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If you’re looking for somewhere new to eat this month, you’re in luck. From Korean BBQ joints and Cape-inspired fine dining to fire-cooked potjies and Instagram-famous cafés, August has delivered a fresh batch of new restaurant openings worth putting on your radar – and your must-have reservation list! Here are seven spots in both Cape Town and Joburg worth booking right now.
Cape Town
Tambourine
(District Six, Cape Town)
Opened on Harrington Street at the end of July, Tambourine is the kind of restaurant that signals a shift – not just another new opening, but a considered, ingredient-forward space. Led by a focus on open-fire cooking and a deep respect for local, seasonal, and organic produce, Tambourine keeps things tight with a compact menu of small plates that pull from global influences while staying rooted in careful sourcing. Standouts include a smoked hay risotto with Jerusalem artichokes and pistachio, fish collars finished with white miso and finger lime, and madeleines with tonka bean custard. There’s also a Dalewood cheese board that reminds you just how good our local cheeses are! The tone is thoughtful, not showy. And while every plate may indeed tell a story, it’s one worth sitting down for. Open Tuesday to Saturday, lunch through dinner.
In the first one! Great food, ambience and service. Well done!
Veldt DBE 
(Hout Bay, Cape Town)
Set against the rugged backdrop of Hout Bay, Veldt has been quietly building a name since opening earlier this year – and is now bookable via Dineplan. This is fire cooking at its most confident: a smokehouse rooted in South African tradition, where flame, smoke, and time are the backbone of every dish. The focus is on organic, grass-fed cuts – from Karoo lamb to dry-aged beef – prepared over the coals. Must-tries on the menu include the mixed meat potjie served with roosterkoek, a hefty 45-day dry-aged tomahawk, and playful local favourites like the boerie roll and braaibroodjie. For something sweet, the pumpkin fritters with cinnamon sugar are pure comfort and nostalgia. There’s a strong sense of place here – a welcoming, proudly South African spot ideal for locals and visitors alike. Add in the on-site deli, and it’s worth arriving early. Dinner only, closed Tuesdays.
Excellent traditional SA food!
Seoul Pocha
(Rondebosch, Cape Town)
Rondebosch has a lively new addition in Seoul Pocha, a Korean BBQ joint that swung open its doors at the end of June. Sitting pretty on Main Road, it’s already drawing crowds for its bold, familiar flavours and laid-back, canteen-style charm. Expect the kind of food that feeds the soul – sizzling table-side KBBQ, heaping bowls of comforting bibimbap, and jjamppong, a spicy seafood noodle soup that’s tailor-made for Cape Town’s chillier nights. The space itself is casual and cosy, with blush-pink walls, K-pop posters and murals, and just enough bustle to feel like you’ve stepped into a backstreet Seoul hangout. It’s BYOB for now, so grab a bottle of soju or your drink of choice on the way. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Love everything about this place! Such a cool owner, amazing staff ( Cait ). Loved the food and it’s such a vibe! Would recommend !
Johannesburg
The Salt Road
(Houghton Estate, Johannesburg)
Johannesburg’s fine dining scene just got a quiet but confident new entry with The Salt Road, which opened in Houghton Estate last week. Tucked into a serene space of soft tones and textured finishes, it’s a calming contrast to the city’s pace – and a tribute to the flavours and craft of the Cape Winelands. The menu leans into refinement without feeling fussy. Highlights include a rich but delicious duck carbonara, seared Angus fillet with chimichurri and pickled mustard seeds, a rich beef cheeks pot pie, and a showstopper of a dessert: a tiramisu Paris-Brest hybrid that’s as indulgent as it sounds. It’s a space that rewards attention – from the plating to the pacing – with a through-line of salt, fire and finesse. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Tasting Room Cedar Fourways
(Fourways, Johannesburg)
If you’re a fan of The Tasting Room in Waterkloof, Pretoria, there’s good news – their brand-new Fourways branch has just opened at Broadacres Shopping Centre. Bringing the relaxed elegance of Cape wine country to Joburg’s northern suburbs, this new outpost offers both a full à la carte menu and a range of curated tasting experiences. Expect the classics – wine, cheese, olives – alongside more playful pairings like coffee and macarons. Their Boschendal Bubbly Brunch is already shaping up to be a weekend staple: a 3-course menu with bubbles for R320 per person, served every Saturday from 10:00 to 12:30. It’s a welcome new spot for lovers of good food, wine and easy-going refinement.
Momo Kuro
(Rosebank, Johannesburg)
Perched above the bustle of Rosebank, Momo Kuro isn’t just one of Joburg’s top spots for modern Asian tapas – it also happens to have some of the best sunset views in the city. This gem offers a menu packed with flavour and variety: from silky Cheung fun noodles and classic dim sum to crispy wontons, bao, and peking duck pancakes. It’s designed for sharing, so bring friends and order wide. Round things off with the lemon yuzu tart – light, zesty and perfect after a rich meal. You’re welcome to BYOB too; no corkage charged! Open daily for lunch and dinner, it’s a go-to for laid-back dining with just the right amount of buzz.
EL&N London Mall Of Africa
(Waterfall City, Midrand)
Global café sensation EL&N London officially arrived at Mall of Africa last year, bringing its signature pink interiors, playful energy and crowd-pleasing menu to Waterfall City. Dubbed the “world’s most Instagrammable café”, this London-born brand first made waves in Mayfair – and now, Midrand. Beyond the floral walls and velvet booths, there’s real substance to the offering. The all-day menu spans everything from hearty breakfasts and creamy pastas to London-style fish and chips, burgers and a pizza bar. From the grill, expect showy steak dishes built for both flavour and wow-factor. The bakery counter is a sweet-lover’s dream, loaded with pâtisserie, cakes and plenty of pink-hued indulgence. Whether you’re there for the coffee, the content, or a full-on meal, it delivers on all fronts. Open daily for breakfast through dinner.
Everything was amazing, our waitress was the best!!!
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