The vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Cape Town is a top global tourist destination and is also home to a significant number of South Africa’s plant-based and vegan eateries. Cape Town was awarded the second spot in Time Out’s prestigious 50 Best Cities in the World to Visit for 2024, and indeed, this culinary hotspot is home to some of the finest high-end restaurants on the international scene. But regardless of your budget, you can find great plant-based options in the city. To make your visit easier – and ensure you’re enjoying the very best food that Cape Town has to offer – Wikus Englebrecht, Communications Manager at ProVeg South Africa, shares his nine favorite plant-based restaurants in the city. Enjoy!
Nourish’d: healthy bowls and plant-based comforts
100% plant-based, and committed to zero-waste, Cape Town’s Nourish’d is on a mission to raise awareness about the ecological crisis and the role that food can play in creating positive change. Here, you’ll find a range of breakfast and lunch options spanning an eclectic variety of smoothies, soups, toasties, wraps, buddha bowls, and more. ‘Eating the rainbow’ is a persistent theme with their colorful plant-based dishes, offering an abundance of health benefits and delicious flavors. Among the health-focused options, there are also some slightly more indulgent treats, including French Toast served with banana, strawberries, and agave syrup, and the Golden Grilled Cheesey Sandwich on sourdough bread, made with homemade vegan mozzarella, mushrooms, baby spinach, caramelized onions, roasted cherry tomatoes, and avocado aioli. Whatever you choose, we can guarantee it will be delicious!
Aiko Sushi: plant-based sushi at its best
Sushi restaurants are exploding in popularity amongst Capetownians, and those seeking the Japanese classics are spoilt for choice. Aiko Sushi, on Bree Street in the Foreshore area, is particularly outstanding, offering a high-quality vegan sushi menu. From rolls to bowls, tempura, sandwiches and more, Aiko’s menu is impressively broad, offers value-for-money and is creative in its use of ingredients: – no more settling for cucumber and avocado maki! Aiko’s line-up includes the Mushroom Bomb (avocado, mushroom tempura, red pepper, rockets, sweet chili sauce, and mayo); Orange Roses (carrot roses, with bean curd topping, spring onion, and seven spices); and Toranj Vegan (beetroot, tofu and smoked ‘salmon’, topped with carrot, vegan mayo, bean curd, and spices). You won’t be disappointed at Aiko!
Scheckter’s Raw: putting the plants in plant-based
At Scheckter’s Raw, the focus is on fresh and local. Located on Regent Road, Scheckter’s is all about natural, plant-based and nutrient-dense food. Their meals are delicious, wholesome, and filling – perfect for a day of sightseeing around the city. Whether you’re after something sweet to kick-start your day, such as the Naturella Crepe or Hearty Apple Nut Oats, or a healthy lunch bowl like the Sundried Tomato Zoodles or Sweet Potato Gnocchi, you’ll find something to love here.
Sunshine Food Co: colorful food and quirky vibes
A tiny, quirky, 100% organic, vegan café with big ideas, Sunshine Food Co. is easy to find on Main Road in Three Anchor Bay. It offers a small but high-quality range of burgers, dhals, salads, fresh juices and smoothies – and is priced very affordably, especially considering the prime location. Although the menu only has a handful of items, every dish bursts with flavor and freshness, and is abundant with homegrown greens. Pictured is the Charcoal Burger, filled with their signature Sunshine falafel patty, avocado, black bean salsa, cultured lemon sauce, hummus, crispy onions, sprouts, and microgreens, served with a side of delicious chickpea dhal. You’ll definitely get your five-a-day at Sunshine Food Co!
Wildsprout: great food to eat in, great produce to take away
Wildsprout is a colorful café and grocery store with two locations in Cape Town – Kenilworth and Constantia – providing wholesome, nutritious foods regardless of dietary requirements. Stop by their café for a smoothie or healthy breakfast to energize you for the day ahead. Alternatively, make it your lunch destination and choose from their extensive selection of salads, sandwiches, wraps, and burgers, as well as some delicious, health-focused sweet treats. All needs are catered for, whether gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, or vegan. And if you want something to take home, check out Wildsprout’s adjoining grocery shop, where you’ll find a wide variety of fresh produce, pantry staples, and delicious deli items, mainly sourced from local small businesses.
Hudsons, The Burger Joint: burgers for every taste
One of the finest burger spots in Cape Town, Hudsons, offers a selection of plant-based burgers made from some of the best meat alternatives available on the South African market. Their ‘Frontline Worker’, for example, features a Cajun pea-protein filet topped with roasted garlic aioli, lettuce, tomato, and homemade pickle, while the ‘San Fran’ is made with a mushroom and lentil patty, topped with vegan cheese, caramelized onion, smashed avocado, tomato, and rocket. With several outlets in Cape Town’s trendy neighborhoods, Hudsons is conveniently located and offers especially good value on Mondays, when there is 50% off on all their plant-based burgers. Give Hudsons a try if you’re in Cape Town!
The Conscious Kitchen: thoughtful cooking, thoughtful eating
Fashionable and contemporary, yet infused with inimitable old-world Cape Town charm, and offering great views of Table Mountain, Kloof Street – home to Conscious Kitchen – has been rated as one of the coolest streets in the world by Time Out. The Conscious Kitchen lives up to its name, offering customers a journey of conscious production and consumption. From asparagus risotto to bao buns and Burmese tofu, the restaurant offer healthy meals for every taste. Additionally, their Conscious Collective product range simplifies shopping for vegan customers, offering everything from ethically sourced clothing to shoes and cosmetics.
Fat Cactus: Tex-Mex with a plant-based twist
With six locations across Cape Town’s southern suburbs and city center, Fat Cactus remains a prime spot for casual Tex-Mex food. While not 100% vegan, the chain offers a selection of delicious plant-based options for those avoiding animal-based products, and many dishes can be made with their plant-based chicken alternative instead of meat. Expect an abundance of guacamole and refried beans, with veg-loaded nachos, chili poppers, fajitas and enchiladas!
Special mention: The Vegan Goods Market
Hosted at a gorgeous farmland venue at The Range in Tokai, The Vegan Goods Market is held on the first Sunday of every month and is well worth a visit. The vendors vary from month to month, but regulars include Vegan Streetfood, Romeo & Vero Vegan Butcherie, and The Veg Kitchen, and there is always a diverse range of cuisine to sample. Not a conventional restaurant, but an eating and food-shopping experience; the market has a strong sense of community and is a wonderful place to connect with other plant-based fans from across the region.
Cape Town: a must-visit city for plant-based foodies!
There is a tremendous variety of vegan options and plant-based eateries and to explore in Cape Town and its suburbs. The ones we’ve mentioned here represent just a small taste of what’s on offer. So, if you’re looking for a vibrant travel destination that offers delicious and colorful food, with plenty to see and do in between meals, book yourself a trip – you won’t regret it!
For more plant-based travel recommendations, check out our guides to Berlin, Budapest, London, Madrid, New York, and Amsterdam.
Victoria Smith
International Digital Communications Specialist
