Cape Town is full of restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes that are well worth a visit. But with all of the choices on offer, it can sometimes become quite difficult to choose. If you’re after a relaxed American-style dining experience, complete with friendly service, comfy dining booths, and entertaining décor, be sure to visit the following diners in Cape Town.

Sticky Fingers, Rondebosch

Just a few years after the launch of its Observatory branch, a new Sticky Fingers diner has opened up in Rondebosch. If you’re after a full plate of food (with all the tasty grease to match) in a laidback setting, Sticky Fingers is the place for you. Step inside this warm diner to find red and white chequered tablecloths reminiscent of a familiar American diner. The walls lined with stylized Madonna posters, fairy lights, and a humorous dollar bill with Tupac’s face in the centre will tell you that this is not a pretentious eatery, but a warm, fun loving diner for those who enjoy having good food and a good time.

Just one look at the menu will have you stuck for choice. First and foremost famous for their mouth-watering wings and ribs, Sticky Fingers also offers burgers, salads, chilli poppers, and sandwiches. Pair your meal with your choice of tasty sides like beer battered onion rings, cheese fries, salad greens, mushroom cheese fries, or grilled corn on the cob. If you’re like me and you simply cannot choose, go with a combo which offers a selection of each. Fancy yourself a creative foodie? Why not suggest your ideal burger to the very friendly staff and if it sells, you may just find it listed on the menu – named after you, of course!

There is only one rule when visiting Sticky Fingers: you simply cannot leave without trying their mouth-watering milkshakes. They have a selection of all the usual flavours like strawberry, chocolate, coffee, and banana, as well as Horlicks, Snickers, Bar One, Ferrero, Nutella, Choc-Chip, Romany Mint, Tennis Biscuit, and Oreo (which I highly recommend), each served with a roasted marshmallow on top. I simply cannot wait to go back for more!

Sticky Fingers is located at 28 Main Road, Rondebosch. It is open for lunch and dinner (sit down and takeaway) Monday – Sunday. For more information, contact +27 (0)21 685 4444 or email info@stickybbq.com

Joe’s Easy Diner, Blue Route & Canal Walk

Joe’s Easy Diner is a relaxed retro-American diner that captures the essence of the 1950s. Seat yourself at a table, booth, or a stool at the counter and select your favourite tunes from the genuine restored ‘Dime-Selector’ juke box.  As with most American diners, you can watch the food being prepared right before your eyes in the open kitchen as you browse the affordable menu.

The menu offers a selection of tasty offerings like all-day breakfasts, chicken, beef, and veggie burgers, chicken strips, hot dogs, salads, and a varied kids menu. Delicious sides like onion rings, chilli cheese fries, sweet potato fries, and more can be ordered along with your main meal. Treat your taste buds with desserts like double berry sundaes, brownies, cheesecake, waffles, and more. The drinks menu is just as varied with options like fruit juice, tea, coffee, melts, and shakes in flavours like coffee, toffee, peanut butter, vanilla, chocolate, banana, strawberry, mocha, Oreo, and mint. If you feel like something slightly stronger, you can try one of Joe’s alco-shakes with dark rum and chocolate or Amarula, or browse the beer and wine list.

Joe’s Easy Diner is open from 09h00 – 23h00 at Blue Route, and 09h00 – 22h00 at Canal Walk. Contact +27 (0)21 712 8898 (Blue Route) or +27 (0)21 555 1575 (Canal Walk) for more information.

Starlite Diner, Bellville

The Starlite Diner in Bellville is the first of its kind in South Africa, and it’s open ALL DAY EVERY DAY. Step inside the diner to find an interior filled with 50’s inspired décor, complete with cosy dining booths. The menu will not disappoint with options like burgers, wraps, pizzas, pastas, as well as many reasonably priced main courses such as oxtail, eisbein, and curry.

Starlite Diner has a special running on almost every day of the week, such as a kiddies special, happy hour, ladies night, burger night, or pizza specials. Start your gourmet experience with starters ranging from mozzarella sticks, calamari, and chicken wings, to crumbed mushrooms, nachos, and potato boats. Complement your meals with sides like mashed potato, bacon and cheese fries, onion rings, coleslaw, or sautéed mushrooms.

This diner is a stop of choice for those after a big night out, with tasty breakfasts like omelettes, bacon and eggs, waffles, pancakes, and French toast. The diner also offers a range of sweet treats such as old fashioned milkshakes (strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, coffee, and lime), as well as delicious malts and fruit shakes. There is a limited wine list, served by the bottle and glass.

You will find Starlite Diner at 15 Mispel Street, Bellville. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, contact +27 (0)21 949 6864.

When exploring Cape Town, be sure to head to one of these fantastic diners to refresh and fill up your empty bellies!