TOP 10 BEST Restaurants in South Africa - Updated November 2024

Hemelhuijs

86/100 (1454 ratings)

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Contemporary

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Cafe

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European

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Chicken steak

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Eggs Benedict

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Dumplings with Dashi and Truffle

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Mieliepap

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Cheese Croquettes with Garden Lemon

Duck

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Crapes Suzette

Calamari

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Calamares

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European

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Accepts Credit Cards

Outdoor Seating

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Mid-range

"Best place for breakfast...lunch....coffee....food is art and flavours are incredible. Fantastic service and beautiful decor A must visit..."

Lori Thornhill

"The food is art and you can sit and eat the art. The decor is stunning and the staff knows their stuff. Love the..."

Peter Thornhill

"Had the most delicious breakfast. Not the first time . Very sophisticated. And great sercive. Well done to all staff and..."

Jomari Erasmus

"The best homely lunch place by far. The trout dish is..."

Godfrey Nkwane

"Amazing food with solid service. Interior second to none. I've been here a few times and it is now a very firm favourite. Highly recommend the veal..."

Rorisang Moseli

"I ate art. Great service from Robben. The flavors are unbelievably explosive. Great fusion ice..."

Frank Malaba

"Great food here. I'm writing this review about 8 months after I visited but I still remember being pleasantly surprised but the food. The food..."

Prevlin CR Seven Naidoo

"Had Bebotie Frikkedelle - was delish. Service is excellent and atmosphere is good. Definitely a restaurant for the cultivated foodie to tryout in..."

Christopher Dean Mills

"Favorite restaurant in Cape Town, Best food, best drinks, best..."

Kelly Withey Mara

"Sublime. Nothing else to say. Except to say I am grateful for the high standards and..."

Toby Orford

"Amazing, you must try the french toast!!!! Will definitely be..."

Ericka De Vries

"Excellent service, stylish, yet relaxed atmosphere and of course that food! Wonderful breakfast as always, popular favorites done well and with a..."

Nick Paul

"Lovely atmosphere. 5* Food and service. Parking a problem to find - R24 for 90mins; but we'll definitely be back for breakfast...."

Wendy van Deventer

"Absolutely enjoyable!!! Loved everything about it. Thank you for a great..."

Chrisoula Kavakos

"le macaron est tout simplement merveilleux, chapeaux..."

Alexander Ryan Brits

"Superb breakfast of poached eggs, hollandaise sauce and artichokes. Their Vietnamese coffee is an absolute must. Best potato rosti in Cape Town...."

Caroline

"What a stunning spot! I love this place so much because every time feels better than the last. It’s so difficult to choose favourites from their..."

Lesedi Ramonyane

"Hemelhuijs is a hidden gem in the CBD, amazing spot to have breakfast at.I opted for the French toast with salted caramel and banana , which was..."

Farzana Dalvie

"Nice location and interesting interiors. Staff were very friendly and informative. The oversized menus (they were huge) showcased a huge variety of..."

Said Kekhia

"I read about Hemelhuijs in Lonely Planet and I was very happy I came! I knew I was onto something special when I was presented with the menu, it's..."

Hangry In Dubai

"This was my first time at Hemelhuijs for breakfast and I was absolutely blown away! The decor is beautiful and creates a very calm and peaceful..."

Amy Kruger

"Undoubtedly one of the best breakfast spots in Cape Town! That's why it's got a 5-star rating from us! 🥇What can we say about..."

Tsepang & Thapelo

"Really great brunch experience! Had the honey rooibos ice tea which was sweet and refreshing as well as the bacon, avo and egg on mosbolletjie bread...."

Kposselwhite

"Great vibe - outside is buzzing with colourful pedestrian traffic while inside seating offers a more serene environment. Understated elegance (incl..."

AJG

"Extremely interesting menu and amazing crockery. Excellent service. Food is clever, layered and delicious. Great choice for breakfast and lunch...."

Wikus Du Toit

"Hemelhuijs directly translated means ‘Heavenly House’ and aptly describes a visit to this establishment. A fantastic menu, including great..."

Rigard & Jeanine

"I had really pleasant experience at this restaurant. The food is beautifully and interestingly presented. Great attention to detail is paid..."

Danieljake

"Lovely relaxed atmosphere, the staff were very friendly when interacting with us. I had a table outside to enjoy some of the good weather...."

Sihle Ck Mkhize

"Was pleasantly surprised by the warm atmosphere despite the cool black and grey aesthetic. Very modern, and the menu design is stunning. Food is..."

Didi Tsitsi

"Don't get confused, Hemelhuijs isn't actually in De Waterkant, rather on Waterkant Street in Town right by the Waterkant Bridge over..."

Asher Weinsein

"I've just been to lunch at Hemelhuijs and what an experience. The service is something you would expect to find in a Michelin star restaurant...."

Aletha Jeftha

"What a wonderful little secret café in the Cape Town CBD. I had the Vietnamese coffee, which was extremely tasty and I love the idea of drinking..."

Rachael Laura Wahl

"I really enjoyed my brunch at Hemelhuijs! An interesting atmosphere for a cafe but I enjoyed it. Had delicious food and the waiters were great ! I..."

Emma Haines

"One of the very few cafés that serve cocktails for breakfast!!Really enjoyed the kumquats and citrus infused cocktail with just a hint of vodka..."

Kriyanka Naidoo

"Really great space with excellent service. Lots of attention to detail and the Vietnamese coffee was a winner! Breakfast (potato rosti,poached eggs,..."

Chengz

"A little piece of culinary heaven. Love this quaint, stylish and quirky spot in town. Expert breakfasts that will fill you for the day, beautiful,..."

Bronwyn Esterhuizen

"Had breakfast here a few days ago. The decor is calming and elegant. The interesting display on the wall of peppers from around the world goes well..."

Steven Edwards

"Had brunch here a few days ago and what a delightful experience it was. Excellent service and delicious ,well presented food. Will definitely return..."

Kerissa Naidoo

"Righto As far as coffee shops go this place checks most boxes. There's an incredible level of attention to detail that has gone..."

Gerald Walus

"Good little restaurant with some odd dishes that are delicious. Had the burger - strangest burger I have us but fantastic. The juices were an odd..."

Stuninho

"Had lunch at Hemelhuijs for the first time last week. The service was really good and the food was absolutely delicious. I wanted the tuna carpaccio,..."

Caro Van Aardt

"This hidden gem in Dewaterkant was the best find today! The food was absolutely amazing! What stood out was the gourmet feel and the..."

Imtiyaaz Hart

"We were in the mood for something different and we were not disappointed. The food was good and the service was on the ball. Spot to return to when..."

Andre Scheepers

"Finally got around to trying this gem out, and I will admit that it was well worth all of the hype. I had the winter mesclun with truffled..."

Zanenkululeko Belot

"Finally came to Hemelhuijs after hearing so much about it! It's small and fancier than most breakfast places, but the vibe is great and the food even..."

Jessica Stromin

"Few restaurants come close to the consistency and true expression of simplicity in the food they make. Words don't do justice to a Hemelhuijs..."

Reza Salie

"Fantastic surprise and a hidden gem. The service was excellent. Came for breakfast and was intrigued by what was on offer. Not the traditional slap..."

Robert Fridjhon

"The rating says it all!! Healthy, tasty, vibey, service is very good and waiters friendly. I like the decor, lots to look at. If you in town and..."

Wayne De Nobrega

"What a pleasure to go here for a brunch. The menu is always tastefully designed. The soup is really mouthwatering during the cooler days in Cape..."

Christine Du Toit

"Not your ordinary breakfast venue! The venue is very well done and despite not catching the early morning rays it is still very pleasant👍🏻 The..."

Nic Hern

"Nice little corner restaurant with minimalist and soothing decor. However disappointingly the quality of food and service has gone down significantly..."

Dipäyän

"Love this spot! I really like the size of the Resturant as well as the earthy, simple decor. Not to mention, the food is very..."

Nazneen Ahmed

"I love this place I always stop at list few times over for lunch when in town ...The combination of fresh and healthy produce combine with..."

Fabrizio Capello

"Went for breakfast and ordered the Rosti. Was extremely good, poached eggs were perfectly cooked. It was filling but not too heavy. I would come..."

Emiko

"Wonderful little gem!Great service, fantastic food, amazing coffee. Loved the urban setting too. Even doggie friendly which always tickles my..."

Rochelle Harwin

"I had the most divine Friday afternoon lunch at Hemelhuijs! The waiter was attentive and really helpful and the food was amazing! I had the..."

Rachel

"Wow this is a secret place that should be shared! Absolutely delicious! The calamari (for a Jozi girl craving fresh seafood) definately had my taste..."

Samantha Hunter

"One of my favourite CBD lunch spots. Centrally located on the fanwalk, this popular (make sure you have a reservation) upmarket restaurant's eclectic..."

Ryan Goodman

"Really special little place. Had a lovely breakfast with the fam. Definitely going back! Great juices, decor and eggs benidict. Little bit of advice,..."

Helena

"Wonderful experience Every time! The food is delicious, a wonderful flavour twist on breakfast classics and a whole new world for mains. And the..."

Lvanmellek

"Surprised to have arrived to breakfast to be asked if we had a reservation. Having gobbled up a delicious artichoke eggs benny, two delicious..."

Mike Varney

"From the moment you step in the door, Hemelhuijs is perfection. The waiters are dressed to a tee, the menus looks like a page out of one of Heston..."

Michelle Matzdorff

"Amazing amazing and flavour burst food! Beautiful menu, beautiful decor! Service are so quick! More then enough food on a plate! Will definitely..."

Stephanie Louw

"I've been here twice for breakfast and this becoming a favorite Saturday brunch place. The service is warm and friendly from when you enter to when..."

Glen Hunt

"Hemelhuijs really lived up to its amazing reputation! The food was so delicious. To start I had the beetroot and pear salad, which was..."

Leila Osato

"Very classy restaurant in a great central city location on a pedestrian only street. Very welcoming. I popped in for a late lunch salad and had their..."

Anne Chappel

"Excellent food - best sago in the world! I like the ambience and decor. Good music and company. Service is also very good. I'll be back for the lunch..."

Vaughan Coulson

"We had lunch at this wonderful place - the menus are amazing and we spent a while just reading them...such a hard choice as everything looked and..."

Debbie Coulson

"We recently visited Hemelhuijs to try out their new winter menu and it was everything we expected it to be, and so much more. Situated in the heart..."

MelbourneLops

"I had my birthday lunch here and it was wonderful. The staff are so hospitable and the food is as usual- unbelievable. I had the peppered calamari..."

Gabrielle Meyers

"Pretty expensive but the food was delicious. I had the poached egg with potato rosti and cream freche. Was so amazing. James had the benedict which..."

Erin Coe

"So far this is the best eggs benedict in town since the river cafe has absolved it's responsibility to create the best breakfast the world has yet to..."

Kieran Pearce

"Easily one of my favorite lunch spots in Cape Town. What a place! We went on a cold rainy day, and were fighting against the wind as we walked..."

Leah Feiger

"This place exemplifies a certain kind of chic. One of the best all-around restaurant experiences I've had anywhere. Would eat here every day if I..."

Sean M. Kennedy

"Hemelhuijs is a lovely upmarket trendy restaurant in CBD. Love the ambiance of the place and the food is delicious. They serve a scrumptious french..."

Dirk Van Zijl

"Wow! Now this place has something special. Quirky arty decor, amazing fusion food with strange combinations that just work! I had the veal with..."

Adrian Kaplan

"One of my favourite spots to go, cosy indoor on a winter's day and lovely outside seating for a sunny summers day. Stunning menu and great food!..."

Ilse Nel

"If there were a place to epitomise the glories of food, that will have to be a small bistro found on Waterkant Street in the bustling inner circles..."

Carla De Klerk

"I like going to places that have fun decor. There was an artwork made entirely out of toast. So cool and chic, loved the food too. If you want to go..."

Adri

"This quaint restaurant is tucked away in the waterkant accessible only via a pedestrian street. The chic decor blends with the unique cutlery and..."

Ashleigh Fynn

"Highly recommended! Hemelhuijs is a small nook situated in a pedestrian street, making it's location rather unique. The food is well..."

Louise Van Wyk

"I think this has to be my top favourite restaurant in Cape Town. Not only is the food aesthetically pleasing in my plate each time I have eaten..."

Mademoiselle Nomad

"I'm crazy about the interesting menu at Hemelhuijs. The coffee is great, egg breakfasts amazeballs and the sago porridge - oh em gee - is worth dying..."

Jenny Sarah Coulson

"This is one of the best if not the best eatery's in town , satisfy absolutely all my senses . The consistency in creativity and service are..."

Dawid Kriel

"Great little place . Nice find . Really great atmosphere and decor. The food is amazing. Try the onion soup in the cold weather, amazing. Had the..."

Bradley Pieters

"Definitely above average for a breakfast experience... my best part is the decor & crockery, diffs to the norm. Dig these black mugs the coffee is..."

Michelle Flynn

"Wonderful spot for breakfast! The gorgeous interior changes through out the year but always manages to inspire and delight!The service is..."

Toomuchloveliness

"Just had a very late and very delicious breaki with my better half Hemelhuijs. They serve all day breakfast! Brilliant, fresh, simple food prepared..."

Daniel Buys

"This little gem in the city is the ideal spot for a quiet lunch with a dear friend. You must try one of the cocktails, unusual combinations yet well..."

Grant Shippey

"Absolutely rocked my little foodie world. From that delicious mosbolletjie bread to that mindblowing calamari it was a superb experience - I'll be..."

Rachel Myra

"What a breakfast and lunch spot. I keep returning because it never loses its touch. Scrambled eggs are amazing, creamy and light. Mossbolletjie toast..."

Ian Burrows

"What can I say other than I plan to be back! The coffee and breakfast were excellent. The black salt was a interesting touch. The restaurant also..."

Travis

"Such a beautiful restaurant. The chef is also an artist and changes up the look of the restaurant every few months as well as making his own..."

TheJoburgFoodie

"Absolutely love Hemelhuijs - it has unbelievably good food with flavours and ingredients seldom found anywhere else; good service and a location that..."

Nina Brooklyn Brown

"One of my favourite lunch restaurants in Cape Town. The food has fantastic flavour with interesting sauces. Their juices are also a..."

Nicole Vrede

"Wow, wow, wow! You can taste the love in the food! Amazing options, flavours and presentation. The pineapple combo juice was so refreshing too...."

Danielle Kruger

"It's a hidden gem... my 1st impression when I walked, was this is fancy as the tables are neatly set up with glasses, knives, fork and beautiful..."

Schanees Burgess

"Wonderful lunch spot. The food is amazing. It’s a small restaurant, so it gets really full during lunch hours and the waiting time is too long. But..."

Silvia Raninger

"My Birthday on Monday 16th October 2023 was our last day in beautiful Cape Town and we found this absolute gem of a place to have my Birthday..."

Gillian Stolworthy

"Quaint establishment with beautiful interiors. Hemelhuijs has some splendid menu options. The starter veg wrap is quite memorable as well as their..."

Melanie N-P

"Gorgeous little place tucked away in a side street in town. Small and cosy with friendly staff. Perfect for..."

heather williams

"This beautiful, quaint Cafe is a perfect gem of an eatery located in the city bowl on Waterkant Street. A true bistro in every sense of the word,..."

Gill A

"I tried their version of eggs benedict, deliciously laid on a soft brioche bun. Full of flavour. The interior is simple and cool, makes a very good..."

Marco Capo (Marco)

"A Cape town institution that still has an exceptional standard. We live the bruch menu and cocktails. Decor and service on point. They also have a..."

Eat like a local Cape Town

"The ambiance was warm and inviting, instantly making me feel at home. As I perused the menu, I couldn't help but notice the attention to detail that..."

Grey Stopforth

"Yummmmsss! This a must when in capetown. Want a delicious & organic food with a homemade style feel ? This is it! Wonderful staff, friendly and..."

RAM IMAGERY

"We were lucky enough to have Sunday brunch in this beautiful artistic place. You need to make a reservation before you go. The food is great. What..."

Kholoud Altalhi

"Out of this world... big surprise. Decor, menus, food, the personell: amazing. We had breakfast... what an experience. Very quiet and cozy place and..."

CADS

"Very kind personal, seems they rushing over but they was so friendly! The main thing is better to clear all ingredients in menu because Mesclun salad..."

Anisa White

"Great spot for la good lunch experience in Capetown, everything was so tasteful, we really enjoyed..."

Valery T

"A really smart place which manages an effortless blend of lovely food and smooth service in a wonderful ambiance. I would go back any time, if it..."

Ric VAN WEELDEN

"Wow - friends had been recommending this place for some time. I had a.combo of breakfast and lunch and it was fantastic. Vietnamese coffee was..."

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Lori Thornhill

Peter Thornhill

Jomari Erasmus

Godfrey Nkwane

Rorisang Moseli

Frank Malaba

Prevlin CR Seven Naidoo

Christopher Dean Mills

Kelly Withey Mara

Toby Orford

Ericka De Vries

Nick Paul

Wendy van Deventer

Chrisoula Kavakos

Alexander Ryan Brits

Caroline

Lesedi Ramonyane

Farzana Dalvie

Said Kekhia

Hangry In Dubai

Amy Kruger

Tsepang & Thapelo

Kposselwhite

AJG

Wikus Du Toit

Rigard & Jeanine

Danieljake

Sihle Ck Mkhize

Didi Tsitsi

Asher Weinsein

Aletha Jeftha

Rachael Laura Wahl

Emma Haines

Kriyanka Naidoo

Chengz

Bronwyn Esterhuizen

Steven Edwards

Kerissa Naidoo

Gerald Walus

Stuninho

Caro Van Aardt

Imtiyaaz Hart

Andre Scheepers

Zanenkululeko Belot

Jessica Stromin

Reza Salie

Robert Fridjhon

Wayne De Nobrega

Christine Du Toit

Nic Hern

Dipäyän

Nazneen Ahmed

Fabrizio Capello

Emiko

Rochelle Harwin

Rachel

Samantha Hunter

Ryan Goodman

Helena

Lvanmellek

Mike Varney

Michelle Matzdorff

Stephanie Louw

Glen Hunt

Leila Osato

Anne Chappel

Vaughan Coulson

Debbie Coulson