La Colombe: Cape Town’s Culinary Triumph

11 Nov La Colombe: Cape Town’s Culinary Triumph

Cape Town’s La Colombe has achieved a remarkable feat, ascending 45 places to secure the #49 spot on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for 2024. This impressive leap from its previous ranking of 94th in 2023 highlights the restaurant’s exceptional culinary journey.

Executive Chef James Gaag expressed his astonishment and gratitude via Instagram following the awards ceremony at Wynn Las Vegas on June 5. “We’re speechless,” he wrote. “It’s such an incredible honour for our team’s consistent work and dedication to be recognised at this level. To not only represent the La Colombe team but also our home city of Cape Town on this stage is an immense privilege. We are so grateful to the panel of judges and every diner who has walked through our doors – without you, this would not have been possible.”

La Colombe’s ascent is particularly notable as it is the only African restaurant to make the top 50 and claims the title of Best Restaurant in Africa for 2024. The ranking reflects not only the restaurant’s outstanding culinary achievements but also its significant impact on the global dining scene. In May, Cape Town’s FYN also made headlines by climbing 15 places to secure the 60th spot on the list.

The World’s 50 Best judges praised La Colombe for its “elegant dishes grounded in French technique and accented with Asian flourishes,” noting that the multi-course menu is “executed with impeccable precision, yet the experience remains playful and approachable.”

Tamsin Snyman, Chair of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy for South and East Africa, commented on Instagram, “Team La Colombe have worked incredibly hard to be on this hugely important list. I am not surprised at their ranking; it is long overdue, and they now shine a spotlight not only on their genius talent but also on our far-flung region. This will encourage more people to visit South Africa so we can showcase our culinary talents across the board and reassure everyone that we are a world-class dining destination.”