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South African Culture: Eating Out In South Africa

South Africa: Places to Eat Out

Mariam Noronha

If you are in South Africa and are looking for a place to eat, here are a few recommendations where you can sample the country's famous rainbow cuisine.

Cape Town

From gourmet meals in posh restaurants to leisurely breakfasts in quaint cafes, Cape Town's eateries have something for every budget.

Modern South African and classic and contemporary French cuisine and impeccable service in a bright and contemporary ambience are the highlights of the dining experience at La Colombe (Tel: 021 794z2390), Constantia. Whether it's the springbok medallions or sweetbreads glazed in truffle jus with almond and cardamom cream served with freshly baked breads and delicious dips, diners can tuck in and enjoy the view of the vineyards and a cricket green. Their wine list received diamond status at the 2008 Diner's Club Winelist of the Year awards.

The street bakery and café at Jardine (Tel: 021 424 5640), City Bowl has a range of gourmet pies, cakes and sandwiches. While the terrine of duck confit, Chalmar beef fillet with oxtail and the Felchlin chocolate torte with rhubarb are some of the gourmet adventures on the menu at the restaurant. A cheerful décor with artworks for sale are an added bonus for discerning diners.

For those who want to sample Tapas, South African and French cuisines, Bizerca Bistro (Tel: 021 418 0001), Jetty Street offers a menu that changes every six weeks and has daily specials depending on the quality and availability of ingredients. Lamb ragout and braised pig's trotter with seared scallop and truffle oil are some of the dishes that never go wrong in the regular vegetarian, beef, pork and fish options in the restaurants slick aluminum and black and white interiors.

Cape Town Cafes

Cape Town offers leisurely breakfasts and quick lunches with coffee at its many excellent cafes: Afro Café (Tel: 021 426 1857), the Italian-style Giovannis (Tel: 021 434 6893), the Portuguese-style cafe chain Vida e Caffe (Tel: 021 426 0627), The Daily Deli (Tel: 021 426 0250) and eclectic American cuisine at Café Caprice (Tel: 021 438 8315) with views of Table Mountain thrown in from Camps Bay.

Durban

A combination of Asian, African and European influences make eating out in Durban an experience in itself. The area around the city centre and the newly developed Wilson's Wharf waterfront area have many restaurants that serve a variety of dishes and food styles.

Florida Road, one of the most picturesque locations in the city has become a culinary high street for foodies in Durban. From a quick bite at tables spilling on to the pavement at Spiga D'Oro on Florida Road (Tel: 031 303 9511) to spicy, sweet sour and a variety of what else but curries at Sunrise House of Curries (Tel: 031 303 6067) at 275 Florida Road the possibilities are diverse and interesting.

The Cape Town Fish Market (Tel: 031 337 0598) and the Phantom Ship with two venues: buffet on the Upper Deck (Tel: 031 328 8067), or à la carte inside the Cargo Hold (Tel: 031 328 8065), where sharks swim in a fish tank, are two places worth visiting for a formal dining experience. For more affordable dining try Grey Street for Indian and Pakistani restaurants and take aways.

Global food chains like KFC and Wimpy in South Africa's malls are for those looking for burgers and fries.

Johannesburg

Sandton, Rivonia, Illovo and Melrose Arch house up-market restaurants that feature local and international menus in Johannesburg. East African fish curries, crocodile tail, ostrich steak, North African stews, Italian pizzas and pastas, melktert, malva pudding, sweet potato and chocolate pudding are just some of the delicacies on offer at up-market restaurants such as Gramadoelas (Tel: 011 838 6960), Moyo (Tel: 011 838 1715), Al Dente and Assaggi.

Fsh (Tel: 011 447 9188), near Rosebank Mall has a selection of sushi platters and cocktails while the roast duck with a Drambuie and orange glaze at Browns (Tel: 011 11 803 7533) of Rivonia and a variety of sea food with prawns, baby crayfish, Norwegian lobsters and calamari at Montego Bay (Tel: 011 883 6407) in Nelson Mandela Square are gourmet delights presented with flourish in contemporary settings.

Those looking for inexpensive Caribbean food in generous portions can head to Cool Runnings (Tel: 011 482 4786) in Melville to partake of curries, stir fries and Jamaican schwarmas with exotic cocktails. Cafés and steakhouses abound in Parktown North and Benoni while adventurous diners usually head to Soweto to eat out at shebeen, local bars and canteens. Pies, sausage rolls and grilled maize cobs can be bought off the street from the many vendors doing brisk business in the city.

Winelands & Stellenbosch

Seasonal local food and contemporary Mediterranean and South African cuisines crafted by expert chefs are served at the Overture, (Tel: 021 880 2721) Hidden Valley Wines, Stellenbosch. Tender beef fillet nestled in baby golden beetroot and small potato croquettes, fresh green cherry tomato salsa with white risotto and chocolate mousse with banana-poppyseed ice-cream are part of the spread in inviting interiors where diners can watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen or enjoy the view of the valley.

French country cooking shines through the cuisine on offer at Terroir, (Tel: 021 880 8167) Strand Road, Stellenbosch. The fillet with parmesan cream, fois gras, wild mushrooms and duck confit served in Provencal interiors. A selection of fine bubblies and some very good Kleine Zalze wines are good accompaniments to a meal here.

South Africa's many cafes and plush restaurants offer gastronomic delights catering to every taste and budget.

Whether contemporary, adventurous, elegant, unique or traditional, the taste and texture of South Africa's local and international cuisine must be sampled to complete the South African experience.

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