Welcome
"Fresh, organic & locally sourced ingredients"
Dahlia on Regent is a small Asian Street food inspired restaurant on the golden mile in Sea Point. It is the brain child of owner and head chef Damian Dafel. Damian has travelled the world in pursuit of culinary inspiration...
While working at some of the top establishments such as La Colombe, Foxcroft, Gleneagles (Scotland) & La Tete, Damian found himself wanting to bring his own style of cooking to the world.
Damian Dafel
Owner / Head Chef
Our ethos
Quality Ingredients, Quality experience
With a focus on locally sourced, high quality ingredients, we try and ensure you are really tasting the world through a South African lense. South Africa is a fertile country with a stunning offering of fresh goods, so why look anywhere else.
Come in and enjoy!
Exclusive offer
Group Bookings
The 30 seater venue is perfect for group bookings.
Our restaurant in the Golden Mile of Sea Point is a perfect venue for birthdays and special occasions. And you can book the entire restaurant without paying venue hire fees!*
*Subject to deposit. Minimum spend required.
Rated Five Stars on TripAdvisor
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Treat yourself to some Asian-inspired food. Packed with flavour and ever single dish a winner...we're still arguing about our favorite. Will have to come back.
TravelingWithAnAppet
11/09/2020Really enjoyed this dining experience. Staff were attentive and knowledgeable. We had all the starters which all were sublime. I would say I would rate the starters AS good as... read more the noodles. The noodle flavours were full of umami and tasty without being overboard. I did feel the noodles were a touch (a mere touch) on the heavy side but totally forgivable for the fact that they are hand pulled.
Will be back for sure!eatwithemma
11/08/2020Unbelievable food! Every bite is packed with flavour! Thank you for the excellent service, we will be back soon. Next time we need to pace ourselves and save room for... read more dessert!
559torib
11/06/2020 -
Everything we ate at Dahlia on Regent was delicious! We started with some spicy wings and pork buns. The Szechuan chilli dip the buns come with deserve its own fanpage... read more to be honest because I want to put that on everything! The thick, hand pulled noodles were so satisfying, and the sauces they emerge from have you licking your bowl clean. I cannot wait for my next visit to try the rest of the dishes my mere mortal stomach did not have room for this time!
virataj
11/02/2020Dahlia on Regent.. oh my word....what a treat and a while writing this and looking at the pics, brings back the taste sensation of just a few hours ago when... read more we devoured way too much food there.. recommended by a mate, we dedcided to go try it out.
Quaint and nicely furnished this Asian inspired, street food, hand pulled noodle bar serves up some truly incredible dishes. Think along the lines of Sichuan chili oils, sesame, daikon, bok choy, Nappa cabbage, chinkiang black vinegar to name just a few flavors that stood out to me..
We ordered the smashed cucumber, which was bulky fresh, crispy slices of cucumber, drenched in a Chinese black vinegar sauce with Several other tasty ingredients.. after devouring the cucumber, i unashamedly lifted the bowl, to slurp up the left over sauce...luckily my fellow foodies at the table know me well enough to turn a blind eye to this behavior...
The Hong Kong chicken wings were an absolute hit with my 2 fellow foodies, and usually this style is not really for me, as itโs a sticky sweetish 5 spice sauce, and i donโt generally like the sweet part, but add some freshly squeezed lemon juice over it and the sourness I love so much was back with a vengeance, the meat literally falling off the bones. You have to eat this with your hands, as itโs finger licking good...and if you donโt mess this sauce over your face or get some of it on the table and your clothes, you not eating it correctly. Think devour.....
Then to my ultimate taste fantasy, of tuna salad.. look, this is not a normal salad, itโs a Szechuan inspired creation of chunky bite sized portions of tuna, pickled daikon, and radish, and a flavorful mayo of something that gave me Instant and multiple mouthgasims. Place the tuna and Mayo and other ingredients, onto a crisp baby cos lettuce leaf, shove as much as you can into your mouth.. now this is a taste bomb of note and also my favorite dish of the lunch...
At this time we should have stopped, yet we still decided to order some noodles main, of course, as we were at a hand pulled noodle bar after all..
Biang Biang (Google these, they are known as one of the eight strange wonders of Shaanxi Province in China, long wide belt like hand pulled noodle.....)braised short rib Noodles and 2 x Dan Dan Pork noodles which consisted of Sichuan and sesame Dan Dan(passionately hand pulled noodles) crispy pork mince and mustard leaf, an a Bunch of other secret Ingredients that created a symbiotic taste sensation.... added some extra chilies on the side, and my only complaint was that I could not finish the dish, as it was just too much food.. also pissed off with myself that I didnโt leave space for dessert, cause not having a sweet tooth, my dessert would have been an extra savory course, of Tuna salad for sure..
What makes this experience so much more heartfelt and special, Is that the Owner and head chef Damian opened before lockdown, and as so many small Restaurants need our support now.. you can see by the food and when he comes to chat to you at the table, that food is his passion, and he is so very proud of the food he serves you.
Honestly, I was not expecting such a great food experience and thought, this is just another noodle bar... how wrong was I... we will be back and supporting this young talented chef who WILL be going places.....
Oh. As we left the table next to us ordered the crispy Katsu chicken Sando with kimchi dressed cabbage, nanjing and chips... itโs basically a chicken sandwich, Asian street food style, served wrapped in tin foil, split into 2 portions.. this looked delicious as well and I had to resist the urge to get this as a takeaway for dinner... now I am regretting that decision...but maybe we may just go try that tomorrow....
Thanks Damian.Stewart_Stoffel
10/25/2020Beef ribs with noodles and a slice of coconut cake hit the spot!
the menu is small but lovely, fresh and unpretentious as are the people.
no fussing, big portion.
... read more /> small but nice selection of wines.
good covid behavior.
forgot to check the bathroom for hand paper towel running water and soap as I do but will do when I go back soon ๐BergerN3
10/19/2020 -
Fantastic flavors, kind service, unique atmosphere. If you are looking for a place where the food starts a conversation this is the spot for you!
kittisafranek
10/18/2020Went to lunch on a Saturday afternoon. Full Covid protocols observed.
The menu is small but the portions are big. Very attentive service from the wait staff but the... read more service and interaction with chef/owner, Damian, is what makes the experience extra special. Its nice to know when your patronage is appreciated!!!!
My first time experiencing these taste sensations - I'm more the Thai, Chinese eater. I was amazed at the taste. All very different but very enjoyable because it was full of flavour.
The decor is gorgeous - a small and intimate restaurant - makes you feel like you sitting in a restaurant overseas. I was especially impressed with the restroom :)).
Wishing Dahlia the very best in the coming season.anushiam
10/05/2020Unpretentious and delicious. Snacks, giant bowls of hand pulled noodles all really hitting the spot. Incredibly reasonable. Modest selection of good wine and beers.
The screening process and sanitisation was... read more unobtrusive and thorough. The FOH staff were slick and polite. Definitely coming back soon.BenBussmann
10/02/2020 -
Went for lunch with friends after they re-opened with the new menu. Banging flavours and vibe. Great value for money. Highly recommend.
623dalem
9/28/2020We absolutely loved our dinner at this tiny gem of a restaurant in Seapoint. Every dish was tastier than the next and the Chef was super friendly and welcoming and... read more help us choose all the right dishes. You can tell that he cooks with love and is not shy with his spices. Super friendly waiter and great music/vibe!!!!
foreverluxurytravel
9/27/2020Chef Damian has done an incredible job of taking some traditional chinese meals an turning them into absolute taste sensations. All the noodles are handmade and can be watched as... read more they are pulled and delivered with expertise. I will definitely be coming back!
jefstergb
9/27/2020 -
We made a spontaneous little stop at this little gem. The food was so beautifully plated, fresh and delicious. We were looked after so beautifully and the chef
kindly... read more came to speak to us and sent us his signature chicken wings to try - divine!!!. This eatery speaks to a personal touch thats needed right now - cant wait to go back.NickyD631
9/20/2020The venue is lovely, intimate and relaxed. The staff are immediately warm and welcoming, as is the head chef who is spectacular! Huge flavors and a wonderful, playful take on... read more fine dining was what we got. Portions are generous for the price and Iโm still full after sharing three small plates with my friend. Couldnโt be happier with my experience here if I tried.
Callangrecia
3/14/2020We were really looking forward to our meal at Dahlia as the restaurant had some good write ups.
I guess we went on the wrong night. They advertised Picanha as... read more a special and 3 out of four of us selected it.
About 15 minutes after taking our order, when we were expecting to be served our meal, the waitress returned to inform us that they did not have any more Picanha.
So we odeered something else which was not very memorable and quite greasy.
One dessert only was offered, a chocolate slice. Equally unmemorable.
A long and uncomfortable evening and overpriced meal.
Sorry, we did not enjoy this experience.MAW-716
3/13/2020 -
I went to Dahlia on Regent for a welcome back to Cape Town dinner and we could not have chosen a better suited restaurant. Staff were very friendly, great atmosphere,... read more Damian the chef came out to make sure everything was going well, and most importantly the food was beyond delicious! I donโt have one complaint. The dishes are well priced and good portions, we shared plates. Everything was so tasty and I will most definitely be back for another meal!
ATerblanche123
3/13/2020We were really looking forward to our meal at Dahlia as the restaurant had some good write ups.
I guess we went on the wrong night. They advertised Picanha as... read more a special and 3 out of four of us selected it.
About 15 minutes after taking our order, when we were expecting to be served our meal, the waitress returned to inform us that they did not have any more Picanha.
So we odeered something else which was not very memorable and quite greasy.
One dessert only was offered, a chocolate slice. Equally unmemorable.
A long and uncomfortable evening and overpriced meal.
Sorry, we did not enjoy this experience.Mark W
3/13/2020 -
An intimate venue with innovative food. The bowls are made to be shared and the flavors delight. A charming waitress made the evening perfect. Having overheard that I was celebrating... read more my birthday, she presented our table with a complimentary chocolate tart dessert that was heaven......not too sweet with hints of orange. My compliments to the chef.
AngelaK3212
3/08/2020 -
Damian could be another Reuben with a different and very modern approach to food. Great fusion tastes. Loved it. Jill and Mike Smith.
Europa1950
3/06/2020Food and service was very good. Very chilled music, great atmosphere. A real hidden gem. A competitor to my favourite restaurant in London
N5611DCjasonh
2/28/2020Excellent and creative dishes with friendly service from the talented staff. Iโve enjoyed quite a few dishes on the continuously changing menu. The oysters, mushroom risotto and bang bang bowl... read more have been my favourites but still difficult to compare the interesting cuisine. Relaxing atmosphere with a hilarious chef should you be so lucky to meet Damian. Iโd recommend to anyone visiting Cape Town or simply driving through looking for a fantastic gem. Congratulations Dahlia, you've done it
Chadventures93
2/19/2020 -
Had dinner at Dahlia last night. The menu is varied and inspired. We chose 4 dishes between 2 of us and each was splendid. Our particular favourites were the mussels... read more in Thai curry and lamb chop. The flavour combinations were delicious. We are only in Cape Town for 3 more nights and one of them will definitely be revisiting Dahlia.
A363NDrachelb
1/24/2020Had dinner at Dahlia last night. The menu is varied and inspired. We chose 4 dishes between 2 of us and each was splendid. Our particular favourites were the mussels... read more in Thai curry and lamb chop. The flavour combinations were delicious. We are only in Cape Town for 3 more nights and one of them will definitely be revisiting Dahlia.
RookieandSB
1/24/2020Dahlia is different, not same old same old. Damian the chef patron has devised a menu that is so tantalising that it is difficult to restrict your choices. The menu... read more is made up of generous tapas sized dishes that are exciting. Originating from different areas of the Mediterranean tantalising in their textures and flavours. The restaurant is small but so personal and the chef /patron came out to explain the menu which was essential. Dishes that expand your culinary parameters are so exciting and here is a restaurant that is in it's early development and tests your taste buds. Excellent.
molarman_2
1/18/2020 -
a great new gem in seapoint. everything we tried was interesting and very good. nice service, lovely decor, prices reasonable. wine list should be improved, not very exciting . as... read more well as the booking system, format of date when booking difficult to guess and then too many emails
nicolas s
1/17/2020Took my husband and visiting family to Dahlia on Regent in early January, a tiny restaurant on Sea Pointโs trendy strip. Unique one off dishes, good vegetarian options.. we ordered... read more a few to share and each one was tasty and unusual.
Our waitress was friendly, super responsive and enthusiastic about the food and the chef
We thoroughly enjoyed the cosy ambiance and delicious fare..highly recommendedyvette894
1/08/2020The food produced by such a small team, the flavours put together by Chef Damian,the atmosphere, staff all of it was,so beautifully presented. The waiters are friendly and accommodating and... read more Head Chef comes to your table to discuss your meal, it's a 5 star experience without the 5 star price. Wonderful evening! Thank you.
jubes_pauling
1/08/2020
On the Gram
Location
- 77 Regent Road, Seapoint
- 087 470 0296
- Wed & Thurs (Dinner Only), Friday - Sunday (Lunch & Dinner)