Best Restaurants to Check Out in South Africa: A Gourmet Guide

Have you ever considered where to take your taste buds on a fantastic trip? In South Africa, the food is stimulating, with incredible places to eat at that’ll blow your mind—think tasty barbecue and excellent Cape Malay curries. We’ve got the lowdown on the best spots you have to try. If you love food or enjoy eating, these top restaurants will make you want seconds.

If you’re checking out the best places to visit in South Africa, don’t miss out on their excellent restaurants. They have all kinds of food that show off the country’s culture. It’s like going on an adventure with every bite!

1. The Test Kitchen, Cape Town: This spot leads the pack. It’s all about daring dishes
here. Local meets global in innovative tasting menus.

2. Wolfgat, Paternoster: It’s cozy, and it’s world-class. Dive into the freshest seafood
and feel good about the eco-friendly ethos.

3. Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient, Pretoria: Seasonal menus meet artful
presentation. Dining fans, prepare for a sensory feast.

4. La Colombe, Constantia: Escape to the Constantia wine valley. La Colombe mixes
French-Asian elegance with scenic views.

5. Mzoli’s, Gugulethu: Get accurate with a traditional South African braai. Mzoli’s offers
smoky meats and a vibrant vibe.

6. Marble Restaurant, Johannesburg. Flame-grilled mastery and South African verve
define Marble. Come for the grill, stay for the wine.

7. Overture at Hidden Valley, Stellenbosch: Savor contemporary local cuisine wrapped
in wine country’s lush vistas. It’s a true cinephile’s delight.

Embark on a flavorful journey through South Africa’s diverse and vibrant culinary scene, where each dish tells a story of its rich cultural heritage.

In Cape Town, the Cape Malay cuisine is a must-try. It blends Indonesian and Malaysian flavors with South African ingredients. Here, you can enjoy some of the best things to do in South Africa, like savoring dishes such as bobotie or spicy curries. The Free State region offers a taste of the hearty potjiekos, a slow-cooked stew made in a cast-iron pot over an open fire.

Head to Durban for their iconic Bunny Chow, a dish of hollowed-out bread filled with curry. Bunny Chow reflects the Indian influence on South African cuisine.

The Test Kitchen in Cape Town stands out as one of South Africa’s top-rated restaurants. Its innovative menu and exceptional service make it unforgettable. In Pretoria, Restaurant Mosaic offers Michelin-star dining with artful presentations and intricate flavors.

Another culinary gem is Wolfgat, located in Paternoster on the West Coast. It celebrates local ingredients and traditional techniques, earning global acclaim for its excellence.

South African food includes unique tastes like biltong-infused dishes that offer a salty-savory experience, unlike any other meat snack. Rooibos tea isn’t just for sipping—chefs use it to add depth to savory meals.

For dessert lovers, Amarula cream adds a rich fruitiness to sweets across the country.

Chefs are reimagining classic South African dishes with modern twists everywhere you look. Johannesburg has eateries specializing in molecular gastronomy that transform familiar flavors into astonishing new forms.

And vegan interpretations of local favorites provide exciting alternatives for those seeking plant-based options without compromising taste or tradition.

Cape Town is waiting for food lovers with its stunning Table Mountain views and some delicious eats. Let’s dig into the must-try dining hotspots, shall we?

1. The Test Kitchen: Over in the hip Woodstock area, The Test Kitchen is where you’ll
find bold, creative dishes. Chef Luke Dale-Roberts mixes up modern with South African
cuisine. It’s a food journey you can’t miss!

2. La Colombe: Drive to the lovely Constantia wine valley to find La Colombe. They’re all
about blending local tastes with French flair. Plus, the view? Breathtaking.

3. Pot Luck Club: Same Woodstock vibe, less formal, but just as tasty. The Pot Luck Club
dishes out small plates perfect for sharing. And trust me, you’ll want to share
everything to taste it all. The city views are just the cherry on top.

4. Aubergine: In the historic Gardens district, Aubergine is where intimacy meets
sophistication. Chef Harald Bresselschmidt is a genius with seasonal ingredients,
game, and seafood. This is elegance on a plate.

5. Chefs Warehouse & Canteen: With a few locations, including the buzzing Bree Street,
Chefs Warehouse is the “it” place for bold flavors and exciting pairings. Their tapas
concept means you get a little bit of everything excellent.

Welcome to Jozi—a city buzzing with flavors and people. This food scene is as exciting and diverse as the city’s heartbeat.

1. La Colombe: Afine dining star shining in Johannesburg. La Colombe is about a
sophisticated, luxury meal. Here, the ambiance pairs as nicely with the food as their
wine selection does.

2. DW Eleven 13: Fusion is at its best here. DW Eleven 13 offers a creative mix of global
and local tastes. It’s culinary excellence with a personal touch.

3. Greenhouse: At Greenhouse, the plates are all about local, sustainable ingredients.
Their dedication to eco-friendly dining makes your meal even more satisfying.

4. Marble Restaurant: Marble is where city vibes meet fire-grilled brilliance. They’ve
turned the classic South African braai into something extraordinary. Order the steak
and stay for the wine.

5. Cube Tasting Kitchen: Cube Tasting Kitchen is pretty intimate, perfect for making
your way through an adventurous tasting menu. The chefs here think outside the box
– and so will your palate.

Spicy curries, stunning beaches, and a warm welcome—that’s Durban. This city is where flavors from around the world meet the local zest.

1. The Ocean Terrace: Imagine eating delicious curries and seafood with a view of the
Indian Ocean. You’ll get that at The Ocean Terrace at The Oyster Box Hotel. The setting
is as stunning as the food.

2. 9th Avenue Waterside: Right by the water, 9th Avenue Waterside serves freshness on
a plate. It’s seasonal, it’s beautiful, and it’s mouthwateringly good.

3. Butcher Boys Florida Road: Carnivores, rejoice! Butcher Boys is all about the meat.
Bring your appetite and a love for steaks to this Florida Road favorite.

4. Moyo Ushaka: Fancy dining at the end of a pier? Moyo at Ushaka Marine World offers
gorgeous ocean views and traditional African dishes. It’s a feast for all the senses.

5. Roma Revolving Restaurant: Feast on Italian fare with a local twist as the cityscape
twirls around you. Roma is the only revolving restaurant in the Southern Hemisphere,
and it’s pretty darn cool.

Coffee shop lovers, Pretoria is your haven. Here’s the lowdown on five cafes you can’t miss in this vibrant city:

1. Tribeca Standard: Tribeca Standard is a sleek spot with top-notch coffee. Their menu
is brimming with tasty treats to match every coffee blend.

2. Afro-Boer: Afro-boer brings you into a beautiful garden ambiance. There’s artisanal
bread, and the vibe feels like home – if your home is super chill and smells like fresh
pastry.

3. Vintage Coffee: This spot goes well with every coffee cup. Enjoy a brew with good
karma in their quaint, homey setting.

4. Ginger and Fig: It’s all about the freshness at Ginger and Fig. From gourmet burgers
to homemade sweets, your belly will be happy.

5. Carlton Café Delicious: Imagine food that’s as artistic as delicious. That’s what you’ll
find at Carlton Café. Their menu keeps it fresh with seasonal picks and baked goods
that’ll make you return for seconds.

Get ready for picturesque views and plates total of deliciousness along the Eastern Cape shores. Check out the five top spots serving this coastal beauty’s soul:

1. The Blue Waters Café: The place for seafood platters and fine dining with a view,
right in Port Elizabeth.

2. The Kitchen Windows Beach Restaurant: In Jeffreys Bay, take some surfing, steak, or
locally sourced seafood. Your tastebuds will thank you.

3. Fushin Sushi and Eastern Cuisine: Asian fusion finds a home in Port Elizabeth. Fushin
isn’t just sushi; it’s a dining experience.

4. The Deck at Buccaneers: Chill vibes, organic ingredients, and the Indian Ocean. You’ll
find them all at The Deck at Buccaneers in Chintsa.

5. Graze By The River: Small-town charm meets fine dining at Graze By The River in Port
Alfred. Seasonal dishes spotlight the region’s best produce and seafood.

KwaZulu-Natal is a culinary playground waiting for you to take a bite.

1. The Ocean Terrace: It’s seafood and curry with a view at The Ocean Terrace in
Umhlanga Rocks.

2. 9th Avenue Bistro: Durban’s 9th Avenue Bistro is the word on every foodie’s lips. The
dishes are as fresh as they come.

3. Bellevue Café: Warm, hearty, and chic – Bellevue Café in Kloof serves comfort on a
plate.

4. The Grill Room: Feel fancy at The Grill Room in The Oyster Box Hotel with prime cuts
and seafood platters.

5. Spice: Durban’s Spice is all Eastern flavors with a twist. Expect a dining experience
that’s full of surprises.

Before you hit the road to explore South Africa’s food scene, make sure you’re ready to drive there. You must get an International Driving Permit in South Africa if you’re from another country. It translates your driver’s license so you can legally drive in a new place.

Always have your International Driving Permit (IDP) and driver’s license when driving. Before going to South Africa, grab a driving guide from a car club to learn their road rules. Remember, in South Africa, you drive on the left side of the road, and everyone must wear a seatbelt. Watch out for animals on the streets, especially in the countryside.

Here are some essential tips to keep in mind while driving:

• Strictly adhere to posted speed limits to ensure safety and compliance with local laws.
• For your security, avoid traveling on secluded roads after sunset. Use GPS navigation to help you find the best routes and destinations, but remain alert to your surroundings.

Remember these tips, and you’ll have a smooth trip driving in South Africa while enjoying delicious local food.

South Africa’s food is exciting, with many different tastes from all its cultures. You can find excellent dishes in Cape Town, yummy spicy stuff in Durban, all sorts of food in Pretoria, and fantastic seafood along the Eastern Cape. And don’t forget the secret food spots in Mpumalanga and the unique flavors in Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa offers a culinary journey that you wouldn’t want to miss.