Ahead of the Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards, we asked former winner of the Eat Out Nederburg Rising Star Award, Vanessa Marx, to share her top tips for where to eat in Joburg, plus one unmissable dish in Cape Town.

Vanessa, who now runs a catering and events company called Culture Kitchen in Joburg, has some glorious recommendations.

Want to follow in Vanessa’s foodie footsteps? Here’s where she went:

Parea Taverna, Illovo
Momo Baohaus, Greenside
Baba G Rotisserie & Deli, Illovo
Marble, Rosebank
Burrata, Woodstock, Cape Town

Which restaurant will win at the 2017 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards?

Following the nominees announcement in November, the Top 10 will be revealed at a red carpet awards ceremony at GrandWest in Cape Town on 19 November. Follow all the action on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with #EatOutAwards