Cape Town has an abundance of independent restaurants, but like rent in the city, not many of them are always affordable. However, because this is the city that never sleeps, there will always be those hidden local gems known for their cheap but iconic eats.
GroundUp found some of the best local restaurants across the city where you can find a delicious meal for less than R100 if you want a treat when money is tight.
Wynburger
Wynburger, established in 2019, is a gourmet burger spot operating from a home in Wynberg. It is best known for its unique Halaal OG Pumpkin Fritter Burger, which combines a bun made from pumpkin fritter dough with a huge beef burger patty.
The combination works. The fritter is not too sweet or overwhelming, and it goes perfectly with the high-quality grilled patty.
You may struggle to get through the generous portion but there is a junior option if you’re intimidated by the size. Just R90 will get you the original OG burger.
They also offer a vegetarian option called the RondePosch, consisting of a beetroot and chickpea patty.
Burgers can only be ordered on Fridays and Saturdays. Expect to be surprised.
Also read: 5 Burgers in Cape Town that will make you question the definition of the dish
Fish on the Rocks
Fish on the Rocks is the quintessential Cape Town fish and chips shop. Established over 20 years ago, the classic yellow building is a familiar sight to many. You can find it in the Hout Bay Harbour, below the Hangberg fishing community on the mountain slopes.
Sit outside and enjoy battered fish or calamari while watching the boats leave the harbour or a seal swimming about in the water. But be warned, you may have to protect your slaptjips from the ravenous resident seagulls.
The portion sizes are generous. The hake is thick and crispy, and the calamari is juicy and tender. The chips are typically good slaptjips.
The service is always friendly, and on a good day, you only wait a few minutes for the food. Hake and chips cost R85, and calamari and chips cost R70.
Also watch: A taste of Cape Town at these 5 fish & chips spots
Mariam’s Kitchen
Stepping into Mariam’s Kitchen is like walking into the home of a Cape Malay aunty who is expecting family over for dinner on a Sunday. The rich aroma of masala spices will make your mouth water, as will the overwhelming variety of menu options. Mariam’s has been operating since the 1980s, when it opened as a takeaway place in Salt River. It now has several branches in Cape Town.
Most Capetonians will know Mariam’s Kitchen. It is busy over lunchtime so expect a little bit of a wait if you’re visiting then. The food is always worth the wait.
The R78 chicken salomie is particularly good. The roti has a satisfying crunch when biting into it. Their R71 toasted masala steak sandwich with chips and cheese is also deliciously spicy and filling.
Also read: Salomie – Cape Town’s favourite roti wrap
Aneesa’s
Famous for its viennas, Aneesa’s is a staple of the Southern Suburbs, on the busy Ottery Road. The self-proclaimed “home of the vienna & chip parcel” also serves a selection of tasty gatsbys, and treats like samoosas, koeksusters and bollas. It first opened in 1976 and now operates four branches in Cape Town.
Sharing half a masala steak gatsby at a cost of R97 is more than enough to fill you up. The steak is tender and the bun is oh so soft.
Aneesa’s samosas and koeksusters are spicy, fresh, and also great value for money — a nice little treat to have while waiting for your food. The service is fast and waiting times are short.
Also read: 4 Gatsbys challenging the status quo and where to find them
Jordan’s Way of Cooking
In Langa, one of Cape Town’s oldest townships, Jordan’s Way of Cooking is a lively venue with local music and great company. This, however, is the most expensive place GroundUp visited as it appears to be targeted at international tourists. They have a bold menu which is a mix of popular fast food like pizzas and traditional SA dishes.
A large chicken pizza costs R180, which has generous portions of chicken, avocado, feta, red onion and mushroom on a thin crust. It’s definitely enough for two people.
The colourfully-decorated restaurant is one of the fancier on this list and it shows in its prices. Most meals cost more than R100, but expect high quality and a great gees. The Langa store opened in 2018.
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Pictures: Ashraf Hendricks