Top 5 Roadhouse Restaurants in Cape Town

We all fond memories of visiting drive-in restaurants and roadhouses as children yet most of us don’t make an effort to visit these spots now, as adults. Sadly many of the drive-in restaurants we used to visit as kids have closed down, but luckily there are still a few gems hiding in the Mother City! With social distancing still being the order of the day, drive-in restaurants and roadhouses, where you can dine safely in your car, are the type of nostalgia we all need right now. So, we searched high and low to bring you this list of awesome, must-try drive-in restaurants and roadhouses in Cape Town, so you’ll miss an opportunity to take a drive down memory lane again!

1. Burger Fair – Bellville

Burger Fair Cape Town — A bright and colourful destination.

If you haven’t been to Burger Fair in the northern suburbs yet, then you are truly missing out on an exceptional experience. Jack Parow bought Bellville’s Burger Fair back into the limelight with his music video for Cooler as Ekke and now hungry customers head to the spot in the droves whenever they feel like a retro burger and milkshake fix. The best thing about visiting Burger Fair has got to be that they still serve your food in an old-school food tray attached to your car window! The portion sizes at this spot are generous and diners can choose from a wide range of burgers, sarmies and shakes such as the Hawaiian Burger and chips, Yankee Dog and chips, strawberry or banana milkshake, and Milo shake.

Burger Fair is open from 09:15 – 00:15 Mondays to Thursdays, from 09:15 – 01:45 on Fridays, 09:15 – 01:15 on Saturdays and from 09:15 – 22:45 on Sundays.

For more information, visit their website.
Tel: 021 948 3434
Address: Corner of Park Street & Strand Road, Bellville, Cape Town.

2. Wembley Roadhouse – Athlone

This fully Halaal spot has become quite an institution in Cape Town and is famous for the killer Wembley Whopper (a burger with a chunk of Prime-cut steak, topped with braised onions, and sliced potatoes). You can either wait for a waiter to come to your car window or order from the window in front.

Other favourites from the menu include the Double Hot Dog (two extra-long juicy grilled viennas on a toasted roll served with potato chips covered with tomato sauce), Pumpkin and Banana Fritters and the Mutton Salomi (Deboned leg of lamb in a corn wrap. As for the drinks, locals say you can’t leave without trying the Falooda (a cold and sweet drink made by mixing rose syrup, jelly pieces, vermicelli, ice-cream and milk, topped with subja seeds) and the Wembley Crush (a refreshing sweet drink of milk, jelly pieces and vanilla ice-cream topped with sprinkled nuts).

Updated trading times during advanced lockdown level 3 for Wembley Roadhouse are: 10:00 – 22:00 Monday – Thursday, 10:00 – 23:00 Fridays (closed 12:30 – 14:00), 10:00 – 23:00 Saturdays, 11:00 – 22:00 Sundays.

For more information, visit their website. or Facebook page.
Tel: 021 697 1435
Address: Wembley Centre, 21 Belgravia Road, Athlone, Cape Town.

3. Cosy Corner – Wynberg

This spot is known for its incredible Gatsbys (in fact some might say they have the best in town) but did you know they also serve up a mean burger? Try the Fried Masala Rump Steak Burger with chips and salad or the Chargrilled Beef Burger with chips and salad for a real burger fix. Don’t forget to top it off with delicious Banana Split. If burgers aren’t your thing then try one of their yummy hot dogs and chips – the Double Hotdog and chips, topped up with a dash of Mango Atchaar is always a winner. And, if you’re thirsty the Double Thick Milkshakes in a variety of different flavours are also a must-try!

Cosy Corner is open from 09:00 – 01:00 every weekday (closed from 12:30 – 13:30 every Friday) and 09:00 – 03:00 Saturdays and Sundays.

For more information visit their website or Facebook page.
Tel: 021 797 2498
Address: 19 Ottery Road, Wynberg, Cape Town.

5. Hillcrest Roadhouse – Durbanville

If you’re looking for something completely new and different this will be right up your alley. Hillcrest Restaurant in Durbanville has announced it will be transforming its offering into the Hillcrest Roadhouse Restaurant. The restaurant’s parking area will be converted into a drive-in style area with guests enjoying meals and a movie on a “Monster Big Screen”.

Hillcrest took to its Hillcrest Quarry Facebook page to announce the news with a planned opening for Friday 10 July, 2020. The concept is hoping to host 100 cars for a movie and roadhouse experience with hungry customers placing orders for food and having it delivered to their cars. Hillcrest explained it would be screening “old school movies”, varying from comedies to action films with screenings taking place on on the weekend – Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – with two screenings on a Saturday.

Read the full story on WomenStuff here. For updates visit the Hillcrest Quarry Facebook page.

5. WhattaBurger – Dark Kitchen

Ok, this one isn’t exactly a Roadhouse but you can order delicious burgers for collection or delivery from new dark kitchen concept WhattaBurger and eat it in your car roadhouse style. Why not place an order and drive to your favourite beach to enjoy your meal with a view?

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With a selection of eleven value-for-money 130g burgers from the creators of the famous Gibson’s Burger, WhattaBurger is sure to satisfy any craving. All burgers are chargrilled to perfection with Gibson’s secret basting and seasoning and served on a home-baked bun with their secret no 6 sauce and house-pickled deli cucumber. The menu offers a choice of beef, chicken, vegetarian and vegan options and fries can be ordered as a side sprinkled with Gibson’s popular seasoning.

Orders can be placed on UberEats, Mr Delivery, or directly from the Slick Restaurant Group website. Read the full story on WomenStuff here.

READER RECOMMENDATIONS:

Need more great places to grab a road-side bite? The WomenStuff readers gave us the scoop on their favourite roadhouse eateries. We’ll continue to add to this list as the suggestions roll in.

The Grillfather – Mitchells Plain, Kuils River, Woodstock

Suggested by reader Hoosain Tajoodien, the Grillfather is a legendary grillhouse in Cape Town. Home of the famous Tsek Burger and the Yoh Burger, the Grillfather was started in Shane Swiegelaar’s garage at his home in 2017. Within months, Swiegelaar had moved to a more formal premises in Westridge Centre where he fired up the grills to serve Mitchells Plain with his famous juicy grilled burgers. Swiegelaar sadly passed away earlier this year but his legend lives on through his chain of much-loved restaurants. Due to lockdown restrictions, the restaurant is currently trading with limited hours but orders are also available for delivery or order and collect, roadhouse style. Find their updated operating times here.

M & D Pizza – Mitchells Plain

Suggested by Pasche Shune Dreyer Adonis, M & D Pizza is the place to go for wood-fired pizza in Mitchells Plain. This road-side hang out operates from a little takeaway window but don’t let the humble exterior fool you, M & D Pizza enjoys legendary status amongst its fans. The small home-run business opened its doors in 2010 and has been growing from strength-t0-strength ever since with fans hailing their pizza as the “best pizza’s ever and good value for money.” The spot has introduced a smaller lockdown menu for the time being. Find the updated menu here.