Cape Town’s open-flame restaurants to try this Braai Day

There’s no doubt that food cooked over an open flame is quintessentially South African. It’s the smoky aroma, the anticipation of the coals heating up, and the pleasure of sharing a meal with people whose conversation you enjoy – it’s so much more than what’s on the plate.

The fact that it’s also Heritage Day makes it even more special, as it’s a celebration of our beautiful country’s diversity. Now, most of us love having a braai in the backyard, but if for some reason you are unable to, Cape Town has a growing selection of restaurants that prioritise fire cooking. From traditional braai faves to more refined dishes over wood and coals, this is where you celebrate Heritage and Braai Day.

**Kronendal 1713, Hout Bay **

This restaurant stays close to the spirit of traditional braai. Set in a historic Cape Dutch manor, the open-air kitchens centre around meat cooked over an open fire. There are plenty of options designed for sharing, so expect steaks, lamb chops, ribs, chicken wings and classic braai broodjies.

Picture: Kronendal1713 / Facebook

Mzoli Meat & Grill, Gardens

Mzoli has recently reopened in the heart of Cape Town, and we couldn’t be more pleased. A cultural icon, this shishanyama restaurant carries forth its tradition of braai meat, a vibey community spirit and great music. Made for sharing, order a platter of your favourite meat, sit back and enjoy the atmosphere.

Picture: Mzoli Meat, Grill & Gardens / Facebook

**VUUR Restaurant, Stellenbosch **

Venture outside town to this restaurant that exclusively uses fire cooking. Fire, flavour and the connection between food and flame – that’s what the chef promises. So stop by to enjoy nature and enjoy delicious food.

Picture: VUUR / Facebook

Bo-Kaap Grill, Bo-Kaap

For distinctly Cape flavour, head to Bo-Kaap Grill. It combines Cape Malay flavours and open-wood fire grilling, with hand-toasted masalas and grilled dishes forming part of its offering. It’s also fully halaal, making it an option for wider group of diners.

Picture: BoKaap Grill / Facebook

Noah, CBD

This is where you’ll find fire-cooked small plates, pizzas and cuts from the grill, seasonal salads, making it great for a shareable and relaxed experience. The dishes change according to the season, and the menu is built around the open-fire kitchen.

Picture: @noahbycharleshope / Instagram

Briquette, Gardens

Maybe you want the essence of a backyard braai, but you don’t want to do all the work. Then this is where to go. Briquette is a new addition to the Cape Town dining scene. Opening on 23 September, the Garden’s rooftop restaurant is centred around SA fire-cooking, with favourites like braai broodjies, T-bone steak, boerewors, prawns, lamb and chicken sosaties.

Picture: @briquettecapetown / Instagram

Zest, Sea Point

For a more casual vibe, Zest also puts wood fire at the centre of the menu. Recent offerings include wood-fire grilled dishes with that smoky, flame-kissed flavour.

Picture: Zest Cape Town / Facebook

Whether you want a more traditional braai experience or something more refined, these restaurants prove that there’s more than one way to celebrate South Africa’s braai tradition.

Also read:

Heritage Day in Cape Town: Five ways to experience the city

**Picture: **Jonathan Borba / Pexels

**Words: **Shaneen Noble / Woman&Home Magazine

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