Whether you’re celebrating a milestone anniversary, or looking for a romantic first date location, Eat Out critic Alida Ryder has the answer. Here’s where to spend your next date night.

For a night out with single friends

Culture Club – Bar de Tapas (Hazelwood)

If you’re after fantastic food and great cocktails, Culture Club won’t disappoint. Situated in vibey Hazelwood, this Pretoria favourite is the perfect place to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Order tapas to share (the jalapeño poppers and chicken livers are excellent) but leave space for the churros. They are heavenly!

The bar at Culture Club would also make a great blind date spot. Photo supplied.

For the first date

The courtyard at Iskia. Photo supplied.

Iskia (Waterkloof)

This newly opened restaurant (owned by the same genius behind Alfie’s) has one of the loveliest outdoor settings in Pretoria. Twinkling lights and a gorgeous water feature add to the ambience and make this the perfect place for a first date. Menu options include wood-fired pizzas, excellent pasta, and a range of fantastic fish and seafood dishes. Expect seared tuna in a pistachio crust, flash-fried prawns marinated to perfection and fantastic calamari.

To pop the question

Restaurant Mosaic at the Orient (Elandsfontein)

A big occasion needs a very special place and you’d be hard pressed to find a restaurant more suitable for a momentous occasion than Restaurant Mosaic. (There’s a reason they were named number 2 at the 2017 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards). Not only will the food and wine be perfectly on point, but the team at The Orient and Restaurant Mosaic will go out of their way to make this a truly memorable date.

Where the river meets the ocean, a dish from Restaurant Mosaic. Photo supplied.

For newlyweds

Kream (Brooklyn)

Kream is the perfect restaurant for a fancy date night with your new husband or wife. The interior is chic and studded with rare works of art, the menu is varied and the wine list won’t disappoint. Menu options include excellent carpaccio, perfect risotto and steak cooked precisely to your liking. Creamy, indulgent desserts (think vanilla bean crème brûlée and hazelnut gateaux) will finish your meal off perfectly.

Inside Kream in Brooklyn. Photo supplied.

If you have kids in tow

The outside area at Toula’s. Photo supplied.

Toula’s (Shere)

When you want good food and good wine but have the kids with you, choosing a restaurant can be tricky. Toula’s offers delicious Greek food and a safe play area for the little ones to keep themselves busy while you sip at your wine in peace. Order a platter of mezze to share (the calamari with lemon-butter sauce and skordalia are favourites) and finish with sweet, sticky baklava.

For an anniversary celebration

Fermier (Die Wilgers)

This hidden gem in the leafy suburb of Die Wilgers is the perfect place to celebrate a special anniversary. Their menu is without a doubt one of the most inventive and creative in Pretoria, making use of techniques and ideas not often found in the area. Their nine-course menu costs a mere R550 per person (unheard of, really) and you can add the wine pairing for another R350 per person. Let the Fermier team delight you with every course and enjoy the beautiful, simple interior and environment.

The pared down interior allows the food to take centre stage at Fermier. Photo supplied.

Where’s your favourite date night spot? Tell us in the comments.