When you are meeting up with your girlfriends, don’t just grab a sandwich in a noisy café, however trendy. Why not turn lunch into an occasion at one of these Cape Town restaurants, where you can relax and catch up with old friends without feeling rushed, and indulge in really good food in beautiful surroundings.
Hemelhuijs
One of the Waterkant’s best kept secrets, Hemelhuijs has a quirky chic and stylish ambience, think fresh flowers, chandeliers with seed pods, antiques and gorgeous crockery. Jacques Erasmus’ excellent seasonal fare is equally stylish, comforting and homely. Only open during the day the menu flows through breakfast, brunch and lunch. Try the quince and prosecco Bellini or a freshly crafted fruit juice as you decide between hand-made gnocchi on roasted aubergine and pear puree with black truffle cream or farm style beef and cabbage frikadelle with truffled bean and potato mash.
Foodbarn
If you have plenty of time, heading over to Noordhoek to taste Franck Dangereux’ legendary cuisine is totally worth the journey. The decor is simple rustic elegance, the food, fine dining without the frills and all about the flavours. Creative combinations, such as sustainable fish with caramelised butternut, babaganouch and harissa oil, or cauliflower risotto with gruyere and pecorino, change with the seasons. Until the end of September the weekday lunch à la carte menu is half price making it very affordable, so don’t skip the fabulous selection of desserts and finish with coffee from their very own roastery within Noordhoek Village.
Myoga
Lunch at Myoga always feels special, from the gorgeous views over the lush Newlands gardens and Table Mountain, to Mike Bassett’s casually sophisticated menus. Sit outside on the terrace on a sunny spring day and linger over a creative salad: the south East Asian squid with coconut, chilli and herbs or the heirloom tomato with toasted cheese ice cream and lacto-fermented basil. Splash out on a main dish such as biltong spiced blackened ostrich or panko squid with peri peri shrimp and bang bang foam, or go straight to dessert if light but indulgent is the order of the day.
Taste for Yourself
Hemelhuijs
021 418 2042
Foodbarn
021 789 1390
Myoga
021 657 4545
Words: Kit Heathcock
Images: Supplied & Myburgh du Plessis
