For many, an unforgettable holiday can be measured in good meals shared with good friends. After all, theres nothing quite like feasting upon exotic game as the sun slowly sinks over the horizon, or enjoying dinner in an establishment where the waiters arent just serving food, theyre serving time.
However you choose to whet your palate, South Africa has something to offer every inquisitive taste bud. We have been busy scouring the country to find the best, most interesting restaurants in South Africa, and have been astounded by the culinary gems uncovered. But these secrets are best shared, so read on and get planning your next South African holiday.
Most wanted cuisine
If youre seeking a truly unique dining experience then youve found it at Drakenstein A La Carte. Its not just the food here which makes the restaurant stand out, but its staff. The waiters and chefs are all convicted criminals, currently serving time in Drakenstein prison.
Drakenstein A La Carte is an inventive way of providing inmates with a strong work ethic and the opportunity to show diners how criminals can be rehabilitated. All of the inmates have received qualifications for working in the kitchen, and possess a natural flare for fixing up some mightily delicious meals.
Order from a menu stocked with delights such as burgers, chicken schnitzel and rump steak, chased down with a beer or local wine from the Cape. A meal at Drakenstein A La Carte is sure to have you all talking for years to come.
Another shrimp on the barbie
South Africa is renowned for its barbecued meats, from beef to boerwurs (meaning farmers sausage). However, at Die Strandloper Seafood Restaurant, its the catch of the day which is fired up to perfection.
There is no menu at this shack-cum-restaurant. What you order is dictated purely by what the fishermen have caught that day. But you can usually expect delicious dishes of mussels and lobster, all grilled over driftwood fires of course.
With an extremely casual dining space, Die Strandloper is the perfect venue for a relaxed dinner with friends and family, where you can gather around and reminisce as the earthy aromas of smoke and sea salt fill your lungs.
Feasts of beasts
If youre travelling with a pack of bloodthirsty meat-eaters then you will surely relish a meal at the aptly named Carnivore.
The flagship restaurant in Johannesburg serves an array of rare and unusual meats, from crocodile to impala. Its menu changes seasonally, ensuring that only the freshest game is served, with salads and baked potatoes to accompany the delicious meats.
Carnivores dining experience is a truly unique and social one, as serving staff will continue to bring plates stacked with meat to your table until you surrender by lowering the flag on your table! Not only does this mean you wont have to worry about going hungry, but you can dedicate your time to discussing how zebra tastes compared to giraffe with your companions, without having to waste time poring over a menu.