10 top chilli poppers in Cape Town

Jalapeno’s stuffed with cheese, wrapped in pastry and then deep fried - makes for a taste explosion

It’s not ours to question why – but chilli poppers are a Capetonian institution, and locals fiercely defend their personal favourites. Being all similarly and reasonably priced, when it came to choosing our fiery favourites - it was really a matter of personality.

1 - Pancho’s

Always book ahead of time with this remarkably popular restaurant – their Poppers prove our personal favourite – jalapeno peppers wrapped in a flour tortilla and deep fried, the delicious melted cheese stuffing a rich white cheddar.
127 Lower Main Road | Observatory | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 447 4854

2 - Rafiki’s

Held in incredibly high regard amongst Capetonian locals, the bustling Rafiki’s serve their chilli poppers crumbed, giving them a true ‘’pop’’ as you bite into them to reveal the feta and mozzarella waiting inside. Highly addictive!
13 Kloof Nek Road | Tamboerskloof | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 426 4731

3 - Neighbourhood

Four flavours on offer from this always brilliant, always diverse venue - phyllo pastry with goats cheese, crumbed with mozzarella, filled with cream cheese and our original crushed nacho with cheddar.
163 Long Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 424 7260

4 - Da Vinci’s

As pizza franchises go, Da Vinci constantly top lists for the sheer diversity and excellent quality of their food; their chilli poppers prove no exception, crumbed and deep fried – with the choice of plain cheese OR cheese and bacon. We highly recommend the latter.
72 Kloof Street | Tamboerskloof | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 424 7504

5 - Cape to Cuba

This Cuban themed long street restaurant offers poppers filled with sweet chilli cheese wrapped in crispy beer batter, a more unique offering from a unique restaurant - that proves exceptionally tasty and zingy.
227 Long Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 424 2230

6 - Fat Cactus

Quite possibly the spiciest of the bunch! Which is only helped/aggravated by the dipping sauce of salsa mayo.  Spicy – but deelicious. Battered and deep fried.
5 Park Road | Gardens | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 5022

7 - Mexican Kitchen

Always an excellent hang out, Mexican Kitchen’s poppers are the biggest of the bunch! Mozzarella, cheddar and cream cheese stuffing the extra long jalapeno, which is in turn wrapped in a tortilla before being deep fried.
13 Bloem Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 423 1541

8 - Banana jam

‘’Coco Loco Hoppin’ Jons!’’ is how this Southern Suburbs Caribbean-themed restaurant and bar describe their delicious feta-filled crumbed poppers.
157 Second Avenue | Kenilworth | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 674 0186

9 - Hudson’s

Cream cheese-filled jalapeno’s wrapped in a beer batter prove a winning formula for this comfy albeit designer burger joint. Great prices on all their menu items helps too.
69 Kloof Street | Tamboerskloof | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 426 5974

10 - Buena Vista Social Cafe

Flamin’ hot battered, deep fired and filled with cream cheese – try the Diablo’s (dates wrapped in bacon and deep fried) for an almost chilli popper experience.

1st Floor, Exhibition Building | 81 Main Road | Green Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 421 0348

From the best low-budget sushi joints, the best coffee in town or the most convenient places to freely use Wi-Fi - check out our Best Of-Section for a complete overview.

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