Cape Town has an incredibly vibrant restaurant scene and is the melting pot of many different cultures that give the city its charm and lure. It is the highlight of any trip to South Africa and is one of the top ten travel destinations in the world, according to the latest Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Award. While Robben Island, Table Mountain and Cape of Good Hope will take up quite a bit of time, don't miss out on the impressive variety of restaurants in different parts of the city.

Because of its multi-ethnic and multi-cultural population - 11 official languages are recognized in the constitution - it is not easy to define what the local cuisine is and the diversity is also reflected in the food. With influences from Dutch, Indian, as well as Malaysian and Indonesian cuisines, it is not surprising to see on the menu curries made with game meat; fusion is nothing new here.

In addition, South Africa is a self-sufficient country when it comes to fruits, vegetables and other natural produce. The long coastline provides an astonishing amount and variety of seafood, while the wonderful climate and fertile soil enable the growth of a wide range of agricultural products. Game farming goes without saying is prominent in the country.

I recently spent a few days in the city tasting my way through some of the highly-recommended restaurants by local connoisseurs. There were some hits and misses, and my brief visit didn't allow me enough time to come up with a definitive list of where to eat. However, I did find some wonderful restaurants to recommend and these are all in different districts of the city.

Baia Seafood Restaurant

The V&A Waterfront is Cape Town's most popular tourist attraction as it offers a combination of activities, including shopping, dining and boat cruises. Although the dining establishments there can feel like a tourist trap, you cannot find a better location for the lovely view of the harbour.

Situated at the corner of the first floor of the shopping centre, Baia is perched over the quayside with fabulous views of the waterfront. Delightful by day and charming by night, book a table by the windows or on the balcony to soak up the atmosphere.

Even though there are some great options on the menu, what the restaurant is famous for is the seafood. Go ahead and try the seafood platter; fresh langoustines, lobsters, prawns, squid and fish, all simply grilled and served together. The simple way of cooking brings out the best in the seafood and the gigantic plate of freshness will blow you away; it is quite a scene.

Address: 130 Victoria Wharf Street, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town 8002

Telephone: 021 421 0935

Harbour House Restaurant

Located at Kalk Bay, which is half way from the city centre to the southern tip of Africa, Harbour House is the perfect destination for lunch before or after a visit to the Cape of Good Hope. The floor to ceiling windows give a stunning view of Kalk Bay's working harbour. Try and get a table near the windows to see the waves crashing on the rocks right beneath you and seagulls hovering above. Look beyond the harbor and you might even see seals playing in the water, if you are very lucky.

The background to this Greek island-like spectacle are whitewashed walls and different shades of blue. Hand-written menus on the boards tell us fresh seafood just off the boats and the freshest line-caught fish are what the restaurant does best. Super fresh prawns, simply grilled with a sauce that is sticky, spicy and choked full of flavours will make you swoon, while the mussels, simply simmered in white-wine sauce are succulent and sweet. Washed down with a glass of crisp white from nearby vineyard, this meal won't cost you an arm and a leg.

Address: Kalk Bay Harbour, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Telephone: 021 788 4133

Delaire Graff Estate Restaurant

If there is one restaurant that I would definitely go back on my next trip to Cape Town, it is Delaire. At the end of the tree-lined driveway is the main building, where life sized bronze cheetahs and a panoramic view of neighbouring vineyards await guests by the entrance. Upon walking through the massive doors, one is greeted by diamonds. That's right, diamonds. Delaire is owned by Laurence Graff, the famous British jeweller. The restaurant is part of the Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch, just half an hour east of the city centre. Stellenbosch is one of the major wine areas around Cape Town, the others being Constantia, Paarl and Franschhoek.

The interior is simply breathtaking - airy, classy and modern with double height ceilings. The advanced cellar, illuminated softly with blue light, is visible along the corridor that leads to the entrance of the restaurant. The menu offers vibrant, creative cuisine, using the freshest ingredients sourced from local farms. Of the dishes I sampled, my favourite was the pickled oysters, closely followed by the famous fish and chips. The list of iconic Cape wines including Delaire's own wines are available by glass or bottle.

Delaire Graff Estate Restaurant is a pricey but definitely worthy option near Cape Town. Those who want to fully enjoy the estate can also book one of the ten lodges and enjoy an afternoon at the spa.

Address: Helshoogte Pass Road, Banhoek, Stellenbosch

Telephone: 021 885 8160

Aside from these three restaurants, there are others that I wanted to try but sadly did not have the time to do so. They include Tokara in Stellenbosch, La Colombe in Constantia, and Le Quartier Francais in Franschhoek, which have been suggested by more than a few food lovers. From Hong Kong, there is no direct flight to Cape Town. Cathay Pacific has daily direct flight to Johannesburg, from which many domestic flights depart for Cape Town daily. Just a few lingos to get you in the mood:

- bru (brew) - buddy

- howzit - how are you

- just now - just to confuse you, this does not mean immediately before but some time in the near future

An example: "Hey bru, howzit? I will see you just now." = "Hey brother, how's it going? I'll see you in a bit."

Safe travels and happy eating.