Must-see restaurants in Southern Africa

  • Kleinsky's Delicatessen

    Cape Town

    Jewish soul food is the deal at this contemporary-styled deli fronting onto Church Sq, with bagels and 'shmers' (various flavoured cream cheeses), matzo…

  • Albert Millin

    eSwatini (Swaziland)

    This eatery-pub on the grounds of the Mbabane Club is very popular with expats and has a modern feel. From pizzas and salads to burgers and satisfying…

  • Cafe Blouberg

    Cape Town

    At the southern end of Bloubergstrand is this delightful place in a whitewashed seaside cottage, its counter loaded with a tempting collection of cakes…

  • Little Addis Café

    Johannesburg

    A great experience for gastronauts, this eatery is all about spicy doro wot (chicken stew), kitfo (mince meat) and tibs (fried meat and vegetables),…

  • Havercroft's

    Western Cape

    The food from husband-and-wife team Brydon and Innes gets excellent reviews. The small menu is inventive and refined, utilising plenty of local produce…

  • Brioche

    Port Elizabeth

    For a light meal at lunchtime, this den with a boho vibe is a winner. Pick from healthy concoctions on the tempting menu (salads, pasta, burgers and…

  • Café Ganesh

    Cape Town

    There are now two sides to this staple of the Obs dining scene. By day their colourful corner cafe serves up dishes such as veg curry and roti. By night…

  • Danny's Restaurant

    Zambia

    From its authentic menu and wafting aromas to Bollywood films on the telly, Danny's genuinely feels like India. There's excellent vegetarian options as…

  • Pesce Azzurro

    Cape Town

    Rustic Italian pasta and seafood dishes are the speciality of this casual joint, well patronised by locals (despite less than stellar service). Round off…

  • 86 Public

    Johannesburg

    Right in the heart of Braamfontein, 86 Public does brisk business with students and office workers – always a sign that you’ve found a good bargain. The…

  • Kitima

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    The Kronendal, a Cape Dutch farmhouse with parts dating back to 1713, has been sensitively restored to house this excellent pan-Asian restaurant…

  • Bao Down

    Cape Town

    Bookings are essential at this popular and tiny neighbourhood haunt. The menu is small and features pan-Asian bites including sashimi, prawn toast and…

  • Broodhuijs

    Pretoria

    On a peaceful stretch of Bronkhorst St, this neighborhood charmer makes a great setting for a meet-up with a friend or a fine spot to linger over a light…

  • Momo & O

    Johannesburg

    Sister restaurant to the similarly delicious Momo Baohaus in Greenside, Momo & O specialises in ramen, but also serves boas and other Asian fusion…

  • Charango

    Cape Town

    Tuck into a variety of tasty small plates including fried calamari, Peruvian-style chicken and tacos as well as more substantial mains such as miso-cured…

  • Chang Thai

    Lusaka

    With its all-Thai chef team, this popular restaurant does an extensive menu of authentic, aromatic Thai salads, curries and stir-fries. The crispy 'angry…

  • Cut and Craft Artisan Bistro

    Johannesburg

    Popular with Kensington locals, this relatively new (unusual on a street filled with dusty old favorites) coffee shop/restaurant/bar serves a huge variety…

  • Bocadillos on Sixth

    Port Elizabeth

    This slick modern place does a brisk business with locals – always a sign that you've found a good bargain. It speedily serves tasty wraps, thin-crust…

  • Relíquias

    Northern Mozambique

    This popular if unexciting spot does all the local standards, including seafood, hot chicken, prawn or goat curries, and matapa (cooked cassava leaves…

  • The C Club

    The Wild Coast

    The C Club’s well-earned reputation comes from its scrumptious specialities and atmospheric setting, with a large dining room, a charming garden and…

  • Vovo Telo Bakery & Café

    Port Elizabeth

    The original branch of a nationwide chain, Vovo Telo kicked off the regeneration of Richmond Hill. In a characterful old house with a wrap-around veranda,…

  • Terra Mare

    Winelands

    The menu is fairly small but superb, offering a mix of Asian, Italian and South African dishes. Tables inside can be a little noisy due to the proximity…

  • Tamboers Winkel

    Cape Town

    A serious contender for the award for best breakfast or lunch spot around Kloof St, this rustic, country-kitchen-style cafe-shop is a charmer. The chicken…

  • Mo-G's Restaurant

    KwaZulu-Natal

    A new addition to the Pietermaritzburg dining scene, Mo-G's Restaurant has already developed a reputation as one of the best fine-dining establishments in…

  • Ristorante Enrico

    Plettenberg Bay

    Highly recommended by readers and right on the beach, this is the place for seafood in Plett (well, just outside Plett). Enrico has his own boat that,…

  • Chinese Northern Foods Restaurant

    Johannesburg

    In the heart of Jo'burg's main Chinatown area, this simply decorated restaurant serves up some of the city's most authentic Chinese fare. The handmade…

  • Il Portico

    Lusaka

    The new location for this successful Italian-owned pizzeria is a little bit out of town, but worth it for one of the city's best thin-crust wood-fire…

  • Mink & Trout

    Cape Town

    A grand old Dutch building is the setting for this casual bistro and wine bar with offering above-average meals and a large range of wines by the glass…

  • Smokehouse & Grill

    Johannesburg

    Students, hipsters, moms and pops: everyone dives into this busy steakhouse for a rockin’ feed. Get messy with slow-pit-smoked ribs, slabs of juicy steak…

  • Grub & Vine

    Cape Town

    This is the debut restaurant of local chef Matt Manning, best known in Cape Town for his private dining events. Food is based on familiar bistro fare,…

  • In Da Belly Restaurant

    Victoria Falls (town)

    Under a large thatched hut, looking out to a sparkling pool, this relaxed open-air eatery has a menu of warthog schnitzel, crocodile curry and impala…

  • Emerald Vale

    The Wild Coast

    Half-hour tours of this brewery in a converted barn on a working farm include tasters of the four ales. The bar-restaurant serves food to complement the…

  • Grazia Fine Food & Wine

    Eastern Cape

    This stylish, centrally located restaurant has large windows with sea views as well as an outdoor deck for dining. The Italian-born owner has helped…

  • Penelope's

    KwaZulu-Natal

    Look past the declarations, which are a bit cutesie, and you'll be treated to a nice little cafe that serves tasty lunches and incredible home-baked…

  • Waterfront Bar

    Zambia

    Living up to its name, this bar is plonked directly on the shore of Lake Tanganyika. The food menu is limited to grilled meats on the braai, but a full…

  • Pot ‘n Plow

    Limpopo

    A mountain pub well worth ducking into, this place attracts every expat and eccentric in the mountains. The Pot ‘n Plow is an essential stop for pizza,…

  • Guinea Fowl

    KwaZulu-Natal

    One of the only reasonable restaurants in Ladysmith, this eatery does curries along with steak, chicken and seafood dishes at an unassuming location in a…

  • Geet

    Pretoria

    Around the back of Brooklyn Mall, Chef Gita Jivan concocts first-class Indian dishes, fusing Indian flavours with European presentation. The huge menu…

  • 556

    Pemba

    A good old South African–style steakhouse, 556 sits on the hill overlooking the port and bay. It serves up barbecued meats, plus chicken grills, pizzas,…

  • Coffee Bloc

    Cape Town

    Buitenverwachting wine estate's cafe serves the Quaffee coffee roasted on-site, as well as cooked breakfasts and casual lunches such as fish and chips. It…

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