Load shedding is becoming a daily occurrence and as romantic as it may be to dine by candlelight, it does begin to lose its charm after a few days.
We have found a list of restaurants around Cape Town that offer some respite from peanut butter sandwiches and hunger pangs as you patiently wait for the power to come back on so you can do your cooking.
Whether you are wanting to grab a quick bite or a wholesome meal, there are some restaurants and cafés which have alternative power sources to keep them open and running.
And, if you are looking to get some work done to just to escape the ‘darkness’, some of these eateries also offer Wi-Fi and plug points.
Here are a list of a few restaurants to head to during a power cut:
Southern Suburbs
1. A Tavola
Located in Claremont, A Tavola offers authentic Italian cuisine, from freshly-handmade pasta to wholesome meat or fish dishes. The restaurant prides itself on using fresh and local (for the most part) ingredients, with some key products imported from Italy. The menu is made up of recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Available during load shedding: During the power cuts, A Tavola is open and offers a range of meals that can be made using gas stoves, which includes the range of pasta options. Deep-fried and fish dishes are not available during power outages.
Address: Library Square, Wilderness Rd, Claremont, Cape Town
Contact: 021 671 1763
Website: www.atavola.co.za
2. Four & Twenty Café
If you are looking for a quick bite or some teatime pastries, do yourself a favour and head to Four & Twenty, located in Chelsea Village in Wynberg. The café offers all-day breakfast, sweet and savoury delights, pastries and more. Fresh products and in-season produce are used to make their dishes. With a Parisian feel, Four & Twenty also offers a range of lunch options, from burgers to chicken pie.
Available during load shedding: Unfortunately, the coffee machine will be out of order during load shedding, but plunger-passed coffee is still available. Card machines are operational during power cuts. The toaster, however, is not, but there is far more exciting food to try here than toast.
Address: 23 Wolfe St, Wynberg, Cape Town,
Contact: 021 762 0975
Website: www.fourandtwentycafe.co.za
Northern Suburbs
1. Cowboys & Cooks
For residents of the Sunset Beach area, Cowboys & Cooks is a must-visit, home to coal-braai pieces of steak. With a classic steakhouse feel, the restaurant is fully operational during load shedding and offers various meat as well as fish dishes, from chicken wings to calamari.
Read: New Restaurant alert: Cowboys & Cooks
Available during load shedding: A back-up generator keeps the bustling steakhouse up and running, Eskom or no Eskom.
Address: Ocean Square, 4 Ocean Way, Sunset Beach,
Contact: 021 879 1923
Website: www.cowboysandcooks.com
View this post on Instagram
Roasted Marrow bones at Cowboys and Cooks ? #carnivore #lunch #foodiegram
2. Pizza Vesuvio
A family-owned restaurant in Bellville, Pizza Vesuvio offers mouth-watering Italian pizza and pastas in a cosy setting. The desserts, such as the Ginsang semifreddo with cacoa, will satisfy those with a sweet tooth.
Available during load shedding: With a wood-fired oven for pizza and gas table stoves for preparing pasta on, everything on the menu is available at the Italian restaurant even during scheduled blackouts. Card machines do not work during the power cuts, however, so patrons are advised to bring along cash to settle their bills.
Address: Waterfront Rd & Fountain Road, Bellville Park, Cape Town
Contact: 021 914 1414
Website: www.pizza-vesuvio.business.site
Cape Town CBD
1. Hudsons, The Burger Joint
Dig into a juicy burger at Hudson, The Burger Joint on Kloof street for a filling and scrumptious meal. The restaurant offers a wide variety of menu options, from salads, chicken wings and tacos, to Belgian waffles with ice cream. Due to its location, load shedding does not usually occur in the CBD.
Available during load shedding: If a power cut does occur, the appetisers will not be available.
Address: 69A Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town
Contact: 021 426 5974
Website: www.theburgerjoint.co.za
2. Aubergine
For those looking for a fine-dining experience, load shedding will not get in the way of your lunch or dinner plans at Aubergine. Located in Gardens, the restaurant serves dishes that are influenced with Eastern and Western flavours paired with fresh and local ingredients. The dinner menu is a la carte, serving culinary delights such as the ravioli of “bright lights” made with chard, pumpkin and buffalo forage blanc with sage butter.
Catering to various diets, the menu offers vegetarian alternatives for both lunch and dinner. Decorated to perfection, each meal is practically art on a plate.
Available during load shedding: All food is prepared on the gas stoves which means the restaurant is fully operational. A few of the lights will not work and coffee will be plunger-made.
Address: 39 Barnet St, Gardens, Cape Town,
Contact: 021 465 4909
Website: www.aubergine.co.za
Sea Point
1. Mykonos Taverna
Serving delicious Greek food is no challenge for Mykonos Taverna, which offers traditional Mediterranean dishes, including dolmades and homemade hummus. Open since the 80s, the taverna aims to serve superb and full-flavoured meals.
Available during load shedding: With a fully-operational generator, nearly all of their items are available except for deep-fried dishes, including chips. Coffee is also not available during load shedding.
Address: 343 Main Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town
Contact: 021 439 2106
Website: www.mykonostaverna.co.za
Picture: Unsplash
