Whether you call it a molten lava cake or a chocolate fondant, this eager-to-please dessert is everyone’s guilty pleasure. From the warm spongy exterior to the alluringly silky liquid centre, cocoa-rich chocolate fondant is best when not shared and must be accompanied by a cool dollop of velvety ice cream. If you’re looking for the perfect place for an after-dinner treat or simply want to indulge in something chocolatey, spoon your way through our list of ultra-decadent chocolate fondants across SA.

• Joburg
• Pretoria
• Durban
• Cape Town
• Winelands

Johannesburg

Bistro Michel’s chocolate fondant. Photo supplied.

Bistro Michel (Birnam)

A masterful and impressive Fondant Chocolat is exquisitely served here with crème anglaise, so that the two tastes and colours run into each other in an unforgettably thick and decadent flood of tastes. R45

Coobs (Parkhurst)

This sticky 80%-cocoa Belgian chocolate fondant comes surrounded by Nutella ice cream, toasted marshmallow, a gooey white-chocolate blondie and some chocolate ganache. It’s on the menu as The Textures of Chocolate, for R70.

The flourless Belgian chocolate truffle at Craft. Photo supplied.

Craft (Parkhurst)

The flourless fondant would spoil anyone, bursting with warm, smooth Belgian chocolate and topped with whipped cream. It comes served with Craft’s own homemade berry compote, the final combination being a sweet and slightly tart taste combination, two rich textures of different temperatures, without any gluten. On the menu it’s priced at R55 and is called the Flourless Belgian Chocolate Truffle.

EAT Fine Dining (Northcliff)

Made of Valrhona, this deeply delicious fondant slowly oozes its warm chocolate lava towards alcohol-laced morello cherries and finally collides with a quenelle of vanilla-flecked ice cream. Currently, chef Philippe Wagenfuhrer likes to pair this beauty with Weltevrede’s Oupa se Wyn. R75 for the EAT Lava Cake.

Piza e Vino (Melville)

The Lindt chocolate fondant has a dark chocolate exterior, oozing creamy white chocolate from its dense and swarthy centre, served with homemade vanilla glacé for R45.

The chocolate volcano at VickyCristina’s. Photo supplied.

VickyCristina’s and Conquistabar (Craighall Park)

Among the Spanish tastes is the hot fondant, erupting from deep within, sending rich molten chocolate across the plate. The chocolate is chili-tinged for some more Latino fire and it’s served with ice cream for contrast. It costs R54 as Chili Chocolate Lava.

Pretoria

Alfie’s (Hazelwood)

This quaint little Italian bistro boasts some of the best service in Pretoria, the most knowledgeable waiters and lovely, simply prepared food. Their dark chocolate fondant offering is served on a small plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for R65. Deliciously rich, creamy and dark, it’s definitely something to be shared at the end of a romantic Italian meal.

Brasserie De Paris (Waterkloof Ridge)

This gorgeous dining space has a host of avant-garde offerings and an array of fabulous desserts. The star of the show is the out-of-this-world Valrhona chocolate fondant, dusted with cocoa and served with a crunchy homemade banana tuille and a side of crispy caramel popcorn for R71.

De Kloof Restaurant (Waterkloof)

This cosy culinary hot spot lives up to all the wonderful reviews. The chocolate fondant has a fragrant kick of lime and is served with citrusy calamansi sorbet and a tangy miso yaki tuille for a touch of umami, and is finished off with a sour citrus sherbert. What a flavour adventure, for R68.

The chocolate fondant at Harissa Bistro. Photo by Khanya Mzongwana.

Harissa Bistro (Waterkloof)

This fondant arrived with the perfect little scoop of Madagascan vanilla bean ice cream, a crunchy chocolate crumble and a lovely white chocolate mousse. The portion size makes it the ideal dessert and it’s the most affordable indulgence at only R55 with all the extras.

The chocolate fondant at Life Grand Cafe. Photo by Khanya Mzongwana.

Life Grand Café (Hazelwood)

Here the delicious dessert is baked and served hot (there is no other way) in a sizable teacup with freshly cut strawberries and a generous portion of vanilla ice cream. It has the perfect baked crust and gooey chocolate ooze ratio. A fair R70 to end off a fabulous meal.

Durban

California Dreaming (OR Tambo Parade)

This sea-facing restaurant offers a wide-ranging menu that caters for all-day dining. Head here for lunch or dinner and finish off with the popular hot chocolate lava cake (R65). Coated in a dark chocolate sauce, it has a warm melting centre and is served with pastry cream, butter biscuit and a berry coulis.

Fusion World Food Café (Berea)

Locals love this easy-going café for its bistro-style food with flair. Indulge in an ultra-rich, self-saucing dark chocolate lava cake served with a complementary side of zesty caramelised orange for R65.

Havana Grill (Suncoast Casino)

This steakhouse stalwart is not only known for great grills. Ramp up the evening by ordering a dessert of hot chocolate fondant with a liquid Callebaut dark chocolate centre, a drizzle of chocolate sauce and a scoop of vanilla-bean ice cream (R55).

The chocolate fondant at Havana Grill. Photo supplied.

Hussar Grill (Gateway)

A classy steak dinner at the newly opened Hussar Grill in Gateway isn’t complete without a decadent chocolate dessert. The fondant is a chocoholic’s dream and costs R49: The rich dark pudding is served hot, with a dollop of classic vanilla ice cream.

Ile Maurice (Umhlanga Rocks)

This classic Mauritian restaurant is wildly popular with both locals and tourists. For dessert, order the homemade gâteau au fondant made with 50% Belgian chocolate and 50% Lindt chocolate, which comes served with vanilla ice cream (R85).

Little Havana (Umhlanga Rocks)

This rich chocolate fondant arrives warm out the oven with an intensely rich and dark Callebaut Belgian chocolate centre a scoop of smooth vanilla ice cream (R55). As it is baked to order, the pudding requires a wait of 15 minutes.

Marco Paulo (Mount Edgecombe)

After a luxurious risotto or bowl of comforting pasta, opt for the sweet ending of chocolate fondant. The indulgent dessert is made with Belgian 70%-cocoa chocolate and is served with a classic vanilla ice cream.

The chocolate fondant at Ray’s Kitchen. Photo by Nikita Buxton.

Ray’s Kitchen (Salt Rock)

After a leisurely lunch at this pool-side restaurant, sink your spoon into the dark-chocolate fondant with vanilla-bean ice cream. The small decadent dome of chocolate has just the right amount of wobble with a satisfyingly oozy, glossy centre. It’s richly chocolatey, with just a hint of salt to bring out the flavour.

Cape Town

95 Keerom (City Bowl)

This popular Cape Town restaurant has an impressive selection of homemade desserts on the menu. The go-to sweet ending for any cocoa fan is the famous dark Italian chocolate fondant with a hot liquid centre of dark couverture chocolate. Alternatively, try the sweet double fondant with white and dark chocolate.

The chocolate fondant at 95 Keerom. Photo supplied.

Aubergine (Gardens)

The seasonal menu at this classy Gardens restaurant includes some pretty decadent desserts. Their current menu boasts a rich dark chocolate fondant that’s served with mango and kumquats, cardamom foam and a fresh mango sorbet.

The chocolate fondant at Aubergine. Photo supplied.

Carne SA (City Bowl, Gardens and Constantia)

After indulging in a carnivorous feast at this stylish steak restaurant, order yourself one of their chocolate fondants to end it off on a sweet note. The dessert is made with dark couverture chocolate and is definitely too good to share.

El Burro (Green Point)

One of Cape Town’s favourite Mexican spots serves up great tacos, tequila and churros. For those who are looking for something a little more cocoa-rich, the 72%-cocoa chocolate fondant is served with an almond-and-honey crumble and ball of vanilla ice cream.

Gallagher’s Restaurant (Gardens)

Cocoa fans can indulge in a chocolate dessert plate at this Gardens gem. The dessert is made up of Belgian 70% cocoa chocolate fondant, ice cream and aerated chocolate.

Hussar Grill (Camps Bay, Mouille Point, Rondebosch)

A classy steak dinner isn’t complete without a decadent chocolate dessert. Here the rich dark-chocolate pudding is served hot with a dollop of classic vanilla ice cream.

Kloof Street House (Gardens)

Stop in here for some Sunday jazz and enjoy a cosy meal followed by a rich and decadent dark-chocolate fondant. The Kloof Street House version is served with a warm, gooey centre and a side of homemade toasted marshmallow, warmly spiced crumble and marshmallow ice cream.

Nobu (V&A Waterfront)

Set foot in this lavish restaurant at the One&Only Cape Town and you’ll know a Japanese fine dining experience awaits you. Make sure you leave space for dessert and spoon into their take on chocolate fondant served as a bento box with a refreshing green tea ice cream.

The bento box chocolate fondant at Nobu. Photo supplied.

The Woodlands Eatery (Vredehoek)

While this restaurant is under new ownership and will soon be updating its menu, diners can still head here for a decadent Belgian dark chocolate fondant after a pizza fix. The dessert is served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and requires a 15-minute wait.

The Pot Luck Club (Woodstock)
Sink a spoon into their quirky take on a chocolate fondant hybrid. The chocolate dessert is a malted chocolate fondant crossed with a soufflé and is served in a pan with a dollop of halva ice cream.

The chocolate soufflé fondant at The Pot Luck Club. Photo supplied.

Reuben’s at the One&Only (V&A Waterfront)
Molten Madness, this divinely decadent chocolate fondant features a perfectly cooked crust and oozes a rich meting middle of delicious liquid chocolate.

The decadent fondant at Reuben’s. Photo supplied.

Winelands

Guardian Peak Winery & Grill (Stellenbosch)

Enjoy an à la carte lunch after a leisurely wine tasting at this beautiful wine estate. For dessert, go straight for the cocoa-rich fondant. The glorious chocolate dome is made up of intense dark chocolate with a liquid centre and is served with hazelnut ice cream.

Hussar Grill (Stellenbosch)

Finish off your old-school steak dinner with a classic. This rich dark chocolate pudding is served hot and with a dollop of classic vanilla ice cream.

Piza e Vino (Stellenbosch)

Head here for an Italian feast followed by the wickedly popular chocolate fondant dessert. This lush pudding is made with dark cocoa and contains a show-stopping white Lindt chocolate liquid centre.

The Restaurant at Grande Provence (Franschhoek)

This fine-dining estate restaurant features a molten chocolate experience as a part of the menu. The hot fondant sphere is served with set anglaise, aerated espresso, red velvet textures, salted cocoa twig and an amarula pipette.

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

Have you missed one of your favourite chocolate fondants? Let us know about it in the comments below.