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As summer approaches, the restaurant scene is buzzing with new restaurants popping up all over. This month, I’ve highlighted seven must-have reservations, including The Table at De Meye’s new sister restaurant and a Spanish pintxos bar in Cape Town, some standout Turkish and Greek spots in Joburg, and a new champagne and oyster bar in Pretoria.
Cape Town and the Winelands
The Table at Oak Valley
(Grabouw, Western Cape)
I haven’t been this excited about a new restaurant opening in ages! Fellow fans of Table at De Meye will be thrilled to hear that Leigh and Brendan are opening a second restaurant at Oak Valley! They’re taking over the pool room, previously home to Melting Pot, where you can relax by the pool under the oak trees and tuck into one of their famously delicious al-fresco lunches. Serving the same 3-course, family-style feasts, with a menu that changes weekly to highlight the freshest seasonal ingredients. It’s the perfect spot for long, leisurely lunches as we head into summer. Their bookings are now open for 13 November onwards, and if The Table at De Meye taught me anything, it’s to book your spot ASAP!
Bascule Bar & Lounge at Cape Grace
(V&A Waterfront, Cape Town)
The next time you’re at the Waterfront, pre-book a table at the Bascule Bar. Sitting right on the edge of the marina, this intimate wine, whisky, and cocktail bar has a charming speakeasy vibe. Picture leather booths, plush mossy green velvet upholstery, rich wood, marble accents, and soft library lighting. You can sip on an elegant martini, try one of their signature Bascule cocktails (the tequila and protea-based Frida Kahlo has caught my eye), or choose from their extensive list of premium spirits and fine wines. While the drinks are a draw, you’ll find yourself sticking around for the food. I recommend the oysters with fermented chilli and pickled ginger, the fish and chips with chunky fries and tartare sauce (some best fish ‘n chips in town), and the artisanal cheese plate, which comes complete with sticky membrillo and wafer-thin lavash.
Awesome service. The fish and chips were amazing. Love the new decor. By far the best place to get great service, food and cocktails in the Waterfront.
Qué Linda – Restaurante
(Sea Point, Cape Town)
Qué Linda is just the spot Cape Town has been waiting for – a Spanish-inspired tapas and wine bar serving pintxos and great drinks. Think thinly sliced jamón Ibérico, spicy patatas bravas with rich aioli, nduja croquetas, grilled sardines and Galician-style octopus – all simple and delicious. If you’re feeling a bit hungrier, tuck into one of their sharing plates, like the fire-roasted carne asada al fuego or the showstopper paella with those perfectly crispy edges (AKA socarrat). Do yourself a favour and check out the menu to start planning your order right away. I just hope they add some vermouth to the lineup – served over ice with a wedge of orange and an olive – for that authentic Spanish experience of grabbing a drink and a tasty bite after work!
We decided to have dinner with you to celebrate our 24th Wedding Anniversary. We had such an amazing night. The food is awesome. Love your wine list. Your staff are just so nice and knowledgeable and just made us feel comfortable and at home. Just a brilliant evening. You truly have a winner of a restaurant. Thank you.
Merchant Bar & Grill
(Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town)
Sandwiched between Chefs Warehouse & Canteen on the ground floor and Room 91 on the roof, Merchant is Liam Tomlin’s latest venture at 91 Bree Street. He describes Merchant as modern but old-school, and once you visit, you’ll see exactly what that means. The “old-school” aspect highlights their return to nose-to-tail cooking in a beautifully preserved 19th-century heritage building right in the heart of town. The menu focuses on tried-and-true kitchen basics and old-fashioned but modernised favourites. You’ll love the large, brightly lit glass larder, showcasing hanging sausages and prosciutto, jars of fermenting kombucha and cured olives, and wheels of local parmesan beside a wall of wine.
Had a lovely evening at Merchant. Food, as expected, was fantastic in every way and lovely and the service we received from Daniel was professional, attentive and engaging. Had an absolutely brilliant Scotch Egg and an equally fantastic shared Rib Eye. Ps. Arguably the best Dirty Martini in town!
Johannesburg and Pretoria
Ostra
(Hazelwood, Pretoria)
Having opened just a few weeks ago, this new champagne and oyster bar in Hazelwood feels like a Mediterranean escape. La Pescheria, the local fishmonger, is behind Ostra, which celebrates fresh seafood and the bounty of South Africa’s oceans. Start by ordering a bottle of Champagne or Cap Classique and a round of fresh oysters. You can stick to the classics – lemon and Tabasco with a crack of black pepper, or a traditional mignonette – or try the Nam Jim, ponzu and cucumber, or aji amarillo (Peruvian chilli paste) with sesame oil dressings. They also offer plenty of cold and hot seafood plates, plus sushi platters, to round out your meal.
Mosso Savour Turkish Luxury
(Sandhurst, Johannesburg)
This stylish Turkish restaurant in the heart of Sandton has just opened, offering an opulent and luxurious take on traditional Turkish cuisine. The extensive menu celebrates all the rich flavours, heady spices and generous portions of Türkiye. With so many tempting options, you’ll want to take your time reading through the descriptions and choosing what to order. They’re open all week for lunch and dinner, so check out the menu and book a table on Dineplan. Don’t forget to share your experience in the reviews!
The meal was delicious. The service was welcoming and professional. The restaurant is beautifully decorated. Really was a pleasure to enjoy a fantastic meal in a lovely setting. Thank you.
Orexi Aspen Hills
(Aspen Hills Nature Estate, Johannesburg)
We’re excited to welcome Orexi Greek Street Food to Dineplan! The moment you step inside, it feels like you’ve left Jozi and entered a cosy taverna in Cyprus. The menu is packed with Greek favourites – think mix-and-match meze boards and dips, generously stuffed yiros, souvlakia, moussaka, seafood, Greek-style pizzas, and amazing desserts. I can never resist the baklava or pistachio halva with ice cream – yum! The vibe is perfect, with classic blue and white decor, a stunning mosaic pizza oven, and super friendly staff. After your first visit, you’ll probably want to become a regular.
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