Must-see restaurants in South Africa, Lesotho & eSwatini (Swaziland)

  • Maguga Viewpoint

    eSwatini (Swaziland)

    While slightly dishevelled compared to the Maguga Dam Lodge, this restaurant has a nice deck overlooking the dam and also offers several viewpoints…

  • Cynthia’s Indigo Moon

    Pretoria

    You'll enjoy this place almost as much for the decor as the food, with nods to Paris and New York, dimly lit corner tables and plenty of mirrors adorning…

  • Angelo's

    Port Elizabeth

    With low lighting, stacked logs, straw baskets and a terrace overlooking the beach, this Afro-rustic restaurant attracts a multicultural crowd. Burgers,…

  • Vespetti

    Northern Cape

    This Italian restaurant, its awning twined with fishing rope, serves seafood as well as pizza and pasta. It's a marvellous place to watch the sun dip into…

  • TriBeCa Original

    Pretoria

    Laid-back and stylish, this cafe is the perfect place to chill out in the middle of Brooklyn Sq with a latte and browse the magazines for a few hours, or…

  • African Peninsula Restaurant

    Durban

    Basically a huge balcony overlooking the ocean, the location of this coastal spot gets rave reviews from travellers. Offerings include typical grilled…

  • Roma Revolving Restaurant

    Durban

    One of the handful of central restaurants surviving in Durban, Roma offers stunning views over the city in its own leaning House of John Ross. Beautifully…

  • Victorian Tea Garden & Restaurant

    Mpumalanga

    Enjoy sandwiches (R25), cakes, filter coffee and more while watching the world go by from this gazebo – an incongruous sight in Barberton's small downtown…

  • Café Havana

    Garden Route

    The Cuban-themed stalwart of Mossel Bay's drinking and dining scene is still going, although it's not as popular as it once was. Stews, steaks and seafood…

  • Bi-Lo Bistro

    Northern Cape

    Birds hop between palm trees and kids play on the swings at this popular spot in the suburbs. The vast menu features everything from steak to sushi – the…

  • Café Riteve

    Cape Town

    Decent kosher cafe that's in the same complex as the South African Jewish Museum and the Great Synagogue. The wide-ranging menu includes snacks and…

  • Nomzamo

    Cape Town

    This spotlessly clean butchers generally has a relaxed, peaceful vibe since it doesn’t sell alcohol. The cuts of meat – beef, lamb, pork, sausages and…

  • Buttercup Coffee Shop & Bakery

    Northern Cape

    There's decent coffee at this cavernous place a short walk from the ocean. You'll also find home-baked cakes, waffles with sweet and savoury toppings and…

  • Ouh La La

    Lesotho

    Locals and expats mix easily in this streetside garden cafe, which takes its Gallic theme from the adjoining Alliance Française cultural centre. The light…

  • Bourbon Street

    Winelands

    A firm favourite with locals, this long-running restaurant offers everything from jambalaya and Southern-style ribs to Thai green curry or a hearty game…

  • Things I Love

    Winelands

    A friendly spot serving decent coffee and a little bit of everything, food-wise. There are tables on the front stoep, but the shady terrace at the back is…

  • Pelican's Harbour Cafe

    Western Cape

    The fish at this ramshackle joint overlooking the harbour is fresh off the boat – be sure to ask about the catch of the day. You'll also find some meaty…

  • Babbo's

    Cape Town

    This new place, run by the same people as Pesce Azzurro up the road, specialises in pizza as well as pasta – all keenly priced and fine for a quick and…

  • No. 89 Bree

    Cape Town

    Salmon is the focus at this tiny cafe on trendy Bree St, whether smoked or seared. The menu is as small as the premises, featuring a couple of sandwiches,…

  • Baba's Jem

    Winelands

    You can buy home-baked goodies and swig on fresh ginger beer in this eatery based in a family home. Meals must be booked ahead; they always include…

  • Cattle Baron

    Sunshine Coast

    This surprisingly stylish restaurant in the park offers fine dining inside and a covered deck outside. Breakfast and lunch buffets are offered, while the…

  • Deli on Duncan

    Pretoria

    This groovy place provides an unceasingly cool terrace for summer chillin'. An array of pastries, cakes, tarts and quiches will tempt the devil in you, or…

  • Golden Rhino Restaurant

    Limpopo

    This simple restaurant at the Interpretation Centre does chicken burgers, steaks and local dishes based around pap (a traditional African food made from…

  • House of Curries

    Durban

    A more salubrious spot than many to sample bunny chow (or a range of other Indian-inspired dishes), House of Curries is a local institution. Grab a quart…

  • Café 41

    Pretoria

    A huge menu and a plethora of seating options – go for the outdoor deck – make this one of Pretoria’s more enjoyable lunch spots. The pasta dishes and…

  • Highgrove Restaurant

    Limpopo

    Based at Highgrove Lodge, this is one of Tzaneen’s most reliable restaurants. Dishes include steaks, pasta, burgers, pizzas from the wood-fired oven and…

  • Waffle House

    KwaZulu-Natal

    Tourists flock to this pleasant spot on the edge of a lagoon for fresh Belgian-style waffles with every sweet and savoury topping under the sun. Some…

  • Great White House

    Western Cape

    A multifarious place that dishes up fresh seafood (including hard-to-find abalone), clothing and curios, helps with tourist information and offers…

  • Herb Garden

    Northern Cape

    For breakfast, brunch or lunch, your best bet is this cafe tucked away behind a plant nursery. There are salads, sandwiches and burgers on offer, plus…

  • Cubata

    Port Elizabeth

    In a large converted garage in a gritty neighbourhood around the corner from the stadium, Cubata has a dedicated following of loyal locals who chow down…

  • Mike's Kitchen

    Limpopo

    This kid-friendly place is part of a national franchise and is a reliable choice in Louis Trichardt. Steaks and burgers are the speciality, but the salad…

  • Saint's Bistro

    Sunshine Coast

    In its sunny rear courtyard and roomy interior with exposed beams, Saint's is known for its eclectic menu, which includes sushi. The food, however, is…

  • Zest Café

    Sunshine Coast

    This low-key venture occupies a flowery courtyard scattered with pastel furniture. It has pizzas, sandwiches and salads. Not a bad place for a light meal,…

  • Lazy Lizard

    Western Cape

    This bright, cosy house offers the best coffee in town, a selection of South African dishes and stocks home-baked goodies and crafts. The menu offers a…

  • Katjiepiering Restaurant

    Stellenbosch

    Tucked away in the corner of the botanical garden and surrounded by exotic plants, this is a lovely spot for coffee, cake or a light lunch. Some…

  • La Petite Tarte

    Cape Town

    Fancy teas by Mariage Frères and delicious home-made, sweet and savoury French-style tarts are served at this cafe with street-side tables. However, it's…

  • La Piazza

    The Wild Coast

    In a thatched lapa (semiopen entertainment area) with views across the golf course and town, Mthatha Country Club's restaurant serves a varied menu…

  • Queen of Tarts

    Cape Town

    This charming cafe, decorated like your granny’s kitchen, serves sweet and savoury tarts and other delish confections. You'll also find their tarts on…

  • Harrie’s Pancakes

    Pretoria

    Harrie's Pancakes is renowned for its delicious pancakes. Where else could you savour a pancake stuffed with biltong and mozzarella? Or dark-chocolate…

  • Velo

    Johannesburg

    This sweet little spot just off the street has gained a die-hard following for its appetising sandwiches, creative salads, excellent coffee and friendly…

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