Downtown Cape Town is a haven for vegans, vegetarians and anyone else looking to reduce their impact on the planet by choosing healthy food options. Here’s a go-to list of the best plant-based eateries in the CBD.
BAMBOO PLANT POWER
What’s up: This quick-service restaurant is doing its bit for the planet by making plant-based food accessible to everyone and changing how people think about it. The eatery has a varied menu that’s free of meat, dairy, egg products, saturated animal fats, cholesterol, preservatives and artificial flavours. It includes freshly pressed juices, smoothies, breakfasts, toasties, bowls, salads and desserts.
Opening times: Monday to Friday from 10h00 to 16h00
Location: Cnr Corner Long and Riebeek sts
What to eat: The Classic Burger is a winner. It’s made with Beyond Meat (a plant-based meat substitute), smoky BBQ sauce with tomato, pickles and crisp lettuce topped with beet ketchup and Gochujang mayo. Bunless burgers are served on spiralised vegetables and sprouts. Another great option is the refreshing Glorious Green Bowl of Romaine lettuce, marinated kale, zucchini, broccoli, edamame, cucumber, avo sunflower sour cream and pesto.
Book: www.bambooplantpower.co.za or call 062 969 5566
INFINITE CAFÉ
What’s up: Infinite Café by Infinite Foods made the Cape Town CBD its home late last year and has been a hit with both plant-based food lovers and non-vegans. It serves delicious and unexpected plant-based meals using the world’s best products like Beyond Meat, Oatly, JUST Egg, Miyoko’s and Happy Culture Kombucha. The café, which has a relaxed interior with lush greenery, also offers customers the chance to grab their favourite plant-based items.
Opening times: Monday to Friday from 07h00 to 15h00 and Saturday from 08h00 to 13h00
Location: 4 Commercial St
What to eat: Michelle Adelman, co-founder and CEO of Infinite Foods, says they aren’t trying to create a new restaurant for the vegan crowd. “This is a plant-based restaurant for everyone. We believe in encouraging everyone to add more plants to their diet in a fun and creative way.” The Ultimate Burger Collection, made with 100 % plant-based Beyond Burger patties and served on brioche rolls toasted to perfection with Miyoko’s plant-based butter, is a hit.
Book: www.infinitefoods.com or call 021 0012164
THE POKÉ CO.
What’s up: Andrew Flanagan, the founder of The Poké Co. was inspired to open a specialised poké bar in Cape Town while travelling in 2015. “I discovered that poké has all the flavours we love in sushi, rediscovered in a unique, spontaneous and convenient way. I realised that it was missing from the seafood scene in Cape Town and felt it was an opportunity that I couldn’t miss out on,” he told Bizcommunity.com. His dream has resulted in one of the most unique and delicious food experiences in town. To help people do good for their bodies, communities and the environment, the eatery offers fresh and healthy poké bowls made with top quality ingredients from local small-scale farmers.
Opening times: Monday to Saturday from 08h00 to 20h30, Saturday from 09h00 to 20h30 and Sunday from 11h00 to 20h30
Location: 90 Loop St
What to eat: Patrons are spoiled for choice at The Poké Co. with a menu that includes smoothie bowls and smoothies, health bowls and hot breakfasts and an option to "build your bowl". One of the popular bowls is the Windward made with tuna sashimi, cucumber, edamame, pickled ginger, avocado with Hawaiian heat, creamy wasabi dressing and shredded nori.
Book: www.pokecoct.com or call 087 470 0125
HONEST CHOCOLATE CAFÉ
What’s up: This cosy artisanal bean-to-bar chocolate company is the brainchild of Anthony Gird and Michael de Klerk. It started as an experiment after Gird made a few chocolates from raw cacao powder as a healthy treat for himself and his friends. When they polished them off in seconds and requested more, he knew he was onto something. De Klerk, who was based in London at the time, started experimenting as well, and upon his return to South Africa, he joined forces with Gird and the rest is history.
Opening times: Monday to Friday from 10h00 to 18h00, Saturday from 09h00 to 16h00 and Sunday from 09h00 to 17h00
Location: 64A Wale St
What to eat: The café offers a large selection of vegan-friendly treats including dairy-free ice cream from Sorbetière. Soya milk and silky nut milk made by the Almond Creamery are also available. The menu also includes coffees, teas, hot chocolates and a variety of chocolate truffles, tarts and cakes. The dairy-free milkshakes, trademark Coconut Dream drink and the Banana Bread Bunny Chow are highly recommended.
Book: www.honestchocolate.co.za or call 076 765 8306
Note: Look out for the first-ever Vegan and Plant-Powered Show between 27 and 29 May 2022 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. It will comprise the latest products, demos from international and local celebrity cooks and chefs as well as over 120 exhibitors.
IMAGES: CCID, The POKE' Co, Honest Chocolate