In a city defined by its contrasts – sea and mountain, tradition and innovation – Cape Town’s culinary scene offers a similarly dynamic duality. Within this vibrant landscape, two restaurants have emerged as definitive destinations: one, a sanctuary of stillness in Stellenbosch; the other, a bold, high-concept theatre in the heart of the city. Together, they embody the evolving elegance of South African gastronomy.
This edition of Ten Recommends presents two extraordinary dining experiences that speak to very different sensibilities, each offering something deeply personal, yet undeniably world-class.
A curated take on Cape Town dining, straight from the expert JP here.
MERTIA — Refined Stillness in Stellenbosch
Tucked discreetly along Stellenbosch’s historic main road, MERTIA is the embodiment of restrained sophistication. Free of the usual vineyard pageantry, it feels intentionally pared-back, a contemporary space that lets its food speak in soft, assured tones.
Opened in 2023 by chef Jess van Dyk (formerly of La Colombe), MERTIA has quickly captured the attention of culinary insiders for its precise, seasonally driven menu. The ethos is one of thoughtful simplicity: elegant compositions that foreground the natural character of each ingredient. Expect delicate linefish seared over coals, served with fermented citrus and native herbs, or Karoo lamb elevated by local amasi and wild fennel.
Every element from the linen napery to the bespoke ceramics is considered, but never ostentatious. The wine list, focused on low-intervention labels from boutique estates, complements the menu with quiet confidence. In every sense, MERTIA offers an atmosphere of trust: a grounded, graceful experience that rewards attentiveness and celebrates subtlety.
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FYN — Cape Town’s Culinary Showpiece
In contrast, FYN – perched high above the city centre – is a bold, architectural expression of contemporary dining. With its sleek interiors, panoramic views of Table Mountain, and electric ambience, it delivers drama from the moment one steps out of the elevator.
Founded by renowned chef Peter Tempelhoff, FYN has become a global benchmark for modern African cuisine with Asian precision. Ranked #60 on the 2024 World’s 50 Best Restaurants extended list, it is currently the highest-placed restaurant on the African continent — a destination in every sense.
The menu is a deft choreography of local ingredients and Japanese technique: bento boxes of foraged Cape botanicals, springbok loin with sesame and shoyu, or duck glazed in rooibos and miso. These combinations may surprise, but they never jar. Every plate is balanced, cerebral, and visually arresting.
Yet despite its accolades, FYN remains refreshingly unstuffy. The service is poised, but personal. The space is all burnished wood, soft lighting, and sculptural detail feels more like a modern art gallery than a conventional fine dining room. It is an evening of theatre, yes, but one that invites participation rather than reverence.
A Tale of Two Tables
Where MERTIA offers serenity and slow elegance, FYN delivers spectacle and sensory delight. Both are expressions of Cape Town’s culinary maturity and both deserve a place on any well-heeled itinerary.
In a city where the food scene is as diverse as the landscape, these two restaurants stand as distinctive counterpoints: one deeply rooted in place, the other reaching ambitiously across borders and disciplines.
For the traveller seeking depth, beauty, and originality on the plate, Cape Town now offers two destinations that rival the world’s best each in its own unforgettable way.
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