La Parada Kloof Street — Restaurant in Gardens

Visited in December 2024. South Africa. Capetown.

We stumbled upon this restaurant during a lunchtime wander and were immediately drawn to its stylish design and inviting outdoor terrace. The pleasant weather prompted us to choose a table al fresco. The restaurant itself is spacious, boasting a beautiful interior and a striking, almost sculptural, bar that serves as a significant design feature. The terrace seating proved to be particularly charming.

The Food:

The menu is extensive and eclectic, ranging from classic Italian dishes like pasta and pizza to grilled steaks and an impressive selection of tapas. We opted for tuna tacos, tempura calamari, and crispy kingklip fish. The tuna tacos, despite their unassuming appearance, were a revelation. The combination of crisp lettuce, creamy avocado mousse, and perfectly seared tuna, all artfully balanced by complementary sauces, created a fresh and harmonious flavor profile. The calamari, likewise, were expertly prepared – tender and crispy, with a light, greaseless batter. The kingklip, however, proved slightly less successful. While the fish itself was undeniably fresh and juicy, the heavier breading resulted in a somewhat oily and less appealing texture than the calamari.

Service: Service was excellent. Our waiter was friendly, helpful, and offered valuable guidance in navigating the extensive menu. While the food took a little longer than expected to arrive, the dishes were all served simultaneously, suggesting the kitchen's focus on coordinated service.

In conclusion:

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience at this restaurant. The extensive and diverse menu caters to a wide range of tastes, offering something for everyone. The freshness and quality of most of the dishes were commendable. This is highly recommended for a relaxed...

As I entered the restaurant, one unique thing that caught my attention was seeing the manager sporting an eye patch. While it may seem odd at first, it turned out to be an interesting conversation starter and added to the restaurant's charm. This showed the management's dedication to accommodating diverse individuals, creating a memorable and inclusive experience.The service at La Parada Kloof Street was excellent throughout my visit. The staff was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They were quick to offer suggestions and recommendations, ensuring that all our needs were met. Despite the restaurant being quite busy, the servers managed to maintain a high level of efficiency and professionalism.Now, let's talk about the star of the show - the prawns and calamari! The seafood dishes at La Parada Kloof Street were exceptional and left a lasting impression on my taste buds.The ambience at La Parada Kloof Street was electric. The restaurant features a trendy and stylish interior ,warm lighting, comfortable seating, and vibrant colors created a welcoming and energetic atmosphere. Absolutely enjoyed my time and will...

Friday night visit, sat at the bar. Entertainment was ok, just ok. The food on the other hand... Came once before for a beer on a weekend, midday, started with the miso eggplant, sent it back. It was burnt and inedible. I was greeted by the chef who reckoned it was fantastic, that was the end of our orders, of course.

Thought I'd give it another try this Friday night, tuna tacos. Manageable, but nothing close to a good taco. Pork bao was an insult to this simple but masterful street food. They might reconsider the "Indulge... " advert on display - nothing to indulge in here friends... Soggy bun (and I understand it's steamed), bland, no seasoning whatsoever, could not be resolved with copious amounts of chopped chilli. Ultra fatty pork, all skin, no meat, no crisp or texture which is the essence of any bao. Needless to say, if it's Spanish tapas you're after, this is definitely not it! I honestly can't think of a bigger insult to tapas, particularly given the insult to injury that is the price point. Outrageous comparitive to the many other options on Kloof/Bree. Give it a miss if you are...