Let’s face it – Capetonians love to eat. And they love to eat great food. In 2016, Cape Town was voted as the best food city in the world by Conde Nast Traveler in the popular Readers’ Choice Awards survey. Being at the top of this list is no mean feat when battling it out with culinary heavyweights such as Dubai, Hong Kong and Buenos Aires, to name a few.

We really are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining out in the Mother City. From quirky little cafes, cosy bistros to tasty tapas spots and fine dining restaurants, we truly have it all. And new places are popping up constantly. There seems to be no shortage of new restaurants and other foodie hotspots that open on practically a weekly basis.

With such a variety of restaurants, how do you choose where you’re going to eat next? I love trying out new places even though I have my firm favourites – I’m sure we all do. So when I was invited to stop by for lunch at Lily’s Restaurant, I was super excited. This chic all-day seaside eatery located on Mouille Point’s ‘Platinum Mile’ had been on my foodie bucket list since they opened their doors.

Established in April 2017, this family-friendly eatery is the newest addition to The Kove Collection, the outstanding hospitality group that boasts restaurants such as The Bungalow and Umi, along with the charming The Alphen Boutique Hotel in Constantia and uber-chic The Marly in Camps Bay.

It was a sunny winter’s day when we arrived for lunch at Lily’s. Warmly greeted by Muzi the manager, we were seated at a table just inside the restaurant that was already buzzing with lunch time guests. This speaks volumes about a newly opened restaurant when they are that busy on a Tuesday afternoon in winter. Having said that, the decibel level was quite high and made it a bit challenging to have a conversation at times. Perhaps the acoustics could do with some tweaking?

Delight in the unexpected at Lily’s – from the luxe and somewhat quirky décor to the modern, eclectic and inventive menu (think Quack Eggs, a different take on the traditional Scotch Egg). Everything fits just right. I quite like the effect of the open kitchen and bar which doesn’t intrude on the diners. I felt completely relaxed the moment we set foot inside. It’s unpretentious yet utterly glam. You’ll find a mixed bunch of diners enjoying themselves whilst chatting, eating and drinking.

When faced with a new and as yet untasted menu, I take quite a while to decide what I’m going to order. And this was no exception. Except the reason was that EVERYTHING looked and sounded so divine! This wasn’t your run-of-the-mill menu. With quirky names like ‘Quack Eggs’, ‘Broccoli, Every Which Way’ and ‘The Gun Show “Mussels”’ among others, I would’ve loved to have tasted everything on the Starter menu.

After some debate, I chose The Gun Show “Mussels”, while hubby opted for the Quack Eggs. Enjoying the relaxed and vibey atmosphere, we chatted away over a Corona beer (unfortunately hubby’s fave, Black Label, isn’t available on the menu) and a fruity, floral and light Warwick First Lady Rose 2016, when our scrumptious starters arrived. And wow, did they impress upon first glance! Taste wise? Absolute flavour bombs that sent our taste buds soaring.

I’m quite sceptical about ordering mussels as they tend to be on the less then generous side. Besides being cooked in a mouth-watering Garlic, Thyme and White Wine sauce, the mussels were deliciously plump and juicy (happy days!). As for the Quack Eggs? Well, this was no ordinary duck and egg dish – a perfectly soft-boiled egg encased by succulent shredded duck meat, coated in a crispy panko crust with a radish aioli and leafy greens. I couldn’t resist “stealing” a couple of bites while hubby wasn’t paying attention. It was so delicious that he wanted to order another one as his main dish.

Choosing our main course was no easy task. With unconventional names like ‘Epic Fish & Chips’, ‘Crispy Quack’ and ‘Holy Cow’, we wanted to sample them all! Upon asking our friendly and efficient waitress, Susan, what she would recommend for mains, she said that the Crispy Confit Duck Leg and Sesame Crust Tuna were big favourites. I’m a big duck fan and hubby adores tuna so our choices made total sense.

My Crispy Confit Duck Leg was accompanied by a super smooth and tasty Potato Puree with Peas, Mint and Gem Lettuce, the ultimate in comfort food. The generous portion was incredibly delicious with a crispy, golden skin. I could not stop tucking in till it was all finished! Hubby’s Sesame Crust Tuna was served with Sticky Coconut Rice, Wasabi Aioli, Coleslaw and Edamame Beans. The tuna was seared beautifully but for me, the overall dish lacked a flavour punch and fell a bit flat. Hubby, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoyed it.

By now, we were happily satiated but I just had to take a sneak peek at the decadent dessert menu. ‘Death By Chocolate’, ‘Espresso Your Self’ and ‘Please Can I Have S’Mores’ are some of the showstoppers on their Sweet Endings menu.

I chose to go for a lighter option with ‘The Sandwich’ – Berry Ripple Cheesecake Ice-Cream with Vanilla Cookies. And boy, was it yum! A very good choice if you can’t really eat another morsel but can’t bear to leave without satisfying your sweet tooth (PS. I shared the Vanilla Cookies with hubby).

If you’re looking for something on the lighter side other then a starter, they have a lovely variety of sandwiches and salads to choose from. For those with a food intolerance and certain dietary requirements; you’ll be very well catered for throughout the menu. Oenophiles will be doing a happy dance when they see the extensive wine list and amazing wine display. Row upon row of gorgeous wines just waiting to be opened and enjoyed – this is my version of wine heaven! Cocktails and beers are also available. For something non-alcoholic, you’ll find various smoothies, fresh juices, milkshakes, tea and coffee.

There really is something for everyone at Lily’s. It’s the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner and being so popular, be sure to make a reservation to avoid disappointment. I know I can’t wait to go back. It’s cosy and comfy in winter and I can just imagine sitting outside on a hot summer’s day, indulging in some alfresco dining with beautiful ocean views. I’d love to hear about your dining experience at Lily’s so feel free to share it with us.

Please note: Our meal was enjoyed at no cost for review purposes. All views and images are my own.