It can’t be denied: great food (possibly accompanied by a glass of wine) is what gives us that inimitable warm winter feeling. These are the restaurants in Gauteng running specials that will give you a reason to leave home at night or the office at lunchtime for scrumptious winter feasting.

Johannesburg

Carnivore (Muldersdrift)

The family-friendly restaurant is set in the stunning grounds of Misty Hills Country Hotel, Conference Centre & Spa and is an idyllic destination for a Sunday outing when eating to within an inch of your life is the order of the day. Loved and renowned for African-inspired buffets, Carnivore is offering a ‘beast of a feast’ buffet special on Sundays this winter. Dishes include starters, a variety of salads and meats (such as chicken yakitori, pork spare ribs, venison, crocodile and beef) and dessert. Dishes are subject to availability, and the buffet costs R285 per adult and R165 per child under the age of 12.

A meaty feast at Carnivore. Photo supplied.

Col’Cacchio (Nationwide) ?

A glass of vino to accompany a pizza on Tuesday nights out no longer seems like such a splurge at Col’Cacchio, where patrons can buy a pizza or pasta and get a less expensive pizza or pasta free. Enjoy the huge range of pastas and pizzas, including options for vegans and vegetarians, like the Cosi Verde with its spinach base, vegan cheese, broccoli, edamame, vegan basil pesto, spring onion and black pepper. The promotion will run until 31 July 2018. Terms and conditions apply.

? Col’Cacchio Dainfern and Hyde Park available for online bookings on the Eat Out app. 

A post shared by Col’Cacchio (@colcacchio) on May 22, 2018 at 12:32am PDT

Clico Restaurant (Rosebank)

Located at the five-star Clico Hotel, this fine-dining restaurant serves European cuisine. There’s no special pricing here, but they do have a special six-course autumn tasting dinner menu. The offering promises sumptuous dishes made with seasonal, fresh and organic ingredients, worthy of the establishment’s Chaîne des Rôtisseurs membership. Think butternut gnocchi with roasted mushrooms, spinach and parmesan; sea bass with quinoa, cauliflower, tomato, capers and saffron cream sauce; duck terrine with macadamia nuts, tonka bean mayonnaise and orange; and braised lamb in caul fat with sweet potato, courgette and aged balsamic. The last course is milk and honey – goat’s milk panna cotta, rooibos cremeux and honeycomb. The six-course set menu costs R600 per person and R750 with the wine pairing.

A dish from Clico’s autumn tasting menu. Photo by Kate Liquorish.

The Hussar Grill (Nationwide)

A two-course lunch for R130 promises soul-warming meals perfectly suited for this season. The Hussar Grill is known for delectable steaks, and that’s part of the offering in this promotion. Choose one starter and one main, with starter options like tomato soup, chicken liver or fried calamari strips. Main course options include 200g Class A sirloin or rump steak served with fries, mashed or baby potatoes; parmesan chicken with mash; or fried calamari with tartare sauce. Enjoy Mondays to Saturdays between 12pm and 5pm.

A post shared by The Hussar Grill (@thehussargrill) on May 4, 2018 at 1:31am PDT

The Chariots Bar at Wanderer’s Club (Illovo)

This sports and hospitality venue boasts three restaurants. Chariot Bar is one of them, a cheerful venue where friends and family can gather to enjoy a hearty meal while watching a match on the plasma screens in the bar. In winter, enjoy three crayfish with rice or chips and lemon butter sauce for R195; oxtail stew with basmati rice or mash for R160; or a gluttonous burger with mozzarella, cheddar, bacon, nachos, avo, cheese sauce and a free Castle draft for R149. The special will run throughout winter all day on Mondays to Sundays.

Yamitsuki (Bedfordview)

This popular sushi, noodle, teppanyaki and dim sum bar in Bedfordview gives you an excuse to eat out for lunch almost every day. The teppanyaki special, for R58, comprises three chicken dumplings and a juicy chicken teppanyaki bowl, served with a sauce of your choice, and bok choy in ponzu sauce. The special – which is valid from 11am to 5pm every day and only applies to sit-down dining – makes for a perfectly succulent, flavourful and satisfying winter lunch throughout the chilly months.

A selection of eats at Yamitsuki. Photo supplied.

Pretoria

Capeesh? (Brooklyn)

Enjoy one third off the price of any pizza of your choice all day every Monday. Also get one third off the price of any pasta of your choice all day on Tuesdays. No sharing or takeaways allowed.

De Kloof (Waterkloof) ?

De Kloof is offering a five-course winter warmer tasting menu with wine pairing for R345 per person. (The price has been reduced from R450 just for winter!) Think dishes like chicken breast roulade with starfruit and pearl barley risotto arancini, harissa baked butter fish with basil gnocchi, and a butternut malva fondant with butter sorbet and vanilla crème anglaise. The special will run until 30 June 2018 and is available Mondays to Sundays.

? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app.

DK Burger (Waterkloof Ridge) ?

Get two burgers for the price of one all day on Tuesdays. This special is available for sit-down only and is valid for burgers only, not any sides, sauces or add-ons.

? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app.

A burger at DK burger. Photo supplied.

LeSi Restaurant (Lynnwood Manor)

Enjoy a theatrical musical performance from your waiters with a fun winter evening special. The dinner includes six courses for only R345 per person. The special is valid until 31 July.

Fleisherei Bistro (Centurion) ?

Enjoy a warming winter feast where you can get a braised pork belly with butternut purée, pearl barley braise, apple, spring onion, bok choy and a teriyaki sauce for R135. The winter special dish will be available throughout the winter period.

? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app. 

The braised pork belly winter special from Fleisherei Bistro. Photo supplied.

Please note that while we take care to ensure the accuracy of our information, some specials may change without our knowledge.

Have we missed a great winter special? Let us know in the comments section below and we’ll investigate.