Top Cape Town restaurants with the best views

This fine dining seafood restaurant is located right on the rocks of the Kalk Bay harbour– giving you the chance to enjoy freshly-caught seafood while the waves splash up against the window. From its position, Harbour House restaurant has views of the open ocean, Kalk Bay's quaint rooftops, and the colourful fishing boats moored in the harbour. While you are surrounded with an exquisite backdrop, you can dine with world-class wine and cuisine, including the freshest seafood and line fish caught from their own boat. The restaurant has a mediterranean-style decor and an elegant, yet relaxing atmosphere. With the waves crashing against the rocks, it creates a dramatic setting for the restaurant's fresh, beautifully plated food. Here, the view becomes a part of the dining experience.

ALSO READ: The 13 reasons why Kalk Bay is kiff

Nestled on the slopes of Lion’s Head, The Lawns offers sweeping views over Camps Bay, the ocean, and the Twelve Apostles mountain range. The restaurant is surrounded by wide, rolling lawns that flow out from beneath the forest canopy. This is the place where mountains meet the sea– where high peaks rise behind you and the ocean stretches to the horizon. They offer outdoor dining on the grass or decked areas, therefore it’s perfect for a leisurely brunch or sundowners. The dining spots are surrounded by beautiful and lush forestry, including ancient pomegranate trees, giving the whole space a serene, elevated, almost “secret-garden” atmosphere. You can bring your kids. Or your dogs. The Lawns at the roundhouse is suitable for everyone. They offer contemporary European food, with a South African edge, and great cocktails.

At Monkey Valley, you are suspended between two worlds. On one side, the canopy of ancient milkwood forest trees, which have been around for centuries; and on the other side, the broad sweep of Noordhoek Beach– an eight-kilometre stretch of white sand, the surf rolling in from the Atlantic, and the silhouette of Chapman’s Peak rising behind it. What's not to love? From the restaurant deck, you’re perched just high enough to feel part of the treetops, yet low enough to catch the sea breeze and the glint of sun on water– whether you’re there at brunch light or sunset oranges. The culinary vibe at the resort is rustic-chic: think wood-fired pizzas, tapas, and vegetarian and fresh-local produce, all served with the Noordhoek sea’s soundtrack in the background. Plus, they have a sizable cocktail menu with refreshing, fruity drinks. When you walk in, you’ll find something relaxed, unpretentious and quietly special.

Positioned along the scenic coastline of False Bay in Glencairn, the deck of Dixies opens out onto an all-encompassing canvas of sea and sky. Look out and you'll see the horizon, where the ocean meets mountain peaks across the bay. You’re seated just high enough to see the water’s edge, yet close enough to feel the salt air drifting in. In the cooler months you might get a chance to catch majestic whales surfacing or dolphins racing throughout the bay, turning your meal into a breathtaking display of nature. The food experience is layered: you could go for seafood by the sea, a flavourful grill with a view, or pizza and relaxed sharing. Dixies strikes a comfortable balance between friendly local hang-out and scenic dining destination. It invites you to lean back, breathe deep, and see the ocean shimmer under the sun.

Set atop the Zeitz MOCAA in the V&A Waterfront, The Silo's restaurant looks out through its iconic geometric windows onto some of Cape Town's most striking harbour and mountain views. The dramatic architecture by Thomas Heatherwick and the bold, art-led interiors by Liz Biden create a dining setting as memorable as the food itself. It’s an experience where luxury, design and breathtaking panoramas come together seamlessly. 

Perched high on the slopes of Constantia Nek, Beau Constantia offers a glass-walled dining experience with sweeping valley views that rival its refined yet playful menu. Executive chef Ivor Jones builds layer upon layer of flavour with a considered five-course experience that still leaves room for creativity and surprise. As the city lights shimmer below, the warm, unpretentious service turns fine dining into something relaxed, memorable and genuinely exceptional.

On the 15th floor of 40 Chiappini Street in the vibrant De Waterkant precinct, you can find Utopia, an award winning rooftop restaurant. It offers literally elevated views over Cape Town’s city, harbour, ocean and mountains. The big glass windows fill the restaurant with light and give the whole restaurant an open, airy mood– almost as if you’re dining above the city. In the evenings, the skyline glows, the lights begin to sparkle, and the view gives one a sense of being in the “upper room” of Cape Town. Utopia has “bistro-style Mediterranean-influenced dishes” with a strong seafood and shellfish element. The atmosphere is elegant yet tranquil, making it perfect for date nights, celebrations, or simply enjoying a beautiful evening out.

Azure Restaurant, at The Twelve Apostles Hotel, feels like a meal above the world. From the oceanfront terrace or big windows, you can see the Atlantic’s waves catching the changing light, and the Cape coastline beneath you. Their food matches the view– fresh, local seafood caught sustainably– such as oysters and line-caught fish. There are also other dishes with meat, fresh vegetables, and seasonal flavours. The sound and rhythm of the ocean outside give the whole space a peaceful and relaxing energy. Every bite, every glimpse of the sea, and every moment here feels special. Thus, making it a place to slow down, enjoy some good food, and take in one of Cape Town’s most beautiful places.

Grand Africa Cafe & Beach is a beautiful spot right on its own private beach at Granger Bay. From the wooden decks and open-air seating, you get great views of the Atlantic and even Robben Island in the distance, with sand and waves all around. They serve fresh seafood, wood-fired pizzas, salads, and light meals– matching the “beachy” vibe of the restaurant. Drinks are also a highlight, with cocktails, local wines, and cold beers perfect for sipping at any of their 5 bars, while enjoying the view. The atmosphere is casual and friendly – if you want to come in shorts and sandals, you can. Or you can dress up a little for evening drinks. There’s a relaxed energy during the day that can turn livelier in the evening with music or DJs. Grand Africa Cafe and beach is a great place to relax, enjoy good food and drinks, and take in the sea without even leaving the city.

La Colombe in Constantia sits high above the valley, offering a quiet view of the lush vineyards below. The land rolls out beneath the restaurant, with vineyards and forest creating a tranquil green backdrop that glows with the light. Calm and green in every direction. The food is elegant yet playful – beautifully made dishes with delightful flavours, careful touches, and a bit of playful presentation. Light filters gently through the room. The landscape does half the hosting here– the beauty of the nature outside gives you some quiet ease while you eat. Great service, and a peaceful buzz in the room make it feel special yet relaxed—like a place where you can settle in, enjoy the view, and let the experience unfold.

Set against the slopes of Noordhoek, Cape Point Vineyards opens onto a picturesque view. The lawns run down to a still, mirror-like lake, and beyond it the landscape opens into long stretches of fynbos, dunes, and blue ocean. The menu has a mix of familiar favourites and a few seafood options, all meant for relaxed, unhurried eating, so you can enjoy the view. There’s an easy, open-air calm to the space, whether you’re on the terrace or inside with the doors wide open. Families, friends, and long, lingering lunches all fit in well here. It has the relaxed grace of a place that knows its greatest luxury is the view, and everything else simply rises to meet the bar.

On the Rocks is right on the waters edge in Bloubergstrand, so you get sweeping views of the Atlantic ocean, and two iconic landmarks– Robben Island, and Table Mountain. And because it is quite literally “on the rocks,” you get the sound of waves and the salt-air breeze as a part of your dining experience. Their cuisine celebrates classic West Coast flavours, with seafood taking centre stage and a selection of beautifully crafted traditional dishes rounding out the menu. The ambience blends the stunning natural setting– the waves, the sea breeze, the mountain view– with fitting décor: an outdoor deck, and even a warm indoor space with a fireplace for cooler days. On the Rocks is ideal for a memorable experience rather than just a “normal” dinner.