It’s difficult talking about ladies’ lunches without being patronising. Contrary to feminine expectations, I love a juicy, rare rump with thick-cut potato wedges, wickedly creamy sauces, and can demolish an entire cheesy pizza in one sitting – and often do.

But the fact is that women tend to have slighter appetites, and order more petite portions. And certainly, at a gathering of the fairer sex, there’s no time to chew your way through a steak with all the catching up and quaffing of bubbly to be done.

That’s why we selected some of the best light lunches on offer across the country for you to sample this Women’s Day. Fear not dreary salads (with dressing on the side) though. We hope you’ll be just as pleasantly surprised by the tantalising array of meals recommended to us by restaurateurs and chefs.

The public holiday marks the day in 1956 that a group of strong women marched to parliament in silent protest against oppression. To honour them, gather a gaggle of girlfriends and celebrate – noisily – with your feet up.

Johannesburg

Burnside’s
Offering a welcome respite from Jozi’s malls and pavement cafes, Burnside’s is set in a homestead with a gorgeous terrace overlooking the garden. There’s also an art gallery on the premises.
Light lunch: Try the seared salmon for R140, warm camembert with preserved fig for R75, or the chicken salad for R77.

Indulgence Coffee Café
Indulgence Café has an easy-going atmosphere complete with daily newspapers, magazines, backgammon and scrabble boards to keep you entertained.
Women’s Day brunch special: All ladies are to dress to the nines (glamorous, glitzy and blingy) for breakfast between 9:00am and noon. Men are encouraged to dress as women to earn a discount on the meal.

Moemas
Lunch is either à la carte or a buffet selection of mouth-watering pies, interesting vegetable dishes and delectable salads. The place buzzes because it’s always packed, and the menu changes daily.
Light lunch: Go for the shredded free-range roast chicken, served on two slices of toasted ciabatta with wholegrain mustard, mayonnaise and spring onions, with a green salad for R65.

Salvationcafé
Sit in the courtyard, weather permitting, and soak up the atmosphere on your day off.
Light lunch: Chef Claudia recommends a ladies’ soup and tartlet duo, served with sweet potato and goat cheese tartlets for R75.

Tashas
Tashas has a diverse menu and an energetic identity that inspires loyalty. It aims to put a spin on the traditional coffee shop experience with journeys of flavour in lush interiors.
Light lunch: Order the Brazilian quesadillas: strips of chicken in a lemon, chilli and coriander marinade, with cheddar cheese and yogurt for R69. Or: Try the salmon tartare: 120g raw chopped salmon with coriander, lime, red onion, avocado, soya sauce, chilli and Melba toast for R86.

Tortellino D’Oro
This restaurant is renowned among those who appreciate its authentic Italian food.
Light lunch: Upon arrival, guests will be served with a complimentary glass of prosecco as well as a plate of canapés. Ask for the herb salad with pears, gorgonzola, parmesan, marinated mushrooms and almonds, with truffle dressing for R89.

Durban

Bellevue Café
Clever use of urban materials like brick, wood and leather give the décor an edge in this airy double-volume space.
Light lunch: Sample the calamari, feta and avocado salad, served with lemon dressing for R70. Or: Go for the spiced chicken breast sandwich, served with rocket for R65.

Elements
The air of quiet sophistication extends to the menu, where even a burger is a stylish affair.
Light lunch: Order the vegetable tempura salad: zucchini, mushrooms, brinjal and sweet chilli sauce for R50. Or: Go for the chicken and prawn pasta: cream, mushrooms and parmesan for R95.

Mange Tout
This classic and cosmopolitan café restaurant is the innovation of husband and wife team Jean-Francois and Jacqui Rey.
Light lunch: The duo recommends marinated grilled beef fillet on French bread with chunky tomato sauce for R45. Or: Opt for the prawn sandwich Marie Rose on French bread for R50.

Market
With sumptuous and exotic breakfasts, superior café fare at lunchtime, and a more upmarket international menu in the evenings, Market is known for celebrating fine flavours.
Light lunch: The fish cake salad comes recommended, served with greens, black olives, feta and homemade mayonnaise for R70.

The St. James
The hotel’s menu is a creative assembly of fine ingredients, which can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors.
Light lunch: Sample the spicy Thai pork belly, served with a coconut and sherry sauce on egg noodles for R75. Or: Those with a sweet tooth can spoil themselves with the popular high tea with scones, cakes, savouries and muffins for R70.

Pretoria

As Greek as it Gets
A good place to escape to from relentless traffic, As Greek as it Gets is a cunning blend of sassy diner and boere smarts.
Light lunch: Order the chicken bourekia: chicken fillets wrapped around marinated feta in lemon yogurt sauce, on a bed of rice and beetroot for R79.

Brasserie De Paris
An upmarket, unpretentious, relaxed ambience with a small but exquisite menu that stays interesting with constant changes.
Women’s Day special: Celebrate with a three-course food and wine pairing for R310, including the wine.

Carlton Café Delicious
There are a few tables inside but the best place to catch a meal is at one of the pavement tables. Chef Rachel Botes is one of Pretoria’s best-kept secrets.
Light lunch: Try the lamb salad: pan-fried lamb cutlets served on chickpeas, feta cheese, olives baked in white wine, dukkah and roasted butternut, dressed in a red wine reduction for R75. Or: Tea sarmies for two (enough to share): two cups of tea or coffee, served with traditional sandwiches filled with tomato, basil and ricotta; caramelised onion and mascarpone; and smoked salmon, cucumber and whiskey infused organic cream cheese for R75.

Chapters Restaurant
The minimalistic open design is reminiscent of a traditional French café with tones of a bygone area. The ever-evolving menu offers exciting, simple and honest food influenced by fresh local seasonal produce.
Women’s Day special: 6-course meal paired with sparkling wines, including an express hand or neck-and-shoulder treatment for R350.

Papa’s Real Food
The atmosphere is easygoing and the food is interesting, well prepared and affordable.
Light lunch: Go for the flame-grilled fillet with mushroom sauce for R108. Or: Savour the chicken and prawn curry, served with poppadoms for R88.

Cape Town

Casa Labia
With well-known foodie Judy Badenhorst at the kitchen’s helm, diners can expect her trademark seasonal, laid-back comfort fare.
Women’s Day special: All ladies are treated to Villiera bubbly and Lindt chocolates on the house when they dine here on Women’s Day.

Gardener’s Cottage
The focus is on fresh, seasonal produce and wholesome fare in the form of crunchy green salads, chunky sandwiches, baked potatoes and quiches – with pasta, line fish and curry for heartier appetites.
Light lunch: Go for the Gardener’s Cottage sushi stack of smoked salmon, sushi rice and vegetables for R67. Or: Order the chicken pie, made with sesame puff pastry and served with vegetables for R65.

Hemelhuijs 
The menu boasts elegant bistro offerings at their best, while the interior is eclectic, yet polished.
Women’s Day special: Treat your girlfriends to a pink three-course meal comprising tasty seasonal ingredients. Reserve your seat closer to the time to find out about the menu and prices.

Mange Tout Restaurant (Franschhoek)
The circular frontage provides almost 270 degree views, while the thatched eaves above make for a roomy space that’s still intimate. The menu is in traditional French style with an interesting contemporary twist.
High tea: Gourmet eats are served from 3:00pm to 5:00pm for R160.

Starlings
Tables are scattered throughout this beautifully restored Victorian cottage.
Light lunch: Order the lentil and goat’s cheese salad: shaved goat’s cheese, slow roasted tomatoes, caramelised onions and avocado for R59.

Bloemfontein

Koekela
This spot serves light meals and eclectic combinations in a comfy atmosphere.
Light lunch: Enjoy a tangy strawberry, biltong and Danish feta salad for R65.

Picnic
Animated owner, Almarie Kleingeld, aims to produce simple, good food. The menu changes daily to adapt to the fresh produce available, offering sandwiches, salads and other fresh and tasty meals. Even the condiments are homemade.
Light lunch: As all bread is baked on site using stone ground flour, Almarie recommends the low-GI sandwiches for the ladies.

Vida & Arte Restaurant and Deli
This quirky bistro serves authentic tapas in a relaxed setting.
Light lunch: A Mexican platter comes recommended for more robust appetites. Enjoy flour tortillas filled with spicy beef; shallow-fried chimichangas (also known as chimmy chongas) crammed with chicken, peppers, beans, red onion and cheese; and dips with crunchy tortilla chips for R70.

By Linda Scarborough
Research by Kelly Pluke