Eat Your Way Through South Africa: 7 Fantastic Restaurants to Try

There are many possible itineraries to help you see the very best of South Africa, from tours of the famous Garden Route to planning to visit some of the country’s nature reserves to see the ‘Big 5’. But there’s one itinerary that we think is fantastic for self-proclaimed ‘foodies’; the restaurant itinerary!

South Africa’s unique blend of cultures and rich history have helped the country to create a cuisine that’s like nothing you have ever tasted before. From Durban’s strangely-named Bunny Chow to mouthwatering Malay-style bobotie, the South African cuisine is well worth the long flight from the US.

Let’s take a look at a real South African foodie itinerary, taking in 7 of the country’s best restaurants:

1. Pretoria: Mo-Zam-Bik

Our tour begins in Pretoria, nestled in the shadows of the Magaliesberg mountains. Mo-Zam-Bik is a laid back, casual restaurant offering Afro-Porto cuisine, blending traditional foods from Mozambique with the bold flavors of Portugal in a nod to South Africa’s colonial history. Think Mozambican red wine sauce spiced up with a touch of Portuguese peri-peri… and plenty of caipirinhas to wash it all down with!

2. Johannesburg: Epicure by Chef Coco

After a short 1-hour drive you’ll find yourself in Johannesburg; the biggest city in South Africa. The diversity of offerings in the big city means it’s easy to try something completely new, and there’s plenty of it at Epicure. Chef Coco changes the menu on a pretty regular basis, although typical menu items include goat sliders, green banana croquettes, venison in biltong butter, and Nigerian-style octopus.

3. Durban: Circus Circus

While the 5-hour drive to Durban is certainly do-able, you’ll get there quicker by flying. Safair offers low cost flights between Johannesburg and Durban which can be a good option. Durban’s Circus Circus makes the list for its commitment to using seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients, giving you a true taste of the South African coast. Whether it’s mussels or mushrooms, lamb shank or beef filet, it’s all fresh.

4. East London: Cape Town Fish Market

The next stop is East London (the other East London!); a gorgeous beach destination. And what better cuisine to sample at the beach than fresh seafood. The famous Cape Town Fish Market has a Brach in East London that offers African-Japanese fusion dishes to tickle the taste buds, like Japanese fish curry in a Cape Malay sauce. There’s a large sushi menu, and plenty of meat and poultry dishes, too.

5. Port Elizabeth: Tabu Grill

A 3-hour drive will take you to another fantastic coastal destination: Port Elizabeth. Tabu Grill is situated in the Radisson Blu hotel, and while the food choices are quite simple, it’s not the food you come here for… it’s the views! While you dine on a pretty meat-heavy menu (lamb, chicken, pork belly, and steak, with a few fish and vegetarian options), you’ll enjoy breathtaking, sweeping views of the Indian Ocean.

6. George: 101 Meade Street

There’s just one more stop on the way to Cape Town, and that’s George; a pretty city dominated by its historic church. 101 Meade Street is a must-visit restaurant in George, putting a contemporary twist on classic South African fare. Standout menu items include the kudu carpaccio with dukkah spice, gnocchi with chakalaka, and pumpkin fritters with Cape Malay cream. There’s an excellent kids’ menu, too.

7. Cape Town: Greenhouse

Cape Town is the final stop on our South African foodie itinerary, and we’ve saved the best ‘til last. The caramel smoked duck and braai beef filet are top choices, but the real reason to come here is for the extensive South African wine list. Choose from Constantia wines that come from just south of Cape Town, Swartland wines from the Western Cape, or Stellenbosch wines; one of South Africa’s top exports.