In the 1990s, part the historic docklands dating back to the founding of Cape Town in the mid-17th century was redeveloped into a 123-hectare (304-acre) mixed-use district which besides various businesses and residences is also home to more than 22 historical landmarks, some 450 shops, more than 100 entertainment attractions, 13 hotels, seven museums, a cruise terminal, and some more than 100 eateries. from fast-food to trendy fine dining from all over the world. Needless to say, there´s a huge variety on offer at the V&A Waterfront, but here is a quartet of restaurants especially worth considering:
Its name meaning "the heavens" in Zulu, here chef Mmabatho Molefe (above) serves up marvelous nouvel Zulu cuisine, with dishes such Inyama nedombolo (slow-cooked short-rib dumpling) and as uncury wamazambane with curry sauce, confit potatoes with rice chps and coriander chutney. It´s one of several eateries in Makers Landing, the five-year old of 19 chefs and bakers, housed in a converted hundred-year-old warehouse now part of the cruise terminal, this "food community" celebrates South Africa's unique culinary culture The vibe is relaxed, and there´s also a market where you can also enjoy some of the country's most delicious fare, such as gatsbys (the local take on the submarine sandwich), shisa nyama (aka braii, South African barbecue), and samosas (the crispy fritters imported from Indian cuisine).
As its name indicates, this one´s a little...beachier, right on Granger Bay, with views of Robben Island. Dine on the sand on a delicious selection - all locally sourced - of sushi; pasta; pizzas (try the seafood special!); mains such as kingklip (a South African species of eel), in "Indo broth" with mussels and bok choy; and tasty desserts including chocolate and pink pavlova (a Down-Under confection of baked merengue). A casual luxury beach café right in bustling Cape Town? Yes, please.
Located in the V&A´s Pierhead buiding away from the histle of the primary V&A attractions and helmed by head chef Roxy Mudie, the newest (2021), "smart-casual" restaurant from South Africa´s illustrious La Colombe Group offers creative, high-quality cuisine with a maritime touch such as yellowfin tuna with ponzu, avocado, and Thai broth and line fish with Sri Lankan sour curry and mussels. The dining room is bright and has laid-back yet sophisticated appeal, along with fantastic waterfront views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Other La Colombe restaurants include Pier, also at the V&A; the Foxcroft and flagship La Colombe in the Cape Town suburb of Constantia; and in Franshoek on the Western Cape, La Petit Colombe, Epice, and Protégé.
This icon at the V&A since 1996 specializes in sushi as well as Japanese fusion cuisine, with signature dishes including crispy rice sushi, salmon jalapeño sushimi, salmon saikyo with creamy miso sauce and vegetable yakitori.
For more on South African food, click here.
Comments
Thanks...four more delicious reasons for me to return to the Rainbow Nation!