These are the best restaurants in South Africa

Two separate award shows have named La Petite Colombe in Franschhoek and Fyn in Cape Town as the best restaurants in South Africa.

According to the 2024 Luxe Restaurant Awards, La Petite Colombe has consistently dazzled with innovative cuisine and impeccable service.

The restaurant’s prices range from R1,595 to R1,995 per person. Dishes include karoo wagyu, sweet potato truffle, herbed gnocchi, and more.

Fyn was also able to retain its crown as the highest-ranked South African restaurant in the World 50 Best Restaurants 2024 awards, coming in 60th place.

Although this was an improvement from its 75th position in 2023, it is still not as good as its 37th.

“Pronounced ‘fan’, Fyn tells African stories with a Japanese accent on the fifth floor of a 19th-century silk factory in Cape Town,” said the World’s 50 Best.

“Using fish, poultry and meat from the best local suppliers, chefs Ashley Moss and Peter Tempelhoff serve a tasting menu with dishes such as the signature hazelnut-crusted springbok with salt-baked celeriac, black figs and mountain sage.”

“General manager Jennifer Hugé runs the dining room, underneath which the team also oversees a casual ramen bar called Ramenhead.”

However, the official top 50 will only be announced in June, meaning that another South African restaurant could take Fyn’s crown.

“South Africa boasts some of the most innovative and skilled chefs in the world, and these awards not only honour their achievements but also inspire the next generation of culinary artists,” said Chad Fourie, founder and chief judge of the Luxe Restaurant Awards.

The various winners at the Luxe Restaurant Awards can be found below:

• African Restaurant of the Year: The Happy Uncles
• Bistro of the Year: Farro Restaurant
• Burger Joint of the Year: Zuney Wagyu
• Café of the Year: Hemelhuijs
• Casual Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Post and Pepper
• Chef of the Year: Callan Austin
• Coffee Shop of the Year: Truth Coffee
• Contemporary Restaurant of the Year: Club Kloof
• Culinary Change Award: Wandile Mabaso
• Culinary Innovation Award: Rikku O’Donnchu                            
• Culinary Media Personality of the Year: Clement Pedro
• Culinary Rising Star Award: Matt Van Den Berg
• Family Restaurant of the Year: The Table at De Meye
• Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Belly of the Beast
• Grillhouse of the Year: VUUR Restaurant
  Hidden Gem Award: Stefan’s Restaurant at Erinvale Hotel & Spa
• Hotel Restaurant of the Year: Upper Union
• International Restaurant of the Year: Ouzeri
• Legacy Award: La Colombe
• Lifestyle Restaurant of the Year: Club Como
• New Restaurant of the Year: Mertia
• Pastry Chef of the Year: Jared Melamed
• People’s Choice Award: Kolonaki Greek Kouzina
• Pioneer Award: James Gaag
• Pop-Up Restaurant of the Year: Chef Rikku at The Art of Duplicity
• Restaurant of the Year: La Petite Colombe
• Restobar of the Year: The 11th Floor
• Service Excellence Award: The Living Room
• Street Food Restaurant of the Year: The Siba Deli
• Supper Club of the Year: Tempo Luxury Restaurant 
• Sustainability Award: Salsify at the Roundhouse
• Wine Service Award: Keize Mumba

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