On Heritage Day we are encouraged to celebrate the cultures, belief and traditions that make us proudly South African. And what better way to do it than get together around an open fire – or buffet table, for that matter? Celebrate with a quintessential South African braai and other traditional fare at these festivities across SA.

Johannesburg

Castle Lager Braai Day at Moriting Park (Tembisa)
Bring your own braai meat and get ready for an exciting lineup of DJs including Black Coffee and DJ Shimza. Tickets are available for R70 at Computicket and food and alcoholic beverage are available for sale inside the event. Doors open at 11am.

Croc City Crocodile & Reptile Park (Fourways)
Pay R70 per adult for entrance into the park, which includes a guided tour and the option to buy a variety of meals. (Kids under 12 pay R50 and pensioners pay R60.) If you’d like to bring your own meat to braai, pay an extra R50 per person (R25 for kids under 12) and sides are available to purchase. The park is open from 9am to 4.30pm and tickets are available at the gate. For more information call 083 321 1016.

Stonehaven on Vaal (Vanderbijlpark)
Pay R125 per person for meat fresh off the braai or order from the à la carte menu for R135 each. A kid’s menu is available, as well as a variety of outdoor activities, including a 50-minute river cruise (R55 for adults; R50 for children under 12). Cruises run from 12pm. Booking is essential: call 016 982 2951/2 or email info@stonehaven.co.za.

Stornoway Lodge (Lanseria)
Bring your picnic blankets and enjoy live music by Fredi Nest, Armand Hofmeyr, Mannie Jackson and others (R150 per adult; R75 for under 18s; R50 for under 12s; and free entrance for kids under five). Food stalls and a beer garden are available or you can book a table at the The Fat Olive Country Restaurant. The event starts at 10am. Call 071 354 6622 for more information or to make a booking.

Turbine Hall (Newtown)
Kick-start the Heritage Day celebrations on Tuesday 23 September at the 1920s heritage building, Turbine Hall. The event starts at 5pm and entrance is R75. A selection of tapas-style food and drinks will be on sale throughout the evening while live jazz plays in the background. Booking is essential: phone Hazel on 011 492 3888, email underground@thefourm.co.za or book online via www.quicket.co.za.

Yeesh! (Bryanston)
Treat the kids to a day of food and fun for R75 per person. Enjoy a meal of authentic South African fare and a variety of games including a dress-up competition and treasure hunt. The event starts at 9am. For more information call Sandy on 011 656 9669 or email info@yeesh.co.za.

Zoo Lake
Located across from the Johannesburg Zoo, this scenic spot is the perfect braai area for those who want to keep it simple. Open spaces for braais and picnics allow for a large crowd and the venue is open from 9.30am to 5pm. Adults pay R7.50 and kids may enter for R5.

Pretoria

Meadow Green Restaurant at African Pride Irene Country Lodge (Centurion)
Bring the kids and indulge in a braai meat buffet for R185 per adult and R92.50 for children under 12. The buffet includes a wide selection of meats, sides and a handful of desserts. Be there at 12.30, but be sure to book in advance. Call 012 667 6464.

The Buffet Station at Meadow Green Restaurant at African Pride Irene Country Lodge. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Barn Restaurant at Irene Dairy Farm (Irene)
Indulge in a large braai buffet for R139.95 per person. Children under 12 pay half price. Booking is essential: phone 012 667 4822.

Die Bos (Moreletapark)
Dine under a boma in true South African style at Die Bos. Bring your own braai meat or buy a pack there. The venue opens at 10am. Call 079 777 6125 for more information or to enquire about the current specials.

Land Rover Africa Heritage Day Expo (Gezina)
Partake in a braai competition or sit back and watch the 4×4 off-road challenge. The event also includes live music, a beer garden, food stalls and kids’ entertainment corner. Adults pay R50 (or R150 to enter the braai competition), students and pensioners pay R35 and kids under the age of 12 get in for free. Tickets are available at the gate from 10am.

Rademeyers Farm Style Restaurant (Moreletapark)
Enjoy an ice-cold 500ml Black Label Draft with a 350g T-bone steak or a Chicken Flattie for R95. Bookings are essential: call (012) 993 5844

Durban

Castle Lager Braai Day at People’s Park (Moses Mabhida Stadium)
Castle Lager, along with hosts Mzokoloko and Thandolweth, bring you an action-packed Heritage Day celebration with a full DJ lineup. While the event is a bring-and-braai, meat and alcoholic beverages will also be on sale throughout the day. (No alcohol is allowed to be brought into the stadium.) The event runs from 11am to 9pm and tickets are available for R60 at Computicket and R70 at the gate.

The Ocean Terrace (Umhlanga Rocks)
From 22-26 September, savour a proudly South African gourmet ‘boerie roll’ with caramelised onions, homemade tomato sauce, avocado, cheese and a complimentary craft beer. This offer is available for lunch and dinner for R120 per person. Booking is essential: phone 031 514 5000.

The deck at The Ocean Terrace. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Cape Town

The Backyard Grill (Sea Point)
Build your own braai platter for between R100 and R180 per person. The price depends on what meats you choose and sides range from R40 to R50 per person. This casual, wind-protected venue opens at 12pm. Call 021 433 1296 for more information or to make a booking.

The Boot Room (Green Point)
Pay R30 to enter your team in the National Braai Day competition or simply relax and enjoy the DJs and live music. No alcohol may be brought onto the premises, but you will need to supply your own braai meat. The event runs from 2pm to 7pm. Email thebootroom@mweb.co.za for more information.

Castella Amare (Melkbosstrand)
For R159 per person, choose between a braai meat or seafood platter and sip from a glass of Durbanville Hills sauvignon blanc or pinotage. Platters arrive with three sides and a kiddies’ menu is available (R55 per person for children under 12). The event runs from 12pm to 7pm. Booking is essential: phone (021) 553 3827 or email reception@castella.co.za.

Braaing at Castella Amare. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Clubhouse (Claremont Cricket Club)
Join The Clubhouse and Kay Mason Foundation at 12pm for a braai lunch and live entertainment by local band Mac Stanley and magician Sieko (R250 per adult; R50 for under 12s; free for kids under four). All proceeds from the day are donated to the Kay Mason Foundation. Tickets are available from webtickets.

Kalk Bay Café (Kalk Bay)
Pop down to Kalk Bay Café for one of their famous fish braais accompanied by the smooth sounds of a live jazz band. Phone 021 709 0227 for more information.

Mondiall (V&A Waterfront)
Celebrate Heritage Day and Braai Day with a special menu of a braai platter for R195 (at R250 tiger prawns will be included in the platter), grain fed beef sirloin at R145 or a Wagyu cheeseburger at R130. There will be over one hundred Bin End wines by the glass available for R35 on this day only.

Noordhoek Farm Village (Noordhoek)
Join in on the fun at the 2014 Heritage Day Potjiekos Challenge, where chefs compete in the ultimate potjiekos cook-off. The competition kicks off at 10am and judging takes place at 3pm after which guests can sample potjies for R30 per plate.

The Secret Place (Lansdowne)
Pay R100 per person for a full Braai Day lunch and engage in a game of dominos, card games and chess. The event starts at 11am and a cash bar is available. Booking is essential: call Candice on 081 787 7842.

Shimmy Beach Club (V&A Harbour)
Revel in ocean views and snack on a selection of braai meats, seafood and sides for R350 per person. A kiddies’ menu for children aged seven to 12 will cost R100, while those under seven can eat for free. The event starts at 12pm. Booking is essential: phone 021 200 7778 or email info@shimmybeachclub.co.za.

The outside of the Shimmy Beach Club. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Winelands

Delheim Garden Restaurant (Stellenbosch)
Spend Heritage Day at this scenic wine estate for R185 per person, which includes a meal of braai meats and assorted sides, dessert, tea and coffee, and live music. Booking is essential: phone 021 888 4607 or email restaurant@delheim.com.

Outside lunch at Delheim Garden Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Durbanville Hills Restaurant (Durbanville)
Buy boerewors rolls served with a selection of gourmet toppings for R35 each. Live music starts at 11am and the wine tasting room will be open from 10am to 3pm. Phone (021) 558 1300 for more information or to make a booking.

Golden Valley Casino (Worcester)
Tickets for adults and children cost R75 per person and include a braai-pack lunch and live entertainment by singer-songwriter Nick Stevens. Activities such as face painting, pony rides, sand art and a jumping castle will keep the kids happy. The event runs from 11.30am to 3pm. Booking is essential: phone (023) 348 7200 or email goldenvalleyinfo@suninternational.com for more information.

Hermitage Restaurant (Stellenbosch)
Tuck into a platter of braai meats and side dishes for R100 per person at the Hermitage Restaurant on the Hazendal Estate. Bring the kids, who can snack on a boerewors roll and juice for R45 each. The restaurant’s picnic baskets are also available, but must be booked two days in advance. Booking is essential: phone 021 903 5053 or email info@hazendal.co.za.

The deck at the Durbanville Hills Eatery. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Lanzerac Hotel & Spa (Stellenbosch)
Enjoy a welcome drink, three-course buffet meal and three glasses of wine from the Heritage wines range for R350 per person. Additional wine, soft drinks and coffee are not included. Guests will be seated at 1pm sharp. Seating is limited so make sure to book immediately.
Booking essential: phone (021) 887 1132 or email banqueting3@lanzerac.co.za

Leopard’s Leap Rotisserie (Franschhoek)
This Heritage Day feast costs R300 per person and includes five types of braai meat, sides from the harvest table, desserts and an interactive braai tutorial. Kids can pick their plates from the à la carte kiddies’ menu. Pre-payment is essential for booking your spot: contact Lené on 021 876 8002 or email reservations@leopardsleap.co.za

The Kitchen at Maison (Franschhoek)
For R350 per person, guests can tuck into a gourmet braai feast featuring an array of meats and traditional South African desserts. The event is between 12pm and 4pm and includes musical entertainment by saxophonist Buddy Wells. Booking is essential: phone 021 876 2116 or email Julian@maisonestate.co.za

An outside view of The Kitchen at Maison. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Overture (Stellenbosch)
80 guests share a long table at this gourmet braai and wine event at Eat Out Top 10 Restaurant, Overture. Tickets are R420 per person and include a meal, live music and a bottle of Hidden Valley sauvignon blanc or pinotage to take home. The venue opens at 11.30am and the sit-down lunch starts at 12pm. Booking is essential: call 021 880 2646 or email info@hiddenvalleywines.co.za.

The Red Table Restaurant at Nederburg Estate (Paarl)
Munch on AAA-grade sirloin steak, seafood and a mix of meze platters for R260 per person. The price includes your meal, assorted desserts and a glass of Nederburg wine on arrival. (Kids under the age of 13 pay R100 each.) The event starts at 12pm and booking and pre-payment are essential: call 021 877 5155 or email theredtable@nederburg.co.za.

Please note that while we take care to ensure that our information is accurate and up to date, some offers and prices may change without our knowledge.

Heard of any other great Heritage Day foodie events? Let us know in the comments.