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February is keeping the momentum going, with more new restaurants (and a few smart new additions) landing in Cape Town, the Winelands, and Johannesburg. Expect the kind of places that suit summer perfectly – sunset drinks with a view, relaxed seaside lunches, and buzzing neighbourhood favourites. If you’re looking for your next great meal out, these are the 8 must-have reservations to lock in this month.
Cape Town and the Winelands
Figo
(Sea Point, Cape Town)
Perched on the 8th floor of The Cole building, Figo is a fresh Italian spot bringing some of our favourite flavours but plated in the most beautiful way. The menu leans into the classics – tuna crudo, octopus carpaccio, pizzette piled with tasty toppings, seafood pastas, and steaks – while also offering showstoppers like whole grilled sole, tuna “on the bone”, tiger prawns, and luxurious crayfish. The views aren’t bad either: the Atlantic stretches out below, and the Sea Point pool adds a sparkling foreground. It’s exactly the kind of place to linger with a glass of wine at sunset. True to Kove Collection form, the décor is calm and tasteful – neutral tones, breezy drapes, and extra comfortable seating. Open all week, Figo is a great spot for lunch, sundowners, or dinner this summer.
What a lovely place! Shadie our waiter was charming and efficient. The food was delicious and the surroundings super stylish. Definitely worth a visit.
Foxcroft and Little Fox at Constatia Nek 
(Constantia, Cape Town)
After nearly ten years at High Constantia, Chef Glen Williams and the Foxcroft team have moved up the road to the top of Constantia Nek, into the former La Parada space. The change of address comes with a big upgrade in scenery: wide, easy views over the Winelands that make lunch stretch pleasantly into the afternoon. Foxcroft itself hasn’t lost its rhythm. Chef Glen’s multicourse set menu is still the main event at lunch and dinner – interesting, seasonal cooking that’s deeply satisfying. Next door, Little Fox takes a looser approach. Headed up by Chef Keanen Jaftha, it’s all about small plates and good ingredients: Saldanha Bay oysters with nahm jim jaew, crispy squid with chorizo XO, excellent chicken wings slicked in coconut sauce and pickles, wagyu tartare, and a playful ice-cream sandwich to finish. Two restaurants, two moods, both very easy to like.
Tintswalo Summer House
(Glencairn, Cape Town)
Tintswalo Summer House, tucked away in the seaside village of Glencairn, is the latest addition to the Tintswalo Collection. Having just opened in December, the eatery serves straightforward, well-executed food in a space that feels considered and comfortable. The quirky décor nods to French bistro tradition with fabulous pops of colour, bold murals and tastefully maximalist furniture – all while the vast Atlantic spreads out beyond the windows. At the centre, an open-fire kitchen gives the menu its pulse. Head Chef Thando Jaxa and his team turn local produce into shareable (and very more-ish) dishes: steaks, fresh fish and seafood, and fire-cooked vegetable plates that reflect the Cape’s farmers, artisans, and waters. It’s a place to sit, watch the light shift on the sea, and trust that whatever comes from the kitchen will leave you very happy indeed.
The oysters, prawns and pancake dessert were all superb and the ambience and friendly staff were amazing. We will definitely be back.
Unclaimed Bar
(Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town)
Unclaimed Bar is a welcome, somewhat new face on Kloof Street, sitting just opposite the Lifestyle Centre in a space that’s been many things over the years. Opened midway through last year, it already feels settled in – and hopefully plans to stick around. At heart, it’s a bar, and a very good one. Cocktails are well-made, the wine list is thoughtful without being overwhelming, and the space has an easy, laid-back energy that suits Kloof Street perfectly. The food, though, is so much more than an afterthought. The crispy polenta “chips” are a clear crowd favourite, and the panuozzo-style sandwiches – Napolitan pizza dough folded, baked, and generously filled – are exactly the kind of thing you want with a second round. It’s hard to beat as a place to drink, eat, and ease into the evening.
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Gauteng
Blu Bam Boo Kyalami
(Midrand, Gauteng)
From their original home in Bassonia, Blu Bam Boo has now expanded to Kyalami – blue velvet booths, cherry trees, and all! The menu is a smart mix of Asian small plates, fresh sushi, bao, steaming bowls of curry and noodles, sticky rice, and hearty mains like fall-off-the-bone short rib and duck. Every dish hits the right balance of flavour and comfort, making it easy to see why you need a reservation. Dessert is just as tempting: the wobbling Japanese cheesecake is a must, as is the Vietnamese coffee-inspired panna cotta. It’s open all week for lunch, dinner, or any sushi craving in between.
Tranquil setting with amazing decor and food was divine! Definitely a place I will frequent.
Butcher Boys Kyalami Hills
(Midrand, Gauteng)
Fans of Butcher Boys will be pleased to find a new branch at Kyalami’s Mushroom Farm Shopping Centre. The Kyalami outpost brings the same reputation for top-quality steaks, attentive service, and reliably solid experience that regulars have come to expect. The menu features all the South African steakhouse classics: boerie bites and biltong to start, roasted marrow bones for a touch of indulgence, and prime cuts including fillet, rump, dry-aged T-bone, and prime rib. Combos, burgers, and ribs round out the offering, making it as dependable for a casual lunch as it is for a full steakhouse dinner. Open all week, it’s a go-to spot whenever a serious hit of beef is required.
Was an absolutely amazing evening, with beyond amazing and delicious food.
Dolci Café
(Randburg, Johannesburg)
Dolci Café isn’t new, but it’s new to Dineplan – and that feels like a win for anyone who likes good Italian food and booking online. It’s been quietly building a loyal following for years, the kind of restaurant where the dining room is always humming and nobody needs to be convinced to come back. This is classic, multi-regional Italian cooking that feels both comforting and a little polished. The freshly made pastas are the main reason to book. The gnocchi is excellent, the spaghetti vongole strikes that rare balance of light but deeply indulgent, and the filled pastas – tortellini, ravioli and the like – are rich and packed with slow-cooked flavour. There are pizzas, fish, and meat dishes too, but it’s hard not to get distracted by the pasta section. Service is attentive, the wine list has a nice mix of options, and yes – the tiramisu is non-negotiable. Dolci is the sort of place that has earned its regulars!
What a gem! Great pasta ( so many choices), excellent service and meal recommendations, extensive wine list. Tip: The Dolci della nonna dessert is to die for! We will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu, can’t wait to try their pizza.
Paputzis
(Randburg, Johannesburg)
Here’s another old favourite that’s now bookable on Dineplan. Paputzis is one of Linden’s dependable favourites: the kind of restaurant people return to not for novelty, but because it’s consistently good. The beautiful setting helps, too. There’s plenty of outdoor seating under trees and umbrellas, and on a sunny day it’s an easy place to settle in for a long, unhurried lunch. It works equally well as a quick stop. Pop in for a coffee and a rusk, a proper breakfast (served until 11:30), something light at lunchtime, or a slice of cake when the afternoon is dragging. The menu doesn’t try to reinvent anything, and that’s part of the charm – it’s simple, well done, and exactly what you want it to be. Families love it too, thanks to the kids’ play area and jungle gym, which keeps the smaller diners happily occupied. Open all week for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner.
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