Did you know that Brides.com dubbed Cape Town the ultimate honeymoon destination in 2021? All the more reason for you and your partner to sneak in a memorable Valentine’s Day in the Mother City. But where?
Cape Town’s CBD is a destination within a destination that is often overlooked and one that is most definitely worth exploring. It’s filled with low-lit haunts for starry-eyed lovers and swanky fine-dining delights for unforgettable Mother City moments. Here are the best of the best:
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at FYN
If you’re keen on a super fancy dinner date, FYN – with its neoteric Japanese African fusion of flavours – might do the trick. Located in Parliament Street, FYN crosses boundaries to bring diners unique plates painted with contemporary cuisine. Think burnt mushroom milk buns and summer somen (noodles). Or, try their Robata-grilled Kalahari beef and pumpkin pie nougat with yuzu marshmallow. The dramatic industrial interior also adds a special flair to the experience – the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening.
Royal Oyster Bar
It is said that Aphrodite, the goddess of love rose from the ocean in an oyster shell. They also say that Casanova (rumoured to have seduced 122 women) slurped down sixty oysters a day. One can only wonder whether it’s true, but one thing is for sure: Love and oysters go hand in hand. Oysters have become known as aphrodisiacs globally and therefore a Valentine’s visit to the Royal Oyster Bar on Bree is ideal for those wanting to keep their love alive.
Grub and Vine on Valentine’s Day
Oh, the bliss of blues. Make a beeline for Matt Manning’s The Blue Room at Grub and Vine if you’re keen on blending the blues with good wine and wonderful cuisine. Together with tapas and bespoke cocktails, they also serve up soulful sounds with live music – a humble spot for laid-back fools in love.
Mulberry and Prince
Brunching with your boo has never been so elegant. Stroll down Pepper Street and dare to enter through the stylish Mulberry and Prince’s pink doors. If the way through your significant other’s heart is breakfast, you’d better grab a table here on Valentine’s Day. You can’t go wrong with their Eggs Benny, which comes with brown butter hollandaise and house-made tater tots.
Infinity Restaurant at Hotel Sky
If you’re looking for a spot with a view, Lower Long’s high-rise restaurant, which offers a 360-degree mountain and sea view is the place to be on Valentine’s Day. Their Afro-chic interior has been decked out with glitzy chandeliers, animal prints and tropical wallpaper.
READ: Top 5 reasons why you need to travel as a couple
Valentine’s Day at Villa 47
Villa 47 has been described as a 3-floor culinary concept and brings visitor something of everything. Locanda is an Italian bistro that would get you singing like Meryl Streep and Martini Terazzo is a garden-style courtyard that boasts a versatile lounge and bar. If you’re a couple keen on sharing plates of this and that, Martini’s salt and pepper calamari with yuzu mayo, and pommes frites with parmesan truffle cream are out of this world. But, Locanda’s lasagne will also leave you speechless.
Bombay Brasserie
Keeping to the Cape Malay flair, this food destination specialises in North Indian cuisine. It exudes elegance with exotic interiors and sumptuous touches. They serve small plates inspired by street food and is the ideal eatery for lovers looking for authentic flavours. Think kofta curry, lamb biryani and malva pudding with a twist.
Celebrate love at Hemelhuijs
You might feel like you’ve died and gone to heaven here. This small oasis is the ideal escape from Cape Town’s hustle and bustle and its freshly made jewel-coloured juices, creative cocktails and custom-blended coffee are all worth a try. Carefully sourced ingredients by Jacques Erasmus and his team ensure heavenly smells and tastes as they escalate the comforting flavours of childhood memories with care and flair.
Tjing Tjing Momiji
Celebrate the Japanese culture and cuisine at Momiji – where chefs let loose, creating an outstanding set menu that fuses Japanese flavours with local ingredients. The idea here is that food should be fun, beautiful and tell a story. They are closed on Valentine’s Day, though so you will need to book for another day and celebrate love a little earlier or a little later this year. You can also pre-order a Mochi-Mochi box to go.
The Rockefeller
The newly opened hotel, located in business district in the Foreshore is a plush oasis with lavish décor and a stately flair. It is becoming Cape Town CBD’s new foodie hotspot at a fast pace, boasting wonderful sushi options, an artisanal bakery, contemporary dining and a 24-hour deli – all stemming from a famous food portfolio that includes Grand Pavilion, Sevruga, Cowboys & Cooks and Fancy Franks. For Valentine’s, you can experience it all with a 3-course dinner at R800 per couple, including complimentary bubbles on arrival and live DJ entertainment.
Well, there you have it. Valentine’s in Cape Town’s CBD has been sorted and for the Joburgers out there, there is still time to book a flight! Go ahead and be romantic this year. It’s been two years since we’ve really been able to enjoy these luxuries of being in love: dining in style, coffee as a couple… Just do it. For the love of love.
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