Pam’s favourite Restaurants in the V&A Waterfront
I’ve been eating my way around Cape Town since I opened Cape Fusion Tours back in 2002 — we were the first food tour company in the city, and the Waterfront has been part of that story from day one. It’s touristy, yes, but it’s also where some of Cape Town’s best kitchens are, tucked in between the shops and the harbour views. These are the V&A restaurants I actually go back to, again and again.
Coy
Coy gets a 10/10 from me for location alone — perched on the bridge between the Cape Grace and the V&A Hotel, it’s quiet, beautifully decorated, and the chefs clearly love reflecting our local flavours and telling our stories through the menu. It’s a wonderful addition to the Waterfront’s dining scene, and it’s the sister restaurant of Salsify, one of the top restaurants in the city — so the pedigree is there. I’d strongly recommend booking for lunch or an early dinner so you can make the most of the views, and there’s a lovely outdoor terrace for summer.
Good to know: Multi-course fine dining, sister restaurant to Salsify. On the bridge between Cape Grace and the V&A Hotel. Booking essential, especially for lunch or early dinner.
Pier & The Waterside
The La Colombe group opened not one but two fine dining restaurants at the Waterfront, and both look straight out over the ocean. Pier is the more formal of the two; The Waterside is where I had lunch, and it felt like a proper treat — beautiful service, beautiful plates, a tasting menu that seemed to unfold gently across the whole afternoon. What I love most about La Colombe restaurants carries through here too: warm, knowledgeable, genuinely friendly service.
Good to know: V&A Waterfront, ocean views. Tasting menu format. Pier is the more formal option; The Waterside is slightly more relaxed.
Willoughby & Co
Everyone eventually asks me where to get sushi in Cape Town, and my answer hasn’t changed in years: Willoughby’s. Yes, it’s inside the main Waterfront mall, and yes, there’s almost always a queue — but it moves fast, and it’s worth every minute. My team and I still make the pilgrimage at least once a month. They also do a full seafood menu, though I’ll be honest, I rarely stray from the sushi! Their fresh fish is however excellent and some of the freshest fish to be found in Cape Town as they are in the harbour!
Good to know: V&A Waterfront main mall. Open daily for lunch and dinner. No reservations — just join the queue.
The Silo Rooftop – for lunch!
The Silo Rooftop
This one is an absolute wow — one of the best views in Cape Town, hands down. It’s the perfect spot for a light lunch, or drinks in the mid-afternoon or early evening. The food is good, the decor is fabulous, and the Silo Hotel is renowned for its art and architecture, so a visit here always feels like a special treat.
Good to know: Open daily from 12h00 until sunset. Located on the roof of the Silo Hotel — completely outdoors with no cover, so check the weather. Booking highly recommended, as it gets booked up well in advance. On a good weather day in winter, it’s worth calling the hotel directly to check it’s open before you head over. It pairs beautifully with a morning at the Zeitz MOCAA next door, or lunch after the 9am Robben Island ferry.
The Willaston Bar
The perfect spot to relax and take in the Waterfront view from inside the Silo Hotel. The decor is gorgeous, and the windows are genuinely interesting — they bring the view right inside. Like the rest of the hotel, it’s all part of that incredible architecture, eclectic art, and wonderful decor the Silo is known for.
Good to know: Ideal for an early evening booking after a big lunch, when all you want is drinks, a catch-up with family or friends, and the option of a few small plates to share. You have to book — no exceptions.
The Oranjezicht Farm Market
As a local this is my favourite food market in the City. We visit it nearly every weekend to stock up on the best artisan food ingredients and to meet up with friends for breakfast of lunch. On a Wednesday night in summer the market opens for dinner.
Good to know: It is best to visit the market early on a Saturday or Sunday morning – that way you can chat to the vendors and it is not crowded. We love going for breakfast! On a Wednesday evening it gets busy – go early and secure a table and make sure you order the food early as the vendors run out!!
Nobu
My evening at Nobu, inside the One&Only Hotel, is still one of the best meals of my life — every plate felt considered, almost theatrical. It’s not cheap, but if you know the Nobu group internationally, Cape Town is actually one of the more accessible outposts. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa brings his signature Japanese-Peruvian style to South African seafood and spices — the black miso cod and the yellowtail jalapeño are the dishes I point people toward first. Nobu has since added a Friday–Sunday lunch service alongside dinner, so it’s no longer just an evening splurge.
Good to know: One&Only Cape Town, Dock Road. Booking essential.
Baia Seafood Restaurant
Portuguese-inspired, upmarket, and unapologetically about the seafood. Service is polished, the prices are steep, and I think it’s worth it. If the weather’s on your side, ask for an outside table — and in summer, book ahead, because everyone else has the same idea.
Good to know: V&A Waterfront. Open daily for dinner (lunch Thursday to Sunday). Retro and old wordlish decor.
Den Anker
A Belgian-inspired restaurant with one of the best-located tables in the whole Waterfront — right in the middle of the working harbour, looking out over the boats. The West Coast mussels with pomme frites and Belgian beer are the reason to come. We just love sitting here with the view and a beer.
Good to know: V&A Waterfront. Open daily.
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