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South Africa’s thriving restaurant scene was celebrated the 2019 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards at GrandWest in Cape Town yesterday.
Set high above the Constantia wine valley, chef James Gaag’s La Colombe claimed the top spot on the list of South Africa’s best restaurants up from third place last year. The restaurant is known for its beautiful creations inspired by local ingredients and creatively presented.
The Test Kitchen in Woodstock, Cape Town held its second place from last year after a six year reign at the top. A rejig of the top three places was completed by The Restaurant at Waterkloof, Somerset West’s third place.
The winner of the World Restaurant Awards 2018 Wolfgat of Paternoster placed in fourth position as a demonstration of the calibre of restaurants in South Africa. The Michelin Guide does not currently visit South Africa despite the fine dining scene in the country receiving global recognition.
The Eat Out S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna Chef of the Year award went to Bertus Basson of Overture and new restaurant Eike, which entered the list at no. 7.
The full list of Eat Out Restaurant Awards winners
Eat Out S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna Chef of the Year: Bertus Basson, Eike and Overture
The Top 10 restaurants
1. La Colombe (Constantia, Cape Town)
2. The Test Kitchen (Woodstock, Cape Town)
3. The Restaurant at Waterkloof (Somerset West)
4. Wolfgat (Paternoster)
5. FYN Restaurant (City Bowl, Cape Town)
6. La Petite Colombe (Franschhoek)
7. Eike (Stellenbosch)
8. Salsify (Camps Bay, Cape Town)
9. Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient (Elandsfontein, Pretoria)
10. Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia (Constantia, Cape Town)
Numbers 11 to 20 were also honoured
11. Camphors at Vergelegen (Somerset West)
12. Overture (Stellenbosch)
13. LivingRoom at Summerhill Estate (Cowies Hill, Durban)
14. Chefs Warehouse at Maison (Franschhoek)
15. Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenort (Constantia, Cape Town)
16. Le Coin Français (Franschhoek)
17. La Tête (City Bowl, Cape Town)
18. The Shortmarket Club (City Bowl, Cape Town)
19. Tjing Tjing Momiji (City Bowl, Cape Town)
20. Rust en Vrede (Stellenbosch)
All other winners
Eat Out Retail Capital New Restaurant of the Year: Jewell’s Restaurant, Paarl
Eat Out Nederburg Rising Star: Katlego Mlambo, The Marabi Club
Eat Out Graham Beck Chefs’ Chef: Ivor Jones, Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia
Eat Out Woolworths Sustainability Award: Camphors at Vergelegen
Eat Out Nespresso Innovation Award: The Test Kitchen
Eat Out Service Excellence: The Test Kitchen
Eat Out Wine Service Award: Joseph Dhafana, La Colombe
Eat Out John Psillos Award for Outstanding Contribution to Service: Jennifer Hugé
Eat Out Bridget McCarney Game Changer Award: SA POC at the Table
Eat Out Irna van Zyl Food Media Icon: Dorah Sitole
Eat Out Lannice Snyman Lifetime Achievement Award: Annette Kesler
Eat Out Style Award: FYN Restaurant
