“Cape Town is well known for its gourmet cuisine and fine dining restaurants and since it is such a multi-cultural destination, our food reflects this with many various offerings to choose from, originating from all corners of the globe.”

Cape Town is well known for its gourmet cuisine and fine dining restaurants and since it is such a multi-cultural destination, our food reflects this with many various offerings to choose from, originating from all corners of the globe.  And so with this in mind, we decided to bring you a list of our favourite sushi spots in Cape Town.  The only problem was we each have our own special pick that we think is truly amazing and unique, so it’s up to you to decide which one you want to try!

CHANTAL AND YOLANDE

We both agree that Beluga in Green Point is a winner! The restaurant has a great ambiance and atmosphere, we love the fact that you can sit outside and enjoy the breeze and vibe of the city. It’s the perfect spot for a late night summer dinner!  The sushi bar is headed by Master sushi chef Alan Haung who is dedicated to freshness and experiments with the most exotic ingredients that make up Beluga’s world famed menu.  The restaurant also has great specials available on sushi and cocktail combos which are delicious!  Chantal says that her favourite dish is the Blue Platter which consists of sashimi, California rolls, nigiri, salmon roses and tuna. It is 26 pieces of pure heaven and offers a great variety of sushi on one platter.  Enough to keep everyone happy!

KATE

Hongs at Stadium on Main in Claremont is a complete “hole-in-the-wall” restaurant – out of town and one of those restaurants that you don’t visit for the vibe, décor and service, but the sushi on the other hand is fantastic! Not only is it incredible value for money, the sushi is always fresh and extremely delicious. I am convinced that they put MSG or something into it as it is that scrumptious and addictive! The fashion sandwiches are colossal – yet just right and their sushi platters are very creatively put together; they are always open if you’d like to chop and change them slightly. My recommendation would be the Hong’s Gift. It is a steal at about R42, for 3 large pieces which I always ask them to cut in half to create six edible portions as well as the Two Oceans Platter which I always share with a friend. These days I no longer crave sushi, but I crave “Hong’s” instead.

KIM, RICHARD AND CHRISTINA

Kim, Richard and Christina have all chosen the trendy Willoughby and Co. at the Waterfront as their pick.  All love the hip and happening pace of the Waterfront, to Capetonians Willoughby’s is a real institution. Recently renovated it is always full of locals and tourists alike and you can now sit at counters around the different sushi stations or at tables in the concourse which is great for people watching.  Willoughbys has an extensive range of seafood, sushi and Japanese delights, which are fresh, well-prepared and come in generous portions.  Also well-priced and extremely popular, you need to get there early if you wish to grab a seat!  Richard loves their Hot Rock ‘n Roll sushi while Kim favours their Rainbow Roll Reloaded which are big favourites on the menu. The fact that one can do a spot of shopping beforehand makes it even more convenient. Shopping and sushi all rolled into one! Perfect!

CANDICE

I come from the Southern Suburbs and don’t want to travel too far to get my sushi fix.  JB Rivers in Cavendish Square and Wasabi in Constantia Village are perfectly situated for me and their sushi is fresh and delicious! My favourites are the prawn fashion sandwiches at JB Rivers, but at Wasabi they make me the Wasabi Sushi Gift which is a mini salmon fashion sandwich wrapped in a seaweed parcel topped with mayo.  It is the most amazing sushi that is not only beautifully presented but tastes good as well!

DANIELLE

I have never been a fan of sushi until I went to the Cape Town Fish Market in the Waterfront with my cousin one evening and was forced into eating their maki and fashion sandwiches.  I was impressed and so wanted more! For me the key is freshness and taste, and you get both of these at the Cape Town Fish Market.  Each piece of sushi is prepared by a trained Japanese sushi chef so you know you are getting quality for your buck.  And you have the option of sitting down to order or choosing your pick off the conveyor belt. I particularly like the Waterfront branch which is chilled and relaxed, with chic touches and lots of attitude.  I have been converted – I am now an official sushi lover!

MANDI

My choice is definitely Kyoto Gardens just off Kloof Street.  The restaurant is small and beautiful, and even has relaxing water features, in the loos (some of the best I have ever seen!) The sushi is very fresh and the choices are original.  They even specially fly in real wasabi root from Tokyo that you can grate over your dish yourself instead of using that bright green paste! My favourite dish beside the sushi is a salad called Ecstasy! It has wilted spinach, clams, prawns, shitake mushrooms, and is just absolutely divine! Kyoto is a special experience and I highly recommended it.

HANNES

A place in Cape Town where I can live out my wildest seafood fantasies is the amazingly Asian Wakame and her sister restaurant Wafu in Mouille Point.  This is the perfect spot for a sinful Sunday lunch that starts at 11h00 and ends at 21h30.  I always have the same – pretty much everything on the sushi and starters lists.  Chart toppers here include the likes of Bon Bon’s Gift – a spicy peppadew and prawn fashion sandwich; miso soup; ginger chicken dumplings and crispy aromatic duck pancakes.  The one thing I cannot do without though is the calamari with chilli, lime and spring onion.  It’s either deep fired or tempura-ed or something – I’ve actually never cared to ask simply because it’s just so deliciously chewy and crispy that I can’t even find a gap to breathe – let alone attempt to speak!  Also on offer, is a variety of baked and grilled mains as well as salads, stir fries and sushi platters.  They’re all great, but, alas, nothing beats the view.  If you’re looking to find a seat on the Wafu roof terrace where the town’s young and trendy will no doubt be sipping on cocktails, you’ll need to go early.  If that sounds a bit daunting, make sure you secure a table downstairs as close as possible to the window so you can feel the sea breeze on your satisfied belly and lazy eyelids.

And there you have it! Our top picks of where to grab some top notch sushi in the Mother City!

Do you have a favourite Sushi restaurant that we haven’t mentioned above? Let us know about it and why you love it so much!