Cape Town’s Winter Secret: Restaurant Specials

by Emma Gass, 10 June 2009

As the last of the sun worshippers leave Cape Town's beaches at the end of the long, mad, overcrowded summer, the locals of Cape Town heave a collective sigh of relief and settle back into normal life.

As fun as summer is with its long evenings and throngs of glamorous model-types showing off their flesh on the streets and beaches, it is so nice to slow down a little too. With a mixed bag of wintery weather and sunny days, Cape Town locals begin to claim back their city. We get back to chatting to the barrista as he makes our morning coffee, brisk walks on the mountain and as all Cape Town locals know, getting fantastic winter specials at many of the best and most popular restaurants.

Camps Bay Beauties

The Camps Bay strip is the focus of all Cape Town's summer activity. The extensive selection of cocktail bars, seafood restaurants, bistros and sidewalk cafes that overlook the palm trees, white sand and Atlantic Ocean of Camps Bay beach buzz with activity from morning until late at night, with long waits for tables, frazzled waiters and, in the local's opinion, overpriced food.

In winter the sun sets a little earlier, but the sunset is just as spectacular and the food is just as good, just at some surprisingly low prices and with friendlier waiters.

So get a front row seat on the strip at that favourite institution of the rich and glamorous, Caprice and tuck into two of their burgers for the price of one, or take advantage of the specials at one of the strips newer, fresher options like the Bungalow.

Super Sundowners

The sundowner is a well supported African tradition and in Cape Town the setting sun is enough of an excuse for a few drinks, which easily evolve into an early supper. Especially if you find those secret spots offering temptingly low prices.

There are many places along Cape Town's Atlantic Seaboard, apart from those already mentioned in Camps Bay, offering spectacular views of the sun slipping into the ocean and silly prices on their menus.

Tuck into a kilo of prawns for only R69.00 at relaxed Bravo's near Mouille Point's lighthouse or sip on some cocktails on the lovely seaside terrace at the Radisson Blu Hotel before getting 25% off your tab at their restaurant, Tobago's.

The Waterfront always offers something for everyone, and after a day's shopping and sightseeing, why not relax on the balcony of Alba Lounge overlooking the marina and recharge with 2 pasta's and 2 glasses of wine for under R100.

Wineland Warmers

Personally, my favourite time of year to visit the Cape Winelands is during winter. Crisp country air and mountains reaching for blue skies are invigorating as you discover new wine estates; and there is nothing better on a miserable misty day than red wine and a roaring fire.

The Wineland's restaurants are regarded as some of the best in the country, so the winter specials are a fantastic opportunity to indulge yourself. If you head south to the Constantia wine area be sure to try the award-winning fine dining at La Colombe at the renowned Constantia Uitsig hotel.

Heading out towards the country wine estates near Stellenbosch and Franschhoek will leave you completely spoilt for choice as far as good restaurants and excellent wine are concerned. Each of the Wineland's towns has a delicious choice of restaurants, and most of the wine estates have their own restaurant, try Cuvee at Simonsig Wine Estate for a contemporary twist on Cape Dutch tradition.

Beaches, Fishermen and Kalk Bay

Another of my favourite day trips in Cape Town, is pottering around the peninsula. The long, windswept beach at Noordhoek, the compelling views from Cape Point, visiting the penguins at Boulders Beach and the quaint old fishing harbour at Kalk Bay.

A perfect place for lunch in Kalk Bay is Harbour House which overlooks the old fishing boats on one side and is lashed by the ocean on the other. After lunch poke around the antique and bric-a-brac shops before taking a stroll along the beach past the colourful bathing huts at St. James.

Energy for Exploraton

Of course there is more than enough to explore in Cape Town city itself. Kick start the day with a cooked breakfast from Café Sofia on Kloof street for just R20 (a bargain in anyone's language!) before climbing to the top of Table Mountain. The mild weather is perfect for hiking and hiking is great of working off that breakfast. You could also catch the cable car; there won't be any long queues in winter.

Explore the eclectic boutiques and cobbled streets of De Waterkant and take advantage of Andiamo's specials for a quick lunch. In the city centre you couldn't get more central than The Gallery at Urban Chic on bustling Long Street.

Or you could just do as the locals do on a cold night - catch a pizza and a movie. Societi Bistro is currently offering 2 of their pizzas and 2 tickets to the arthouse cinema, the Labia for R70.

Cape Town is often described as a real deal holiday destination, but considering what you can pay at some of the best restaurants on the continent for a winter meal, the deal just got sweeter.

Readers' Comments:

Have you visited Cape Town in Winter? What did you love about it?Let us know.

Specials and prices were correct at the time the article was written.

Article © Copyright 2009 Go2Africa.

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