Camps Bay is our “Miami area” in Cape Town.  It boasts a wonderful long beach lined with palm trees and a row of bars and restaurants that overlook it.  This is the best spot to watch the sun setting accompanied by sundowner drinks.  As it is so gorgeous, one simply does not mind the fact that there are very few gourmet gems on the strip.   Probably the best for good food is The Codfather – it is however at the back and does not have the view.   Note that the main aim of coming through here is to relax and to watch the world go by, and so the food is secondary.  Some nice spots in the area are:

The Codfather

Open Dec 2020 

Is a simple seafood restaurant that offers a wide variety of fresh seafood.  It is a casual and relaxed.  They offer good sushi – but if you are there for seafood – try and avoid the temptation of starting with the sushi!  For mains they lead you off to the fish counter and you get to chose combo’s of a variety of fresh fish, calamari, prawns of different sizes, lobster etc – and you always end up choosing more then you can eat – so hold back on the sushi!  Preparation is simple – you can have it plain or cajun.  The formula of excellent fresh seafood is a winner – so make sure you put a booking in for the Codfather.  My advice would be to go early and watch the sunset with cocktails on the main road and then head to the Codfather for dinner.  Open daily for lunch and dinner.  37 The Drive Camps Bay (behind the Pick n’Pay on the main rd).  Tel +27 (0)21 438 0782/3   (Pam’s favourite for Camps Bay!) Note – they tried doing split seatings last summer and this made a lot of clients unhappy and many felt they were being rushed.  It will be interesting to see if they do the same again this summer or whether the feedback and annoyance of their customers will have reached them.

On the beachfront

– oh well…… – high rentals – so the food does not have to be brilliant as they have the view!  Some ideas for dinner with a view:

Surf Shack Camps Bay would be our first choice!

Nov 2020 STATUS:  OPEN.

A great addition to Camps Bay!  Chilled, stylish, delicious approachable food – gourmet diner style – great pizzas, great poor mans lobster roll (ie NO lobster – just prawns.  Delicious!) and a fabulous cocktail list.   Book in advance – this is going to be the most popular in Camps Bay this summer.   This works for all ages and I would highly recommend them.   Great friendly service.   You can visit just for drinks or stay and have something to eat.    Fabulous!   Highly recommended for all ages.

Mantra

We enjoyed our dinner here – great for a light no frills dinner.   If you book near the window the views are wonderful of the sunset.

• Tigers Milk –  are a chain – they are a meat and pizza spot and are very well priced!  This spot is wonderfully vibey – tables on a first come first served basis.   Great views upstairs  – but lots and lots of people smoking upstairs!  Lots of outdoor space.
• Bilboa – looks lovely – we still have not tried it – but getting good reports! (Under Chinchilla)
• Chinchilla – great views – just above Bilboa – we have booked quite a few times for sunset drinks up here.   They also do light eats – which we have not stayed for yet!  

The Bungalow 

Open Jan 2020

Close to Camps Bay – we love the ambiance of this spot for sundowner drinks and it makes for a wonderful lunch or dinner spot – note it is not a foodie spot – this is all about feeling like you are on a summer holiday and enjoying the view!   It is vibey and fun and one of our favourites for summer.

Salsify

Open December 2020

Salsify closed for a large part of the lock down and then re-opened again.  It is a joint venture between Chef Luke Dale Roberts (of The Test Kitchen fame) and the talented chef Ryan Cole.   This is a fine dining concept in a really beautiful refined and historical setting.

The Lawns at The Round House

Has replaced the Round House Rumbullion Lawns.   It is under new ownership and has had a great facelift.  It  is open for breakfast, lunch, sundowner snacks and drinks & dinner.   This is one of my favourite spots to relax – it located outdoors on the lawns above a nature reserve and under the “posh” Salsify at The Round House restaurant.  It is one of the most fabulous spots to watch the sunset and to simply kick back and relax!  Expect a simple fun menu – pizza’s, ribs etc.   Casual eatery.  Fairly pricey for locals – but then this spot commands one of the best views in Cape Town!  The views are of Camps Bay and the 12 Apostle Mountain range.   It is a daytime and early evening spot.  Note the venue is purely outdoors – so if the weather is bad – do not head there!  It is best to pre-book especially for sundowners (book for 5pm – ends after 9pm now – but do not go late – the temperature will drop!)  This spot works well for the whole family as there is loads of place for the kids to run and explore.   Email info@thelawnsct.co.za   Closed on a Monday.         (Note this spot usually closes down for winter)

Cause Effect

Is a wonderful cocktail bar and I cannot recommend it highly enough.   Make sure you sit at the bar counter!I have never come across people who are so passionate about making cocktails. It is a serious business and watching these alchemists at work is fascinating. If it is your first visit – sit at the bar and chat to the “drinks alchemists” – they will take you through a journey and match what you enjoy to their cocktails.   The guys go foraging for local plants to add to the drinks.  They search for unique flavours and try to focus on using small artisan producers products. Make sure you start with a Caperitif made by Adi Badenhorst – it is an excellent light drink to start with while you are negotiating the rest of the choices.  Now in the V&A Waterfront and in Camps Bay.

They serve light eats to go with the drinks and it is possible to book a table. If possible try and go on a week night as it is magical to be able to chat to the team when it is quieter.  I am in love with Cause Effect. Note that they are focusing on the drinks side first and then will concentrate on the food!   I think they need someone as passionate as they are about drinks to head up the kitchen!