Eastern Cape
Locals recommend this cheerful, intimate place next to the Bethesda Arts Centre. The menu features tasteful dishes that use local ingredients – try the…
Must-see restaurants in South Africa
Cape Town
Whether you just want to graze on a few tapas-style dishes or cobble together a full meal, this super-relaxed venue is the business, serving inventive if…
Sunshine Coast
Fill up at this great little den before (or after) heading to the beach. Come for excellent breakfasts, gourmet burgers, well-presented salads and…
Garden Route
In the one-time town administration building dating back to 1848, this long-standing restaurant is known for its excellent steaks and ever-changing game…
Sunshine Coast
This cool culinary outpost is a surprise in little Bathurst. Chef Lara cooks up elegantly presented dishes using local produce. The concise menu is…
Stellenbosch
A large indoor-outdoor market with fresh produce, plenty of crafts and clothing as well as wine by the glass, draught craft beer and a host of food stalls…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
If you're looking for a bite in the deep south, Scarborough's favourite meeting point specialises in pizzas named after local surf breaks as well as…
Winelands
There's something to keep everyone entertained here – wine tasting, a microbrewery, sweetie pairings for the kids and an excellent jungle gym. The menu…
Cape Town
Talk about the Great South African Bake-off. The fabulous female team here make – as they say – ‘mucking afazing’ cupcakes and other baked goods. Their…
Cape Town
This old dame of the Long St scene has kept her looks and the vibe remains relaxed. The breakfasts, including sweetcorn fritters and eggs Benedict, are…
Western Cape
A spade's throw from the beach (but without sea views), the only eatery in the village serves burgers, salads, steaks and seafood, and the adjoining shop…
KwaZulu-Natal
Find refuge in the garden cafe and cosy, corrugated-iron restaurant, complete with real fireplaces and candles – easily the standout in Eshowe’s culinary…
Western Cape
This charming roadside store on a dairy farm sells light breakfasts and lunches, tapas, cake, coffee and a smorgasbord of local produce, including cheese,…
Green Point & Waterfront
Commonly acknowledged as one of the better places to eat at the Waterfront – and with long queues to prove it. Huge servings of sushi are the standout…
Garden Route
Stylish decor combines with home-grown organic produce, free-range meats and lots of vegetarian options at this delightful place. There's a coffee…
Hermanus
This long-standing restaurant is still going strong, popular with both locals and tourists as much for its superb sea view as for its menu. Seafood is the…
Hermanus
Found within the Marine hotel, this is the place for a special breakfast with ocean views – try the croissant French toast with maple syrup and bacon,…
Cape Town
Few proprietors work as hard as Chris Lazari to be friendly to their customers – who, understandably, are a loyal bunch. It’s buzzy, gay-friendly and…
Knysna
There’s an outdoor deck overlooking the lagoon and ocean, lots of fish and seafood, plus a few vegetarian dishes. It's a very popular spot so expect to…
The Wild Coast
What nightlife there is in Chintsa centres on this casual and surprisingly trendy bar-restaurant where backpackers and locals mix. Burgers, pizzas and…
Eastern Cape
Views from the outdoor balcony of this stylish 1st-floor restaurant and cocktail bar extend from the car park to the ocean. The large menu runs the gamut…
Winelands
Based within Temenos Retreat but open to all, this quaint dining room offers a small but varied menu featuring homemade ravioli, fish 'n' chips, curries…
Garden Route
It doesn’t look much from afar – a restaurant tucked down the side of a petrol station – but Girl's gets rave reviews. Try the venison fillet or the fresh…
Cape Town
Travellers with kids will love this place: it features a kitchen where little ones can make their own pizza, cookies, cupcakes or gingerbread figures (R55…
Winelands
The menu changes regularly, but always features a few traditional South African dishes and plenty of local ingredients. The attached gift shop is aimed at…
Limpopo
Combining an old-fashioned gift shop with gourmet treats, this little operation also has an excellent coffee shop. Try the tramezzini for breakfast or the…
West Coast & Swartland
A surprisingly cool cafe tucked away behind the harbour. Light lunches, creative salads and good coffee are on offer, as well as a build-your-own picnic…
Sea Point to Hout Bay
This Hout Bay institution dishes up some of Cape Town’s best fish and chips, in a breezy bayside location with outdoor tables. Watch out for the dive…
Port Elizabeth
Treat yourself to a series of dainty tacos and enchiladas at this casual, postage-stamp-sized spot in trendy Richmond Hill. The tapas menu is a steal, and…
Garden Route
This elegant place in a century-old house is one of Mossel Bay's swankiest dining options. Try the seafood potjie (stew) or the fillet steak topped with…
Cape Town
Feel-good food from farm to plate is on offer at this laid-back, tastefully turned out and oh-so-trendy neighbourhood cafe. Try their all-day breakfast…
Durban
Serving vegetarian Indian food, including bunny chow, this is a long-running spot for a tasty inner-city lunch. There's also a branch in Umhlanga, but…
Stellenbosch
A cosy, charming restaurant within a boutique hotel. The menu is small but features some traditional dishes and lots of locally sourced goodies – the…
Stellenbosch
Off Rte 44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, this is a long-established restaurant, best known for its dry aged beef. There's plenty of other meat…
Cape Town
Order a coffee and sandwich at this charming cafe with street-side tables amid the daily flea market. Upstairs is a lovely quiet space in which to surf…
Knysna
Inside, it’s a stylish place to dine on sushi, steak and seafood; outside, it’s a laid-back bar with wood-fired pizzas and a range of Mitchell’s beers…
The Wild Coast
Off the main drag, this popular shack serves wood-fired pizzas with predictably wacky names, eaten with fingers and accompanied by sweeping beach views…
Green Point & Waterfront
This long-running deli and cafe occupies two floors. Grab a smoothie, power-blend or caffeinated beverage, plus sandwiches and deli goods to enjoy along…
Cape Town
Pause at this convivial gourmet deli on your way from climbing up or down Table Mountain or Lion’s Head. The French toast with grilled banana is yummy,…
Plettenberg Bay
Enjoy a good cup of coffee and a freshly baked pastry in the courtyard or on the balcony overlooking Plett's main road. There's also a small lunch menu,…
