Whether it’s for a relaxing Sunday dinner or a delicious pick-me-up after a stressful Monday, booking at your favourite spot can be a bit tricky on these ‘rest’ days. To cure the post-weekend blues with a plate of tapas or a slice of pizza, try these popular spots around the country that are open on Sunday and/or Monday evenings.

• Sunday and Monday nights in Johannesburg
• Sunday and Monday nights in Pretoria
• Sunday and Monday nights in Durban and surrounds
• Sunday and Monday nights in Cape Town
• Sunday and Monday nights in Winelands

Sunday and Monday nights in Johannesburg

Blind Tiger Café (Parkview)

This cosy café and bar on Parkview’s popular main street, Tyrone Avenue, is the kind of place you go to for hearty, fuss-free food paired with Twenties-inspired cocktails with names such as The Great Gatsby, Bugsy’s and Rumrunner. The fare of burgers with fries, seafood and steak sandwiches is a potpourri of California-inspired fusion cuisine. Pop in for a combination of small dishes such as tacos, chicken wings and salmon fishcakes on Mondays from 3pm to midnight. Closed on Sundays.

Cafe Picobella Trattoria (Melville)

The lively Melville eatery is open from 8am to 10pm (on both Mondays and Sundays) and offers a satisfying range of bistro fare and Mediterranean and vegetarian dishes inspired by Italian country-style cuisine. The trattoria is popular for its pizzas and pastas – keep an eye out for their half-price specials on these dishes on Mondays (and Tuesdays).

Hudsons The Burger Joint (Parkhurst)

With 13 different types of beef burgers, there’s a burger to suit everyone’s taste at this American-style diner franchise that was first opened in Cape Town. Vegetarians are catered for too, with non-meat patty-based burgers. There are also other meat options, such as ostrich and chicken. Ingredients are freshly prepared and locally sourced at this stylish joint that’s open every day, including Mondays and Sundays from noon till 11.30pm.

The interior at Hudson’s Parkhurst. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

Les Créatifs (Bryanston)

Fine dining and world-class wine meet spectacular visual art at the Hobart Grove restaurant headed by Chef Wandile Mabaso, who was awarded the HOSCO Luxe Restaurant Award for Chef Of The Year 2022. Among the fine-dining choices are quail, duck, scallops and Mozambican white clams served on plates that are hand-painted by artists. Ingredients are sourced locally and the bread is freshly baked. Open on Sundays from 11am to 6pm. Closed on Mondays.

Level Four Restaurant at 54 on Bath (Rosebank)

Considered one of Joburg’s foremost fine-dining establishments, the Level Four kitchen delivers superlatively on fine-dining and classic fare such as lobster bisque, pork belly and duck. Enjoy rooftop dining or dine at the champagne bar – an ideal meeting spot for business meetings and sun-downers – which is open from 12 to 10pm on Mondays and Sundays.

Level Four Restaurant at 54 on Bath. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

Life Grand Cafe Waterfall (Midrand)

This Waterfall Corner eatery is an ideal spot for breakfast or lunch with its bakery, café fare and light meals. Try their freshly baked gourmet loaves made of forno bread served with extra-virgin olive oil, mixed greens and fries. Choose from toppings such as chicken breasts, grilled rump or house-ground beef. Their pizzas and pasta are also a hit. Open on Mondays and Sundays (8am–11pm).

Pomodoro Ristorante (Morningside)

This Italian-inspired restaurant at Morningside Shopping Centre uses fresh ingredients to recreate some of the recipes that have been in the eatery owners’ family for years. The Neapolitan-style pizzas, succulent Florentine T-bone and creamy risottos come highly recommended. Pomodoro Ristorante is open 12–8pm on Sundays and 12–9.30pm on Mondays.

Salsa Mexican Grill (Fourways)

The grill in Pineslopes is a lively restaurant that delivers the same delicious Mexican flavours and fun vibe seven days a week. Start with mild or spicy nachos or coconut prawns, followed by grilled wings and drumsticks, beef burgeritos or bacon jalapeno poppers, then end off the meal with churros. The restaurant is open from 11.30am to 10pm on Mondays and Sundays.

Proud Mary (Rosebank)

Restaurateurs Gary Hollywood and Warren Murley are behind this popular modern eatery and wine bar that serves contemporary, modern fare that’s globally inspired. The menu is constantly updated, reflecting the seasons and the restaurant’s focus on fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients. The latest menu additions reflecting the time of year to try are sweet oranges and citrus with burrata and toasted coriander seeds or, for vegans, dukkha panko crust cauliflower steak with cashew cream and butter bean mash. Open Mondays to Sundays from 7.30am to 10pm.

The Prawnery (Illovo)

The focus, as the name suggests, is prawn dishes – but there are other seafood favourites such as oysters, grilled hake and sushi on the menu. The squid ink pasta with prawn sauce and grilled yellowtail is one of their best dishes. Their dim sum and dumplings with prawn meat fillings are also popular, as are their Champagnes and MCCs. Open on Sundays from 12 to 7pm. Closed on Mondays.

Ukko (Bryanston)

The Wedgewood Link restaurant captures a Med-Asian feel with its natural wooden, stone and copper interior in Bryanston. The effect is understatedly elegant yet cosy, a feeling proprietor Mun Manal wanted to convey to the guest before they even sit and open the menu. The fare is equally modern, “MediterrAsian” and cool – from tapas, sushi, steak and salads to oysters, crispy prawns and fresh mussels steamed in white wine, herb butter, garlic and tomato. The wine list and mixology bar also impress. Open on Mondays and Sundays from 11am to 9pm.

Zioux (Sandton)

David Higgs’ new restaurant is an adults-only, smart-casual affair that has a menu focused on Latin American cuisine with a global twist. For instance, you could dine on Iberico pork loin with yellow habanero and lime sauce, sweet potato ‘el pastor’ and pineapple, or pan-fired sirloin, marquez sausage and lamb rib, served with heirloom tomato, charred tomato salsa, bone marrow, habanero, onion and black garlic salsa, for a gastronomical trip around the world on one plate. The aptly named shellfish bar is where you can pair Champagne with seafood – a must-try. Open on Sundays from noon to 11pm.

Marble (Sandton)

You can’t get better than a night out at this sleek restaurant that caters for the flame-lovers – whether it be meat, fish, vegetables or poultry. Try a classic steak, or go for something more interesting such as quail, duck or game. Overwhelmed by choice? Opt for the grilled meat selection for two. Open all week, from 12 to 10pm.

Sunday and Monday nights in Pretoria

African Pride Café (Silverton)

Firmly tucked away inside the Pretoria Botanical Garden, this establishment serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Their menu offers a bit of everything, so if you ever felt like French toast or fried eggs and bacon on a Sunday evening, here is your chance. Other options include burgers, pregos, wings and grills. Kids have a special section and beverages include traditional options such as mageu made from fermented mielie meal.

Geet (Brooklyn)

Gita Jivan’s smart Indian restaurant serves lunch and dinner seven days a week, although they close a little earlier on Sundays. This is for a decadent evening out, enhanced by a careful selection of high-end wines and professional wait staff. Highlights include the likes of mango chicken tikka, Malabar prawn curry with fresh coconut milk simmered in basil gravy, lemongrass-scented chicken, and green-pea biryani with steamed rice and papaya salad. End off on orange-and-pistachio goolab jamun steeped in saffron syrup with pistachio ice cream.

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

Granita (Kameeldrift-East)

The deluxe dining room at Kievits Kroon Country Estate is open seven days a week. Just a short, easy drive out of the city makes Granita quite accessible. Their six-course gourmet dinner and wine pairing costs R970 per person, or R350 for three courses without the wine. Depending on the season and the availability of ingredients, the chef may include offerings such as seared tuna with turnip purée, pickles and wasabi foam; an imaginative granita palate cleanser; and a duo of grilled beef fillet and confit duck leg served with butternut purée, pomme purée and bok choy with port jus. Dessert could be vanilla rum mousse, coconut sand and quinoa wafers, followed by coffee and friandise. Some delightful, newer innovations are always being conceived by the culinary team at Granita’s and the reservations team will gladly assist you with details on the current menu during your booking.

Granita at Kievits Kroons. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Oasis Restaurant (Arcadia)

The landmark Southern Sun’s Oasis Restaurant is open every day of the week, even Sunday evenings and Mondays, which gives one ample time to pop in for a buffet meal with an African twist. Items such as vetkoek feature along with a soup of the day, often with a garnish of croûtons or bacon bits, carvery and grill stations, plus numerous sides and hot dishes. To top it off, they also offer a selection of at least eight desserts. The buffet costs R220 per person, and the restaurant opens at set times for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It closes between courses in order to refresh the space and set up for the next meal. Retire to the lobby, the bar area or the sun deck if you would like to extend your visit.

Tasha’s Restaurant (Brooklyn)

This popular restaurant on the Pretoria circuit has established itself as a firm favorite for relaxed outdoor dining with a sunny daytime aspect and a beautifully lit evening view over Brooklyn Square. One can always rely on delicious offerings from the kitchen. Meals range from Mediterranean classics to some inspired culinary gems. The food is known for its honest simplicity, use of quality ingredients, and the flair and innovation that the kitchen infuses into every meal. The classic menu is always available and offers a selection of tried and trusted light meals and breakfasts (ranging in price from R90 to R150), starters, salads and pasta dishes (R100 to R200) and other entrees (R120 to R300). Also look out for the specials menu, which is seasonal and amended according to availability. The portions are generous and one can dine in fine style with offerings like the salmon tartare or the Mediterranean lamb cutlets, which both come well recommended.

Thali (Laudium)

Open seven days a week, this is more an eating house than a restaurant, with multi-generational families, groups of youngsters, and the odd visitor from other parts all sharing in the good food. The name “Thali” is also a description of the type of meal served here. The thali consists of a range of curries, dhal dishes, veggies and paneer, all served in multiple small portions, with a serving of rice and naan bread. Alcohol is not served, but the variety of delicious beverages will satisfy, including mint and lemon juice; pineapple juice; ginger and lemon juice; and salt, mango or buttermilk lassis. Under no circumstance should you neglect to order their kerala porotta, a light, flaky and buttery bread that’s perfect for scooping up generous amounts of chettinadu chicken in a hot fried coconut gravy.

Black Bamboo (Menlyn)

This is adventurous fine-dining food, featuring the likes of a play on steak tartare with pickled beef cubes, smoked apple jelly, truffle mayonnaise and rye bread croutons served in a hollowed-out apple with an apple essence smoke. The herb-crusted springbok fillet with garlic purée, roasted onion mousse, crispy onion strings and chocolate red wine sauce sounds equally scrumptious. For dessert, you would be hard pressed to decide between the light coconut mousse with chocolate cremeux, coconut jelly, lemon sugar, chocolate snap, toasted coconut shavings and chocolate sorbet, and the mango ‘spaghetti’ with coconut parfait, compressed mango, coconut tapioca, mango mousse and coconut sorbet. Look out for the impressive art collection and an array of South African sculptures in the garden.

The Black Bamboo interior. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

De Kloof (Waterkloof)

Another fine-dining option to impress your guests, De Kloof offers a beautiful starter ‘cocktail’ of baked crayfish tail with prawn toast, smoked green tea and lime jelly, tempura clam, lime sorbet, papino ceviche, daikon and nori; and decadent mains like the lamb loin with crispy sheep’s head medallion, parmesan polenta, pea purée, sugar-snap peas, roasted tomato and lamb jus. To end the meal, opt for the rhubarb and plum tarte tatin, served with grapefruit sorbet, granadilla ice pop and a tropical fruit gummy.

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

Moo Moo (Brooklyn)

Consistant and reliable: that is what Moo Moo offers every time. A business meeting, a family celebration or a romantic dinner is always relaxed and fun in this fuss-free environment. This popular eatery offers a delightful selection, from the cheerful chicken munchies and shoestring fries to the impressive steaks, delicious burgers and espatadas. Sit outdoors on the deck or inside when a cosy fire is lit. This restaurant welcomes patrons every day of the week. Look out for the return of live music and, perhaps, by popular demand, the return of their very popular two-for-one “wine hour” special at sundown daily.

Sunday and Monday nights in Durban and surrounds

Al Firenze (La Lucia)

This Italian gem nestled in suburbia offers locals a taste of authentic pizzas and pastas. Try the Rosetta pasta of Italian ham and cheese wrapped in spinach-and-egg pasta and baked in the pizza oven with a silky cheese sauce. The pizzas are a must, with thin-crust wood-fired bases topped with plenty of mozzarella and your choice of toppings. It’s a busy spot to end off the weekend, so bookings are essential. Open on both Sundays and Mondays.

A pizza topped with pepper, mushrroms and olives at Al Firenze. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Bel Punto (Umdloti)

Enjoy sunset views and sumptuous seafood and Italian dishes. Highlights include succulent mussels in a white wine sauce, clam- and prawn-filled marinara pasta, and heavenly risottos. For something different, try the calamari stuffed with prawns, red pepper and spinach, topped with Napoletana sauce, and baked in the wood-fired oven. Desserts offer a taste of Europe in the form of homemade tiramisu, espresso crème brûlée and creamy panna cotta. Open on Sundays and Mondays.

Fourteen on Chartwell (Umhlanga Rocks)

For those who like to end the weekend on a high, this buzzing gourmet pub offers everything from lush lobster mac ‘n cheese and inspired jaffles to saucy mussels and the gourmet pie of the day. The drinks and cocktail list make this a perfect spot for meeting up with friends. Open Sundays and Mondays.

Havana Grill (Suncoast Casino)

For the ultimate free-range beef offering, head to this handsome restaurant. From venison to beef fillet on the bone, the cooked-to-perfection meats make for a wonderful weekend treat. Their sibling restaurant, Little Havana, is also open on Sunday and Monday evenings.

The main floor at the Havana Grill. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Lupa Osteria (Durban North and Umhlanga)

Lovers of Italian cuisine will be able to get their pasta fix on Sunday and Monday nights at this popular eatery. Try dishes such as the pretzel-dusted calamari, tomato-and-risotto cakes, cheesy wood-fired pizzas, and homemade pastas with rich sauces.

The interior at Lupa Osteria. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Dante (Umhlanga)

End your weekend off with a bang at Umhlanga’s new local hotspot. Head to the rooftop bar area for some pre-dinner drinks with stunning views over the Umhlanga beachfront and then mosey on down to the main restaurant for dinner and tuck into their succulent braised short rib of beef, crusted Karoo lamb rack, or the wood-fired slow-roasted pork belly.

NIKOS (Ballito)

This is the perfect spot to end off the weekend, looking out over the Indian Ocean while listening to the sound of the waves and sharing plates of mouth-watering mezze with friends and family. Tuck into authentic Greek cuisine like dolmades, falafels with Turkish salsa and tzatziki, hummus with freshly baked pizza and so much more. Open Sundays and Mondays.

Bellevue Café (Kloof)

This calming spot offers seating under the trees and comforting dishes such as their Moroccan beef burger, tender calamari, fillet steak with a variety of optional sauces, Asian pork belly, and honey-and-soy seared Franschhoek salmon. Hearty pastas are also on offer for a carb-rich weeknight supper. Open Monday nights and Sundays until 4pm.

Frank’s Speakeasy (Umhlanga)

Frank’s is the perfect place to chase away those Monday blues with their vibey atmosphere and tasty food. Choose from a variety of delicious dishes such as their wood-oven pizzas, classic fillet Prego, or something a little healthier like fishcakes with a fresh, zingy salad. The staff are friendly, attentive and go out of their way to make sure you are well looked after! Open Sundays and Mondays.

Mamma Lucianas (Glenashley)

The best place in Durban for truly authentic Italian food! End off your Monday on a good note by tucking into some of the best pizza and pasta in town. Start with some delicious arancini balls, followed by seafood pasta in a creamy white wine sauce, and ending with their famous crème brulée. Open on Sundays and Mondays.

Butcher Block (Umhlanga)

If you’re craving a big juicy steak after a hard day’s work on Monday, head to Butcher Block for your protein fix. You can choose from a variety of choice cuts like fillet, sirloin, rump or rib-eye, and pair it with a tasty sauce of your choice. They also have other options such as delicious burgers, pizzas and surf-and-turf combos.

Fiamma Grill (Ballito) 

If you’re on the North Coast and are looking for a great dinner to start the week off right, this is the place to go! The menu caters for every craving you could have, from sushi or burgers to pizza and more. There is always a great atmosphere as you walk through the doors and it’s the perfect place to unwind on a Monday or Sunday evening.

Sunday and Monday nights in Cape Town

Bistro Sixteen82 (Tokai)

This is a beautiful spot for an evening of tapas after a long day of bubbly drinking. Sample dishes like pan-fried prawns in garlic and parsley cream; duck bao buns; pork belly with celeriac mash; and panko-crusted cheese fritters with poached pear and pumpkin seeds. Tapas runs from 12pm until 8pm, making it ideal for post-wine tasting munchies.

The exterior at Bistro Sixteen82. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Harbour House (Kalk Bay)

This stylish restaurant has gorgeous sea views and makes for a perfect sundowners spot. A variety of ocean delights are on offer, with a specials blackboard to tempt you further. Try the warm seafood salad, or fried or grilled calamari. A concise sushi menu is also available and starters of oysters or black mussels are a popular choice. Also try the Harbour House at the V&A Waterfront.

Il Leone Mastrantonio (Green Point)

Hidden in the back roads of Green Point, this sophisticated spot is ideal for a quiet Italian meal after a busy weekend. Try the bruschetta or the mussels to start, followed by their homemade pastas such as the penne gamberetti with baby prawns and a creamy tomato-and-chilli sauce. Closed on Mondays.

The interior at Mastrantonio Restaurant. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Jerry’s Burger Bar (Blouberg, Gardens, Observatory, Tyger Valley)

For some of the best burgers in the city, grab your spot at one of the eateries on a Sunday evening. The Seven Deadly Sins (stuffed-patty burgers) come highly recommended, as does the cheese, jalapeño and beer-sauced burger called the Sweet Baby Cheeses. Finish it all off with a Lindt chocolate brownie.

La Colombe (Constantia)

Views of Constantia Valley are the backdrop to incredible, sophisticated food with a playful touch. Look forward to dishes such as Malay-style snoek, beetroot tartare, petit poussin and tiger prawn, and, of course, the famous tuna La Colombe.

The deck at La Colombe. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Massimo’s (Hout Bay)

A Sunday trip to Hout Bay can happily end with some of the best pizzas in the Mother City. This gem serves up thin-crusted slices such as the Pancetta, the Afrikana topped with boerewors, or the Tricolore topped with roasted garlic, cacio cheese and zucchini.

Massimo’s pizza. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Peddlars (Constantia)

Enjoy lazy feasting on either Sunday or Monday nights. The menu boasts a range of delicious items from rich Italian cuisine to flavourful tapas, and casual family-friendly grub.

Woodlands Eatery (Vredehoek)

This popular neighbourhood eatery is well known for its exciting pizzas. The slow-roasted lamb pizza with crème fraiche is a popular choice. For those who don’t feel like Italian, try the beer-battered hake or juicy cheeseburger. Seats outside are lovely on warm evenings.

El Burro (Green Point)

This Cape Town darling, which has been reimagined as a taqueria, is packed with locals and soon-to-be new fans on Monday nights. Share a variety of delicious tacos with fillings ranging from hake to chicken, and end on a sweet note with a portion of churros. Closed on Sundays.

Churros at El Burro. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Kyoto Garden Sushi (Gardens)

For some of the finest Japanese food in the city (with prices to match), head to this serene garden restaurant for a tranquil Monday mood lifter. The sushi is superb, as is The Sea, a clear broth with shellfish. Try one of their ‘salads’ with cold noodle and prawns, or succulent Alaskan king crab. Mains include seared tuna, steamed fish, or whole crayfish in miso. Closed on Sundays.

Wraps at Kyoto Garden. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

La Boheme Wine Bar & Bistro (Sea Point)

This neighbourhood wine bar makes for a perfect Monday night dinner spot. Great wine by-the-glass options are paired with bistro-style food with Mediterranean flair. Enjoy something like the tender fillet steak with mushroom risotto, pulled beef with gnocchi, or chicken wrapped in phyllo pastry.

Zest Restaurant (Sea Point)

For a flavour-packed experience, be sure to head to Zest on a Monday evening (when they’re open until 11pm – Sundays, they’re open until 5pm). The menu offers plenty of variety for everyone, from smoked fish croquettes to charred sweet potato to start, to wood-fired salmon with confit potato and romesco puree or grilled springbok with carrot-and-miso puree for mains.

The Pot Luck Club (Woodstock)

Head to the trendy Old Biscuit Mill and up the glass elevator for breathtaking evening views and a Monday night supper like no other. The made-to-share dishes include a combination of palate pleasers from sweet and sour to salty and umami. The fish tacos with black bean purée are always a winner, as is the meltingly tender smoked beef fillet with truffle café au lait sauce. If you’re not driving, order a few of their memorable cocktails. Closed on Sunday evenings.

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

Sunday and Monday nights in the Winelands

96 Winery Road (Stellenbosch)

After a long day in the Winelands, head to this cosy restaurant for a simple, home-style meal with hearty and delicious options. Try the seafood ceviche with grilled corn and avocado cream, or the slow-roasted Korean BBQ pork belly. Two to three small plates per person are recommended. Closed on Sunday evenings.

Food in a potjie at 96 Winery Road. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Helena’s Restaurant (Stellenbosch)

The food here is familiar but delicious, making it the ideal spot for a winding down dinner on a Sunday or Monday. Expect dishes such as duck liver pâté, French-trimmed rack of lamb, quail with prune-and-pine kernel stuffing, or wild mushroom risotto. Book your spot on the stoep and watch the evening Stellies life pass you by.

Indochine (Stellenbosch)

End your Sunday or Monday with a superb dinner of fresh Asian cuisine. Think prawn green curry or beef teriyaki. Desserts include dishes such as peach mille-feulle and mocha.

The interior at Indochine. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Reuben’s Restaurant and Bar (Franschhoek)

This well-known spot buzzes with locals and tourists alike, so it’s best to book ahead for your Sunday or Monday night feast. Sit in the leafy courtyard and enjoy dishes such as chilli-salted squid, and pork belly with chilli-ginger caramel and pomme puree. The traditional malva pudding is not to be missed.

While we take care to ensure the accuracy of our information, please note that some details and opening times may change without our knowledge. It’s always best to give the restaurant a call on the day to double check.