SA Restaurant Awards: A Celebration of Culinary Creatives
The SA Restaurant Awards (SARA) concluded in a spectacular event on Monday, 7 April 2025 at Hotel Sky Sandton. Here, the finest culinary talents across the country came together to honour each other’s contributions to South Africa’s dynamic food scene.
Of course, chefs, restaurateurs and hospitality professionals filled the room, with Jordan Kensington and Nicole Watson as co-hosts for the evening.
About the SA Restaurant Awards
The SARA aims to showcase the immense impact of South Africa’s culinary community on its citizens. The World Restaurant Awards Group created this South African competition to acknowledge the ongoing dedication of South Africa’s foodie scene to the local and global market.
Jordan Kensington said: “Tonight is not just about winning. It is about celebrating the art of food, the people behind the scenes and the experiences that bring us all together around the table.”
This competition sees the public voting for their winners. And, with over 95 000 votes cast for this year alone, the awards highlighted everything – from the best dining experiences to the most innovative chefs – that make our culinary scene so diverse.
Showcasing the reach of culinary excellence in Mzansi, the awards ceremony was also broadcast live on VooVix TV. This is a new streaming platform that has rapidly gained 4.5 million subscribers in South Africa.
A Full List of the SA Restaurant Awards 2025 Winners
· Best Culinary Experience 2025: TANG Asian Restaurant & Bar (Sandton)
· Best Restaurant in Cape Town 2025: Salsify at the Roundhouse (Camps Bay, Cape Town)
· Best Hospitality 2025: Mamasamba (Rosebank)
· Best Family-Friendly Restaurant 2025: Encore (Three Rivers)
· Best Restaurant in Durban 2025: The Chefs’ Table (Durban)
· Best Chef 2025 sponsored by Crispa Gold: Moses Moloi
· Best Hotel Restaurant 2025: Eclipse Restaurant (Hotel SKY)
· Best Restaurant Chain 2025: Col’Cacchio
· Best New Restaurant 2025: Golden Hour Grill
· Best Fine Dining 2025: Amano Best Bar 2025: Sin + Tax
· Best Restaurant in Eastern Cape 2025: Muse Restaurant (Port Elizabeth)
· Best Restaurant in Northern Cape 2025: Klein Jan
· Best Restaurant in North West 2025: La Terrazza Restaurant
· Best Restaurant in Western Cape 2025: Salsify at the Roundhouse (Camps Bay, Cape Town)
· Best Restaurant in Sandton 2025 sponsored by George & Manana Wines: Tempo Luxury Restaurant
· Best Restaurant in Johannesburg 2025: Flames Restaurant
· Best Restaurant in Pretoria 2025: Kream Restaurant Brooklyn
· Best Restaurant in Gauteng 2025: Trumps Grillhouse & Butchery
· Best Restaurant in KwaZulu-Natal 2025: The Livingroom at Summerhill Estate (Durban)
· Best Restaurant in Limpopo 2025: Crawdaddy’s
· Best Cooking Show 2025: MasterChef South Africa (SABC 3) & Expresso Culinary Hotline (Tie)
· Best Restaurant / Nightclub 2025: The Address (Cape Town)
· Best Restaurant in Mpumalanga 2025: Orange Restaurant
Of course, these restaurants and their chefs are just a drop in the ocean where South Africa’s culinary scene is concerned. There is always something new and innovative – or old and traditional – to explore in Mzansi, keeping you enthralled for a lifetime to come.
