The nominees for the 2026 South Africa Restaurant Awards have been announced, with leading venues from Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg in the running for top honours.
The awards ceremony is set to take place on 25 May at Hotel Sky Sandton.
Organisers said this year’s shortlist reflects the “depth, diversity, and innovation” of South Africa’s food scene.
They also described the event as a platform to recognise the chefs, restaurateurs and hospitality businesses shaping the industry.
Best restaurants in Cape Town
Cape Town and the Winelands feature strongly on the Restaurant Awards shortlist, with several acclaimed names included.
Nominees for Best Restaurant in Cape Town 2026 are:
- Salsify at the Roundhouse (Camps Bay)
- Dusk Restaurant (Cape Town)
- La Colombe Restaurant (Constantia)
- Merita Restaurant (Stellenbosch)
- Pier Restaurant (V&A Waterfront)
- La Petite Colombe (Franschhoek)
- Utopia Cape Town (Cape Town)
- Grand Pavilion (Sea Point)
Joburg and Durban restaurants in the running
Joburg’s nominees include several luxury hotel and fine-dining venues, while Durban’s list includes coastal favourites and popular grills.
Nominees for Best Restaurant in Johannesburg 2026 are:
- Flames Restaurant (Westcliff)
- AURUM Restaurant (Sandown)
- Ukkō Restaurant (Bryanston)
- KōL Izakhaya (Hyde Park)
- AMAN Restaurant (Woodmead)
- Cyra Restaurant (Houghton Estate)
- Les Creatifs (Bryanston)
- Marble Restaurant (Rosebank)
- Qunu Restaurant (The Saxon Hotel)
- Saint Restaurant (Rivonia)
- The Pot Luck Club (Melrose)
Nominees for Best Restaurant in Durban 2026 are:
- The Chefs’ Table (Umhlanga)
- Max’s Lifestyle (Umlazi)
- The Hussar Grill Oceans (Lagoon Drive, Durban)
- The Lookout (Glenashly)
- Doughed – Woodfired Dining Experiences (Windermere, Durban)
- Butcher Boys Grill (Umhlanga)
- Zai Restaurant Durban (Morningside)
- Olive and Oil (Umhlanga)
- Barnaby’s Grillhouse (Durban North)
- Spiga (Morningside)
- 9th Avenue Marina (Durban)
“We are honoured to recognise the exceptional talent driving South Africa’s culinary industry forward,” said partnerships director Sara Kensington.
She added that the Restaurant Awards aim to “spotlight the individuals and establishments shaping the future of hospitality.”
More nominees, including best chef and provincial categories, are expected to draw strong interest ahead of the May ceremony.
