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Our editorial team has searched the country to bring you South Africa’s most exciting dining experiences. From fine-dining icons and chic city eateries to hidden gems, wine estates, and artisanal cafés, this is your guide to the best places to eat. And because no meal is complete without the perfect pairing, we’ve also highlighted our favourite MCCs, rosés, craft beers, and cocktails to raise a glass to.
In a wellness landscape increasingly driven by transparency and taste, ButtaNutt has carved out a space that feels both wholesome and indulgent. Known for its clean ingredients and proudly local roots, the brand has become a pantry staple for health-conscious South Africans looking for products that don’t compromise on flavour.
Veld & Vine Bistro in Claremont has officially opened inside the elegant grounds of The Claremont Boutique Hotel. And while the address carries history, the dining experience feels modern and welcoming yet still rooted in the land around it.
Visiting Mira, Sandton’s newest 200-seater Portuguese dining destination, felt like a moment of kismet – especially as we had no idea the restaurant occupies the same original venue as Villamoura.
South African summers don’t do subtle. They arrive with blazing sunshine, early morning runs, beach walks, long workdays and the quiet determination to get back into routine as March rolls around. Somewhere between the gym bag, the car cup holder and the office desk, one thing quickly becomes clear: hydration matters. Introducing Sparkling Rooibos Fuel from Two in a Bush — a lightly sparkling drink built around one of South Africa’s most iconic ingredients.
As demand for café-style coffee at home continues to grow in South Africa, Jacobs is expanding its specialty mixes range with the launch of Jacobs Hot & Iced Latte and the much-anticipated return of Jacobs Vanilla Cappuccino.
In the first few months of 2026, a clearer sense of what we actually want to eat, drink, and gather around emerges. Not what went viral. Not what photographed well for three weeks. But what endured, what exhausted us, and what is quietly inching its way onto menus and into our homes. In South Africa, this reckoning feels especially sharp. The cost of living has narrowed our appetite for novelty-for-novelty’s sake. Diners are cautious, more deliberate, and increasingly value- and values-driven. What follows are 10 emerging food trends identified by Dineplan that are shaping how – and why – we eat now.
The 2026 LUXE Restaurant Awards unfolded in spectacular fashion at MIRA Sandton, presented in partnership with Audi South Africa, bringing together South Africa’s leading chefs, restaurateurs, and culinary trailblazers for an evening of prestige, recognition, and celebration.
There are few names in the world of beverages that carry the same quiet authority as Schweppes. Since 1783, the brand has defined what it means to drink well – not loudly, but with intention. Now, in a moment where taste, ritual, and restraint are shaping how we socialise, Schweppes returns with a reimagined identity that places flavour and connection at the centre of the experience.
If you’ve ever curated a weekend brunch board or planned a Friday wind-down, you know that coffee isn’t just a drink, it’s a mood. In South Africa’s buzzing coffee scene, where sipping on something good is as iconic as the tune you pair it with, the flavour companion you choose can elevate every moment.
Whether you’re hosting friends on a sunlit patio, powering through emails at your desk, there’s a Jacobs coffee and a perfect pairing to match.
If you’ve ever wandered down Sea Point’s buzzing main road just as the sun begins to dip into the Atlantic, you’ll know the energy is unmatched. Nestled right in the heart of Sea Point’s town – just a stone’s throw away from the sea – you’ll find Una Mas, a vibrant Mexican eatery bringing bold flavour and even bolder vibes to this iconic street.
This summer, it’s all about what’s in the cup. Nespresso’s latest Summer Iced Coffee Collection is a celebration of cold coffee rituals – bringing together new flavour-led blends, returning iced favourites, and limited-edition machines designed to elevate every chilled sip.
Discover the best ready-to-drink (RTD) for your summer adventures. From Patch cocktails to sparkling Mimosa and whisky High Ball in a can, here are the drinks perfect for picnics, beach days and game drives.
Not many people realise this, but Nando’s started with humble beginnings as a single restaurant in Rosettenville, Johannesburg, in 1987. Believe it or not, this author visited that branch not long after it opened and vividly remembers the family member who took me along to try what he called “next-level chicken”, predicting it would become something massive one day. He was certainly on point with that prophecy!
Tucked discreetly between the fourth and fifth floors of Hyde Johannesburg, Nine Lives is the kind of venue that comes alive after the city goes to sleep. A new hidden speakeasy and supper club, Nine Lives invites guests into a moody, intimate world where 1970s-inspired drink culture meets modern culinary craft. Designed for lingering late into the night, it’s an after-dark destination that feels like you’re stepping into your ninth life.
S!GNS Restaurant Sandton delivers an experience that goes beyond food, blending Afro-Global flavours with a stylish setting that feels right at home in Rivonia’s dining scene. From the thoughtfully plated dishes to the attentive service and vibrant atmosphere, the evening feels curated rather than rushed. It’s the kind of restaurant you choose when you’re marking an occasion or simply craving something a little more sensory than your usual night out.
As South Africa’s summers become hotter, longer and more intense, staying hydrated has shifted from an athletic concern to an everyday health essential. With earlier heat waves and higher average temperatures reported in recent years, more South Africans are spending time in conditions that increase the risk of fluid and mineral loss through sweating.
Linder Auditorium, Wits University
Theatre On The Bay, Link Street, Camps Bay, Cape Town
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