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25 South African restaurants you must experience before you die, according to new guide book

Tuesday, March 10th, 2015 by Eat Out

1001 restaurants“People with appetite know that great food does not always come on thick tablecloths,” says Observer restaurant critic Jay Rayner in the foreword of the new book, 1001 restaurants you must experience before you die. The international guide, compiled by Jenny Linford, with help from experts in many regions around the world, pulls together a particularly wide-ranging selection of restaurants. The contributors, explains Jenny, were asked to suggest “‘iconic’ restaurants… ranging from humble but much-loved gems to luxurious havens of fine dining.” And our very own editor-in-chief, Anelde Greeff, was one of the experts for Africa.

We’re dying to try the roasted eggplant with black garlic yoghurt at Ottolenghi’s restaurant in London, the truffle burned soup bread from Ultraviolet in Shanghai and the carbonara at Roscioli in Rome. (We’re a little more hesitant about the herring in a fur coat from Palkin in Russia and the sheep’s trotter soup from Borsa in Istanbul, but we’re open to discussion on these points.) Wondering which South African restaurants made the cut? Here are the iconic restaurants and their signature dishes* to add to your bucket list right away.

Johannesburg

DW Eleven-13 (Dunkeld West) – roasted chicken with braised lettuce

DW Eleven-13. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

DW Eleven-13. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Five Hundred (Sandton) – pork with Jerusalem artichokes and pear-honey chutney

Five Hundred

The chef’s table at Five Hundred. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Roots (Krugersdorp) – springbok with cocoa bean ragout

Wandie’s Place (Soweto) –mngqusho (samp and beans), morogo (wild spinach), mogodu (tripe) and chakalaka

Limpopo

Singita Lebombo Lodge (Kruger National Park) – horseradish and grape risotto with crisp-skin salmon

KwaZulu-Natal

Café Bloom (Midlands) – fresh foods straight from the garden

The exterior at Cafe Bloom. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The exterior at Cafe Bloom. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Capsicum (Durban) – hot sugar bean curry or mutton bunny chow

Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse (Drakensberg) – chocolate and ginger soufflé

Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse. Photo courtesy of the establishment.

Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse. Photo courtesy of the establishment.

Cape Town

Carne SA (City Bowl) – La Fiorentina beef

Harbour House (Kalk Bay) – seafood ceviche

Harbour House. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Harbour House. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

La Colombe (Constantia Nek) – umami broth with sea fog

Mzoli’s Place (Gugulethu) – flame-grilled marinated sausage

Panama Jacks (V&A Waterfront) – seafood platter

The Test Kitchen (Woodstock) – wild mushroom and duck liver with morel-glazed sweetbreads

The Test Kitchen

The Test Kitchen. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Winelands

Babel (Franschhoek) – Lamb shank marinated in harissa and buttermilk

Fyndraai (Franschhoek) – wild rosemary-crusted rack of Karoo lamb

Jordan Restaurant (Stellenbosch) – mussels en papilotte

Jordan Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Jordan Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Makaron (Stellenbosch) – 45-minute oysters

Overture (Stellenbosch) – pork fillet with organic carrots and confit garlic

Overture Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Overture Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Pierneef à La Motte (Franschhoek) – Cape bokkom salad with wild garlic vinaigrette

The Tasting Room (Franschhoek) – surprise menu of African seasonal foods

The Tasting Room's interior. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Tasting Room’s interior. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Garden Route

île de Pain (Knysna) – speciality breads and pastries

Mariana’s (Stanford) – chicken pie

West Coast

Die Strandloper (Langebaan) – flame-grilled snoek with potatoes and sweet potatoes

Die Strandloper. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Die Strandloper. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Oep ve Koep (Paternoster) – Maasbanker bokkom with pear and shoreline herbs

Find the full list in 1001 Restaurants you must experience before you die, edited by Jenny Linford (a Quintessence book, published by Cassel Illustrated).

*Please note that some signature dishes may have changed since publication.

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37 Comments

  • Average Joe
    March 10, 2015

    Its a pity to see DW 11 make this list, I ate there as part of a work function and apart from being a fairly bland taste affair, the general consensus was that we were starving to death while eating dinner, small doesn’t even begin to describe the portions.

    Reply
    1. Siegfried
      March 15, 2015

      In total agreement – never again

  • Dirk Donkerbal
    March 10, 2015

    I see you recommend a few places in townships; tourists must be careful, they will die before they have had time to eat at all 25 places

    Reply
    1. sarah
      March 10, 2015

      Mzoli’s in Gugulethu is a wonderful place to eat. It is obviously very busy on the weekends due to its well deserved reputation so if you don’t like crowds go mid week. I have been there many times and always had a great experience and I’m still alive 🙂

    2. Vic
      March 11, 2015

      Your name gives away your IQ. if you have nothing interesting to add, shut up.

    3. mantha
      March 11, 2015

      I’m assuming you’ve never been to a township restaurant (thus your sorry existence), in that case, shut up because you don’t know what you’re talking about.

    4. Judy
      March 12, 2015

      Absolute nonsense. Dirk still lives in the “old South Africa”. Catch a wake up Dirk life is passing you by…

    5. Kagi
      March 15, 2015

      This is a rather short sighted comment…Please do your research before writing such ignorant comments

  • Malcolm Stewart
    March 10, 2015

    Used to love Panama Jacks but had the worst meal I can remember at Panama Jacks a year ago. Was a Friday lunch and half of our group ate off the menu. That food sucked. The live lobster etc was great. The waitress who was East European looked like she was in her pajamas. What a waste of money.

    Reply
  • Govert Schermers
    March 10, 2015

    Coming from Holland we have obviously not had the opportunity to try all of these restaurants and definitiely not all in SA (and I assume nor has Jay Rayner had that opportunity). Although I am sure that most of these deserve a place on this list, there are obviously some that don’t (evident from comments from others) and others that have been overlooked. While we fully agree with the Test Kitchen in Cape Town (definitely one of the very best WORLDWIDE) and the Tasting Room/Le Quartier Francais in Franschoek, we feel that the Mosaic at the Oriënt in Pretoria/Hartebeespoortdam is missing from the list and would encourage Mr Rayner to try that on his next visit.

    Reply
  • kirsty Bradley
    March 10, 2015

    An absolute MUST on the JHB list should without a doubt be CUBE!!!!!

    Reply
  • Anel
    March 10, 2015

    Agreed Kirsty! We have been to Roots and DW Eleven 13 in Jhb and they do not even come CLOSE to Cube! BEST dining experience of my life (and so many people agree!)

    Reply
  • AvS
    March 10, 2015

    Roots was an absolute disappointment! They serve “wonder food”… You continuously wonder when the ACTUAL food is going to be served. Had to stop at a fast food outlet on the way home 7 course meal and all (and I’m a girl who don’t eat much)

    Reply
    1. AvS
      March 10, 2015

      *doesn’t eat much (stupid phone)

  • simon
    March 10, 2015

    as always all the small towns don’t make the list a typically incorrect list by eat
    out

    Reply
  • Clair Oxley Oxland
    March 10, 2015

    Not 1 Pretoria restaurant?

    Reply
    1. Gary
      July 24, 2015

      Real pity excellent restaurants like; “Black Bamboo” & “Mosaic” still didn’t make the list.

      Seems Eatout ignores anything if it is not in the Western cape

    2. Eat Out
      July 30, 2015

      Hi Gary,
      Thanks for your comment. Just to note: the restaurants listed on this post are the South African restaurants that were featured in an independent international guide, “1001 restaurants you must experience before you die”, compiled by Jenny Linford. We were simply giving a shout out to the SA restaurants that made the international cut! 🙂 We, of course, love any and all restaurants across SA! Thanks for your support.
      The Eat Out Team

  • Dino
    March 10, 2015

    Panama Jack’s is disgusting. I wont ever eat there again. The place is dusty and cutlery and glassware is crusty.

    Reply
  • Steve Moore
    March 10, 2015

    I have to agree with Simon’s comment having a restaurant in Nelspruit. Eat Out only review the city slickers. Take a walk on the “wild side” every now & again. There are so many surprising restaurants out in the “sticks”

    Reply
  • Steve Moore
    March 10, 2015

    Having said that….congratulations to the listed SA restaurants

    Reply
  • Brett
    March 11, 2015

    I think Zomato has a far better compiled Try Before You Die. I don’t agree with some of these restaurants and some others who aren’t here should be

    Reply
    1. ross
      March 11, 2015

      Thank you

    2. Ilze
      March 11, 2015

      Totally agree with you Brett! And not ONE Pretoria restaurant??? Where is Eat Out eating then?!?! Still no Black Bamboo…. please catch up with the times!

  • Dawn Braun
    March 11, 2015

    How about Taste in Somerset West. Best crepe with wild mushroom I’ve ever had.

    Reply
  • Nico Verster
    March 11, 2015

    Jamala Madikwe, Royal Safari Lodge
    The Good Safari Guide 2014 / 2015 Best Safari Cuisine in Africa Winner………….deserves a mention I would think

    Reply
  • Nico Verster
    March 11, 2015

    Jamala Madikwe Royal Safari Lodge, winner of the Safari Awards 2014 and 2015 for best Safari Cuisine in South Africa and Africa, I think we deserve a mention.
    http://www.safariawards.com

    Reply
  • ross
    March 11, 2015

    Just saying… The 500 and DW 11 has nothing compared to Ten Bompas hotel, based in Dunkeld West, JHB. Give it a try. Well priced and stunning food

    Reply
  • Rollergirl007
    March 11, 2015

    Of the 3 places in KZN, I’m sorry but Cafe Bloom really does not register. It’s nice and all that, but it is far from something to die for…

    Reply
  • Jean Du Toit
    March 11, 2015

    Sad to see not even one Pretoria restaurant.

    Reply
  • docZ
    March 11, 2015

    Wandie’s – for FOOD?

    Reply
  • Dave K
    March 11, 2015

    Typical of this publication 19 in W Cape. Read the review of Piclolo Mondo in Pretoria, go there, then laugh (or cry) if you think you are in the place the reviewer went to!

    Reply
  • Dave K
    March 11, 2015

    Apologies should have read “Italian” not “Mondo”

    Reply
  • Desiraye Naidoo
    March 12, 2015

    I believe the best mutton bunny or biryanis are at Northern Comfort on the rocks – pub and curries,at 5 Equinox drive,12 Lighthouse, Umhlanga New Town Centre. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON QUALITY AND PROVIDING 100% HOMEFOOD.You will be guaranteed to come back for more. We may be a pub but our meat is also 100% Kosher.

    Reply
  • Terry Sutherland
    March 12, 2015

    Obviously the judges have a limited travel budget – Joeies great Restuarant s Villa Bianca in Spartan / Edenvale and Biagllgoes ( spelling not good ) in Illovo Both serve great tasting food – not the commercial stuff you have ranked. Let’s look for origination and good cooking !!!! .

    Reply
  • Dean
    March 14, 2015

    You left out the best restaurant in SA. Belgables!!

    Reply
  • Steven Venter
    July 24, 2015

    “25 South African restaurants you must experience before you die?”

    I don’t think so – Very selective list : No Pretoria restaurants, CUBE is not on the list, no sign of Bellgables or Mosaic….

    Reply

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