In This Article:
Cape Town
Curate at Ellerman House
(Bantry Bay, Cape Town)
Tucked inside the prestigious Ellerman House in Bantry Bay, Curate is the hotel’s new dining experience – and it’s something special. They’ve transformed the old wine room into a space that celebrates art just as much as food and wine, in true Ellerman fashion. The menu, by Chef Kieran Whyte, is a nostalgic peek into all our South African childhoods. From amagwinya, smoked snoek pâté with a touch of caviar, and Cape Malay-spiced gamefish that instantly reminds you of pickled fish at Easter, to Nguni beef and monkey gland sauce – it’s bold, clever, and deeply familiar. But the highlight for me was the not-so-flashy Prieska white chocolate pap served with ice-cold berries. The table quite literally fell silent as we were all transported back to those early school mornings, gobbling up hot bowls of comforting porridge with cold milk (or cream). At R1,800 (plus R1,800 for the wine pairing), it’s a splurge – but absolutely worth it for a truly South African, grown-up trip down memory lane.
Chingadas Cape Town
(Gardens, Cape Town)
Taking over the space that used to be Societi Bistro, this new Tex-Mex joint has been totally transformed into a lively Mexican-style hacienda – complete with terracotta walls, brightly tiled tables, swinging saloon doors, and free-flowing margaritas. It’s loud, fun, and already drawing big crowds every night, so booking ahead is a must. The menu is stacked with Tex-Mex classics, but the birria tacos are the star of the show. I went specifically for them – slow-cooked beef stew, shredded and stuffed into corn taco shells, with the rich, meaty broth on the side for dunking. It’s pure comfort food! With a few large screens scattered around the bar, it’s also a great spot to catch a game with a beer or a round of margaritas, tortilla chips, and chunky guacamole.
Our Local Kloof Street
(Gardens, Cape Town)
I know a lot of Our Local fans will be happy to hear that they’re now open for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday! If you didn’t get your weekly brunch fix but still want to pop into this lush, botanical haven, now’s your chance. The best part is you can book for dinner – so no queuing down the road like we all do for a weekend brekkie. Pull up at the bar from 4 pm for a beer, spritz, espresso tini, or one of their great drinks with a couple of bar snacks, then move to your table from 5 pm onwards. The dinner menu features some new favourites like chicken limone, fillet with crispy chips, the La Med salad, burgers, and a few rotating specials.
Lorsoni’s at The Salene
(Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
Tucked inside The Salene Hotel in Stellenbosch, Lorsoni’s is a boutique restaurant blending Mediterranean and Asian-inspired flavours into a laid-back, crowd-pleasing menu built on fresh, local ingredients. Breakfast is worth showing up early for – smoked salmon bagels, roosterkoek eggs benedict, and fluffy buttermilk flapjacks all feature. Later in the day, things move into a more social gear with small plates made for sharing, plus a solid lineup of pastas, steaks, burgers, and a great cheese board if you’re just after a glass of wine and a nibble. The setting’s polished but relaxed, making it a good shout for anything from a slow brunch to a casual dinner with friends.
Food was amazing. Soft but impactful flavours. We opted for some tapas and each dish was well prepared, neatly plated and very tasty.
Johannesburg
Pink Mama’s
(Dunkeld, Randburg)
Pink Mama’s in Dunkeld is vibrant, eclectic, and full of personality – just like its playful take on Italian food. The menu leans classic but with a twist, offering everything from antipasti and salads to pizzas, pastas, secondi (mains), and a short but tempting dessert list. The highlights: the salsicce pizza with spicy Italian fennel sausage is a must, as is the pizza bianco topped with paper-thin mortadella, burrata, and salty pistachios. And don’t skip dessert – their signature affogato with pistachio gelato and a strong espresso shot is a favourite for a reason. The atmosphere is fun, the cocktails are delicious, and the food hits that sweet spot between familiar and fresh.
Excellent wine selection, delicious Italian food and great interior revamp. Great addition to Jozi dining scene.
Kolonaki Bryanston
(Sandton, Johannesburg)
Kolonaki fans, take note – the much-loved Greek spot is opening a brand-new branch in Bryanston at the Winifred Mandela Precinct on 5 May, and it’s already fully booked for opening night. So, if you want in, best get your reservation in soon. Rooted in Greek tradition, the menu brings all the Kolonaki favourites you know and love: creamy tirosalata and taramosalata dips, grilled halloumi with lemon and honey, golden spanakopita triangles, charcoal-grilled meats, koftas, gyros, and more. It’s the kind of place where you order a spread for the table and linger over a bottle of wine. And whatever you do – save space for dessert. Every single one is worth trying, so order a selection to share.
Troyeville Hotel
(Troyeville, Johannesburg)
We’re excited to welcome The Troyeville to Dineplan! A firm Jozi favourite, this iconic spot is known for serving up top-notch Portuguese fare – along with what many claim are the best Pastéis de Nata in town. If you haven’t been yet, book for a Sunday afternoon. There’s often a live band playing on the rooftop, where the views are just as good as the food. On the menu, you’ll find all the classics: prawns, calamari, sardines, prego rolls, trinchado, espetada, and an impressive seafood platter. It’s hearty, unfussy, and full of flavour – just the way it should be.
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