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There’s something to be said about heading out to a restaurant and experiencing live jazz – the hum of conversation, the clink of glasses, and those smooth, syncopated rhythms turn any standard dining experience into something truly magical.
Across South Africa, a handful of restaurants keep the magic alive – pairing the soulful swing of saxophones with menus that’ll have you tapping your toes. From Cape Town’s dimly lit lounges to Joburg’s vibey supper clubs, these are the spots where great food and live jazz go hand in hand.
Cape Town and the Winelands
Amber on Bree
(Bree Street, Cape Town)
Rated: 4.4
Dimly lit chandeliers, plush seating, and a warm atmosphere set the scene every Thursday from 19h00 at Amber on Bree. Find your seat and tuck into a menu that pairs delicious dishes with expertly crafted cocktails, all while the live jazz of the Muneeb Herman Quartet creates an unforgettable night of soulful sound and great company.
Special evening dinner and fantastic Jazz music by such talented musicians
Incognito
(Constantia, Cape Town)
Rated: 4.6
An icon in Constantia – this tapas-and-cocktails favourite turns Thursday nights into a jazz affair. Grab a glass of Glenlivet whisky and settle in near the fire if the weather is chilly, or out on the deck if the summer air calls for it, before DJ Dino Michael sets the tone with a curated jazz set, followed by one of Cape Town’s top artists carrying the evening with rhythm and blues.
Pigalle Cape Town
(Green Point, Cape Town)
Rated: 4.5
In Green Point, Pigalle serves up luxurious décor and soul-warming dishes with a full in-house stage where you’ll find the resident jazz band. Each visit promises a touch of nostalgia, with nightly live entertainment and a menu showcasing fresh seafood and Mediterranean-inspired dishes – from prawns and cuts of wagyu to lamb shank and platters for two. When the toe-tapping feeling becomes too much to ignore, head to the spacious dance floor to dance the night away.
Rick’s Cafe Americain 
(Gardens, Cape Town)
Rated: 4.5
Nestled in a 135-year-old Victorian building, Rick’s Cafe Americain is a home-away-from-home for locals and visitors alike. Spanning multiple floors, this icon serves up tasty dishes, a wide selection of drinks, and good company all week, but on Friday and Saturday evenings, make sure to get comfy in the bar downstairs as jazz artists jam the evening away, adding even more magic to the already welcoming atmosphere.
SPYCED
(V&A Waterfront, Cape Town)
Rated: 4.8
In the Silo District of the V&A Waterfront, you’ll find SPYCED – a fully immersive dining experience where Cape Malay cuisine meets live jazz. The set menu, inspired by the Spice Route, features dishes like breyani, samosas, pani puri, and mosbolletjie rolls. As you make your way through each course, young local talent fills the room with soulful, smooth rhythms, adding to the already lively atmosphere of warm amber lighting, cosy corners, and jazz-inspired art on the walls.
The Athletic Club & Social
(Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town)
Rated: 4.5
Set inside a 19th-century Victorian building and spanning over three storeys, The Athletic Club & Social gives off the feeling of an old-school lounge, delivering on the nostalgia of its speakeasy past with dim lighting, plush seating, and vintage décor. This is all topped off with a Mediterranean-inspired menu. From Wednesday to Saturday, find your seat and order your favourite cocktail to enjoy lively yet laid-back live jazz sessions.
The Blue Room
(Bree Street, Cape Town)
Rated: 4.6
Tucked away on Bree Street, The Blue Room is everything you could need in a jazz lounge and then some. Linked to Grub & Vine, this venue serves a small, tasty menu alongside an impressive wine list and signature cocktails, all perfect for sipping while you enjoy live performances from some of SA’s top artists. The team curates a soulful line-up that changes every month, so be sure to keep an eye on their events page. Please note that a cover charge applies, which goes directly to the artists and cannot be used to offset your bill.
Always wanted to visit a Jazz lounge vibe and I was not disappointed at all.
Wilde Vy Bistro
(Durbanville, Western Cape)
Rated: 4.6
Set around a fig tree on Hooggelegen Farm along the Durbanville Wine Route, Wilde Vy Bistro makes Tuesday evenings worth booking. From 19h00 to 21h00, the Tefo Mahola Trio fill the air with their unique sound of jazz, groove, funk, jazz rock, and neo-soul, while you sip on signature cocktails, tuck into small plates at the bar, or go all in on their à la carte menu.
Johannesburg and Pretoria
Flute Live Rosebank
(Rosebank, Johannesburg)
Rated: 4.4
Flute Live Rosebank was built for music – and it shows. This intimate venue pairs Afro-centric jazz with a menu celebrating African cuisine. The resident band (with occasional visiting bands) delivers smooth, rhythmic sets that make swaying in your seat irresistible, while the cosy dining room and fully stocked cocktail bar set the stage for an unforgettable night in the heart of Rosebank. Please note: A strict smart casual dress code is in place and no under 18s are allowed.
I absolutely loved the aesthetic — it felt so cozy and intimate. The live band was definitely the highlight, the food was delicious, and the drinks were a solid 10/10. I would definitely go back!
Insights at Sanctuary Mandela
(Houghton Estate, Johannesburg)
Rated: 4.8
In honour of Madiba’s love of food and company, Insights at Sanctuary Mandela offers gourmet dining all week, but Sunday afternoons are dedicated to the magic of live jazz. From 12h00 to 15h00, the dining room fills with soulful sounds, creating a relaxed atmosphere perfect for winding down the week and welcoming in a new one with great food and smooth rhythms.
PRIVA Pretoria
(Waterkloof Heights, Pretoria)
Rated: 4.7
In Pretoria, find your seats in the intimate yet upmarket setting of PRIVA. Known for its extensive wine list, premium whisky selection, and incredible selection of dishes from both the à la carte and set menus. While this is reason enough to pay them a visit, there are also regular live 3-piece jazz performances that set the mood, making it the perfect go-to for lovers of music, food, drinks, and everything in between.
Good food. The service was excellent and the live music created a very nice relaxing and romantic atmosphere.
Signature Restaurant Morningside
(Morningside, Johannesburg)
Rated: 4.6
Join the team in the evenings at Signature Restaurant where it’s all about good food, the best wine, and that smooth soulful jazz that will have you snapping your fingers. The elegant dining room is the perfect setting for a dining experience where the menu features dishes that pair perfectly with the music, and the wine list spans local favourites and international picks. Add in the warm lighting and slick service, and you’ve got the perfect spot for an unhurried night of food, music, and good company.
To Make The Cut
- The restaurants must be listed on Dineplan and accepting guest reviews.
- The restaurants must be located in South Africa.
- Each restaurant must have a rating of 4.0 stars or higher.
- The restaurants must offer regular live jazz events.
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