A Sommeliers' Culinary Guide | South Africa
The best restaurants in beautiful South Africa, picked by an award-winning sommelier
By Koen van der Plas | Sommelier | SOMMatHOME
La Petite Colombe | Tip by Koen van der Plas
Be guided by an award-winning sommelier and discover the best fine dining and wining spots in South Africa. From hip urban hotspots buzzing with life in Johannesburg and Cape Town to serene dining with stunning views of the Atlantic on the West Cape.
Sommelier Koen van der Plas is always on the lookout for the best restaurants that serve fantastic food - with great wine to match. Discover his recommendations below.
Where to eat in Cape Town
LOCAL AT HERITAGE SQUARE
This spot is a market eatery which offers a shopping experience where they sell local products, spices, and ingredients. Besides that, Local combines different dining possibilities at different places within the building. A fantastic way to experience different flavours, all on one location.
My favourite place at Local is Penny Noire’s wine bar. Penelope is one of the best sommeliers in South Africa and really one to watch.
Mazza is a great middle eastern tapas restaurant with Lebanese influences.
La Cantina is inspired by Italian cuisine but refines it with some South African flair.
Yaki is Local’s newest restaurant and offers yakitori, ramen and other Japanese Izakaya-style eating, in an atmospheric environment.
THE POTLUCK CLUB RESTAURANT
An established restaurant in Cape Town where you can eat casually and enjoy a nice glass of wine. A good a la carte menu guided by the well-known chef Luke Dale Roberts.
It’s easy to go here for a quick lunch, only to end up with multiple courses matched with great bottles of wine.
EMAZULWINI RESTAURANT
This restaurant located at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town is a lovely surprise. It’s located at Makers Landing near the V.A Waterfront in Capetown.
A hard to find, small 10 seater restaurant where Mmabatho Molefe showcases the Nguni (Zulu) cuisine she grew up with, combined with South African ingredients.This is not a fancy place at all, with simple honest products that are extremely tasty and with beautiful presentation.
Mmbatho brings back her childhood memories by using ingredients her grandma and mother also used. Think about heart, liver, guts and all the stuff we often stay clear of. Don’t be afraid though, you mostly won’t recognize the ingredients and their wonderful preparation is bound to make everyone a fan. You’ll be served a set menu and every dish comes with a little story.
OZCF MARKET
While at the waterfront, you should also visit the Oranjezicht City Farm (OZCF), an educational non-profit project celebrating local food, culture and community through urban agriculture.
It is part of the SA Urban Food & Farming Trust, which works through food and farming to strengthen South Africa’s urban communities and the ecosystems that sustain them.You can find a lot of different stands on this vibrant market. From clothing to jewelry, curiosities, organic products and a lot of food and wine. Do some good while enjoying various local specialties in the shade, as a big part of the market is covered and provides some much needed cool down from the heat.
Where to go around Cape Town
CHEFS WAREHOUSE BEAU CONSTANTIA
About half an hour drive outside of Cape Town you’ll discover this hip but sophisticated restaurant with comfort food that’s made to share. The oysters are a must try!
There are several Chef’s Warehouses in and around Cape Town but owner and chef Liam Tomlin’s focused approach makes sure they all provide unique dishes of outstanding quality.
TINTSWALO ATLANTIC
Another Chef’s Warehouse that is an absolute must visit. Located about an hour south of Cape Town on the West Cape, you can watch the most beautiful sunset right from your dinner table.
They only serve a set menu, ensuring nothing but well executed dishes, paired with excellent wines. Their wine list is small, but incredibly well executed.
LA PETITE COLOMBE
This sister restaurant to the award winning La Colombe in Constantia surprises with its incredibly tasteful interior and decor. A true luxury experience, with a wine list and dishes that provide everything you could wish for.
Koen recommends staying at La Fontaine if you want to sleep somewhere in Franschhoek.
SPIER WINE FARM
A bit further out of Cape Town - about a 40 minute drive - near the city of Stellenbosch you can find the Spier Wine farm. A great place to taste the produce all in one spot, while learning a lot too!
One of the most well-known sources of fine grapes in South Africa, it is also a source of great other produce such as the beef from farmer Angus. One of two grass fed, pasture-reared beef producers in the Western Cape, his dedication to produce genuine healthy and honest products with a lot of attention for animal welfare is fantastic.
The biodynamic and regenerative agricultural principles and practices applied here to agricultural products really make you think about what we are used to buying in Europe. Besides wine and food, the family who owns the Spier farm are one of the biggest art collectors in South Africa and often host great expositions.
PIZZA NIGHT AT A.A. BADENHORST FAMILY WINES
About an hour drive from Cape Town you’ll find this famous winemaker in Swartland. Adi is a unique guy, who’s incredibly knowledgable while also managing to include a swear word after every second word while speaking. His expertise is unquestionable. You might have drank his entry level wines if you went shopping at Gall & Gall, as his Secateurs are probably the best the store offers. The single vineyard wines you’ll get to taste if you go here are of a different level though: big wines with loads of character, among the very best South Africa has to offer.
In spring and summer the winery organises a pizza night once a week. In the whole region they are known for their pizza’s, which are made by Adi’s brother. All the famous winemakers from the region attend, but you are welcome too! Just make sure you reserve a table by telephone. Don’t be shy - just ring!
RESTAURANT WOLFGAT
This very small restaurant, with only 20 seats, was named Best Restaurant in the World at The World Restaurant Awards in Paris in 2019 as well as the best restaurant in Cape Town by the 50 Best List. A two hour drive from Cape Town, this is more an excursion than a quick visit, but if you have the option to go you definitely should.
It is a truly a one-of-a-kind experience, where diners get to witness firsthand the passion and devotion of chef and forager Kobus van der Merwe - along with stunning views of the sea. Not your ordinary chef, Kobus forages most of his products in and around Paternoster. He uses innovative techniques and tries to be as sustainable as possible. The kitchen brings simple, but very tasty dishes where just a few ingredients, served by Kobus himself. He also has quite some wine knowledge, and offers excellent wine pairings out of his solely South African wine list.
Where to eat in Johannesburg
MARBLE RESTAURANT
Chef David Higgins pays tribute to the South African culinary tradition by cooking on an open fire. Often this can drown out other flavours, but not at Marble. It really adds something in the dish and isn’t overpowering.
There’s breathtaking views as far as the eye can see, and they have a very big wine cellar, led by award-winning Sommelier Wikus Human. This restaurant manages to feel intimate and maintains great service while seating a 150 people.
SAINT RESTAURANT
Enjoy Italian food, great cocktails and an impressive wine collection in a breathtaking decor. This is one of the hottest spots in Joburg, so make sure to reserve beforehand!
Truly a place to experience ‘South Africa 2021’, with a diverse selection of people enjoying its impressive interior and grand bar.
Want to discover even more recommendations for South Africa? Check out our guide for a Cape Town road trip.
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