If you’re visiting South Africa make sure to grab a table at as many of these top restaurants as you can manage. From tapas and sushi to Italian and everything in between, these are ten of South Africa’s best restaurants.
The restaurant has a laid back atmosphere but the food is world class | Courtesy of Chef's Warehouse
Chef’s Warehouse & Canteen in Cape Town has a menu that changes daily and their tapas set menu is a firm favorite. The restaurant has a canteen style and they don’t take bookings, so getting there early is your best option to snatch a table at this popular restaurant. Try the above-mentioned tapas menu, it’s served in three courses and can take up to an hour to prepare, so go hungry and don’t make other plans.
A dining experience at DW Eleven-13 is a gastronomic delight not to be passed up | Courtesy of DW Eleven-13
Think experimental cuisine and traditional dishes with a twist, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at DW Eleven-13. Choose between a four-course menu or a tasting menu, both available as vegetarian options, and expect dishes like Impala loin with pear atchar, parsnip purée, dukkha, charred leeks, and a cinnamon jus.
All dishes are developed around seasonal produce | Courtesy of Foliage
Foliage restaurant in Franschhoek is all about foraging, from mushrooms to herbs. As such, the menu is seasonal and offers patrons five courses with or without wine pairing. Head chef Chris Erasmus has a field-to-fork method and incorporates most of what he finds while foraging in the Franschhoek surrounds into his exciting dishes. Meat is free-range and the restaurant is a clever mixture between a bistro and luxury farmhouse.
The "Enchanted Forest" dessert with flavors of rose, strawberry, white chocolate, and geranium | Courtesy of La Colombe
La Colombe was awarded 73rd position in the runner-up positions of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2017, so there’s no doubt that a visit to this classy establishment is a must. Located on Silvermist Wine Estate in Constantia Nek the venue offers unmatched views of the Constantia Valley and Hout Bay.
An innovative mushroom dish by Chef Matthew Foxon | Courtesy of Level Four
Level Four at 54 on Bath offers guests classical dining with contemporary influences. Whether you’d like to enjoy a scrumptious breakfast on the terrace, a high-tea on a sunny afternoon or a romantic dinner, Level Four offers all of this and much more. Dishes are innovative and the menu has included gems such as lemon and paprika quail served with caramel potato, coffee parsnip, baby spinach, and hibiscus flower.
Cannelloni by Chef Gareth Jordaan | Courtesy of Luce
Luce specializes in traditional Italian cuisine combined with Japanese elements and flavors. Try the Osso Buco or the veal tortellini, and, if you’re in the mood for something lighter, order the sushi. The wine menu is also impressive and offers the finest South African and Italian options.
"African Aromas" is part of the autumn/winter 2017 menu at Restaurant Mosaic | Courtesy of Restaurant Mosaic
Restaurant Mosaic is housed within The Orient Boutique Hotel and is one of the top recommended restaurants in the country. The restaurant is beautifully decorated in true Art Nouveau fashion and has a romantic atmosphere to match. The menu is seasonal and Chef Chantel Dartnall is inspired by cuisine from all over the world, which she experienced on her travels.
The restaurant received the Diners Diamond Award in 2014 and 2015 | Courtesy of The Sugar Club
The Sugar Club at Beverly Hills in uMhlanga is specifically famous for its impressive desserts and its impressive wine list. A high-tea at The Sugar Club is a wonderful experience, and the menu includes sweet and savory treats as well as tea and coffee. It’s the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon while taking in the views of the Indian ocean.
The Test Kitchen is one of the most on-demand restaurants in Cape Town and Chef Luke Dale-Roberts boasts numerous awards for his contemporary dishes. The restaurant is all about entertainment through experiencing food, so make sure you go hungry and don’t make any other plans.
The view from the restaurant is breathtaking, adding to the total package | Courtesy of The Restaurant at Waterkloof
The Restaurant at Waterkloof is the ultimate wine tasting and dining experience. Set in the heart of the Cape Winelands on the Waterkloof Wines estate, the restaurant protrudes from the main cellar overlooking the beautiful landscape below. The restaurant has an open kitchen and the over-arching cooking style is classic, but with added French inspiration. All meals are prepared using only the freshest, organic produce and the Sample Degustation menu is recommended to enjoy the complete culinary experience.
