The winners of the 2019 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards have just been announced at a sold-out event in Cape Town. Here’s your culinary bucket list for the year ahead: South Africa’s brand-new Top 10 restaurants.

1. La Colombe (Constantia, Cape Town)

Position in the Top 10 last year: 3

Chef James Gaag’s interpretation of local flavours presented in a refined, sometimes quirky manner has skyrocketed La Colombe to the coveted number one spot: South Africa’s Restaurant of the Year.

A dish at La Colombe. Photo by Andrea van der Spuy.

2. The Test Kitchen (Woodstock, Cape Town)

Position in the Top 10 last year: 2

Luke Dale Roberts continues to steer TTK with precise attention to detail, creating the culinary adventure that has put him among the top chefs in the world.

Smoked fish mousse at The Test Kitchen. Photo supplied.

3. The Restaurant at Waterkloof (Somerset West)

Position in the Top 10 last year: 1

The faultless, technique-driven cuisine of chef Gregory Czarnecki is still as impressive and nostalgic as ever.

The Restaurant at Waterkloof. Photo supplied.

4. Wolfgat (Paternoster)

Position in the Top 10 last year: 4

Chef Kobus van der Merwe’s fresh approach and a menu that reflects his surroundings continues to make him famous around the world.

Wolfgat. Photo supplied.

5. FYN Restaurant (Cape Town)

Position in the Top 10 last year: New entry

The new city venture of Ashley Moss and Peter Tempelhoff – which makes its Top 10 debut this year – is a theatrical interplay of Japanese and South African flavours.

FYN Restaurant. Photo supplied.

6. La Petite Colombe (Franschhoek)

Position in the Top 10 last year: 5

With a menu born of La Colombe, yet with its own blend of whimsy, John Norris-Rogers and his team operate like a well-oiled machine.

La Petite Colombe. Photo supplied.

7. Eike (Stellenbosch)

Position in the Top 10 last year: New entry

Chef Bertus Basson’s newest restaurant celebrates South African food with a degustation menu that changes according to the seasons.

Eike by Bertus Basson. Photo supplied.

8. Salsify (Camps Bay, Cape Town)

Position in the Top 10 last year: New entry

Built on the foundation of modern, classical cooking, Ryan Cole has created a refined culinary experience inside a national monument.

Salsify at The Roundhouse. Photo supplied.

9. Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient (Elandsfontein, Pretoria)

Position in the Top 10 last year: 7

Chantel Dartnall’s food is culinary escapism with its immaculately designed and elaborately plated dishes.

Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient. Photo supplied.

10. Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia

Position in the Top 10 last year: 10

Ivor Jones’s punchy flavours and inspired tapas-for-two menu keep guests coming back.

Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia. Photo supplied.

To see all the winners of the 2019 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards, click here.