If you’re on the lookout for premium sushi restaurants in Cape Town, then pick up those chopsticks and take a gander at our comprehensive overview of upscale (though not always economical) spots below. From traditional Asian eateries to fine seafood restaurants that specialise in this popular Japanese cuisine, we’ve got the lowdown on just where to get your favourite bite-sized fix (not to mention, cash in on a few top-notch specials).
SUSHI RESTAURANTS IN CAPE TOWN CBD, V&A WATERFRONT AND GARDENS
Nobu
Situated in the spectacular luxury One&Only hotel at the V&A Waterfront, the internationally acclaimed Nobu offers a first-class authentic Japanese taste experience. Founded by world-renowned celebrity chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa, the restaurant dishes up classic oriental fare that’s been given a contemporary twist with the use of distinct local flavours. Rather than focusing on the standard sushi options, Nobu’s trendy Ceviche Bar serves innovative small-plate Japanese tapas made with fish pulled fresh from South Africa’s coastline. Guests can choose from an array of unique combinations, such as Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno, Foie Gras Sushi, Langoustine Sushi Rolls and White Fish Sashimi with Dried Red Miso. At the Nobu Lounge upstairs, visitors can then round off their meal with a selection of Japanese beers, sakes (a traditional Japanese drink made from fermented rice) or Asian-inspired cocktails, such as the Saketini (a mix of Grey Goose vodka, Hokusetsu sake, Takara Plum Wine, Cointreau and cranberry juice).
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday: 6.30pm – 11pm
One&Only Hotel | Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 431 5111
Beluga and Sevruga
Sultry sister restaurants Beluga and Sevruga, which are based at The Foundry in Green Point and at the V&A Waterfront respectively, offer a daily sushi and cocktail special as tasty and tantalising as the beautiful people who frequent their elegant tables. The half-price deal applies to all individual sushi pieces, sushi platters, dim sum dishes and cocktails, and runs for lengthy scheduled periods every day of the week at both venues (including all day on Sundays at Beluga). As part of this special, guests can dine on exquisitely made, beautifully presented morsels at only a fraction of the normal cost. You can opt to share one of their generous platters among friends or mix and match your own individual creations (the extensive menu includes options like Creamy Prawn Salmon Roses or Eel Nigiri). To complement the fresh fishy flavours, team your choice with a zesty cocktail (we suggest the Blood Orange Coconut Mojito or the Banana and Litchi Daiquiri). All of these delicious offerings are best enjoyed either in Beluga’s quaint cobblestone courtyard or on Sevruga’s expansive outside deck while watching the boats go by.
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday: 12pm – 11pm
Half-Price Special Times: Beluga: Monday – Saturday: 12pm – 7pm; Sunday: all day. Sevruga: Monday – Saturday: 12pm – 6pm; Sunday: 2pm – 6pm
Beluga: The Foundry | Prestwich Street | Green Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 418 2948
Sevruga: Shop 4 | Quay 5 | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town | + 27 (0) 21 421 5134
Willoughby & Co
A firm favourite among locals and visitors alike, this lively, lauded sushi venue spills out into the hustle and bustle of the V&A Waterfront’s main shopping space. Do a spot of people-watching as you take time out from Cape Town’s relentless pulse to savour Willoughby’s delicious bite-sized fare. Sink your chopsticks into a wide range of sensational options, such as the Jalapeno Salmon Sashimi (thinly sliced salmon with jalapeno ponzu dressing) or the Salmon Grenades (salmon roses filled with spicy salmon, dressed with chilli mayo and sweet soya sauce and topped with spring onions and tempura). No visit to this seafood utopia would be complete without a browse through their in-store wine shop; bag a bargain from their selection of top-quality wines sold at competitive retail prices. Do note, Willoughby & Co is very popular and doesn’t accept bookings, so expect to wait during busy periods.
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday:12pm – 10pm
Shop 6132 | Lower Level | Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 418 6115
Active Sushi
As the title suggests, this restaurant caters for lovers of sushi and everything that is sushi can be found at this hub. They offer sushi at very affordable prices and they’ve been doing so since 2008. The menu is being refined and updated constantly to suit the palates of customers. They also have specials and platters on their menu, so this place is perfect for a group outing or for couples wanting to enjoy a romantic sushi binge. Their wine list is quite extensive, so if you want to enjoy some wine after a long day combined with your mouth watering sushi platter, this is the place to be.
Opening Times: Monday – Saturday: 11.30am – 10.30pm
32 Hudson Street | Cape Town City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 418 2604
Sushi Box
Picture yourself people-watching on fashionable, upmarket Kloof street, when a whiff of fresh seafood being cooked to perfection, grasps your attention. You notice the smell is coming from the lifestyle centre and curiosity entices you to head in that direction. It’s more than likely you’d end up at the door of Sushi Box, a little Japanese eatery, that has been in existence for almost 2 years now. They have a wonderful wooden deck for customers to sit down and enjoy their freshly prepared, exquisitely tasty Japanese-style cuisine. There are some interesting edibles on this exotic menu, but most importantly, they serve sushi at reasonable prices too. You can pick up California rolls either 8 piece or 4 piece with the choices of Salmon, Tuna, Prawn or Avo/cucumber, at varying prices, depending on your choice. Of course they do Tempura and Nigiri, to name a few other delicacies, with the previously mentioned options presented throughout their menu. Definitely worth a visit, if you have not yet indulged in a Sushi Box dining experience.
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 12am- 9pm
Lifestyle center | 50 Kloof Street | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 1894
Kyoto Garden
Described as a shrine to Japanese cuisine, Kyoto Garden is located in lower Kloofnek Road. This restaurant boasts a reputation for being one of the prime sushi spots in Cape Town. They are purely there for evening merriment and with vibrancy, not only in atmosphere, but in food choices as well. There is absolutely no reason why you should not try this place, at least once… before becoming a regular. They serve California Rolls in a 8 piece serving with the options of Tuna, Prawns, Salmon and Linefish, which is very popular amongst regulars. If you want to dine a bit more lavishly, you can opt for the Chef’s creation, which includes a portion of sushi and sashimi. The creations come in 3 different sizes, small, medium, large. They ring in at R155, R310 and R490, respectively. You won’t want to miss out on this abundance of Japanese inspired cuisine. Cancel cooking dinner for one night in the week and head over for a memorable experience.
Opening Times: Monday – Saturday: 5.30pm – 11pm
11 Kloof Nek Rd | Gardens | Cape Town | 8001 | +27 (0) 21 422 2001
SUSHI RESTAURANTS IN GREENPOINT, SEAPOINT, MOUILLE POINT & CAMPS BAY
Izikaya Matsuri
This interesting hidden gem is located behind the Rockwell Hotel. It has a wonderfully ambient atmosphere and is cosy and warm, with fairy lights and lanterns providing a lucent dining experience. Beyond the enticing dishes on offer they boast a wonderful range of Japanese saki and beers. They specialise in Japanese cuisine with the food quality ensuring that there’s no room for disappointment.To give you an idea of what they offer, you should try their tempura-Matsuri crunch roll, which is made with tuna, salmon, linefish, avo and cream cheese. If that made you drool then you should also have a look at their sashimi and nigiri sushi platters, which comes in three options; salmon and tuna, salmon only and for the swanky folk, they offer a deluxe platter. This sushi spot is guaranteed to leave you feeling satisfied and will definitely give you an authentic Japanese experience.Tanoshimimasu(Japanese for enjoy).
Opening times: Monday – Saturday:11:30am – 3pm; 5pm-10pm
6 The Rockwell | 32 Prestwich St | Green Point | +27 (0)21 421 4520
Three Wise Monkey’s
Widely known around the Atlantic Seaboard area this little eatery is what can be described as a modern classic. They specialise in Ramen and Izikaya-style food. As we’re focussing on sushi in this round-up we’ll focus on the 12 piece platter accompanied with complimentary glass of red wine, beer or soft drink that will satisfy any sushi yearning. Bonus that it will only cost you R100. Their cuisine is simple, but very effective and that has been the key to their success with an adequate menu that isn’t laden with a variety of options. It’s definitely the kind of place you might find yourself visiting regularly. The set-up is subtle and quaint, showcasing some wonderfully simple, but modern design features. Great food coupled with a festive atmosphere promises a pleasant evening that anyone will look forward to..
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 6pm – 11pm; Saturday: 3pm – 11pm
Shop 1 | 77 Regent Rd | Sea Point | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 433 1837
Osaka Sushi
If you are looking for sushi and you aren’t particularly rolling in the dough, this is definitely the pick of the bunch. This little Japanese eatery offers customers sushi at very reasonable prices and the quality of the food is definitely worth mentioning. If you are looking to eat lavishly at a moderate price, then please head over to the Adelphi centre in Seapoint and go and have yourself an authentic Osaka experience that your wallet and your stomach will celebrate.
Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 10am- 8:30pm; Saturday – Sunday:10am – 8pm
Shop 6A | Adelphi Centre | 127 Main Rd | Sea Point
Manga
Filled with eclectic energy from the onset and throughout you can expect a bit of opulance as you walk through the doors of this upscale sushi haven. They offer a variety of choice items on their menu and you can be of guaranteed good food, drinks and service when dining here in Mouille Point. Manga indulges patrons in a mix of Asian and Eastern/Pacific cultures and offers every meal served there with a dynamic display of contemporary styled dishes. Note: you will definitely want to give the Manga signature dish a try. It is an interesting combination of tuna tartare, tuna sashimi, avocado and micro herbs all served on a sushi taco. The venue is a perfect setting to have your casual suppers with family, romantic evenings as well as for business meetings where you need to impress.
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday: 8am – 10.30pm
Cnr Beach Road & Rothesay Place | Mouille Point | +27 (0)21 202 2720
Mezepoli
This swanky, sophisticated meze and wine bar, which rests on Camps Bay’s buzzing seaside strip, upholds the mantra that good food tastes even better in good company. So, gather a few friends and seat yourselves at a table or on a comfy sofa to share an ocean-fresh sushi platter paired with a top-notch bottle of red or white. All of the firm favourites are on offer at Mezepoli, from maki and nigiri to rainbow rolls and sashimi, giving the eatery’s myriad of delicious meze options a distinct Japanese twist.
Opening Times: Monday –Saturday: 12pm – 10pm; Sunday: 12pm – 9:30pm.
The Promenade | Victoria Road | Camps Bay | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 438 1915
SUSHI RESTAURANTS IN OBSERVATORY
1890 House Sushi
With a wonderful lounging area outside and a rotating sushi belt in the front house, this wonderful little sushi house and grill is definitely one of the top sushi spots in Cape Town.Their prices are very reasonable and if you aren’t too keen to spend big on a healthy, tasteful meal-this restaurant is a definite. With vibrant friendly staff and an intimate set-up, customers can enjoy an ambient atmosphere along with good, quality food and service. To give you a scope of what reasonable prices look like; their 2 piece salmon/tuna nigiri rings in at R30 and their 4 piece salmon/tuna/prawn or spicy california rolls costs an astonishing R27.
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday; 12am- 3pm; 5pm-10:30pm
40 Trill Road | Observatory | Cape Town| +27 (0)21 447 1450
SUSHI RESTAURANTS IN THE SOUTHERN SUBURBS
Rock Sushi Thai
The Cape Town component of the Rock Sushi Thai franchise has been serving delicious sushi to the people of Meadowridge and Newlands for many years. Their sushi is an interesting and creative interpretation of classic sushi dishes, with bold flavours thrown in. Rock Sushi Thai has two branches in Cape Town, one in Meadowridge and one on Dean Street in Newlands. Stop in for a quick bite or spend an afternoon lunching with friends, the choice is yours but rest assured that the sushi will compel you to return. Take a look at their specials board for seasonal dishes and new sushi creations!
Opening Times: Monday – Saturday 12pm – 10pm | Sunday – 4pm – 10pm
Rock Sushi Thai Newlands: Newlands Quarter | Newlands | +27 (0)21 685 9692
Rock Sushi Thai Meadowridge: Park & Shop | Meadowridge | +27 (0)21 712 2921
Salushi
There is no doubt that salashui has been known amongst Capetonians to be a secret gem for delicious sushi specials. The restaurant provides clients with a gourmet selection of dishes, as well as the standard selection of dishes such as California rolls, sashimi and hand rolls. The specialities include deep fried prawn tempura rolls to spicy wasabi. Be sure to go there for a convenient and delicious lunch or supper enjoyed in a friendly surroundings.
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday: 12pm – 10.15pm
Intaba Building | Protea Rd | Claremont | +27(0) 21 671 4271
Food Lover’s Market
A place that needs no introduction, Food Lover’s Market has been the hub of good food and healthy living, for a notable period of time in Cape Town. So for them to offer sushi, comes at no surprise. We’re particularly fond of the one in Claremont, because of the friendly staff and vibrant atmosphere, which all pertains to the fun crowd it attracts. They do have specials on their sushi, for anyone who was left in the dark, besides, we could all do with saving some coins. Their sushi sells at half price in their last hour of closing everyday, from Sunday to Thursday, with the prices being slashed by 25%, on Fridays and Saturdays, presumably due to a higher demand on these days. If you’re feeling lazy and are looking for a wonderful dinner idea, here you have it.
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 8am- 6pm
Cnr Dreyer St & Vineyard St | Claremont | Cape Town | 7700 |+27 (0)21 674 7836
SUSHI RESTAURANTS IN CAPE TOWN SURROUNDS
CAPE POINT
Two Oceans Restaurant
Located at Cape Point, the scenic stretch of land that forms the most southwesterly tip of Africa, the Two Oceans Restaurant overlooks the glistening sea that spreads out below and offers up cuisine fine enough to rival this panoramic view. Its chic new sushi bar – which was added in a July 2012 renovation and is now run by Thai chef Sarawut Sukkowplang – serves up innovative fare as fresh as the oceanic surrounds. Diners can choose to indulge in an assortment of inventive individual rolls, like the Tempura Prawn and Shitake Mushroom Roll topped with Tuna and Salmon, or tuck into generous sushi platters, such as the Rainbow Platter, all while taking in the captivating edge-of-the-world allure of this breathtaking setting.
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday: 9am – 5pm
Cape Point Peninsula | Cape of Good Hope Section | Table Mountain National Park | +27 (0) 21 780 9200
HERMANUS
Harbour Rock
If you want to enjoy dinner with a view, look no further than the architectural wonder of Harbour Rock in Hermanus. The Rock, as it has been nicknamed by locals, is definitely a hub for majestic views and delicious foods. The menu is quite affordable and you can easily end your meal off by spending R100 or less, dependent on how ravenous you are. Searching for a venue for date night? Bring your partner along to this eatery for a divine evening of wine, views and incredible sashimi!
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday: 9am – 11am; 12.30pm – 3pm; 6.30pm – 10.30pm
New Harbour | Hermanus | +27 (0)28 3122920
BLOUBERGSTRAND
Blowfish Restaurant
The eclectic energy inside and outside this sushi hotspot will have you driving to Blouberg every week for suppers. The menu focuses on seasonal dishes, but also include some timeless favourites. They offer a brilliant variety of dishes that include seriously scrumptious sushi. The venue provides the most gorgeous views of Table Mountain, so be sure to go there for dinners in time for the breathtaking sunset you are guaranteed to see on a clear day. You would definitely want to capture some perfect photos for those empty photo frames at home.
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday; 6am – 10pm
1 Marine Drive | Dolphin Beach | Blouberg | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 556 5464
NOORDHOEK
Village Sushi
Nestled in the quaint, sleepy suburb of Noordhoek, this hidden Asian gem is a must-visit when trekking over to the other side of the mountain. Found at the De Noordhoek Lifestyle Hotel in the bustling Noordhoek Farm Village, the eatery’s relaxed atmosphere and focus on fresh, locally sourced fare fits in well with the ethos of the charming community it’s located in. In addition to conventional favourites like maki, nigiri and rainbow rolls, the restaurant also conjures up a few unusual (and utterly delicious) options for those with a more adventurous palate, such as the Crispy Cajun Roll (fried salmon skin wrapped in rice and served as a california roll). If you find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer range of sushi options, opt to design your own 12-, 20- or 60-piece platter at a very reasonable set price. A takeaway option is also available.
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday: 12pm – 9pm
De Noordhoek Lifestyle Hotel | Noordhoek Farm Village | Noordhoek | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 789 2760
STELLENBOSCH
Genki Sushi and Tapas Bar in Stellenbosch
Blink and you could miss this gem in Stellenbosch’s crown of fine eateries, which lies tucked away in a corner of the De Wet Centre. With minimal seating inside and only a small scattering of tables and chairs outside, Genki is an intimate hole-in-the-wall establishment that serves up surprisingly sensational sushi for its size. Owner and celebrated chef Arata Koga often joins his expert team behind the sushi bar, where diners can enjoy watching their food being prepared. Firm favourites include the Spider Roll (which combines crispy soft-shell crab, cucumber and avocado) and the Tempura Roll (a heavenly mix of deep-fried prawn, cucumber and avocado). Visitors can wash down their meal with a limited but top-notch selection of local Stellenbosch wine.
Opening Times: Monday – Saturday: 11:30am – 3pm; 5pm – 10pm
De Wet Centre | Corner of Bird and Church streets | Stellenbosch | +27 (0) 21 887 5699
Watami
This wonderful Japanese eatery is nestled in the picturesque little town of Stellenbosch. This in it’s own makes it a place worth visiting if you ever get tired of the hustle and bustle of being in the suburbs and the big city. When you arrive you can look forward to beautifully prepared fresh food. The restaurant can definitely be described as unpretentious and here you will find that sushi buffet you’ve been looking for. On Sundays, their sushi platters are buy one get one free. They have a rotating sushi bar, which is a nice modern feature being adopted by many places specialising in sushi. For R129 you can eat as much as you want from the rotating belt.Sounds good? Do yourself a favour and head over to this little piece of Japanese inspired heaven for a tantalizing experience you won’t forget.
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 9am – 6pm; Sunday: 9am – 2pm
43 Andringa St | Stellenbosch | 7600 | +27 (0)21 886 5828
Suki Thai
Stellenbosch has an extraordinarily large selection of restaurants, especially since students regularly treat themselves after a busy week or at the beginning of the month when purses are still bulging. Whether you’re a student or not, whether it is the beginning of the month or not you are not going to want to drive past Suki Thai without going inside for a meal. The all-you-can-eat buffet which costs you R149 will keep you full for a year. The fabulous part about this is that you can sit at the conveyor belt and take the plates as often as you want, or you can sit down at a table and order from the buffet menu. The atmosphere will have you ordering a glass of wine whilst enjoying the aquarium-like style inside. Note: the time-limit on the buffet is four hours.
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday; 11am – 10pm
Cnr andringa & banghoek Rd | Stellenbosch | + 27 (0)21 886 9373
Oishi
A uniquely conceptualised idea launched in 2012 where sushi lovers are able to order their meal online and eat in their own homes. No fuss around ordering either because it is all online so you will have your meal delivered to where you are and pay with either cash card or snapscan. Incredibly convenient if you want to order for a little later or if you want to have a sneaky fine dining experience at the office. Pop onto your laptop or phone and order from their online menu which caters for a wide variety of sushi lover tastes.
Opening Times: Monday – Sunday: 5pm – 9.30pm