Looking to change up your usual dining-out routine and try something new? Our compilation of the most-viewed venues in May 2017 is bound to give you some food for thought. This list shows what people are searching for on eatout.co.za, compiled using statistics of the most-viewed restaurant listings in May 2017.

• Joburg
• Pretoria
• Durban
• Cape Town
• Winelands

Johannesburg and surrounds

1. Life Grand Café (Waterfall Corner)
This popular eatery seems to have something for everyone, from sushi, pizza and tapas to charcuterie and cheese boards. Order loads and share amongst your friends.

2. Momo Bauhaus (Greenside)
Our advice? Go to this hip Asian-inspired eatery with as many friends as possible so that you can have a range of tapas, buns, bowls and sushi rolls.

One of the bowl options at Momo Baohaus in Johannesburg. Photo supplied.

3. Brian Lara Rum Eatery (Linden)
This is the place for cocktails in pineapples, rum-basted ribs and jerk chicken. The décor gives a nod to the tropics.

4. Kream Restaurant (Mall of Africa)
Pretoria’s popular fine-dining restaurant has moved to this monster mall. Readers say the attention to detail is still a highlight. Good for special occasions.

5. 1Fox – The Sheds (Fordsburg)
Rather a collection of market stores, eateries and bars than one restaurant, The Sheds nevertheless deserves to be on this list for its perennially popular offering.

6. Rockets (Bryanston)
This four-storey champagne bar and cognac lounge only opens today, but it seems Joburgers are feeling ready for action. The menu is slated to include the likes of charcuterie boards, burgers, steaks, trinchado and lamb kebabs.

The tapas selection at Rockets. Photo supplied.

7. Craft (Parkhurst)
It looks like locals are still flocking to Craft for its playful food in generous portions. This time of year the crazy hot chocolates start appearing on the menu, so look out for those.

8. The Grand (Rivonia)
There’s a large buffet and also dancing girls. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

9. Mash Braai House (Fourways)
Classy shisa nyama is the name of the game here. Warm up on generous dishes of lamb stew with pap and all the trimmings, ox liver, and deboned skop (skaap kop).

10. Bolton Road Collection
Look forward to mouthwatering (and very Instagram-worthy) platters at this hipster hangout, as well as slow-roasted beef short rib and baked treats like the tonka-bean panna cotta with honeycomb.

Arancini at Bolton Road Collection. Photo supplied.

Pretoria

1. Guy Fieri’s Kitchen + Bar (Time Square in Menlyn)
The famous chef and his frosted tips may not be in residence here, but that isn’t stopping the crowds, who come for his crazy food in enormous portions. And yes, there’s a mechanical bull.

2. Burger Bistro (Hazelwood)
The burger chain is popular in this neck of the woods. Be brave and order the Elvis Presley, with bacon and peanut butter.

3. Mustang Sally’s Pub and Diner (Hatfield)
If you want to fall in line with the rock ’n roll ethos here, opt for one of the burgers with names like James Dean, Classic Sally’s or John F Kennedy Hottie. But you’d better be hungry!

A burger at Mustang Sally. Photo supplied.

4. Old Town Italy (Menlyn Maine)
Durban’s popular deli is going strong at its capital city incarnation.

5. Forti Grill Bar (Time Square Casino in Menlyn)
Pretoria’s iconic Ritrovo has closed its doors, but fans of Fortunato Mazzone can still get their fix at this new spot.

4. Burger Bistro (Villieria)
The burgers are superb without trying to be too fancy. Manageable portions of good-quality products are served alongside excellent, crispy chips.

5. Fire and Ice Restaurant at the Protea Hotel (Menlyn)
Conveniently open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, this hotel restaurant prides itself on American-style burgers and great coffee creations.

6. Afro-boer (Die Wilgers)
Classic local cuisine mixes with global food trends here. The family-friendly setting remains popular with young and old.

Pancakes at Afro-boer. Photo supplied.

7. Bosvelder Pub & Restaurant (Centurion)
Go for the décor, which reportedly transports you straight to the bushveld, and stay for the great burgers and steak.

8. Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient (Elandsfontein)
Chef Chantel Dartnall continues to amaze with her whimsical, exquisitely presented food at this 2016 Top 10 fine dining restaurant.

9. Something’s Cooking by J (Menlyn)
Personality can be a strong pull, but that’s not all that J’Something’s restaurant has going for it. Our critic reports delightful picanha steak, deboned Portuguese chicken, prawns and pork-belly ramen.

The man himself: J’Something. Photo supplied.

10. Eisbein & Co. (Menlo Park)
Fans love the old-school meaty dishes of pork shoulder with crispy crackling, crumbed mushrooms and authentic sides like sauerkraut.

Durban and surrounds

1. 1904 Bistro Américain (Kloof)
The American-themed menu here is massive, featuring everything from bagels and chowder to smoked meats and gourmet dogs.

2. The Chefs Table (Umhlanga Rocks)
Watch the chefs in the open-plan kitchen prepare exquisite dishes of the day. Previous highlights include Greenfield’s roasted bonemarrow with slow-braised beef tongue and swordfish with a bouillabaisse broth.

A colourful fish dish at The Chefs Table. Photo supplied.

3. Village Table (Umhlanga Rocks)
This spot prides itself on its location overlooking the Indian Ocean. It’s a beautiful space filled with plants and blossoms on the walls.

4. Old Town Italy (Umhlanga Rocks)
Take your taste buds to Italy with dishes like hand-made pastas, succulent lemon-caper chicken or 300g rib-eye steak prepared Fiorentina style, with crushed salt and pepper, herbs and olive oil.

Decadent dessert at Old Town Italy. Photo supplied.

5. The Joint Jazz Café (South Beach)
Who know jazz would go down so well at the seaside? Maybe it has something to do with the ‘nyamalicious’ meaty options cooked on an open flame, with a secret basting sauce and served with a pat of farm butter? We sense a pattern.

6. Cane Cutters (Sheffield Beach)
We hear Cane Cutters makes one of the best bunny chows in Durban. Look out for the daily specials.

Cane Cutter’s bunny. Photo by Trushka Soni.

7. NIKOS Coalgrill Greek (Durban North)
How’s your Greek pronunciation these days? Try it out on the delicious souvlaki, yiros, htipiti and baklava here. The Santorini-style décor makes it feel cool and pleasant even on hot days.

8. Jaipur Palace (Durban North)
Come hungry for curry! The buffet features everything from crab and prawn to lamb, chicken and lentils. The reviews are mixed, so be prepared to make up your own mind.

9. Fourteen on Chartwell (Umhlanga)
Modern gastropub fare is the focus here, offering beautifully presented dishes like barbecue pulled pork, salt-and-pepper calamari, and grilled prawns.

The pulled pork jaffle at Fourteen on Chartwell. Photo supplied.

10. Krispy Kreme (Gateway)
Doughnuts doughnuts doughnuts.

Cape Town

1. The Test Kitchen (Woodstock)
SA’s number-one restaurant is constantly evolving, with dishes that show a love of Asian flavours and SA ingredients. Bookings now open every three months, so there’s a better chance of grabbing a table.

The Light Room at The Test Kitchen. Photo supplied.

2. Lily’s Restaurant (Mouille Point)
Mouille Point has a fancy new spot that everyone’s talking about.

3. The Silo Rooftop (V&A Waterfront)
This exclusive spot is open to guests of the hotel and members of the public by reservation only. Feast on charcoal-fired dishes and a tempura bar.

The Silo Rooftop. Photo supplied.

4. The Granary Café (The Silo Hotel, V&A Waterfront)
This more accessible spot in the same historic Silo Hotel has a compact, classic menu with options like duck-liver parfait, prawn cocktail, and steak with béarnaise sauce.

5. The Village Idiot (City Bowl)
Wraparound balconies, great atmosphere throughout the week, crowd-pleading platters and great specials are the name of the game at this youngsters’ hangout.

Inside The Village Idiot. Photo by Laura McCullagh.

6. NOW NOW (City Bowl)
Woolworths is trying a takeaway spot that seems to be winning hearts. Grab healthy breakfast pots, egg buns, hearty bowls, burgers and more for lunch on the go.

7. Thali (Gardens)
Liam Tomlin’s Indian tapas restaurant, Thali is serving a whirlwind of gently spiced dishes, many of which are cooked in the tandoori oven.

The beautifully array of copper crockery at Thali. Photo by Katharine Jacobs.

8. Downtown Ramen (Zonnebloem)
Cape Town’s first ramen noodle bar has stuck to its winning formula of glossy noodles in tasty broth with perfect boiled eggs, all washed down with beers in a grungy inner-city locale.

9. SHIO (Green Point)
Generously portioned Asian tapas continues to please at this moody eatery adjoining a boutique hotel.

10. House of H (City Bowl)
The self-service card system has its detractors, but many enjoy not having to worry about split bills or tips. Any meat on bread dish is a must – brisket sandwich, burger and steak roll – with the awesome salads.

Winelands

1. Bosjes Kombuis (Ceres)
This striking new restaurant has been lauded for its magnificent design. Jury is still out on the food though.

3. Spek en Bone (Stellenbosch)
Bertus Basson’s casual eatery (named after his pet pig and pup) gained fame for its Peppermint Crisp King Cone ice cream, but keeps bellies happy with stellar tapas and wine.

3. The Deck at Hidden Valley (Stellenbosch)
Sometimes a restaurant doesn’t have to be complicated. Bertus Basson’s latest project, The Deck at Hidden Valley, serves only two dishes: fish and chips, and a Wagyu cheeseburger.

The Deck’s Wagyu burger. Photo by Katharine Jacobs.

4. Thirsty Scarecrow (Stellenbosch)
Deep-fried Oreos, you say? Add some pies, pizzas and craft beers, plus a long deck with a view, and you’ve got a winner.

5. Hudson’s Burger Bar (Stellenbosch)
The chain that started in Cape Town has expanded its horizons acorss the country. The burgers and shakes served here are popular with the young – and young-at-heart – crowd.

6. The Hickory Shack (Elgin)
Pit-fired barbecue finds a home in this valley, with home-made sauces, humble sides and simple plating. Great for the whole family.

The Hickory Shack. Photo by Tasha Seccombe.

7. The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français (Franschhoek) – closed
Chef Margot Janse has moved on, and the space has been nabbed by a fellow Top 10 team at La Colombe. La Petit Colombe is due to open this August. Watch this space.

8. The Millhouse Kitchen (Somerset West)
This bistro on the Lourensford wine farm offers bubbling, wood-fired pizzas in a range of creative combinations and some heartier bistro mains. The front deck, overlooking the lawn and geometric ponds, is glorious on sunny days.

Pizza at The Millhouse Kitchen. Photo supplied.

9. Bertus Basson at Spice Route (Suider Paarl)
This South African country restaurant makes it a lucky trio in this list for the celeb chef. Local certainly is lekker.

10. Schoon de Companje (Stellenbosch)
Once upon a time a little bakery called Oude Bank Bakkerij evolved into Schoon de Companje, a massive restaurant, coffee shop, winery, live music venue and ice cream shop icon. Now husband-and-wife team Fritz and Chanelle Schoon will relocate their new venture, SCHOON, to a new premises to focus on bread again, while the current premises on the corner of Bird and Church Street in Stellenbosch will become part of the Boschendal wine and food stable.

This list shows what readers are searching for on eatout.co.za, compiled using statistics of the most-viewed restaurant listings in May 2017.