Review Marco's African Place - Cape Town Central

Kristina Reuber

It was a fun dinner with great live music by musicians who incorporate the crowd. The food was excellent, my first try of springbok, kudu, and ostrich. Both the pinotage and the gin cocktail were good.

Arianna Acciarino

GREETINGS FROM ROME! A memorable experience! The food was really good, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. We tasted fired worms, different types of meat, and side vegetables and we enjoyed all the plates! The staff was kind and always happy to explain to us the food we were eating. The live music band was awesome, we sang and danced... No better way to start our last night in Cape Town!

Rajiv Joshi

Whilst clearly a tourist trap in terms of pricing and atmosphere, I’d definitely recommend Marco’s. The portions were huge, the live band with dancing made the entire night fun and the traditional African beer was tasty and very different. Overall, I’d recommend this place as a tourist, you won’t regret it!

Chris K (Queen M)

I recommend this restaurant for traditional African foods. We had kudu, ostrich, road runner chicken, lamb stew, spinach, chakalaka without sardines, mang’ina, and beans. The amarula coffee (double shot) was amazing too. Lots of tasty wines and other cocktails. Our server, Chichi was great and we met Trevor too. Very friendly staff. To top it all off, the entertainment was great! It starts around 7:30. My only request is that they make the Malawian flag 🇲🇼 visible just like the rest of them 😃

Shirley L.

Very nice food and entertainment! The band was really good, real African vibes with beautiful sounds. Food was really nice, especially the different types of meat!

Patrick Eckstein

Food is rather simple and very good. But you should definitely come for the atmosphere. We went on Tuesday and had live music by an African band (mixture between pop, salsa and African songs) and the vibe was so full of energy, amazing! Food and drinks prices are fair, you'll be charged R25 per person as an entertainment charge. They have crocodile, springbok and ostrich and also a few vegetarian options. Rather busy on a Tuesday night.

Jatharine Mercado

We are international guests: the food was great coming from a vegetarian and a meat eater. The highlight was the entertainment: Ubuntu marimba band. Made my night! Thank you!

Jeremy Saal

Marco's was highly recommended to us by our airbnb host. The food, drinks, and service were excellent. There was live music when we arrived so we chose to have our dinner on the bar side. It looked like everyone was having a great time, but we wanted a more peaceful meal as it was our first night in Cape Town. It was great to hear the music at a lower volume while enjoying our conversations. The springbok was my absolute favorite. It was served with ostrich and kudu, which were also great. The drinks are very generous and the prices were excellent. This will likely be our first stop the next time we are in Cape Town.

Fatima Alobeidli

I recommend trying the various grilled vegetables platter, grilled ostrich meat pieces, and chicken pasta

Rofhiwa Mudau

Since the earliest of days in our stay in Cape Town, Marcos African Place has been the best place for us. The meals served here are wonder either for individual, couple, family or group of colleagues. This is the best place to taste good food in the Mother City. Either you have called in to book your table, or you find yourself being a walk in, Marco’s African Place will have a place for you. Back to my experience, I really love this place and always looking forward to the next meal. The staff members are very good, dressed in African clothing and they are always eager to assist. Go experience this yourself…

Brian Uzande

The food and experience is good however their's a lot to be desired on the service delivery. I believe in an establishment team work is of utmost importance. 4 waitresses pass by trying to get their attention but they make it look like you're invisible. I nearly walked out as JUST MY BILL was not being handed to me. Other than that, top notch experience

Kelvin Bastow

One of the best restaurants I have been to. Food was superb and great value. And the live music in the evening was just fantastic!

Peter Zangerle

This restaurant gives you the South African atmosphere per excellence. Serving 30 people a la carte is not easy, but service has been excellent and the platter fantastic. The better one of the 2 restaurants.

Madame Shugga D Rosenbloom

Finally stopped there because I was told I could find some Okra Soup. Nope! However, the restaurant has an Absolutely lovely decor! The meal was delightfully tasty. Although the Salmon portion and salad was a tad bit small for the price. The South African beer was on point (Eastern). The entertainment was excellent and customer was pleasing. There is live entertainment daily 5-9. A R25 cover charge is added to your bill. If you arrive at 4 and leave at 5:30 you will be charged if you are there to sit and dine. Very nice bar as well. I really wish I would've entered this restaurant weeks ago...but I'm glad I finally did. Oh, and I purchased a T-shirt! A taste of authentic South Africa from South Africans. Here is a tip. Please tip your table service at least 18% and tip the band. Support the arts!

Mpho Selepe

Nice traditional South African food restaurant, the food is on point and live performance is even more on point and very entertaining. There is a designated free of charge parking lot closer to the premises. The waitress was a bit rude by demanding a tip it was a complete turn off, let the patrons decide if you get a tip or not and you will always get a tip if you are nice to your customers. Otherwise I would have gave it a 5 star.

Claire Johnson

We stopped here as part of a Viator tour on the nightlife of Cape Town. It’s entertaining and I had the ostrich fillet which was cooked well, tender and tasty. We had been to GOLD the night before. If I had to choose between the two in my tourist experience, I’d choose GOLD because the service was much faster and there is more entertainment but it was nice to experience Marco’s, too.

Claus Schuh

At first sceptic, turned out to be a good decision !! Good variety of dishes, portions could be a little larger, nice compositions, very tasty! Live music was also very nice. I can recommend.

Nonkululeko Kawawa Khoza

I make sure that when I'm in CT town I visit Marcos as it has been my favourite place since 2012, the last time I was there was 2014 and I must say that the standard has dropped. More on the food side. Firstly, the menu has change drastically even the presentation of the food and portions served. It took an hour and half for our food to come. The concentration was more on the tourists group's that were there and us as couples were ignored. We were not the chef's priority. By the time the group we came with finished their main meal after they had a started, our food only came then. When the food came it was cold, I had to request the waitress to warm it up and it tasted blare, lacked salt and the steam bread/dombolo was very dry. Other than that, the ambiance is Lovely, the Marimba group still rocks and they might be the only reason I will visit Marcos in the near future.

Yanelisa ZamaTenza Maboza Maboza

We really enjoy with my family with all of us it was the first time to be on Marco's African place really it was the best experience ever. now my concern is that y dont u guys alert a customer before a customer eat and finish the food that it is a must for the customer to pay these following things 1.using menu you gonna pay i think R25 per table 2.10% of your bill must be paid last one R175 of intertainment must be also paid Those things for the sake of those people who is their first time to go there like us yesterday atleast a waiter before giving you the menu should explain those things plz

Ipshita Chakravarty

One of the best finds in Cape Town; was suggested by a local of course! Me and my hubby absolutely loved it. This place will give you a very positive vibe and a glimpse to African art and music. The servers were very courteous and you will get a variety of local as well as continental food options. They also have an elaborate drinks menu to choose from. Overall a must visit if you are in Cape!!

Clemz Mareme

I was very excited about the place seeing that it attracted so many tourists and also high profile people. After getting there on Monday, the ambiance was warm and welcoming. However, certain issues really made me dislike the place. Our drink orders took very long to come, the waiters never even said anything to update us on our drinks. Then our food came through, I ordered a well done Ramp Steak, came back very bloody amd raw. Was not impressed that whilst the group members was eating, I had to wait for my food. Then my food came back, the mushroom source was lovely, until I found a plastic in my source. Very disgusted but I was tired of complaining and removed it from my plate and ate the small piece Rump Steak Then furthermore, one of my group members was drinking Hunters Dry, the two dumpies that came through were very flat, looked expired. Poor lady ended up drinking for something that she was not planning on drinking. The group members all complained that the food was dry and not properly seasoned, lacked salt. We who don't eat raw salt ended up having to pour it due to lack of choice. The HIGHLIGHT of my day on visiting Marcos was the MARIMBA GROUP. They were awesome and very talented. Big ups to them!!!

Frank Farai Marozva

The vegetarian dish was awesome (vegetarian plata) never had anything like it in my past 18years as a vegetarian. The music was also on point. Love the African style from the dishes to the marimba music...

Mseki Mangco

Morco's African Place is absolutely the best resturant to be at, the african food was really amazing, the marimba music was stunning also. I would recommend the place to anyone else who hasn't been. Keep it up guys�

Taine Santos

I was having lunch and I found a hair on my plate. Since I had eaten almost everything, they did not exchange my plate and did not even return my money. It was disgusting!

Joanne Pudan

Great food, Dennis our waiter was fabulous and the music amazing! Would recommend this again to anyone wanting a proper piece of Africa on their holidays!

Vicky Henry

One of Cape Town's hidden treasures. The food was amazing. The service excellent and the atmosphere vibrant. Definitely adding this place to my "favourites" list.

Jonathan Lunga

Waiter took too long to attend to us after we have been sitting for more than 15 mins, i had to ask 3 different people for someone to come to us, finally the waiter came and he was good, but when he brought the food pap was cold ful of lumps, chicken had no salt on the other hand music was good enjoyed it alot .

Bonnie Brand

Simple food that is simply delicious. We thoroughly enjoyed the African platter & can't rave enough about the Ox tongue!! The umngqusho was also delicious: all this being evident by our empty plates 🥘🇿🇦😍

Sobi Mafatle

It is the best place and the atmosphere change the mood of the customers. My experiences never influenced badly by any services, and service is of utmost best. I love the bar area also, soccer channels keeps entertaining with it's cultural music played and live music wonderful.

Thandeka Nzimande

Lovely food, awesome vibe. I'll definitely recommend this place and visit again when in town.

Vusi Ngcobo

Great African restaurant with great food and great African music to keep you entertained. I found it hard to leave the place.

John Jerrin Babu

I really loved the food, i had something game meat and it was amazing. But most of all there was a wonderful African band which was the best part. I loved very second of it � would definitely recommend it to anyone who gets the opportunity.

Lilian Beydals

No words can describe this.... definitely a place to visit. Day 1, I can’t imagine that this dinner experience can be exceeded coming weeks.

Fab-x Browny Hempe

It was my first time coming to your restaurant. After we have ordered our meals and we had drinks. We were told to 20 fee for the band that we ddnt even ask for funny we ddnt know about this fee. What was unacceptable the manager tried to persuade us and that spoiled my night and I ddnt even enjoy my meal. For that matter I had to ask for doggy bag

Tshepo Mogotsi

As a South African, it takes a lot to go to a restaurant to eat food you can make at home. But Marco’s came recommended. I was a little disappointed to be met with a mish-mash of African curios disguised as decor. The ancient cutlery & crockery didn’t help matters much either. I ordered ulusu (tripe) with samp & beans & it was enjoyable enough but I’ve had far better. My wife ordered oxtail with steamed bread. The spices used in the oxtail were really delicious but the meat was tough, as though it could have benefited from an hr longer on the stove. As much as I hated the interior, taking a quick look at the photos of former patrons on the wall let’s me know that I might be in the minority

Cynthia

For authentic African cuisine this is the place. Awesome food my favourite is the tripe with a serving of pap, but you can't go wrong with the other offering on the menu. Good entertainment with the live band and service is good.

GEONHEE KIM

They are amazing! The food is delicious, performance is good - they start at 7:30. You can get all sort of african food such as mofani warm, sheep head etc. I opted for marco’s lamb, it was tender and went nicely with pap. For desert I had malva pudding, it was delicious as well. For the bad part, the presentation of food is slightly lacking although food is tasty. Also you should expect to pay tourist price cause it’s popular tourist spot in Cape Town.

Isabel Alfredo

The atmosphere in this place is the best!!! Friendly and energetic staff, the food however is a little disappointing, but overall I had a great time here

Kay

The vibe & the service are top 2. The performers are very entertaining. The food is ok. So if you’re looking for a great evening out with some dancing, this is the place. I prefer going week nights.

Alex

Is definitely a touristic place so don't go there if you expect the real deal. The music is usually good as the food but you are basically eating really simple food for crazy prices

Ntshembo Nkuna

Really did take me back home, but the prices😖😖😖. I am not the target market for this place😂😂😂, especially cos I've been exposed to "African cuisine" my whole life and I have never had to pay that much😐. Great food and vibe though 👌

Makgalake

First of all the marimba band's performance was amazing. Truly highlight of the evening. The decor did give an authentic African feel. Our server was attentive and the entire staff is generally friendly. I found the food to be average. One of my friends who was out with us did say they usually do a better job, but I'll have to rate them on my experience. I would pay them another visit purely for the marimba band.

Patience

Great food, entertainment and the staff are very friendly. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who has never been there yet to definitely go and enjoy. You won't be disappointed at all.

Abs

If you are in Capetown and in the mood for African food , be sure to visit Marcos .. I enjoyed the lamb stew served with samp and vegetables. Not on the fancy side at all ! I think there's room for improvement in terms of the deco and maybe keep the place looking more interesting . Albeit I had good food .

Elle Mbadaliga

The perfect place for African food. This place celebrates my heritage through their traditional african dishes. My favourite dish is the oxtail curry. The 'Entrees' meals are great for sharing, allowing you to have a bit of everything if you're there with someone. The waiters are very friendly. It's very chilled during the week. This is my go to place when I feel like having Pap.

Bevan Hope

Marco's is a great place to take tourists who want to see live music and eat african food. For me personally it's far too loud to the point that you can hardly talk to the person sitting next to you, so maybe the perfect place to take people like your mother-in-law or annoying colleagues whom you have nothing good to say to them. The food is pretty good for the most part. Most of my guests loved it though.

Vukile Ndlovu

Great ambiance, great service and the food was amazing! True gem of a place. Reminded me of my mother's cooking. Definitely will be coming back when in Cape Town again :-) hibiree!!

Simone Hasselbach

Took some mexican colleagues here a few years back. Place looked worn down and the entertainment was a bit overkill but the food was authentic and good. Hopefully they've spruced the place up a bit. Would be a shame to see a nice place in a prime spot go to waste.

Margaret Gibson

Last minute decision to go to Marco's this evening. It was great! Service, food, entertainment...everything. My French friend wanted to try crocodile so she had the serengeti platter and said it was great. I had the springbok shank which was delicious. This is an authentic South African place with proper south African food ...upens ..smileys ...umngushu..and proper south African entertainment...fantastic...will be back soon!!

Vuyokazi Qabaka

What a delight! This is genuinely one of the most African dining experiences I've had in Cape Town. The live performers are so vibrant and talented. The overall vibe is amazing. The service is perfect - the waiters are always visible and helpful. I thoroughly enjoy all their meat, especially the tripe which is made so tender and tasty, the steam bread is delicious and the spinach and butternut is yummy. This is a great place for tourists to immerse themselves in South African culture and a lovely place for dining with friends and family.

Kudzai Maeresa

Good food terrible service. Have never had to wait so long for food in a restaurant. Waiter if we can can call her that seemed disinterested and all round ruined what would have been a great late lunch.

Queenm Mokulubete

Good food, good service. Loved the live music, very entertaining! Great singing and dancing. It was packed, but our waiter still managed give us our food on time, will def recommend the place

Lewis Vusumuzi Dube

I expected more. But it wasn't bad. The food is okay. Nothing spectacular. They do serve generous portions. The vibe is amazing. I love live music. The service is good.

Gabriela Artavia

The food was ok, very good price for two people even with the cover for the band. We went on a Friday and there was live music, we even ended dancing with the band so it was a nice night and we liked the service.