Wooden Shoe, Cape Town’s oldest steakhouse

Owner Willi Reichl roasts delicious steaks daily in his Sea Point restaurant

This establishment has closed, we'll keep you updated.

The Wooden Shoe is a steak restaurant in Sea Point – only a few steps from the sea. Comfortable and cosy are the best words to describe the place. But it’s more than that –  the Wooden Shoe has its own history and character, it’s the oldest steakhouse in Cape Town. Since 1961 they’ve been sizzling like a good piece of sirloin.

Lord of the steaks: Willi Reichl

Willi Reichl has been grilling steaks at the Wooden Shoe since 1994. The Austrian originally comes from the Steyermark but moved to South Africa in 1972. He wanted to be far away from home. Canada, South Africa and Australia were at that stage the main immigration countries. South Africa replied first and gave him residence. He worked as a chef in Pretoria and Cape Town for four years and then moved to Brazil to “see the world”, as he said. But after seeing it all he liked Cape Town the most. No surprise!

The Austrian – of course – loves meat and he loves to go to the German butchery Raith: “When I go in there, I always leave with too much in my hands.” Well, with his job he definitely has to love his meat.

Living room atmosphere

The Wooden Shoe is wooden, in the truest sense of the word. Walls, chairs, tables, the bar – mostly everything is made out of wood. And real wooden shoes are used as decoration.

“The people who started it in 1961 were Dutch”, tells Willi. Owners changed a lot, Dutchmen, Germans and Englishmen, they all love sizzling. But Willi wants to keep on doing his job because “mostly it’s fun”.

The most popular steak is the pepper steak. Rump steak for the ladies (300g) costs R104.50 and the bigger one for men (or very hungry ladies) costs R114.5. Side dishes such as spätzle makes this a favourite steak restaurant amongst German and Austrian customers in Cape Town.

Most locals come back to this unique restaurant on a regular basis. They come for the steak and the atmosphere and to chat to the other German regulars. There is enough space for 32 people at the Wooden Shoe – it’s small but definitely very comfortable – and cosy!

Are you looking for good red meat prepared in a special German style? You have found the right place, the real deal. The Wooden Shoe in Sea Point is one of the best places to go, especially in winter!

by Antonia Heil | Pics: Desmond Louw

Wooden Shoe Steakhouse
Main Road corner St. John’s Road | Sea Point

Opening hours: Monday to Fridays 6pm until late; closed on Saturdays.

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