Outdoor restaurants in Cape Town and surrounds

It's far too sunny to eat indoors

Grey clouds have dispersed and Capetonians have shed their winter hats and umbrellas in favour of floaty dresses and flip flops. With longer days and an inviting Mediterranean climate you'll want to spend as much time in the great outdoors as you can. This shouldn't stop when you want to eat so you'll be happy to know that outdoor restaurants in Cape Town and surrounds aren't short of a few gardens, terraces and rooftops with unrivalled views. Coupled with gorgeous summer menus you're sure to realise that summer has arrived.

Brewers &Union
This popular spot on Bree Street offers real beer and real food. Outside is where most of the beer-worshipping goes on. Picture: long wooden tables, cobblestones, stone walls, table tennis, and the young and upwardly mobile generally cavorting.
Shop 7 | 110 Bree Street | City Bowl | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 4222 770

Red Leaf Restaurant
Red Leaf Restaurant has a deck that overlooks the vineyards as well as a pretty courtyard with long tables for big get togethers. The view from the deck is stunning, with a vineyard directly below it and the rolling Stellenbosch hills in the distance this is an awesome place to enjoy a meal outside.
R304 | Koelenhof Stellenbosch | +27 (0)21 865 2658

Dornier Bodega Restaurant
Bodega Restaurant has one of the most beautiful settings in the Cape Winelands. It’s quietly tucked away on the Dornier wine farm in the picturesque Blaauwklippen Valley outside Stellenbosch. From the Mediterranean style terrace you see the ultra modern wine cellar across the large Koi fish pond, a design from Christoph Dornier, founder of the estate.
Blaauwklippen Road | Stellenbosch | +27 (0)21 880 0557

Two Oceans Restaurant
To say this restaurant has a nice view is a vast understatement. Sit at the tables outside on the deck to feel the sea breeze as you look out over the ocean or at the dramatic cliffs to the side. They specialise in seafood but have a variety of dishes on the menu.
Cape Point | Cape Peninsula | +27 (0)21 780 9200

Caveau
Both Caveau at the mill in Newlands and on Heritage Square in town offer outside dining. Each offer the great food and wine that this restaurant and bar has become known for.
Heritage Square | 92 Bree Street | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 1367
16 Boundary Road | Newlands | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 685 5140

Big Easy Restaurant
Enjoy alfresco dining by a fountain at this Stellenbosch restaurant, with a bistro style lunch menu and fine dining in the evenings. Choose from over 170 wines to go with your meal.
95 Dorp Street | Stellenbosch | +27 (0)21 887 3462

Fork  
Watch the hustle and bustle of Long Street from Fork’s balcony as you tuck into their delicious tapas or enjoy a glass of wine. Go there for the relaxed, down to earth atmosphere and innovative food.
84 Long Street | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 424 6334

Hermitage Restaurant at Hazendal Wine Estate
You can choose to dine in the leafy courtyard or alfresco on the front lawn. There’s also a kids play area on weekends for the little ones. Enjoy the great food and wine that this estate has to offer while you soak up some sun.
Bottelary Road | Kuilsriver | +27 (0)21 903 5035

Holden Manz
Eat on the balcony overlooking the vineyards or go one step further and eat in the vineyard at a table set up amongst the vines. Enjoy Italian food inspired by home-grown ingredients with the estate’s wines.
3 Green Valley Road | Franschhoek | +27 (0)21 876 2738

Hout Bay Manor
Lunch or tea can be enjoyed by the pool or in the courtyard at this beautiful hotel. Relax under the large plane trees and umbrellas that cover the tables.
Baviaanskloof Road | off Main Road | Hout Bay | +27 (0)21 790 0116

iKhaya Lodge
The restaurant and lounge areas open up onto a wooden decked patio, overlooking Dunkley Square, where you can sip a cocktail, read the newspaper and enjoy the view of Table Mountain from this African boutique hotel.
Dunkley Square | Wandel Street | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 461 8880

Kingsriver Wine Estate
The stoep of this wine estate’s restaurant overlooks long rows of vines stretching away towards the hills. Choose from delectable meals such as the bacon-wrapped prawns or fillet with blue cheese sauce and then cool down with a homemade sorbet.
Kingsriver Valley | McGregor | +27 (0)23 625 1040

La Vie Café and Bar
Enjoy the sea breeze and view of the Atlantic from this laid back café and bar across the road from Sea Point’s famous promenade. Known for their pizzas, they have plenty of other delicious items on their menu too.
205 Beach Road | Sea Point | +27 (0)87 808 2456

Fresh Restaurant at Paul Cluver Estate
This restaurant focuses on food straight from the ground so it’s no surprise that you can enjoy your meal in the garden surrounded by plants. It’s comfortable and rustic; a real garden restaurant where you can enjoy the sunshine.
De Rust Estate | N2 Kromco turnoff | Grabouw | +27 (0)21 844 0605

Rafiki’s Bar and Restaurant
With 40 metres of balcony overlooking Kloof Nek Road this is a great spot for afternoon drinks, sundowners and supper.  This restaurant and bar has become a favourite spot for Capetonians to spend a lazy, laid-back afternoon or evening.
13 Kloof Nek Road | Tamboerskloof | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 426 4731

Rick’s Café Américain
Upstairs at this 100-year-old converted Victorian there’s a large deck with a view of Table Mountain and a rough-hewn wood bar with a Jack Black beer tap. This is the perfect  spot for enjoying the warm summer evenings.
2 Park Road | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 424 1100

Sotano
Enjoy the sea view from their outside tables at this Mediterranean-style restaurant on Beach Road. You can choose between tapas or a meal prepared with seasonal ingredients, and complement either with wine from their impressive list.
121 Beach Road | Mouille Point | +27 (0)21 433 1757

Pomegranate Restaurant at Vergenoegd Wine Estate
Visit this stunning wine estate for lunch and dine alfresco, watch all the action going on at this working wine farm.  Enjoy inspired food paired with their impressive wines.
R310 | Baden Powell Drive | Stellenbosch | +27 (0)21 843 3248

Harveys at Winchester Mansions
The terrace of this Cape Dutch style hotel offers an unbeatable sea view, sit on the bar side for sundowners and light meals or at the restaurant to enjoy their full menu. Sunday brunch (complete with live jazz) is held in the open air courtyard so keep this in mind for a sunny morning.
221 Beach Road | Sea Point | +27(0)21 434 2351

The Waiting Room at Café Royal
After a legendary burger or milkshake at Cafe Royal, the upstairs bar is the place to be for Saturday club nights. Retro and stylish, the Waiting Room showcases diverse musical talent and the rooftop deck is lined with cool Capetonians sipping cocktails.
273 Long Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 4536

Roundhouse
Nestled amongst 300-year-old pomegranate trees and landscaped gardens you can enjoy contemporary French cuisine, boutique wines and classic cocktails. The former hunting lodge of Lord Charles Somerset has been sophisticatedly restored.
The Glen | Camps Bay | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 438 4347

Van Hunks
Van Hunks is named after the legendary Van Hunks who once lost a pipe smoking contest with the Devil and covered Devil's Peak in a cloud of smoke. The upper deck has a wicker roof and a big screen for sporting fixtures whilst their new summer menu includes Tandoori kebabs, gourmet sandwiches, homemade pies and a summer salad.
1 Upper Union Street | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 5422

Morgenhof Restaurant
In the heart of the Cape Winelands an enchanting garden under an old oak tree awaits. Summer lunches which run from 1st October until the 1st May consist of a variety of delicious salads including the famous Morgenhof sesame chicken salad as well as country-style dishes, cheese boards and desserts that are best enjoyed with wine from the estate.
Stellenbosch | +27 (0)21 889 2024

Marc's Restaurant
This old French Provencal house is steeped in Mediterranean charm from the enclosed courtyard featuring a fountain to lavender and olive trees. It's a fantastic spot for a summer buffet with a large group of friends or family where you can indulge in single or mixed meze platters including kofta and grilled mixed peppers in balsamic vinegar and oil.
129-131 Main Street | Paarl | +27 (0)21 863 3980

Bread & Wine Vineyard Restaurant
While away memorable Franschhoek summer days in a courtyard shaded by trellised vines and umbrellas and surrounded by the lemon orchards and vineyards of Môreson Wine Farm. Tuck into rustic food including imaginative salads, pizza breads and smoked meat and fish. Visit the farm grocer on your way out for smoked red wine vinegar, filled foccaccia or haloumi cheese.
Happy Valley Road | La Motte | Franschhoek | +27 (0)21 876 3692

Delheim
High up on the south western slope of the Simonsberg Mountains you can eat al fresco on Delheim’s picturesque garden terrace. German and South African cuisine graces the menu including traditional German onion pie and biltong salad. Why not enjoy a family picnic by the river with a selection of fruit, preserves, cheese, fresh bread and wine?
Knorhoek Road | Stellenbosch | +27 (0)21 888 4600

De Leuwen Jagt Restaurant
Take part in a South African cooking class with Maggie Sekapone or dine on locally sourced produce on one of several outdoor terraces. Enjoy breakfasts and a delightful bakery with fresh bread and Italian coffee.
Paarl | Western Cape | +27 (0)21 863 5222

Cape Town also has some awesome outdoor wine tastings which can be found at Waterford Estate, De Grendel and Glenelly Estate. From the beach to the eats, check out our selection of outdoor restaurants with a sea view or visit our restaurants section for more inspiration.

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