The Wes Bistro & Bar: A French Restaurant in Cape Town but Make it Wes Anderson

If you need a bit of whimsy in your life, I know a place.  When I heard that there was a Wes Anderson-themed restaurant in Cape Town, I knew I had to visit it (mostly because that "accidentally Wes Anderson” meme was trending on social media and I really wanted to go and be not so accidentally Wes Anderson at a Wes Anderson-inspired restaurant). 

It turns out that instead of mediocre food and gimmicky decor, the Wes Bistro at the Trade Hotel on Shortmarket Street is a sophisticated upmarket establishment (with quirks) that serves French bistro cuisine and carefully crafted cocktails. It’s a place you can confidently take your bougie foodie friends and know they’re going to be impressed. …And still create your not-so-accidentally Wes Anderson reel, as I did.  

Inside The Wes Bistro & Bar: Whimsical French Bistro Decor

Walking up a pink balustraded staircase, I passed a large mural of the Grand Budapest Hotel, a fictional pink hotel from the movie of the same name. The same pink colour, Wes Anderson pink - The kind of pink that makes you want to narrate your life in a deadpan voice - carries through the entire restaurant.  

I was amused by the “Press for champagne” button on one of the walls and assumed it was a reference to a Wes Anderson movie I hadn’t yet seen. After googling it, it seems to be unrelated but definitely not out of place. And, yes, I want one. 

Did I push it? 

No, because I was in the mood for gin and there was no button for that. 

In the centre of the room is a fountain, overflowing not with water but dried flowers. (Actual water would not have been whimsical enough.) This perfectly symmetrical centrepiece echoes the symmetrical shots in Wes’s movies. Plush seating surrounds it, facing outwards towards small tables that look like they belong at a cafe in Paris.

If you expect the decor to directly replicate or reference specific Wes Anderson films, apart from the mural, you may be somewhat disappointed. It does seem to be a likely setting for one though — just not one you’ve seen as yet. The light and quirky French bistro soundtrack perfectly complements the ambience, setting the tone for what’s to come.

The Drinks Menu: Wes Anderson-Inspired Cocktails

What is more directly related to Wes Anderson is the bistro’s signature cocktails. You can try Cpt. Steve Zissou's Revenge (inspired by The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou), Mr Fox’s Sly Bourbon (inspired by Fantastic Mr. Fox) and The Grand Budapest, which I ordered, obviously, because I have a brand to maintain. It was gin-based cocktail. The subtle floral notes of lavender and rosemary intertwined with the zesty lemon under a cloud of frothy perfection. (Wow, I'm really in restaurant reviewer mode today!)

The Menu: Classic French Bistro Cuisine with a Twist

The food was annoyingly delicious. I say "annoyingly" because I came prepared to be underwhelmed: Concept restaurants often peak at the Instagram photo, but The Wes had the audacity to also serve exceptional food. 

Megan Kritzinger of Stellski Coffee Bar & Café drew inspiration from classic French bistros during her time living in Nice to create this concept. And Local legend Chef Peter Goffe-Wood conceptualised and designed the food. His cuisine celebrates the simple elegance of French cooking and is crafted with locally sourced, ethically and sustainably produced ingredients. 

I started with the Soup de Jour, a French onion soup. It showcased a balance of sweet caramelised onions and savoury broth, wearing a golden cheese crust like a beret. It was sweet, savoury, deeply comforting, and made me ponder the price of Air France tickets in my head.

For the main course, I had the roast de-boned free-range half chicken with straw potatoes, garlic and tarragon butter. The chicken was perfectly roasted, juicy, and full of flavour. It delivered a perfect balance of richness and simplicity. How the chef managed to pack so much flavour into just the chicken, I would love to know.

The dark chocolate pot de crème & macaron for dessert was an indulgent masterpiece. The velvety smooth, rich chocolate with a hint of coffee paired perfectly with two delicate, sweet macarons. I ate it slowly and in complete silence out of respect.

Is The Wes Bistro & Bar Worth Visiting?

The Wes Bistro & Bar is not just a quirky concept restaurant where influencers go to create content. Instead, it is a sophisticated Parisian bistro with elegant playful decor, great service, a chef who knows what he’s doing and a touch of Wes Anderson’s whimsy. It makes for a memorable dining experience in more ways than one. 

Find out more or book, here. 

Click here for more restaurant reviews. 

And read this to find out more about another Cape Town hotel that also pays homage to Wes Anderson (in its elevator instead of its restaurant).