We simply had to revisit one of my favourite restaurants in Cape Town for Christmas – 1800 at the Cape Royale. Our family visited earlier in the year for Mother’s Day (read more at On Top of the World at the Cape Royale). But this time I was even more impressed than before.
Upon arrival at 1800 we were given a pink welcome drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and were greeted by name as though we were regulars. As I turned my head to the right-hand side of the entrance where the buffet was on display my jaw dropped. The display was incredible and the desserts caught my eye first and foremost (especially as a lover of all things sweet!). There were pink and green macaroons, Christmas mince pies, cream trifle, meringues, a chocolate fountain, gingerbread men and everything sweet that one could ever desire! This could easily be a display from a patisserie abroad.
Each table was decorated in a festive manner, with purple serviettes, gold crackers and gold paper hats. And these, of course, were on our heads within no time at all. During the meal, Santa came around to give all the children a gift and then all adults also received a little pink gift (Sally Williams nougat chocolates wrapped up prettily with a silver bow). This is one of the small, personal touches that makes this restaurant truly unique.
Even though the sweet things were the objects of my attention, I thoroughly enjoyed the starter and main meal too. The starter comprised a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes including a delicious aubergine and tomato-based lasagna, bacon-wrapped sausages and cheese and ham puffs. For the main meal, there was melt-in-your-mouth gammon, cranberry-infused turkey, rosemary veggies and more. The variety was just perfect and the taste, definitely out of this world.
The intimate setting of 1800 at the Cape Royale made it perfect for a pleasant Christmas; the presentation was exquisite and the service excellent. This is not an ordinary restaurant and I highly recommend it for special occasions such as Mother’s Day, Christmas or even birthday parties or functions.
Elizabeth Joss-Bethlehem
Elizabeth Joss-Bethlehem is the founder and main writer at The Museum Times. She works as a university lecturer by day and is an avid travel blogger and arts and culture enthusiast by night. Elizabeth started The Museum Times out of the need to give smaller, lesser-known museums more exposure.
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