“I do not like green eggs and ham.”
– Dr Seuss
A holiday in Cape Town means sun, surf, mountains and winelands. You’ll be so busy soaking in the splendour of the Mother City, the last thing you want to be thinking about is whether your restaurant for the day or night comes equipped with a kiddies menu. At Rhino Africa, we’ve seen the shadier side of dining – decent families forced into the luminous neon lights of drive-ins and fast-food chains simply because they couldn’t find any child-friendly venues.
To save you from this murky fate, we’ve compiled Rhino Africa’s Top 10 Family-Friendly Restaurants in Cape Town and the Cape Winelands, because you should never compromise on family… or food.
Spiro’s
The Greeks are no strangers to big families, boisterous babies and general pandemonium. The family owned and run Spiro’s in Hout Bay is the ideal spot to go to for traditional Greek fare with the whole clan. It’s so authentic, you’ll be convinced that a piece of Mykonos floated towards the African coast and made itself a home in this charming seaside town. There are various dining rooms with couches and cushions for relaxing – handy for when young ones need a quick cat nap (with the resident cat). Plus, there’s a colourful playroom with dress-up costumes, art and crafts and recent movies, designed to keep kids happy while the grown-ups enjoy their ouzo and mezze.
Tel: 021 791 3897
Where: 30 Main Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Dunes
Gorgeous views, sea air and mouth-watering food – I think I’ve just covered my three favourite things about Cape Town. All of these things can be found at Dunes – Hout Bay’s quintessential beachfront restaurant. With a vibe as chilled as the Sauvignon Blanc and seafood as fresh as the breeze coming off the Atlantic, Dunes is perfect for a casual lunch or dinner with family. The menu includes a crispy calamari basket, Saldanha black mussels and, for the kids there are classic toasted sandwiches on the kiddie menu. While you’re deciding what to order, the kids can run wild in the large sandy outdoor play area.
Tel: 021 790 1876
Where: 1 Beach Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Barocca
Camps Bay is the Miami Beach of Cape Town. Restaurants here are stylish and cosmopolitan, and the people who frequent it not without a Caribbean tan and a Gucci bag. It’s a pleasant surprise to find a family-friendly venue in the midst of all the bikinied bodies and surfboard wielding beach boys. Barocca doesn’t just accommodate families, it encourages them! Kids and pets can go down to the supervised area in the sports grounds where they can run and play to their heart’s content. The menu is classic and the décor chic. Experience the trendy side of Cape Town dining, with the whole family in tow.
Tel: 021 790 1876
Where: Corner of the Meadway & Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town
Massimo’s
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s…well that’s Massimo’s. Husband and wife team, Massimo and Tracy, truly embrace the Italian spirit of good food, good wine and good company. The restaurant has a fantastic family atmosphere and is passionate about food – from the kitchen to the table. The Bambino Pizza Menu is sure to delight the little ones, with savoury and sweet options such as the Cioccolata with chocolate spread. Whether you go in for an afternoon spuntini (that’s Italian for “snack”) or choose the Italian Feast (which allows you to sample a selection of antipasti and to try all, or most, of the pizzas), you and the famiglia will find yourselves with full bellies and happy hearts.
Tel: 021 7905648
Web: www.massimos.co.za
Where: Oakhurst Farm Park, Main Rd, Hout Bay, Cape Town
The Rumbullion
Picture green lawns, scenic views overlooking Camps Bay and its surrounds, and delectable meals in the warm Cape Town sun. This is just another day at The Rumbullion – no, it’s not the title of that B-grade film about boxing, but instead an archaic English term for a riotous good time, or what in South Africa we call a “lekker jol”. The name aptly describes the atmosphere of this laid-back restaurant. Arrive with an empty stomach, as the meals are generous! The kiddies menu includes a variety of favourites such as mac & cheese, pizzas & even a Kiddies Bag O’ Toys! And of course, the sprawling lawns are a fantastic place for little ones to run around and practice those cartwheels.
Tel: 021 438 4347
Where: Round House Road (off Kloof Road), The Glen, Camps Bay, Cape Town
Café Paradiso
You don’t need a magic key to unlock this secret garden located right in the hub of the city. The relaxed stall-setting is great for a laid-back afternoon. The kids will be kept happy and busy with projects like icing cupcakes and gingerbreadman making – they’ll be mini-bakers by the time you leave (if you plan on leaving at all). Café Paradiso prides itself on the bakery which has been in action for 26 years. After eating one of their delicious muffins, you’ll understand why it’s called Paradise.
Tel: 021 423 8653
Web: 110 Kloof Street, Cape Town
Café Roux
In the heart of Noordhoek’s green valley lies Café Roux. Between the colourful kid’s menu, which looks like it’s been pulled from the loopy mind of Roald Dahl himself, and the bright farmhouse-playground – it’s easy to see that Café Roux was clearly designed with the little people in mind. And no, we’re not talking Oompa-Loompas. The kids will have a terrific time climbing and sliding while you enjoy farm-fresh air, blue skies and delicious meals. This is a great spot for the entire family to just kick back and relax.
Tel: 021 789 2538
Where: 270 Chapman’s Peak Drive, Noordhoek Farm Village, Noordhoek, Cape Town
Jonkershuis
Set in the heart of the Groot Constantia Wine Estate, Jonkershuis is magical, moody and elegant with a superb restaurant that actively welcomes kids for lunch and a romp on the rolling lawns. Dine alfresco overlooking False Bay or in the courtyard under the vines. The main menu ranges from eclectic to classic, with meals such as poached prawn and paw-paw to the more traditional lamb curry. The kiddies menu features favourites like pasta, hotdogs and ice-cream.
Tel: 021 794 6255
Web: Groot Constantia Wine Estate, Cape Town
Eight
You might feel a bit like Peter Rabbit sneaking into Mr Macgregor’s scrumptious veggie garden when you step into Eight. One look at the earthy, organic (and wholly delicious) menu and you’ll practically feel your body getting healthier. Located on the picturesque Spier wine estate, the restaurant prides itself on using ingredients primarily produced from biodynamic farming techniques. The whole family is welcome at this sunny venue and kids will love drawing pretty doodles on the table while you’re waiting for your meal.
Tel: 021809 1188
Web: R310 Baden Powell Drive, Stellenbosch
Eaglevlei
Located in the leafy, picturesque Stellenbosch winelands, Eaglevlei has something for everyone. The restaurant boasts a delectable menu that has critics and food lovers raving. Wine connoisseurs will find their nirvana at the wine-tasting sessions run twice weekly. And what about the kids you ask? Well, the open air jungle gym and play area should keep them hanging upside down for hours while you indulge in life’s finer things.
Tel: 021 884 4713
Where: Old Paarl Road, Muldersvlei, Stellenbosch
These are our favourites, but there are many more family-friendly restaurants in Cape Town and the Winelands. Should you prefer, there are also the typical kiddie-friendly chain restaurants, such as the Ocean Basket, Spur, Panarotti’s and the Fire & Ice Hotel Group, which serves a mean milkshake and burger.
Now that the kids are all tucked up in bed after a busy day, it’s time for grown-ups to go out and play! Read our Horny Grazer restaurant reviews and our Cape Town Restaurant section to discover some of the Mother City’s best dining destinations.
@TheRoundhouseCT Great, thanks for letting us know. We’ve added it in!
We love the Dornier Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. Great reasonable priced food, kiddies menu and most important: wooden Pirate Jungle Gym for the kids to entertain 🙂