On Saturdays my mom would bring home a box of pies for lunch. That unmistakeable, freshly baked aroma – once we got a whiff of it from other parts of the house – would send us running to get there first. Elbowing my brother out of the way, I would search among the pastries to find the shape that promised my favourite filling.

Pies have come a long way since the 90s. The humble steak and kidney has moved aside for oxtail, rosemary and red wine; ratatouille; duck and cherry; and gorgonzola and walnut pie. What hasn’t changed, however, is the pleasure of biting into a golden crust and, with flakes sticking to your chin, receiving a mouthful of hot, saucy goodness. Comfort food at its best.

We looked (and asked) around to find the best pies to be had these days. Whether served with mash and gravy, a fresh salad or sweet potato bake, these hearty pies will satisfy any appetite – not to mention the soul.

Johannesburg

2B Cuisine
Try the oxtail, red wine and rosemary pie, served with a rocket salad and parmesan.
Price: R33

Bellagio
The chicken pie (R75) and the fish and vegetable pie (R68) are favourites.

Contessa
The homemade chicken mushroom pie is served with a side salad.
Price: R48 (medium); R58 (large)

La Patisserie
The chicken pie is slightly more popular than the classic beef pie. Served with the salad of the day.
Price: R60

Le Soufflé
Sample the steak and kidney (R85); duck and cherry (R95); chicken and leek (R85); vegetarian (R72); or kudu pie (R85). All are baked in ceramic dishes and served with mashed potato and vegetables.

Moema’s
Try the lamb, chicken or steak pie. The menu changes daily but one of these options will be on it. The pies are served with fruit chutney.
Price: R35 each

North’s Food
For something different, try the spring onion pancake pie.
Price: R20

Succulent Café
The tin mug chicken pie, a traditional farmer’s favourite, is served with vegetables and a salad.
Price: R48

Pretoria

Boer’geoisie
Order the kudu venison pie, made with puff pastry and served with a choice of starch and sauce.
Price: R90

Deli on Duncan
Try the lamb (R28), bobotie (R25), or mince pie (R20), served with an optional side salad for an additional R20.

Isabella’s cake and food shop
The chicken pie is available at the buffet-style harvest table between 11h30 and 14h30. Served with a selection of salads and sweet potato bake.
Price: R18 per 100g

Durban

Quarters
Try the lamb curry pie, served with either potato wedges or salad.
Price: R65

Cape Town

The Artisan Baker
Try the pork and apple cider pie or the lemon chicken pie. Both are served with potato wedges, a small salad and gravy.
Price: R44

Down South Pie Bar (closed)
The most popular pies are the vegetarian and chicken and leek, baked in the kitchen. Have them on their own or add vegetables or chips.
Price: R20 per pie.

Empire Café
In high demand is the wild bok pie, made with roasted vegetables, mushrooms and cream. Served with salad and chips.
Price: R50

The Foodbarn deli
All pies are served with a side salad and potato wedges. Try the beef, potato, carrot and pea; Thai chicken; chicken and mushroom; or vegetable pie. For something different, go for the breakfast pie, which includes pork sausages, egg, bacon, cheese, tomato and thyme, served with a balsamic reduction, rocket and potato wedges.
Price: R38

Greens on Park (closed)
The pie featured on their a la carte menu is the beef, mushroom and barley pie, served with potato wedges and a salad.
Price: R83

Hillcrest Restaurant (closed)
Said to be better tasting than your mom’s, this chicken pie is made with roasted free-range chicken, vegetables and onion, and is served with chips and a side salad.
Price: R80

Jason Bakery
The most popular request is the Moroccan lamb pie, but the menu changes daily. A side salad is optional.
Price: R28

Kitchen Cowboys Canteen (closed)
Try the pork belly; chicken, leek and mushroom; roast beef and milk stout; or lamb rogan josh pie. All are made with a crunchy hot water crust pastry, and served with mash and gravy.
Price: R45

Liquorice & Lime Gourmet Café (closed)
Go for the Moroccan vegetable pie of chickpeas, lentils, a selection of vegetables and Moroccan spices. It is served with mashed potato, roasted vegetables, chips or a salad.
Price: R44

The Olive Station (closed)
Top choices are the chicken and vegetable, or lamb and vegetable puff pastry pies.
Price: R19 for lamb; R18 for chicken

The Wild Fig
Try the chicken pie made with roasted chicken, mushrooms, onions and béchamel sauce inside homemade pastry. Served with potatoes and vegetables.
Price: R84

Betty’s Bay

Café Jack
The pie of the season contains chicken breast, leeks and herbs in a rich white sauce, baked in puff pasty and served with potato croquettes.
Price: R82

Clarens

The Phatt Chef Restaurant
Try the pepper steak (with pink, green, black and white peppercorns); hearty beef, Clarens-brewed red ale and onion; deboned oxtail; red Hartebees (Venison); and preserved orange and Pernod pie.

Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Heaven
The slow-braised venison pie with a hint of clove is served in homemade puff pasty.
Price: R45 (starter portion only)

Paarl

Proviant Kaapse Tafel en Spens
Try the lamb curry pie, or the springbok wildsvleis pie, served with chips, a side salad and gravy.
Price: R48

Stellenbosch

96 Winery Road
The duck and cherry pie, with freshly made pastry, comes highly recommended.
Price: R105

Swellendam

De Kolonie 
Ask for the old fashioned chicken pie, served on an enamel plate with flavoured rice and seasonal vegetables. Price: R65 Or go for the venison pie, served with mash, stewed fruit and seasonal vegetables. Price: R80

By Linda Scarborough
Research by Kelly Pluke
Image: Sebastian Mary