Africa Cafe

Africa Cafe is a fixed-price restaurant at 108 Shortmarket Street in the City Bowl of Cape Town, South Africa, in a house in the Heritage Square area. It serves a shared African feast, family style, drawing on dishes from across the continent as well as the Cape, and has long been a go-to venue for visitors wanting a single evening that samples many cuisines at once.

The set menu brings a sequence of sharing dishes to each table. Items that have been associated with the menu include bobotie, the spiced minced-meat bake topped with egg custard, and sosaties, the skewered and marinated Cape Malay kebabs, alongside dishes from West, East and North Africa. Vegetarian choices are usually offered in the same format. The price is fixed at roughly R550 to R650 per person, with drinks charged separately, and a South African wine list is available.

The dining room is warm, communal and colourful, with African art, textiles and an indoor courtyard feel typical of the Heritage Square buildings. The evening is paced like a family meal, with dishes passed around and the staff explaining each one, so the atmosphere is sociable and fairly lively rather than formal. It suits groups, couples and solo visitors who are happy to be seated near other parties.

Reservations are essential and can be made through africacafe.co.za. The restaurant is open for dinner Monday to Saturday approximately, so days should be confirmed before going. Tables fill well in advance in the summer high season. Shortmarket Street is in the heart of the City Bowl and within walking distance of Bree Street, Greenmarket Square and the Bo-Kaap, but ride-hail is sensible after dark.