Cape Town never looks better than when it shines in the sun. It’s out with the old, in with the new for summer – as the clouds part and the city hots up, the social set gathers at buzzing new restaurants. For Capetonians, after all, going out to eat is a hobby, a social activity and an adventure. This is where any It girl worth their salt will want to be spotted this summer. Some are quaint neighbourhood haunts, others are exciting new ventures from culinary stalwarts, yet all have one thing in common: They’re well worth the reservation.
VUE Shortmarket
Shortmarket Street has welcomed a number of notable new restaurants in the past few years. And now, to tucked-away Heritage Square, comes VUE Shortmarket, which already has the area swooning. There’s a good reason for the fuss: The rooftop restaurant is from Günter Boisits and Aidan Mautschke of The Drinkery (another local hotspot) and delivers exceptional raw dishes. Hype can be a dangerous thing (how can a little oyster possibly live up to all that pressure?), but we can happily say that in VUE Shortmarket’s case, it’s entirely deserved. Up a staircase, the restaurant is immediately transporting, with modernist olive-green walls and banquettes, potted plants, rattan chairs and an illuminated bar. A retractable roof lets sunlight stream in. The perfectly formed menu is all about flawless small plates and a selection of top-shelf meat and seafood dishes. You’ll be tempted to pull out your phone – especially to capture the ‘Parmesan and smoke’ beef tartare that practically melts in your mouth, served alongside brioche toast – but mostly you’ll be too busy eating. If you’re on a seafood kick, start with the linefish crudo. Topped with dots of cucumber gel, a drizzle of chilli oil and a pinch of lime zest, we love every element of this dish. All you need is a glass of bubbly to complete the experience. Moving on to the mains, the meat speaks for itself – we suggest tucking into the sirloin on the bone. Each bite is a burst of flavour, with roasted lemon crème fraîche, thyme aioli and salsa verde cutting through the richness. Alternatively, the black garlic and squid ink tuna is a luxe twist on blackened tuna paired with chakalaka prawn bisque and charred corn purée. The whole menu is a knockout; just make sure you save room for dessert: Bitter chocolate crémeux with tangy berry crumble, toasted marshmallow ice cream and pinotage gel. Don’t plan to share it.
108 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town
021 569 7090
Nikkei
Combining two red-hot cuisines is no sweat for Nikkei, the Bree Street restaurant putting Japanese-Peruvian food on the map. The younger sibling of Burger & Lobster, Iron Steak and Bar, Hacienda and Scala Pasta Bar, Nikkei has already become a destination for diners with adventurous palates. The vibe? Sleek, modern and sexy. Interiors are distinctive, with dark walls, an earthy-toned colour palette, marble-topped tables, leather booths, low-hanging lights and plenty of bright green tropical foliage. That sense of discernible confidence continues with technically astute snacks like an edible oyster shell served on a bonsai tree. The crowd? This is the kind of place that’s well worth dressing up for – and most of the guests have got the memo. The food? Inventive, interesting sharing plates designed for sociable feasting. The menu is extensive, so you’ll have to take a moment to absorb its workings. If you’re not exactly good at making decisions, leave it up to the chef with their Omakase Gold Set Menu for two. Excellent oxtail croquettes become thrilling with an umami-charged truffle mayo and truffle shavings. Salmon sushi rolls are spiked with a glorious fermented bean emulsion and sweet soy glaze. Larger dishes, such as wagyu ribeye and lobster tail on sticks cooked over coals, cement the restaurant’s tenacity for execution. The contrasts that explode with every bite are the house trademark. The best dish on the menu, though, might be the yellowtail hamachi – sliced fish in a pool of fermented chilli-infused oil, enlivened by black garlic and a confit egg yolk. The hits continue to dessert: Matcha cheesecake with a shortbread crust, white chocolate and matcha crème, and lucuma sorbet providing an elegant finish. From start to finish, the tempo and delivery are flawless. Certainly don’t miss the signature cocktails – the Tokyo Skyline is superb.
87 Bree Street, Cape Town
021 109 0081
Silk Asian Fusion
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Silk Asian Fusion is just another small-plates spot. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that; it’s a Cape Town favourite for a reason.) But Silk Asian Fusion – the newest venture from the team behind other beloved haunts like Bouchon Wine Bar & Bistro in the City Centre and La Boheme Wine Bar & Bistro in Sea Point – is perhaps the platonic ideal of a modern Asian restaurant. While it’s dark and moody, the dining room is a joy to spend time in, especially after a few sake cocktails (the Geisha Martini is a must). Think a metallic palette of gold, bronze and silver, a green-tiled bar, cascading hanging plants, Buddha statues and cherry blossoms painted on the walls. You’re in for a good time. The menu mirrors the interior of the restaurant, with familiar yet intriguing Asian creations. We’d advise sharing as many dishes as you can muster. Not sure what to prioritise? Kick off proceedings with the generously stuffed and flavour-packed shrimp dumplings; fried wontons made with an unconventional lamb filling in a miso broth; and Korean fried chicken wings tossed in a sticky gochujang sauce – thoroughly messy, but seriously good. Next up is by far some of the best tempura prawns we’ve ever tasted. The combination of a light, thin and crunchy exterior (successfully jazzed up with a soy glaze and sesame seeds) encasing the steamed prawns is utterly sublime. As is the wasabi mayo dipping sauce. As the feast continues, choose from cushiony bao buns packed with crispy fish, Asian slaw and jalapeño mayo or Chashu pork belly, rainbow slaw and fermented chilli mayo. And it’s not an Asian affair without some robatayaki. Carnivores are in for a real treat: Meat eaters won’t be able to get enough of the tantalising charcoal-grilled lamb ribs brushed with tonkatsu sauce. Silk Asian Fusion is the real deal.
108 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town
071 910 8122
