It’s something we associate with the 1920s: warbling songstresses, a cappella bands, and gentlemen in top hats and tails performing card tricks during the dinner service. But in recent years, dinner and a show has become rather trendy again, with the likes of Madame Zingara and Vaudeville offering theatrical delights to keep diners entertained. If you’re on the lookout for something different, try one of these restaurants, which put on everything from full circus performances to belly dancing and light jazz.

Johannesburg

Moyo Melrose Arch and Zoo Lake
What: face painting and hand washing is part of the Moyo experience. In the week for dinner, there is a solo guitar performance. There are also live band performances.
When: solo guitar performance from Monday to Thursday and band performances on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Madame Zingara
What: Live performances of dancing, circus shows, magicians, jugglers, contortionists, acrobats and music.
When: Tuesday to Saturday. See their website for schedules of the shows.

Satori
What: A one-man band performing on an accordion, as well as live performances of Latino music.
When: Every Saturday night. And: Every two months on the first Saturday of the month, Satori brings the party to the pavement with live music performances.

Signature
What: Jazz and blues performances.
When: They are open 12 noon to midnight from Monday to Saturday, and on Sunday for lunch.

Zietsies
What: Elzabe Zietsman is a songstress, actress and chef. After she entertains with her cooking, she puts on a show.
When: Every Sunday during lunch.

Pretoria

A’La Turka
What: Belly dancers.
When: Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening from 8pm.

Villa San Giovanni
What: A one-man band that interacts with diners.
When: Every Friday evening.

Durban

Bush Tavern
What: One-man cover bands and, on occasion, full bands doing the greatest hits.
When: Tuesday evenings, Thursday to Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

Market
What: Live jazz, and folk and contemporary.
When: Friday lunchtime for the jazz, and Saturday lunchtime the folk and contemporary.

Moyo
What: Take part in the hand-washing and face-painting ceremonies. They also have a few in-house bands that alternate with music, drum and dance performances.
When: Every Friday and Saturday evening.

Riverside Café
What: A live band performing all the contemporary favourites.
When: Every Friday evening.

Wodka Restaurant
What: Live jazz band.
When: Every Sunday for lunch.
And: This Thursday evening (15 September) the Meditators will be performing for the last time.

Cape Town

Azure
What: Live solo artist Jenie Oliver performing light jazz.
When: Every Sunday for lunch.

Bloemendal
What: A different live band with the seafood buffet.
When: Every Wednesday evening.

Cafe Roux
What: Me and Mr Brown perform live renditions of all your classic favourites.
When: Every Sunday for lunch.

Catharina’s
What: Live jazz band during the buffet lunch.
When: Every Sunday for lunch between 12 noon and 3pm.

HQ
What: Live DJ performance.
When: Every Friday night.
Or: Have two-for-the-price-of-one steaks and cocktails and be entertained by the live reggae music performance.
When: Every Monday night.
Or: Swing and old school solo performance by Ricky Botsis.
When: Every Saturday night starting this October.

Leopard Bar
What: Light jazz performed by Jenie and Jeremy Olivier as well as guest artists.
When: Monday to Saturday evenings.

Moyo Blouberg
What: face painting and hand washing is part of the Moyo experience. There are also different performances during the week for dinner. Every Friday and Saturday, here will be a band performing for dinner.

Mesopotamia
What: Live belly dancers.
When: Most nights.

Pigalle
What: A live band playing and a dance floor for diners to dance.
When: Monday to Saturday evenings.

Quay Four
What: Band for Africa organises for different artists to play. Patrons can experience a wide variety of music genres, from one-man solo artists to jazz bands.
When: Every evening.

Stardust
What: All the waiters and waitresses have musical talents they showcase on stage in between serving you.
When: Every Tuesday to Saturday evenings.

Darling

Evita se Perron
What: Live performances by Evita Bezuidenhout herself, telling her life stories.
When: visit the website for a full schedule.

By Katharine Jacobs
Research by Kelly Pluke