OCTOPUS, BARBECUE AND NASTURTIUM PESTO: FIVE GREAT PLACES TO EAT IN CAPE TOWN

Cape Town has a vibrant food scene, from braai restaurants to eateries with breathtaking views. Here are five Tamara Hinson enjoyed.

The Signal

Cape Grace Hotel, West Quay Rd., Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, capegrace.com

Diners at this beautiful restaurant can admire the enormous super yachts in the marina next door, and staff can also arrange whisky-tasting sessions in the bar beneath the restaurant. Try the tasting menu, paired with wine. That said, the restaurant is famous for its seafood — opt for the calamari and you won’t be disappointed. Strawberry shortcake like you’ve never seen it before helps end a tasting menu.

The Greenhouse

93 Brommersvlei Rd., Constantia Heights, Cape Town, collectionmcgrath.com

Enjoy a mojito on the balcony of this restaurant before heading indoors to experience fine dining in a stunning location. Try the smaller dishes, such as the carrot mousse, which are almost too pretty to eat — but don’t hold back, they’re delicious. A signature dish called Release the Kraken includes wild, sustainable octopus with ginger ink and is inspired by a legend about sea monsters that once ruled the depths of the Cape of Storms.

Camissa Brasserie

Table Bay Hotel, Quay 6, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Breakwater Blvd., Cape Town, suninternational.com

The executive chef at this restaurant has teamed up with local food forager Charles Standing to offer guests the chance to forage their own food, which she’ll then prepare. But if you’re feeling lazy, the a la carte menu is one of the best in town. Try fish or the seared sirloin with nasturtium pesto.

aMadoda Braai

1-4 Strand St., Woodstock, Cape Town, amadoda.co.za

This traditional braai restaurant is a rough-and-ready affair, but it’s a great place to meet the locals and pay homage to South Africa’s love of the barbecue. Try “De Quickie” with two chicken wings, a chicken drumstick and pap — a polenta-like dish made from maize.

Tokara

Helshoogte Rd., Stellenbosch, South Africa, tokara.co.za

Request a table on the balcony and soak up the views of Stellenbosch’s vineyards. The owners of this restaurant have an olive farm as well as three vineyards. The tapenade that comes with the homemade bread is delicious. Try the baked Alaska salmon. Sounds weird, we know, but it works.