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September’s serving up some seriously good reasons to book a table! From Cape Town to Joburg, a fresh batch of restaurants and bars has just become bookable on Dineplan. Whether you’re craving Korean comfort food, tasty sharing plates at a sleek new wine bar, Afro-Latin tapas, or classic grillhouse favourites, there’s a mix of flavours, styles, and settings to explore this month. Here’s a roundup of seven spots across Cape Town and Johannesburg that should be on your radar – and your must-have reservation list!
Cape Town
Tannin
(Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town)
Bree Street’s got a shiny new kid on the block. Tannin is a three-storey wine bar and restaurant pouring over 400 bottles – from local icons and hard-to-find rarities to international must-tries. Think bucket-list wines served in paper-thin crystal stemware. The ground floor bar is perfect for walk-ins, bar snacks and platters, while the second floor restaurant is where you’ll want a booking for lunch or dinner. Above it all, a skylight floods the space with natural light, bouncing off black granite, wood textures, red leather stools, and a well-lit floor-to-ceiling wine display that steals the show. The food menu leans into small plates and shareable bits, and highlights include a fresh and savoury kale, cucumber and yuzu salad, crispy fried honey garlic chicken, pillowy gnocchi with guanciale and miso, and slow-braised lamb neck with chimichurri. Doors are open from Tuesday to Saturday from lunch and dinner, or a tipple in between.
We had a fabulous evening at Tannin on Saturday. Tannin is a wine bar/restaurant that just opened in Bree Street. The staff were friendly and efficient! We decided to go for the “small” plates starting with the oysters, followed by the lamb, pork belly, yellowfin tuna and the mussels. All the plates were truly delicious, but the mussels were the best mussels I have ever had with a Thai influence. We were really full but decided to push hard and get through the chocolate mouse and pineapple coconut desserts. Both desserts were very good and not overly sweet. We will certainly return to Tannin soon and I expect this new kid on the block to be very busy when the tourists start arriving in Cape Town.
In The Meantime by Sepial
(Woodstock, Cape Town)
Sepial Shim has done it again. Her new spot, In The Meantime, has landed at The Palms in Woodstock, and it’s all about her signature Korean cooking and well-honed obsession with fermentation. Fans, breathe easy – the much-loved dumplings, Korean fried chicken, and steaming, flavour-packed broths are back on her menu. We’ve followed Sepial’s cooking from Salt River to Parliament Street, then the V&A’s Makers’ Landing, and now here – each step building her cult following. This new chapter keeps things relaxed and casual, but the food is as bold and comforting as ever. Expect delicious vegan and vegetarian options alongside favourites like her signature steamed chicken dumplings, fried kimchi dumplings, house-made kimchi, and beef japchae with sweet potato glass noodles. And for dessert, don’t even think of getting the bill without ordering the mochi doughnuts!
I would follow Sepial around the world – so great to try new dishes and old favourites. Always love my time in Sepial’s special spots.
Fool’s Gold Social Bar
(Dorp Street, Stellenbosch)
Fool’s Gold might look low-key from the street, but step inside and it’s anything but. By day, it’s laid-back with a classic cocktail bar feel, but come night (especially weekends), the place turns into a high-energy nightclub that’s open and busy until 2 am. If you’re keen on dinner before the dance floor fills, book a table on Dineplan between 4 – 8 pm. The food’s had a shake-up, with a menu that mixes Mexican flavours and Mediterranean favourites. Expect tacos, Mexican-style street corn, oven-fresh flatbreads piled with za’atar chicken or grilled lamb, and yes, the obligatory smash burger. Everything is built to pair with their cocktail list, keeping you fuelled long after happy hour wraps at 6 pm. Their motto says it best: “Come for the food, stay for the groove.”
Fantastic food and service in a beautiful setting.
Genki Sushi
(Church Street, Stellenbosch)
Right in the heart of Stellies, Genki has been a family-run favourite since 2009 – and it’s now bookable on Dineplan. This small but always-buzzing spot is known for serving some of the very best sushi and Japanese izakaya-style plates in town. Fresh fish is carefully sourced each day and transformed into top-grade sashimi, nigiri, and signature rolls. While the sushi is the obvious go-to, the rest of the menu is just as strong. Don’t miss the agedashi tofu, shiitake mushroom or whitebait tempura, pork belly bao, and prawn-and-water chestnut dumplings. If you can, snag a table outside under the oak trees. Their courtyard is the perfect setting in spring and summer for sushi and small plates with friends. Genki is open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner – and trust me, it’s worth locking in a booking early.
The best sushi in Stellenbosch. Great food, great service and always delicious. Have been going for years and they are consistently great…
Johannesburg
Forking Good
(Sandton, Johannesburg)
One of Bryanston’s newest restaurant openings, Forking Good, is all about bold, hearty flavours served in a stylish-but-relaxed space. The menu pulls from grill house favourites and Italian-American comfort food with a dash of gastro-pub flair. Think hearty portions of perfectly grilled steak, melt-in-your-mouth ribs, hot and cheesy pizzas, and big bowls of pasta – all made with quality ingredients. It’s modern casual dining done right. Open Tuesday to Sunday, from breakfast through late night.
Great upgrade from the place that used to be there. Beautifully appointed with different dinning zones with enough TVs on sporting days. Transition from outside into a more intimate set up inside great for dinner dates.
Artüro Tequila
(Melville, Johannesburg)
Melville’s favourite tequila and tapas bar is now on Dineplan. This contemporary tequila and tapas bar captures the vibrancy of Latin America while weaving in Afro-inspired flavours that feel distinctly at home in Johannesburg. The menu is designed for sharing – from street-style tacos and Afro-Latin platters to hearty burritos – each dish layered with bold spice and fresh ingredients. It’s food that invites conversation, best enjoyed alongside a curated tequila or cocktail. Beyond the plate, Artüro has built a reputation for atmosphere. Salsa dancing, live music, and quiz nights keep the space lively throughout the week, making it as much a social hub as a restaurant.
I really enjoyed the experience, and the food was lovely. The service was great, the food was lovely, and the music was a vibe.
Room 32 at Park Hyatt Johannesburg 
(Melrose Estate, Johannesburg)
Set within the 5-star Park Hyatt in Melrose Estate, Room 32 reflects the hotel’s quiet, understated luxury. The kitchen leans on South Africa’s natural larder – sun-warmed farms, local fisheries, and indigenous forests – turning every ingredient into a dish that tells a story. The small but well-designed menu balances freshness and indulgence: vibrant salads and starters give way to signature mains such as roast baby chicken, Karoo lamb cutlets, Kalahari rib-eye, and Springbok loin. Desserts are equally considered, with delicate pastries and a curated selection of artisan cheeses. Sundays are reserved for the Rendezvous Brunch Affair, a leisurely multi-course spread of small plates, desserts, and bold flavours – all carefully crafted, and priced at R1,595 per person.
The experience started as I drived into the hotel gates, warmly greeted and my car was chauffeurred to be park. The restaurant staff welcomed me and the service was phenomenal. Food delicious and Park Hyatt is going to be a competitor to other 5 star hotels. So impressive and will be back again. Thanks to everyone who made our afternoon so special.
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