“WHEN leaving a city,” according to the Eat Out critics, “this restaurant is more than worth the journey… more than just exceptional dining.” It's “the unique location, immersive experience, and the distinctive charm that sets the restaurant apart.” That's The Table of Leigh Williamson and Brendan Thorncroft at De Meye wine farm in the Muldersvlei corner of Stellenbosch, winner of the Best Destination Restaurant accolade at the 2026 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards in Cape Town. A set, three-course, sharing-style lunch served in a garden, shaded by oak trees and bordered by a vineyard – in winter the setting moves indoors with rooms featuring wood-burning fireplaces. Upwards of R600pp.
Another Cape wineland recipient of a special accolade was Elton Damon of La Petite Colombe at Leeu Estates in Franschhoek, winner of the Eat Out Wine Service Award. “An unwavering commitment to the craft and displays exceptional wine knowledge… able to expertly explain why wines suit dishes and how they elevate the food.”
The highlight of the awards was the naming of the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant of the Year: FYN, situated on Parliament Street in Cape Town. “A seamless fusion of Japanese techniques with a South African identity.” Says Abigail Donnelly, Eat Out's culinary director: “A world-class dining experience defined by precision, creativity and balance.”
Other standout moments included the announcements of the Chef of the Year award, which went to Johannes Richter of The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Chefs' Chef award, which went to Ryan Cole of Salsify at the Roundhouse in Camps Bay, Cape Town.
Eat Out's star-rating system covers “every aspect of the dining experience, from food quality and technique to service, ambience and value. Over eight months, seven anonymous judges visited restaurants across the country, ensuring a rigorous and fair evaluation process…”
Eat Out Three-Star Restaurants
“representing the pinnacle of excellence”
ON CAPE WINE FARMS, AMONG THE VINES:
• La Colombe at Silvermist in Constantia, Cape Town
• La Petite Colombe at Leeu Estates in Franschhoek
ELSEWHERE IN SOUTH AFRICA:
• FYN on Parliament St in Cape Town
• MERTIA on Bird St in Stellenbosch
• Pier at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town
• SALON at Old Biscuit Mill, Albert Rd, Woodstock, CTN
• Salsify at the Roundhouse in Camps Bay, Cape Town
• The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal
Eat Out Two-Star Restaurants
“showcasing exceptional quality”
ON CAPE WINE FARMS, AMONG THE VINES:
• beyond at Buitenverwachting in Constantia, Cape Town
• Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia, Cape Town
• FABER at Avondale in Klein Drakenstein-Paarl
• Hōseki at Delaire Graff in Banghoek-Stellenbosch
• Rust en Vrede in Helderberg-Stellenbosch
• Jordan with Marthinus Ferreira in Stellenbosch Kloof
• The Table at De Meye in Muldersvlei-Stellenbosch
• VUUR at Remhoogte in Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
ELSEWHERE IN SOUTH AFRICA:
• Belly of the Beast on Harrington St in Cape Town
• COY at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town
• Dusk on Plein St in Stellenbosch
• Epice at Le Quartier Français, Huguenot St, Franschhoek
• Fermier on Lynnwood Rd in The Willows, Pretoria
• Good to Gather at Rozendal, Omega St, Stellenbosch
• Meraki by Charlie Lakin, Builders Way, Hillcrest, KZN
• Ouzeri on Wale St in Cape Town
• Post & Pepper, Oude Poskantoor, Bird St, Stellenbosch
• Protégé at Le Quartier Français, Huguenot St, F'hoek
• The Pot Luck Club, Old Biscuit Mill, Albert Rd, CTN
• The Waterside at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town
• Wolfgat on Sampson St in Paternoster
Eat Out One-Star Restaurants
“a mark of distinction that sets them apart”
ON CAPE WINE FARMS, AMONG THE VINES:
• BLOEM at Paul Clüver in Elgin
• Cavalli in Helderberg-Stellenbosch
• Chefs Warehouse at Maison in Franschhoek
• CHORUS at Waterkloof, Sir Lowry's Pass-Somerset West
• Creation Tasting Room in Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
• Ember & Oak at Constantia Uitsig
• Kapokbos at Weltevrede in Bonnievale
• Melfort at Marianne in Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
• Orangerie at Le Lude in Franschhoek
• The Bistro at Brookdale in Klein Drakenstein-Paarl
ELSEWHERE IN SOUTH AFRICA:
• Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic, Hout Bay
• Curate at Ellerman House, Kloof Rd, Bantry Bay, CTN
• Cyra at The Houghton Hotel on Lloys Ellis Rd, JHB
• Eike on Dorp St in Stellenbosch
• Ëlgr on Kloof St in Gardens, Cape Town
• Embarc on Cnr 13th St & 4th Ave in Parkhurst, JHB
• Galjoen on Harrington St, Cape Town
• Le coin Français on Huguenot Rd in Franschhoek
• Leeto on Mosselbank St in Paternoster
• Les Créatifs on Hobart Rd in Bryanston, Johannesburg
• Marble on Cnr Keyes & Jellicoe Ave in Rosebank, JHB
• Merchant Bar & Grill on Bree St in Cape Town
• Nevermind at Seal Point Lighthouse in Cape St Francis
• Ongetem on Park Rd in Gardens, Cape Town
• Qunu at the Saxon Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg
• Reverie Social Table, Lower Main Rd, Observatory, CTN
• Saint at The Marc, Cnr Rivonia & Maude St, Sandton, JHB
• Seebamboes on Harrington St in Cape Town
• Spek & Bone on Dorp St in Stellenbosch
• Table Seven on Cnr Briar & Yew St in Salt River, CTN
• Terrarium at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town
• The Chefs' Table, Chartwell Dr, uMhlanga Rocks, Durban
• The Pot Luck Club, Peech Hotel, North St, Melrose, JHB
• The Red Room by Chefs Warehouse, Mount Nelson, CTN
• The Test Kitchen Fledgelings, Old Biscuit Mill, Cape Town
• Tyler's on Jabu Ngcobo Dr, Sibiya-eMdloti, KZN
• Upper Union in Gardens, Cape Town