There’s a new buzz at the lower end of Bree Street, thanks to the opening of Cowfish in the extraordinary Barracks building.
A polished, ultra-urban vibe is the order of the day in this stylish new spot, the first Cape Town branch of a much-loved Gauteng and Durban restaurant brand.
Known for its excellent and varied sushi menu and an extensive selection of burgers, steaks and fish grills with a distinctive Asian twist, Cowfish is a fast-paced space that speaks to guests who are out for a good time and want great food, wine and an atmosphere to complement their experience.
Importantly, Cowfish is no chain; it is a family-owned and run brand that bears the hallmarks of its legendary founder, the late Peter Triandafillou, a lifelong restauranteur who opened the first Cowfish in 2018.
Peter’s legacy certainly lives on with the opening of Cowfish here in Cape Town.
‘My dad wanted to create the kind of stylish yet laidback space where the food was as good as the vibe and which reflected his passion for superb seafood, A-grade meat and Asian ingredients and techniques,’ says Cowfish Managing Director Nick Triandafillou, ‘and he really got it right.’
Nick is flying the Triandafillou flag with flair at Cowfish Bree Street; no surprise since he has grown up in the restaurant business, where food is definitely the family’s love language.
‘My grandfather owned a bakery in Joburg’s Rocky Street, and my father was something of a restaurant legend – he was one of the first people to bring good sushi into the mainstream in Joburg,’ he explains.
Nick adds that a huge part of the Cowfish brand is the Asian element:
‘Our sushi chef, Zweli Ndebele, has been with us for twenty years, and he oversees the development and quality of the sushi we’ve become so well known for. People also come back time and time again for our signature Teriyaki grilled salmon and beef fillet; it’s that perfect marriage of east and west my dad developed in his years as a restaurateur.’
Cowfish Cape Town is a marriage of the old and the new. After a sensitive renovation, The Barracks retains key elements (such as timber dating back to the 1700s and original exposed brickwork) as a foundation for its distinctly urban and design-led persona.
Cowfish itself is dressed in natural tones and textures with stylish key elements and colour details in hues of green; it’s an undoubtedly elegant, ‘Instagrammable’ new addition to the Bree Street dining scene.
In keeping with its urban location, Cowfish is open seven days a week, easily morphing from a daytime dining destination to a must-do for a night out on the town.
Since it opened its doors in November, Cowfish has seen a steady stream of passionate foodies and socialites leaning into the laidback, luxe surroundings, the diverse menu and killer cocktails.
‘Expanding to Cape Town was always something my dad wanted, and diving into the city’s cosmopolitan dining culture has been amazing. Guests have said there is nothing quite like it; we’ve been blown away by the response,’ he says.
Details:
- Location: The Barracks, 50 Bree Street, Cape Town
- Times: Monday to Saturday, 12pm to 10pm | Sunday, 12pm to 7pm
- Book: Dineplan.com
- Contact: [email protected] | 021 879 3669
- Website: cow-fish.co.za
Find Cowfish on social media:
- Instagram: @cowfishbreestreet
- Facebook: Cowfish Bree Street
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Picture: Divvie Maritz Photography
Words: Vicki Sleet