After seeing Earthlings and subsequently posting about vegetarianism, I’ve been very keen to do a post about vegetarian restaurants in Cape Town. However, it’s not quite that simple. There are very few restaurants which are vegetarian only, which is not necessarily a bad thing. I find that the restaurants which are fully vegetarian are also quite alternative and casual, I can’t believe that there are no vegetarians that want to eat at smart, trendy or modern restaurants. Also, a vegetarian can go to a normal restaurant with a bunch of people who are not vegetarians and select a vegetarian option, but non vegetarians won’t really want to go to a vegetarian restaurant.
I think that it’s more important for all restaurants or at least more restaurants to improve the quality of their vegetarian dishes and to increase the number of vegetarian options on the menu. I was having this discussion with the Chef at the cooking course I attended. He is in catering and he reckons that he always makes extra effort for the vegetarians because they are so appreciative. He’s so right, vegetarians are so used to being an after thought and made to feel like an inconvenience that when you make a little effort for them, they are very appreciative.
I remember a long time ago going for a meal at Bardeli in Kenilworth and someone ordered the 1 of 2 vegetarian options and when it came it was so delicious that we all wanted to try it and I secretly wished I had ordered that instead of my lasagne. You should have seen how pleased our little veggie friend was!
So, below I have listed some fully vegetarian restaurants which I know about and then I have listed restaurants which have a large vegetarian selection or their vegetarian options are of exceptional quality. I know there will be many more in each category and that is where you come in, my dear readers. If you know of a place, please post a comment about it and let’s accumulate a comprehensive list of vegetarian friendly restaurants.
Also, if there is a place which is particularly vegetarian unfriendly, ie. they have no vegetarian options or their vegetarian dishes are horrible, post a comment about them too.
Which restaurant in Cape Town has the best vegetarian options, genuinely exciting, interesting and tasty? Share your thoughts and experiences…
Mainly vegetarian restaurants:
Lola’s – 228 Long Street – 021 423 0885
Fields – CLOSED
Portobello Cafe – 111 Long Street – 021 426 1418
Krishna’s Cuisine – 37 Riverside Mall, Rondebosch – 021 794 3214
Tibetan Teahouse – 2 Harrington Road, Simonstown – 021 786 1544
Vegetarian friendly restaurants:
Addis in Cape – 41 Church Street – 021 424 5722
Annapurna – Canal Walk – 021 555 3595
Health Cafe – 161 Longmarket Street – 021 424 6560
Jewel of India – V&A Waterfront – 021 419 8397
Royale – 273 Long Street – 021 422 4536
Shambala – 134 Long Street
Vanilla Cafe – 117 Hatfield Street – 021 461 7868
Yindees – 22 Camps Street – 021 422 1012
Sage Organic Cafe – 117 Hatfield Street – 021 461 7868
Zuccinis – Loop Street – 021 424 8571
Mountainview Cafe – 171 Long Street – 021 423 1852
Maharaj Vegetarian Takeout – 6 Rondebosch Court, Fountain Square – 021 685 7891
Chandani - 85 Roodebloem Road, Woodstock – 021 447 7887
The deli at Africa Cafe – 108 Shortmarket St – (this has been taken over by Raw Food Religion and is now focused on organic & raw http://rawfoodreligion.blogspot.com/)
We’re running a vegetarian and raw food workshop next month. It’s hopefully the first of many as there is generally a lack of vegetarian friendly food out there. While this isn’t a restaurant, hopefully it will give vegetarians an evening to enjoy and also chat to other vegetarians about their favourite haunts! Check out more about the workshop here: http://veggie.buntch.net/veggie-wonder-workshop/
O’ways teacafe in clarement is really special vegetarian fare.Brilliant chef and unusual food,very well priced and peaceful.Very good coffee and wild selection of teas.
The African Cafe on Buitengracht Street, next to Marshall Music is my new hotspot! They not only offer vegetarian food, but Raw Vegan food too. I am in love
I’ve added the African Cafe deli to the list as they are now focused on raw and organic.
Hi there i am a little surprised that there is no falafel joint on your list seeing that it is one of my best, and we have great falafel her in cape town at shawarma express in long street and they also have a branch in sea point , must be the best falafel iv eaten in years.
Falafel at Shwarma Express is very good, but it’s certainly not a vegetarian restaurant!
As a vegetarian, I’m also not keen on the mixing of utensils and the slightly meaty flavour that permeates the falafel. So I stopped eating there. If they had two distinct sides – one for meat, one for falafel – I’d be there often!
Hi Dax
Thanks for looking after the veggies!
I also like O’Ways in Claremont. Best original menu in town. Great coffee too!
And a great place for fantastic veggie food is the Hope St market on a Saturday
Sorry people, but meat is on the way out! :-)
thanks for the great article. there are so many great places that serve vegetarian food in Cape Town.
If you’re a vegetarian living in Cape Town, check out my website, http://www.capetownveggies.wordpress.com, place where we share recipes, reviews and hints and tips for new vegetarians.
Non-vegetarians are also welcome, we just started a great Meat Free Monday feature :)
I recently launched a series of vegetarian and vegan supper clubs at some of Cape Town’s top hotels. We’ve had events at Steenberg, Mount Nelson with the next event at Azure, 12 Apostles.
It’s a great way to experience some awesome vegetarian food and meet some fellow veggies in real life :) Take a look here http://veggie.buntch.net/category/events/supper-club/ for more info.
Really useful conversation. Thanks.
Visiting Cape Town and some great vegetarian items were eaten at:
- Kalk Bay Cafe in Kalk Bay: Lots of veg & vegan items, delicious burgers & sea views.
- Cantina Tequila in Edward St, Tygervalley: Their mexican veg platter has quesadillas, fried mushrooms, jalepeno poppers, and nachos, with avo etc.
- Cafe Ole in Somerset Mall: fresh and flavourful wraps gourment sandwiches.
- Vintage in Gardens: always a winner!
- Panarottis veg burger: one of the best pizzas from a big franchise store.
I’m missing the “Spades and Spoons” in Wynberg and “Babel” at Babylonstoren on your list.