For Buffet Dining In Cape Town

It was a cold and windy Thursday, and I had just completed a long and busy day. The Girlfriend, sensing my fatigue, eventually decided to climb off my face and suggested we eat something.

“What do you feel like eating?” I murmured, as I looked around frantically for my dentures. We were in the mood for something both substantial and tasty, perhaps a buffet of some kind.

“Perhaps a buffet of some kind?” I mentioned authoritively, as I could read The Girlfriend’s mind and she WAS in fact, in the mood for a buffet.

So it came to pass then, that we found ourselves at The Fountains Hotel Restaurant in the city centre.

Fountains Hotel Restaurant

The Fountains Hotel is situated near the Foreshore (close to the Absa building) and, as the name suggests, IS in fact, a hotel. What you may not know about it, is that it also offers a lively and diverse buffet menu in the restaurant, where people can walk in off the street, and then proceed to feast and dine like they did in medieval times.

The restaurant is tastefully decorated, and surprisingly spacious, able to easily host 150 people plus. When you arrive, a waitor will seat you at the table and briefly tell you what’s on offer. Because it’s a hotel, and taking into account the various clientele, the restaurant tries to cater for all tastes, and thus a diverse menu awaits.

Initially we enjoyed a Greek-style first course of various breads, dips, cheeses and olives. It was whilst going up for seconds that I noticed some fish soup, eyeing me seductively on the table to my right. Naturally I obliged and headed on over to try that out as well.

For the main course we were again spoilt for choice, with various meat dishes batting their eyelids at us in a flirtatious manner. These consisted of lamb curries, beef stews, seared chicken breasts as well as prawns, all accompanied by a large contingent of vegetable dishes such as butternut, pumpkin, noodle salads etc etc.

If that wasn’t enough, the dessert menu also succeeded in getting us hot and randy. They offer something like 10 or 11 different desserts, from decadent cheese cakes, to simple vanilla ice cream.

All in all, we had a substantial three course meal, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, which ended up coming to the not very princely sum of R150 per person, almost unheard of in Cape Town. The service was pretty jacked up as well, and ensured that our table was never filled with dirty plates or glasses.

The Fountains Hotel Restaurant is thus an awesome spot for a Sunday afternoon buffet lunch with the family, or if you’re just in the mood for a wholesome three course meal during the week. It’s certainly incredibly affordable, in comparison to other Cape Town eateries.

In addition, they have a trendy bar where you can mingle after work, offering all cocktails for only R20. I couldn’t quite believe that but I checked it out and this is in fact, the case. All cocktails for R20, and they will also make anything you ask, so it’s already on my list for top five after work hangout spots in Cape Town.

Parking is available in the adjacent Riebeek street, and the restaurant stays open till about 11pm, so be sure to make a turn there.

Shaun definitely recommends.

What: Fountains Hotel Restaurant (www.fountainshotel.co.za)
Where: 1 St Georges Mall, Cape Town. (Near the circles at the Foreshore, nearby the one with the fountains)
How Much: + - 150 per person.

Contact: +27 21 443 1100

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