Every now and again – ahem, February – the size of your appetite outweighs your budget. Because we understand that when hunger bites, salads and wraps just won’t do, we pulled together a list of restaurants that offer main meals priced under R100. We’ve excluded burgers, salads, pastas and wraps to ensure you get a full, satisfied belly.

• Johannesburg
• Pretoria
• Durban
• Cape Town
• Winelands

Johannesburg

Craft (Parkhurst)

Enjoy generous mains like fried or grilled hake with ‘mushy’ peas and aioli (R85) or a pot of mussels in a creamy white wine sauce and a roll for dunking (R97). All mains are served with a choice of skin-on wedges, potato mash, sweet potato mash, blooming onion, roasted root vegetables or a green side salad.

Corner Café & Bistro (Craighall Park)

Tuck into a succulent grilled rump steak served on a bun with lemon, garlic, parsley and Dijon butter (R83), or parmesan chicken served on fresh basil, tomato and pesto with a serving of fries (R85).

The Good Luck Club. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Good Luck Club (Emmarentia)

Fill up on contemporary Asian cuisine like chicken prepared with plum sauce, garlic, chilli, carrots, peppers, snake beans, and ginger, and served with noodles (R94) or a fragrant yellow curry with potato, galangal, lemongrass, patty pans, marrows, garlic, coconut milk, baby onions and a serving of rice (R88). Though just R3 short of our R100 limit, their signature crisp twice-fried beef with basil is also a highlight (R97).

The Greenside Café (Greenside)

Enjoy fresh vegan fare like a green Thai curry with tofu and mixed vegetables served with brown rice and cashews (R87); or Sammy’s mince and veggie pie topped with minty mushy peas and mashed potato and served with pesto and harissa (R88).

Grid & Grill (Benoni)

Enjoy classic grills like eisbein with sauerkraut and mustard (R79), braised ox tail (R92), and pork cordon bleu (R68).

Li Kou Fu (Linden)

Enjoy east-Asian fare like sizzling pork with teriyaki sauce (R70) and pork spare ribs with brown rice vinegar and honey (R70). Order a small side of steamed rice, fried rice or noodles for an extra R10.

Perron. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Little Addis Café (CBD)

Most dishes come in under R60 and are accompanied by traditional Ethiopian flatbread. You can enjoy flavourful mains like doro wot chicken stew with onions, peri peri, garlic, butter, cottage cheese and hard-boiled egg (R50), and a meat and veggie combo for two with chicken, beef, lamb, pumpkin, cabbage, spinach, potatoes and beetroot (R60).

Perron (Illovo)

Order a selection of burritos with fillings like chipotle chicken and Spanish onion (R90), or pork pibil – a traditional Mexican slow-roasted pork – with pink onions (R90). Alternatively, tuck into an authentic chilli con carne served with rice, sour cream, lime and coriander (R90).

Stanley Beer Yard (Milpark)

Tuck into a selection of prego rolls ranging from R65 to R75, or go for a substantial main like chicken or beef trinchado with chips (R75) or the yard platter consisting of chicken and lamb sausages, a karoo chop, cool cabbage salad and a Portuguese roll (R95).

Turn ‘n Tender (Bedfordview, Bryanston, Illovo, Parktown North)

Dine on tended grilled calamari tubes served in lemon butter, peri-peri- or sweet chilli and coriander sauce (R89) or a chicken schnitzel (R78). Both are served with a choice of chips, rice, baked potato, mash, pap and gravy, vegetables or a side salad.

The Stanley Beer Yard. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Whippet (Linden)

Fill up on the popular barbecue pork pita served with shredded rib meat, seasonal greens, rustic salsa, creamy mayo and fried onion rings, and served with shoestring fries (R69), or a double-breaded wheel of deep fried camembert with fresh strawberries, wild rocket and a drizzle of honey (R68).

Pretoria

Boston Bistro (Hazelwood)

Enjoy hearty mains like spicy roast chicken pie served with sweet baby onions and a small salad (R69); 200g steak, egg and chips (R75); and deep fried cannelloni bites topped with cheese sauce and grated parmesan, served on a bed of Napoletana sauce (R65).

Café 41 (Hazelwood)

Satisfy your appetite with the New York crumbed chicken breast stuffed with spinach and feta and served with tangy cheese sauce and potato croquettes (R81.50), or grilled bockwürst sausage with sauerkraut, horseradish sauce, potato salad and pickles (R75.90). The menu also features wine pairing suggestions with each course.

Al fresco tables at Boston Bistro. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Carlton Café Delicious (Menlo Park)

Along with a wide selection of sandwiches and burgers, Carlton offers signature mains like smoked salmon trout parcels with spiced beetroot salad and horseradish cream (R80), and Conny’s southern fried chicken served with baby potato, mint pesto salad, and a feta, yoghurt and mustard dipping sauce (R85).

Das Gasthaus (Capital Park)

Order an 800g hunk of eisbein and choose from a select of side salads, rice, gravy and sauces for only R79.50, or tuck into a German barbecue lunch buffet for R69.50 per person. The buffet is valid Monday to Friday from 12pm to 3pm only.

The Harlequin (Groenekloof Pretoria)

Fill up on panko-crumbed, shallow-fried pork chops served with a homemade sweet and sour sauce (R94); or a crumbed venison schnitzel with mushroom sauce, crispy fries and a green salad (R96).

A dish at Carlton Cafe Delicious. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Karoo Café (Die Wilgers)

Tuck into tasty comfort food like ostrich curry (R95), lemon chicken (R82), and a Thai chicken curry with steamed rice and ribbon vegetables (R82).

Little Durban Food & Spices (Brooklyn)

Savour authentic Indian curries like a lamb mince curry with rice (R96), or a traditional chicken biryani with rice (R85). A selection of vegetarian curry is also on offer.

Mythos (Irene)

Enjoy Greek classics like chicken or pork souvlakia with hand-cut chips, tzatziki and pita bread, or ‘Kota Mythos’ grilled chicken breasts topped with a feta, mushroom and olive sauce and served with crispy oven-roasted potatoes for under R100.

The Harlequin. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Papa’s Real Food (Hatfield)

Tuck into a portion of beer-battered hake served with tartar sauce, chips and a side salad (R75) or treat yourself to a 200g ladies’ rump with chips and vegetables of the day (R95).

Piza e Vino (Waterkloof)

In addition to their pizza selection, this Italian eatery serves up a generous calamari main with home-cut chips and a garden salad (R85); and the ‘valdostana’ crumbed chicken breast topped with béchamel and Napoletana sauce, grana padano, hickory ham, and served with a green salad (R85).

Village Bistro (Irene)

For an affordable main, try the Moroccan mango chicken with couscous and salad (R79) or the pan-fried pork chops served with coleslaw salad and mash (R88).

Durban

Bellevue Café (Kloof)

Try their popular pie of the day served with chips (R85) or the parmesan-crusted chicken breast with cous cous, steamed broccoli and a tomato, olive and fennel salsa (R95).

Butcher Block (Umhlanga)

Tuck into apple-maple-glazed pork chops with mashed potatoes and fresh green beans (R95) or a flame-grilled chicken breast basted with lemon and herb or peri-peri sauce with a choice of one side (R85).

Steak at The Butcher Block in Umhlanga. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Capsicum Restaurant at the Britannia Hotel (Durban Central)

The affordable menu features mains like 400g tandoori chicken fillet with French fries (R65) and grilled hake fillet and vegetables (R55).

China Plate (Umgeni Park)

Shangai-born chef George Hu serves up affordable, authentic Szechuan dishes like deep-fried orange chicken (R67.50) and Cantonese steak cooked in black bean sauce (R68.50).

Circus Circus Beach Cafe (Bay of Plenty)

In addition to their gourmet burgers, wraps and tramezzinis, you can enjoy Thai fish cakes with a chilli soy sauce (R87); flame-grilled chicken breasts in a lemon herb marinade (R89); or a traditional hake and chips with tartar sauce and French fries (R75).

Curry at Capsicum. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Frank’s Speakeasy (Mount Edgecombe)

Enjoy classic bar food with a gourmet twist like crispy phyllo prawns with Asian tare (R65), crispy squid (R59), and mussels with white wine and leeks (R69).

Stretta café (Hillcrest)

Enjoy Italian classics like crumbed chicken parmesan topped with tomato salsa and melted mozzarella, and served with chips, vegetables or salad (R85), or melanzane with layers of baked brinjal, Napoletana, mozzarella and breadcrumbs (R70).

Stretta. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Vigour and Verve (North Beach)

Tuck into flame-grilled chicken with a spicy Mozambique chilli marinade and a serving of salad and chips (R75 for quarter chicken; R95 for half chicken), or the pulse casserole made with lentils, kidney beans, butter beans, aubergine, mushroom and chickpeas simmered in a cumin tomato chutney (R85).

Cape Town

Barristers Grill (Newlands)

Pop in between 12pm and 6pm for R50 pub lunch specials, including calamari strips; bangers and mash with grilled onions, peas and baby carrots; pork chops with chips, peas and baby carrots; and steak, egg and chips.

Café Extrablatt (Green Point)

In addition to a large selection of burgers and pizzas, they offer German specialties like veal schnitzel with pepper, mushroom or honey mustard sauce (R79.90) and ‘curry wurst’ German sausage served with a mild curry and tomato sauce (R65.90).

Barristers Grill. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Casa Del Sol (Strand)

Complement beautiful sea views with their legendary fish and chips (R59) or a 200g sirloin steak with chips and salad (R85).

Con Brio Bistro (Vredehoek)

In addition to a great selection of small plates, this new bistro offers mains like baby chicken marinated in smoked paprika oil and served with green beans gremolata and pan juices (R65 for half chicken; R95 for whole chicken); and a vegetarian phyllo parcel filled with camembert, roast butternut and mushrooms, and served with sautéed spinach and salsa verde (R65).

Foresters Arms (Newlands)

Enjoy authentic pub grub like traditional English bangers and mash with roasted vegetables and sherry and thyme jus (R84); a steak and stout pie served with chips (R89); or chicken madras curry with sambals, raita, naan bread and basmati rice (R84).

Cafe Extrablatt. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

La Boheme (Sea Point)
Their blackboard menu changes regularly, but you can expect a great selection of main meals for R95, including dishes like pork belly with mash, roast root vegetables and wholegrain mustard sauce; beef and apricot tagine with basmati rice and sambals; and ostrich meatballs with tagliatelle, spinach, spicy napolitana and pecorino.

Inside Lounge at Eden on the Bay (Bloubergstrand)

Satisfy your appetite with a selection of authentic chicken curries for under R100, including a Durban chicken bunny chow (R94), and creamy butter chicken (R97).

The Lighthouse Café (Simon’s Town)

Enjoy calamari steak strips flash fried in lemon butter and served with chips and a Greek salad (R73), or a half peri-peri chicken with chips and salad (R85).

Lime Tree Café (Bergvliet)

Tuck into quality seafood for under R100 with mains like Saldanha Bay black mussels in white wine, garlic, herbs, cream and a serving of fries (R86); or deep-fried calamari with homemade tartar sauce and fries (R88).

Lime Tree Cafe. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Old Cape Café (Gordon’s Bay)

A wide variety of main meals fall under R100, including their famous bangers and mash with vegetables; beef stroganoff with sautéed spicy potatoes; Portuguese steak in wine and sherry sauce; and chicken schnitzel with chips.

Olive Bistro (Durbanville)

Enjoy mains like spicy chicken trinchado with a Portuguese roll; and fresh local black mussels in a creamy white wine and garlic sauce with toasted ciabatta for under R100.

Peking Kitchen (Claremont)

Order affordable Asian classics like prawn red curry (R68), cashew chicken stir fry (R52), and duck green curry (R69).

Peter’s House (Tamboerskloof)

In addition to salads and pastas, this quaint lunch spot offers a panko-and-sesame-crusted chicken schnitzel with cheesy mushroom sauce, mash and a side salad (R75) and their popular wild mushroom risotto with grated parmesan cheese (R70). Pop in on a Monday night for a home-baked macaroni and cheese for only R30.

The Riverway Café. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Riverway Café (Hout Bay)

Though new to the Hout Bay scene, Riverway is already making a splash with popular mains like the seared tuna steak with avocado, wilted spinach and lime curd (R85); and slow-cooked lamb served with a pita bread, almonds, minted yoghurt and grilled zucchini (R95).

Starlings Café (Claremont)

Their most popular lunch items are the fresh risotto of the day (R79) and the generous chicken Caesar salad with dressing and anchovies (R85). Another highlight is the free-range chicken thighs with cauliflower mash, parmesan and a side salad of baby leaves (R85).

Winelands

The Bakery at Jordan (Stellenbosch)

The lunch menu changes frequently, but you can expect fresh, seasonal fare like slow-roasted pork belly with kale, Caesar dressing and fondant potatoes; and baked East Coast hake mousseline with artichoke, peas and baby spinach for under R100.

Cosecha Restaurant (Paarl)

Enjoy Mexican street fare with a gourmet touch. One of the most popular mains is the carnitas tacos with shredded pork and green apple salsa (R96); also try the grilled calamari with goat’s cheese and sweet potato cakes (R89).

Franschhoek Station Pub and Craft Bar (Franschhoek)

Enjoy homely bar food like chicken schnitzel with cheese sauce (R75) or springbok pie (R85). All mains are served with chips or baked potato and a side salad.

The Grillroom (Franschhoek)

In addition to the more expensive grills, this homely venue offers quality mains like pan-fried calf’s liver with sticky cabbage and red wine sauce (R89), and grilled calamari with chilli, cherry tomato and fennel salsa, garlic butter or lemon butter (R95).

Cosecha Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Thai Café (Stellenbosch)

Enjoy healthy Thai fare like crispy basil pork with mixed vegetables, garlic and onions (R84) and Penang curry with coconut milk, vegetables and lime leaves (R68 with chicken; R76 with pork or beef; R80 with prawns; R90 with seafood).

Trumpet Tree Café (Stellenbosch)

Tuck into affordable mains like chili-garlic marinated baby squid with basil cous cous, red pepper strips, cherry tomatoes, sundried tomatoes and spring onion (R75), waffles and southern fried chicken with brandied honey glaze, creamy garlic dressing and slaw (R59), or sticky barbecue pork ribs with chips or salad (R75).

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