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…
Must-see restaurants in Southern Africa
Harare
An attractive house-turned-restaurant with a relaxed garden setting, 40 Cork serves quality breakfasts and lunches, and does one of the best coffees in…
Stellenbosch
A vibrant bakery and bistro priding itself on locally sourced ingredients. The menu features salads, sandwiches and mezze-style platters, as well as fresh…
Windhoek
Leo’s takes its regal setting in Heinitzburg Castle to heart by welcoming diners into a banquet hall that previously served the likes of royalty. The…
Lüderitz
The garden setting, white-wood furnishings, great coffee and filled rolls add up to one of our favourite little haunts in town. The baked treats, Black…
Livingstone
Olga’s does authentic wood-fired thin-crust pizzas, as well as delicious homemade pasta classics all served under a large thatched roof. Great options for…
Gaborone
In the garden area out the back of Botswanacraft, this tranquil spot serves up imaginative African cooking (including guinea-fowl pot), with other local…
Northern Mozambique
This excellent new restaurant in Stone Town specialises in the island's seafood bounty. Tuna, prawns, marlin and lobster are all done to perfection here,…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
Setting a high standard for relaxed rustic cafes by the sea, Olympia bakes its own breads and pastries. It’s great for breakfast, and its Mediterranean…
Cape Town
A quirky yet elegantly decorated space – think deer heads with broken crockery and contemporary art – showcases the art and culinary creations of Jacques…
Walvis Bay
This Walvis Bay landmark sits on stilts offshore, and has a great front-row view of the ducks, pelicans and flamingos. Here you can expect high-quality…
Maun
This homey place offers a choice of wonderfully earthy meals, including homemade bread, homemade lemonade, filter coffee, baked potatoes, soups and…
Garden Route
Readers and locals all recommend this elegant restaurant with a deck overlooking the lagoon. The South African–inspired menu changes monthly but always…
Garden Route
Whether you're after freshly baked bread and good coffee to start the day, inventive tapas plates to share at lunchtime or heavier evening fare like…
Swakopmund
Inside the ground floor of the lighthouse, this atmospheric place is run by an Italian-Namibian couple who prepare Swakopmund's best (and homemade)…
KwaZulu-Natal
Enjoy seafood and bistro fare in unpretentious surroundings at this excellent coastal restaurant, where traditional recipes have a modern twist. For a…
Kasane
This open-air bar-restaurant close to the riverbank is every bit as good as the guesthouse it inhabits. The menu contains all the usual suspects such as…
Swakopmund
A Swakopmund institution, Kücki’s has been in the bar and restaurant biz for a couple of decades. The menu is full of seafood and meat dishes alongside…
Botswana
An oasis of sophistication at the northern end of Francistown, Thorn Tree (no relation to Lonely Planet’s famous online bulletin board) does burgers,…
Winelands
The food at this stylish winery is on a par with the views: magnificent. Dishes, such as pan-roasted sea bass, Parmesan mousse and lamb shoulder with…
Malawi
In an atmospheric old house with black-and-white floors and a large veranda overlooking a lawn, L'Hostaria offers Italian recipes and fresh produce that…
Bloemfontein
Set in an old house with inside and outside dining options, Seven on Kellner offers an informal, intimate atmosphere. Poultry, meat and seafood dishes are…
Damaraland
Quiche, hazelnut cheesecake, white-wood furniture...what's not to like about this fine little lunch and breakfast spot that makes a priority of fresh…
Winelands
Well known for its gourmet cuisine and attentive service, this is one of the Western Cape's best small-town restaurants. The menu changes regularly but…
Western Cape
This smokehouse has quickly gained a huge following for its slow-cooked and perfectly seasoned meats and Texan-inspired sides like corn salad, baked beans…
Cape Town
Beechwood furnishings and subtle lighting lend a calm, Zen-like air to this superior Japanese restaurant with an expert chef turning out sushi and sashimi…
Franschhoek
The award-winning Cape Town restaurant has opened a breezy sister branch here. The French-inspired menu comes in seven- or 12-course versions and you can…
Stellenbosch
Expect innovative dishes like rabbit-leg wontons or beetroot chocolate fondant at this stylish winery restaurant. Book ahead.
Cape Town
As gourmet as it gets in Khayelitsha with the lovely Abigail Mbalo, a self-taught cook and former contestant on SA's MasterChef TV show, in charge. Expect…
Lesotho
Attached to the NGO Kick4Life and its hotel, No.7 pumps its profits back into Kick4Life’s charitable work and the team includes young locals training for…
eSwatini (Swaziland)
Delicious food, a serene setting and cracking views – if you’re after an authentic Swazi experience, eDladleni is hard to beat. Here you can tuck into…
Drakensberg Escarpment
Attracting local couples, families and tourists, this classy set-up is renowned for its red meat, such as the recommended Mayfly rump topped with red wine…
Malawi
Established in 1921, this historical restaurant is one of Malawi's more sophisticated eateries, occupying a library-like room with salmon-coloured seats…
Cape Town
With just one long wooden table seating up to 18, and the charming chef and host Julia Hattingh in charge, it's easy to see why this place is called…
Lusaka
Boasting the best barista in Lusaka (the winner of an international competition) as well as an enviable garden setting, the Deli is a good place to plant…
Northern Cape
Specialising in traditional cuisine like oxtail, snoek (a type of mackerel), tripe and trotters and chicken's feet, Fusion offers a welcome break from…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
This breezy, Aegean-style fish restaurant, set within arm’s reach of the crashing waves and the bustle of Kalk Bay Harbour, is one of the best options…
Cape Town
Hiding in plain sight along a sketchy stretch of Victoria Rd is this little gem of a place. Started in 2016 by a group of friends from Morocco, this is…
Sunshine Coast
Eavesdrop on faculty gossip at Grahamstown’s best place to eat, which is simultaneously a relaxed courtyard cafe and refined restaurant. The menu drips…
InFood Deli Bakery & Deli Restaurant
Sunshine Coast
The sandwiches, burgers and other food at this cafe, bakery and deli are far from ordinary. This is not surprising, considering the owner-chef’s…
