What good is a guide to a city if it doesn’t come from the locals themselves? In abillion’s city guide series, we speak to abillion members, asking for their recommendations to their hometowns. This month’s guide comes to us from Cape Town resident Garth Tavares, abillion member, LGBTQ+ activist, musical theatre director and the blogger also known as Cape Town Vegan.
Tavares was born in Cape Town, raised in Port Elizabeth, and moved back to Cape Town in 2010. Tavares admits he was one of those guys that mocked vegans for years until something changed within him. “It was an overnight decision to make better decisions for me, the planet and the animal kingdom. It was clear that veganism chose me almost six years ago. I instantly gave up red meat, then chicken, fish, dairy and finally eggs. A choice I do not regret for a second,” says Tavares.
Must-try vegan restaurants
Grumpy and Runt
This female-owned deli makes small batches of hand-rolled doughnuts, New York-style sandwiches, and bagels. They make everything in-house, including their butter, cheese, vegan deli meats and even their mayonnaise.
Photo by @capetownvegan of Biscoff Cheesecake from Vegan Streetfood.
Vegan Streetfood
Vegan Streetfood was started in 2018 to provide tasty, healthy and nutritious plant-based, fast-food alternatives for the vegan community. “Located in the quirky suburb of Observatory, Vegan Streetfood makes the best pizzas in Cape Town,” says Tavares.
The Sunshine Food Co.
Sunshine Food makes 100% organic, plant-based food from their tiny store right by the sea in Three Anchor Bay. This grab-and-go kind of restaurant also offers some of the most amazing vegan burgers in town.
Active Sushi on Bree
Active Sushi on Bree has an impressive vegan sushi menu that will fool even the biggest of skeptics. There are 26 vegan sushi options available on their menu, including Sweet and Spicy, Mushroom Bomb, Tofu Burrito, Toranj Vegan, and Crunchy Tomato Roll.
Prashad Cafe
Prashad Cafe offers mouth-watering Indian vegan and vegetarian dishes. Capetonians have three locations to choose from, located in Rondebosch, Constantia as well as Kloof Street. They have an extensive vegan menu of curries, biryanis, dhals, and desserts that are sure to please even the most discerning of foodies.
Photo by @capetownvegan of The Frontline Worker Burger by Hudsons The Burger Joint
Hudsons The Burger Joint.
Hudsons Burgers is an American-inspired diner chain with a contemporary twist. They offer a wide choice of vegan burgers, salads, and pizzas. They have 10 vegan main dishes—their latest addition to this is the Frontline Worker burger, a combo of cajun vegan chicken-style fillet strips, topped with mustard mayo, lettuce, tomato, and homemade pickles.
Vegan Desserts
Photo by @capetownvegan of Chocolate Cupcake from Dolcé Bakery.
