The capital of South Africa, Cape Town, is a multicultural city home to people from many communities. So, it is no surprise that its gastronomy is just as diverse. You would find eateries serving food from around the globe in this amazing city and of these, many are known for their mouth-watering Indian food. These restaurants serve food from different regions of the country, which means you get to taste the best of what India has to offer!
Here are the top 15 Indian restaurants in Cape Town:
1. Bombay Brasserie
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An opulent restaurant within the Taj Cape Town, Bombay Brasserie is famous for serving delicious Indian food with a Cape Town twist. The interiors are quite exquisite owing to the many glass chandeliers, wooden floors and panelling on the walls, dramatic mural art and pillars, accent chairs and more. You can also sit at the bar before your meal and pick from their extensive selection of wines, beers, brandies, whiskies, cocktails, etc. What’s more, they not only serve north Indian food but dishes from around the country along with street food and desserts.
Address: Taj Cape Town, 1 Wale St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa Timings (Dinner): 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM (Monday to Saturday), Sunday closed Timings (Bar area): 4:00 PM - 10:30 PM (Monday to Saturday), Sunday closed Popular dishes: Baingan bharta, kofta curry, lamb biryani, seared prawn, Malva pudding, gulab jamun Average cost: Approximately R 900 for two
2. Thali
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Established with the intent of bringing the concept of “thalis” to Cape Town, Thali is a popular Indian restaurant that guarantees you an authentic Indian dining experience. The restaurant transports you to a dhaba-like setup with its exposed brick and grey walls and boasts of rustic interiors owing to its pictures with Sanskrit writing and maps of India, brass plates on the walls, handing lights, plants etc. Thali is known for serving platters comprising ten dishes from around India across three courses; you begin with mildly spiced food and move on to spicier dishes. The menu comprises three options: vegan tapas for 1 and 2 and thali for 2. You can also choose from their wine collection. There is also a private dining area here.
Address: 3 Park Rd, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa Timings (Dinner): 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM (Monday to Saturday), Sunday closed Popular dishes: Masala chicken curry, Mustard cauliflower, Masala duck taco, Lamb galouti kebabs, Sweetcorn kale bhaji Average cost: Approximately R 950 for two
3. Maharajah
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With two restaurants across the city, Maharajah is the best place in Cape Town to get curry, serving delicious food for over 40 years. The restaurant is famous for its cosy vibes and modern interiors, which feature wooden chairs and leather couches, cream-coloured walls, paintings of Indian women, brass idols on shelves, hanging lights and more. Each restaurant has its own menu, though few dishes are common. Their rogan josh is one dish that customers simply can’t stop raving about!
Address: 1 Kloof Nek Rd &, Woodside Rd, Tamboerskloof, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa Timings: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM Popular dishes: Chicken tikkas, palak paneer, prawn kadhai, mix vegetable roti, dhal makhani, soji Average cost: Approximately R 700 - R 900 for two
4. Bukhara CBD
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Bukahara, one of India’s most popular restaurants, has been wowing people with its delicious north Indian food at the Cape Town CBD for the past 20 years. It is known for its opulent vibes and charming decor; it has green marble floors, burnt orange walls, teak furniture from Rajasthan and a massive bar with alcohol bottles displayed on glass shelves. Their food is specially prepared with spices that are brought in from India to offer you nothing but authentic Indian taste! You can also watch the cooks do their magic through the glass walls of the open kitchen. Don’t forget to try something from their dessert menu, which includes saffron kulfi, shahi tukara and mango ice cream.
Address: 33 Church St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa Timings: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM (Monday to Saturday), 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Sunday) Popular dishes: Chicken tikka wraps, garlic kebabs, lamb korma, lamb kofta burger, shahi paneer, tandoori mushrooms Average cost: Approximately R 750 for two
5. Taj Mahal Restaurant
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The Taj Mahal Restaurant in Cape Town is known for serving mouth-watering north Indian food, a lot of which is prepared in charcoal clay ovens. It has simple interiors with cream walls, tiled floors, framed pictures of the Taj Mahal, wooden chairs and tables, etc. There is also an outdoor seating area. Its lamb and crayfish curries are a must-try alongside some hot butter naan or rice. You can also enjoy the Indian music that plays in the background while you dine.
Address: 44 Victoria Ave, Hout Bay, Cape Town, 7806, South Africa Timings: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Popular dishes: Dal makhani, crayfish curry, kebabs, butter chicken, paneer tikka masala, prawn curry, etc. Average cost: Approximately R 550 for two
6.Curry Quest
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Curry Quest is a small but popular Indian restaurant in Cape Town that attracts large crowds owing to its Indian food that is served with a Durban twist. The interiors are very simple and feature burnt-orange walls, wooden furniture, hanging lights and wooden shelves with decor. You would also find a small bar with a decent collection of alcohol. Don’t forget to try their lamb or chicken curry, which will leave you licking your fingers! Most dishes vary in spiciness, and you can have them with rotis or rice.
Address: 89 Durban Rd, Mowbray, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa Timings: 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM (Monday to Wednesday), 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Thursday to Friday), 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM (Saturday), Sunday closed Popular dishes: Lamb curry, butter chicken, vegetable curry, biryani, samosas, salads, rice with prawn Average cost: Approximately R 120 - R 200 for two
7. Vintage India
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Vintage India, located in the suburbs of Gardens, is one of the most popular Indian restaurants in Cape Town, synonymous with north Indian, Hyderabadi, Goan and even Indo-Chinese food. The restaurant boasts opulent vibes owing to its exquisite decor, which includes cream walls, wooden tables with cushioned chairs, paintings of traditional Indian dance forms on the walls, etc. Alongside their food, they also serve various beverages like mango lassi and desserts such as gulab jamun, sooji ka halwa, kheer etc.
Address: 10 Hiddingh Village, C/o Hiddingh Ave and Mill St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa Timings: 12:00 PM - 9:30 PMPopular dishes: Shahi paneer, dal makhani, tandoori chicken, chicken lollipops, chhole, palak paneer Average cost: Approximately R 250 - R 300 for two
8. The Indian Chapter
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Established by Prim Reddy, a television personality, The Indian Chapter is a famous Indian restaurant in Cape Town known for its casual ambience. It has simple interiors: red walls, printed and leather chairs, Indian paintings on the walls, yellow lighting and more. Their menu features several aromatic dishes, including many that will make you feel like you are eating home-cooked food like jeera aloo, yellow dal fry, lamb Madras and saag paneer. Kulfi and kheer are also served here. Before you begin eating, you can also sit at their bar and try something from their wide selection of drinks. Soothing music plays in the background throughout the day.
Address: 3 Porterfield Rd, Table View, Cape Town, 7441, South Africa Timings: 12:30 PM - 10:30 PM Popular dishes: Samosas, Chicken reshmi kebabs, jeera aloo, tandoori jhinga, prawn kadhai, lamb biryani Average cost: Approximately R 300 - R 350 for two
9. The Raj
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The Raj in the Camps Bay suburb of Cape Town is a renowned Indian restaurant serving delectable north Indian and tandoori food prepared specially by Indian chefs. The establishment has simple yet elegant decor; it features tiled walls and floors, wooden chairs and tables and plants. There is also an outdoor seating area. You can also sit at their massive bar and have something from their extensive drinks menu before you eat. Some of their most popular dishes are spicy vindaloo, tikka masala, korma and biryani; they use tandoori clay ovens to offer you the authentic tandoori taste. Along with their delicious food, they also serve a bunch of desserts, including gulab jamun, kulfi, gajar ka halwa, rice kheer and more.
Address: Shop 4, The Promenade, Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa Timings: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM Popular dishes: Nizami gosht biryani, raitas, lamb vindaloo, kaliya kesar, channa masala, Goan crab curry, kebabs Average cost: Approximately R 400 for two
10. Bombay Chilli
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Bombay Chilli is a well-known Indian restaurant in Cape Town with two branches, one in Muizenberg and another in Plumstead. Its interiors are simple with cream walls, leather, dark wooden chairs and tables, hanging lights and a few framed pictures. There is also a small bar with a decent selection of drinks. Don’t forget to try out some yummy desserts like kulfi, gulab jamun and gajar ka halwa or their beverages like lassi and milkshakes.
Address: 46 Beach Rd, Muizenberg, Cape Town, 7950, South Africa Timings: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM Popular dishes: Malai tikkas, lamb chops, mixed vegetable curry, shahi chicken kasturi, fish masala, dal tarka Average cost: Approximately R 400 for two
11. Bihari
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An excellent choice if you’re craving north Indian food, Bihari is a well-known Indian restaurant in Newlands synonymous with an elegant dining experience. Their team of chefs from India guarantee that you get nothing but authentic Indian flavour. Bihari’s interiors are stunning with couches, wooden chairs, dim lighting owing to the wrought iron lanterns, tiled walls and more. There is an outdoor seating area and a small bar that is fully stocked. You must try something from their extensive starter menu and tandoori chicken that pairs excellently with butter naan. Delicious desserts like Bombay crushed falooda, pistachio kulfi, chocolate mousse, etc., are also served.
Address: Southern Sun Hotel, Main Rd, Newlands, Cape Town, 7725, South Africa Timings: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM Popular dishes: Mixed meat platter, tandoor paneer tikka, reshmi kebabs, chilli tiger prawns, dal tadka Average cost: Approximately R 400 for two
12. Ninety-One Indian Restaurant
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Ninety-One Indian Restaurant is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the mood for some Indian food because they are known for using authentic Indian spices in their food. It has simple interiors, including wooden floors, white chairs and tables, hanging lights and yellow walls. Some dishes that customers have raved about include palak paneer, butter chicken, rogan josh and lamb tikka masala, all of which go well with their garlic naan. Moreover, their starters like samosas, kebabs and pakoras are quite tasty too.
Address: Shop 8-9, 315 Main Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa Timings: 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM (Monday to Saturday), 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM (Sunday) Popular dishes: Butter chicken, tandoori vegetables, paneer lababdar, chana dal, Durban chicken curry, biryani Average cost: Approximately R 350 - R 400 for two
13. Moksh Indian Restaurant
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The Moksh Indian Restaurant is a popular chain of Indian restaurants in Cape Town with eight branches across the city. It is famous for serving mouth-watering north Indian food, especially curries and clay oven dishes, that are prepared using authentic Indian spices. The restaurant’s simple decor featuring burnt orange walls, cushioned chairs and images of Indian monuments, along with its relaxed vibes, make for a pleasant dining experience with friends or family. Their chicken dishes are especially popular owing to the meat’s soft texture that makes it melt in the mouth. You can also have tasty beverages like lassi or masala chai and desserts like gulab jamun, kulfi and kheer.
Address: Ipic Aurora Shopping Centre, 9 Burton Street, Durbanville, South Africa Timings: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM Popular dishes: Mutter paneer, paneer tikka masala, bhuna ghosh, chicken Kolhapuri, fish curry, lamb kastoori Average cost: Approximately R 350 - R 400 for two
14. Eastern Food Bazaar
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The Eastern Food Bazaar is a renowned canteen-style eatery in Cape Town that serves Indian, Turkish, and Chinese food at affordable prices. The restaurant comprises various stalls and booths serving different kinds of food and has simple decor with multi-coloured walls, hanging lights and a small seating area. You would find food from all over India here, including dosas, tandoori chicken, kebabs, chaat, samosas, daal etc., along with pizzas, falafel, noodles and more.
Address: 96 Longmarket St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa Timings: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Monday to Thursday), 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Friday to Sunday) Popular dishes: Kebabs, biryani, tandoori chicken, dosa, butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, shawarma Average cost: Approximately R 100 - R 150 for two
15. Jewel of India
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Jewel of India on the Green Point strip is a popular Indian restaurant in Cape Town that serves mouth-watering north Indian food. The interiors are quite simple with wooden flooring, wooden furniture, cream curtains and hanging lights, making it a great place for a meal with family. It is popular for its various vegetarian and non-vegetarian platters, including seekh kebabs, samosas, mixed chilli bites, chicken tikkas, fish tikkas, and more. You can also pick something from their wine menu.
Address: Norton Rose House, 8 Riebeek St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa Timings: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Popular dishes: Chicken malai kebabs, aloo jeera, daal makhani, chicken saag vala, kadai prawns, vegetable korma Average cost: Approximately R 150 - R 200 for two
Whether a local or an Indian tourist in Cape Town craving some food from the homeland, you have plenty of options. The city’s numerous Indian restaurants guarantee an unforgettable dining experience with their diverse dishes from around the country. What’s more, Indian restaurants in Cape Town offer you the perfect opportunity to try out some mouth-watering desserts and beverages, often with a Cape Town twist!
