Looking for the best restaurants the V&A Waterfront has to offer? The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is arguably one of the most popular locations in Cape Town for locals and tourists alike.

With stunning mountain-ocean views, as well as the glamorous hotels, gorgeous cosmopolitan shops, and of course, some of the best restaurants in Cape Town, it’s no wonder the V&A Waterfront is such a hot spot for both locals and tourists.

If you’re looking for delicious eateries with stunning views, the V&A Waterfront is the place to be! Whether you’re craving freshly caught seafood, Italian, Japanese, or South African cuisine, you’ll find a range of stylish restaurants in the waterfront.

Tip: The V&A Waterfront is one of the top places to go shopping in Cape Town. If you want to enjoy an adventure while enjoying a delicious meal, why not take a dinner cruise from the Waterfront?

The Top Restaurants in the V&A Waterfront

With such a great selection of restaurants to choose from, it can get overwhelming deciding where to eat. We’ve narrowed down the list to the best restaurants in the V&A Waterfront that are sure to leave you satisfied.

The Waterside

The latest restaurant release from the revered La Colombe group comes in the form of The Waterside. Located in the Pierhead building of the V&A Waterfront, The Waterside promises superior dining experiences with a smart casual flair.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the main V&A attractions, you can expect a relaxed and comfortable setting to enjoy your meals. Expect floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of the waterfront and elegant, minimalist interiors that allow the food to shine.

Fronted by Scot Kirton, the La Colombe group boasts an impressive portfolio of restaurants including flagship La Colombe, La Petit Colombe in Franshoek, Foxcroft, Epice and Protégé.

Emazulwini Restaurant

Situated at Makers Landing, Emazulwini Restaurant showcases chef Mmabatho Molefe’s reimagining of classic South African street food. The name “Emazulwini” roughly translates to “the heavens,” which surely reflects this spot’s heavenly food.

The multi-course menu is an elevated journey through Zulu cuisine, championing ingredients like pearl millet, amasi (a fermented milk product), and fried sardines. While the ingredients may sound humble, the dishes, and their plating, are up there with Cape Town’s fine dining restaurants.

Willoughby & Co

Once voted the “Best Seafood Restaurant” by the V&A Waterfront Restaurant Guide, Willoughby & Co is the go-to Japanese fusion kitchen in Cape Town. This stylish, ever-popular restaurant is undoubtedly one of the best sushi restaurants at the V&A Waterfront.

With more than just good sushi on offer, tuck into a flash grilled salmon steak, crispy tempura dishes, hot and sweet soups, Asian salads and all of the delights of Japanese cuisine.

Being one of the most popular restaurants in the waterfront, you’ll often find a queue during busy times. But don’t let this deter you, as the line usually moves fast.

Si! Cantina Sociale

Situated in the hot and happening Silo District, Si! Cantina Sociale is a cool, chic restaurant in the waterfront. They adopt a farm-to-table approach, with a focus on organic and locally sourced ingredients. With colourful murals lining the walls, it’s no surprise that their food is just as exciting.

Serving wholesome breakfast, lunch and dinner options, the cuisine takes on a Mediterranean feel with tapas-style dishes. There’s a great variety of vegan and vegetarian options too. Beyond their delicious food, they offer a selection of freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, fragrant coffee and one of the best cocktail menus in Cape Town.

Grand Africa Café & Beach

If you’re looking for waterfront restaurants with a view, look no further than Grand Africa Café & Beach. With ocean-view decks and a choice of five bars, this buzzing spot takes on-beach dining to the next level. The Grand offers a relaxed escape from the bustling city, with majestic views of the Atlantic ocean, Table Mountain, Signal Hill and Robben Island.

Located on a private beach just walking distance from the V&A Waterfront, this chic restaurant is a must-visit for all those travelling to Cape Town. The menu is inspired by the seaside surroundings and local South African flavours and includes everything from seafood and sushi to pizzas perfect for sharing. They also make some great cocktails to savour as the sun sets.

Sevruga

Perfectly positioned on the harbour with delightful views of the Atlantic ocean, Sevruga restaurant is the perfect place to watch the sunset as you dine on some of the most spectacular food the V&A has to offer.

The interior of Sevruga oozes sophistication and opulence. The fine dining menu is just as exciting. The cuisine has Asian flavours at its core, with a delightful seafood and grill menu. Their seafood pasta is a standout, but they also offer fresh fish, fillet steak, caviar, and sushi prepared by master chef Alan Huang.

One of the highlights of Sevruga is that no two visits are the same. The owners call the restaurant their ever-evolving passion project meaning that they’re constantly changing things up.

Den Anker

Den Anker is another one of the best restaurants in Cape Town’s waterfront. Located quayside at the V&A Waterfront, this Belgian-inspired restaurant is surrounded by magnificent views of Table Mountain, passing yachts and seals basking in the sun.

The relaxed atmosphere makes Den Anker the perfect setting for a cold Belgian beer and delicious, high-quality food, including freshly caught fish, mussels, oysters, crayfish, plump scallops and other seafood delicacies. If the weather is on your side, try to secure a seat on the outdoor terrace to soak up the sun and the stellar views of the mountain and harbour.

PIER

Another 2022 release from La Colombe’s visionary Scot Kirton comes in the form of PIER. Also stationed in the V&A’s Pierhead building on an alternate level to The Waterside.

Offering fine dining at its finest, expect the tastiest, most picture-perfect multi-course experience created with the best ingredients and freshest local produce. As the new setting and name suggest, a lot of the menu and surprise theatrics take inspiration from the sea.

The intimate restaurant, which overlooks the bustling harbour, has won multiple awards since its opening. So you can trust that you’re eating at one of the most incredible Cape Town waterfront restaurants.

Gibson’s

If you’re looking for the ultimate burger at the V&A Waterfront, Gibson’s restaurant is the place to go. They’ve visited some of the top burger joints in the ‘Burger Capitals of the World’ – including Chicago, New York and Las Vegas – to create the perfect burger. 

They’re known for their gourmet burgers and delicious beef and pork ribs. Their delectable milkshakes are equally popular. In fact, they hold the world record for having the largest commercial variety of milkshakes available — at a whopping 207 different shakes. 

Choose from one of their 49 handcrafted burgers and pair it with one of their handspun ‘wow’ shakes with a further 65 extra toppings! With uber-cool and edgy interiors and outdoor seating overlooking the waterfront, you’re sure to have a memorable time at this V&A restaurant.

La Parada

Boasting warm and cosy interiors with antique accents, La Parada is another one of the best restaurants Cape Town’s waterfront has to offer. This Spanish-inspired tapas bar is the ideal spot to kick back with some cocktails and share some plates or platters among good company.

They serve everything from tapas and sushi to delectable meat platters and rib eye. They also have a variety of vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, including beetroot burgers and vegan poké bowls.

Enjoy your meals among the opulent interiors or soak up the Capetonian weather on the terrace.

The Yard

The Yard is located directly opposite the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa and in the heart of the V&A Waterfront’s Silo District. Named after the surrounding dockyards, they consider themselves a hybrid space, offering an upscale Indian Mediterranean fusion restaurant, bar, coffee shop and lifestyle retail space.

The atmosphere is edgy, yet relaxed and their platters are the most popular items on the menu. They also have a vast breakfast menu and an amazing high tea menu featuring both sweet and savoury treats. Expect everything from filling breakfast dosa to hot wings and juicy burgers.

Nobu

Nobu, located in the One&Only, offers some of the best Japanese cuisine in Cape Town. Expect masterful Japanese-Peruvian cuisine curated by world-renowned and Michelin-starred chef Nobu Matsuhisa. The menu features dishes like yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño and crispy calamari with aji aioli finished off with their take on a South African delicacy, malva pudding.

You can either sit at the sushi counter and watch the age-old tradition of sushi making or hang out upstairs to enjoy the vibe with cocktails and endless flasks of sake.

Makers Landing

If you’re looking for more casual places to eat in the Waterfront, be sure to stop by Makers Landing. This spot has a different concept when it comes to restaurants in the V&A Waterfront. Launched in December 2020, Makers Landing is a food community that celebrates South Africa’s diverse culture through food.

Apart from being a space for budding food entrepreneurs to innovate, learn and grow their businesses, it’s also home to a market where you can sample the freshest flavours in the country. This includes some authentic South African foods like shisanyama, samosas and gatsbys.

If you’re a fan of market-style eating, be sure to check out our list of the best markets in Cape Town!

Wrapping Up: Best Restaurants at the V&A Waterfront

Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront is brimming with spectacular restaurants with some of the most exciting concepts, interiors, and food. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back spot to grab a bite or a fine dining experience complete with tableside theatrics, the V&A Waterfront has it all.

We want to hear from you!

What are your favourite restaurants in the V&A Waterfront? Let us know your must-visit bars and restaurants in the comments section below. In the meantime, check out these things to do in the V&A Waterfront.

First published in February 2019, updated in November 2023.