The Soccer World Cup 2014 has kicked off, and one would have thought that Cape Town restaurants and pubs would have shown more ‘gees’.  We have only seen one restaurant on Kloof Street ‘advertising’ its soccer allegiance, with three flags on the outside of Cocoa Oola   In general the soccer event appears to be a damp squib for locals.  A number of restaurants are offering free viewing, some with special menu items that reflect the countries playing on the day.

Check the closing times of the restaurants and pubs before choosing them, as their licence will influence how late they are allowed to stay open. It is surprising how hard it is to find Soccer World Cup 2014 information on the websites of those restaurants and bars attracting soccer fans. We will update this list as we find new information about offers linked to the Soccer World Cup 2014:

*   Mondiall – this restaurant is commendable in being one of the most creative and focused on the Soccer World Cup 2014.  Each day it chooses a lead game, offering a tapas dish and a main course from the countries, with a complimentary drink,  of each of the two teams playing each other on the day, at a cost of R180.  For today, for example, with Germany playing Portugal, the German tapas dish offered is potato soup with crispy pork and chives, while the main course is Bratwurst, and the complimentary drink a CBC Weiss.  The Portuguese tapas is peri peri chicken wings, the main course a prego roll, and the complimentary drink sangria. The country dishes for the chosen matches over the next ten days are as follows:

17 June:   Brazil versus Mexico

18 June:  Spain versus Chile

19 June:  Uruguay versus England

20 June:  Italy versus Costa Rica at 18h00, and Switzerland versus France at 21h00

21 June:   Germany versus Ghana

22 June:   USA versus Portugal

23 June    Cameroon versus Brazil

24 June   Italy versus Uruguay

25 June:   Ecuador versus France.

*  Cocoa  Oola – extensive menu, but nothing on the website that links it to the World Cup specifically.  Huge breakfast offering, including Eggs Benedict, omelettes, more egg specialities, croissant dishes, French Toast variations, wraps, toasted sandwiches, light meals, pasta, salads, burgers, pitas, grills, and desserts. Bar Menu: chicken wings and wedges, pork ribs, chicken pita, in  a price range of R59 – R75. 

*   Caprice – half price Mojitos at R24 every day during World Cup, from 17h00, served with a twist inspired by the countries playing.

*   Orphanage Cocktail Emporium – World Cup specials: 6 Heinekens R100, Brazilian platter for two R155, and World Cup cocktail R65.

*   Hollow on the Square – Brazza shooter for each goal scored, buy 2 get one free bottled beer and house wine during matches.  Food specials.

*   Beerhouse – free beer to those wearing the colours of the winning team of the match

*   &Union

*   Arnold’s on Kloof

*   Barristers’ Grill

*   Ferryman’s Tavern – winter specials and food from the menu

*   Fireman’s Arms

*   Forresters’ Arms 

*   Mitchell’s Brewery – Winter specials, open until 4h00

*   Pirates in Plumstead

*   Posticini in Hout Bay

*   Quay Four

*   Rick’s Café Americain on Park Street

*   Shimmy Beach Club – daily food and drink combo specials at around R65

*   The Slug & Lettuce on Kloof Street and in Green Point

*   Toni’s on Kloof – Portuguese inspired dishes, close at 22h00

*   Speakeasy Saloon in Durbanville – serve Brazil-inspired dishes

*   Bossa Social Café & Bar in Somerset West – daily specials, free draught if wear an item of clothing with soccer team playing that day

*   Bohemia in Stellenbosch

*   The Brazen Head in Stellenbosch

*   De Akker in Stellenbosch

*   Die Mystic Boer in Stellenbosch

*   Gino’s in Stellenbosch

*   Sgt Pepper in Stellenbosch

*  The Jolly Roger in Stellenbosch

*   The Slug & Lettuce in Stellenbosch

*   HQ is offering its World Cup Burger for R70, which includes a 200g beef or chicken burger and a Heineken beer for the Finals match on 13 July.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com  Twitter: @WhaleCottage