Other restaurants in South Africa
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Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
If God were to top off the beauty of the Drakensberg with an artificial gourmet treat, Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse would be it. This luxury retreat is owned by renowned South African chef, Richard Poynton. Guests (a maximum of 24) enjoy a nightly six-course menu of quality produce prepared innovatively and accompanied by rich, creamy sauces. Each of the 11 rooms here is decked out in a theme – from Tuscan to garden – and features quirky touches, such as a picket fence bedhead and Boer memorabilia. The experience comes at a price, though, but this is the one place worth forgetting the wallet…and the calorie count. (As an exception, we have not listed high-season rates her…
reviewed
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A
Cubana
It’s a self-described ‘Latino social cafe’ that is a popular and sophisticated spot in the heart of the Second Ave scene, and features four pages of cocktails, including a strong caipirinha. The equally lengthy food menu offers lots of chicken and beef dishes with Cuban sauces; although, if you’ve spent time in Latin America you’ll know right away the taste is a bit off. Still, for a small town in the Free State, it’s pretty decent. The ambience here is fantastic. In a semi-open-air, thatched-roof building, the vibe is Caribbean meets Victorian safari – think old school chandeliers, ornate, gold-threaded couches and hookahs. The breezy deck is great for people watching.…
reviewed
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Lekgotla
Traditional huts are a big theme at this super-stylish Afro-chic restaurant. It has huge wood-and-canvas domed ceilings, like several interconnected super huts, with the odd table under its own individual dome of leather straps and metal. White lanterns hang from the ceiling and the staff match nicely in all-white outfits with the odd splash of print. Outside on the square are cushion-strewn sofas instead of tables, and the unisex toilets have a long wooden canoe as the communal sink. As for the menu? It draws influence from all over the continent – from Tunisian curries to steak marinated in Ethiopian coffee.
reviewed
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Pappas
Sitting on a corner with quirky antiques stores and bookshops, this place has a homely, arty feel about it. There’s outdoor space at the front and back, and the excellent cooked breakfasts and counter selling cakes and pastries make it the perfect place for a lazy weekend brunch. Also on the menu are bistro classics and South African favourites such as oxtail and potjiekos (meat and vegetables cooked in a cast-iron pot over an open fire).
reviewed
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Jock & Java
The newest hit on the Nelspruit scene at the time of research, this rambling ‘outback style’ pub and separate tearoom set in large grassy lawns is a ‘great place to bring the kids’ with ‘a girly dining room’ and a revolving cake trolley that’s ‘bad for the hips‘. The whimsical explosion of reds, creams and gingham, and tea served in dainty floral cups, impressed us too.
reviewed
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Service Station
This large, airy deli-cum-cafe-cum-food store in a converted petrol station is very popular with locals. Help yourself from a selection of quiches, salads, tarts and other goodies (you pay by weight), order meals from the blackboard, or get seriously good cakes from the counter. It’s all available to take away, and when you’re done you can browse the hard stuff in the adjoining Wine Sense.
reviewed
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B
Geet
The best place in Pretoria for a spice fix, Geet dishes up delicate and aromatic north Indian curries full of fresh herbs and spices. The dining room has lots of little nooks to get lost in and there’s a 2nd-floor balcony from where to look down on the street action. There’s an excellent range of dishes for vegetarians and a long list of ‘mocktails’.
reviewed
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C
Rosehurst
Behind a rather chintzy gift shop in this lovely Victorian house is a delightful oasis – a quintessential English garden in the middle of ‘Maritzburg – complete with topiary trees, quaint chairs and tables. Relax under blossoms and pink bougainvillea while supping on fresh and very tasty salads, sandwiches and pastries. There’s good breakfasts, too.
reviewed
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Pesto
The red satin underpants and tea-towels in this Italian eatery’s window display would have you think ‘and what’s for pudding?!’ These skimpy items are not alluding to a striptease, but allude – or so we presume – to the washing lines of Italian villages. Needless to reveal, the pasta is fresh, tasty and very saucy.
reviewed
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D
News Café
This perennially popular branch of the News Café chain has a large terrace, a big-screen TV showing 24-hour news and free wi-fi. There’s an extensive breakfast menu as well as decent burgers and sandwiches, and an always-friendly vibe. It’s a good place to sit back with a book and a coffee, or surf the ’net for a couple of hours.
reviewed
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E
Neighbourgoods Market
Reserve Saturday morning for this brilliant ecofriendly, organic food market where some 90-odd vendors gather, serving everything from artisanal breads and tapanades to crepes and champagne. While here, also browse the design goods and kinder goods sections, selling fashions, accessories and kids’ clothes and toys by breakout Capetonian designers.
reviewed
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Yum Nostalgia
High-class, well-presented gourmet cuisine is what’s on offer, but for such a famous restaurant, the atmosphere is blessedly relaxed. There are no stuffy dress codes here. You might like to sample snails on garlic porridge, mushroom pie, or one of the inventive burgers, such as tandoori lamb or duck and foie gras.
reviewed
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Wang Thai
This restaurant’s stellar reputation (stories abound of Thai ambassadors proclaiming it the best Thai food outside Thailand) might be overblown, but the food – authentic and spicy – is pretty damn good, and there’s a spacious dining room with a terrace overlooking Nelson Mandela Sq.
reviewed
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F
Bella Casa Trattoria
This popular Italian trattoria serves lots of pasta choices, along with pizzas and salads at very reasonable prices. It’s a cheerful, family-friendly place with ample courtyard seating at blue-chequered-cloth-covered tables. If you’d rather dine in your hotel, Bella Casa offers takeaway service.
reviewed
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Crossways
This Hilton pub-restaurant is the area’s original pub built in 1909, at, as the name suggests, the crossroads. It serves up good traditional pub grub with themed nights. Wednesday night is prawn night (R110 for 1kg prawns). An entertainment stage plus a kiddies’ room ensures everyone is happy.
reviewed
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G
La Bonne Vie Boulangerie Café
If you’re hankering after freshly baked chocolate croissants or chewy French artisan bread, you’ve found the best place in town here. You can sit down and enjoy the baked goodies along with a pot of freshly brewed coffee in the small dining room or on the terrace.
reviewed
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H
Kream
This is a sexy modern restaurant, all glass, leather, steel and laid-back beats. The menu is equally trendy, with foie gras, snails, bone marrow and crocodile joining the more conservative grilled fish and meats on the menu, but the quality isn’t quite up to scratch.
reviewed
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Eaton’s on Eighty
This is ‘Maritzburg’s choice of gourmands. It’s mellow, romantic and draws a slightly older and sedate crowd, but the menu (which leans towards seafood dishes) is contemporary fusion and the dishes are creative and presented with a colourful zest.
reviewed
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Orange Restaurant
At the top of a hill, this place has ‘unbelievable views’ and ‘the most sophisticated food you’ll get in Nelspruit’. It’s true: think artful plates of guinea fowl, brazed ox cheek, escargot and a fine selection of cocktails.
reviewed
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Corner Cafe
This warehouse-style cafe is one of Durbs’ best (note the wonderful blown-up photo of Durbs and its ’burbs). It serves up great cakes and coffee, and free-range foods (a breakfast treat are the dippy eggs – boiled eggs with Marmite soldiers!)
reviewed
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Silver Spoon Café & Restaurant
Don’t be put off by the shopping-centre location or shop-like atmosphere. This unassuming cafe-restaurant in Hilton serves up a delicious range of snacks and meals. Locals rave about the seafood dishes. It also has internet access (R10 per 10 minutes).
reviewed
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Braza
Cuisine with a touch of Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique and Angola – at least that’s what this lively place promotes. It translates as good meaty dishes and grills, although a decent vegetarian platter is on offer (but not on the menu).
reviewed
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Pot & Kettle
This attractive mint-green place draws the crowds who come to eat on one of three delightful outdoor terraces overlooking the valley. It has a large menu, and if you’re here on a Sunday, there’s an all-you-can-eat carvery for R85.
reviewed
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I
Doppio Zero
Italian and Mediterranean food is the mainstay of this cafe. There’s plenty of outside space in which to enjoy fantastic breakfasts, pizza and pasta and there are incredible baked goods such as rosemary focaccia and custard tarts to take away.
reviewed
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Ile Maurice
For a special seaside splurge with a Gallic touch, try this chic eatery; it’s much bon gout (good taste), not to mention its reputation among Durban’s connoisseurs as la-place-to-eat-by-la-mer.
reviewed
