Knysna
One of Knysna's more upmarket restaurants is a romantic spot with a blackboard menu that changes regularly. Bookings advisable.
Must-see restaurants in South Africa
KwaZulu-Natal
A quirky little retro treat with a chic vintage interior and cheeky menu items featuring organic produce. Good veggie options.
Cape Town
Pay by weight for the delicious breakfast and lunch buffets, then browse the grocery shelves for picnic fare or gourmet gifts.
Franschhoek
No-nonsense bistro-style food using only fresh ingredients is dished up at this long-standing and deservedly popular place.
Northern Cape
This popular coffee shop serves buffet lunches, cooked breakfasts and traditional meals such as bobotie and offal.
Stellenbosch
This Italian-food stalwart of Stellenbosch’s dining scene has a shady patio next to the botanical garden.
Winelands
A particularly family friendly farmers market with craft, foodstuffs and carriage and pony rides on offer.
Cape Town
Meat lovers might want try this classy premium steak restaurant, which also has a branch on Kloof St.
Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch's original farmers market features lots of artisanal produce as well as crafts.
Johannesburg
Paul started making frozen delights for friends after receiving an ice-cream maker for his birthday. The popularity of his innovative flavours has…
Cape Town
If you're seeking a lunch that is gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free or sugar-free, head to this bright cafe at the southern end of Loop St. On the menu…
Cape Town
Fusion ramen is the order of the day here – lemon chicken broth or coconut cream miso meets Korean-style kimchi, Japanese braised pork belly and marinated…
Cape Town
Pronounced ‘always’, this stylish, relaxing place is fully vegetarian, and offers tasty choices such as soya-chunk and chickpea curry, creamy gnocchi and…
Johannesburg
As you've probably guessed from the name, BGR focuses on doing just a few things, but it does them right. Customise your burger (including veggie options)…
Johannesburg
Rustic Mama Mexicana serves up all the Tex-Mex favourites, from nachos and quesadillas to soft- and hard-shell tacos and hearty burritos. The Hot Mama…
Cape Town
Perched above a designer clothing store, this tiny eatery is the latest in Cape Town''s string of single-dish restaurants. You can choose from half a…
Sea Point to Hout Bay
You can grab dessert on the go at this tiny cafe specialising in soft serve and doughnuts. Ice cream toppings include peppermint crisp, Belgian chocolate…
Johannesburg
Nothing too fancy here, just good, honest wood-fire pizza, delicious pasta – try the oglio with pecorino cheese – and reliable salads and starters on a…
Cape Town
This spartan space on a busy road serves decent sushi and generous portions of noodles. There are also a couple of Korean ramyeon dishes on the menu.
Blyde River Canyon
The Forever Resort's bar-restaurant should be a pleasant lunch stop with its cavernous, air-conditioned interior and Three Rondavels terrace views…
Bloemfontein
This is a self-described ‘Latino social cafe’ that is a popular and sophisticated spot in the heart of the 2nd Ave scene. The lengthy food menu offers…
Mpumalanga
Prawns are the speciality of this guesthouse restaurant, which draws the locals with its seafood dishes, including interesting selections such as crab…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
This 250-year-old farmhouse with a rustic setting serves everything from breakfast to fillet steak, with as much of its produce as possible coming from…
Cape Town
At the market next to Khayelitsha Station, ask around to find this shack serving tasty and excellent traditional chow. Clifford will pour water over your…
Cape Town
This neighbourhood eatery in a small shopping plaza specialises in wood-fired steaks, burgers and milkshakes. It attracts everyone from students to…
Pretoria
This well-established eatery is still going strong, with patrons enjoying its old-fashioned decor and an excellent menu that transgresses all culinary…
Sunshine Coast
Although in a charmless building, Guido’s decks are perfect for a sundowner, with stunning views up the river and along the beach. It does wood-fired…
Kalahari Gateway Hotel Bar-Restaurant
Northern Cape
Although the conveyor belt rarely gets switched on, this Kalahari sushi bar continues to draw curious gourmands. As well as the familiar fishy options …
Limpopo
Sit back and 'chillate' at this friendly bar-restaurant. With an enormous round bar and a postmodern dining room, it's as trendy as fine dining gets in…
Winelands
Based in a 19th-century toll house on Mitchell's Pass, this place makes for a fun lunch stop. The small and quirky menu is filled with traditional treats…
Johannesburg
Pastelaria Princesa is an authentic Portuguese bakery/cafe: On an average day you'll hear as many customers speaking Portuguese as English and the menu is…
Eastern Cape
This wonderfully incongruous Americana-inspired diner dominates the village centre. The menu mixes South African and American classics; dishes of varying…
Johannesburg
This cooler-than-cool little braai stand offers some of the cheapest food in trendy Maboneng, attracting both penny-pinching locals and thrifty visitors…
Cape Town
This marvellous space has been through a number of incarnations. At the helm now is local chef Arno Janse van Rensburg, who serves up something between…
West Coast & Swartland
With perfect surf shack decor, Wit Mossel Pot is a cool place for breakfast, coffee, a plate of seafood or just a beer and a chat about where the best…
Limpopo
Pull up a chair fashioned from old tyres, number plates or tin baths and admire the inimitably quirky decor at this farm stall 15km out of town. Lunches…
Cape Town
Live jazz played during Sunday lunch (1pm to 4pm) is a highlight of this eclectically decorated restaurant in a Victorian mansion. It's a romantic spot…
Johannesburg
Far from the fanciest Indian restaurant in Jo'burg, but the setting is cosy and the North Indian cuisine gets rave reviews. The menu has plenty of…
Johannesburg
Sushi with an African twist? Yes, it's possible at Blackanese which attempts to fuse some African ingredients with sushi rice. The result: so-so. On top…
North West Province
The menu at this local favourite is hearty even by South African standards. There are combos, baskets, platters, sauces, sides and specials galore,…
