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The Waterside

Reviewers' Choice 2025 - Top 100 Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50
Contemporary Fine Dining
Location Pointer 2 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
4.8
(3211 reviews)
RRR
Menu
Favourite

Attributes

  • Outdoor Seating
  • Great Views
  • Gourmet Guide Plated
  • Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Top 50
  • Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50
  • Reviewers' Choice 2025 - Top 100

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Menu
Favourite

The Waterside is the latest venture by The La Colombe Group, located on Pierhead at the V&A Waterfront. Headed by Roxy Mudie, serving both a reduced menu and tasting menu. Inside and outside seating is available

Gourmet Guide™ Description

Small and intimate, with striking views, Waterside in the Pierhead Building lives up to its name, with every seat embracing harbour views. It’s a special treat, rather than a special occasion. Summer allows for dining on the deck, where the background bustle adds to the appeal
for local and international diners.

Head chef Roxanne Mudie’s flavour profiles can be coined “East Meets East,” or daring meets well executed. Her inspiration is deeply rooted in her passion for Asian cuisine, which she has cleverly integrated into a single menu that is as creative as it is brave. From the first bite of bread, you’ll be entranced. The menu boasts standout dishes like Asian pork belly with scallops, corn, peanuts, and Szechuan, artfully plated. The crayfish dumpling with pickled kohlrabi and dashi broth is a winner.

The presentation is impeccable, where each dish is a testament to meticulous attention to detail. The impressive wine list showcases mainly South African selections, with a choice of a standard or iconic pairing. Confident staff navigate the tables with ease. The team, led by manager Van Zyl Van der Merwe, is knowledgeable, display a real sense of ownership, and their energy is infectious. Here high expectations are exceeded.

Opening Hours

  • Monday 12h00 - 16h00 - 18h00 - 22h00
  • Tuesday 12h00 - 16h00 - 18h00 - 22h00
  • Wednesday 12h00 - 16h00 - 18h00 - 22h00
  • Thursday 12h00 - 16h00 - 18h00 - 22h00
  • Friday 12h00 - 16h00 - 18h00 - 22h00
  • Saturday 12h00 - 16h00 - 18h00 - 22h00
  • Sunday 12h00 - 16h00 - 18h00 - 22h00

Reviews (3211)

4.8 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.9
Value 4.7
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.7
  • Manuala M. Dined: 2 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 28 Dec 25
    A great menu, lovely presentations and super good food.

  • Jesse T. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 27 Dec 25
    This restaurant was exceptional and one of the best dining experiences we have ever had. The food was unique, it tasted fabulous and was beautifully presented. The service was first class and every meal was explained by the friendkt and professional staff. This was certainly one of the highlights of our holiday in Cape Town and we will never forget it. This restaurant is highly recommended!!

  • Gerda D. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 27 Dec 25
    This was our fourth time at this restaurant and it is everytime a great experience. Tasting menu is amazing, the staff is so knowledgeable and friendly . Can highly recommend it.

  • Tony B. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 26 Dec 25
    Was in town from the US in preparation for a cruise. We had an opportunity to visit the restaurant and found it to be an exceptional dinning experience! The menu along with the wine pairing was amazing. My friends and the pairing with the women wine makers of SA. I had the connoisseur pairing. The food was without question amazing! The staff ratio was impressive at every turn - with the place settings, clearing, all with a smile and great service. Already making plans to return:)

  • Christopher M. Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 26 Dec 25
    Splendid leisurely Christmas Day lunch at Waterside. Far far better than our earlier dinner upstairs at PIER. Tables less crowded and no loud waiters boring the whole restaurant to death about some-one else's wine pairings!!!

  • Jan Peter W. Dined: 4 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 26 Dec 25
    We had a great christmas dinner. Food and Service were excellent. We loved the courage to spice things up.

  • Chris H. Dined: 5 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 25 Dec 25
    An incredible Christmas tasting menu. The staff were extremely knowledgeable, great to have the chefs come to the table to present their courses with such passion. It felt like a very special occasion. The ambience was quite quiet and formal which was ok but could be better. We are still talking about how amazing the food was a day later so that’s a great complement. The wine tasting from ‘women in wine’ was also exceptional.

  • Clive S. Dined: 5 days ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 25 Dec 25
    A really memorable Christmas Eve dinner.

  • K S. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Pete S. Dined: 5 days ago
    3.8
    Food 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 24 Dec 25
    We had the Christmas dinner at The Waterside and overall it was a pleasant evening. The location is beautiful, right at the harbour, and the atmosphere felt special and festive. Service throughout the evening was professional and attentive. The first two courses were excellent and set very high expectations for the rest of the menu. Unfortunately, from that point on, the quality of the dishes gradually declined, and the later courses did not live up to the strong start. The wine pairing was also disappointing and did not feel well aligned with the menu or the level one would expect at this price point. Considering the overall cost — especially compared to many other outstanding restaurants in Cape Town — we felt that the price-to-performance ratio did not quite add up. While the setting and service were strong, the food and wine experience did not consistently justify the high-end pricing.

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