If there’s one thing the French know how to do exceptionally well, it’s winter comfort food. And this season, The Wes Bistro & Bar is leaning all the way in.
On one of the prettiest pedestrian corners in Cape Town’s CBD, The Wes has quietly become one of the city’s most theatrical dining spots. Equal parts Parisian bistro, glamorous hotel lounge and Wes Anderson fever dream, the pastel-soaked space has built a loyal following since opening in late 2024, thanks to its playful aesthetic, polished hospitality and deeply satisfying French-inspired menu.
Now, just in time for cooler weather, the restaurant is launching a new Winter Set Menu available from May through August, offering three indulgent courses for R495 per person.
And honestly? This is the kind of menu winter was made for.
Think bubbling French onion soup topped with golden gratinée cheese, silky chicken liver parfait with toast and pickles, duck breast with celeriac mash and peppery sauce poivrade, and the kind of steak frites that deserves its own moment of silence: a juicy 200g entrecôte finished with Café de Paris butter and served with hand-cut triple-fried fries and homemade mayo.
Dessert stays firmly in classic French territory too, with vanilla bean crème brûlée and decadent profiteroles filled with vanilla ice cream and drenched in dark chocolate sauce.
But The Wes isn’t just about what’s on the plate. The space itself is part of the experience. Created by owner Megan Kritzinger, also behind Cape Town favourite Stellski Coffee Bar, the restaurant was inspired by her years spent living in Nice and her love of the relaxed, all-day culture of French cafés and bistros. The result is a restaurant that feels transportive without taking itself too seriously.
Yes, there are candy-coloured interiors, feather-filled fountains and a mural nodding to The Grand Budapest Hotel, its part of the appeal. But beneath the whimsy is a genuinely warm and welcoming spot where you can just as easily settle in for coffee and pastries as you can for martinis and a long lunch.
And speaking of martinis, drinks are very much part of the fun here. The cocktail menu is filled with cinematic references and playful touches, from Captain Steve Zissou’s Revenge to Mr Fox’s Sly Bourbon, while the wine list champions a thoughtful mix of Western Cape producers available by the glass or bottle.
The full à la carte menu continues the French bistro mood with dishes like moules marinière, pan-seared salmon with truffle pea purée, chateaubriand to share and a long list of irresistible sides including bone marrow with herb crust, roasted pumpkin with goat’s cheese and, thankfully, extra frites.
Breakfast is also served daily, making The Wes one of those rare city spots that works for almost every occasion: pastries and coffee in the morning, steak frites by candlelight at night, and cocktails somewhere in between.
The Wes is located at 55 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town and is open daily; Monday through Saturday, 7am to 11pm and Sunday from 7am to 5pm.