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Now that winter is in full swing, the new restaurant openings across South Africa have slowed down – but only a bit! There are still some new gems to explore. From a pop-up restaurant-come-wine bar and a Japanese izakaya in Cape Town, to a new Italian trattoria and a Greek tavern in Joburg, here are six must-have reservations for the month of July.
Cape Town and the Winelands
Sojourn
(Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town)
Chef Dean Moult, the wine steward at La Colombe and former chef at Foxcroft and Chefs Warehouse at Beau, has teamed up with his friend and former colleague, Jarrod Galvin, who works front-of-house at Foxcroft. While the restaurants are closed for their winter break, the duo is opening a pop-up restaurant and wine bar at the Ladder Café on Bree Street. Before 6 pm, the space will operate as a wine bar, offering light, snacky plates. Their shared passion for wine is reflected in the wine list, which features wines from some of SA’s premier producers and international options from France, Italy, and Portugal, with most available by the glass.
Dinner reservations open at 6 pm. Sourcing underrated cuts of meat and fish from small-scale suppliers, the menu isn’t heavily focused on meat but rather champions fresh, seasonal produce from local, hands-on suppliers. The short-but-punchy menu includes the likes of mussel escabeche, chickpea and mushroom stew, winter panzanella, ox heart tartare, short rib pizzette, and a burnt Basque-style cheesecake. Sojourn will be open for two weeks from 10 – 26 July, so book your spot before spaces fill up!
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HIRO Izakaya
(Fir Grove, Cape Town)
Fans of Cheyne Morrisby will be excited to hear that he has opened a new izakaya-style restaurant in Cape Town. The space is cosy and warm, perfect for a winter dinner. The menu features Cheyne’s signature flavours divided into three sections – sea, land, and earth. Guests rave about the short rib gyoza, duck and lime croquettes, cold soba noodles with ponzu dressing, and the hot and sour black rice risotto. Be sure to leave room for dessert – the Fuji apple harumaki (crispy spring rolls) and peanut butter ice cream with miso butterscotch sauce are delicious!
The food was amazing and the staff friendly and helpful. Hard to choose a favourite dish as we’d order them all again, but we did order a second portion of the pork belly. We thought we were done until we saw some of the desserts going out so we had to order the peanut butter ice cream. We’ll definitely be back for more!
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The Vine Bistro at Glenelly
(Idasvallei, Stellenbosch)
As one of my all-time favourite restaurants in Stellenbosch, I look forward to the arrival of the winter menu at Glenelly each year. Chef Christophe Dehosse fills the menu with classic French bistro-style dishes from his childhood and long career as a celebrated chef. Showcasing the best of the season’s produce and changing throughout the season, a drive out to The Vine Bistro on a beautiful winter’s day is well worth the trip. Some much-loved dishes that may appear on the menu include the bouillabaisse soup with rouille and croûtons, the sweetbreads, and the fish dish of the day. While there are many sweet desserts on offer, the artisanal cheese selection, featuring both local and French cheeses, is what I look forward to the most.
Always fabulous, we booked another visit straight after our lunch. The food is excellent as is the service and the view is gorgeous. A must visit.
Johannesburg
Vitality HealthyFood Studio
(Sandton, Johannesburg)
Ever wanted to whip up healthy dishes like a pro? Well, you can at Vitality’s HealthyFood Studio in Sandton, where they’ve got a packed calendar of themed cooking classes. Their rooftop kitchen not only has stunning views over Sandton, but you’ll also learn healthy cooking techniques and fancy-but-easy recipes from a team of chefs. It’s great for a date night or just a fun way to brush up on your cooking skills. They cover all kinds of cuisines, from Greek and Italian to Mexican and Thai, plus there are baking sessions for both sweet and savoury treats. They’ve got family feast courses for the whole family to enjoy, and dedicated kids’ classes for ages 8 and up. Prices range from R500 to R700 per person, and that includes all your ingredients and drinks.
Amazing experience! Great collaboration and organisation. My clients just love it, every time!
Ciccio All Day Italian
(Sandton, Johannesburg)
Ciccio, pronounced “chi-cho”, is an all-day Italian trattoria run by some passionate people! Start with a selection of cicchetti (classic Venetian bar snacks) and a couple of antipasti – the burrata with tomatoes blistered in the pizza oven is a winner every time! Among the pasta dishes on the menu, you’ll find all the Italian classics from across the “bel paese”. From cacio e pepe (a personal favourite of mine) and truffle tagliatelle to oxtail ragú with pappardelle and butternut ravioli, choosing will be a challenge. Ciccio is also a go-to spot for wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas, with a variety of tomato-based and bianco options with plenty of tasty toppings.
Excellent food, excellent service, good vibe and overall wonderful experience! Will most certainly go again!
Filotimo Greek Taverna
(Bryanston, Johannesburg)
This newly-opened Greek tavern in Bryanston is one to add to your radar. Find a spot in the outdoor courtyard to enjoy the winter sun or an evening under the fairy lights while sipping wine and enjoying all your favourite Greek dishes. Within moments, you’ll feel like you’ve landed on an impromptu Greek island holiday. Order a selection to share and tuck into the likes of hummus, dolmades, spanakopitas and fluffy, warm pita bread smeared with tarama, followed by succulent lamb chops, chicken skewers, Greek slaw, halloumi and potatoes. If generous Mediterranean food is your kind of food, you’ll be glad you discovered Filotimo!
Always good! The Kleftiko was exceptional and the sharing platters always make the evening
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