9 Oct 2024 Spring is finally here, so its time to swap those jerseys for T-shirts and soak up the sun. With the blossoming season here, there’s no better way to celebrate the change in weather than by heading out to explore all the fresh new things that Cape Town has to offer. That includes a range of new fine-dining restaurants and casual eateries that have opened up, just in time for summer. Here at the V&A Waterfront, we’ve welcomed some very exciting new culinary destinations and a revamped hotel-bar lounge, all with breathtaking views, from Table Mountain to the marina, with exciting new menus and what some call the best cocktails in Cape Town. COY Epic views: Bascule Bridge and Table Mountain Location: Scheryn Pavilion COY Award-winning Chef Ryan Cole’s latest fine-dining destination celebrates the ocean, with a seafood-inspired menu that shows off often-forgotten and underused ingredients, while employing Southern African cooking methods. Think of mussels with fennel, tuna tartare with sugarcane and chargrilled squid with pearl barley. They’re all choices on the seven-course menu that begins with snacks and bread, moves on to cold and hot starters before serving mains, and ends with ‘tea with ma’ and dessert, with each dish optionally paired with a delicious South African wine. There’s also ethically sourced meat like venison with sour fig, ox tongue with black rice, and lamb potjie with pap, as well as vegetarian and vegan options available upon request. Don’t miss: All the furniture and lighting was designed and manufactured locally by some of the city’s talented artisans, as commissioned by KT Interiors, who designed the restaurant with a dark colour palette that allows the food and views to shine. SPYCED Epic views: Zeitz MOCAA and Silo Hotel Location: Silo District SPYCED SPYCED is all about showcasing the essence of Cape flavours in every form. Here, you’ll get to experience food that tells a story, with each dish made to perfection using spices from different parts of the world. Through food and entertainment, guests become part of Cape Town’s dive se cultural buzz. Lunch serves up small plates, with a Cape Malay-inspired à la carte menu and spice-forward cocktails. Dinner includes an optional djembe drumming session before enjoying an aromatic set menu accompanied by live jazz. Choices such as mosbolletjies, pani puri with Malay foam, kingklip with turmeric, and koesisters make this South African restaurant menu a real treat for visitors from near and far. Don’t miss: SPYCED offers cooking classes during the day. Guests are welcomed with a rooibos cocktail before immersing themselves in the kitchen with cooking instructor Fayruza Abrahams. Together, they create the meal that they sit down to enjoy for lunch. BASCULE BAR & LOUNGE Epic views: Waterfront Marina and Table Mountain Location: Cape Grace Hotel BASCULE BAR & LOUNGE The Bascule Bar has been a Cape Town institution for nearly 30 years, offering over 500 different whiskies from around the globe. Its recent renovation has brought it into a contemporary age, with luxurious velvet banquettes and lounge-type nooks inside, as well as patio seating outside. This is the place to meet for after-work drinks and special celebrations, enjoying the sophisticated speakeasy aesthetic. If you’re looking for Cape Town’s best cocktails, then try the signature Augustus, with Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Bascule spice syrup and orange bitters, or the Amber Martini, with Inverroche Gin, orange marmalade and homemade triple sec. The extensive wine list and uncomplicated food menu offer more flavours for all palates. Don’t miss: The Bascule Bar & Lounge is home to a vibrant art collection, with nearly 30 artworks created by established and emerging South African and African artists. It was curated by Cape Town art consultant Lezanne van Heerden to spark discussion, celebrate cultural differences and challenge perceptions. Coming soon… MARBLE Epic views: Table Mountain and Alfred Square Garden Location: Union Castle Building MARBLE One of South Africa’s most acclaimed chefs, David Higgs, will be bringing his award-winning Johannesburg restaurant, Marble, to Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront later this year. Known for its live-fire cooking, Marble gives patrons a glimpse into the fiery makings of their dishes. The Cape Town Marble restaurant will include more Mediterranean-inspired meals, along with a variety of fish options cooked on the coals. The Marble Group’s sommelier Wikus Human has been putting together a top-notch wine list that is expected to be one of the best wine lists in South Africa. Don’t miss: Marble will take up the entire rooftop of the historic Union Castle Building built in 1919 – a site that is nearing completion after an extensive heritage-focused revamp. This top-floor location is anticipated to be Cape Town’s favourite rooftop bar and restaurant in the coming months. Cape Town’s summer season is looking to be a busy one, so start creating your restaurant bucket list, and book your tables at these new fine-dining restaurants and bars at the V&A Waterfront. It’s time to get out there and enjoy the spoils of the Mother City.
