If you live in fear of dining in an empty restaurant, this is the list for you. Here are the most-viewed restaurants on our site last month. We recommend you book well in advance.

• Johannesburg
• Pretoria
• Durban
• Cape Town
• Winelands

Joburg

1. Pron (Linden)

Emma Chen’s noodle bar is filling a gap in Linden for a vibey, dinner spot.

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

2. Five Hundred (Sandton)

The Saxon’s answer to fine dining is five star in every respect.

The kitchen at Five Hundred. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

3. DW Eleven-13 (Dunkeld West)

Marthinus Ferreira and his team continue to please diners with fine dining comfort food.

The interior at DW Eleven-13. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

4. The National Eatery and Speakeasy (Parktown North)

The Coobs owners are onto a winning formula with this cool, new eatery with food from around the world. Think Texan smoked pork, wild boar ragu and churros with dulce de lechè.

5. Workshop 55 (Parktown North)

This new gin, whisky and tapas bar offers moreish dishes like duck pancakes, creamy gruyère tarts and ostrich fillet with black-bean paste and strawberries.

The bar at Workshop 55. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

6. Cafe Hemingways (Kyalami)

The literary-themed menu boasts accessible bistro favorites, and the lovely deck offers a great spot for an after-work drink.

7. Che Argentine Grill (Maboneng Precinct)

Carne asado and dulce de leche pancakes keep diners returning to this Argentine restaurant located in a converted warehouse.

Light shining through a wiindow at Che Argentine Grill. Photos courtesy of Rupesh Kassen.

8. Restaurant Parreirinha (La Rochelle)

Expect authentic Portuguese food and a fun-filled environment.

9. Great Eastern Food Bar (Melville)

Delightful dishes like sashimi tacos and kimchi-chilli ramen make this a unique spot to dine.

The seating arrangement at The Countess. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

10. The Countess (Melville)

A touch of steampunk design and American smokehouse flavours are drawing in the crowds to this restaurant at 27 Boxes.

Pretoria

1. Atlantis Seekos restaurant (Irene)

This relaxed, beach-themed restaurant is rapidly gaining popularity for its traditional South African seafood dishes. Think seafood potjies, snoek and sweet-potato and pap en kaiings.

2. La Terrasse Rooftop Cafe and Deli (Menlo Park)

This Moroccan restaurant was named Best African Eatery at the 2015 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Best Everyday Eateries that took place last month.

The balcony at La Terrasse. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

3. Afro-boer (Die Wilgers)

Expect homey, comforting breakfasts and lunches at this light, bright café, which was recognised with a highly commended certificate in the coffee shop category in the recent Best Everday Eateries.

4. Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient (Elandsfontein)

Chantel Dartnall’s unique brand of botanical-inspired cuisine continues to delight at this fine dining restaurant.

The Tiffany dining room at Restaurant Mosaic. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

5. Burger Bistro (Villiera)

This 50s-themed burger joint turns out innovative burgers, excellent fries and creative milkshakes.

Burgers at Burger Bistro. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

6. Geet Indian Restaurant (Brooklyn)

This popular Indian spot was also recently recognised with a highly commended at the Best Everyday Eateries, thanks to reader’s positive reviews.

The interior at Geet Indian Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

7. Life Grand Café (Pretoria)

An extensive cafe-style menu will please most, in an interior reminiscent of a Parisian bistro.

The interior at the Life Grande Café in Waterkloof. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

8. Prickly Pear (Centurion)

This little Mexican restaurant in a business park makes great tacos, piled high with guacamole and sour cream.

9. Hogshead (Hazelwood)

Known for craft beer, ribs and other smokehouse favorites, this pub is a popular place to gather for drinks.

10. De Kloof Restaurant (Waterkloof)

Expect fabulous fine dining at this golf course restaurant.

Durban

1. Four15 (Durban North)

One of two new Mexican spots on Mackeurton Avenue, Four15 is already developing a following for house favorites like carnitas burritos and churros.

The festive interior at Four15. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

2. Jaipur Palace (Durban Central)

Feast on the curry buffet that offers everything from crab and prawn to lamb, chicken and lentils.

3. S43 Home Brewing Company (Station Road)

Tapas, burgers and craft beers from That Brewing Co. have made this a popular hangout spot.

4. Old Town Italy (Umhlanga Rocks)

Classic Italian dishes are prepared in a beautiful and bountiful deli space.

Outside seating at Old Town Italy . Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

5. El Toro (Durban North)

The other new Mexican spot on Mackeurton Drive is receiving attention for authentic empanadas, atmospheric decor and reasonable prices.

An outside view of El Toro in Durban. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

6. Neo Cafe (Durban North)

The well-priced Mozambican dishes pull in the crowds at this super-casual café.

7. 9th Avenue Bistro (Morningside)

Charles Lakin and Graham Neilson continue to wow patrons with some of Durbs’s most exquisite bistro food.

A dish from 9th Avenue Bistro. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

8. Spiga D’Oro (Durban North)

The Mackeurton Avenue branch still offers consistently good cafe-style food.

People enjoying a meal at Spiga D’Oro. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

9. Indian Summer (Sunningdale Centre)

Ranging from rogan josh to korma and dosas to Bombay chaats, the food here is beautifully spiced.

10. Lingela at Southern Sun Elangani & Maharani (Snell Parade)

A popular buffet draws the crowds to this hotel restaurant.

Cape Town

1. The Deckhouse Crab Shack and BBQ (Gardens)

This Kloof Street restaurant was voted Best Seafood Eatery by our readers at last month’s Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Best Everday Eateries.

A dish at The Deckhouse Crabshack and BBQ. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

2. Charango (City Bowl)

This Japanese-Peruvian restaurant on Bree Street has had to introduce two sittings to deal with demand. (We can vouch for the ceviche and the desserts.)

The interior at Charango. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

3. My Sugar (Sea Point)

Insane milkshakes and scrumptious chocolate have put this little Sea Point chocolate shop on the map.

A close-up view of the milkshakes made by My Sugar restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

4. The Village Idiot (City Bowl)

Still one of the hippest places to be seen, The Village Idiot has livened up the previously rather quiet Loop Street after dark.

That Durban Chick – hot spicy peri Peri-style grilled chicken. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

5. The Test Kitchen (Woodstock)

Last time we checked, the reigning Restaurant of the Year was still booked up until the apocalypse. (It’s worth the wait, though.)

The table setting at The Test Kitchen. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

6. Borage Bistro (Foreshore)

Excellent food and a bright, breezy interior make this one of the most pleasant spots for a business lunch in the district.

Bites at Borage Bistro. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

7. The Eatery Woodfired Grill (Wynberg)

This popular neighbourhood spot received such a great volume of positive reviews that it was awarded a highly commended certificate in the steakhouse category of the Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Best Everyday Eateries.

8. Kaprinos (Northgate Estate)

This strictly Halaal restaurant is a popular spot in the neighbourhood.

9. La Mouette (Sea Point)

This is still one of the most affordable places to enjoy a fine dining experience in the city.

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

10. The Grand Cafe and Beach (Granger Bay)

A private beach and a view out over Granger Bay make this one of the ultimate summer cocktail spots.

Winelands

1. The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Francais

Save up for this: Margot Janse, Gerald van der Walt and the team will knock your socks off with some incredible fine dining.

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

2. Hudson’s Burger Bar (Stellenbosch)

The popular burger group has found the right formula for Stellenbosch and its legions of hungry, thirsty students.

3. Jordan Restaurant (Stellenbosch)

You’ll find some of the most delicious fine dining in the country here, with a view of the dam, vineyards and distant mountains.

The deck at Jordan Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

4. Rust en Vrede (Stellenbosch)

Traditional silver service complements fine dining food and the estate’s magnificent wines.

Rust en Vrede Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

5. Benguela on Main (Somerset West)

Chef Jean Delport did time at Rust en Vrede and Terroir before taking over the kitchen at Benguela, and is reportedly turning out fine, contemporary food.

6. Overture (Stellenbosch)

Bertus Basson’s fine dining restaurant delights with a crowd-pleasing tasting menu.

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

7. Thirsty Scarecrow (Stellenbosch)

A great spot for a less formal meal in the winelands, overlooking the famous fields of the Mooiberge Strawberry Farm.

8. The Restaurant at Newton Johnson (Hemel en Aarde Valley)

Magnificent fine dining with a knockout view.

A view of the Boland mountains at The Restaurant at Newton Johnson. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

9. De Warenmarkt (Stellenbosch)

The town’s newest go-to brunch and lunch spot captures a market atmosphere in an historic building.

10. The Kitchen at Maison (Franschhoek)

Fine dining food in a beautifully designed space. Don’t forget to pay a visit to Porcini, the resident pig.

White walls and wood combine to create a calming interior. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.