Memorable Dining Experiences in the Best South African Restaurants
A country as large and diverse as South Africa is naturally going to have more than its fair share of outstanding restaurants. But if you’re visiting destinations such as Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, or beyond, then you’ll find no shortage of fine dining opportunities.
The Western Cape
Vibrant Cape Town boasts Indian, Greek, Italian, and Thai restaurants, and is known as food lover’s paradise. There’s no excuse for eating a poor quality meal in this city, and the Test Kitchen in Woodstock has been a consistent favourite with travellers and locals alike. You may have to book a month in advance for a table, but Chef Luke Dale-Roberts’ South African and Asian flavoured dishes are well worth the wait. In Stellenbosch, the Overture restaurant features innovative twists on traditional meals, as well as keeping it simple with fresh ingredients, to produce the most natural but intense flavors. When here, diners can also enjoy some of the best views of the local countryside.
Johannesburg
As you’d expect from the country’s largest city there’s no shortage of thriving restaurants. Coobs in Parkhurst is a modern and sophisticated bistro, where ingredients include organic meat and locally produced vegetables. For something unusual, go for the wild boar bacon salad, or the Asian marinated grilled calamari. DW Eleven-13 in Dunkeld West is a fine dining restaurant featuring modern dishes prepared by chef Marthinus Ferreira, who has previously worked with that other famous culinary master, Heston Blumenthal. Enjoy a crayfish and miso spinach starter before a main of dry-aged sirloin steak, or a smoked bone marrow; this is hearty food, designed by a passionate chef, looking to impress rather than overwhelm his guests.
Pretoria
The city of Pretoria boasts a number of hidden gems amongst its many dining establishments, not least of which is the sumptuous dining experience that awaits at the Restaurant Mosaic. Located in the Orient Hotel in Elandsfontein, this exuberant establishment is run by Chef Chantel Dartnall, who creates ingenious dishes featuring the freshest rustic ingredients, such as wild mushrooms, guinea fowl and pheasant. Dishes are cooked to perfection, and presented in some of the most aesthetically appealing ways possible. If however, you’re looking for a dining experience featuring French, Italian, and African flavors then the award-winning La Pentola will be the place to go.
These are just a handful of the many amazing eateries and restaurants available to visitors across South Africa, find out more at Saga Navigator. It’s always worth booking in advance, to ensure your visit includes some of the most memorable meals you’ll ever have.
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Image by DanieVDM used under the Creative Commons license
