Nobu Cape Town — Restaurant in V&A Waterfront

Visited in May 2025 South Africa. Cape Town. 🇿🇦

We had heard quite a bit about this restaurant for some time, and being avid fans of Japanese cuisine, we were eager to try it. After perusing the menu and spotting the prized Otoro tuna available in Cape Town, we decided to pay a visit. The interior is dominated by dark brown wooden tones, which, while elegant, felt somewhat dated and perhaps slightly out of fashion.

FOOD:

The menu is fairly diverse, featuring a variety of small plates—typical of Japanese restaurants encouraging sharing. We selected several appetizers as well as some hot dishes. The mini crayfish tacos were a highlight: the tacos themselves were crisp, and the seafood inside was well-prepared, bathed in a creamy mayo-based sauce that was juicy, crunchy, and vibrant in flavor. On the other hand, the mini chicken tacos were less successful; the chicken was somewhat dry and overly sauced, with strong spices that gave it a more Eastern cuisine feel rather than Japanese. The yellowtail sashimi was decent but lacked harmony in flavor—there was a slight imbalance, with the acidity overpowering rather than complementing the dish. The fish was fresh, however.

Next, we tried the Otoro tuna nigiri. The tuna was of good quality, boasting a rich, buttery texture. However, the portion of rice felt a bit excessive, detracting slightly from the overall balance. The Wagyu gyoza did not meet expectations; the filling was inconsistent, with bits of sinew and gristle, as if leftover scraps had been used.

Conversely, the hot lobster dish with a delicate, crispy coating was excellent—tender lobster paired with a well-matched sauce made it a standout recommendation.

Desserts were enjoyable: my favorite was the mochi ice cream with a crispy coating, while my husband preferred the coffee-flavored dessert.

SERVICE:

The service was friendly and attentive, contributing positively to the experience. However, the wait times for dishes were somewhat lengthy. Overall, the service was good.

VERDICT:

Nobu offers a solid Japanese dining experience, though considering the price point, it feels more like a one-time treat. There were many delicious dishes, but also several that fell short of expectations. For us, this is a restaurant to visit once, but we would still recommend it to lovers of Japanese and Asian cuisine looking for variety...

Disappointing Experience at Nobu Cape Town

I had high expectations for Nobu Cape Town, given the brand's reputation and my experiences at their other locations in the U.S. Unfortunately, this visit fell short in several areas. Here’s a breakdown:

Reservation: We had a 7:00 pm reservation and were seated promptly.

Drinks: We started with a Ginger Martini and a Sake Mojito. The drinks were enjoyable, but things took a turn when we ordered a second round. After a 30-minute wait, the wrong drinks arrived—a Lychee Martini instead of the (something) Gold cocktail we had ordered. We didn’t realize the mistake initially, but halfway through the drinks, a server came by to swap them out for what we actually ordered, which felt awkward. This mix-up and delay in drink service set a disappointing tone for the evening.

Food: Crispy Rice: Good but not outstanding. Fish was very fresh but not the same spicy marinade I am used to with Nobu Yellowtail Nigiri: Phenomenal—exactly what I’d expect from Nobu. Rolls: Came out quickly and were enjoyable. Beef Toban yaki: This dish was the most problematic. It didn’t arrive until we followed up at 8:30 pm, well after we had finished everything else. When it finally came out, I had lost interest and was ready to leave. Wagyu Dumplings: These were good but did not elevate the overall experience.

Service: The service was inattentive and slow, with significant delays between courses. The mix-up with the drinks and the long wait for the beef dish left us feeling neglected. It didn’t match the level of service I've experienced at other Nobu locations, where attention to detail is typically a given.

Atmosphere: The ambiance was underwhelming, lacking the vibrant and sophisticated feel of other Nobu venues. It felt like dining in a bland hotel lobby, rather than a world-renowned restaurant.

Overall: This visit did not live up to the "Nobu experience" I’m accustomed to. The quality of the food was inconsistent, and the service fell well below expectations. It felt more like a generic franchise than an authentic Nobu. Given the many dining options in Cape Town, I’d recommend seeking out other establishments that deliver both exceptional food and service.

Hard pass for me on...

Fine dining at it's mesmerising finest.

Opting for the 5-course set menu, my wife's birthday was a phenomenal experience (for both of us). At the end of our Nobu experience, she went as far as to say; "This has been the best birthday ever", thank you Nobu for my free brownie points.

Leading down a sweeping staircase, the atmosphere is toned warmly by origami lighting, a promise of a classical experience. At the seating end, towards the fresh Sushi preparation bar, are two Japanese chefs, expertly slicing fresh sashimi cuts. Nobu's fine dining standard of exquisite dish after dish began with Tuna Sashimi Tacos, a classic Peruvian-Japanese twist. What followed next had us speechless, an indescribably delicious Shrimp & Lobster Salad with a Spicy Lemon Zest - my wife and I just stared at one another, speechless. There was no way a salad could be that good. More so, how could anything top that salad. Queue the main, Rosemary Panko Crusted New Zealand Lamb Chop, that dared. Perfectly tender, succulently juicy, crunchy vegetable accompaniments and a sauce/jus that balanced the dish beyond words. Again, speechlessly we stared at each other.

Nobu went as far as arranging a special dessert to top everything off to make my wife's birthday ever more special. Beside the serving of unforgettable cheesecake unlike anything we've ever had, the chef plated a birthday message surprise in the form of a soft, sweet brownie accompanied by a berry sorbet.

This was an experience which a few days later, we still speak of. It was truly memorable, unforgettable and a Japanese-Peruvian experience we'll hope to...