Cosy Up at These 12 Cape Town Restaurants with Fireplaces
Cape Town winters won’t make headlines in Reykjavik or Edinburgh. By European standards, the temperatures are mild — rarely dropping below 7°C, and often sitting comfortably in the mid-teens through June and July. But mild doesn’t mean dry, and it doesn’t mean warm.
The Cape has its own version of winter: grey skies, persistent rain off the Atlantic, and a cold that gets into buildings and stays there. Locals know it well, and they’ve developed their own response — finding the restaurants with good food, good wine, and a fire worth sitting next to.
Fireplaces are a genuine selling point in Cape Town’s dining scene, not just a design feature. When the weather turns, the tables closest to the hearth are the first to go.
We’ve rounded up 12 Cape Town restaurants with fireplaces — a mix of fine dining, family-friendly spots, and neighbourhood favourites — chosen with our guests in mind and weighted toward the areas closest to The Oyster Collection’s Cape Town stays.
Fine Dining and Family Friendly Cape Town Restaurants with Fireplaces
From Camps Bay to Constantia and out to Hout Bay, these restaurants are consistently well-regarded by locals and visitors alike. Several have earned recognition in the 2026 Eat Out awards. All of them have a fire going when it counts.
1. Salsify at The Roundhouse, Camps Bay
Salsify at The Roundhouse is a fine dining restaurant above Camps Bay, set in a building that dates back to 1786. Originally a guardhouse and later a hunting lodge for the Governor of the Cape, it’s now home to one of South Africa’s most celebrated kitchens, led by chef Ryan Cole.
In the 2025 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards, Salsify was named Restaurant of the Year. It has since retained its three-star rating in the 2026 awards — a score reserved for restaurants achieving between 90 and 100 points, and one of the most consistent benchmarks of excellence in South African fine dining.
The 10-course Chef’s Menu is built around local ingredients and considered flavour combinations. Highlights from the current menu include raw yellowtail with mebos and sugarcane; kingklip with prenia and confit leek; fire-roasted octopus with tomato, peanut, and celery; and Karoo lamb with sour fig and African garlic. The meal closes with a cheese course — ashed goat’s cheese with miso seeded rye and smoked pear — or a dessert of grains of Africa.
Dining at Salsify is detailed and thoughtful, from the food to the setting. Request the Seasonal Room if you want the fireplace; the space also features a striking origami floral installation made from thousands of past menus—an ongoing symbol of the restaurant’s journey and commitment to sustainability.
Location: The Roundhouse, Roundhouse Road, Camps Bay
Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday, 12.30 pm – 3 pm; 6 pm – 9 pm Sunday, 12.30 pm – 3 pm
Contact: https://salsify.co.za/reservations/
2. The Strangers Club, Green Point
Housed in a restored 1828 farmhouse just off Green Point’s Main Road, The Stranger’s Club feels like a secret waiting to be discovered. It’s laid-back but polished, with wooden floors, high ceilings, and just enough exposed brick to remind you this place has history.
This popular breakfast and lunch spot draws a steady crowd year-round. In winter, the indoor fireplace is a highlight—book ahead if you want one of the coveted tables nearby.
The menu focuses on simple, seasonal food made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, emphasising simplicity and quality. Meals range from delicious breakfasts to easy-going brunch and lunch choices, along with cold-pressed juices that taste like the fruit they’re made from.
The coffee is noteworthy, and their freshly baked treats are not to be missed—especially the Basque cheesecake, which is smooth, rich, and gluten-free.
The Stranger’s Club is more than just a café. It’s a lifestyle store with a series of interleading rooms, each filled with carefully chosen merchandise. Move from space to space, discovering locally made clothing, skincare, ceramics, books, and home goods. Out back, there’s a second shop full of African art, jewellery, and homeware worth a proper browse.
Service is warm, the vibe is easy, and the place fills up quickly—especially in colder months when the fire is going. A reservation is a smart move.
Location: 1 Braemar Road, Green Point
Opening Times: Mon-Fri 9 am-4 pm Sat & public holidays 9 am-2 pm
3. Bao Down, Green Point
Bao Down occupies the first floor of the Exhibition Building on Main Road, Green Point—a compact, considered space with soft-pink walls, vintage bird prints, antique mirrors, and origami-style pendant lights. Chef Graham Oldfield, formerly of Chef’s Warehouse, runs the kitchen with his wife Philippa, who designed the room.
The menu is built around pan-Asian small plates, with pillowy bao buns as the centrepiece. Highlights include the Korean fried chicken bao, slow-braised hoisin beef short rib bao, Thai-style mussels, and a cauliflower cake with mushrooms, edamame, and spicy soy dressing. A couple typically orders four to six plates to share.
In winter, a fire burns by the bar, adding warmth to an already inviting room.
Location: 1st Floor, Exhibition Building, 79 Main Road, Green Point
Opening Times: Tuesday – Friday, 5.30 pm – 9 pm; Saturday, 12 pm – 3 pm, 5.30 pm – 9 pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Contact: 066 022 1165 / restaurantbaodown@gmail.com
4. COY, V&A Waterfront
COY sits in a stand-alone building at the centre of the V&A Waterfront—easy to overlook, worth seeking out. It’s the second restaurant from Salsify’s chef Ryan Cole, with head chefs Geoffrey Abrahams and Teenola Govender leading the kitchen. The focus is on sustainable, ethically sourced ingredients, with the ocean and African coastline as primary influences.
The interior is moody and intimate. In winter, a central fireplace anchors the room, and fleeces on the barstools signal that staying a while is encouraged. Go for the full tasting menu or keep it lighter with the Coy Edit, the restaurant’s à la carte option.
Views stretch across the harbour, yacht basin, and Table Mountain. Park at the Portswood parking garage and walk toward the Bascule Bridge.
Location: Scheryn Pavilion Building, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday, 12 pm – 2.30 pm; 6 pm – 8.30 pm
Contact: 021 010 6444 / reservations@coyrestaurant.com
5. The Greek Fisherman, Sea Point
The Greek Fisherman is a relaxed, family-friendly restaurant in Sea Point, known for its warm atmosphere and authentic Greek and Mediterranean dishes. Originally established in 1992 at the V&A Waterfront, it’s one of Cape Town’s oldest Greek restaurants and is still run by the same owners. Now located in a cosy, character-filled space just off Regent Road, it offers several intimate dining rooms, each with a working Victorian fireplace.
Inspired by the Greek tradition of sharing meals, The Greek Fisherman encourages gathering around the table with family and friends. The menu features over 20 meze, starters, and tapas, alongside signature dishes like slow-cooked lamb, seafood straight off the grill, moussaka, and their popular souvla (spit roast). Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are also available.
Walk-ins are welcome, but it’s a good idea to book ahead, especially in high season.
Location: 78 Regent Rd, Sea Point
Opening Times: Open daily from 11:30 am to 10:30 pm.
Contact: https://greekfisherman.co.za/
6. Kloof Street House, Gardens
Kloof Street House sits in a grand Victorian house on one of Cape Town’s liveliest streets. Inside, it’s a series of richly styled rooms. Velvet seating, dim lighting, bookshelves, and crackling fireplaces give it the atmosphere of an eclectic private residence. Each space offers a slightly different mood, from cosy corners perfect for winter evenings to tables beside roaring fires.
The menu is built around crowd-pleasers and bold flavours. Start with the wild mushroom and gorgonzola arancini, followed by mains like South African Karoo wagyu with lemon and truffle wild mushrooms, or chalmar beef with charred spring onion–miso butter.
The sticky malva pudding with grilled pineapple and pistachio is a warm finish, though the salted caramel cheesecake is equally popular. There’s a strong wine list and skilled bartenders if you’re there for drinks before or after dinner.
Kloof Street House is always busy for a reason—it’s consistent, comfortable, and ideal for everything from a Sunday jazz brunch to a candlelit dinner.
Booking is essential, especially in colder months when everyone wants a seat by the fire.
Location: 30 Kloof Street, Gardens,
Opening Times: Monday, noon till late, Tuesday to Sunday 10 am till late. Kitchen closes at 00:00
7. Upper union
Upper Union, named one of South Africa’s best restaurants by Eat Out in 2025, is set in a beautifully reworked heritage building just off Kloof Street. The emerald walls, stained glass details, and low, golden light give it a sense of depth. There’s a lounge upstairs, a few tucked-away tables with balcony views, but in winter, the best seat is near the fireplace.
The Pasture Menu changes regularly and is built around local produce with global technique. Plates are served family-style and designed for sharing. The current menu runs from yellowtail with bokkom XO, pomelo salad, and trout roe, or lamb kibbeh nayyeh with paratha and guindilla chilli.
Mains include a beef cheek tagine with mebos, green harissa, and prune, alongside hyderabadi rice with saffron and crispy onion. Dessert brings jalebi with pistachio gelato and Turkish delight, or a passionfruit pavlova with white chocolate. A wine pairing menu is available on request.
There’s no set path—you can build your meal however you like or go with the shared menu. Either way, the service is sharp, the space is full of atmosphere, and the food always feels like it’s been thought through, not just plated up. Upper Union earned its reputation, and it’s easy to see why.
Location: 3 Upper Union Street, Cape Town
Opening Times: Mon – Sunday: noon–4 pm / 6 pm – 10 pm
Contact: https://www.upperunion.co.za/
8. Foxcroft, Constantia
Foxcroft is a fine-dining favourite that hits a rare sweet spot: polished and precise cuisine in a space that feels relaxed and unpretentious. Set in Constantia’s leafy High Constantia Centre, the restaurant pairs the pedigree of La Colombe with a more accessible, wine-forward setting. Chef Glen Williams brings intensity and refinement to every plate, drawing on his fine-dining background to deliver flavour-driven dishes.
The interiors echo this balance. Industrial chic finishes—screed floors, copper touches, and clean lines—create a warm, contemporary atmosphere. The open kitchen adds a buzz of energy, while a large four-sided fireplace anchors the dining room and turns it into a winter haven.
The seasonal menu changes regularly. Current highlights include tomato kimchi with Namibian crab and perilla, cannon of lamb with turnip and denningvleis, and a closing course of chestnut, mascarpone, and burnt vanilla. A plant-based menu is available for the full table on request.
Foxcroft’s approach is soigné in the truest sense: every detail is considered, but never showy.
Location: Groot Constantia Road, Shop 8, High Constantia Centre, Constantia
Opening times: noon -2 pm, 6 pm–8:30 pm
9. Beyond at Buitenverwachting, Constantia
Located on the historic Buitenverwachting wine estate in Constantia, Beyond lives up to its name—both in setting and in execution. This is fine dining rooted in classic French technique, brought to life with local ingredients and thoughtful seasonal twists. Under the direction of acclaimed chef Peter Tempelhoff and head chef Sebastian Stehr, every dish is a study in balance, precision, and elegance.
The space is defined by clean architectural lines, warm lighting, and towering windows that look out over the vineyards and up to the Silvermine Mountains. In winter, the centrepiece of the dining room is a grand marble fireplace, roaring with life and lending the space a deeply comforting atmosphere.
The current Chef’s Weekly Winter Warm-Up menu opens with smoked raw gamefish, kelp aioli, black daikon and cucumber pickle, and Scarborough seaweed. Mains offer sorghum crusted Karoo lamb neck with ancient grain porridge, fire-roasted beetroot, and sorghum jus, or pan-seared Cape fish with toasted congee, makrut lime laksa, and green curry risotto. The meal closes with cheesecake mousse, pumpkin and ginger cake, and pecan and orange ice cream.
Awarded two stars in the 2026 Eat Out Restaurant Awards, beyond is a destination in its own right, offering world-class dining in one of the Cape’s most beautiful wine valley settings.
Location: Buitenverwachting, Klein Constantia Rd, Constantia
Opening Times: Monday & Tuesday: Closed Lunch – noon to 2.30 pm Wednesday to Sunday Dinner – 6 pm to 8.30 pm Wednesday to Saturday
10. Ember & Oak, Constantia Uitsig
Ember & Oak occupies a whitewashed heritage cottage on the Constantia Uitsig wine estate, along Spaanschemat River Road. Chef Tim Pick—18 years with the La Colombe group—runs the kitchen with his wife Judy. The approach is deliberately unfussy: a short, rotating menu of small plates designed for sharing, at prices that reflect the Picks’ belief that good food should be for everyone.
The terrace tables look out across the vineyard and the Constantiaberg, but the intimate interior is the draw in winter, when a fire keeps the room warm, and drop blinds and space heaters extend the terrace season. The menu shifts with what’s available—expect combinations that reward regulars who come back to see what’s changed. Winter comfort plates have included roasted pumpkin risotto, pork ribs with teriyaki glaze, and rolled lamb belly in garlic emulsion.
Please note: Ember & Oak closes after service on Sunday 28 June and reopens on Friday 31 July. A takeaway menu is available during the winter break.
Location: Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate, Spaanschemat River Road, Constantia
Opening Times: Tuesday – Saturday, 12 pm – 9 pm; Sunday, 12 pm – 4 pm. Closed Monday.
Contact: 067 499 5621
11. Chef’s Warehouse Tintswalo Atlantic, Hout Bay
There are few restaurants where the setting alone could carry the experience—Chef’s Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic is one of them. A stone’s throw from the rugged shoreline at the foot of Chapman’s Peak Drive, this is coastal dining at its most cinematic.
Every table offers a front-row seat to the Atlantic, where waves crash below and sunsets turn the entire restaurant gold, and the food more than matches the view.
This is the culinary playground of Liam Tomlin and chef Braam Beyers, where their signature four-course shared tapas-style menu takes inspiration directly from the ocean at their doorstep. Expect a focus on sustainably sourced marine produce, but with just as much care given to meat, game, and imaginative vegetarian dishes.
Plates reflect the ocean and the seasons: linefish sashimi with tamarind coconut broth and smoked abalone crème, or glazed trout with Namibian crab and horseradish catalan. West Coast crayfish tortellini arrives in a Malaysian coconut bisque with saffron, followed by Caldhame duck breast with poached pear flan, pine-nut XO, and pomegranate molasses jus.
The celeriac risotto with confit duck and gremolata mousse is a warm finish — or save room for the Tintswalo Bar, a salted caramel chocolate slab that earns its place on the dessert menu.
The restaurant atmosphere is intimate and refined, with a natural palette of wood, stone, and glass framing the beauty outside. When the ocean mist rolls in and temperatures drop, the glow of the indoor fireplace fills the space with a welcome warmth.
Chef’s Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a sensorial experience where ocean, earth, and kitchen come together.
Location: Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay
Opening Times: Monday to Sunday lunch 12 pm – 4:30 pm dinner 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
12. Chapmans Peak Hotel, Hout Bay
Chapmans Peak Hotel has been part of Hout Bay since the early 1900s, sitting at the foot of Chapman’s Peak Drive in this historic fishing village.
The Nobrega family has run the property since 1977, and the current generation has restored the bar to something close to its original character—a wine bar and cocktail lounge with enough history in the walls to justify a long afternoon.
The restaurant made its name for seafood, specifically the seafood-in-a-pan format it claims to have originated. The fried calamari with garlic and lemon butter is what keeps regulars coming back; the menu also runs to piri piri prawns, kingklip,
Portuguese grilled sardines, and a prawn and calamari combination served in the pan. Grilled steaks and flame-grilled chicken are also on offer. It’s well suited to families, with terrace seating and a straightforward menu that covers most bases.
In winter, a fire indoors sets the tone, and the views over Hout Bay do the rest.
Location: Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday, 12 pm – 9 pm
Contact: 021 790 1036 / reservations@chapmanspeakhotel.co.za
Dine, Then Unwind with The Oyster Collection
Cape Town’s food scene has never burned brighter — and when the temperatures drop, its warm, firelit restaurants offer even more reason to indulge. Named the Best City in the World for Food in 2024 by Condé Nast Traveller, and with 42 of this year’s Eat Out-awarded restaurants calling it home, Cape Town proves again and again that it’s a culinary capital worth exploring.
Winter sets the stage beautifully: rainy days, roaring fireplaces, and a melting pot of bold flavours. The city’s top restaurants respond to the season with dedicated winter menus, bringing some of South Africa’s finest cooking within easier reach.
The Oyster Collection’s Cape Town properties are perfectly positioned to enjoy it all — and our team knows this city’s dining scene well. From recommending the right restaurant for the occasion to securing reservations and arranging transfers, our concierge handles the details so you can focus on the meal. That’s the hospitalitarian difference: warm, knowledgeable service that extends well beyond your room.