For a big date night in Cape Town, book FYN on Parliament Street, the Eat Out Restaurant of the Year 2026, or Ouzeri and Belly of the Beast, both with two Eat Out stars. In Sea Point, book Grand Pavilion on the promenade for the sunset, Arlecchino by Tashas on Regent Road, or Una Más for birria and agave. In Gardens, Kloof Street House, Upper Union and The Red Room at the Mount Nelson are easy wins.
Amaya is designed in Sea Point, and an evening dress is only as good as the night you wear it to. These are the tables we would book. We say what we love; we are not affiliated with any of these places. Check hours before you go.
The big night: CBD and East City
1. FYN, CBD
FYN is on the 5th floor of 37 Parliament Street, at Speaker's Corner. It was named Eat Out Restaurant of the Year 2026, with three stars. The kitchen pairs African produce with Japanese technique, served as kaiseki set menus. Book this one for a milestone.
2. Ouzeri, CBD
Ouzeri is at 58 Wale Street and has two Eat Out stars in 2026. The food is modern Cypriot and Greek. Order the octopus with potato and caramelised garlic.
3. Belly of the Beast, East City
Belly of the Beast is at 110 Harrington Street and has two Eat Out stars in 2026. It serves a daily table d'hôte, with one lunch and one dinner seating. You eat what the kitchen cooks that day, so it suits a couple who like surprises.
4. Seebamboes, East City
Seebamboes sits inside Galjoen on Harrington Street and has one Eat Out star. There are 16 counter seats, so it is made for two. The "surf and turf" seaweed menu costs about R1 200 per person. It runs Tuesday to Saturday from 18:45. Galjoen itself, at 99 Harrington Street, has one star too and a daily set menu of oysters and line fish.
5. Merchant Bar & Grill, CBD
Merchant is at 91 Bree Street and has one Eat Out star. It cooks nose to tail, with a 5-course Merchant Feast. Dinner is Tuesday to Saturday. Book it for someone who likes meat.
Gardens: the easy wins
6. The Red Room by Chefs Warehouse, Gardens
The Red Room is at the Mount Nelson, 76 Orange Street, and has one Eat Out star. Order the whole Peking duck, which is made for sharing.
7. Upper Union, Gardens
Upper Union is at the Cape Cadogan, 3 Upper Union Street, and has one Eat Out star. The menu is sharing plates. Order the picanha with waterblommetjie chimichurri.
8. Ongetem, Gardens
Ongetem is at the Canopy by Hilton on Park Road and has one Eat Out star. It is Bertus Basson's fire-cooked menu. The Grand Marnier soufflé is back, so save room.
9. Kloof Street House, Gardens
Kloof Street House is a restored Victorian house at 30 Kloof Street. There is live jazz at Sunday lunch, which makes it our pick for a daytime date.
Sea Point: close to home
10. Arlecchino by Tashas, Sea Point
Arlecchino opened in January 2026 at 16 Regent Road. It is 70s-glam Mediterranean. Order the Amalfi lemon pasta and an Arlecchino Spritz. It is open daily from 08:00 to 23:00 and was a nominee at the SA Restaurant Awards 2026.
11. Grand Pavilion, Sea Point
Grand Pavilion is on the promenade at 277 Beach Road, with a view of the Atlantic sunset. It serves seafood and sushi, and Harry's Bar is inside. Book for just before sunset, which falls close to 20:00 in December and January. See our sunset spots guide for times by month.
12. Una Más, Sea Point
Una Más is at 77 Regent Road. It serves Jalisco-style beef birria and has more than 200 agave spirits. Go for a relaxed date.
Which one for what
| If the night is | Book | Where |
|---|---|---|
| A milestone | FYN | CBD |
| A surprise | Belly of the Beast | East City |
| Just the two of you at a counter | Seebamboes | East City |
| Sharing plates | Upper Union | Gardens |
| Cypriot and Greek | Ouzeri | CBD |
| A carnivore's dinner | Merchant Bar & Grill | CBD |
| Duck for two | The Red Room | Gardens |
| A fire-cooked dinner | Ongetem | Gardens |
| Sunday lunch with jazz | Kloof Street House | Gardens |
| A sunset table | Grand Pavilion | Sea Point |
| Pasta and a spritz | Arlecchino | Sea Point |
| Tequila, mezcal and birria | Una Más | Sea Point |
None of these restaurants publishes a dress code. A good mini, a layer for the walk back and shoes you can manage on stairs cover most of these tables. The Portofino Dress (R1 950) is a satin mini for FYN or The Red Room. The Madrid Dress (R1 950) is a satin mini too, for a Sea Point night at Arlecchino. The Madison Mini Dress (R1 250) is a knit mini with a halter, warmer for the promenade after Grand Pavilion. The Bianca Dress (R2 200) is a satin mini cut for cocktails at Una Más. Choosing between fabrics? Read linen vs satin in Cape Town. Amaya is also stocked at The Lot Collective, 77 Regent Road, Sea Point and 15 Vineyard Road, Claremont.
Delivery and exchanges
Amaya delivers across South Africa for R99, free over R1 500. Cape Town takes 1 to 2 working days, Johannesburg and Pretoria 2 to 3, the rest of South Africa 3 to 5. Collect in Sea Point for free. The first exchange is free within 14 days.
WhatsApp Max on +27 83 703 8502.
Updated October 2026. We update this guide every season.
