I love when other authors and foodies approach me. After all, food is a very subjective experience and the world of food is big enough that I certainly won’t be able to cover all of it. In this instance, John Bramer came to me with a take on South Africa. As he included one of my favorite restaurants in the world (Test Kitchen), I was happy to publish! Take it away, John…
South Africa is a country with so much to offer anyone who loves travel and food. What I most enjoy about South Africa is the diversity found in its cuisine and cultural infusions. This is perhaps the most diverse and culturally explorative nation in Africa, especially when it comes to food. As a big-time foodie, I feel it is important to sample all the things that a nation has to offer. With this in mind, I am going to share with you three of my favourite ideas for a celebratory meal out in beautiful South Africa
1. Head to the Test Kitchen (Cape Town)
What can I say about Test Kitchen? This is one of the most revered and exclusive eateries in the whole of South Africa and for good reason. I had a total nightmare trying to get a booking for this place – luckily my hotel had placed a reservation here for me and hubby, so we still got to go. This restaurant has been open since 2010 and has ranked top of the pile of best restaurants in SA for the past few years. So what is the place like? Well, I think it is definitely worth the hype.
There is countless delicious food here, and the wine is unbelievable as well. I love the fact that this is a place that is doing its own thing, while also being suitable for an array of different occasions. Don’t concern yourself with having to be formal, there’s a pretty laid-back sort of approach. In terms of what to go for, I highly recommend the smoked lamb with barley and toasted ginger wafer, and XO dressing. I would definitely come back here again, and I can’t recommend it enough for any occasion.
2. Check Out DW Eleven-13 (Johannesburg)
Another of the epic restaurants in SA is DW Eleven-13 in Joburg. Though the name might be a bit of a mouthful, this is definitely an experience worth having. The great thing about this place is that the head chef, Marthinus Ferreira, has appeared on the list of the best chefs in South Africa. Ferreira’s great talent lies in his experimentation, and he is certainly not afraid to get creative with his culinary treats. This is a restaurant I always hear a lot about, and I’ll definitely be looking to visit next time I’m in Joburg.
The restaurant has recently celebrated its 7th anniversary, and they have quite the selection of dishes to choose from. In fact, the restaurant has some of the best and most iconic dishes in South Africa, including the black wildebeest with black truffles. The DW also offered a 7-course menu to celebrate their 7th anniversary, which is a cool gimmick that makes me like them even more. This is most definitely a place that has a cool vibe about it, and the food definitely seems like it’s worth exploring further.
3. Unwind at Chefs Warehouse (Cape Town)
This is a pretty new establishment by all accounts and was opened as recently as 2016. Having said that, I have heard great things about the place, and it is ideally located as well. If you’re in South Africa, there’s a chance you’ll want to go wine tasting in the Winelands just outside Cape Town or go on a self-drive safari to see all of the highlights. So, when you return, you’re going to want somewhere with delicious food, and what better place than a restaurant helmed by 2 guys with a background in tapas?
Chefs Warehouse is definitely a place for the modern diner, and it seems like it would be as perfect for honeymooners as it would be for a group of friends. With beautifully crafted small plates, you can choose a selection of what suits you best.
There are a lot of occasions worth celebrating, and the best restaurants are those fit for any occasion. I feel like the three I’ve listed definitely tick those boxes, and that they allow you to sample some of the best cuisines in all of South Africa, and celebrate in style. If there are any I have overlooked make sure you let me know in the comments.
