The Best Restaurants in Pretoria, South Africa

Alfie’s Italian Café serves authentic Italian cuisine in Pretoria’s up-and-coming foodie hotspot, The Village in Hazelwood. The small restaurant serves the best pasta in town and has quite a large menu, including tasty starter options and delicious desserts. If you have only one dish make sure it’s the homemade gnocchi or try one of their specials of the day, you won’t be disappointed.

Caraffa Ristorante, another Italian favourite, was established in 1990 so there’s no doubt that you’ll leave with a satisfied appetite and a smile on your face. The family-owned restaurant is run by the mother-daughter team of Michela and Franca, which adds to its charm. The homemade lasagne is out of this world and, if you’re after something meatier, try the oven baked T-bone steak.

Crawdaddy’s in Brooklyn is known for their delicious food at reasonable prices, bustling atmosphere and great service. Their meat and seafood dishes are especially popular and the restaurant is a frequented by locals, whether for casual dinners or business meetings. Tables fill up fast, especially over weekends, so make sure to book.

Fermier Restaurant is all about sustainability and is aiming to one day be completely self-sustainable. The restaurant has a farmhouse feel and pretty much everything inside it (including the cutlery) has been created by local artisans. Fermier also incorporates “head to tail” cooking, meaning that all parts of an animal is used, and not just those that are normally considered “tasty”. The nine-course menu costs R550 (£32) per person and an additional R250 (£15) includes wine pairing.

If Indian cuisine is what you’re after, look no further. Geet perfectly combines flavours, colours and textures to create delicious, authentic Indian dishes. The restaurant has received numerous awards and has been going strong for more than 14 years.

Hinterland Vleishandelaar is a meat lover’s dream come true as they serve quality, South African meat prepared to each patron’s preference and served with delicious sides. From springbok and kudu carpaccio to steaks and burgers with all the trimmings, Hinterland Vleishandelaar has it all.

Salt Eatery specialises in artisanal foods, including cured meats, breads and cheese, and the best way to enjoy all they have on offer is to order sharing plates. The ever-changing menu ensures that there’s always something new for patrons who keep coming back for more. The food is imaginative and includes everything from steamed buns to the tastiest pork belly in town. Salt is an unpretentious eatery with loads on offer.

Toni’s Fully Furnished Pizza Company in Rietondale is a large restaurant with a lively atmosphere. Kids are welcome so it’s ideal for family outings. Having said this, the atmosphere is quite romantic in the evenings, as candles light up the tables. This is the place to go for pizza, pizza and more pizza. They have banting options and salads on the menu, but the original pizzas are definitely the stars of the menu. And for dessert? Try the hazelnut, chocolate and marshmallow pizza.

Run by husband and wife team, Sidney and Anchen Cousins, Zest Bistro in Menlopark specialises in bistro style dishes focusing on fresh produce. The quaint restaurant situated in the Greenlyn Shopping Centre serves a four or five course tasting menu and often hosts wine evenings.

Get to know South Africa better by joining Cape Town garden route tour.