COY is housed in a stand-alone building between the Bascule Bridge and the Robinson Dry Dock. It sits on the water’s edge, offering stunning views of the luxurious marina with its grand yachts on one side and the bustle of fishing boats passing through the operational harbor on the other. Table Mountain provides an iconic African backdrop for this spectacular new dining destination.
The Often-Overlooked Ingredients
The restaurant presents a relaxed yet refined take on fine dining with a focus on Southern African cuisine. Chef Ryan, along with head chefs Geoffrey Abrahams and Teenola Govender, has been exploring, unearthing, and rediscovering Africa’s often-overlooked culinary treasures, from unique cooking techniques to forgotten ingredients.
COY’s menu offers two dining experiences: an immersive seven-course tasting menu and “the twos,” a lighter lunch option. Complementing the tasting menu is a carefully curated wine pairing, while an exceptional wine list and a selection of cocktails are also available.
Guests can look forward to dishes such as fresh tuna tartare with caramelized coconut and sugarcane, seared linefish accompanied by mussels, peri peri, and askoek, and chargrilled squid paired with pearl barley and a bold rum sauce.
For those seeking something meatier, there’s venison with sour fig and pickled pear or lamb rump served with the chefs’ take on a potjie, alongside spinach, butternut, and a skopo jus.
Provocative Interiors
The restaurant has been designed by KT Interior Architectural Studio, who have created a moody, stylish, and provocative space that brings Chef Ryan’s vision for COY to life. The dark and sophisticated interior is designed to keep the chefs’ vibrant food as the focal point while accentuating the breathtaking views of the ocean and Table Mountain, visible from every window.
A carefully curated range of finishes with strong, tactile textures complements the moody look, with contrast used to superb effect to balance the aesthetics of this powerful space with a sense of calm, style, and luxury. Notable design elements include a hand-polished fireplace set against a textured, abstract black-and-white mural by artist Melissa Dreyer, a raw steel bar with brass inlay and a curved oak top, and a visible yet discreet window into the kitchen.
Celebrate the Shoreline
COY is more than just a restaurant; it’s a celebration of local craftsmanship, the essence of African cuisine, the beauty of ingredients, and the vibrant spirit of Cape Town—hidden in plain sight.
COY is open daily from 12:00 to 21:00. Bookings are essential.
Address: Shop 151, The Scherwyn Pavilion Building, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Email:
Phone: 021 207 3278
Instagram: @coy_capetown
Facebook: Coy-Restaurant