A lot of people assume that I don’t enjoy eating at the V&A Waterfront because it’s a mall and it’s always packed with tourists. This is not in fact true, the Waterfront may be a mall and it may be packed with tourists, but I do eat there often. There are several reasons I eat there: The view is amazing from some of the restaurants, it’s conveniently located, parking is easy and I actually like having tourists around (I love seeing people enjoying Cape Town). But the main reason I eat at the Waterfront is that there are actually some decent restaurants there. Here is my top 5 restaurants in the Waterfront (in no specific order):
Balducci’s – This restaurant is supposed to be Italian, but apart from some Italian deli items on display I don’t get the Italian vibe at all. But that’s ok with me, it makes it onto my top five for other reasons. The place has lovely decor, a nice al fresco area and the some of the best service and food you will find in Cape Town. They also have a great wine bar with a large selection of wines by the glass and great bar snacks.
Sevruga – This is the sister restaurant of Beluga and while they do share some similarities they are not the same. The menu and quality of the food is similar, but Sevruga is smaller and a bit more upmarket. I’ve enjoyed many great meals here and they also have a lovely bar.
Meloncino’s – If you’re looking for proper Italian, this restaurant is one of your better options in Cape Town. They are quite pricey, but for your money you get superb food made with the finest fresh ingredients. Situated on the upper level, the views from Meloncino are spectacular.
Baia – These last two options are seafood restaurants and they are both excellent but so very different. Baia is a smart restaurant with excellent service and the most delicious food (with a Portuguese influence). If I want to spoil myself with shellfish especially, this is where I go. Baia is the sister restaurant of Pigalle.
Willoughby & Co – This is the more casual seafood option. Most of the seating is located in the mall concourse which some people don’t like and something I don’t like is that you can’t book a table. I don’t like going somewhere and having to wait in a queue for a table like at the spur. Willoughby’s has many fans that will tell you they serve the best Sushi in Cape Town, but it’s not to my taste. The rest of the seafood, however, is certainly to my taste. Whether you have the clam chowder, calamari, linefish, prawns or whatever, it’s all good.
So there you have my top 5. Feel free to argue with me and share your top 5 in the comments below. Look out for my top Waterfront bars coming soon.
Original Post on Relax with Dax: Top Waterfront restaurants
