The Dineplan Reviewers' Choice Awards 2025

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Reviewers’ Choice Awards 2025: Celebrating South Africa’s top restaurants

by | 15 October 2025

The fourth annual Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice Awards have arrived – and we couldn’t be more excited to reveal the results! Over the past year, South Africans have been busy booking, dining, and reviewing, contributing over 330,000 reviews across more than 1,700 local eateries on Dineplan nationwide.

These awards celebrate South Africa’s most-loved restaurants, as rated and reviewed by real diners. From October 2024 to September 2025, Dineplan processed over 6.4 million bookings, seating more than 30 million guests at restaurants, cafés, and wineries across the country.

Reviewers’ Choice Top 100


This year’s top spot goes to Good to Gather in Stellenbosch, followed by Reverie Social Table in Cape Town at number two. Completing the top five are Schneider’s Cape Floral Kitchen in Gansbaai, AA Badenhorst Family Wines in Malmesbury, and VUUR in Stellenbosch.

Top 1 – 20
  1. Good to Gather – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  2. Reverie Social Table – Cape Town, Western Cape
  3. Schneider’s Cape Floral Kitchen – Gansbaai, Western Cape
  4. AA Badenhorst Family Wines – Malmesbury, Western Cape
  5. VUUR – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  6. Winshaw Tasting Room and Eatery – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  7. The LivingRoom at Summerhill – Pinetown, Kwa-Zulu Natal
  8. The Table at De Meye – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  9. Cozco Mediterranean – Cape Town, Western Cape
  10. The Kraal Restaurant at Joostenberg Wine Estate – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  11. Orangerie at Le Lude – Franschhoek, Western Cape
  12. Jewell’s at Spice Route – Paarl, Western Cape
  13. Salushi – Cape Town, Western Cape
  14. JAN Franschhoek – Franschhoek, Western Cape
  15. The Table at Oak Valley – Grabouw, Western Cape
  16. Bistro at Brookdale – Paarl, Western Cape
  17. Newstead Lund Family Vineyards – Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
  18. De Vette Mossel – Hermanus – Hermanus, Western Cape
  19. FABER – Paarl, Western Cape
  20. The Hussar Grill Kimberley – Kimberley, Northern Cape
Top 21 - 50
  1. De Vette Mossel – Parys – Parys, Free State
  2. Kitchen Windows Beach Restaurant – Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape
  3. Stettyn Family Vineyards Tasting Room – Villiersdorp, Western Cape
  4. MERTIA – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  5. Kay & Monty Vineyards – Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
  6. so subtle – Pretoria, Gauteng
  7. Quoin Rock Wine Lounge – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  8. Obi Restaurant – Cape Town, Western Cape
  9. Hari Kitchen Restaurant – Franschhoek, Western Cape
  10. The Happy Uncles – Cape Town, Western Cape
  11. FYN Restaurant – Cape Town, Western Cape
  12. Vadivelu – Cape Town, Western Cape
  13. Uva Mira Mountain Vineyards – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  14. De Eetkamer – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  15. Tsala Treetop Lodge Restaurant – Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
  16. TTK Fledgelings – Cape Town, Western Cape
  17. Pier – Cape Town, Western Cape
  18. Kafe Serefé – George, Western Cape
  19. Manor House Stanford – Stanford, Western Cape
  20. The Farm Eatery at Diemersdal – Cape Town, Western Cape
  21. Noop Restaurant – Paarl, Western Cape
  22. Sebule at African Pride Hotel – Johannesburg, Gauteng
  23. Tastings and Tours at Jordan – Stellenbosch Farms, Western Cape
  24. Copper Kettle Restaurant – Raithby, Western Cape
  25. Forti Too – Pretoria, Gauteng
  26. Post & Pepper – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  27. Salon – Cape Town, Western Cape
  28. Stellenzicht Wines – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  29. The Hussar Grill Silverstar Casino – Johannesburg, Gauteng
  30. The Book Club – Pringle Bay, Western Cape
Top 51 - 100
  1. Epice – Franschhoek, Western Cape
  2. Wine Tasting at Vrymansfontein – Paarl, Western Cape
  3. Hulle ‘by die see’ – Still Bay, Western Cape
  4. The Chefs’ Table – Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
  5. Cozinha – Pretoria, Gauteng
  6. Insights at Sanctuary Mandela – Johannesburg, Gauteng
  7. The Jazz Room at No.5 By Mantis – Gqeberha, Eastern Cape
  8. De Grendel Restaurant – Cape Town, Western Cape
  9. Bramon Wine Estate Restaurant – Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
  10. Jakkalsvlei – Herbertsdale, Western Cape
  11. La Colombe Constantia – Cape Town, Western Cape
  12. The Waterside – Cape Town, Western Cape
  13. The Station Parkhurst – Johannesburg, Gauteng
  14. The Fat Butcher – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  15. Butcher Boys Meyersdal – Alberton, Gauteng
  16. The Melkbos Kitchen – Cape Town, Western Cape
  17. Homespun by Matt – Cape Town, Western Cape
  18. Artistry – Johannesburg, Gauteng
  19. De Vier Restaurant – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  20. Addis in Cape Ethiopian Restaurant – Cape Town, Western Cape
  21. The Hussar Grill Worcester – Worcester, Western Cape
  22. Belly of the Beast – Cape Town, Western Cape
  23. Bodega Ramen – Cape Town, Western Cape
  24. Cattle Baron Paarl – Paarl, Western Cape
  25. Trumps Grillhouse & Butchery – Johannesburg, Gauteng
  26. Millflour Café & Baking Co – Hillcrest, Kwa-Zulu Natal
  27. Ember & Oak – Cape Town, Western Cape
  28. ARKESTE – Franschhoek, Western Cape
  29. Vitality HealthyFood Studio – Johannesburg, Gauteng
  30. Turn N Tender – Majik Forest – Cape Town, Western Cape
  31. The Hussar Grill Oceans – Umhlanga, Kwa-Zulu Natal
  32. Club Como – Johannesburg, Gauteng
  33. Bouchon Bistro – Cape Town, Western Cape
  34. Idiom Wines Somerset West – Somerset West, Western Cape
  35. The Frame House at Bosman Hermanus – Hermanus, Western Cape
  36. Mariella’s at Capaia – Cape Town, Western Cape
  37. Saskia Fine Dining Restaurant – Polokwane, Limpopo
  38. The Foodbarn Café & Tapas – Cape Town, Western Cape
  39. SPYCED – Cape Town, Western Cape
  40. Bloemhof Bar & Grill – Cape Town, Western Cape
  41. The Taste at Manley – Tulbagh, Western Cape
  42. Bao Down – Cape Town, Western Cape
  43. La Petite Maison Langebaan – Langebaan, Western Cape
  44. LA VIE LENTE Bistro & Venue – Pretoria, Gauteng
  45. Guardian Peak Winery & Grill – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  46. Afternoon Tea at Mount Nelson – Cape Town, Western Cape
  47. Henri’s Restaurant and Wine Bar – Cape Town, Western Cape
  48. Asta Italian Restaurant – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  49. Create Red Barn – Irene – Olifantsfontein, Gauteng
  50. OneEighty at Ellerman House – Cape Town, Western Cape

A huge congratulations to all the restaurants, wineries, and hospitality teams who made this year’s list!

Book At The Top 100

Here’s what some of the award-winners shared with us:


good to gather

It is an incredible honour to be named in the top restaurants in the Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice Awards! A huge thank you to everyone who has visited Good to Gather and taken the time to share their experience. It is a joy to do what we do. The recognition is a true reflection of the passion and dedication of our entire team. – Jess and Luke Grant, Good to Gather

jakkalsvlei

We’re absolutely thrilled to be recognized as a top-rated restaurant on Dineplan! This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, who strive every day to deliver an exceptional dining experience for our guests. We’re honoured to share this recognition with our community and look forward to continuing to serve the best food and hospitality in a warm and welcoming environment. Thank you to our amazing guests for their support and loyalty! – Nicola Kotze, Jakkalsvlei

taste at manley

This award means so much to us as a team. It’s more than just recognition; it’s proof that what we’re doing works – who we are, the flavours we create, and the heartfelt service we offer. Every plate and every guest is served with kindness, care, and love. You come as strangers and leave as friends and family. Thank you, Dineplan, we are truly honoured. – Nadia Beutler, The Taste at Manley

Meet the best Newcomers of 2025


While the Top 100 recognises long-standing Dineplan restaurants, a separate Newcomer Award celebrates rising stars who’ve quickly made an impact with their guests. These standout newcomers have hit the ground running and are already earning rave reviews from diners across South Africa. Give it up for the newcomers of 2025!

Gauteng
  1. Nossa Casa – Roodepoort, Gauteng
  2. Pasta Barra – Pretoria, Gauteng
  3. On the Bone Steakhouse – Johannesburg, Gauteng
  4. The Sushi Club – Johannesburg, Gauteng
  5. The Italian Job Food Emporium – Johannesburg, Gauteng
KwaZulu Natal & other
  1. The Heights Restaurant & Bistro – Kimberley, Northern Cape
  2. Radius Evander – Evander, Mpumalanga
  3. Vista’s Restaurant at The Feather Hill – Potchefstroom, North West
  4. 45 on Eat Street – Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal
  5. Tapas Bar and Restaurant – Gqeberha, Eastern Cape
Western Cape
  1. Café Orca – Cape Town, Western Cape
  2. At The Courtyard – McGregor, Western Cape
  3. Leeto – Paternoster, Western Cape
  4. The Terrace – George – George, Western Cape West
  5. Melfort – Stellenbosch, Western Cape

About the Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice Awards


The Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice Awards recognise restaurants and venues that consistently deliver exceptional guest experiences. Results are based entirely on verified guest reviews – making it one of the most authentic and trustworthy restaurant awards in South Africa.

To qualify for the Top 100, restaurants must have been using Dineplan for the full 12-month review period. Newer venues can compete for a Newcomer Award.

How to support your favourite restaurant


Want to see your favourite restaurant on next year’s list? Simply rate and review your dining experience on the Dineplan app after your visit. Your feedback helps:

  • Boost your favourite restaurant’s chances of ranking next year
  • Guide fellow diners to great local spots
  • Provide restaurants with valuable feedback

How winners are selected

 

To ensure fairness and consistency, Dineplan evaluates restaurants based on the following criteria:

  • Must be using Dineplan for the full 12 months (1 Oct 2024 – 30 Sep 2025)
  • Must have an active reservation account and public booking calendar
  • Must have a live listing on the Dineplan app and website
  • Must receive at least 60 verified public reviews across Dineplan’s standard categories: ambience, food, service, and value

Restaurants that joined Dineplan during this period were eligible for a Newcomer Award, with this year’s winners hailing from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape.

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