Pretoria
Some of South Africa's best contemporary cooking is being served in a large mud-walled and tin-roofed shed in the east of Pretoria. Chef Adriaan Maree…
Must-see restaurants in South Africa, Lesotho & eSwatini (Swaziland)
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Calexico Vinyl Lounge and Restaurant
Johannesburg
A California-inspired Tex-Mex restaurant with a hint of craft beer and vinyl mixed in. The mix is delightful. The simple menu (nachos, ribs, sandwiches),…
Johannesburg
Jo'burg's most memorable meal out is in this artily decorated cramped room with a balcony overlooking Rockey St, heart of the much-bad-mouthed, inner-city…
Johannesburg
The designers have a done a grand job transforming this old Chinese restaurant into a pastel-shaded haven of mid-century cool amid the gritty 'burb of…
Johannesburg
Even if Mad Giant's very quaffable beers are not your thing, do not pass over on the microbrewery's fabulous restaurant. Serving an inventive range of…
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Cape Town
Star chef Luke Dale-Roberts' latest venture hides in plain sight on the street it is named after. It's a gorgeous attic space with a wall of paper…
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Johannesburg
Currently one of Jo'burg's hottest restaurants, this is braai (barbecue) given a luxe makeover. Chef David Higgs and his cloth-capped team in the open…
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Cape Town
Chef Peter Tempelhoff's culinary imagination runs riot in this elegant restaurant that's one of the Cape's top dining destinations. The finest local…
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Cape Town
So called because you can see all the chefs at work in the open kitchen, this is a fab new addition to Cape Town's dining scene with an original concept…
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Blyde River Canyon
Look out for the South African flag and follow the red-dirt track to this 'bush kitchen', a makeshift shelter beneath gnarly boulders and trees decorated…
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Cape Town
Hurry here for a delicious and very generous spread of small plates from chef Liam Tomlin and his talented crew. Flavours zip around the world, from a…
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Pretoria
It's easy to love this design-savvy cafe run by the nonprofit Echo Youth Development. It's a great spot for breakfast, with a variety of granolas…
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Port Elizabeth
You really need to know this place is here, but luckily now you do. What was once a warehouse in a derelict area is now a snazzy cafe with an industrial…
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Limpopo
Decorated with Rembrandt replicas and stories from the master painter at every turn, you might expect this place at Fusion Boutique Hotel to be a bit…
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Cape Town
The sister restaurant to Test Kitchen is a more affordable Luke Dale-Roberts option. Sitting at the top of an old silo, it offers panoramic views of the…
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Cape Town
It couldn't be in a more obscure spot – within a business park in an industrial part of town – but this barbecue restaurant is perpetually busy. The…
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eSwatini (Swaziland)
Within the swish Royal Villas resort nestles eSwatini’s most elegant restaurant, with a tastefully decorated dining room and an outdoor eating area that…
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Cape Town
This relaxed, family-friendly restaurant at Meerendal wine estate has outside tables overlooking a jungle gym and sweeping lawn – perfect for enjoying…
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Cape Town
After exploring the Montebello craft studios, relax at this lovely cafe, which occupies the estate's original gatekeeper's cottage. Beyond the leafy…
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Cape Town
One of the Southern Suburbs' most charming dining spots. With its relaxed, arty cottage and shady garden environment, it's great for a lazy breakfast or…
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Cape Town
German-born Harald Bresselschmidt is one of Cape Town’s most consistent chefs, producing creative, hearty dishes served with some of the Cape's best wines…
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Cape Town
Of all the swanky restaurants in town, it was this little charmer that Michelle Obama chose for lunch, proving the ex-First Lady has excellent taste. Tuck…
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Cape Town
Perfectly complementing the slick and contemporary wine-tasting lounge at Steenberg Farm, this appealing bistro serves everything from oysters for…
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Cape Town
Luke Dale-Roberts creates inspired dishes with top-quality local ingredients at his flagship restaurant – generally agreed to be the best in Africa…
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Cape Town
Given a stylish makeover to become a brasserie and bar downstairs and a private members club upstairs, old Leinster Hall is a delightful place for a meal…
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Sea Point to Hout Bay
When Jarryd and brother Ariel moved home from Sydney, they brought with them the concept of the come-as-you-are daytime eateries beloved of the Aussies…
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Cape Town
A veteran of Gordon Ramsay's kitchen, chef Scot Kirton rustles up skilful dishes combining French and Asian techniques and flavours, such as quail breast…
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Mpumalanga
Its blue-grey walls hung with artwork and cage lampshades, Kuka's glass doors open onto a terrace decorated with fairy lights. It's a contemporary setting…
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Kruger National Park
About halfway between the rest camps at Satara and Skukuza, or between Lower Sabie and Satara, Tshokwane has been transformed from an attractive picnic…
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Lesotho
Maseru's best new restaurant sits atop the Mpilo Boutique Hotel, dishing out Basotho favourites such as cured venison carpaccio, whole local trout and…
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Sea Point to Hout Bay
New takes on the classics (such as herb gnocchi and smoked pork belly) and fresh inventions (including kudu loin with fermented cabbage, BBQ carrot puree…
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Cape Town
A favourite among the Little Chelsea (Wynberg Village) crowd, this rustic but chic spot serves a small menu of delicious creations, from gourmet salads…
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Sea Point to Hout Bay
Although you can fuel up on delicious tapas and espresso here during the day, La Boheme is best visited in the evening, when candles twinkle on the tables…
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Cape Town
In the unlikely setting of a scruffy car park next to Kenilworth train station, this small steakhouse is one of the best in town, serving the finest wet…
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Johannesburg
Patisserie de Paris owner Paul Zwick spent 30 years in the television business before moving to France to train as a chef. He eventually returned to South…
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Plettenberg Bay
Tucked away in a quiet courtyard, this is one of Plett's most upscale eateries. The speciality is dry-aged beef, though you'll also find some South…
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Cape Town
Far from your average curry house, the Taj Hotel’s main restaurant, hung with glittering chandeliers and mirrors, is darkly luxurious. Chef Harpreet…
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Cape Town
There are several dining options at the Mount Nelson Hotel, but for a real treat book one of the four tables with a front-row view onto the drama and…
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Hermanus
One of the town's top restaurants is an intimate venue decorated in bodega style – all bare brick and wine bottles. The small menu features delights like…
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Knysna
Ile de Pain is a wildly popular bakery and cafe that's as much a hit with locals as it is with tourists. There's an excellent breakfast menu, lots of…
