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The Waterside

Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50 Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Top 50
Contemporary Fine Dining
2 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
(2813 reviews)
RRR

Attributes

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

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.

Reviews (2813)

4.8 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.9
Value 4.7
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.7
  • Simonne W. Dined: 2 days ago
    4
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 26 Mar 25
    Really a great lunch experience.

  • Nsuku S. Dined: 4 days ago
    4.3
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 3.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Fabian K. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Henry P. Dined: 1 week ago
    4
    Food 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 24 Mar 25
    Too many courses of mostly beautiful food - tuna and pork belly dishes had too many flavours competing

  • Malose K. Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 24 Mar 25
    A phenomenal experience. Waterside has kept the legendary La Colombe restaurant experience in tact. I was also quite impressed by the interior design of the restaurant. Simple but elegant complementing the culinary experience. Every dish as part of the 7 course tasting menu delivered escalating delight dazzling the palate with gentle deliciousness. In today’s world of social media hyper attention, there has been an avalanche of new restaurant concepts whose reputation is more hype than substance. Waterside is one of those jewels that are not part of a social media hype and are great at delivering a world class dining experience whose test is in the quality of the food. And not hype. What a wonderful discovery this Cape Town restaurant has been. I will be returning for this 10/10 performance.

  • Rodger S. Dined: 4 days ago
    4.8
    Food 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 24 Mar 25
    Quite a lot of heat (ie. chilli) in a lot of the courses for my taste hence the 4 stars. But still very enjoyable.

  • Stuart J. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 23 Mar 25
    Brilliant from start to finish. The staff were engaging and knowledgeable. The food was exceptional and beautifully executed. Each course bettered the other. My wife felt that the vegetarian menu was exceptional until the main course and felt the chefs could have been braver but that was the only criticism. We loved the interaction with the staff and their enthusiasm and recommendations and that made it such a pleasure to eat at the restaurant. Would highly recommend.

  • Alida C. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 23 Mar 25
    The absolute best evening! Excellent food - we will be back for sure

  • William G. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 23 Mar 25
    Have hosted colleagues, clients, friends and family at the waterside and it never disappoints. Not even close. The service and culinary excellence, kindness, thoroughness, and deliciousness are off the charts. 15 out of 10. Highly recommend.

  • Lauren P. Dined: 6 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 22 Mar 25
    Beautiful food, fantastic service

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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