On Saturday afternoon at Mzoli’s, the queue runs out the butchery door and the fires are burning hard. Inside, there’s a carnival atmosphere, the DJ is warming up the dance floor with kwaito beats, and the crowd – a vibrant mix of Gugs locals, Capetonians from all sides of the mountain, and wide-eyed tourists – is getting up to dance.

This is shisa nyama, chisa nyama, chesa nyama, or shisanyama: a butchery-turned-restaurant, where patrons select their steak, chops or wors and take it to one of the nearby fires to have it expertly braaied. The words, however you spell them, literally mean ‘burn the meat’ in Zulu, which is sure to be accompanied by speciality sauces, spicy chakalaka, and fluffy pap and rolls. Whether you’re a South African or a visitor to the country, shisa nyama is a must.

Never been before? Here’s our guide to some of the most popular shisa nyama spots around the country.

Johannesburg

The Braai Shack in Rosebank (011 447 4107)
Find all of your favourite braai meats, relishes, sauces, salads and starches on the menu.

Endaweni Shisa Nyama and Car Wash in Vosloorus (011 070 9768)
Have your car washed while your chops, wors and chicken are braaied. To accompany the meat, have pap, chakalaka and atchar.

Shisa Nyama in Midrand (011 312 3121)
Sundays are the best days to go. Watch your meat being grilled on the open fires while listening to house music. Besides the braaied meat, on the menu are African dished like stamp, pap and rice.

Durban

Max’s Lifestyle in Umlazi (031 906 1393)
Dine on traditional meals featuring meat cooked on a braai with traditional side dishes.

The Rainbow Jazz Club in Pinetown (031 702 9161)
The menu serves up South African delights and classic comfort foods, including braai meat. The restaurant also showcases some of South Africa’s most loved jazz artists.

Cape Town

Amadoda Braai in Woodstock (021 447 2133)
This braai venue is uniquely South African, offering different ‘braai packs’ on the menu, from braai meat to pap and chakalaka.

Kwa-Maphindi in Nyanga (021 386 0582)
You’ll find a variety of meat, chicken and sausage on display. The butchery staff will help you select the best cuts and, if you require, proceed to braai your meat for you. Tasty spice and whacky sauce is also available.

Mzoli’s in Gugulethu (021 368 1355)
Take your pick from the plethora of protein at the butchery, hand your tray to the braai masters out back and grab a table. You can also order a dollop of pap or grab a vetkoek from the spaza next door.

Are we missing your favourite shisa nyama spot? Let us know at info@eatout.co.za.

By Katharine Jacobs and Kelly Pluke