Still nursing the post-holiday blues and looking to kick-start your 2017 dining bucket list? Our compilation of the most-viewed venues for January should do the trick. (This list shows what people are searching for on eatout.co.za, compiled using statistics of the most-viewed restaurant listings in January 2017.)

• Johannesburg
• Pretoria
• Durban
• Cape Town
• Winelands

Johannesburg

1. Jamie’s Italian (Melrose Arch)

The much-anticipated Jamie’s Italian has now opened in Melrose Arch and is serving up accessibly good food. Try the popular fungi misti pizza, with roasted mushrooms creamed with mozzarella and chervil.

2. Marble (Rosebank)

David Higgs’s gleaming Rosebank restaurant offers sweeping city views and fire-grilled food. For mains, choose between highlights such as the côte de bœuf feast, fried fish and shellfish for two, and pork neck with grilled pineapple.

The blackened octopus with paprika potato. Photo supplied.

3. EB Social Kitchen and Bar (Hyde Park)

The menu by chef Russell Armstrong is designed for sharing. Highlights include spiced ratatouille, arancini and smoked-salmon mousse starters and the hearty main of slow-braised duck leg with grilled radicchio and fondant potatoes.

The steak fillet with roast potatoes at EB Social Kitchen & Bar. Photo supplied.

4. Craft (Parkhurst)

Locals flock here for playful food in generous portions. Highlights are homemade pasta, ostrich bobotie and sticky barbecue spare ribs. If you’re not ordering a gourmet milkshake or a freak waffle, then try the moist flourless Belgian chocolate cake with berry compote and soft cream or vanilla ice cream.

The famous milkshakes at Craft in Parkhurst. Photo supplied.

5. San Deck at Sandton Sun Hotel (Sandton)

This spacious bar offers a staggering view that’s perfect for summer weather. Enjoy after-work drinks here with cocktail plates featuring chicken lollipops. Sip on a prettily served Sandtonista, or one of the mojitos and cosmopolitans.

6. Coalition (Rosebank)

This laid-back pizza joint is dedicated to serving authentic, Neapolitan pizza. Standouts include the Holtini, with coppa ham, mushrooms and Italian parsley, and the Nupura, with sundried tomatoes, grilled artichokes, kalamata olives and basil.

The Neapolitan-style pizza takes two days to rise. Photo by Kate Liquorish.

7. Bolton Road Collection (Rosebank)

This restaurant’s menu has an interesting selection of dishes made for sharing. The starter of slow-roasted beef short rib comes highly recommended, as does the main of sea bass. Don’t leave without trying the tonka-bean panna cotta.

8. AtholPlace Restaurant (Sandton)

Situated in a boutique hotel, AtholPlace is a member of the Relais & Châteaux collection and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. The manicured gardens and exquisite décor are a bonus.

The dining are at Athol Place. Photo supplied.

9. Sin & Taxes (Rosebank)

Renowned mixologist Julian Short is responsible for this sneaky cocktail bar adjoining Coalition on Bolton Road.

10. DW Eleven-13 (Dunkeld West)

Acclaimed chef Marthinus Ferreira’s standout dishes have included polenta with cauliflower espuma, sultanas, pine nuts, kale and brown butter, and confit duck cannelloni with langoustine, tarragon velouté, onion crumb and pickled shimeji.

Roast chicken wellington at DW Eleven-13. Photo supplied.

Pretoria

1. Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient (Elandsfontein)

Chef Chantel Dartnall continues to amaze with her whimsical, exquisitely presented food at this 2017 Top 10 fine dining restaurant.

2. Black Bamboo (Ashlea Gardens)

Chef Pellie Grobler offers well balanced and delicately flavoured food such as Cape-curry-pickled fish and kingklip with tiger prawns or springbok loin with chickpeas and a bonemarrow croquette.

The rack of lamb at Black Bamboo. Photo supplied.

3. La Terrasse Rooftop Café & Deli (Menlo Park)

This magnificent rooftop spot attracts guests with fragrances and flavours of North Africa in the form of mezze platters and tagines. Don’t leave without ordering the rosewater cheesecake for dessert.

4. Afro-boer (Die Wilgers)

Afro-boer has perfected the balance between classic South Africa cuisine and eclectic modern trends, offering innovative and delicious meals in a pretty, family-friendly setting.

The counter at afro-boer. Photo supplied.

5. Fermier Restaurant (The Willows)

The menu at this farm-to-table restaurant boasts accessible ingredients that are executed exquisitely. Standouts include marron bouillabaisse; duck with coffee and red cabbage; and lamb with black garlic and pickled onions.

6. Eisbein & Co. (Menlo Park)

If it’s rib-sticking fare you’re after, look no further. Fans love the generous dishes of pork shoulder or pork belly with a choice of starch and sauerkraut. For something sweet, the apple strudel is a treat.

7. Brasserie de Paris (Waterkloof Ridge)

Classic French favourites keep crowds happy, like escargot, trio of beef fillet with bonemarrow, and chocolate-and-coffee mille-feuille.

A romantic setting at Brasserie de Paris. Photo supplied.

8. Chefs 566 (Garsfontein)

The accessible food here includes rösti with cheese, mushrooms and salmon or Greek phyllo pies during the day, while dinner features the likes of pan-seared duck with crushed sweet potato and peanut-butter fondant dessert.

9. Priva Gastrolounge (Waterkloof Heights)

Try the à la carte menu or splurge on one of the gourmet tasting menus. Recent favourites include the apple-braised pork belly with honey-soy sauce and smoked pumpkin, or the shredded oxtail with sun-dried tomato couscous and potato crisps.

10. The Belgian Triple (Olympus)

This Belgian craft beer bar and restaurant boasts a wide selection of imported craft beers and a unique food menu with options like Belgian waffles, kriek-and-bacon oepsies, and kriek-braised pork belly.

Durban

1. The Chef’s Table (Umhlanga Rocks)

Kayla-Ann Osborn’s open-plan kitchen invites you to watch the chefs prepare exquisite dishes of the day. Previous highlights include Greenfield’s roasted bonemarrow with slow-braised beef tongue and swordfish with a bouillabaisse broth.

A beautifully plated prawn dish at The Chefs Table. Photo supplied.

2. Jaipur Palace (Durban North)

Prepare for a real buffet feast with every kind of curry, from crab and prawn to lamb, chicken and lentils.

3. Story Durban (Morningside)

This new Morningside restaurant prides itself on innovative dishes made with fresh local produce. The seasonal menu features items like coconut-cream risotto, herb-crusted venison loin, and strawberry panna cotta.

A pretty dessert at Story Durban. Photo supplied.

4. Catch (Umhlanga Rocks)

The extensive ocean-themed menu at this Umhlanga Village eatery ranges from fresh sushi, dim sum and curry to shellfish and fish burgers.

5. Smokin’ Joe’s (Musgrave)

Expect some of the best burgers in town at KZN’s winner in the burger category for the Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Best Everyday Eateries. The juicy beef burgers are definitely the stars of the show, but the chicken buns will also hit the spot.

A saucy burger at Smokin’ Joe’s in Durban. Photo supplied.

6. Bel Punto (Umdloti)

Sea views and stellar Italian seafood are what you’ll get here. You can’t go wrong with a seafood platter, bursting with queen or tiger prawns, langos, mussels, calamari and line fish.

7. Old Town Italy (Umhlanga)

This delightful deli captures the essence of an old-world market and offers diners a little piece of Italy. Don’t forget to grab a cronut or a scoop of gelato on the way out.

The deli counter at Old Town Italy. Photo supplied.

8. Lingela at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani (Snell Parade)

A popular buffet draws the crowds to this hotel restaurant. Various stations feature salads and cold meats, stir fries, a carvery, curries, line fish and a grill for the carnivorous.

9. Fourteen on Chartwell (Umhlanga Rocks)

Fans love the large menu offering gastro pub fare like pie of the day and jaffles filled with Durban curry. Wash it down with a craft beer flight or a spiked milkshake.

The beer and cheese flight at Fourteen on Chartwell. Photo supplied.

10. Capsicum Restaurant a the Britannia Hotel (Durban Central)

Famous for its real Durban curries, Capsicum offers everything from mutton curry in a bunny chow and tripe curry with fresh ginger to Cornish chicken curry.

Cape Town

1. La Tête (City Bowl)

According to CNN’s list of best new eateries to try in 2017, Giles Edwards’s new Bree Street eatery has not gone unnoticed. The French-influenced establishment delights adventurous eaters with dishes like crispy pig’s tails, mussels with bacon, and crispy roulade of pork belly.

The crispy pigs tails at La Tête. Photo by Rupesh Kassen.

2. SHIO (De Waterkant)

Expect modern Japanese tapas at Cheyne Morrisby’s new hotspot. Standouts include the chilli-salt squid and short-rib gyoza with tamarind and chilli. Be sure to order one of the interesting desserts.

3. Thali (Gardens)

Chef Liam Tomlin has created a Chefs Warehouse experience with an Indian twist at this new Gardens venue. Look forward to dishes of succulent tandoori chicken or tempura pork belly with sweet-and-sour ginger-tamarind sauce.

The beautifully array of copper crockery at Thali. Photo by Katharine Jacobs. copper plates

4. Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia (Constantia)

Headed up by the previous head chef at The Test Kitchen, Ivor Jones, Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia offers fresh food with a serious flavour punch. The views are magnificent.

5. The Test Kitchen (Woodstock)

SA’s number-one restaurant is constantly evolving, with dishes that show a love of Asian flavours and SA ingredients. Think 12-hour smoked trout tartare with jasmine-tea snow, and strawberry-rose ice cream with burnt vanilla-lemon bush tea.

The Light Room at The Test Kitchen. Photo supplied.

6. Grand Africa Café & Beach (Granger Bay)

The newly revamped spot is still buzzing with tourists and locals who flock here to get a front-row sea seat. Sink your feet in the sand and enjoy seafood, pizzas and cocktails.

7. The Village Idiot (City Bowl)

Wraparound balconies, crowd-pleading platters and a fully stocked bar are what keep this place pumping. Look out for great specials and Sunday roasts.

Hearty pub grub at The Village Idiot. Photo supplied.

8. La Colombe (Constantia)

The offerings of chef Scot Kirton and James Gaag at SA’s number-two restaurant might be miso-seared scallop with quail and braaied corn or lamb loin with asparagus, pea and smoked garlic. Desserts will tempt with options like the azalea cremeux with grapefruit and hazelnut.

9. Gold Restaurant (Green Point)

Experience a taste safari of cuisine ranging from Cape Malay to African cuisine. This eatery offers a full-on extravaganza complete with an interactive drumming session.

The interior at Gold Restaurant. Photo supplied.

10. Three Wise Monkeys (Sea Point)

Ramen, kushiyaki, poké bowls and sushi are what you’ll find at this Regent Road eatery.

Winelands

1. The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français (Franschhoek)

Diners continue to be enchanted by chef Margot Janse’s bold and creative eight-course African surprise menu.

2. Bosjes Kombuis (Ceres)

This striking new restaurant is set to open in the Breedekloof area this March and will feature a menu by Pete Goffe-Wood.

The stunning venue for Bosjes Kombuis. Photo supplied.

3. Overture (Stellenbosch)

Chef Bertus Basson is back in the Top 10 with his laid-back, moreish cuisine. Standouts include farmyard terrine, Chalmar sirloin, and velvety chocolate mousse.

4. The Restaurant at Waterkloof (Somerset West)

Reigning Chef of the Year Gregory Czarnecki consistently turns out artfully plated masterpieces at this up-market venue. Also, you can’t beat those views through the glass walls.

A beautifully plated dish at The Restaurant at Waterkloof. Photo supplied.

5. Spek & Bone (Stellenbosch)

Bertus Basson’s newest venture focuses on casual tapas plates and great wine. Highlights include herbed potato churros, smoked hake with butter-braised leeks, and the spectacular Peppermint Crisp king cone.

6. The Kitchen at Maison (Franschhoek)

Chef Arno Janse van Rensburg serves farm-to-table dishes with Asian flavours and a South American twist. Tapas-style plates like local trout ceviche with blood orange, suckling pig with salt-fermented parsnip, and dark chocolate mousse with deep-fried quinoa, will impress.

Apple, miso and caramel at The Kitchen at Maison. Photo by Jan Ras.

7. Foliage (Franschhoek)

Chris Erasmus’s forage-to-table philosophy shines with dishes like braised kudu with bonemarrow and slow-roasted pork belly with dandelion and pumpkin seeds.

8. Bistro 13 (Stellenbosch)

Chef Nic van Wyk’s winelands restaurant offers a selection of bistro favourites with interesting and inventive twists.

The interior at Bistro 13. Photo supplied.

9. Jordan Restaurant (Stellenbosch)

Chef George Jardine’s fantastic seasonal menus deliver personality, authenticity and memorable flavours, paired with knockout winelands views.

10. Rust en Vrede Restaurant (Stellenbosch)

Chef John Shuttleworth wows with elegant fine dining at this historic wine estate. Highlights include the Mushroom and Forest Floor with freshly picked chestnut mushrooms and shiitake mouse, and crown-roasted duck breast with boudin blanc and white-onion purée.

A beautifully plated dish at Rust en Vrede. Photo supplied.

This list shows what readers are searching for on eatout.co.za, compiled using statistics of the most-viewed restaurant listings in January 2017.