Unordinary is our list of best kept food secrets of our favourite destinations. We're celebrating the hidden gems of everyday eating, tucked away in unconventional locations – from parking lots and cruise terminals to mid-week farmer's markets and fabric stores. First up is our hometown, the Mother city.
Afro Grill by Msizi Ngcongo, outside Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants, 143 Sir Lowry Rd, Woodstock
Serving fire-grilled prego rolls on Thursdays, 12 - 2pm.
Ahmed's Tikka House, 68 Rose St, Schotsche Kloof
Follow the smoke and smell of chicken tikka sizzling on the charcoal fire in Rose Street and you'll find Ahmed where he's been cooking on the pavement for over 20 years.
Blue Café
A tiny neigbourhood grocer and café, tucked away in the suburb of Tamboerskloof. Eat the chicken pie and buy extra to take home with you.
Builders Warehouse boeries
A trip to your favourite DIY store is never complete without a boerie on your way out. Our sources tell us that the top two are Boerie Express at the City branch and Jou Ma Se Boerie at Builders Warehouse Constantiaberg.
Cake Canteen, 12 Bella Rose St, Bellville
Two of our favourite cake shops, Sweet LionHeart and The Velvet Cake Co., combined forces to set up a cake café inside the Hertex fabric store in the Northern suburbs.
Cosy Corner, 119 Ottery Rd, Wynberg
We always order the steak masala gatsby, but have it on good authority that the chargrilled rump steak is even better.
Cream of the Crop, Piket-Bo-Berg
Do whatever you need to do to find this micro dairy's halloumi somewhere in town. Your best bet would be at Ouzeri, where it usually is on the menu.
De Vrije Burger, Time Out Market, V&A Waterfront
Owned by Bertus Basson, one of the best chefs in South Africa and owner of many award-winning restaurants in the Stellenbosch region, recently opened in the Time Out Market in the V&A Waterfront. You think you want the burger, but what you really want is the soft serve with sprinkles.
Ètsi Ètsi, OZCF Wednesday Night Market, Granger Bay Blvd
Ridiculously good gyros brought to you by the award-winning team of Ouzeri restaurant.
Fuzzy's Koesisters, Makers Landing at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal.
On Sundays, ask for the steak salomie – a sweet and spicy steak curry wrapped inside a buttery, flaky roti served with Fuzzy's secret sambal.
General Store, 22 Bree St, CBD
The second smallest café on Bree Street with healthy breakfast and lunch options, but also the best brownies in town.
Good to gather, Rozendal Farm, Omega Rd, Stellenbosch
The best meal you will find in the area, prepared with the best seasonal and fresh ingredients by our favourite couple in food, Jess and Luke. Book well in advance - they are open for dinner on Fridays and lunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
Kapoochka, Makers Landing and Time Out Market, V&A Waterfront
Level up your samoosa game with their Mumbai-style dahi samoosa.
Max bagels / Leo's wine bar, 120 Bree St, CBD
The smallest café in Cape Town - bagel bar by day and wine bar by night, this bustling joint knows how to make the most of their pavement real estate. Serving the best bagels in town during the day and a masterfully curated low intervention wine list at night.
Mixa's Schwarma, 11A, Palmhoff Centre, Kloof St
You'll find Mixa's in the parking lot outside Checkers in Kloof street. What you won't find, is a schwarma on the menu. Go for the good vibes.
Organic Zone, 1 Main Rd & Putter Rd, Lakeside
The lifechanging lemon drizzle cake is worth the drive.
Scarpetta, 85 Roodebloem Rd, Woodstock
Scarpetta is the pride and joy of owner and chef Ricky Turilli. Just really good Italian food with no frills. Bring your own alcohol (there is no corkage).
Sepial's Kitchen, OZCF Market, Granger Bay Blvd (also at Makers Landing and Constantia Uitsig)
Go for the KFC and stay for the fermented goods and chats with the friendliest mother-and-son duo.
Seven Colours Eatery, Battery Park, V&A Waterfront
Tucked away under the skatepark along the canal in Battery Park on the perimeter of the V&A Waterfront, you will find Nolu Dube-Cele serving heritage cuisine. Famous for her amarostile (roosterkoek) and chakalaka, but definitely also try the Seven Colours plate (home-cooked Sunday lunch) on a Sunday.
Super Fisheries, 63 Old Klipfontein Rd, Athlone
The OG, owned by Rashaad Pandy, the original creator of the gatsby. Order the calamari gatsby.
Tommy's Chop Shop, 50 Canterbury St, District Six
Open Wednesdays - Saturdays, hidden away inside the outdoor store, Just Like Papa. Don't miss their Wednesday Grill nights in collab with Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants.
Tomson, 120 Bree St, CBD
Impossibly delicious South Cantonese food by Andy Kai - be sure to book in advance and go ahead, make life easy for yourself and just order one of each item on the menu - you'll thank us later.
Unordinary is our list of best kept food secrets of our favourite destinations. We're celebrating the hidden gems of everyday eating, tucked away in unconventional locations – from parking lots and cruise terminals to mid-week farmer's markets and fabric stores. First up is our hometown, the Mother city.
Afro Grill by Msizi Ngcongo, outside Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants, 143 Sir Lowry Rd, Woodstock
Serving fire-grilled prego rolls on Thursdays, 12 - 2pm.
Ahmed's Tikka House, 68 Rose St, Schotsche Kloof
Follow the smoke and smell of chicken tikka sizzling on the charcoal fire in Rose Street and you'll find Ahmed where he's been cooking on the pavement for over 20 years.
Blue Café
A tiny neigbourhood grocer and café, tucked away in the suburb of Tamboerskloof. Eat the chicken pie and buy extra to take home with you.
Builders Warehouse boeries
A trip to your favourite DIY store is never complete without a boerie on your way out. Our sources tell us that the top two are Boerie Express at the City branch and Jou Ma Se Boerie at Builders Warehouse Constantiaberg.
Cake Canteen, 12 Bella Rose St, Bellville
Two of our favourite cake shops, Sweet LionHeart and The Velvet Cake Co., combined forces to set up a cake café inside the Hertex fabric store in the Northern suburbs.
Cosy Corner, 119 Ottery Rd, Wynberg
We always order the steak masala gatsby, but have it on good authority that the chargrilled rump steak is even better.
Cream of the Crop, Piket-Bo-Berg
Do whatever you need to do to find this micro dairy's halloumi somewhere in town. Your best bet would be at Ouzeri, where it usually is on the menu.
De Vrije Burger, Time Out Market, V&A Waterfront
Owned by Bertus Basson, one of the best chefs in South Africa and owner of many award-winning restaurants in the Stellenbosch region, recently opened in the Time Out Market in the V&A Waterfront. You think you want the burger, but what you really want is the soft serve with sprinkles.
Ètsi Ètsi, OZCF Wednesday Night Market, Granger Bay Blvd
Ridiculously good gyros brought to you by the award-winning team of Ouzeri restaurant.
Fuzzy's Koesisters, Makers Landing at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal.
On Sundays, ask for the steak salomie – a sweet and spicy steak curry wrapped inside a buttery, flaky roti served with Fuzzy's secret sambal.
General Store, 22 Bree St, CBD
The second smallest café on Bree Street with healthy breakfast and lunch options, but also the best brownies in town.
Good to gather, Rozendal Farm, Omega Rd, Stellenbosch
The best meal you will find in the area, prepared with the best seasonal and fresh ingredients by our favourite couple in food, Jess and Luke. Book well in advance - they are open for dinner on Fridays and lunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
Kapoochka, Makers Landing and Time Out Market, V&A Waterfront
Level up your samoosa game with their Mumbai-style dahi samoosa.
Max bagels / Leo's wine bar, 120 Bree St, CBD
The smallest café in Cape Town - bagel bar by day and wine bar by night, this bustling joint knows how to make the most of their pavement real estate. Serving the best bagels in town during the day and a masterfully curated low intervention wine list at night.
Mixa's Schwarma, 11A, Palmhoff Centre, Kloof St
You'll find Mixa's in the parking lot outside Checkers in Kloof street. What you won't find, is a schwarma on the menu. Go for the good vibes.
Organic Zone, 1 Main Rd & Putter Rd, Lakeside
The lifechanging lemon drizzle cake is worth the drive.
Scarpetta, 85 Roodebloem Rd, Woodstock
Scarpetta is the pride and joy of owner and chef Ricky Turilli. Just really good Italian food with no frills. Bring your own alcohol (there is no corkage).
Sepial's Kitchen, OZCF Market, Granger Bay Blvd (also at Makers Landing and Constantia Uitsig)
Go for the KFC and stay for the fermented goods and chats with the friendliest mother-and-son duo.
Seven Colours Eatery, Battery Park, V&A Waterfront
Tucked away under the skatepark along the canal in Battery Park on the perimeter of the V&A Waterfront, you will find Nolu Dube-Cele serving heritage cuisine. Famous for her amarostile (roosterkoek) and chakalaka, but definitely also try the Seven Colours plate (home-cooked Sunday lunch) on a Sunday.
Super Fisheries, 63 Old Klipfontein Rd, Athlone
The OG, owned by Rashaad Pandy, the original creator of the gatsby. Order the calamari gatsby.
Tommy's Chop Shop, 50 Canterbury St, District Six
Open Wednesdays - Saturdays, hidden away inside the outdoor store, Just Like Papa. Don't miss their Wednesday Grill nights in collab with Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants.
Tomson, 120 Bree St, CBD
Impossibly delicious South Cantonese food by Andy Kai - be sure to book in advance and go ahead, make life easy for yourself and just order one of each item on the menu - you'll thank us later.
Unordinary is our list of best kept food secrets of our favourite destinations. We're celebrating the hidden gems of everyday eating, tucked away in unconventional locations – from parking lots and cruise terminals to mid-week farmer's markets and fabric stores. First up is our hometown, the Mother city.
Afro Grill by Msizi Ngcongo, outside Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants, 143 Sir Lowry Rd, Woodstock
Serving fire-grilled prego rolls on Thursdays, 12 - 2pm.
Ahmed's Tikka House, 68 Rose St, Schotsche Kloof
Follow the smoke and smell of chicken tikka sizzling on the charcoal fire in Rose Street and you'll find Ahmed where he's been cooking on the pavement for over 20 years.
Blue Café
A tiny neigbourhood grocer and café, tucked away in the suburb of Tamboerskloof. Eat the chicken pie and buy extra to take home with you.
Builders Warehouse boeries
A trip to your favourite DIY store is never complete without a boerie on your way out. Our sources tell us that the top two are Boerie Express at the City branch and Jou Ma Se Boerie at Builders Warehouse Constantiaberg.
Cake Canteen, 12 Bella Rose St, Bellville
Two of our favourite cake shops, Sweet LionHeart and The Velvet Cake Co., combined forces to set up a cake café inside the Hertex fabric store in the Northern suburbs.
Cosy Corner, 119 Ottery Rd, Wynberg
We always order the steak masala gatsby, but have it on good authority that the chargrilled rump steak is even better.
Cream of the Crop, Piket-Bo-Berg
Do whatever you need to do to find this micro dairy's halloumi somewhere in town. Your best bet would be at Ouzeri, where it usually is on the menu.
De Vrije Burger, Time Out Market, V&A Waterfront
Owned by Bertus Basson, one of the best chefs in South Africa and owner of many award-winning restaurants in the Stellenbosch region, recently opened in the Time Out Market in the V&A Waterfront. You think you want the burger, but what you really want is the soft serve with sprinkles.
Ètsi Ètsi, OZCF Wednesday Night Market, Granger Bay Blvd
Ridiculously good gyros brought to you by the award-winning team of Ouzeri restaurant.
Fuzzy's Koesisters, Makers Landing at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal.
On Sundays, ask for the steak salomie – a sweet and spicy steak curry wrapped inside a buttery, flaky roti served with Fuzzy's secret sambal.
General Store, 22 Bree St, CBD
The second smallest café on Bree Street with healthy breakfast and lunch options, but also the best brownies in town.
Good to gather, Rozendal Farm, Omega Rd, Stellenbosch
The best meal you will find in the area, prepared with the best seasonal and fresh ingredients by our favourite couple in food, Jess and Luke. Book well in advance - they are open for dinner on Fridays and lunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
Kapoochka, Makers Landing and Time Out Market, V&A Waterfront
Level up your samoosa game with their Mumbai-style dahi samoosa.
Max bagels / Leo's wine bar, 120 Bree St, CBD
The smallest café in Cape Town - bagel bar by day and wine bar by night, this bustling joint knows how to make the most of their pavement real estate. Serving the best bagels in town during the day and a masterfully curated low intervention wine list at night.
Mixa's Schwarma, 11A, Palmhoff Centre, Kloof St
You'll find Mixa's in the parking lot outside Checkers in Kloof street. What you won't find, is a schwarma on the menu. Go for the good vibes.
Organic Zone, 1 Main Rd & Putter Rd, Lakeside
The lifechanging lemon drizzle cake is worth the drive.
Scarpetta, 85 Roodebloem Rd, Woodstock
Scarpetta is the pride and joy of owner and chef Ricky Turilli. Just really good Italian food with no frills. Bring your own alcohol (there is no corkage).
Sepial's Kitchen, OZCF Market, Granger Bay Blvd (also at Makers Landing and Constantia Uitsig)
Go for the KFC and stay for the fermented goods and chats with the friendliest mother-and-son duo.
Seven Colours Eatery, Battery Park, V&A Waterfront
Tucked away under the skatepark along the canal in Battery Park on the perimeter of the V&A Waterfront, you will find Nolu Dube-Cele serving heritage cuisine. Famous for her amarostile (roosterkoek) and chakalaka, but definitely also try the Seven Colours plate (home-cooked Sunday lunch) on a Sunday.
Super Fisheries, 63 Old Klipfontein Rd, Athlone
The OG, owned by Rashaad Pandy, the original creator of the gatsby. Order the calamari gatsby.
Tommy's Chop Shop, 50 Canterbury St, District Six
Open Wednesdays - Saturdays, hidden away inside the outdoor store, Just Like Papa. Don't miss their Wednesday Grill nights in collab with Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants.
Tomson, 120 Bree St, CBD
Impossibly delicious South Cantonese food by Andy Kai - be sure to book in advance and go ahead, make life easy for yourself and just order one of each item on the menu - you'll thank us later.
