Must-see restaurants in South Africa

  • Gallery

    Western Cape

    Prince Albert’s smartest dining option has an ever-changing menu featuring modern takes on local classics such as Karoo lamb and game steaks. There are…

  • Strictly Coffee

    Winelands

    As well as excellent coffee roasted on-site, you'll find a selection of cakes, plus tasty salads and sandwiches made with the freshest ingredients. Locals…

  • Decadent

    Sunshine Coast

    Fresh ingredients, great coffee (and tea!), terrific waffles, savoury pancakes and crêpes, and top-notch smoothies make for a winning combination at this…

  • Coffee on the Rocks

    Western Cape

    All bread is baked daily on-site and everything else is homemade too. The ocean-facing deck is a great place for a sandwich, a salad or just a coffee…

  • Olive Terrace

    Winelands

    Based in the Tulbagh Hotel, this restaurant serves a range of dishes including a few vegetarian options. The shady terrace is a delight in the Tulbagh…

  • La Boqueria

    Johannesburg

    Taking inspiration from global street food, La Boqueria serves up gourmet snacks and meals in a dramatic double-storey space with walls covered with…

  • Foxcroft

    Cape Town

    With a seasonal menu featuring dishes such as slow-cooked lamb with nettles and whisky mustard, Foxcroft is a delectable addition to the Southern Suburbs…

  • Lucky Bean

    Johannesburg

    Low lighting, slick tunes, a decked-out cocktail bar and waiters who happily skip down a flight of stairs to serve – Lucky Bean is one of most atmospheric…

  • Unframed

    Cape Town

    This simple shopfront serves silky, decadent ice cream - definitely some of the best in the city. You'll usually find around a dozen of their 50-or-so…

  • Coalition Pizza

    Johannesburg

    The whitewashed walls and simple decor of this little hole-in-the-wall eatery belie the excellence of the food on offer. Specialising in Neapolitan pizzas…

  • Cheese Gourmet

    Johannesburg

    The Cheese Gourmet sells a dizzying selection of South African cheeses, olives, breads and spreads. The staff members are incredibly knowledgable,…

  • Bergbron Plaaskombuis

    Johannesburg

    Bergbron Plaaskombuis serves authentic Afrikaans cooking at rock-bottom prices in a setting right out of the South African Karoo. Modeled after a…

  • Summerfields Kitchen

    Mpumalanga

    Locals and weekenders in the know head 5km west of town to dine beneath metalwork chandeliers in this barn-like contemporary space, its terrace…

  • Kolonaki

    Johannesburg

    Opened in 2018 on a street crammed with popular high-end restaurants, Kolonaki became an immediate 'must-book-well-in-advance' kind of place. This modern…

  • Il Contadino

    Johannesburg

    Chef James Diack owns several restaurants in Jo'burg, serving food primarily from his family's farm in the nearby town of Magaliesburg. Il Contadino is…

  • NGC

    Johannesburg

    In a city filled with high-end tapas bistros, NGC is among the best. Situated on an unlikely corner in the quiet suburb of Blairgowrie, NGC (which stands…

  • Tomo

    Cape Town

    With exquisite decor and a menu offering more than just sushi and sashimi, Tomo has quickly become one of Cape Town's top spots for Japanese cuisine. The…

  • Chez Fong

    Johannesburg

    Pan-Asian chef Su-Yen Thornhill cooks up delightful ten-course dinners – complete with hilarious, Oscar-worthy running commentary – most Wednesday…

  • Saigon Suzy

    Johannesburg

    Saigon Suzy can be summed up in three letters: F, U and N. The food, inspired by pan-Asian street cuisine, is delicious, and the restaurant's interior is…

  • City Perk Café

    Johannesburg

    Good luck with securing a seat at this deservedly popular cafe, which makes splendid breakfasts, sandwiches, wraps, grills and salads, as well as serving…

  • Lexi's Healthy Eatery

    Johannesburg

    In a city with limited meat-free dining choices, Lexi's is a vegetarian/vegan Nirvana. The menu, filled with salads, smoothies and tasty breakfast bowls,…

  • Foliage

    Franschhoek

    Chef and owner Chris Erasmus has brought the foraging culture to the Cape at this hugely popular restaurant. Forest-floor ingredients such as river cress,…

  • Neo Cafe

    Durban

    Portuguese food isn't a rarity in KwaZulu-Natal, but when it's done as well as it is at Neo Cafe it's worth getting excited about. The menu is simple:…

  • Jordan

    Stellenbosch

    It's a little off the beaten Stellenbosch path, but it's worth the drive to get to this well-respected restaurant in a winery. The delectable menu is…

  • Izakaya Matsuri

    Cape Town

    Genial Arata-san serves some of the best sushi and rolls to be found in Cape Town, along with other Japanese izakaya pub-grub including noodles and…

  • Pierneef à la Motte

    Franschhoek

    Named for South African artist Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, whose work is on show at the on-site museum, this elegant restaurant serves modern takes on…

  • Habesha Cafe

    Durban

    Durbanites rave about this casual Ethiopian spot that serves up traditional platters of food with plenty of injera. Everything on the menu is incredible,…

  • Jardine

    Stellenbosch

    Celebrated chef George Jardine of the long-established Jordan restaurant opened this small and very special spot in 2016. The emphasis is on local produce…

  • Tandoor

    KwaZulu-Natal

    Durban enjoys most of the glory when it comes to Indian food, but Tandoor helps Pietermaritzburg give it a run for its money. Takeaway is best as the…

  • 95 at Parks

    Cape Town

    Portions are petite but the flavours are big at this restaurant offering some of the most authentic Italian cuisine in the city. The lamb shoulder ravioli…

  • Bosman’s Restaurant

    Winelands

    This elegant spot within the Grande Roche Hotel is one of Paarl’s top restaurants, serving multicourse gourmet dinners and more casual bistro-style…

  • Overture Restaurant

    Stellenbosch

    A very modern wine estate and restaurant where celebrated TV chef Bertus Basson focuses on local, seasonal produce prepared to perfection and paired with…

  • Marigold

    Franschhoek

    If you fancy a change from all the French-inspired fine dining, Marigold serves elegant North Indian cuisine in its contemporary dining room.

  • Troyeville Hotel

    Johannesburg

    This character-filled hotel is a memorable place for a long meal. It has been frequented by the Portuguese community since well before the paint began to…

  • Sumting Fresh

    Johannesburg

    Ironically named considering the focus of this eatery is fried chicken, Sumting Fresh started out as a food truck on the Jo’burg market and festival scene…

  • Roving Bantu Kitchen

    Johannesburg

    Sifiso Ntuli is the genial patron of this great little spot keeping it real in Brixton. Bookings are essential and there's no written menu – instead the…

  • PRON

    Johannesburg

    When the craving for Asian street-food hits, PRON delivers both on food and experience. The menu, designed by chef and owner Emma Chen, mentions the word …

  • Perron

    Johannesburg

    Tex-Mex cuisine is wildly popular in Jo'burg, and Perron is one of the best examples. Located on a prominent Melville corner, Perron is decorated with a…

  • Seabreeze Fish & Shell

    Cape Town

    With a street-side patio and breezy decor that invokes a day at the beach, Seabreeze is a hip spot for a plate of seafood. The menu changes depending on…

  • Bounty of healthy treats on offer at Fresh Earth

    Fresh Earth

    Johannesburg

    Vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Jo'burg are few and far between, making Fresh Earth a breath of fresh air on the city's dining scene. From tofu…

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