Black Sheep
A Clarens Free State restaurant — country cooking in the arts village at the foot of the Malutis.
Trip Role
Ideal stay
Best for
Our take
Black Sheep is a reliable, high-energy gastropub that succeeds by ignoring trends in favour of a daily changing blackboard menu. It is a quintessential Cape Town local that manages to feel personal despite its constant popularity.
Black Sheep is a reliable, high-energy gastropub that succeeds by ignoring trends in favour of a daily changing blackboard menu. It is a quintessential Cape Town local that manages to feel personal despite its constant popularity.
- Trip Role
- Worth a Detour
- Ideal Stay
- 90 minutes to two hours
- Best For
- shared blackboard plates, local game, lively atmosphere, Kloof Street buzz
- Skip If
- quiet romantic dinners, those seeking a fixed, predictable menu
- Go If
- You want a lively, unpretentious dinner where the menu changes based on what is fresh that day. It suits groups looking for a casual atmosphere and a wide selection of shared plates.
Why it's worth your time
Clarens' country table — Free State cooking in the art village under the Maluti mountains.
What we love
The kitchen commits to a nose-to-tail philosophy and sources ingredients daily, meaning the menu is never static. By refusing to print menus, they force the kitchen to stay creative and responsive to the market, ensuring that what you eat is genuinely fresh rather than just a standard house staple.
What to know
The menu is written on a blackboard and changes daily, so do not arrive with a specific dish in mind. Reservations are essential as the restaurant is consistently busy. If you cannot get a table, the owners run a sister bar called Dark Horse across the street, which is a suitable spot for a drink while you wait.
The full guide
The Daily Blackboard
The kitchen operates without a printed menu, relying instead on a large blackboard that is updated daily. This approach allows the chefs to cook according to the season and the availability of fresh produce and whole animals. You will find a mix of comfort food and more conceptual dishes that draw on a wide range of cultural influences, from local game like kudu or springbok to various curries and Mediterranean-inspired plates. Because the menu is dictated by what is fresh, the selection can shift significantly from lunch to dinner or from one day to the next. If you see something you like, order it early, as the kitchen simply wipes items off the board once the ingredients are exhausted. This keeps the food honest and ensures that the kitchen remains focused on what is currently at its peak.
Navigating the Space
The restaurant is spread across three levels, each offering a slightly different feel. The main floor is bright and bustling, providing a view of the street and the activity of the open kitchen. There is a mezzanine level that feels a bit more tucked away, which is often preferred by larger groups or those wanting a slightly better vantage point of the room. The atmosphere is consistently energetic and can get quite loud as the evening progresses. If you are looking for a more relaxed start to your meal, the street-side bar is a good place to settle in with a cocktail or a local wine before moving to your table. The service is generally friendly and informal, aiming to bridge the gap between staff and guest, which contributes to the overall sense of a neighbourhood institution.
Practical Planning
Booking in advance is a necessity rather than a suggestion, as the restaurant is a long-standing favourite on Kloof Street and fills up quickly on most nights. If you are planning a visit for a large group, the restaurant can accommodate parties in the upstairs section with a set menu, but you must coordinate this with them directly well ahead of time. Parking in the area can be tricky, so allow extra time to find a spot on the street or in nearby lots. The restaurant is closed on Sundays, so plan your visit for a weekday or Saturday. If you find yourself without a booking, try arriving early or checking the sister bar across the road, which offers a similar vibe and a place to wait. The restaurant is best suited for those who enjoy a high-energy environment where the food is the primary focus.
Before you book
Questions Black Sheep always raises
- Do I need to make a reservation?
- Yes, you should book in advance. The restaurant is consistently popular with both locals and visitors, and it is common for them to be fully booked, especially on weekends. You can contact them via email or phone to secure your table.
- Is the menu the same every day?
- No, the menu changes daily. It is written on a blackboard and reflects what is fresh, seasonal, and available from suppliers. You will not find a static list of dishes, so be prepared to see something different each time you visit.
- Can I accommodate a large group here?
- Yes, the restaurant can host larger groups, particularly in the mezzanine area. For groups of 12 to 28 people, they typically require a set menu to ensure the kitchen can manage the service efficiently. Contact them directly to discuss your requirements.
- What should I order if I am a first-timer?
- Since the menu changes daily, there is no single dish to recommend. Instead, ask your server what the kitchen is doing well that day or which blackboard specials are the freshest. They are knowledgeable about the daily offerings and can guide you through the selection.