Nicolette Dirk
Tapas are one of the mouthwatering appetisers at restaurants that have become a growing foodie trend around the world.
The Cape Times has compiled a list of bistros that offer delicious tapas to share and enjoy:
CITY BOWL
La Parada Tapas restaurant in Bree Street is just one of the many places in the City Bowl where you can get your favourite tapa like Jamon (a Serrano ham dish), Patede Campo (a country-style pate) or a home-made chorizo.
Viva Café in Somerset Square is another tapa hot spot where the appetisers include Lord of the Onion Rings, Sirloin strips and vegetable roll.
Doppio restaurant is also a great place to sate your tapas craving. Situated in St George’s Mall, their tapas menu includes a tasty variety like house-marinated olives, chickpea fritters, spinach and feta cigars and bruschetta.
Bukhara Haiku restaurant in Burg Street boasts chefs from several countries and, as its website states, its “steam, grill, wok and blade dexterity set the scene for modern Asian dining, tapas style”.
They also have branches at GrandWest and in Stellenbosch.
Fork, located on bustling Long Street, serves up contemporary Spanish-style tapas infused with European and South African flavours. Tapas are divided into five price categories and dishes range from aubergine and sweet potato coconut curry to mini-kudu fillets with potato gratin and a citrus reduction.
This cozy eatery also has a superb wine list and a variety of desserts, cocktails and digestives.
Paarl
Bar Di Bar, located on the picturesque Laborie wine farm, offers delicious tapas with exciting options such as chilli salt squid, courgette fritters with avo salsa, and lamb meatballs in romesco sauce.
Stellenbosch
The Big Easy restaurant and wine bar is located in the historic La Gratitude building and offers a great selection of tapas along with an impressive collection of wines.
You can look forward to dishes such as oysters in red wine with shallots honey, and soy chicken cubes with Wasabi aioli and Patagonian calamari tubes with Tartar aioli and lemon.