Cape Town’s Unmissable Japanese Restaurants
Cape Town is the culinary hub of South Africa, so it’s not unusual that the Japanese dining scene offers a wide range of variety. Whether it be sushi, ramen or more of a modern-fusion, this city has got you covered. Menus drawn not only from Japan, but from South African style and produce. Check out our favourite Japanese restaurants below.
Tjing Tjing Momiji and Torii
Momiji:
A tranquil and meditative space offering a more formal Japanese dining experience. This restaurant stays true to the formal structure and flow of the traditional Kaiseki menu, while embracing local and seasonal ingredients.
Opening times: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 18:30-22h30
Torii:
Offers casual Japanese food from yokocho (street food alleys) in a space inspired by the multiple layers of old and modern Tokyo. Come for the food, stay for the cool environment.
Location: 165 Longmarket St, Cape Town City Centre
Good to know: Miso aubergine is out of this world.
Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday: 10h00 – 22h30.
Contact: 021 422 4920
Himitsu
Himitsu, meaning secret in Japanese, is a modern Asian restaurant by the Cheyne Morrisby Restaurant Group. Situated in Camps Bay, at the beautiful Camps Bay Retreat, you’ll have an incredible dining experience overlooking the Atalntic Ocean. The menu consists of 4 main sections from which you can choose small plates of food to embark on a culinary journey.
Location: Camps Bay Retreat
Good to know: If you’re looking for something special, book the Himitsu Picnic Tray Lawn Experience — choose any 8 menu items for R760 for two and they get delivered to you in the garden or on the lawn at the stunning Camps Bay Retreat.
Opening times: Lunch | Monday – Sunday 12h00 – 16h00 Dinner | Monday – Sunday 18h00 – 22h00 Picnics | 12h00 – Sunset
Contact: 071 1730 956
Tomo
An Asian Fusion eatery on the corner of Shortmarket and Loop Street. The restaurant has become famous for Robata or Japanese style Braai as well the Chef’s Bento Box which is composed of his favourite dishes. Come hungry, leave happy.
Location: 86 Loop Street
Good to know: Keen an eye on their Facebook page for some enticing lunch and dinner specials.
Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 12h00 – 22h00.
Contact: 021 422 0635
Izakaya Matsuri
Owner and celebrated chef Arata Koga (previously sushi master at Tank in Cape Town and Genki in Stellenbosch) has created this Izakaya that has a great atmosphere, generous portions, and a loyal following.
Location: The Rockwell, 32 Prestwich St, Green Point.
Good to know: Their menu is extensive, so have a look on their website to avoid getting overwhelmed.
Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 11h30 – 22h00.
Contact: 021 421 4520
Kyoto Garden
Where to start, Kyoto Garden is an award-winning restaurant that is a shrine to Japanese cuisine. They offer so much more than sushi and sashimi. At Kyoto Garden, fresh seafood is the specialty, with top-quality, unusual ingredients sourced from around the world, from farmed abalone to Mozambican conch, eel, sea urchin, and more.
Location: 11 Kloof Nek Rd, Gardens
Good to know: Their menu is available for takeaway and delivery.
Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday: 12h00 – 22h00.
Contact: 021 422 2001
Three Wise Monkeys
This popular noodle bar is a Seapoint favourite. Great vibe, generous portions. The ramen bowls are enough to feed two people.
Location: 77 Regent Road
Good to know: Walk-in only.
Opening times: Monday: 15h00- 23h00 | Tuesday – Sunday: 11h00 – 23h00.
Contact: 021 433 1837
Bao Down
Recently relocated to Green Point, this modern eatery will almost make you feel like you are on a Wes Anderson film set. Owner Graham Oldfield, was head chef at Chef Warehouse on Bree Street so you know you’ll be eating food you’ll thats nothing short of amazing. Expect to see dishes like Beef Tataki with a soy, lemon and ginger dressing and nori emulsion, Pork Belly Bao and the always delicious Prawn Toast with lemon mayo and a spicy soy dressing.
Location: First Floor, Exhibition Building, 79 Main Road, Green Point
Good to know: Their Sweet Potato Bao will surprise you… expect to order seconds.
Opening times: Lunch | Friday – Saturday 12hoo – 15h00 Dinner | Tuesday – Saturday 17h00 – 21h00.
Contact: 066 022 1165
Obi
Owned by Cape Town’s culinary legend, Papa San and his chef-partner Ben Bettendorf, this sushi and ramen eatery has been a Cape Town favourite since it’s opening in 2016. Kimono’s draping the restaurant wall and their authentic and innovative sushi is served on genuine Japanese crockery. Eating there is truly a different experience, one that will keep you coming back.
Location: 14 Long street
Good to know: Sashimi! So fresh! So yum!
Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday: 12h00 – 14h00 | 18h00- closing.
Contact: 021 418 4040
Nobu
‘Nobu Nobu Nobu Nobu Nobu nobu, I just throwed a private dinner in LA’ this world-famous restaurant has been a hub for celebrities and the elite alike, so much so that Drake and Future even wrote a song about them. Located inside the One&Only Cape Town hotel, expect an unforgettable evening of gourmet excellence, fresh creations and masterful Japanese-Peruvian menus.
Location: One & Only Cape Town Hotel
Good to know: It’s a seasonal dish but the Canadian lobster hobayaki is to die for.
Opening times: Tuesday – Sunday: 18h30 – 22h30.
Contact: 021 431 5888
FYN
Inspired by Chef Peter Tempelhoff’s world travels, this Japanese inspired menu will leave you at a loss for words. They believe that South Africa’s freedom is tempered by the rigours of contemporary cuisine to create a restaurant at the edge. At the edge of what? Guess you’ll have to go there and find out!
Location: 5th Floor Speakers Corner, 37 Parliament St.
Good to know: Set price menu, so save up!
Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 12h00 – 14h00| 18h00-21h00
Contact: 021 286 2733
Haiku
A romantic setting, attentive staff, amazing food, what more could you want? The menu is a mix of multiple asian cuisines. Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Indian, so you’ll be set for options.
Location: 58 Burg Street, CBD
Good to know: Dim sum it up!
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 12h00 – 15h00| 18h00-23h00
Contact: 021 424 7000
Yu Asian
Their philosophy is one that pushes the boundaries of Japanese cuisine, which they do with their unique style of Izakaya dishes. Yu’s menu lends itself to a sharing experience with offerings such as dim sum, sushi and a variety of other asian tapas.
Location: 57 Heerengracht St, Foreshore, inside the ONYX Hotel
Good to know: Go with a group to order a bunch of tapas to share.
Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 12h00 – 22h00
Contact: 021-111-0453
Willoughby & Co
Eating inside of a mall is a little off-putting to say the least, however this restaurant is anything but! Since it’s opening in the mid ‘90s there have been queues out the door to try Chef Sam’s fusion style Japanese cuisine. Ranging from the freshest sushi to tempura dishes, oyster shooters to soups and salads, this Japanese restaurant will leave you incredibly satisfied.
Location: Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre
Good to know: Can never go wrong with their sushi or tom yum soup.
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 12h00 – 22h00
Contact: 021 418 6115
MAKE
Seapoint’s hidden gem! Always packed, always good, always affordable. Their menu has a mix of Japanese and Chinese items, endless options for sushi, noodles, salads, you name it.
Location: 204 Main Road Sea Point
Good to know: Spicy chicken egg noodles! Sashimi salad! Prawn dumplings! All incredibly delicious.
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 11h00 – 22h00
Contact: 021 434 8899
*Pssst if you’re unsure about using chopsticks check out our guide on how to eat sushi properly here
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