Drakensberg Escarpment
Going since 1997, the Silver Spoon serves unremarkable pancakes with fillings from beef curry and creamy spinach to Amarula chocolate mousse and banana…
Must-see restaurants in South Africa
North West Province
This busy eatery has a small seafood menu, but it’s the sizeable meat dishes that are the reason it gets crowded most evenings. Try the hunter’s steak …
Pretoria
You'll enjoy this place almost as much for the decor as the food, with nods to Paris and New York, dimly lit corner tables and plenty of mirrors adorning…
Green Point & Waterfront
The second branch of this popular cafe is larger than the original and boasts arguably better views. Grab a table on the terrace and enjoy your coffee…
Port Elizabeth
With low lighting, stacked logs, straw baskets and a terrace overlooking the beach, this Afro-rustic restaurant attracts a multicultural crowd. Burgers,…
Pretoria
Laid-back and stylish, this cafe is the perfect place to chill out in the middle of Brooklyn Sq with a latte and browse the magazines for a few hours, or…
Durban
Basically a huge balcony overlooking the ocean, the location of this coastal spot gets rave reviews from travellers. Offerings include typical grilled…
Northern Cape
This Italian restaurant, its awning twined with fishing rope, serves seafood as well as pizza and pasta. It's a marvellous place to watch the sun dip into…
North West Province
Formerly called Lewoni’s, this modest cafe is tucked inside a small suburban complex surrounded by curio shops and nail salons. It has a tiny courtyard…
Drakensberg Escarpment
This slightly ramshackle pub is OK for a light lunch, with outside seating and a jungle gym. Dishes range from toasted sandwiches, burgers and pizzas to…
Durban
One of the handful of central restaurants surviving in Durban, Roma offers stunning views over the city in its own leaning House of John Ross. Beautifully…
West Coast & Swartland
This Greek-themed, pseudo-Mediterranean resort might not appeal as a place to stay over, but it is a fun spot to spend an evening. There are eight…
Victorian Tea Garden & Restaurant
Mpumalanga
Enjoy sandwiches (R25), cakes, filter coffee and more while watching the world go by from this gazebo – an incongruous sight in Barberton's small downtown…
Garden Route
The Cuban-themed stalwart of Mossel Bay's drinking and dining scene is still going, although it's not as popular as it once was. Stews, steaks and seafood…
Northern Cape
Birds hop between palm trees and kids play on the swings at this popular spot in the suburbs. The vast menu features everything from steak to sushi – the…
Cape Town
Decent kosher cafe that's in the same complex as the South African Jewish Museum and the Great Synagogue. The wide-ranging menu includes snacks and…
North West Province
The large beer garden of this pub-style restaurant is a good place in which to take a break from Welwitschia curio browsing. Grilled meats and burgers…
Cape Town
This spotlessly clean butchers generally has a relaxed, peaceful vibe since it doesn’t sell alcohol. The cuts of meat – beef, lamb, pork, sausages and…
Buttercup Coffee Shop & Bakery
Northern Cape
There's decent coffee at this cavernous place a short walk from the ocean. You'll also find home-baked cakes, waffles with sweet and savoury toppings and…
Winelands
A firm favourite with locals, this long-running restaurant offers everything from jambalaya and Southern-style ribs to Thai green curry or a hearty game…
Mediterranean Seafood Restaurant
Nelspruit (Mbombela)
Cane chairs and booths, a large outdoor seating area, floor-to-ceiling wine racks and pebble mosaics adorn this popular seafood restaurant and sushi bar…
Winelands
A friendly spot serving decent coffee and a little bit of everything, food-wise. There are tables on the front stoep, but the shady terrace at the back is…
Western Cape
The fish at this ramshackle joint overlooking the harbour is fresh off the boat – be sure to ask about the catch of the day. You'll also find some meaty…
Cape Town
This new place, run by the same people as Pesce Azzurro up the road, specialises in pizza as well as pasta – all keenly priced and fine for a quick and…
Cape Town
Salmon is the focus at this tiny cafe on trendy Bree St, whether smoked or seared. The menu is as small as the premises, featuring a couple of sandwiches,…
West Coast & Swartland
A splendidly kitsch restaurant within the Evita se Perron complex serving traditional food such as boerewors (famers' sausage) and koeksisters (a deep…
Sunshine Coast
This surprisingly stylish restaurant in the park offers fine dining inside and a covered deck outside. Breakfast and lunch buffets are offered, while the…
Winelands
You can buy home-baked goodies and swig on fresh ginger beer in this eatery based in a family home. Meals must be booked ahead; they always include…
Pretoria
This groovy place provides an unceasingly cool terrace for summer chillin'. An array of pastries, cakes, tarts and quiches will tempt the devil in you, or…
Limpopo
This simple restaurant at the Interpretation Centre does chicken burgers, steaks and local dishes based around pap (a traditional African food made from…
Durban
A more salubrious spot than many to sample bunny chow (or a range of other Indian-inspired dishes), House of Curries is a local institution. Grab a quart…
Pretoria
A huge menu and a plethora of seating options – go for the outdoor deck – make this one of Pretoria’s more enjoyable lunch spots. The pasta dishes and…
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
The food is far from spectacular but the setting more than compensates. Take a dip in the pool or keep an eye out for crocs and hippos in the estuary from…
KwaZulu-Natal
Tourists flock to this pleasant spot on the edge of a lagoon for fresh Belgian-style waffles with every sweet and savoury topping under the sun. Some…
Limpopo
Based at Highgrove Lodge, this is one of Tzaneen’s most reliable restaurants. Dishes include steaks, pasta, burgers, pizzas from the wood-fired oven and…
Western Cape
A multifarious place that dishes up fresh seafood (including hard-to-find abalone), clothing and curios, helps with tourist information and offers…
Northern Cape
For breakfast, brunch or lunch, your best bet is this cafe tucked away behind a plant nursery. There are salads, sandwiches and burgers on offer, plus…
Port Elizabeth
In a large converted garage in a gritty neighbourhood around the corner from the stadium, Cubata has a dedicated following of loyal locals who chow down…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
Best known for its burgers, this airy branch of the small, local chain also serves very tasty flatbreads and a range of health-conscious options.
Limpopo
This kid-friendly place is part of a national franchise and is a reliable choice in Louis Trichardt. Steaks and burgers are the speciality, but the salad…
