While we’d all love to spoil our moms with unlimited manicures and Mauritian holidays, the truth is that even the smallest gesture of gratitude can mean the world to her. Whether it’s a lavish four-course lunch or decadent buffet, try one of these restaurants running specials this Mother’s Day.

• Johannesburg
• Pretoria
• Durban
• Eastern Cape
• Cape Town
• Winelands
• Garden Route

Johannesburg

A la Bouffe (Linden)

Choose between a two-course meal (R145 per person; R190 with champagne) and a three-course meal (R160 per person; R205 with champagne). Highlights include chicken liver parfait, poached hake with ratatouille and new potatoes, and a selection of French cheeses.

Balata Restaurant (Randburg)

Treat her to a huge lunch buffet for R325 per person. The buffet includes a gourmet selection of fresh bread, oysters, soup, salad, cold starters, carvery, hot dishes, desserts and a cheese board.

Balata Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Cafe Hemingways (Midrand)

On 10 May, Café Hemingways will be giving each mom a surprise sweet gift. There will be rose specials on the menu, such as rose-infused red velvet pancakes, and each mom will be served a complimentary glass of delicious bubbly. There will also be artists to paint little silver and pink roses on mom’s face to pamper her on her special day.

Clico Boutique Hotel (Rosebank)

Pay R235 per person for a decadent Mother’s Day high tea with ten menu items and a glass of local bubbly on arrival. Snack on quiches, sandwiches, canapés, scones, petit fours, truffles, cheesecake and more.

Clico Boutique Hotel. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Fat Olive (Lanseria)

Enjoy a three-course lunch with live entertainment and a surprise gift for Mom for R295 per person. The set menu includes treats like fried halloumi salad, aged rump topped with gorgonzola and pink peppercorn sauce, and chocolate fudge cake. Booking is essential on 071 354 6622.

Gleneagle’s Café and Lounge (Kempton Park)

Spoil Mom with a hearty lunch buffet heaped with soups, starters, salads, carvery, sauces, hot meals and assorted desserts for R250 per person. (Kids under 12 pay R150; kids under five pay R80.) Highlights include mini mushroom and spring onion frittatas, roast pork, butter chicken and Irish cream crème brûlée. Booking is advised.

Hard Rock Café (Sandton)

Pay R230 per person for a three-course meal or add an original Hard Rock Café ‘Rocking Mom’ T-shirt and pay R269. The meal includes a starters platter, a choice of five main meals, and a mint aero cheesecake for dessert.

Hard Rock Cafe. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Lacuna Bistro and Bar at The Maslow (Sandton)

Book for a lunch for R395 per person on Mother’s Day. Starters offer a choice between dishes like grilled calamari, cauliflower salad with olives and pine nuts, and chicken liver parfait; mains include braised beef shortrib, roast lamb shoulder, seafood pie and roast pork shoulder; and for dessert you can enjoy chocolate torte, passion fruit cheesecake, or white chocolate and raspberry coconut ice.

Luce at Southern Sun (Sandton)

Enjoy a three-course family-style lunch for R500 per person.

Maximillien (Sandton)

Spoil Mom with a three-course lunch buffet for R350 per person. (Children under 12 pay half price.) The buffet features an array of starters, main courses and a mixed berry panna cotta with crunch mint chocolate and seasonal fruit for dessert. Limited mother and daughter spa packages are available on the day for R690 each. For bookings, contact Naidene on 011 292 7000 or email ncary@legacyhotels.com.

Maximillien. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Milner’s Restaurant at Sunnyside Park Hotel (Parktown)

Treat her to a three-course lunch buffet with a surprise gift for R245 per person. (Children under the age of 12 pay R120.) Highlights include lamb and lentil soup, roast pork belly with baked apples, chicken curry, malva pudding, and a cheeseboard.

Moyo (Melrose Arch)

Pay R285 for a three-course lunch with live entertainment, a welcome drink and a surprise gift for Mom. The set menu includes highlights like crocodile tail pies, springbok carpaccio, Durban lamb curry, and rooibos tea crème brûlée.

Moyo Melrose Arch. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Moyo (Zoo Lake)

Indulge in a breakfast buffet with bottomless tea, coffee and juice, and a surprise gift for Mom for R155 per adult. (Children between the ages of six and 11 pay R75; those under five eat for free.) Alternatively, enjoy a lunch buffet with live entertainment, a welcome drink and a surprise gift for Mom for R285 per person. (Children aged six to 11 pay R140; those under five eat for free.)

Pigalle (Bedfordview)

Surprise her with a three-course menu for R395 per person. The set menu features everything from tandoori prawns and crispy duck with strawberry and drambuie sauce to a decadent ice cream nut cake.

Pigalle (Melrose Arch)

Enjoy a three-course Mother’s Day feast with amuse bouche and a complimentary sherry on arrival for R375 per person. Highlights include Thai line fish croquettes, slow braised eland, Queen prawns, and baked berry cheesecake.

Pigalle (Sandton)

Indulge in a three-course meal with amuse bouche for R395 per person. The set menu offers some truly decadent choices, including mussels in white wine cream veloute sauce; flame grilled fillet with balsamic reduction and port wine jus; lamb shank with sweet potato mash and stir-fried vegetables; and warm malva pudding with custard or Kahlua butterscotch sauce.

The Secret Tea Garden (Fourways)

Enjoy a breakfast buffet piled with croissants, muffins, fresh fruit, bacon and eggs and more for R195 per person. Alternatively, treat her to a lunch buffet for R220 per person. (Kids under 12 can order off a special menu for R65.) The buffet includes everything from minestrone soup and garden salads to roast beef, rosemary rice and crème brûlée.

The Terrace at Fairlawns (Morningside Manor)

Tuck into a three-course lunch for R475 per person. The set menu includes highlights like smoked turkey salad, butternut ravioli and fillet of beef, while a generous dessert buffet offers an array of treats.

Tradewinds Restaurant (Sandton)

Tuck into a four-course plated lunch at Tradewinds from 12.30pm on Mother’s Day, followed by a high tea experience later in the afternoon for R495 per person.

Winnie’s Soul and Jazz Restaurant (Wendywood)

Spoil your mom with a buffet lunch, afternoon tea party and live music and entertainment for R300 per person.

Pretoria

Al Fiume (Hennops River, Centurion)

Enjoy a three-course set menu for R395 per adult or R135 per child. Menu highlights include a trio of blue cheese and fig preserve, smoked salmon chipotle, and quail egg and pancetta salad; confit of duck al orange with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables; and a trio of caramelised nectarine, chocolate mousse and lemon cheesecake.

Al Fiume. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Barn Restaurant at Irene Dairy Farm (Irene)

Express your appreciation with a traditional home-style Mother’s Day lunch for R179.95 per adult. (Kids pay R89.95.)

The Blades (Kameeldrift East)

Enjoy a three-course lunch, mini spa treatments and live saxophone entertainment for R295 per person. (Kids pay R125.) Choose a starter or a main from the set menu before tucking into a decadent dessert buffet featuring everything from Cap Classique panna cotta to key lime cheesecake. A kiddies’ buffet offers mini hotdogs, mac and cheese, and more.

The Blades. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Bruno’s (Centurion)

Treat Mom to a three-course set menu with welcome drinks and a surprise gift for R250 per person. Children under the age of six can eat for free at the kiddies’ buffet, while those aged between seven and 12 eat for half price. Children’s activities will be on offer and a child minder and lifeguard will be on duty to ensure parents can have a relaxing lunch.

The Collection (Garsfontein)

Get the family together for a buffet lunch with live entertainment and a take-home cupcake for mom. The menu includes a starter table, main course and dessert table. The price is R225 per person (R100 for children aged three to 12; free for children under three). The venue will open at 11am and serve lunch from 12.30pm. Booking essential on 012 993 3638 or info@thecollection.co.za.

De Kloof (Waterkloof)

Pay R355 per person for a four-course lunch with canapés and a sherry or juice on arrival. Children aged four to eight pay R175. Highlights include basil panna cotta with roasted tomato cannelloni and smoked mozzarella, and stout braised beef rib.

The interior at De Kloof. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Il Patio (Hennops River, Centurion)

Tuck into a three-course lunch buffet for R275 per adult or R135 per child. Highlights include melon and gorgonzola with balsamic and honey vinaigrette, roast leg of lamb with spicy red wine and balsamic jus, chicken chasseur, and caramel vodka-infused custard.

Kingsley’s Restaurant (Kameeldrift East)

Pay R300 per person for a Mother’s Day lunch buffet with a complimentary glass of bubbly. The buffet includes a selection of starters, salads, a casserole, two carvery roasts, vegetarian potjie, cheeses and desserts.

Kingsley’s Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Le-Si Ristorante at Casa Toscana Lodge (Lynwood Manor)

Pay R290 per person for a Mother’s Day buffet lunch with live musical entertainment by Philip Moolman, who will be performing a Neil Diamond tribute along with his own compositions. The price includes a generous buffet, welcome drinks, a show, coffee and dessert platters.

Durban

9th Avenue Bistro (Morningside)

Pay R250 per person for a three-course lunch menu. Highlights include heritage tomato and fennel tart, prawn-tail pasta, braised lamb shoulder, and chocolate torte with chocolate ice cream, bittersweet chocolate sauce and orange essence.

Moyo (uShaka Marine World)

Pay R285 for a lunch buffet featuring an array of South African favourites, including Free State sweet potato and biltong soup, springbok carpaccio, Durban lamb curry, oxtail, seafood potjie, koeksisters, and bread-and-butter pudding. (Children aged six to 11 years pay R140; children under five eat for free.)

Moyo Ushaka. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Ocean Terrace at The Oyster Box (Umhlanga Rocks)

Tuck into a four-course lunch for R750 per person. The menu includes crayfish and prawn cocktail for starters, a large buffet with two roasts and five curries, and a plated dessert.

The Ocean Terrace at The Oyster Box. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Rainbow Terrace Restaurant at Hilton Durban (Durban Central)

Treat mom to an exciting lunch buffet with a complimentary welcome drink and a surprise gift for R450 per person.

Eastern Cape

Africanos Country Estate (Addo, Eastern Cape)

Enjoy a lunch buffet with freshly baked bread on arrival for R165 per person. The buffet includes everything from Greek-style roasted lamb and fish tart to melanzane parmigiana and pumpkin fritters. A kiddies’ menu is available at R50 per person.

The Bayside Pantry (Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth)

Treat mom to a lunch buffet with champagne on arrival, live entertainment, a lucky draw and a special dessert station for R195 per person. Highlights include a curry station, grilled fish station, lamb tagine, braised oxtail and a wide selection of desserts and local cheeses.

Cape Town

Azure Restaurant at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa (Camps Bay)

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a buffet lunch with live music and a surprise gift for mom for R415 per person. (Children under the age of 12 pay R215.) The buffet will include German baked breads with a selection of dips, a traditional cold meat platter, a cold buffet, carvery, a hot buffet and a wide selection of desserts. Look forward to items like Greek-style pulled lamb, roasted pork belly with candied apple and cider jus, and red velvet cake.

Azure at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Beluga (Green Point)

Take mom to try Beluga’s new winter tasting menu where you can enjoy a two-course lunch for R140 or a three-course lunch or dinner for R165. Expect everything from duck liver crème brûlée and dim sum to sushi platters, slow-braised beef ribs and white chocolate beignets.

Café Chic by Conrad Gallagher (Oranjezicht)

Michelin-starred chef Conrad Gallagher will be serving up a choice of six roasts to be carved at individual tables of four and more for R285 per person. With six intimate dining rooms and flames flickering in the fireplaces, this promises to be a special dining experience for mom.

Café Chic by Conrad Gallagher. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

La Mouette (Sea Point)

Treat mom to a decadent dinner with seven-course tasting menu and a surprise gift for R350 per person (R550 per person with wine). Enjoy elegant dishes like sweet potato tempura with truffle croquettes, chestnut shortbread and kale chips; roasted quail with potato gnocchi, roasted vegetables, confit leg and chestnut bisque; and lemon sorbet with tonic foam and juniper meringue. Please note that the à la carte menu will not be available on the night.

La Mouette. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Planet Restaurant at the Mount Nelson (Gardens)

Enjoy a three-course lunch and live jazz music for R425 per person. (Children aged four to 11 eat for R275 each.) Lunch begins with a starter buffet packed with favourites like fresh oysters, smoked salmon trout and seared beef, and follows with a choice of four plated mains and a decadent dessert buffet.

Quaglinos (Mouille Point)

Moms can enjoy a welcome drink on arrival and a complimentary dessert with lunch and dinner bookings on Sunday 10 may 2015.

The Riverway Café (Hout Bay)

Moms are invited to drop by for a complimentary pink lemonade mimosa and a cupcake. Booking is advisable.

Mondiall (V&A Waterfront)

Mothers will receive 50% off a meal on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May. This applies to meals featured on the new brunch or dinner menu and excludes drinks.

Moyo (Blouberg, Kirstenbosch)

Enjoy a lunch buffet and a welcome drink for R285 per person. (Children aged six to 11 pay R140; children under five eat for free.) Expect everything from dusted chicken wings and West Coast mussels to Durban lamb curry, chicken tagine and Cape malva pudding.

Moyo Kirstenbosch. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Sevruga (V&A Waterfront)

Indulge in a two-course lunch for R165 or a three-course lunch or dinner for R210 from Sevruga’s new winter tasting menu. Highlights include prawn bisque, deboned beef ribs, deep-fried mozzarella balls, sushi platters and crème brûlée.

Stardust Theatrical Dining (Woodstock)

Pay R275 per person for a three-course set menu and live entertainment. Expect decadent treats like figs baked in honey with roasted nuts and homemade labneh cheese; roasted beef sirloin with wholegrain mustard and rosemary; and white-chocolate crème brûlée.

Sevruga. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Stonebreakers Restaurant (V&A Waterfront)

Indulge in a lunch buffet with a welcome drink for R225 per person. Highlights include roasted butternut and brie soup; sautéed trio of calamari, prawns and fresh crab meat; roast leg of pork with apple sauce and apricot and sage stuffing; and passion fruit cheesecake. (Children under 12 pay half price.) Email restaurant@bwl.co.za to book.

Trees Restaurant at Townhouse Hotel (City Bowl)

Treat her to a four-course lunch menu designed by Michelin-trained chef Stefan Schmidt for R348 per person. The meal includes a choice of soup, plated starters, and a huge buffet, featuring everything from sticky citrus chicken to slow-roasted lamb. A decadent chocolate tiramisu pie is on offer for dessert.

Winelands

Bistro 13 (Stellenbosch)

Treat mom to lunch at Bistro 13 on the historic Welmoed Estate. Guests will enjoy an amuse bouche and welcome drink, as well as chocolate ganache balls for the table with dessert. Starters include a choice of tomato soup, polenta with halloumi and lamb spring rolls; mains include a choice of sirloin steak, crumbed pork fillet, roasted pumpkin risotto or pan-fried calamari with grilled line fish. Finish it all off with soft nougat with poached pears and hazelnut meringue; apple and quince crumble with cinnamon custard or malva pudding with Turkish delight custard and marzipan ice cream. R300 per adult, and R80 for two courses off the Munchkin Menu for kids aged 12 and under. A 10% service fee will be added to the final bill and a 50% deposit will be payable per adult to confirm the booking.

Bosman’s Restaurant at The Grande Roche (Paarl)

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a decadent lunch buffet and live music by Le-Lue for R335 per person. Buffet highlights include marinated Norwegian salmon, poached Franschhoek salmon trout, dark chocolate Amarula tart, and a cheese board. Booking is essential on 021 863 5100 or at Christine@granderoche.co.za. Please note that the buffet menu is subject to change.

Eat@simonsvlei (Paarl)

Enjoy a three-course set menu with a choice of starters, mains and desserts for R225 per person. A kiddies’ menu will also be available. Booking is essential

Eight at Spier (Stellenbosch)

Celebrate with a hot English breakfast and continental platters piled high with mini scones and pastries for R155 per person. Breakfast takes place between 9.30am and 12pm.

The Governor’s Hall at Lanzerac (Stellenbosch)

Thank mom with a three-course lunch buffet for R320 per person. (Children under 12 pay R170 each.) The menu features everything from smoked salmon mousse with orange-cured Norwegian salmon to confit duck leg with Asian honey glaze and deep-fried pumpkin mousse cheesecake. To book, email banqueting2@lanzerac.co.za.

Le Venue Restaurant at The House of J.C. Le Roux (Stellenbosch)

Treat her to a decadent three-course lunch with mini salmon and leek tartlets on arrival for R350 per person. Menu highlights include five spice roast duck salad, char grilled sirloin steak, and hazelnut chocolate mousse mille-feuillle. There will also be Méthode Cap Classique and sparkling wines available for tasting. Booking is essential.

The Red Table Restaurant at Nederburg (Paarl)

Treat her to a fancy three-course lunch menu for R250 per person (excluding wine). Highlights include deep-fried camembert with cranberry and fig chutney; biltong-crusted fillet; and frosted Nederburg Noble Late Harvest with white chocolate and caramel fondant. Nederburg wines will be on offer by the glass and the à la carte menu will be available throughout the day.

The Restaurant @ L’Ermitage (Franschhoek)

Enjoy a decadent set menu featuring everything from creamy West Coast mussel soup and tempura fried hake fillet to roast leg of Karoo lamb and caramel pecan tart. This special menu costs R295 per person. (Children under 12 pay half price; children under five eat for free.) Reservations are essential.

Bosman’s Restaurant at Grande Roche Hotel. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Rhebok Restaurant at Rheboksloof (Paarl)

Tuck into a Mother’s Day lunch buffet with a glass of sparkling wine on arrival and a surprise gift for every mother and grandmother for R325 per person. (Children aged six to 12 eat for R125 each; children under six eat for free.) The buffet includes delights like calamari and prawn salad, pork and prune terrine, roast sirloin and red wine jus, venison potjie, and chocolate torte.

Spier Hotel Restaurant (Stellenbosch)

Enjoy a Mad Hatter’s Lunch at Spier Hotel, complete with a savoury buffet, deserts, tea and cupcakes for R275 per person. (Children under the age of 12 eat for R120 each.) This event takes place between 1pm and 3pm on Sunday 10 May.

Restaurant @ Sweetwell (Stellenbosch)

Treat her to a three-course buffet for R265 per person. The buffet offers everything from veggie gruyère quiche and split pea and eisbein soup to pork bobotie with dried cranberries and flourless chocolate cake with Colombian espresso cream. Corkage is R35 per bottle.

Taste Bistro (Somerset West)

Pay R225 per person for a special three-course lunch menu. Highlights include prawn rarebit with homemade fennel bread; beef sirloin with potato dauphinoise, vegetables and rosemary jus; and pavlova with yoghurt cream and Autumn fruit.

Garden Route

Morning Glory at Fancourt (George)

Tuck into a Mother’s Day brunch buffet for R190 per person. (Children aged 11 and under pay R90; children under three eat for free.) Expect a selection of breakfast pastries, traditional egg dishes and an array of lunch menu choices and desserts. Mom will receive a glass of sparkling wine on arrival and a surprise gift.

Morning Glory at Fancourt. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

La Cantina at Fancourt (George)

Celebrate with a Sunday lunch buffet for R185 per person. (Children under 12 pay R95; children under three eat for free.) The feast will feature a selection of the chef’s most popular starters, mains and desserts. Each mother will receive a surprise gift.

Have we missed a great Mother’s Day special? Please let us know in the comments section below.

Please note that while we take care to ensure the accuracy of this information, some offers and prices may change without our knowledge.