Bo Kaap Kombuis, Cape Town Central

Updated: 26-01-2022

HOUSE REVIEW:

Want to have dinner with the best view of Table Mountain? Bo Kaap Kombuis will offer you the best view, an authentic Cape Malay eating experience and a full tummy.

After a long meandering drive up Wale street, past Bismillah’s pushing my 1400 Polo further and further up the hill hoping not to embarass myself by stalling the car while trying to park, (it’s a tad bit steep you see) we finally made it to the impressive restaurant enclosed in glass on 2 sides, set atop a guesthouse with the most amazing view of our famous mountain. A small tip, if you’re coming for supper, try getting there while it’s still light as you can fully appreciate the view and the proximity of the mountain. After dark the lights over Cape Town are just as wonderful a sight to take in while enjoying your dinner.

The vibe in the restaurant was casual and laid back. The focus definitely on a family atmosphere where you can relax and linger over extended meals in their well padded dining chairs.

The menu had a few Indian dishes, like Butter chicken and Dhal curry but we decided to try mostly the Malay dishes. The prawn curry was tasty and served with flaky and rich Malay Rotis. The Black Bean curry was mild with an interesting flavour not familiar to my Indian roots. The Butter chicken was just spicy enough and my Bobotie which must be the best known Malay dish in Cape Town was certainly the real deal.

For dessert we had coffee and koeksisters. Let me just say that the owner, Yusuf, makes a mean coffee. Just look at this cream coffee. Is it not a dessert all on it’s own! I’m not one for koeksisters either, but had to have one for the “gees”. They were just perfect. Still piping hot, and not the slightest bit oily which is what usually puts me off koeksisters to begin with.

The owners, Yusuf and Nazli were both present and having lively chats with locals who seemed to wander in for late meals and coffees. Other tables were occupied with some tourist groups, one sounding quite Russian, that were there to take in real Cape Malay cuizine. Here are Yusuf and Nazli with their team.

My cousin was there for breakfast recently and she had rave reviews about the breakfast. This is some of what she had to say:
“It was actually quite nice. R48 for a normal breakfast consisting of 2 eggs, mushrooms, 2 sausages, grilled tomato, 2 slices of toast & your choice of tea or coffee. While we were there a family of 4 arrived from church & ordered lunch. Then the owner arrived & in tow came a friend of his or a neighbour (about 60 years of age). The neighour proceeded to shoot the breeze with the owner & helping him here & there, passing on this & that & commenting on things in general. I definitely got the authentic Bo-Kaap vibe which was quite enjoyable. A french tour group of about 15 people arrived at 12. They had a booking & a buffet was waiting for them of curries, rotis etc.”

I personally attended a birthday party for which the restaurant had been booked out. It was well organised, the buffet was great and they allowed the use of their plasma for the guests to show a movie made for the occasion.

As an added bonus there are Salaah facilities available upstairs.
Unfortunately the restaurant is closed on Mondays and for dinner on Sundays.
Bo Kaap Kombuis is Halaal – The host, Nazli tells me they don’t have a certificate but a letter of endorsement from the MJC.