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Japanese SushiV&a Waterfront
Willoughby & Co at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town takes no bookings, drawing a queue for its crispy rice sushi and grilled saikyo miso salmon.
OrderCrispy rice sushi topped with spicy tuna
TipNo bookings are taken, arrive right at opening or expect to queue for a table at peak dinner hours.
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SeafoodCamps Bay
Codfather in Camps Bay, Cape Town, skips a formal menu, with waiters helping each table build a meal from the day's fresh fish, seafood and sushi.
OrderThe day's fresh linefish and sushi, put together with your waiter rather than off a printed menu
TipFrom October to April dinner runs in set seatings from 16:30, 18:00, 18:30 and 21:00, so book a slot through Dineplan.
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BrasserieNoordhoek
The Foodbarn in Noordhoek, Cape Town, is French chef Franck Dangereux's cafe by day and tapas bar by night, with tapas dinners Tuesday to Saturday.
OrderTapas dinner sharing plates, order enough to cover the table
TipThe tapas dinner only runs Tuesday to Saturday, so come for breakfast or lunch on a Sunday or Monday; the deli shop next door opens daily until 20:00.
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SeafoodKalk Bay
Harbour House has sat over the water at Kalk Bay harbour, Cape Town, since 1996, plating seafood platters and grilled linefish with a False Bay view.
OrderSeafood platter for two, split between grilled and fried
TipAsk for a window table when booking, the harbour view is the reason regulars keep coming back.
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South AfricanBo Kaap
Marco's African Place in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, plates springbok, kudu and crocodile alongside traditional Xhosa dishes, with live local music most nights.
OrderPan-African platter of springbok, kudu and ostrich
TipThis is a 220-seat room built for groups; book ahead, and note a cover charge applies on nights with live marimba bands.
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Modern IndianCity Bowl
Bombay Brasserie at the Taj Cape Town on St George's Mall blends Indian and Cape Malay cooking into a formal dinner room, best known for its lamb chops.
OrderAdraki lamb chops, with chicken tikka masala for the table
TipBooking is essential, and the bar opens an hour before the kitchen if you want a drink first.