Everyone knows that South Africa is a hugely diversified nation that thrives on its all so apparent multiplicity. But if there one facet of life in South Africa that truly and spectacularly brings the region’s awe-inspiring diversity to the very fore, it is the food here. It surely would not be an exaggeration to state that several leisure travellers who grab flights to South Africa visit this charming nation primarily to explore its lip-smacking eating options. Travellers are known to save money on cheap flights offered by the airlines, so they can enjoy a meal or two at the country’s more upscale restaurants!
South Africa’s cuisine is raging with competing flavours. The menus at restaurants all over the country reveal some subtle and some very evident traces of Portuguese, Dutch, French, Moroccan and Indian influences. Take a look at the top eating joints in two of the country’s major cities.
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is one of the major commercial centres in the entire African continent and is also home to some of the finest restaurants in South Africa. Jo’burg is a cosmopolitan city where one can find cuisines ranging from the traditional Greek to Chinese and from Italian to Indian. Steak houses are abound in this city and so are fine dining and casual eateries.
Melrose Arch Moyo (Moyo)
Melrose Arch Moyo is perhaps the best-known restaurant in Johannesburg. Its sophistication has been the biggest attraction that charms food lovers towards this Jo’burg restaurant. The eating joint features a menu that is mostly African with influences from all across the continent. Moyo’s ambience is simply brilliant and resonates of traditional African characteristics. The restaurant also hosts a variety of live shows to entertain and amuse patrons.
Chefs in Motion
This 200-seat restaurant is another popular option in Johannesburg for treating your taste buds with assorted flavours. Chefs in Motion derives its name from the notion that the chefs go about their business right in middle of the restaurant and diners can see what they’re up to. Seafood here is refreshingly scrumptious and is a must try for tourists who crave for a fulfilling fare. There is also a pretty affordable buffet option at the restaurants which surely gels with the restrictive budgets of travellers who go for cheap flights to South Africa.
Auberge Michel
Auberge Michel is the favourite option among the rich and famous. It is the first restaurant in South Africa to be awarded the Tourism Grading Council’s five-star rating. The restaurant’s regular patrons include millionaires, foreigners, politicians and all those who can afford its steep prices. Auberge Michel’s menu boasts of lavish French and Italian cuisine.
Cape Town
With wonderful fusion cuisine, brilliant African flavours and delightful fine dining options, Cape Town is undoubtedly the remarkable food capital of South Africa. The ‘Mother City’ is the ultimate culinary destination for every tourist who books flights to South Africa.
Azure Restaurant
Azure is an award-winning Cape Town restaurant that mesmerises patrons with its lush interiors, bursting with sophistication and comfort. Arresting views of sunsets across the Atlantic Ocean and extremely soothing background music add infinite radiance to this enchanting restaurant that is known most for its five-star service and epicurean delights. Azure Restaurant, located at the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, is the way to a gastronomic heaven, provided you have those privileged pockets – surely not the perfect option for those who look for cheap airfares on flights to South Africa!
Buitenverwachting Restaurant
Buitenverwachting Restaurant has held the position as one of Cape Town’s most excellent eating joints for years now. Nestled in the Constantia Valley, Buitenverwachting serves dishes that simply can be addressed as gastronomic delights! The dishes offered are essentially global in nature with a dash of local influences and cotemporary flavours. Add to it a world class service and a milieu that is magnificently serene, and you have an eating joint that remains one of the finest in the entire country.
Le Quartier Francais
Fine dining at its very best! Le Quartier Francais offers an experience that is sure to be etched on the walls of memories of even the most discerning diners. Seductive cuisine, captivating country charm of the Franschhoek Valley and a very hospitable staff makes Le Quartier Francais one of the best fine dining options in South Africa. The restaurant has been named one of the world’s 50 best restaurants by the UK’s Restaurants Magazine.
Aubergine
A multiple award-winning restaurant that screams of sophistication and elegance! Aubergine is most known for serving classic delicacies with conspicuous African flavours in an atmosphere of timeless grace. Patrons here can enjoy creative creations that stimulate the senses. Aubergine was voted one of the San Pellegrino Top 100 Restaurants in the world in the year 2009.
