Want to know where the locals love to go? In this exclusive series on Time Out Cape Town, ‘Local Intel’ taps into some of the city’s best-connected characters to unearth the corners you simply can’t miss in the Mother City.
Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen is arguably South Africa’s most famous culinary export: an Mpumalanga-born chef who turned a 20-seat restaurant in the French coastal city of Nice into a Michelin-starred stage for South African flavour and heritage.
At JAN, his inventive tasting menus refract South African cookery through a Côte d’Azur lens – with no shortage of nostalgic nods – earning him a star in the Michelin guide and cementing his reputation for intimate yet carefully imagined hospitality.
While France is his home base, his compass still points firmly south. In 2021, he opened KleinJAN at Tswalu Kalahari, serving up a subterranean sense-of-place restaurant shaped by the Northern Cape’s farmers, makers and landscapes. It’s a celebration of regional heritage, pantry traditions and provenance.
Beyond the pass, Jan Hendrik is a prolific storyteller. His biannual book-magazine, JAN the Journal, blends recipes, reportage and design across lavishly produced issues, mapping the team’s creative process with the same sense of intuitive style you’ll find in his varied dining spaces.
He also brings things closer to Cape Town.
JAN Franschhoek offers a seasonal tasting-menu residency on select dates at La Motte’s pretty Veepos cottage, while December 2025 sees the opening of Le Bistrot de JAN at the InterContinental Table Bay in the V&A Waterfront to offer local diners a curated slice of the JAN universe.
Jan Hendrik’s culinary storytelling toggles between French technique and South African roots, but it’s Cape Town that arguably has his heart. Here are his favourite corners...
MORE CELEBS SHARE THEIR LOCAL SECRETS
One of the first things I book when I stay over in the winelands, La Cotte Farm has the charm of a heritage site with all the comforts I enjoy while travelling. I love that it’s a working farm while still feeling like a breakaway from everything, despite being walking distance from a lot of fun that Franschhoek has to offer, including the wine tram. If you know, you know.
La Cotte Street, Franschhoek
Perfect for a cup of coffee and some of the best breads and pastries in the winelands, La Motte Artisanal Bakery & Garden Café is the kind of place where time slows down and craftsmanship is celebrated. Try and grab a seat under the oaks in the garden, it’s a great way to start your morning.
R45, Franschhoek
One of my favourite hideaways in the city, Ellerman House has incredible sweeping Atlantic views. The Edwardian mansion is beautiful, but it’s the little details that make it unforgettable, from an art collection that could keep you browsing for days to a wine cellar with thousands of varieties. It’s elegant, a little indulgent, and fancy in all the best ways.
180 Kloof Rd, Bantry Bay
There’s a special nostalgic joy in spotting a padstal on a South African road trip. I have a soft spot for Dassiefontein in the Overberg because it’s one of those places where everything feels authentic and full of heart. The moment you arrive you’re met with the warmth of the people and great homemade treats.
N2, outside Caledon
I enjoy Tannin for its atmosphere, where every floor has its own personality, and for its wine selection. With over 400 South African labels and plenty by the glass, it’s a good spot to explore new favourites or revisit old classics along with small plates and great seasonal dishes.
86 Bree Street, Cape Town
I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but when the craving hits, I know I won’t go wrong with some ice cream. Unframed’s scoops are a favourite because their textures are spot on, the combinations are inventive, and whether you try something classic or completely unexpected, you’re going to want another bite.
45C Kloof Street, Cape Town
Time Out Market Cape Town, V&A Waterfront
Every visit to Salon by Luke Dale Roberts feels like a culinary adventure. The dishes are full of bold flavours and creative twists that reflect Luke’s global experience, yet they always feel approachable and thoughtful.
Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock
I love Chef Ryan Cole’s Coy for its convenient spot in the V&A Waterfront, and the food is a playful, honest and really delicious take on some iconic local classics that take you on a journey through Africa’s flavours and stories.
V&A Waterfront
Sometimes you just need to slow down and put your feet up, and nothing says ‘me-time’ quite like a spa day. I enjoy the way that the Babylonstoren spa treatments draw on the garden’s home-grown healing botanicals and its beautiful surrounding landscape. I always leave feeling restored, refreshed and inspired by the beauty of the farm.
Simondium Rd, Klapmuts
I love the old-world charm of a leisurely afternoon tea, and the One&Only Cape Town really feels like a serene oasis in the middle of the city. Afternoon tea there has a sense of occasion that makes it feel like a little escape, a timeless ritual with just the right amount of indulgence.
Dock Road, V&A Waterfront
One of the newer spots on my list, Tambourine has a great small plate selection with big flavour. I enjoy its atmosphere, vibrant decor and intimate setting, and the cocktail list is fun on a night out with friends you haven’t seen in a while.
Harrington Street, Cape Town
There’s something effortlessly charming about the Stellenbosch Wine Bar, especially with its French-style sidewalk seating. I love sitting there with a glass of good wine in hand and watching the town go by.
Church St, Stellenbosch
Die Strandloper's roosterkoek captures the essence of the West Coast in a way that speaks to the power of simplicity and open-flame cooking. I recommend pairing one with farm-fresh butter and one or two of the homemade jams, but watch out for the seagulls or you might be the victim of a well-timed dive bomb!
Jan Olfsen Street, Langebaan
Motherdough in Franschhoek is one of those little gems I can’t resist when my sweet tooth hits, especially when it comes to their milk tart doughnuts. Biting into one feels like the perfect blend of nostalgia and decadence, just sweet enough to make you smile.
Corner Main Road/De Wet Street, Franschhoek
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