Wondering how to spend that well-earned paycheque? Whether you’ve been saving up your pennies for an occasion at SA’s number one spot or you’re simply curious to see what it costs to eat at the country’s best restaurants, we’ve got the ultimate budget-busting list for your reading pleasure.

Here are all the prices and menus for the restaurants nominated for the 2019 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards. Find the full list of the winners here, only on Eat Out.

Top 10

1. La Colombe (Constantia, Cape Town)

Tasting menus priced from R1300 to R2900* per person, 12.5% service added. 

Good to know: South Africa’s number one restaurant is without a doubt a bucket list dining experience. 

Find the full menu here. 

Intricate plating and attention to detail at La Colombe. Photo supplied by Candice Bresler.

2. The Test Kitchen (Woodstock, Cape Town)

Tasting menus priced from R2250 to R3500* per person, 12% service added. 

Good to know: This six-time number one restaurant continues to impress. Bookings are essential! 

Find the full menu here. 

Smoked fish mousse at The Test Kitchen. Photo supplied.

3. The Restaurant at Waterkloof (Somerset West)

Tasting menus priced from R950 to R2200* per person. 

Good to know: This restaurant’s stunning view is one of the highlights when visiting Cape Town. 

Find the full menu here. 

The Restaurant at Waterkloof. Photo supplied.

4. Wolfgat (Paternoster)

Tasting menus priced from R950 to R1500* per person. 

Good to know: Booking is essential at this multi-award-winning restaurant in Paternoster. 

Find the full menu here. 

View this post on Instagram

Two snacks from this past weekend's #twobrothersfromanothersea event with the wonderful team of @shannah_zeebroek_fine_dining & @willemhiele of @restaurantwillemhiele: Mussels with avocado, dune celery and soutbos | 'Mock limpet' of king oyster mushroom and kelp, flavoured with scorched peppers (inspired by Willem's trip to Azores). #Wolfgat #Paternoster #WillemHiele #swendenstudio A big thank you to our wine sponsors for their generosity and support @darling_cellars @wildehurst #orgderac @teubeswines @grootepost

A post shared by Wolfgat (@wolfgat) on Dec 12, 2019 at 5:43am PST

5. FYN Restaurant (City Bowl, Cape Town)

Tasting menus priced from R550 to R1925* per person, 12.5% service added. 

Good to know: FYN Restaurant opened in late 2018, landing the fifth position on their debut into the awards. 

Find the full menu here. 

View this post on Instagram

Canapés… Pic 1- Spinach, Daikon, Aged Fava Shoyu Roll 2- Raw Prawn on a kombu spoon, apricot & ume 3- Canapés from Bento. #fynrestaurantcapetown #fynrestaurant #finedininglovers #finedining #capetownfood @petertempelhoff @ashleybmoss @hugejennifer @guidelinedesign @avenue.sa

A post shared by FYN (@fynrestaurant) on Feb 11, 2020 at 11:31am PST

6. La Petite Colombe (Franschhoek)

Tasting menus priced from R1200 to R2650* per person, 12.5% service added. 

Good to know: The sister restaurant to La Colombe, La Petite Colombe is an elegant restaurant experience in Franschhoek town. 

Find the full menu here. 

View this post on Instagram

With Valentine's Day on a Friday – it's the perfect excuse to turn it into a romantic weekend in Franschhoek Wine Valley. Book your table for two with us online now.

A post shared by La Petite Colombe (@lapetitecolombe) on Jan 25, 2020 at 4:45am PST

7. Eike (Stellenbosch)

Tasting menu at R900 per person.

Good to know: Chef and owner Bertus Basson is also the 2019 Eat Out S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna Chef of the Year. 

Find the full menu here. 

8. Salsify (Camps Bay, Cape Town)

Tasting menus priced from R595 to R2445* per person.

Good to know: This historic building offers beautiful daytime views across Camps Bay and the 12 Apostles mountains. 

Find the full menu here.

9. Restaurant Mosaic at the Orient (Elandsfontein, Pretoria)

Tasting menus priced from R1195 to R2220* per person. 

Good to know: This top restaurant features one of South Africa’s most impressive wine lists, so don’t miss the wine pairing. 

Find the full menu here. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Chantel Dartnall (@chanteldartnall) on Feb 25, 2020 at 6:10am PST

10. Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia (Constantia, Cape Town)

Tapas menu priced at R1000 for two.

Good to know: Go at lunchtime – the views across the Constantia Valley are breathtaking. 

Find the full menu here. 

Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia: Claire Gunn

The finalists: Numbers 11 to 20

11. Camphors at Vergelegen (Somerset West)

Tasting menus priced from R675 to R1380* per person.

Good to know: Each course is paired with wines from Vergelegen Estate. 

Find the full menu here. 

Vergelegen Estate is dedicated to environmentally sound practices, and this is reflected in Camphors.

12. Overture (Stellenbosch, Western Cape)

Tasting menus priced from R650 to R1065* per person. 

Good to know: Overture is warm and modern, with sweeping views of the valley and gardens. 

Find the full menu here. 

View this post on Instagram

A fresh summer dish, inspired by hand-picked produce from two local gardens – fennel & fennel flowers, from Chef’s garden in Jamestown, and courgettes from Mason Farm. “Courgette, ricotta, homemade granola & Jamestown fennel”, paired with Naudé Malvasia Rei 2017 #tastingstellenbosch #winelandsdining #freshproduce #localproduce #gardentoplate #southafricanmoderncuisine

A post shared by Overture Restaurant (@overture.restaurant) on Jan 17, 2020 at 2:15am PST

13. LivingRoom at Summerhill Estate (Durban, KwaZulu-Natal)

Tasting menus priced from R520 to R1080* per person. 

Good to know: Somewhat off the beaten track, this KZN restaurant is worth a special journey.

Find the full menu here. 

14. Chefs Warehouse at Maison (Franschhoek, Western Cape)

Tapas menu priced at R1000 for two.

Good to know: Ask for a table next to the fireplace on chilly Franschhoek evenings. 

Find the full menu here. 

The pastrami on rye from Chefs Warehouse at Maison.  Photo by Claire Gunn

15. Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenort (Constantia, Cape Town)

Tasting menus priced from R600 to R2500* per person. 

Good to know: This Constantia restaurant has fine dining options for every special occasion. 

Find the full menu here. 

16. Le Coin Français (Franschhoek, Western Cape)

Tasting menus priced from R495 to R1690* per person.

Good to know: French and Asian flavours come together elegantly at this polished Franschhoek establishment. 

Find the full menu here. 

View this post on Instagram

“Franschhoek forest floor” Almond cremeaux, spiced poached pear, smoked salted pear caramel, olive oil semi-frerdo Paired with a medium cream Sherry.

A post shared by Le Coin Francais (@le_coin_francais_restaurant) on Mar 10, 2020 at 5:33am PDT

17. La Tête (City Bowl, Cape Town)

À la carte menu from approximately R530 per person. 

Good to know: La Tête offers casual bistro-style cuisine – French, but with locally sourced produce. The ingredient is king here, and the plates are always mopped clean!

Find the full menu here.

18. The Shortmarket Club (City Bowl, Cape Town)

Tasting menus priced from R620 to R1610* per person. 

Good to know: With an à la carte offering, The Shortmarket Club is one of Cape Town’s best spots for a business lunch. 

Find the full menu here. 

The Shortmarket Club lamb.

19. Tjing Tjing Momiji (City Bowl, Cape Town)

Tasting menus priced from R795 to R1190* per person, 12.5% service added. 

Good to know: Tjing Tjing Momiji is only open for dinner – and it’s one you have to try.

Find the full menu here. 

Tjing Tjing Momiji. Photo supplied.

20. Rust en Vrede (Stellenbosch, Western Cape) 

Tasting menus priced from R830 to R2400*. 

Good to know: This one is for the wine-lovers! 

Find the full menu here. 

Other nominees

FABER (Paarl, Western Cape)

Tasting menus priced from R690 to R990* per person.

Good to know: FABER serves exceptional fresh produce sourced from its all-natural kitchen garden on Avondale Wine Estate. 

Find the full menu here.  

Fermier Restaurant (Die Wilgers, Pretoria)

Tasting menus priced from R650 to R1000* per person. 

Good to know: Fermier is one of Pretoria’s finest restaurants. 

Find the full menu here. 

Another stunning dish at Fermier Restaurant. Photo supplied.

Foxcroft (Constantia, Cape Town)

Tasting menus priced from R595 to R1245* per person, 12% service added.  

Good to know: The Foxcroft menu and wine pairing offer exceptional value. 

Find the full menu here. 

Foxcroft small plates

Grei (Sandton, Johannesburg)

Tasting menus priced from R1280 to R2080*. 

Good to know: This elegant Joburg restaurant is only open for dinners. (If you’d like to try head chef Candice Phillip’s cooking, go soon – she’s due to leave at the end of May.)

Find the full menu here. 

Janse & Co (City Bowl, Cape Town)

Tasting menus priced from R385 to R785 per person.

Good to know: In its debut year, Janse & Co won the 2018 Eat Out Retail Capital New Restaurant of the Year. 

Find the full menu here. 

Jardine Restaurant (Stellenbosch)

Tasting menus priced from R580 to R950* per person. 

Good to know: Jardine is a favourite for its cosy, romantic feel. 

Find the full menu here. 

Jordan Restaurant (Stellenbosch)

Tasting menus priced from R420 to R1075* per person. 

Good to know: With a view of the open kitchen to one side and the Stellenbosch Winelands to the other, Jordan is always a special meal. 

Menu available via email. 

A freshly prepared dish from Jordan Restaurant. Photo supplied.

Pierneef à La Motte (Franschhoek)

Tasting menus priced from R355 to R450 per person. 

Good to know: Sleek, arty interiors complement the delicious menu and estate wines. 

Find the full menu here. 

View this post on Instagram

When temperatures are soaring, try Chef Eric's recipe for a summery salad. It is fresh and resolution-friendly and perfect with a glass of 2019 La Motte Sauvignon Blanc! Recipe link in bio. @ebulpitt @pierneefalamotte @sauvignonblancsa #summer #hotsummer #summerfood #salad #sauvignonblanc #franschhoek

A post shared by La Motte Wine (@lamottewine) on Jan 17, 2020 at 12:28am PST

Protégé (Franschhoek)

Tasting menus priced from R595 to R1195* per person, 12% service added. 

Good to know: Featuring casual fine dining and an upmarket chic interior, Protégé is a delight.

Find the full menu here. 

The Werf Restaurant at Boschendal (Franschhoek)

Tasting menus priced from R495 to R980* per person. 

Good to know: The 2018 winner of the Eat Out Woolworths Sustainability Award is also a functioning cattle and poultry farm. 

Find the full menu here. 

View this post on Instagram

On Wednesdays we drink wine 🥂 and snack on delicious farm plates at @thewerfrestaurant Our seed crackers, served with garden pesto and carrot hummus is quite the crowd pleaser! . . . 📸: @ecotraveldiary #winewednesday #winetasting #farmplates #werfrestaurant #boschendalwines #boschendal #franschhoek #stellenbosch #capewinelands

A post shared by The Werf Restaurant (@thewerfrestaurant) on Nov 26, 2019 at 9:08pm PST

Notes: While we take care to ensure the accuracy of this information, some details and prices may change without our knowledge.

All prices correct as of March 2020. E&OE. 

Price range reflects from the cheapest meal option (menu or a la carte) to the most expensive menu option, marked * where inclusive of wine pairing. Service charge included where indicated, we recommend between 10 – 12% when not added to the bill. 

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