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EthiopianObservatory
Timbuktu Cafe is an affordable Ethiopian favourite on Lower Main Road in Observatory, Cape Town, serving shiro, tibs and doro wot on teff injera.
OrderThe shiro wot, a chickpea stew that anchors the vegetarian side of the injera platter.
TipVegetarians can build a plate of shiro with fried cabbage and beetroot wrapped in injera, which is made from teff and is gluten-free.
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ItalianSea Point
Posticino has served family-style pizza and pasta from Albany Mews on Main Road in Sea Point since Jack Gasparre and Eric de Siena took it over in 1998.
OrderThe wood-fired pizza, the order most tables share alongside a plate of fresh pasta.
TipAsk for the terrace over Main Road, or sit inside among the trompe l'oeil murals and old family photos.
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HalalAthlone
Wembley Roadhouse is a halal drive-in in Athlone, Cape Town, the eatery Wembley added after 1973 to a family store opened on Belgravia Road in 1931.
OrderThe Wembley Whopper, a steak roll piled with braised onion, chips and sauce.
TipGo on a weekend evening when the garden and play area fill with extended families ordering trays of food to share.
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South AfricanAthlone
Golden Dish is a halal takeaway in Gatesville, Athlone, opened in 1969 opposite Athlone Stadium and known across Cape Town for its giant gatsby sandwiches.
OrderThe masala steak gatsby, a French baguette of steak, twice fried chips and the signature masala gravy.
TipOrder the large to share or the mini on your own; it serves until 01:00 Monday to Thursday and 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
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South AfricanLanga
Eziko Restaurant trains unemployed Langa residents for hospitality careers while serving township meals to visitors in Cape Town, Monday to Saturday.
OrderThe lamb or chicken plate with samp and pap, cooked to order for your group.
TipCall ahead before visiting; meals here are cooked fresh to order rather than kept warming.
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South AfricanGugulethu
Teez @ 115 grills braaied meat from its own butchery counter on the Gugulethu site once famous as Mzoli's, on Cape Town's Cape Flats side of the city.
OrderLamb chops bought at the butchery counter and braaied to order by the grill team.
TipBuy your meat at the butchery first, then hand it to the braai team; that is how the whole system works here.