Bistro Sixteen82 Drops a Fresh Tapas Menu — and It’s the Summer Hotspot You Need on Your Radar
Cape Town’s summer just got tastier. Bistro Sixteen82 at Steenberg has unveiled a brand-new tapas menu, offering a vibrant, seasonal take on sharing-style dining that celebrates local flavour, global inspiration, and easy-going indulgence.
The launch arrives at a golden moment for Steenberg, which recently earned one Michelin Key in the ‘Very Special Stay’ category — a nod to its excellence in design, service, and character.
A New Wave of Tapas, Steenberg Style
Executive Chef Kerry Kilpin and Head Chef Penny Garrod set out to build a menu that feels lighter, social, and distinctly South African — perfect for long summer afternoons and early evening drinks.
“We wanted to create light bites for guests enjoying a drink before moving on to tapas,” explains Chef Kerry.
South African-inspired dishes have performed especially well with international guests, so the team leaned in, giving these flavours their moment in the spotlight.
Easy, Playful, and Made for Sharing
The menu is neatly organised into six categories — Light Bites, South African Influenced, Vegetarian, From the Ocean, Meat, and Decadence. This makes ordering effortless and encourages a relaxed, interactive approach to dining.
Expect a mix of comfort, creativity, and serious flavour engineering — from Miso-Glazed Edamame and Artichokes with Herb Dressing to South African classics reimagined as Lamb Vetkoek, Slow-Cooked Venison, and Braai ‘Rubbed’ Corn Ribs.
Vegetarians get their own stars, including Crumbed Mushroom Skewers and Mushroom Carpaccio with toasted walnuts, furikake and sticky rice.
Seafood lovers can dive into Togarashi-Dusted Baby Patagonian Calamari, Fish Tartare, and Ethically Sourced Fish with turmeric, lime velouté and coconut salsa.
Meat fans have Char Siu Pork Skewers and Pan-Fried Chicken Livers with apricot jus to look forward to.
And yes — there’s a Decadence section, built for anyone who believes dessert should be a personality trait.
Serious Food, Light Attitude
Chef Kerry says the menu balances comfort and creativity, with dishes that feel familiar but exciting.
“It’s about connecting with the people you’re with as much as the food,” she explains.
Presentation is stylish but unfussy, and every dish is designed to be shared, tasted, and talked about.
A Commitment to Local, Seasonal & Ethical
Local ingredients remain at the heart of Bistro Sixteen82’s identity.
Kerry highlights the importance of working with ethical suppliers such as Abalobi, whose sustainable fishing practices support coastal livelihoods while protecting the ocean.
Why You Need to Visit This Summer
If you’re building your Cape Town summer bucket list, put this at the top. Here’s why:
- 🌿 Fresh, seasonal dishes perfect for hot days and long evenings
- 🍷 Effortless wine pairings with Steenberg’s award-winning wines
- 🍽️ A playful, sharing-style menu made for catch-ups and celebrations
- 📍 A stunning setting — think mountains, vineyards, and golden-hour magic
- ⭐️ International recognition with a Michelin Key to prove it
Plus, there’s something undeniably cool about eating world-class food that still feels relaxed, local, and unpretentious.
A Menu That Evolves With the Seasons
Bistro Sixteen82 will continue updating its dishes seasonally, keeping favourites like the beef tataki and prawn gambas while introducing fresh flavours throughout the year.
The goal? Keep surprising returning diners without losing the classics they love.
