Where to grab your first sit-down meal of lockdown

Life steadily feels like it is returning to normal as lockdown restrictions ease, allowing for more freedom of movement. While this is something that many are happy about, citizens must still remain cautious. Social distancing is imperative, especially as more services open up to the public.

Sit-down customers are permitted in restaurants from Monday, June 29. Eateries will have to abide by strict hygiene and social distancing rules to ensure the safety of customers. These include:

(a) Conduct a screening questionnaire (which will be published with guidelines) and take precautionary measures to protect the person and other persons in the premises. Such measures may include denying such a person access to the premises;
(b) Not allow any person into their premises, if that person is not wearing a cloth mask, or homemade item that covers the nose and mouth or another appropriate item to cover the nose and mouth;
(c) ensure that customers and guests wear masks at all times while they are in their premises except when eating or drinking;
(d) ensure that all customers are sanitized before entering the premises;
(e) demarcate in a visible manner a distance of a line at least 1.5 (one and a half) meters –
(i) from the point of sale serving counter towards the customer;
(ii) ensure customers queue at least one and a half meters apart behind each other or sideways;
(iii) between customers queuing next to each where two payment tills are opened;
(iv) spreading seat capacity to enforce distancing of one and a half meters between guest; and
(v) consider a reservation system to manage demand, and help ensure capacity limits are adhered to.

1.6 Food service

1.6.1 No buffets shall be offered to guest for self-service;
1.6.2 Menus must be replaced with non-touch options or sanitised after each guest use;
1.6.3 Tables must be sanitised before and after each guest use;
1.6.4 Where possible and for instance while taking orders, waiting staff must stand at least a meter from tables;

Here is a list of some of Cape Town’s favourite eateries that are now ready to receive customers:

Osteria Tarantino 

If you haven’t eaten at Osteria Tarantino, then make this your first excursion post lockdown. Nestled in De Waterkant is where you’ll find Osteria Tarantino, a family-run eatery as authentic as an Italian experience gets without actually being in Italy. Here you are obligated to take your time and savor your delicious meal. There are only 9 tables so booking is essential. Try the burrata salad, the gnocchi gorgonzola, or the ravioli cream of truffle. For the meat-eaters, the 4 P’s will take your tastebuds on a tantalising trip.

Kloof Street House

This Cape Town staple comprises of decor that is the perfect balance between Colonial and Victorian, with comfortable oversized chesterfield couches inviting you inside. Try the delicious osso buco to warm yourself or the lovely Moroccan spiced lamb rump for your first sit-down restaurant meal during the lockdown.

Contact: 021 423 4413
Address: 30 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8005
Site: http://www.kloofstreethouse.co.za

Rust

This charming café is located on Herschel Road in Observatory and is home to some of the most delectable and rich croissants in Cape Town. Be sure to sit at one of the rustic outdoor tables, where you can catch glimpses of the life in Observatory through the greenery of its outdoor plants.

Contact: 072 337 3218
Address: 1 Herschel Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925
Site: https://rust.capetown

Downtown Ramen

You can only have so much food delivered during lockdown before you begin missing the eatery that prepared it, and Downtown Ramen is definitely one of those places. This wonderfully quirky restaurant is now ready to welcome back its customers, and make sure to go hungry because their ramen portions are big enough to leave you rolling out the door.

Contact: 021 461 0407
Address: 103 Harrington St, Zonnebloem, Cape Town, 7925
Site: https://www.eatout.co.za/venue/downtown-ramen/

Hemelhuijs