Ostrich gives you the best of both worlds: it has all the flavour you want from your red meat (and more), but without the fat. This lean cut is usually paired with a sweet or creamy sauce, or it arrives with a seared crust, rolled in fragrant spices. Ostrich is also great for burgers and provides a healthy alternative to minced beef. For all you cholesterol-conscious meat lovers, we’ve made a list of restaurants that serve some of the best ostrich dishes – for indulging without the guilt.

Johannesburg

Butcher Shop & Grill
Enjoy: ostrich fillet, pan-fried and served with pepper or cranberry sauce for R134.

The Grillhouse (Rosebank)
Enjoy: spiced ostrich steak with black pepper, crushed mustard seed and rock salt, or the Madagascan ostrich steak with green peppercorn sauce, both priced at R145.95.

Karoo Cattle and Land (Rosebank)
Enjoy: ostrich steak, served with gooseberry jelly. Price on request.

The Local Grill (Parktown North)
Enjoy: grilled ostrich medallions with cranberry jus at R151.

Moyo (Melrose Arch and Zoo Lake)
Enjoy: ostrich fillet marinated in a classic Ethiopian spice blend of cloves, cardamom, ginger and cayenne pepper, served with Zimbabwean nhopi dovi at R199.

Picolo Mondo
Enjoy: ostrich steak rubbed in cracked peppercorns, coriander and mustard seeds, accompanied by leek ragout, roast brinjal purée, fondant potato and a crème de cassis sauce. Price on request.

Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse
Enjoy: ostrich fillet with sweet pepper jelly and veggie cous cous at R135.

Pretoria

Hemingway’s Restaurant
Enjoy: ostrich carpaccio starter at R45.

Karoo Cattle & Land
Enjoy: ostrich steak, served with gooseberry jelly. Price on request.

Moyo (Fountains)
Enjoy: ostrich fillet marinated in a classic Ethiopian spice blend of cloves, cardamom, ginger and cayenne pepper, served with Zimbabwean nhopi dovi at R199

Durban

Havana Grill
Enjoy: ostrich fillet ‘au poivre’ with Madagascan green peppercorns, cognac and cream for R135.

Moyo (Ushaka)
Enjoy: ostrich fillet marinated in a classic Ethiopian spice blend of cloves, cardamom, ginger and cayenne pepper, served with Zimbabwean nhopi dovi at R199

Cape Town

Baia
Enjoy: the trio of game with kudu, springbok and ostrich medallions, flame-grilled and served with a trio of sauces for R189.

Belthazar
Enjoy: fresh ostrich fillet. Price on request, subject to availability.

Beluga
Enjoy: ostrich fillet, served with roasted baby vegetables, potato croquette and beef reduction at R160.

Carne SA
Enjoy: a mixed game skewer with ostrich, kudu and black wildebeest. Price on request.

Da Vinci’s on Kloof
All burgers come with the option of an ostrich patty.

The Hussar Grill (Camps Bay)
Enjoy: grilled ostrich fillet, served with a wild berry and apple schnapps sauce for R185.

Moyo (Blouberg, Kirstenbosch and V&A Waterfront)
Enjoy: ostrich fillet marinated in a classic Ethiopian spice blend of cloves, cardamom, ginger and cayenne pepper, served with Zimbabwean nhopi dovi at R199

Winelands

Allora Ristorante
Enjoy: a Klein Karoo ostrich fillet grilled to medium rare, topped with a mango, coriander, touch of chilli and orange juice sauce, served on a bed of roast vegetables pasta.

Helena’s Restaurant
Enjoy: the ostrich bobotie with saffron infused potato dauphinoise, buttered spinach and home-made quince chutney at R90.

Oudtshoorn

Cango Caves Restaurant
Being in ostrich country, the Cango Caves Restaurant has a special ‘Blue Bird’ menu, dedicated to ostrich meat in various ways.

De Oude Meul Restaurant
Enjoy: seared ostrich fillet with crushed black peppercorns and lemon butter sauce. Price on request.

By Kelly Pluke

Know of a great ostrich dish that we’ve missed? Let us know on info@eatout.co.za.