If, like us, date night is a serious occasion in your household – then you will love these cosy Cape Town cafes and restaurants perfect for dates.
Food is truly one of my love languages and it’s no secret that the way to my heart is through great food, memorable travel experiences and a heady dose of the romance.
I believe that couples should date continuously (no matter what stage of life or relationship phase you are in) and make time to enjoy good, quality meals and fun outings together. Preferably those that allow you to dress up a bit for or that offer incredible food and drinks (without having to worry about the dishes afterwards…).
With this in mind, I am sharing a few special Cape Town cafes and restaurants ideal for romantic or fun dates.
My Favourite Cape Town Cafes and Restaurants Perfect for Dates:
Scarpetta (85 Roodebloem Road, Woodstock, Cape Town)
April 2024 update:
Due to the sad passing of the Big Boss, Ricky Turilli, in early 2024, Scarpetta is temporarily closed. I hope in time they will be able to reopen. Rest in Peace, Ricky.
Run by the marvellous, gregarious Big Boss – Ricky Turilli – Scarpetta is one of the most incredible restaurants for date night in Cape Town.
If you are looking for authentic Italian cuisine, warm hospitality (Ricky normally personally welcomes you and takes you through the menu) and a cosy, yet lively dining atmosphere, Scarpetta is for you.
I was fortunate enough to be whisked away to this memorable Italian eatery by my partner, who kept it a glorious surprise. Needless to say, it remains one of our most special dates. So much so, that I am almost reluctant to share this gem.
Reserved for Special Occasions
This humble Woodstock eatery is big on flavour and family and offers some amazing, world-class food. (Which also helps serve the family’s deli, Lello’s in De Waterkant, with ready-to-eat meals).
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Note: Scarpetta is only open in the evenings (Monday – Saturday; closed on Sundays) from around 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm.
Advanced booking is a must. In fact, you often have to book two or three weeks in advance, especially for a Friday/Saturday evening.
Also, Scarpetta is BYOB so remember to take a special bottle of wine or bubbly with. Otherwise, you can retrieve some drinks (water, cool drinks etc.) from the fridge during your meal. These are added to your bill afterwards.
There is indoor seating, as well as a few porch/outside tables. Also, there is street parking but it is limited so you may have to park and walk. Personally, we found it easier to Uber to Scarpetta.
Ambience:
Everything from the food to the intimate, white-clothed ‘candlelit’ tables and homely, beautifully restored old home, make Scarpetta pure wow. The atmosphere is warm, enveloping and utterly infectious – it feels like home in all the best ways.
Price range per couple:
Prices vary depending on what you order (this can vary from R65 to R199 per dish/course).
It’s not necessarily a cheap experience but it is worth it so save up and enjoy a special night.
Romance factor:
Divine Italian cuisine cooked to perfection and served with immense love by Ricky and his excellent team; ‘candelit’ cosiness and above all, the chance to enjoy an intimate, relaxing meal with your lover.
Recommended dress code:
While not essential, I recommend dressing up a bit for Scarpetta. Something smart casual if you really want to look and feel amazing.
Best for ____ dates:
Scarpetta is one of those quintessential old school date night restaurants – like something straight out of the classics.
This is one you reserve for special occasions like anniversaries, birthdays – or yes, even proposals too.
Cuisine/menu type:
Full Italian – and all wow. This seasonal menu changes constantly, as Big Boss Ricky is always shopping for fresh ingredients and experimenting with new flavours and dishes.
Contact details:
Website:
https://www.facebook.com/scarpettarestuarant/
Maria’s Greek Café (31 Barnet Street, Dunkley Square, Gardens, Cape Town)
Maria’s Greek Café is another true, historic Cape Town gem. This time, with some of the most incredible Greek cuisine you will find anywhere. Everything from their authentic Greek coffee to their tasty Chicken Souvlaki and Kalamari Patagonica is amazing.
But what really seals the deal for this long-standing Greek taverna (open since the 1950s) is the warm service, welcoming hospitality and cosy, pretty setting. They have both indoor and outdoor seating and both is equally lovely, especially on a sunny day.
Honestly, Maria’s is one of those places we talk about often and fondly recall, eagerly planning our next return visit.
Ambience:
Soft, airy and utterly cosy. Whether you sit inside or outside, Maria’s is a vibrant, joyous experience from start to finish. I especially love the thoughtful touches like the fresh flowers and minimalist decor.
Price range per couple:
Mains generally start at R136 upwards. Their desserts are also a bit on the pricier side of the equation but honestly, Maria’s is one of those places where food takes centre stage; money becomes a leisurely afterthought.
Romance factor:
I think for me what makes Maria’s so romantic is the food and people here. It’s busy but never noisy and meals are unhurried, special affairs. Maria’s makes for a classy dinner date or a fun, relaxed breakfast- or lunch-run.
Recommended dress code:
There is no specific dress code – dress up or down, the choice is yours.
Best for ____ dates:
Maria’s is ideal for special dates; relaxed dates with friends and family; and of course, cosy couple dates – including first dates.
Cuisine/menu type:
A modern take on traditional, mouth-watering Greek cuisine.
Contact details:
+ 27 (021) 461 3333, info@marias.co.za
Website:
https://www.facebook.com/MariasGreekCafe
Evert Opstal Restaurant (13 Huguenot Avenue, Everglen, Durbanville, Cape Town)
Evert Opstal Restaurant is the perfect eatery for homely family meals with loved ones, relaxed dates and lazy lunches.
I love everything about this reborn restaurant – from its warm hospitality to its excellent, friendly staff and tranquil setting within the walls and garden grounds of a historic Cape Dutch beauty.
The food is second to none too but there is just something truly special about Evert Opstal and its new ownership. Maybe it’s their passion for family, heritage cuisine and peaceful dining or maybe it’s simply the fact that they love what they do – and it really shows, in everything from the decor to the plating.
Our date here lives on in my memory and heart. Truthfully, we cannot wait to return for a follow-up visit. I could eat my way through their ever-changing, enticing menu!
Ambience:
Evert Opstal is classy and stylish, yet beautifully relaxed. I love that you can sit inside its cosy interior spaces or out in the picturesque garden, which offers breathtaking views of Durbanville and the distant mountains.
Price range per couple:
They have an a la carte breakfast- and lunch-menu, as well as a coffee- and tea-menu.
For breakfast, meals start at about R70 and for lunch, it ranges from R60 for cakes to R95-R300+ for mains and platters/sharing boards.
Romance factor:
I think it is the tranquil, soothing ambience and elegant setting that makes Evert Opstal feel like such a romantic date experience.
Recommended dress code:
Come as you are comfortable – there is no set dress code.
Best for ____ dates:
I feel Evert Opstal is best for relaxed breakfast or lunch dates with your lover, family and friends or even a new partner.
Cuisine/menu type:
Their menu focuses on heritage-meets-modern South African cuisine – wholesome, generous meals made fresh using local, seasonal ingredients and suppliers.
They also have some excellent local wines and great coffee/tea to enjoy.
Contact details:
+27 (021) 979 7186, info@evertopstal.co.za
Website:
Eat Ditto/Ditto Foods (119 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town)
Made from Cape Town’s so-called favourite oat milk, Oh Oat – Eat Ditto/Ditto Foods is a glorious, airy ice-cream and waffle house on Kloof.
I love everything about this cheerful spot – from the rich, creamy vegan ice-cream (with daring flavours) and crisp, airy vegan waffles and cosy, tasteful shop interiors.
Ditto is divided into two sections: one side is reserved solely for ice-cream orders, while the other side is for sit-down coffee/beverages or vegan waffles (best enjoyed with some scoops of their delectable ice-cream and dreamy toppings).
In fact, Ditto is the first, fully plant-based ice-cream parlour in Cape Town. Yet, like they say, their ice-cream is indistinguishable from dairy!
Note: Ditto is cashless, so please pay by card or using Yoco or SnapScan.
Ambience:
Ditto has a playful, family-friendly and clean feel to it. It’s minimalistic, yet hugely attractive and colourful, with fresh flowers, cute artworks in a lovely, street-facing space.
Price range per couple:
Ditto is actually outstanding value for money. A couple can easily enjoy their divine waffles with ice-cream and toppings for about R150.
Romance factor:
There’s something youthful and freeing about Ditto.
It has a cutesy, young love vibe to it, while also being ideal for families and friends to enjoy too.
Recommended dress code:
Casual works perfectly; no need to dress up.
Best for ____ dates:
Playful, fun first dates; treat-yourselves-dates with your partner; or even family dates with the kids.
Best of all, they are open daily (except on Mondays) from 09:00 am till late (10:00 pm).
Cuisine/menu type:
Delicious, inventive ice-cream and waffle cones, of course!
They also recently expanded to offer a little waffle house too. And trust me, their ice-cream and waffles are some of the best I have had: vegan or non-vegan alike!
Contact details:
N/A
Website:
https://ohoat.co.za/collections/ditto-vegan-ice-cream
Bistro Sixteen82 at Steenberg (Steenberg Estate, Constantia Winelands, Cape Town)
Since its opening in 2009, this contemporary bistro – set on Steenberg Estate, one of Constantia’s choice winelands destinations – has been wowing the general public.
Serving tapas and seasonally inspired bistro fare (with a touch of global flair, masterfully created by Chef Kerry Kilpin and her capable kitchen team) in a ultra-modern, yet soothing space, Bistro Sixteen82 is perfect for classy dates.
It offers both indoor- and outdoor-seating and enjoys the perfect location, handily adjacent to the winery and tasting room.
Ambience:
The ambience is modern and chic, yet without any pretension. The bistro charmingly overlooks the estate’s beautiful gardens and water features, making it a scenic dining spot no matter the weather.
Price range per couple:
Breakfasts start at about R120, while lunch options range from R115 – R275.
Their tapas are similarly priced, although they do sometimes run excellent winter lunch- and evening tapas-specials.
For more detail, please check out their social feeds or head to the website.
Romance factor:
I think the romance factor here is the stylish setting, which is at once elegant and relaxing. As much as the divine food and intimacy that, despite being a large, busy eatery, Bistro Sixteen82 somehow manages to preserve.
Recommended dress code:
There is no set dress code but it is quite a posh place so I would dress up a bit, where possible.
Best for ____ dates:
Special dates to celebrate personal milestones and wins or simply for a classy, memorable breakfast-, lunch- or tapas-experience with your love.
Cuisine/menu type:
They have a diverse range of cuisine and food offerings.
While Chef Kerry does draw inspiration from both her love of Asian cuisine and her classical training, you can enjoy everything from sweetcorn flapjacks to beef tataki and lemon poset here.
Contact details:
+27 (021) 205 3866, reservations@bistro1682.co.za
Website:
Other Recommended Date Cafes and Restaurants in Cape Town
Here are some other great cafes and restaurants for dates near Cape Town:
- Coco Safar (Sea Point (main branch))
- Hussar Grill (Durbanville or Willowbridge branches)
- Cause | Effect (V&A Waterfront)
- Brick Lane Eatery (Century City)
- The Big Bay Waffle Co (Big Bay)
- Jean Restaurant and Deli (Durbanville)
Enjoy this post? Drop a comment below and let me know if you would like a roundup of my best Cape Winelands cafes and restaurants for dates! 🙂
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