{"id":18101,"date":"2026-10-28T22:24:20","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T20:24:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dineplan.com\/blog\/?p=18101"},"modified":"2026-10-28T22:29:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T20:29:39","slug":"the-dineplan-dining-guide-to-south-africas-top-100-restaurants-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dineplan.com\/blog\/the-dineplan-dining-guide-to-south-africas-top-100-restaurants-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dineplan dining guide to South Africa\u2019s Top 100 restaurants in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Blog Post Section” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ admin_label=”Intro + Post Nav” _builder_version=”4.19.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”0px||30px||false|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Post Nav” _builder_version=”4.27.9″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”||||on|||RGBA(33,41,69,0.2)|” link_text_color=”#212945″ background_color=”#F4F4F6″ custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

In This Article:<\/h3>\n
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  1. The Top 10<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Worth the drive<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. New names to know<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. For a special occasion<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. The neighbourhood favourites<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. What the list tells us about South African dining<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro” _builder_version=”4.27.9″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]There are plenty of ways to decide where to eat. You can follow the buzz, ask a friend, return to an old favourite or simply book somewhere that looks good. But sometimes, it helps to know which restaurants are really standing out.<\/p>\n

    The Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice Awards 2026<\/a>, presented by American Express<\/strong>, celebrate the South African restaurants and dining experiences that diners rate among the very best. American Express is operated in South Africa through its licensee Nedbank.<\/p>\n

    Now in their 5th year<\/strong>, the awards offer a different perspective on the country’s restaurant scene. Rather than being decided by a panel of judges, the list reflects the choices of everyday diners \u2013 the people booking tables, trying new restaurants, celebrating milestones and returning to the places they love.
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    \nThis year’s Top 100 stretches from Cape Town to Johannesburg, Durban to the Winelands, bringing together restaurants that represent the breadth of South Africa’s dining scene.<\/p>\n

    Explore The Top 100<\/a>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Content” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”0px||30px||false|false” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”The Top 10″ module_id=”the-top-10″ _builder_version=”4.27.9″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    The Top 10<\/h3>\n
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    At the top of the list are ten restaurants that have particularly captured the attention of Dineplan diners this year.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Good to Gather ” _builder_version=”4.27.9″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    1. Good to Gather<\/a> \u2013 Stellenbosch, Western Cape
    <\/strong>Good to Gather began as a weekend pop-up at Rozendal Farm and has grown into a tiny farm-to-table favourite. Jess and Luke serve seasonal lunches using produce from organic growers and small producers, with their garden just metres from the kitchen. The booking calendar is already full through December 2026, so getting a table is no small feat.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Reverie Social Table ” _builder_version=”4.27.9″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    2. Reverie Social Table<\/a> \u2013 Cape Town, Western Cape
    <\/strong>Dinner at Reverie is less about sitting at a table and more about joining a dinner party. Chef Julia Hattingh brings 18 guests together around one communal table for a five-course, wine-paired menu, with seats shuffled along the way so strangers leave feeling a little less like strangers. Come solo or with company, it\u2019s an intimate way to switch off.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”The Table at De Meye” _builder_version=”4.27.9″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]3. The Table at De Meye<\/a> \u2013 Stellenbosch, Western Cape
    \n<\/strong>Leigh Williamson and Brendan Thorncroft let the seasons set the pace at The Table at De Meye. Their three-course set menu is served family-style, with generous dishes made for passing around and settling in for a long lunch. As the menu changes with what\u2019s fresh, each visit brings something different to the table.<\/p>\n

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    A post shared by The Table At De Meye (@thetable_demeye)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n