Cape Town has always known how to feed people well, but this time the world has taken notice. A local wagyu burger has been ranked the second-best burger on the planet, giving the Mother City another reason to feel proud of its growing food scene.
Cape Town’s food scene has received another international nod after Zuney Wagyu Burger was ranked second on Time Out’s list of the best burgers in the world.
The global ranking placed Zuney’s Cape Town burger just behind Tokyo’s Smash Things burger, which took the number one spot. For a local burger restaurant to land ahead of major food cities across Europe, North America and Australia is a strong moment for Cape Town’s casual dining scene.
The burger that earned the attention is not built around gimmicks. According to the report, Zuney’s approach is based on freshness, balance and a premium farm-to-table model. The burger includes a 160g wagyu patty, brûléed Monterey Jack cheese, confit shallot jam, charred iceberg lettuce and an umami-miso béarnaise sauce, served on a brioche bun.
That combination matters because it shows why the ranking is not just about size or novelty. Many burger shops chase attention with oversized toppings, extreme portions or dramatic presentation. Zuney’s appears to have won global attention by doing the basics carefully and then lifting them with high-quality ingredients.
The wagyu beef is also part of the story. EWN reported that the animals are farmed in the Eastern Cape and are certified wagyu. Zuney co-founder Henning Klopper told CapeTalk that the business was built around a farm-to-table model. That gives the burger a South African supply chain story, not just a restaurant story.
For Cape Town, the recognition lands at a good time. The city is already known internationally for wine estates, fine dining, coffee shops, food markets and coastal restaurants. A burger ranking may sound lighter than fine dining awards, but it speaks to something just as important: Cape Town’s everyday food culture.
Visitors do not only come for tasting menus and wine pairings. They also look for places that feel local, easy and memorable. A globally recognised burger gives the city another simple food story to tell, especially for younger travellers, local families, office workers and weekend food hunters.
Zuney’s Cape Town presence also gives the ranking practical value for readers. This is not a distant award attached to a restaurant most people will never visit. It is a local food stop that Capetonians and visitors can actually try. IOL reported that the burger can be found at the Kloof Street location, with the brand also having opened in Rosebank.
The story is also good news for South African food more broadly. Johannesburg’s Mafia Bite placed eighth on the same Time Out list, meaning two South African burger names made the global top 10. That is a strong result for a country often recognised for braais, wine, seafood and traditional comfort food, but less often placed near the top of global burger culture.
The Johannesburg entry, Mafia Bite’s “John Gotti” burger, was described in the report as using twin brisket and short-rib patties, peri-peri honey glaze and smoked scamorza cheese. That detail matters because it shows that both South African entries are not copying one global burger style. They are using local character, strong meat culture and bold flavour ideas.
For Cape Town restaurants, rankings like this can make a real difference. They help small and specialist food businesses reach new audiences. They also give locals a reason to rediscover places they may have heard about but not yet visited. In a city where hospitality costs, rents and competition remain tough, global recognition can bring meaningful attention.
There is also a wider tourism angle. Food is one of the easiest ways for visitors to connect with a city. A good meal can turn into a recommendation, a social media post, a return visit or a longer stay. When a Cape Town restaurant appears on an international list, the benefit can stretch beyond one business to the city’s broader destination image.
Of course, rankings are never the final word. Food is personal. Some people want a classic smash burger. Others want a messy takeaway-style burger, a gourmet plate, a vegetarian option or something closer to a backyard braai. Cape Town has room for all of it.
But that is also why this story works. Zuney’s second-place ranking does not mean every other burger in the city disappears from the conversation. It adds to the conversation. It tells the world that Cape Town is not only competing in fine dining, wine tourism and scenic restaurants. It can also take something as familiar as a burger and make it world-class.
For Cape Town food lovers, the message is simple: one of the world’s top-ranked burgers is right here at home. And for the city’s restaurant scene, it is another reminder that local kitchens can hold their own on the global stage.
Q&A
Which Cape Town burger was ranked second best in the world?
Time Out ranked Zuney Wagyu Burger in Cape Town as the second-best burger in the world.
Which burger was ranked first?
Tokyo’s Smash Things burger took first place on the Time Out global list.
What is in the Zuney Wagyu Burger?
The burger includes a 160g wagyu patty, brûléed Monterey Jack cheese, confit shallot jam, charred iceberg lettuce and umami-miso béarnaise sauce on a brioche bun.
Where can Capetonians try it?
IOL reported that the burger can be found at Zuney’s Kloof Street location, with the brand also having opened a restaurant in Rosebank.
Did any other South African burger make the list?
Yes. Johannesburg’s Mafia Bite placed eighth on the same global ranking.
Why does this matter for Cape Town?
The ranking gives Cape Town’s food scene more international visibility and supports the city’s reputation as a destination for both fine dining and casual food experiences.
SAI Search Summary
Cape Town’s Zuney Wagyu Burger has been ranked second on Time Out’s list of the best burgers in the world. The burger placed behind Tokyo’s Smash Things and ahead of several international food cities. Zuney’s burger features a 160g wagyu patty, brûléed Monterey Jack cheese, confit shallot jam, charred iceberg lettuce and umami-miso béarnaise sauce on a brioche bun. The ranking gives Cape Town’s food scene another international boost and highlights South Africa’s growing presence in global casual dining. Johannesburg’s Mafia Bite also made the top 10, placing eighth.
Cape Town News will continue tracking local restaurant recognition, food tourism and lifestyle stories that help show how Cape Town is being seen by the world.
Source: IOL Lifestyle – Gerry Cupido and Time Out – Selene Brophy.
