This list of the most-viewed venues over the past month is bursting with hot ideas for new restaurants to try and old favourites to revisit. (It was compiled using statistics of the most-viewed restaurant listings on eatout.co.za in March 2016.) Happy dining!

Johannesburg

1. PRON (Linden)
Owner Emma Chen is ever-present, offering comfort food like dim sum for sharing and noodle dishes to slurp by yourself.

The interior at PRON. Photo supplied.

2. EB Social Kitchen & Bar (Hype Park)
We’ve had mixed reports on the food, but it seems crowds are flocking to this bookstore eatery to soak up the gorgeous views.

3. Tonka Bean Bakery (Fourways)
Joburg is going doughnuts for the crème-pâtissière-filled pastry treats here.

4. Craft (Parkhurst)
Fans are loving the lamb burgers and salted caramel milkshakes at this popular social spot.

The milkshakes at Craft. Photo supplied.

5. EAT Fine Dining (Northcliff)
Philippe Wagenfuhrer’s menu may change on a whim, but interest never wanes at this smart spot.

6. The Grand (Rivonia)
The buffet has over a hundred dishes, plus there’s a sushi bar, but we have to cut to the chase: it’s a strip club.

7. Magnum Pop-up Store (Rosebank)
The pop-up store has moved to Sandton, people! (Find details here.)

A DIY Magnum from the pop-up store. Photo supplied.

8. Che Argentine Grill (Maboneng)
A meat lover’s dream, this grillhouse serves traditional Argentine asado, or as we know it, braaivleis, slathered in delicious chimichurri.

9. The Countess (Melville)
This steampunk-style eatery is making statements with its smoky barbecue. Beer-and-cheese brûlée with chorizo, anyone?

10. Five Hundred (Sandton)
Sorry guys, it’s closed. David Higgs has moved on, and The Test Kitchen team has moved in.

Pretoria

1. Afro-boer (Die Wilgers)
Three words: fired pap wedges. This open-plan space offers a perfect balance between classic Afrikaans culture and eclectic modern trends.

The Afro-boer interior. Photo supplied.

2. Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient (Elandsfontein)
This has to be the most decadent restaurant in this part of the land, with beautiful art nouveau décor and otherworldly cuisine by chef Chantel Dartnall.

3. La Terrasse Rooftop Café (Menlo Park)
The flavours and fragrances of North Africa, with abundant mezze platters, tagines and scented cordials.

4. Burger Bistro (Hazelwood)
Burgers stacked with quality patties and a list of toppings that’s ever evolving. Keep it simple of go extravagant and end off with a watermelon flavoured milkshake.

5. Hemingways Restaurant and Wine Cellar (Centurion)
A hidden gem near the Hennops River, this elegant restaurant boasts a sun-soaked terrace, carefully selected wine collection and adventurous chef.

6. Life Grand Café (Hazelwood)
An extensive menu and beautiful interiors make this a great spot for a relaxing afternoon or evening.

7. Hinterland Vleishandelaar (Waterkloof)
Quality meat is king here, thick-cut well-seasoned and perfectly cooked.

8. Tuscan’s BBQ Restaurant (Groenkloof)
It’s all about variety and volume at this buffet restaurant with 120 international dishes.

9. Alfie’s (Hazelwood)
The original has recently welcomed a pizza-parlour sibling across the courtyard. It’s one of the places to be in Pretoria at the moment.

10. Black Bamboo (Ashlea Gardens)
Accessible fine dining, passionate staff and a contemporary ambience make this a favourite near the Menlyn shopping centre.

Durban

1. Fourteen on Chartwell (Umhlanga)
Craft beer, jaffles and mac ‘n cheese are the drawcards here, but you can go big with anything from prawns to pies of the day too.

2. Old Town Italy (Umhlanga Rocks)
This Italian foodie wonderland was recently on our radar for deep-fried doughnut ice-cream cones. Yes, you heard us.

Old Town Italy has a bit of a reputation for baked goods. Photo supplied.

3. Pop-up Society (Glenwood)
This restaurant and bar has a bustling social calendar of family nights, quiz evenings, wine tastings, cooking classes, a pop-up cinema and comedy shows.

4. Jaipur Palace (Durban Central)
Guests can order either à la carte or tuck into the buffet of every kind of curry, a variety of naan breads and some authentic desserts.

5. Papparoti (Westville)
This new spot has quickly become famous for its buns with a crispy caramel-and-coffee exterior and buttery and fluffy interior, to which guests can add a range of toppings.

6. Surf Riders Food Shack (Addington Beach)
The ultimate beachside hangout, with popular breakfasts, brunches and burgers. Pizzas are wood-fired and crisp.

The interior at Surf Riders. Photo supplied.

7. Pintxada (Umhlanga Rocks)
This vibey new tapas spot is the sibling of Havana Grill and Little Havana. Food for sharing is the name of the game, but there are some substantial mains like rotisserie chicken.

8. The Coop (Durban North)
This new chicken-themed takeaway hatch keeps the crowds happy with wraps, burgers and tasty sides.

9. The Wok Box (Durban North)
The accessible menu features the likes of roasted half duck with honey, ginger and sesame sauce and wok-fried anything and everything. Don’t miss the Nutella spring rolls with coconut custard for a sweet ending.

10. Capsicum Restaurant at the Britannia Hotel (Durban North)
Our editor swears by the authentic curries here. There are also noteworthy bunnies for those who like a bit of spice.

Cape Town

1. Deckhouse Crab Shack BBQ (Gardens)
This trendy Kloof Street spot is still pulling in the crab-loving crowds.

2. Locanda at Villa 47 (City Bowl)
Food importers Rialto are behind Bree Street’s hottest new Italian restaurant. Our recommendation? The eggs Benedict with crispy pancetta.

Just look at that crispy pancetta! Photo by Katharine Jacobs.

3. La Colombe (Constantia)
The number two restaurant in the country boasts some killer dishes – and a gorgeous view. It’s no wonder bookings can be tricky to come by.

4. The Test Kitchen (Woodstock)
Chef Luke Dale-Roberts may be busy opening up restaurants in Joburg and on Shortmarket Street, but The Restaurant of the Year remains his core focus – and one of our most popular restaurants.

5. Hoghouse Brewing Company (Ndabeni)
Brisket, buttermilk chicken, pork belly and ribs… Have we got your attention? Apparently so.

6. Charango Grill and Bar (City Bowl)
This Bree Street spot continues to buzz. Sip on a pisco sour while you dive into your ceviche.

7. Greenhouse at The Cellars Hohenort (Constantia)
The menu at the number four restaurant in SA is a real rollercoaster ride, and last year’s makeover has transformed it into a stylish, muted spot for really special occasions.

A dish from one of the previous Greenhouse menus. Photo supplied.

8. Il Leone Mastrantonio (De Waterkant)
One of our favourite places for gnocchi, this buzzing spot can get loud – in the convivial Italian way.

9. The Eatery Wood Fired Grill (Claremont)
A great addition to the Southern Suburbs, this neighbourhood spot offers great burgers and shakes. BYOB.

10. The Pot Luck Club (Woodstock)
Gazing down over the rooftops of Woodstock, this Top 10 restaurant remains perennially popular. We privately hope they never take the beef with café au lait sauce off the menu.

Winelands and beyond

1. Jordan Restaurant (Stellenbosch)
George Jardine’s Top 10 wine farm restaurant remains one of the most glorious places to dine in Stellenbosch, especially in autumn when the vines are turning.

2. Hudsons The Burger Joint (Stellenbosch)
Burgers, beer and milkshakes: What more would students (or anyone, really) want?

3. The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français (Franschhoek)
Margot Janse’s surprise menu keeps locals and tourists spellbound at this Top 10 restaurant. Put it on your bucket list.

An octopus dish from one of the previous surprise menus at The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Francais. Photo supplied.

4. Oppie Dorp (Stellenbosch)
This popular spot in Stellenbosch has a nice bistro vibe. The oak-shaded area on Dorp Street is paradise in the summer. Think bistro food like calamari, steak thermidor and pizza.

5. Noisy Oyster (Paternoster)
This destination restaurant in the quaint fishing village of Paternoster pulls the regulars and seagulls in and out of season. Tuck into oysters, snoek fishcakes, flash-fried sardines or pan-fried calamari with piquant paprika, lemon and aioli.

6. Terroir (Stellenbosch)
Coming in at number eight in the current Top 10, the Kleine Zalze restaurant continues to turn out moreish fine dining food with a bistro slant. The risotto is out of this world.

The courtyard at Terroir. Photo supplied.

7. Durbanville Hills Restaurant (Durbanville)
With million-dollar views out over the vineyards and towards a distant Table Mountain, this wine estate spot offers high-end bistro food, that’s getting good reviews at present.

8. Delaire Graff Estate Restaurant (Stellenbosch)
Go here for gorgeous views and fine food. We hear the crème brûlée is great.

9. Restaurant Jardine (Stellenbosch)
George Jardine opened up his second restaurant in the centre of Stellenbosch in February – and it’s already outrageously popular. Think unpretentious, great-value fine dining.

10. The Restaurant at Waterkloof (Somerset West)
Coming in at number six in the Top 10, this restaurant offers spectacular views and beautifully styled food. You’re going to want to photograph your lunch.

The Restaurant at Waterkloof, from outside. Photo supplied.

This list was compiled using statistics of the most-viewed restaurant listings on eatout.co.za in March 2016.