‘The usual’ sounds so much more banal than it is. Far from tedious or dull, to us ‘the usual’ means a greeting at the restaurant door, smiles from the chef’s hatch and wordless nods between regulars. It means getting a table you prefer, a glass of wine without asking and some extra love put into your food. ‘The usual’ is the reason many of us return to our neighbourhood favourites every week ­– carving the curve of our buttocks into our designated chair over time.

We took inspiration from the 2014 Eat Out magazine to gather up the best ‘locals’ in the major cities for this list. Small town folks will know their own gems best (and keep them close to their chest), but our 50 panelists chose the following eateries for city slickers to add another friendly home-away-from-home to their repertoire.

Johannesburg

Assaggi
A classic Italian eatery that operates by its own rules and serves delicious seasonal dishes and old favourites. Stand-out dishes: gnocchi, homemade pasta, zucchini fritti, artichokes and the salmon.

Assaggi

Café del Sol
The 2012 winner of Best Italian Restaurant. Sensational food served in an unpretentious, modern setting has made this eatery a firm favourite. They make stuffed ravioli (try the artichoke), gnocchi and basil pesto every day. The relaxed atmosphere belies their absolute precision and passion.

Da Graziella Pizzeria and Trattoria
A reliable destination run by a Sicilian brother-and-sister team, Franco and Graziella. Try the pasta carrettiera and any of the meat dishes and finish them off with the iconic cannoli for dessert.

Dukes
Burgers are mammoth, so come hungry! Order the Dukes Burger with pineapple, mushrooms, tomato, a fried egg, bacon, cheddar, gherkins and onion rings.

Dukes

The Foundry Café
A new hotspot with an epic selection of craft beers to enjoy with charcuterie, sourdough pizza or pork belly with cannellini mash, pickled beetroot and apple purée.

Ghazal North Indian Restaurant
One of Joburg’s busiest curry destinations – and rightfully so. The flavours are light years ahead of the ubiquitous Durban curry. Great lamb dishes (korma and badami), tandoori options, chicken makhnie, exceptional biryani and paneer in rich butter and tomato gravy.

Licorish Bistro
Clever and consistently good food, like platters of lamb, fish and beef each served in three guises. Signatures: marrow bones stuffed with snails; seafood laksa; and strawberry crumble with homemade liquorice ice cream.

Licorish Bistro

Luca’s Ristorante
A huge, Tuscan-inspired menu features calzone, pizza and plenty of veal dishes. Owner Charles goes above and beyond to look after regulars.

Mastrantonio
Authentic Italian cuisine served with flair. Opt for a daily special, pasta with prawns and tomato or fresh porcini with herbs, garlic and wine.

Pronto Italian Deli
Always busy and buzzing, with a menu inspired by regular ‘mood trips’ to Italy. Try penne salsiccia, spaghetti with pork sausage and porcini with butter.

The Red Chamber
One of the best Chinese restaurants in Johannesburg thanks to its consistent quality and engaging proprietor Emma Chen. A neighbourhood favourite for mid-week dinner, such as seven cup chicken, ma po tofu, pork strings in sweet bean paste with pancakes, Peking duck and pork pot stickers.

Sai Thai
Charming and hands-on chef Micky Liu and her husband, Denis, deliver intense, authentic flavours at this local favourite. Tom yum goong is a perfect illustration of their commitment to superb Thai flavours. Also check out the spicy pork and aubergine stir-fry.

Thomas Maxwell
A fabulous atmosphere and classics with a twist. Stand-out dishes: rabbit risotto with mustard, lemon and turmeric; rabbit ragout with spicy lamb sausage; mussels and chips.

Pretoria

Al-Amin Restaurant
In the showroom of a petrol station, order Indian, Pakistani and Chinese dishes and delicious naan, paratha and roti.

Al Dente Ristorante and Pizzeria
A neighbourhood favourite for mid-week dinner. It’s Italian with a twist; the menu keeps to the classics, so anything from pizza to pasta is amazing, but they’re also innovative with their meat and fish dishes. It’s a comfy and casual space, which is cosy in winter and has a cool patio for summer. Try the chicken breast cooked in vodka, mustard and a cream sauce or any of the veal dishes in different combos.

Alfie’s
They might be small, but their eye for detail in both service and cuisine is excellent. This is neighbourhood dining at its best. They serve a special salmon dish with cherry tomatoes and black olives, a gnocchi with gorgonzola to die for and the desserts – tiramisu and crème brûlée – are classic but well executed.

Piccolo Italia
Visiting this neighbourhood restaurant, with its two passionate chefs, is like returning home for a meal. The ambience is all about the people, not the interiors. Visit for Italian comfort food with interesting variations, including a Moroccan chicken tagine with mushrooms in a brandied tomato sauce, and lamb in a mild spicy curry sauce.

Zest Bistro
A sure thing. Zest delivers on ambience and cuisine. Try a starter of roasted pickled beetroot with goat’s cheese mousse, crispy bacon and prune purée. Leave space for a burnt lemon tart with lemon confit and lemon curd ice cream.

Zest Bistro

Bloemfontein

Avanti Italian Restaurant
Avanti offers exactly what you would expect from an Italian restaurant, and a little bit more. You can basically order anything from pizza and pasta to pesce without being disappointed, as well as a range of freshly made flatbreads, wraps and gourmet sandwiches. This is a feel-good place where diners are treated like family.

Bella Casa
Although it’s famous for its wood-fired pizzas, it’s the ‘Black Beast’ steaks, topped with a pepper sauce, that can be seen emerging from the kitchen more frequently than anything else. Loyal customers come back time and again. This cosy, friendly place deserves its label as one of Bloem’s neighbourhood darlings.

Bella Casa

New York Cafe
Established in 1989, the restaurant is well-loved with locals for quality red meat dishes and good value for money. This is a neighbourhood favourite for mid-week dinner, especially the Jack Daniel’s rump steak.

Durban

China Plate
Happy patrons do more for ambience than the perfunctory décor in this unassuming restaurant. Foodies and chefs know to order off the traditional menu. It’s a neighbourhood favourite for dinner of barbecue pork on garlic bok choy; spicy brinjal casserole; crispy garlic langoustines; and deep-fried broccoli.

La Casa Nostra
A neighbourhood favourite, this is a casual, unpretentious trattoria with commendable food and service. Go for any of the veal dishes, especially the one with creamy mushroom sauce and pasta. Stand-out dishes: excellent pizzas, especially the Quattro Stagioni; gorgonzola fillet; and quail al forno (cooked in the pizza oven)

Parc Café
This tucked away neighbourhood gem has a chef with serious credentials, but they’ve chosen to offer a relaxed daytime eatery. Menu options change regularly, but expect the likes of sandwiches with roasted garlic chicken, onion pickle, fresh tomato and herb and garlic mayo, or eggs Benedict on potato and rosemary bread with streaky bacon, lemon hollandaise and capers.

Parc Café

Beyond Durban

The Fish Inn
An internationally trained chef, a fishing boat that brings in fresh line fish daily, and staff and management with an absolute passion for offering top seafood. More local you simply can’t get. Try the fishcakes, prawn curry roti and fish curry.

The Lobster Pot
This neighbourhood favourite is well known for its seafood, in particular the whiskey prawns, crayfish and line fish. The building may look a little old-fashioned, but it all works because the seafood that emerges from the kitchen is delicious.

Long Fen Chinese Restaurant
A Chinese sit-down or take-away offering great value for money. Pop by for after-work drinks and a bite to eat. The sushi menu has expanded to include more tempura items. The presentation of sushi has been kicked up a notch and the blackboards are filled with daily specials from which to choose. Stand-out dishes: sizzling beef, sushi and tempura prawns.

Shanghai
This neighbourhood favourite for mid-week dinner is conveniently situated on the side of a busy shopping centre so there’s always parking. The Cantonese cuisine and sushi bar offer great value for money. The brinjal fritters are addictive and the sushi is beautifully done.

Trattoria Casa Mia
A neighborhood favourite for Italian cuisine. The specials board tempts with options like fig and camembert pizza. Delicious gourmet pizzas come with an extra-thin base.

Garden Route 

The Olive Tree
A neighbourhood favourite and a safe bet. Order something like the seafood curry or the fillet and sit back to enjoy the charming bistro-style atmosphere.

Pembrey’s
Excellent European-style food. Relax and enjoy the old-farmhouse setting warmed by a roaring fire in winter. Peter and Viv Vadas own, cook and serve with their long-time staff, so things go smoothly. The blackboard menu changes daily but homemade ravioli; the Mediterranean salad bar; slow roasts and fresh seafood always find a place.

Trattoria da Vinci
A neighbourhood favourite for mid-week dinner. Everything is freshly made in-house (no shortcuts) and there are excellent specials. Keep an eye out for the fresh fish, thin-crusted pizzas and marinated vegetable appetiser. Grab a table out on the sidewalk in good weather.

Cape Town

Borusso’s
Pizza bases are bubbled and crisp, and there’s a huge array of toppings. The friendly vibe makes it an obvious choice for dinner out with friends or a no-fuss mid-week supper.

Café Paradiso
This local favourite has a homely atmosphere and lovely outside areas with mountain views. They offer good value for money with perfectly prepared classic dishes. Standout dish: carpaccio and grilled sirloin with café de Paris butter.

Café Paradiso

Cafe Roux
A family-run eatery that serves up innovative, delicious salads with sensational dressings. A great spot where the kids can run and play while you enjoy a lingering lunch.

Da Vinci’s on Kloof
Some restaurants, like books, should not be judged on appearances. Da Vinci’s is the go-to spot for ultra-thin pizzas with a mind-boggling choice of toppings, superb burgers and sticky spare ribs. Snappy service and good prices make it great for kids (who are invited to draw on the brown paper ‘tablecloths’.)

Il Leone Mastrantonio
Loved by fervent fans, this gem serves reasonably priced but top quality fare, including exceptional gnocchi; tuna carpaccio with caper pesto; linguine with chilli-spiked prawns; and the much-loved seasonal porcini tagliatelle.

La Boheme
This cosy neighbourhood eatery is always busy. Comfort food highlights include tapas, slow-cooked lamb, duck, pork belly and meatballs on pasta.

La Boheme

La Bruixia
That sense of belonging to a local favourite is half the fun of dining here. This place offers comfort food at its best and the owners are around every single evening. Stand-out dishes: the chicken liver parfait and the saltimbocca.

Magica Roma
This place is like the Goodfellas, Moonstruck and Big Night of restaurants. The food is simple and rustic, but loaded with flavour. Their veal dishes are great; ensure you try their homemade pastas with creamy sauces and fried veal. But it’s what’s not on the menu that’s worth asking for: the crumbed veal chop.

Petit Caveau
A great range of wines by the bottle or the glass accompany food that’s tasty and interesting without being precious. Stand-out dishes: lamb kofta tagliatelle and flatbreads.

Posticino
It’s 15 years on and Posti is still going strong. Choose your favourite pasta and make up your own sauce with a large choice of ingredients like veal, artichokes, chicken livers and cream. Baked pasta dishes go down a hearty treat as do substantial salads. The stars of the show, though, are the wood-fired pizzas on impossibly thin bases.

The Woodlands Eatery
A warm, atmospheric neighbourhood eatery with excellent, inventive food. Its fun vibe makes it great for birthday parties. There’s a regularly-changing menu, but the wood-fried pizzas are always outstanding. Try the slow-roasted lamb pizza, gourmet burger and the chocolate fondant.

Winelands

Basic Bistro
Be sure to make a booking or arrive early: this is a very cosy, intimate restaurant where you can have a great meal with an affordable price tag. Their burgers are the best – be sure to try the chilli burger if you like something spicy!

Basic Bistro

Café Blanc de Noir
This affordable café has an unpretentious setting great for group dining. Great for group lunches or supper, whether with family or friends. It adds a new dimension to winelands dining – one doesn’t always want a three-course meal or fine dining. The rectangular-shaped pizzas have super thin bases and generous toppings.

Pane e Vino
Everything’s done with care and the Italian love of food at this charming eatery on the outskirts of town. Food is honest, rustic and delicious. You’re bound to see a pair of Italian shoes sticking out from under a table belonging to the owner, breaking her bread daintily and dipping it in olive oil. Try the grappa, charcuterie plate, espressos and wines.

Terra Mare
This spot has a well-deserved long-standing reputation. Expect to find consistent food (that ever-elusive ingredient to success) and friendly, efficient service thanks to the personal care of the owner, Olivier, and his family team. Stand-out dishes: Karoo lamb; Amarula crème brûlée; steak tartare; three-mushroom risotto; and limoncello sorbet.

Terra Mare

Whale Coast

Annie se Kombuis
Comfort kos with a capital K. Settle in here to savour the dishes that have made this country great. Stand-out dishes: Afrikaans classics like skilpadjies and malva pudding.

Hook, Line and Sinker
Fresh (never-frozen) line fish is king here, with superb chips and their beer batter is a trade secret. The rustic, small space is full of fun.

Tides restaurant
One of the best places to eat in Betty’s Bay; it’s like a little slice of Kloof Street. Ensure you make a reservation as it’s often full, even in winter. Great for a vibey Friday or Saturday night if you’re spending the weekend in this neck of the woods.

Need more ideas for your neighbourhood? Visit our personal recommendations page to hear about chefs and foodies’ favourite restaurants.