home”.
Beyond this, the authentically Greek owners, Spiro and Julie, are a powerful couple of note. They have quietly fed and delighted the Hout Bay community for years.
And now, in Nostos, they have created another sublime restaurant offering, complete with impeccable service; kind, warm staff; and incredible food and drinks.
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Good to Know:
Everything from their drinks to their fascinating kiddies’ menu offers a heady dose of Aegean magic.
In fact, when you dine here, you might silently wonder if you’ve somehow been transported directly to a cosy taverna somewhere in Greece…
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Planning Your Visit:
Visit their Facebook page or book your reservation directly.
French Flair: The Vine Bistro at Glenelly
The Vine Bistro at Glenelly is a wonderful, classically styled restaurant. It has the white table-clothed elegance without any of the stiffness.
Here, they serve beautiful French bistro food (with a modern twist) alongside the estate’s wonderful wines. (I did a wine tasting prior to my lunch and it was great.)
The kitchen team is headed by chef patron, Christophe Dehosse, who also happens to be the talented husband of The Kraal Restaurant’s warm Susan Dehosse.
I am a big fan of the Dehosse couple – they know how to serve beautiful, pure food with passion, care and style.
True to what I have previously encountered with Dehosse cuisine, the food at The Vine Bistro is outstanding.
Best of all, it might be French-inspired but it’s very much made with the freshest local ingredients!
Beyond that, service is welcoming and the setting is sublime.
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Signature Flavours to Savour:
I visited on Women’s Day a few years ago and it was a truly special solo lunch.
The menu has naturally changed since then but I visited for the a la carte lunch, which was excellent.
Food is priced on the higher side but it is well worth every cent for a special meal with your loved ones.
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The Atmosphere and Setting:
The restaurant spills out into a picturesque courtyard with outstanding views of the estate, surrounding valley and more.
But there is also smart, equally charming indoor seating.
I feel it’s important to add that Glenelly Estate is one of the most beautiful, scenic wine farms I have visited.
(They are also home to the incredible Glass Museum; you can read about my experience of the museum here.)
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Good to Know:
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner but on Sundays, they also offer a great two- or three-course lunch.
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Planning Your Visit:
Book your reservation directly: +27 (021) 809 6444, bistro@glenelly.co.za or visit their website.
Bonus Recommendations:
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Soul-warming European Classics:
We love Delheim’s annual Live Music and Cheese Fondue Sunday events, as well as their lovely Garden Restaurant. (We visited in the early stages of my pregnancy when food was a mission for me – but I still had some of the tastiest Cape Malay curry there.) The fondue events have a real hearty, joyous European feel to them and often shine a light on talented musicians.
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Flamboyance in the French Corner:
Franschhoek is known for its culinary finery but one of the more eclectic and exciting spots in this fair winelands town is Mon Amour. In every sense, it is an explosion of colour, finery and flavourful foods.
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Portuguese pastry perfection:
We love the pateis das natas made by Casa Das Natas. They have several branches across South Africa, primarily in Gauteng but I love the Western Cape branch at Tygervalley. Their nata flavours are playful and fun. Think everything from apple cinnamon to decadent chocolate or even the classic Lisbon nata. (Fun fact: To this day, they still follow a 17th-century-old Lisbon recipe!)
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Aromatic Mastery: Moksh Indian Restaurant:
Moksh serves wonderfully aromatic authentic North Indian food that I personally love. They have branches dotted around the Western Cape but the Durbanville one I’ve ordered from and loved is based at Ipic Aurora Shopping Centre. My advice? Try the Mango lassi and some chicken tikka masala for a delicious meal!
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