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Aubergine Restaurant

Fine Dining Mediterranean South African Vegan Friendly Vegetarian Friendly
39 Barnet St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
(321 reviews)
RRR+

Attributes

  • Romantic
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Fireplace
  • Gourmet Guide Plated
  • Gourmet Guide Plated 2019

Aubergine Restaurant opened its doors in September 1996 with a vision to create a gastronomic haven in an atmosphere of timeless elegance where diners could enjoy innovative and creative combinations that excite the senses and pique curiosity. We are proud to have gained a significant following from both within South Africa and abroad and it is always a pleasure to welcome back guests who share our passion for good food and wine. Aubergine has received numerous local and international awards and been consistently rated among the top restaurants in the country.

Outside Seating
Our outside terrace is open for lunch and dinner. Note, you can only book outside online for lunch, not dinner. Simply add a special request to your reservation and ask to be seated outside. Weather permitting, we will be more then happy to have you enjoy your meal on the terrace.

Gourmet Guide Description

This bastion of gastronomy cemented Cape Town as a fine-dining destination nearly 30 years ago. It has remained steadfast, timeless rather than trendy, fitting for the setting steeped in history. Chef Harald Bresselschmidt revisits the classics using French techniques, elevated
with Asian flavours. Why the name Aubergine? Apart from being alphabetically foremost, this humble vegetable is a great platform for carrying flavour…a little like the wines at Aubergine.

The heritage building recently had a ‘nip and tuck’ so that guests can now take their time over small plates before settling in for something serious. Al fresco dining in the courtyard is popular for lunches and lazy summer evenings. Regardless of what you order or when, know that wine will lead the way. The cellar dictates the menu: when a wine is ready to share, a dish is crafted. Perusing the vast, impressive wine list that has been personally perfected over time, is a must for any connoisseur.

Expect hero ingredients like veal and rabbit on the menu, simply with sublime sauces. Harald likes to maintain the integrity of some of the natural textures. There are no flaws, no fuss or unnecessary drama, it’s simply exquisite food and wine, married to perfection.

Reviews (321)

4.3 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.2
Value 4.2
Service 4.6
Ambience 4.3
  • Felix S. Dined: 1 month ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 17 Mar 25
    Aubergines never lets us down!

  • Dirk H. Dined: 1 week ago
    2.5
    Food 2.0
    Value 1.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 16 Mar 25
    Unfortunately, the high expectations that we had built up from reports about the Aubergine were completely disappointed. On the one hand, the frequent criticism that the portions are too small was confirmed. Here, the kitchen has remained at the early stage of the eighties and nineties when the Novel Cuisine emerged in France and tiny portions were on the plate. The style of cooking also reflects this period. There is a lot of work with visual effects and less with sophisticated flavors and surprising combinations of flavors and foods. The first course, a fish course, consisted of two tiny portions of fish with less surprising and rather boring sauces and side dishes. One of the main courses was a risotto with rabbit served in a bowl that was probably also from the 1980s. The whole thing tasted more like a normal chicken ragout. The subtle flavors of the rabbit were completely lost and the risotto was boring. This course was followed by Gemsbok, the three mini slices meat were well cooked and of good consistency, which was served with a sauce what a second-year chef could probably have done better, watery and over peppered and otherwise without any recognizable flavors like a good jus should have. The sweet dessert consisted entirely of sweet components. There was no counterpart, no spiciness. No clearly recognizable acidity contrasted with the completely sugary pineapple. After the meal, we confronted Harald Pressel Schmidt with our opinion, to which he replied laconically that tastes differ and that we should have contacted the service if the portions were too small. This kind of approach really shouldn't be normal in a restaurant of this standard. Ultimately, the good value for money compared to other restaurants in Cape Town is very bad and we cannot recommend this restaurant. The only positive thing was, that the sommelier had a brilliant knowledge and served excellent wines to the dishes.

  • Jean D. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 11 Mar 25
    Food: very good, service perfect. But the place need to be refresh… old decoration.

  • Martin N. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 07 Mar 25
    Thank you for a great evening in your very nice restaurant!

  • Vanessa A. Dined: 3 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Paul H. Dined: 1 month ago
    2
    Food 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 1.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 18 Feb 25
    What a disappointment. The crayfish starter was nice, not exceptional. Not sure how that tail would be legal sustainable fishing. The lamb saddle and cutlet was bland and kind of P&P. Source your lamb from our best Karoo please. The Sea harvest starter as a main was pretentious with absolutely no taste. The whole experience was pretentious and at no time was there a feeling of a fine dining experience. For an establishment that used to serve exquisite South African traditional food, this is definitely off the menu.

  • Isabell W. Dined: 1 month ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • John S. Dined: 1 month ago
    4.5
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 12 Feb 25
    Everything was perfect except that the portions were quite small

  • Andre E. Dined: 1 month ago
    3
    Food 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 2.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 07 Feb 25
    Service at our table was pretty unorganised, no explanation of menu and hardly no information regarding the dishes that were presented. To include tip on bill (after poor service) was not appreciated by me.

  • Sarah S. Dined: 2 months ago
    4.5
    Food 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 05 Jan 25
    Very enjoyable evening, with a couple of minor flaws ( only if being super picky). Our midnight nye mcc arrived after the toast as I think we were forgotten and there was quite a bit of confusion around what course we were on so what wine we were poured. I must however say, fantastic team and great food.

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Opening Hours

  • Monday 18h00 - 22h00
  • Tuesday 18h00 - 22h00
  • Wednesday 18h00 - 22h00
  • Thursday 12h00 - 14h00 - 18h00 - 22h00
  • Friday 12h00 - 14h00 - 18h00 - 22h00
  • Saturday 18h00 - 22h00
  • Sunday CLOSED