East City Grill

Cape Town isn’t short on steakhouses, but East City Grill certainly manages to cut through the noise. For starters, it’s more contemporary than your average grill room, with a modern aesthetic that takes the familiar language of premium beef and adds a distinctly Japanese accent.

The Backstory

East City Grill sits on the first floor of 84 Harrington Street and forms one half of a dual concept, alongside the more intimate sister restaurant Yakiniku. While the Yakiniku section leans into the Asian aesthetic with blonde woods and a traditional grill-it-yourself concept, East City Grill weaves some of those same flavours into a menu brimming with steakhouse classics given a lift and a twist. And with the steak coming from the owner’s family farm in the Swartland, there’s a farm-to-fork philosophy at work here too.

The Vibe

The setting is a big part of East City Grill’s appeal. Up a flight of stairs from Harrington Street and you’re transported into a moody space of dark timber, coppery warmth, leather banquettes and low lighting. Copper panels by Bronze Age line the walls, while timber-slatted walls and ceilings are offset by a Shou Sugi Ban timber wall. It’s polished, elegant, and the first clue that this isn’t your run-of-the-mill steakhouse. It’s perfect date night material.

The Food

The menu reads like a greatest-hits list for meat lovers, but with enough twists to keep things interesting. Of course there are the expected premium cuts — rib eye, sirloin, fillet, rump, plus Wagyu speciality grills — but the real fun is in the smaller plates and side dishes that show off the creativity in the kitchen.

Starters lay down their meaty intentions early on. Beef fillet tataki is punchy with yakiniku sauce and a mayo of smoked black garlic, while the Wagyu beef tartare has a more subtle Asian undercurrent. The beef short-rib bitterballen is another fine option, but if you’d rather ease into things without going straight for the beef, the double-baked cheese soufflé is a comfort-food classic.

Main courses begin with the beef, naturally, and you have your choice of prime cuts and Wagyu speciality grills. The latter are marked SQ, so ask the price if you’re watching your pocket. My rib eye was perfectly cooked, medium-rare for me, and arrived with a choice of handcrafted steak knives. A nice touch that’s becoming quite popular around town.

You won’t go wrong with any of the steaks, but the Specialities section is filled with other tempting plates. Compressed Wagyu beef short rib will draw me back in winter, but the katsu sandwich — panko-crumbed beef and pickled cabbage on authentic milk bread — taps neatly into the Afro-Japanese influence in the kitchen.

Banting followers, look away now… because there’s also a dedicated potato menu. Two words that are music to my ears. It’s small, I’ll be honest, but it does take the starchy goodness beyond the usual hand-cut fries — those are there too — and into the realm of dauphinoise and baked Gruyère mashed potatoes. As with much of East City Grill, it’s about an elevated take on the classics. 

Desserts also bring in that Asian influence, but it’s never overwhelming. My chocolate mousse had subtle miso notes, while the Hokkaido cheesecake with matcha is on my list for next time. Portions here are well-pitched to offer a sweet full-stop to the evening, without being overwhelming.

The Drinks

Sommelier Marc Botes has built an impressive wine list that is organised by style rather than grape variety. Think whites that are “Clean and Precise” or reds that are “Generous and Framed”. It’s a smart, less stuffy approach that suits the space. There’s also a good selection of less-common wines by the carafe, priced reasonably enough for you to try a few. Cocktails get serious attention too, with a mixology selection developed alongside Tetsuo Hasegawa of Cape Town’s ANTHM Bar.

Why Go?

Because East City Grill is more than just another steakhouse. The meat takes centre stage, yes, but there’s a strong supporting cast in the contemporary design, Asian influence and solid drinks list. For a special night out, or a meaty experience that takes a slightly different tack, it’s a welcome addition to Cape Town’s collection of steakhouses worth your money.