Set the Scene
Don’t let the fact that The Pot Luck Club isn’t a new player in Cape Town belay its continued relevance on the city’s dining scene—it’s still one of the trickiest reservations to snag. Opened in 2012 in the design-forward Woodstock neighborhood on the top floor of a converted silo, the restaurant was actually a blueprint for Cape Town chefs on how to execute global small plates in a sleek space with an energetic atmosphere.
Design here is modern industrial meets glam, including a large laser-cut powder-coated steel filigree screen whose intricate cutwork is repeated on the first page of the menu. A kinetic open kitchen in-the-round—as well as the din of conversation that bounces off all those wood and metal elements in the dining room—maintains the lively, 1950s’ communal “pot luck” vibe. Thanks to expansive windows, the resto has pretty incredible views of Table Mountain and the city’s skyline—it’s almost like you’re attending a dinner party in the sky.
What’s the Food Like
Each of the globally-inspired tapas is cleverly coded with a key on the menu that shows its main flavor component(s): umami, salty, sweet, sour or fusion. Braai Broodjie is a playful take on a South African grilled cheese sandwich cooked over hot coals, with whipped feta, confit garlic and marinated olives. Handhelds include linefish and chipotle tacos and crispy hake sliders served in steamed buns with mojo dressing and miso mayo. Tender pork belly braised in coconut and peanut curry is topped with a tangy pickled onion salad and coriander oil, and squid takes a trip to Korea, glazed with Doenjang, with a gochujang-based mayo for dipping; it’s accompanied by pickled radishes, kimchi and other banchan to quench (or fuel) the heat.
Vegetarian options sub in shiitake mushrooms for the tacos, cauliflower for the sliders and broccoli in the curry. Asian pickled salad with smashed cucumbers and Togarashi fried cabbage garnished with miso crumble and sesame emulsion is perfect to sample in-between bites, and definitely order table fries, which are tossed with chickpeas, goat cheese and parmesan, with truffle aioli and roasted ketchup for dunking.
The dessert list is small but creative, including airy banana mousse with peanut butter and crunchy honeycomb and a delicate, fragrant panna cotta with elderflower, cherry sorbet and chamomile cake. Or, opt for a platter of local cheeses and a luscious glass of apricot-tinged Vin de Constance, a South African dessert wine produced since the eighteenth century.
Let’s Talk About the Drinks
Like the cuisine, drinks here fuse global and local influences and lean into umami-forward ingredients. Tom Yum pays a fitting homage to the beloved Thai hot and sour soup, with mango- and chili-infused vodka and a syrup crafted from lemongrass, galangal and Thai basil, while a sake-based sip with plum and ginger picks ups notes of baobab fruit from Bayab Gin, one of the dizzying varieties of South African gins. Fans of Rooibos—the hyper-local red, earthy “bush tea” only grown in the small, mountainous Cederberg area in the Western Cape—can get their fix via a grapefruit sparkling wine cocktail and a complex Sour with Bourbon, miso caramel and bitters.
The wine list is a virtual journey through the classic reds of Stellenbosch, robust bottles of Paarl and Swartland and elegant expressions from Walker Bay and Constantia. Start with a flute or bottle of Méthode Cap Classique, South Africa’s answer to Champagne. Signature white variety Chenin Blanc is a fascinating chameleon, producing crisp, high acid styles as well as rounder, more unctuous ones, and reds run the gamut from restrained Pinot Noir and lush, spicy Shiraz to Pinotage, with notes of dark fruit and smoke.
Final Thoughts
A reservation at The Pot Luck Club is worth it for several reasons. Epicureans who wish to understand Cape Town’s current food culture will appreciate delving into the menu of the prototype for other tapas-style spots that followed, while wine lovers will be giddy at the variety of local pours. But even diners who lack context will enjoy the inventive shareable plates—especially those whose palates are piqued by Asian flavors and umami—not to mention the views. And getting to peek into the well-choreographed workings of a frenetic restaurant kitchen is always vicarious fun. It’s worth noting, however, that couples on a date night or larger groups might be frustrated at the noise levels, which can be deafening on busy evenings, making it nearly impossible to hear anyone at the other end of the table.
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Cuisine: Global tapas-style small plates, with a focus on Asian and local ingredients.
Pricing: $$
Takes Reservations: Yes — on Dineplan
Our Favorite Dishes on the Menu: Crispy linefish tacos, Penang pork belly curry, breaded hake sliders, Asian pickled salad, panna cotta with chamomile cake
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (brunch)
Cape Town, South Africa
