The Waterside
A sophisticated yet relaxed dining experience at V&A Waterfront, offering stunning views and artfully presented cuisine.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
The Waterside
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A sophisticated yet relaxed dining experience at V&A Waterfront, offering stunning views and artfully presented cuisine.
"A magical setting with fabulous food and wine, perfect for special occasions."
Secure Your Reservation
Booking online or in person is recommended to guarantee a table at this popular establishment.
Tasting Menu Experience
Be prepared for diverse flavors with smaller portions when opting for the chef's tasting menu.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Modern South African
Price
$$$
Phone
+27 21 879 6329
Address
Pierhead Building (next to the NSRI, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Stunning Waterfront Views
Dine with unparalleled views of the V&A Waterfront, offering a picturesque and elegant backdrop to your meal.
Exquisite Culinary Creations
Experience layered flavors and artistic presentation in dishes like pea risotto and impeccably prepared fish.
Minimalist Elegance
The restaurant boasts a beautiful, airy setting with a sophisticated yet comfortable ambiance.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Secure Your Reservation
Booking online or in person is recommended to guarantee a table at this popular establishment.
Tasting Menu Experience
Be prepared for diverse flavors with smaller portions when opting for the chef's tasting menu.
Wine List Insights
Explore the extensive wine selection, but be mindful of pricing. Ask about pairing options.
Service Charge
A gratuity of approximately 13-13.5% is automatically added to your bill.
Tips
from all over the internet
Secure Your Reservation
Booking online or in person is recommended to guarantee a table at this popular establishment.
Tasting Menu Experience
Be prepared for diverse flavors with smaller portions when opting for the chef's tasting menu.
Wine List Insights
Explore the extensive wine selection, but be mindful of pricing. Ask about pairing options.
Service Charge
A gratuity of approximately 13-13.5% is automatically added to your bill.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Diners consistently praise The Waterside for its stunning waterfront location and the exquisite presentation of its dishes, which often resemble works of art. While many find the service impeccable and the ambiance elegant, some reviewers note that certain flavor combinations can be overpowering, and the price point is high, leading to mixed feelings about value for money, particularly for those well-versed in fine dining.
"From the moment we stepped into The Waterside, we were transported into a world of culinary excellence. The ambiance was elegant yet inviting, setting the perfect tone for an unforgettable evening. Each dish was a masterpiece, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The attention to detail in the plating was matched only by the creativity and skill evident in every bite. The service was impeccable, with the staff striking the perfect balance between attentiveness and discretion. The Waterside exceeded our expectations, delivering a dining experience that was nothing short of extraordinary. We left with our taste buds delighted and our hearts full. Highly recommended!"
Shenecca Cassidy
"Had an excellent experience at waterside. The presentation of each course was spectacular. The food had good influence of western and Asian flavors. Service was also very pleasant and one point. I did not give five stars for food only because for certain courses, I think the chef tried too hard in terms of mixing flavor profiles. For example, there is no reason to add the bland scallops into an Asian spiced pork belly dish. The bland and soft scallops took away from the rich profile that the dish otherwise had. I did not select the chef's wine pairing because the selection did not look adequate for that price point. However they do have a good selection of wines by the glass. Everything was good except the Tawny, which was not aged enough to serve at a restaurant of this profile and price point."
Arun Nair
"If you are a novice at fine dining this meal would've been fantastic. If however, like us you are well versed in fine dining this meal would've been less than expected. It looked stunning but the chef over-used chillies which in most dishes totally over-powered the other ingredients (even the palate cleanser had chillies in the soil. We did love the mango dessert, it was really good. Also we left there way poorer but still hungry so for us the meal was not worth the price (and we got it on the restaurant week special). The service was really good, and the view was lovely."
Elna Badenhorst
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The Waterside is known for its stunning V&A Waterfront location, exquisite and artistically presented cuisine, and sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance.
Yes, it is highly recommended to book online or in person in advance to secure a table, especially for special occasions.
While not strictly formal, the ambiance suggests smart casual attire. The restaurant offers a sophisticated yet comfortable dining experience.
Yes, The Waterside offers a chef's tasting menu with layered flavors and diverse dishes, as well as a reduced lunch special.
The Waterside is considered upscale, with fine dining prices, particularly for the tasting menu and wine pairings.
Yes, vegetarian options are available, including a dedicated vegetarian menu mentioned in reviews.
A discretionary service charge of approximately 13-13.5% is automatically added to the bill.
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The Waterside Restaurant offers a sophisticated but casual menu with both indoor and outdoor seating. This restaurant is flexible in that it works for all occasions – from a working lunch to a celebratory meal with friends – or impromptu pop-in on a beautiful summer’s day. The Waterside’s menu offers crayfish cooked over coals, served with roast quail and sweetcorn, oysters with umami broth and caviar, and strawberries with lemon verbena and coconut, to name a few of their delights.
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Nestled in the heart of South Africa, The Waterside is a culinary gem that offers an exquisite dining experience with a picturesque waterfront view. The restaurant is renowned for its seamless service and easy booking process, making it a hassle-free and enjoyable outing for all. The Waterside is part of a larger family of restaurants, each one offering a unique and exceptional dining experience, hinting at an even broader culinary journey awaiting you.
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If you’re looking for picture-perfect dishes that resemble works of art AND actually taste delicious, then book a table at The Waterside in the V&A. The menu is fairly small with a set number of dishes and a few options to choose from. The bread was accompanied with the most beautiful dishes – a dip of roasted garlic with smoked pine nut and rosemary and then a chicken liver parfait with rhubarb.
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La Colombe is one of Cape Town’s most beloved restaurants over many a year. Their newest restaurant at the Waterfront has an airy and bright atmosphere perfect for a summer meal with friends. The menu offers five courses with some interesting dishes like Japanese-inspired milk bun stack for starters, prawn salad infused with local flavours, and asparagus that are freshly harvested from Rivonia.
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The Waterside is a hidden gem tucked away in a quieter corner of the V&A Waterfront, offering a dining experience away from the bustling crowds. Settle into their charming outdoor seating area and enjoy al fresco dining with views of the marina and the iconic Table Mountain in the distance. The Waterside’s menuis ever-changing but always keeps a sophisticated touch with a hint of casual dining.
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The La Colombe family of restaurants has garnered a well-deserved reputation for top-notch dining. Part of its seven-strong stable is a harbourside eatery at the V&A Waterfront – a light, bright, stylish space with a deck that feels like you’re on a superyacht. It offers sophisticated and creative fine dining, in the La Colombe style, but it’s more casual than its sibling, Pier, upstairs.
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The latest restaurant release from the revered La Colombe group comes in the form of The Waterside. Located in the Pierhead building of the V&A Waterfront, The Waterside promises superior dining experiences with a smart casual flair. Away from the hustle and bustle of the main V&A attractions, you can expect a relaxed and comfortable setting to enjoy your meals.
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If you’ve been wanting a fine dining experience without too much constraint, The Waterside is the perfect spot for you. They thrive on providing guests with gourmet dishes in a more casual setting, making it a great place for a work lunch or a celebration dinner. This restaurant is the latest creation by the La Colombe group.
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Price: Lunch: R595 per person | Dinner: R895 per personDate: 26 May – 31 August 2025Menu: View the menus here. Wrap up warm and head to The Waterside for a winter seaside dining experience. Escape the icy air at lunch with a 3-course set menu for R595 per person, featuring tempting options like line fish or lamb.
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The Waterside is just across from PIER and is also part of the La Colombe group. It carries that same air of an upmarket restaurant with a laidback attitude, but is closer to casual on the spectrum of fine dining. But that doesn’t meant you won’t get a spectacular meal.
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The Waterside – also in the La Colombe group, is on the ground floor below the PIER restaurant in the Pierhead Building, with such a delicious and sophisticated, but more casual menu that guests can enjoy both indoors, and on the outdoor deck. Perfect for summer lunch.
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Superbly located away from the crowds in the V&A Waterfront along the ocean's edge, The Waterside offers a casual yet refined dining experience with world-famous views.
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