10 Top Sushi Restaurants in Cape Town

This is the best sushi in Cape Town (but it's definitely not low-budget!)

While it's no secret that Cape Town is a foodie city, an abundance of sushi restaurants make it difficult to sort the sashimi from the California roll. We've picked the best restaurants, which celebrate the most famous Japanese dish, outside of Japan.

1 - Nobu
There's no need to add anything to the name Nobu. Nobu is Nobu. Nobu is simply the best sushi in the world. Perhaps also one of the most expensive sushi adventures you may ever have. However, as a sushi lover you need to try this at least once in a lifetime.
Tip: try the sashimi dinner, paired with miso soup and rice.
One & Only Hotel | Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 431 5111

2 - Willoughby's
Never knew eating inside a shopping centre could be so delicious. Long queues at the door (every moment of the day!) is a giveaway sign that something special is going on inside. Each maki, roll and nigiri is a work of art. Reasonable prices for more than reasonable sushi. Yum.
Tip: try salmon tartare with spicy mayo, topped with a quail egg.
Lower Level | Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 418 6115

3 - Haiku
Where sushi and tapas meet. Fusion in its finest form. This has been called one of the best restaurants in South Africa. And deservedly so. Not only sushi, but also  dim sum and tapas, all Asian style. Sushi doesn't get more exceptional.
Tip: watch talented, professional chefs prepare artful sushi creations, in a state-of-the-art, open plan kitchen.
Burg Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 424 7000

4 - Beluga
A feast. Perhaps not the most creative sushi you've ever seen, but everything on your plate is bound to be delicious. On Sundays it's half price, as well as on week days until 7pm.
Tip: celebrity diners have included Bill Clinton and Samuel L. Jackson. See if you can spot any A-listers.
The Foundry | Prestwich Street | Greenpoint | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 418 2948

5 - Kyoto Gardens
This ambient restaurant features a beautiful waterfall and zen style décor, complemented by cuisine equally unique. Take your palette on a Japanese exploration from giant Alaskan king crab, to fresh wasabi root, flown in from the far off mountains of Japan.
Tip: sip on “Green Tea Destiny”; a cocktail made with Japanese green tea, fresh lime, Sake, London dry gin and lemonade.
11 Kloofnek Road | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 2001

6 - Minato
Fresh, delicious and reasonably priced sushi and tempura attract a regular crowd. Bright lights, plastic chairs and a passionate staff are what make this establishment authentic.
Tip: try the sushi boat, stuffed with sashimi.
4 Buiten Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 423 4712

 7 - Blowfish
We've mentioned this in our top 10 before because of the excellent special (half price on Wednesdays, between 5pm and 8pm) but perhaps worth an extra mention for the most exquisite view of Table Mountain.
Tip: sample lemon butter, garlic butter, sweet & sour and peri-peri sauce with your meal.
1 Marine Drive | Blouberg | Tableview | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 556 5464

8 - The Square
The glass roofted and intimate restaurant is shaded by indoor trees and the trickle of a waterfall. An interesting sushi bar is ran by skilled sushi masters. You can opt for one course (R105), two courses (R165) or three courses (R195) from their set menu.
Tip:  follow a sushi or sashimi starter with a crispy duck and mango salad.
Vineyard Hotel | Colinton Road | Newlands | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 657 4500

9 - Wakame
Noisy and rowdy. A bit of a failed mix between bar, club and restaurant. Many older people will find it too loud. Yet the sushi and the sea views ensure that Wakame is crazy busy every night. Not too expensive and perfectly good standard sushi.
Tip: watch dolphins and seals frolicking in the sea, just metres away.
Beach Road | Mouille Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 433 2377

10 - Wasabi
New look Wasabi boasts a beautiful fireplace and a new Dim Dum section at the front of the restaurant. Head chef, Paul Fitchet, offers Asian delights from steamed soy beans, soaked with Atlantic sea salt, to teriyaki shitake beef fillet.
Tip: enroll in their sushi classes, where talented Sushi chefs teach the fine are of sushi making, every Sunday, between 6pm and 8pm.
Shop 17 | Old Constantia Village | Constantia | Western Cape | +27 (0)21 794 6546

In ‘Best of Cape Town’ we shortlist the most useful, cheapest or tastiest of the Mother City. Mail us at editor@capetownmagazine.com if you would like to see us break down any topic to the ’10 best’.

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