If Google search stats are to be believed, South Africans did precious little work in July. Wimbledon, shark attack videos, Pluto and the Greek bailout all came in near the top for South African searches. We also happen to know that you spent a fairly large amount of time searching for somewhere for dinner. But which were your favourites? We count down the most-viewed restaurants in the Joburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and the winelands in the month of July.

• Johannesburg
• Pretoria
• Durban
• Cape Town
• Winelands

Joburg

1. Pron (Linden)
Emma Chen’s new spot is pulling in the punters with glorious noodles and tasty tapas.

Emma Chen’s Pron. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

2. Five Hundred (Sandton)
They’re closed for a winter break right now, but it’s probably a good time to make a booking at this Top 10 restaurant.

The chef’s table at Five Hundred. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

3. DW Eleven-13 (Dunkeld West)
It may be fine dining, but Marthinus Ferreira’s hearty flavours will keep you cosy this winter.

A dish at DW Eleven-13. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

4. Restaurant Parreirinha (Rosettenville)
Pop in for the trinchado and bacalhau cod of your dreams.

5. The Grand (Rivonia)
Guys, it’s a strip club. (But we have heard that the food offering is pretty extensive). Which is what you heard, right?

6. Cafe Hemingways (Midrand)
This stylish spot serves up top-quality bistro food made with lovingly sourced, organic-where-possible ingredients.

7. Escondido (Illovo)
We’re getting rave reviews from our critics and the public for the eclectic tapas at this wine bar.

Escondido. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

8. Craft (Parkhurst)
Graze on sharing platters and wood-fired pizzas at this buzzing 4th Avenue spot.

Craft. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

9. Royal Boma (Vanderbijlpark)
Located at the Emerald Casino, this restaurant has a popular buffet offering.

Che Argentine Grill. Photos courtesy of Rupesh Kassen.

10. Che Argentine Grill (Maboneng)
Tuck into glorious grilled meat, homemade chimichurri and dulce de leche pancakes at Oscar Farraldo and Bernado Corti’s slice of Argentina in Maboneng.

Pretoria

1. Life Grand Cafe (Hazelwood)
A lovely spot for Friday afternoon drinks and delicious tapas.

Life Grande Café. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

2. Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient (Elandsfontein)
Chantel Dartnall, our 2014 San Pellegrino Chef of the Year, reigns supreme at this fine dining restaurant.

A dish at The Restaurant at Mosaic. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

3. Burger Bistro (Villiera)
You know why you’re here: innovative burgers, excellent fries and creative milkshakes.

Burger Bistro. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

4. La Terrasse Rooftop Cafe (Menlo Park)
Tagines are the stars of the show at this Moroccan restaurant.

5. Afro boer (The Willows)
A homey cafe with a hip take on South African identity.

6. Hinterland Vleishandelaar (Hazelwood)
Meat is king, with (beef) steak and lamb the stars of this particular show.

Hinterland Vleishandelaar. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

7. Brasserie de Paris (Waterkloof Ridge)
Whether you’re after a tasting menu or a simple bistro experience, this brasserie offers top-notch food.

Chocolate fondant at Brasserie de Paris. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

8. Black Bamboo (Ashlea Gardens)
A fine dining gem in leafy Ashley Gardens.

The Black Bamboo interior. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

9. Priva Gastrolounge (Waterkloof Heights)
Situated directly above Ritrovo, this chic restaurant offers spectacular views from the terrace and rich, delicious fare.

The interior at De Kloof. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

10.  De Kloof (Waterkloof)
Fantastic views of the open hills and vales provide the perfect setting to enjoy fine dining fare.

Durban

The cronuts at Old Town Italy. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

1. Old Town Italy (Umhlanga Rocks)
Spectacularly popular, thanks to old-school Italian recipes and a beautiful, airy space. The absurd pastries on offer might also have something to do with it. (See above.)

2. S43 Home to That Brewing Co. (Station Road)
With dishes like onion-and-beer soup with cheese toasties, and mini doughnuts in Irish red dust and salted caramel, it’s no surprise that this craft beer spot is making waves in Durban.

3. Jaipur Palace (Durban central)
They’re well-known for an excellent curry buffet.

4. Surf Riders Food Shack (Addington Beach)
Prawns in gorgonzola foam, sweet potato fries and gourmet hotdogs: food here is simple, natural and comes with a beautiful backdrop, gratis.

5. Neo Cafe (Durban North)
Tuck into well-priced Mozambican fare in this casual, Mackeurton Avenue restaurant.

6. Capsicum Restaurant at the Britannia Hotel (Durban central)
Authentic curries are served unpretentiously in rotis, bunny chows or with rice at this stylish restaurant.

Capsicum Restaurant at the Britannia Hotel. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

7. Sagewood Cafe (Pietermaritzburg)
Not technically in Durban – but it’s worth noting as the first Pietermaritzburg restaurant to make our most-viewed list! Located at Blackwood’s garden centre, this cafe offers some surprising options like savoury waffles, rump with credentials (Greenfields) and wood-fired lasagna.

The deck of the Sagewood Cafe. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

8. China Plate (Durban North)
Owner George Hu has notable culinary credentials, which is why you will find chefs here on their night off. Expect generous portions of Szechuan cuisine.

9th Avenue Bistro. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

9. 9th Avenue Bistro (Morningside)
Chef-patron Graham Neilson has been joined by Yorkshireman Charles Lakin, who’s worked in Michelin-rated restaurants and competed in the TV series The Great British Menu. It’s a sanctuary for those of jaded palate.

The exterior at the Greedy Buddha. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

10. Greedy Buddha (Umhlanga Rocks)
Expect beautiful plates of tantalising Asian food, presented tapas style.

Cape Town

1. Village Idiot (Loop Street, City Bowl)
The young and hip queue round the block for a spot at the crowded bar. Food gets mostly glowing reviews.

The queue at The Village Idiot. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

2. The Test Kitchen (Woodstock)
No prizes for guessing why this restaurant is near the top of our most-viewed list. Bookings are currently open for April 2016.

The Test Kitchen. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

3. Tiger’s Milk (Long St, City Bowl)
This newly opened City Bowl bar and restaurant is the second of the Tiger’s Milk brand. We hear good things about the pizza and ribs.

The interior at Tiger’s Milk. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

4. La Mouette (Sea Point)
At R295 for the winter six-course tasting menu, this is some of the best value-for-money fine dining in the city.

La Mouette’s interior. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

5. Kaprino’s (Northgate Estate)
A casual buffet restaurant, popular with those organising functions.  We’ve heard mixed reviews of the food.

6. Homespun (Tableview)
With above-average bistro food that’s affordably priced, this is a fabulous addition to the area.

A fruity dessert at Homespun. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

7. Il Leone Mastrantonio (Green Point)
The gnocchi is drool-worthy and the ambience cosy.

8. Door 221 (Bree Street, City Bowl)
Bree Street’s hottest new bar has a small, changing food offering.

9. The Pot Luck Club (Woodstock)
Wraparound views and knockout tapas: Luke Dale-Roberts more casual restaurant remains a must-visit for tourists and locals alike.

The Pot Luck Club interior. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

10. Ashley’s Family Restaurant (Goodwood)
A neighbourhood favourite with hands-on service.

Winelands

1. Hudson’s (Stellenbosch)
Students + burgers = guaranteed success, and from what we hear, the newest Hudson’s is a runaway one.

2. Jordan Restaurant (Stellenbosch)
George Jardine continues to woo us with his soufflés and damned delicious fine dining fare at this Top 10 restaurant. Considering the quality, R380 is a steal for the four-course tasting menu.

A dish at Jordan.

3. The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Francais (Franschhoek)
Margot Janse and her team of superstars continue to turn out a glorious, uniquely South African menu at this Top 10 restaurant.

The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Francais. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

4. Overture (Stellenbosch)
Bertus Basson’s Top 10 restaurant is still pulling the crowds. We hear that the sautéed gnocchi and mushrooms with smoked aubergine, parmesan and Jerusalem artichoke is particularly yummy.

A dish at Overture Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

5. Durbanville Hills Restaurant (Durbanville)
This modern, double-volume space offers bistro food and views of a distant, mist-cloaked Table Mountain.

The deck at Durbanville Hills. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

6. Terroir (Stellenbosch)
The risotto has been getting rave reviews at this fine dining restaurant.

Interior of Terroir restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

7. Rust en Vrede (Stellenbosch)
Fine dining finesse and old school, exacting service remain the core of this winelands restaurant.

Rust en Vrede Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

8. Thirsty Scarecrow (Stellenbosch)
A cheaper, more casual option in this neck of the woods, The Thirsty Scarecrow is popular with students and young families.

The Thirsty Scarecrow. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

9. The Restaurant at Newton Johnson (Hemel en Aarde Valley)
This Top 10 restaurant is downright beautiful — from the views to the flavours.

10. De Warenmarkt (Stellenbosch)
Part market, part permanent store space, this historical building houses Stellenbosch’s newest brunch and lunch solution. A residency by George Jardine at present doesn’t hurt!

The Restaurant at Newton Johnson. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.