Reviewers’ Choice Awards 2024

Image: Reverie Social Table (Supplied)

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Reviewers’ Choice Awards 2024: Celebrating South Africa’s top restaurants

by | 16 October 2024

We’re excited to reveal the results of our third annual Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice Awards, celebrating the top 100 restaurants in South Africa – all based on your reviews! With over 320,000 reviews for more than 1,360 local eateries, these awards showcase the very best dining spots across the country. From October 2023 to September 2024, we processed over 5.5 million reservations, seating more than 25 million guests at restaurants nationwide.

Without further ado, here are South Africa’s most-loved restaurants of 2024!

Reviewers’ Choice Top 100

Top 1 – 20
  1. Good to Gather – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  2. Reverie Social Table – Cape Town, Western Cape
  3. Eatery at Winshaw Vineyards – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  4. The Table at De Meye – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  5. Schneider’s Cape Floral Kitchen – Stanford, Western Cape
  6. Stettyn Family Vineyards Tasting Room – Villiersdorp, Western Cape
  7. Bistro at Brookdale – Paarl, Western Cape
  8. The Kraal at Joostenberg Wine Estate – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  9. De Vette Mossel Hermanus – Hermanus, Western Cape
  10. The LivingRoom at Summerhill – Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal
  11. Bodega Ramen – Cape Town, Western Cape
  12. Uva Mira Mountain Vineyards – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  13. Newstead Lund Family Vineyards – Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
  14. Hari Kitchen – Franschhoek, Western Cape
  15. AA Badenhorst Family Wines – Malmesbury, Western Cape
  16. Manor House – Stanford, Western Cape
  17. Faber at Avondale – Paarl, Western Cape
  18. Stellenzicht Wines – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  19. Rykaart’s at Longridge Wine Estate – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  20. The Hussar Grill Worcester – Worcester, Western Cape
Top 21 - 50
  1. Arkeste – Franschhoek, Western Cape
  2. Noop Restaurant – Paarl, Western Cape
  3. Insights at Sanctuary Mandela – Johannesburg, Gauteng
  4. Orangerie at Le Lude – Franschhoek, Western Cape
  5. Lapa Pub – Johannesburg, Gauteng
  6. Salsify at the Roundhouse – Cape Town, Western Cape
  7. Fu-Bar – Johannesburg, Gauteng
  8. Vadivelu – Cape Town, Western Cape
  9. Epice – Franschhoek, Western Cape
  10. The Fat Butcher – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  11. Jewell’s at Spice Route – Paarl, Western Cape
  12. Belly of the Beast – Cape Town, Western Cape
  13. The Hart – Cape Town, Western Cape
  14. Stefan’s – Somerset West, Western Cape
  15. FYN Restaurant – Cape Town, Western Cape
  16. La Petite Colombe – Franschhoek, Western Cape
  17. Hemelhuijs – Cape Town, Western Cape
  18. The Waterside – Cape Town, Western Cape
  19. Pier – Cape Town, Western Cape
  20. Cattle Baron Grill & Bistro Paarl – Paarl, Western Cape
  21. Butcher Boys Florida Road – Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
  22. La Colombe – Cape Town, Western Cape
  23. De Eetkamer – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  24. De Vier Restaurant – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  25. The Restaurant at Newton Johnson – Hermanus, Western Cape
  26. Bao Down – Cape Town, Western Cape
  27. Post & Pepper – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  28. Salushi – Cape Town, Western Cape
  29. Homespun by Matt – Cape Town, Western Cape
  30. Eleven – Franschhoek, Western Cape
Top 51 - 100
  1. Gold Restaurant – Cape Town, Western Cape
  2. GlenWood Vineyards – Franschhoek, Western Cape
  3. Addis in Cape Ethiopian Restaurant – Cape Town, Western Cape
  4. Prosopa Restaurant – Pretoria, Gauteng
  5. Bloemhof Bar & Grill – Cape Town, Western Cape
  6. De Grendel Restaurant – Cape Town, Western Cape
  7. Bouchon Bistro – Cape Town, Western Cape
  8. The Hussar Grill Oceans – Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal
  9. 16th by Koi – Pretoria, Gauteng
  10. Harbour House V&A Waterfront – Cape Town, Western Cape
  11. TTK Fledgelings – Cape Town, Western Cape
  12. Salon – Cape Town, Western Cape
  13. La Vie Lente – Pretoria, Gauteng
  14. The Farm Eatery at Diemersdal – Durbanville, Cape Town
  15. The Eatery Wood Fired Grill – Cape Town, Western Cape
  16. The Station Parkhurst – Johannesburg, Gauteng
  17. Saskia Fine Dining Restaurant – Polokwane, Limpopo
  18. Cozinha – Centurion, Gauteng
  19. Idiom Tasting Centre & Restaurant – Somerset West, Western Cape
  20. Kunjani Wines – Stellenbosch, Western Cape
  21. Daphne’s – Tulbagh, Western Cape
  22. Bramon Wines Restaurant – Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
  23. PepperTree Restaurant – Pretoria, Gauteng
  24. Afternoon Tea at Mount Nelson – Cape Town, Western Cape
  25. The Hussar Grill Kimberley – Kimberley, Northern Cape
  26. Upper Union Restaurant – Cape Town, Western Cape
  27. Obi Restaurant – Cape Town, Western Cape
  28. Aegir Project Taproom – Cape Town, Western Cape
  29. Platinum Belt Restaurant & Lounge – Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal
  30. Spoon Eatery & Pizzeria – Outer West Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
  31. Nguni Restaurant – Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
  32. Ōku – Franschhoek, Western Cape
  33. Jakkalsvlei – Herbertsdale, Garden Route
  34. Henri’s Restaurant & Wine Bar – Cape Town, Western Cape
  35. Homespun at the Andros – Cape Town, Western Cape
  36. Grande Provence Restaurant – Franschhoek, Western Cape
  37. The Foodbarn Café & Tapas – Noordhoek, Cape Town
  38. Brazas Portuguese Fusion – East London, Eastern Cape
  39. Haute Cabrière – Franschhoek, Western Cape
  40. Nederburg – Paarl, Western Cape
  41. Spookfontein Restaurant – Hermanus, Western Cape
  42. The Hussar Grill Silverstar Casino – Johannesburg, Gauteng
  43. Havana Nights – Cape Town, Western Cape
  44. Portobello Italian Kitchen – George, Western Cape
  45. Goddess Café Waterkloof – Pretoria, Gauteng
  46. Galjoen – Cape Town, Western Cape
  47. Priva – Pretoria, Gauteng
  48. The Granary Café at The Silo Hotel – Cape Town, Western Cape
  49. La Motte Artisanal Bakery & Garden – Franschhoek, Western Cape
  50. Luka Vineyards – Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route

Book At The Top 100

Taking this year’s top spot is locally renowned Good to Gather in Stellenbosch, closely followed by Reverie Social Table in Cape Town. Rounding out the rest of the top 5 are Eatery at Winshaw Vineyards and The Table at De Meye, both in Stellenbosch, and Schneider’s Cape Floral Kitchen in Stanford.

A heartfelt congratulations to all the restaurants that made the list! Here’s what our top 3 had to say:

“We feel incredibly honoured to receive the 2024 Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice Award. For us, it’s not just about serving food, it’s about the heart and soul we pour into every aspect of our restaurant. We are so grateful to every diner who has visited us this past year. For every meal and story shared. And that we have the great privilege of doing what we do, creating a space that connects food, nature, and people. We would like to thank all our suppliers and small farmers whose passion and produce continue to inspire us. And the biggest thanks also goes to our team, Good to Gather would not be what it is without them.” – Jess and Luke Grant, Good to Gather

“Myself and my team are absolutely thrilled to be recognised in the Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice Awards for 2024 and bursting with pride to be held in such great company. The fact that this award is based on guest experience makes it so much more relevant. We’d like to thank each and every guest who has joined our Social Table this year (and all 9 years). Reverie is all about the people and human connection. Thank you again to Dineplan for making our booking process so smooth and professional. Let’s bring out the bubbles!” – Julia Hattingh, Reverie Social Table

“Being named one of the top 5 restaurants in the Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice Awards is an incredible honour that reflects our team’s hard work and passion for delivering an outstanding experience to every guest. A heartfelt thank you to all our valued guests for your reviews and continuous support, and to Dineplan for this prestigious recognition. We look forward to creating many more memorable moments with you all.” – Winshaw Family Vineyards

Newcomer awards


While top 100 winners have to be using Dineplan for the full evaluation period, there are some impressive newcomers already making waves in the short space of time that they’ve been with Dineplan. Here are the 15 best new additions to Dineplan in 2024.

Gauteng
  1. Filotimo Greek Taverna – Johannesburg
  2. Sebule at African Pride Hotel – Johannesburg
  3. George’s Grill House Menlyn – Pretoria
  4. Blu Bam Boo – Johannesburg
  5. Stephnie’s – Pretoria
KwaZulu Natal
  1. Millflour Café & Baking Co – Hillcrest
  2. Yori Oki Sushi & Grill – Ballito
  3. Butcher and Wine – Ballito
  4. Butcher Boys – Ballito
  5. La Parada Suncoast Casino – Durban
Western Cape
  1. MERTIA – Stellenbosch
  2. Kafe Serefé – George
  3. Cattle Baron – Stellenbosch
  4. Copper Kettle Restaurant – Somerset West
  5. Minari Korean Kitchen – Stellenbosch

About the Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice Awards


​The Dineplan Reviewers’ Choice Awards are a way to recognise the restaurants that are consistently providing the best possible dining experiences to their guests. The awards are based on real guest reviews, so they are a reliable source of information for diners who are looking for the best restaurants in South Africa. To be eligible for a top 100 award, a restaurant must have been on Dineplan for the past year, but new restaurants can compete for a newcomer award.

How to support your favourite restaurant


If you want to see your favourite restaurant on next year’s list, take a minute to rate and review your restaurant experience on the Dineplan app after every meal. This will help other diners find the best restaurants in their area and provide feedback to restaurants about their offering.

How winners are selected

 
  • Venues must have been using Dineplan for the full 12 months (1 Oct 2023 to 30 Sep 2024) and still be actively using it when the awards take place.
  • Venues must have an active reservation account with a publically accessible booking calendar and an active listing on the Dineplan app and website.
  • Venues must have received at least 60 public reviews during the review period, with reviews enabled for all standard categories: ambience, food, service, and value.
  • Restaurants that joined Dineplan during this time were eligible for a newcomer award, which saw five winners emerging Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
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