Obi Restaurant

You’ll find Obi towards the lower (and slightly quieter) end of buzzing Long Street in Cape Town, a Japanese restaurant under the helm of local sushi legend Hatsushiro Muraoka (a.k.a. Papa San) and Ben Bettendorf. The focus is on sushi, tempura, and ramen. Obi has developed a loyal following of locals who pop by for lunch or dinner, as well as international visitors looking for authentic Japanese fare. Both the tempura and noodle offerings are great, but most people come here for the sushi menu, which is vast. The inside-out roll section contains no less than 34 options, with delights such as the samurai roll: seared tuna, cucumber, avo, sriracha mayo and rice, rolled in rice paper and tempura fried. The food is as fresh as can be and top quality. There’s an expertly curated wine list that is on the pricier side, but they do allow BYO with a corkage fee. The vibe is relaxed but classy and service is efficient and knowledgeable. Don’t sleep on this gem.

Don't leave without trying:
The bento box lunch special is a perennial favourite, especially for those in the market for a quick and tasty lunch.