FYN

FYN occupies the fifth floor of the Speakers Corner building on Parliament Street, in the heart of the city centre and a short walk from the Company's Garden and the Houses of Parliament. It was founded by chef Peter Tempelhoff, one of South Africa's best-known chefs, and is run with culinary director Ashley Moss and sommelier and service director Jennifer Hugé.

The restaurant describes its cooking as modern African fine dining that follows the philosophy of Japanese cuisine: seasonal, restrained and focused on the natural character of each ingredient. In practice that means set menus built around South African produce, seafood and meat, with Japanese techniques, precise presentation and plenty of local flavour. Drinks are taken seriously too, with a sommelier leading the service team.

The dining room is open Monday to Saturday, with lunch seatings between 12:00 and 14:00 and dinner seatings between 18:00 and 20:30. Lunch can be a slightly more relaxed way to experience the kitchen, with daylight views over the rooftops towards the mountain, while dinner suits a celebration or special night out.

Booking is essential. Reservations are made through the website, and the restaurant also takes enquiries by phone and on WhatsApp. A deposit is required, and it is refunded in full if you cancel or change the booking more than 48 hours in advance; cancellations inside that window, no-shows and reductions in party size forfeit the deposit for the guests concerned. Because the menu is set, mention allergies and dietary requirements when you book so the kitchen can plan for them.

FYN suits couples, food lovers and anyone wanting to understand where contemporary South African cooking is heading. Allow at least two and a half to three hours for a full menu. Dress is smart casual. The building is in the city centre, so it is easy to reach by taxi or ride-hailing service, and it combines well with an afternoon at the Company's Garden, the Iziko museums or a walk through the Bo-Kaap before dinner.

Cape Town's top restaurants fill up quickly in the summer season, roughly November to March, so reserve as soon as your travel dates are fixed. If dinner is full on the night you want, ask about a lunch seating instead, which can be easier to secure and offers the same kitchen.