Are you road tripping this holiday? Take a look at the recommendations of our team at Eat Out HQ and our panel of critics from around SA.

Durban and surrounds

Bel Punto (Umdloti)
If the weather is perfectly balmy and the sea is still, we often take a drive along the north coast to Bel Punto. Long lunches are spent on the balcony watching the waves as we sip on bubbles and eat fresh Italian-style seafood. Bliss.
– Nikita Buxton, Eat Out writer

A seafood dish at Bel Punto. Photo supplied.

Il Postino (Dargle)
When taking a leisurely drive to our family farm in Dargle, we always make a pitstop at Il Postino. This little pizzeria and its neighbouring post office (hence the name) are pretty much situated in the middle of nowhere. We order a bottle of rosé and sit on the stoep while we wait for our takeaway pizzas, which we usually devour while sitting on our farmhouse verandah taking in the crisp views of the Midlands.
– Nikita Buxton, Eat Out writer

The cosy interior at Il Postino in Dargle. Photo by Bolton Inc. Pictures.

Pucketty Farm Stall (Underberg) and The Pickle Pot (Boston)
We make an annual pilgrimage to Pucketty Farm Stall in Underberg in the Drakensberg. They have a lovely tea garden and we also make sure to stock up on the wonderful farm bread, free-range eggs and quiches from the farm shop. Most importantly, they also have piglets and baby goats to visit. The Pickle Pot – just outside Boston in the Drakensberg – is another great pit stop in the area. They have great unusual salads with sprouts and things, burgers and sarmies, as well as an amazing array of pickles, all ably guarded by the huge great dane, Diesel.
– Katharine Jacobs, Eat Out online editor

#love this place #thepicklepot the #coffee & #food is #amazing

A post shared by Francis Hegarty (@francis.hegarty) on Sep 21, 2017 at 4:59am PDT

St. Clements (Durban)
Durban is a holiday town of note, a beach resort city. My favourite restaurant at this time of year is St Clements. It’s a great neighbourhood restaurant. You can sit out back in the garden with the fountain and beat the heat, or on the veranda out front. It’s in a charming little old house and the garden is a nursery, a lovely one with special plants tended by Steve Clements. The menu includes Thai, Lao, the best burgers and chips in Durban, scones and cream and a wonderful lemon drizzle cake and lovely cafe food and iced coffee and milkshake selections and more. Inside is so inviting and off the wall. Best-kept secret is a good description.
– Wanda Hennig, Eat Out critic

Eastern Cape

The Beach Break Cafe (East London)
Fantastic breakfasts and lunches under milkwood trees, watching dog walkers, runners and surfers make their way to the popular Nahoon Beach, a mere 200m away.
– Petro Lotz, Eat Out critic

Breakfast in the trees anyone? This is one of my favourite breakfast spots in the Eastern Cape #SAloves

A post shared by Alison Newton (@alisonstormn) on Dec 12, 2016 at 11:44pm PST

The Garden Route

101 Meade Street (George)
An unforgettable and chilled dining experience, with a versatile menu that includes the tastiest steaks. It’s a beautiful restaurant, tucked away in the centre of town. It’s also family friendly.
– Xolisa Phillip, Eat Out critic

A post shared by 101 Meade Street (@101meade) on Dec 8, 2017 at 11:52pm PST

Kuyler’s Fish and Chips (George)
After years of tests, we have concluded that the best fish and chips (proper, in a parcel with tons of salt and vinegar) is to be found at Kuyler’s in George. Eaten out of the beer box on the sidewalk is our usual vibe, but it’s also pretty great to drive down to Victoria Bay and eat there. (Careful who you entrust to hold the box; it’s hard not to nibble on the way!) It’s open at strange times, but it’s an institution that’s been there for forever.
– Corli de Kok, Eat Out community manager

South Coast, Western Cape

The Press Room Café (just outside Stilbaai)
The pizzas are absolutely incredible and the scenery is just gorgeous. Eating a pizza under the huge trees is always a treat.
– Alida Ryder, Eat Out critic

Walked very far to enjoy a nice cup of @mastertonscoffee with an awesome delicious salmon salad @thepressroomcafe #offdays #chill #thepaleoway

A post shared by Miranda Panda (@mirapanda21) on Sep 19, 2017 at 9:27am PDT

Overberg, Western Cape

Fabio’s Ristorante (Hermanus)
The real deal in the best Italian food in the Overberg. Rich sauces, porcini from the mountains around Hermanus, Aperol Spritz, Italian wines – what’s not to like?
– Greg Landman, Eat Out critic

This spot makes great pizzas! #fabios #Hermanus #pizza #luncheiththefamily

A post shared by Louisa Holst (@louisaholst) on Jun 11, 2017 at 6:23am PDT

The Hickory Shack (Elgin)
We always make an effort to go to The Hickory Shack near Elgin when in Hermanus for 30-hour slow-cooked brisket. YUUUUUM.
– Werner Hayward, Eat Out senior business manager

Marianas (Stanford)
Marianas is my absolute favorite in the Overberg. You have to book weeks in advance because Mariana’s dishes are the kind of scrumptious country food that people keep coming back for.
– Katharine Jacobs, Eat Out online editor

My happy place. Outdoors, mountains, beautiful food gardens and incredible people. #marianasstanford #marianasgarden

A post shared by Bianca Blohm (@blohmetjie) on Feb 29, 2016 at 11:04pm PST

Hermanus Country Market (Hermanus)
I recommend a Scotch egg from Sanity Farm stall at the Hermanus Country Market. It’s on Saturdays, but there are usually night markets on Wed evenings over the holidays.
– Kelly Cloete, Eat Out account director

Cape Town

Bistro Sixteen82 at Steenberg (Tokai)
Chef Kerry’s tapas bring tears to my eyes, as does her delicious bacon and eggs Benedict.
– Tshepang Molisana, Eat Out critic

The outside area at Bistro Sixteen82. Photo supplied.

Jerry’s Burger Bar (Blouberg), Frozen Yo (Tableview), Moro Gelato (City Bowl) and Unframed Ice Cream (V&A Waterfront)
A staycation is no problem when you live in one of the most beautiful and dynamic cities in the world. The Cape Town summer heat does need to be tempered, though, so I love heading out to Blouberg beach with the family, where we can’t resist going to Jerry’s Burger Bar for amazing burgers. My next stop is for delicious sorbet at Frozen Yo; if you’re also lactose intolerant and in the City Bowl, make sure to stop by Moro Gelato and Unframed (Kloof Street or V&A) for some fantastic lactose-free ice creams.
– Lindsay September, Eat Out content producer

Unframed staffer Jolie improves the mountain view with a fresh scoop of ice cream. Photo supplied.

Jonkershuis Restaurant (Constantia)
If you feel the need to get away from the hustle of the city life, the Jonkershuis Restaurant is my preference. The staff members are friendly and the venue is welcoming to pets. The delicious breakfast beef burger is what gets me up on any holiday morning – not to mention the breath-taking view of the Groot Constantia wine farm.
– Toni-Lee Edwards, Eat Out editorial assistant

A post shared by Jonkerhuis Restaurant (@jonkershuisrestaurant) on Nov 25, 2016 at 4:21am PST

Pizzaman (Sun Valley) and Fish Hoek Fisheries (Fish Hoek)
I don’t eat out much when I am on holiday but we do rush over to Longbeach Mall and grab the best pizzas – my favourite is a Neapolitan with anchovies. Then we head to our tidal pool with a bottle of chilled La Lude bubbles. Otherwise we grab a piping hot, crispy and salty fish roll from Fish Hoek Fisheries with ice cold chocolate Steri Stumpies – just the perfect flavour match.
– Abigail Donnelly, Eat Out editor

Kapa thngs!

A post shared by Ontah Wasekgwa (@ontahwas) on Dec 23, 2015 at 6:01am PST

SeaBreeze Fish & Shell (City Bowl)
While strolling along Bree Street, checking out all the new additions, you should stop in for a boozy beverage at SeaBreeze Fish and Shell. I have yet to taste a better mojito.
– Zodwa Kumalo Valentine, Eat Out critic

The fish and chips at SeaBreeze. Photo by Claire Gunn.

West Coast, Western Cape

The Noisy Oyster (Paternoster)
A favourite when we’re that side of the world.
– Werner Hayward, Eat Out senior business manager

No wonder it’s #1ontripadvisor #quirkyrestaurant #westcoastdining #paternosterrestaurants #paternoster #wherechefseat #chefsnightout #noisyoyster #bestoysters

A post shared by Alix Verrips (@lixiev) on Oct 12, 2017 at 3:23pm PDT

Northern Cape

The Richmond Café & Rooms (Richmond)
I suggest a stopover in Richmond, Northern Cape, at The Richmond Café and Rooms. Great for a sleep-over halfway to Gauteng – or the other way round, to Cape Town – and a meal. Anything from breakfast (best omelettes), lunch or dinner, where lamb is the main dish in many different forms. It’s an extraordinary and fantastic break away from madness. Architecture, interiors and food – all excellent!
– Diane de Beer, Eat Out critic