For those of us lucky enough to reside in the cultural epicentre of Cape Town will be privy to the smorgasbord of lunch options to choose from. It’s half way through your working day in the CBD of the Mother City and your belly starts to rumble. Slowly but surely your attention begins to turn to the wide streets, bustling with the 9 to 5’ers making a quick dash from the office to grab a bite to eat. Perhaps you’re tired of grabbing a salad from the grocer on the corner of the street, or maybe you have cold feet and want to indulge in something a little more hearty. Whatever the case may be, this is a city waiting to be tasted. To help appease your appetite, Springleap explores the best places to go for lunch in Cape Town. Hudsons - The Burger Joint There’s always room for the burger market to expand. For those who work in or around the leafy suburb of Gardens or in trendy Green Point, Hudsons Burger Joint may just be the luncheon experience that suits your needs. Opening at 12 noon everyday, the restaurant picks up most of its clientele at night - so an easy in and out “quick meal” should work perfectly! The chain restaurant really knows how to make the most out of a burger and carve the most tender slabs of sizzling patties doused with toppings for Africa. The warm atmosphere and friendly service comes part and parcel of the Hudsons experience. Aptly said by the joint themselves, “there’s nothing ordinary about a Hudsons burger”… Beluga This one is for those who work in the greater De Waterkant area, fringing off to the curvature of Green Point and surrounds. Known as one of the greatest sushi experiences in Cape Town, it would be best to take advantage of their daily half-price sushi platter specials. One can expect to pay R150 to R180 for the specials, which isn’t bad at all if you consider the elegance and sophistication of sushi consumption. Expect to dine in a very prestigious setting - so is the typical lifestyle of Green Point - and be treated like a royal diplomat. Lovely hosts are at the ready to take you to your table before being introduced to your official waiter. Enjoy the vibey area scene, dip your freshly chopped sushi into a bowl of supreme soya sauce, take it all in and then head back to work with a satisfied outlook on life. Eastern Food Bazaar The student and working hub of Cape Town goes crazy for this little piece of oriental heaven. If you love the idea of spicy Eastern food at a basic cost to the consumer, look no further than the Eastern Food Bazaar in Longmarket Street in the CBD. The combination of culture that arrives at this eatery everyday for lunch is a symbol of the rainbow nation that empowers a shared platform of traditional Eastern food. The eatery is in itself a commentary on the ebb and flow of Capetonian life, bringing all people together to share the common love of their city and its inhabitants. The selection ranges from impressively large samosas, to kebabs and curries and so much more. One should not miss out on the fun dininghall experience - and you will always bump into someone you know. Gourmet Boerie At the bottom of Kloof Street, literally a 5 minute chilled stroll up from the heart of long, lies a new edition to the Cape Town lunch scene; Gourmet Boerie is probably one of the first artisanal, hand crafted boerewors restaurants to pop up in South Africa. The boerie rolls, along with the diner encompasses everything that the patriotic South African could possibly want - boeries and beer on tap. With pristine views of the mountain and a postmodern rustic decor inside and out, we recommend you give in to your inner South African pride and give this unique place a visit on your next break. Food Lovers Market We wouldn’t dare leave Food Lover’s Market out! This place is arguably Cape Town’s most famous lunch grabber. Workers from all corners of the CBD travel through the network of streets to eventually arrive at a place where option is literally infinite. Attached to the Fruit & Veg City brand, Food Lover’s is, well, a place for anyone who truly loves food. From a sushi bar, to a bakery for anyone who feels like treating themselves, a deli that serves pre-made sandwiches and subs with any filler you could think of (want it crunchy - they’ll toast it for you!) and a kitchen island dedicated to probably the freshest and most irresistible self-serve salad bar in the CBD. These eateries are a few of our favourites, but are definitely not the only ones out there! With newer, lesser known, up-and-coming places opening up on a monthly basis, the lunchtime competition is getting fiercer by the day. So essentially, if you are a CBD worker your palette is in for a treat. The video below is from Cape Town Tourism’s Youtube channel. It will tempt your tastebuds and inspire you to explore the city for the next big thing on midday eating: