There’s something unexpectedly alluring about South African winters; the crisp Cape Town mornings where Sea Point palms sway in a salt-laced chill; the amber-toned sunsets over Durban’s marina that invite a slower pace, or the cool Joburg evenings that beckon deep reds and long dinners.
This is the season for slipping into low-lit dining rooms, for dishes that arrive steaming and spiced, for conversations that stretch late into the night. Whether you’re chasing the flicker of a fireplace or the comfort of slow-cooked flavours, let Dineplan be your shortcut to all things cosy, from last-minute bookings to planning your perfect winter’s evening at one of our favourite hotspots.
For: Karoo-meets-Scandi comfort
ëlgr, Cape Town
Eat Out Star Award winner ëlgr does winter very well. A double-sided fireplace keeps the Scandi-meets-Karoo interiors deliciously toasty, while the courtyard remains open for year-round al fresco lovers, blankets and gas heaters included. One dish in particular keeps us coming back – the Zuney Wagyu with oyster mushroom, horseradish, beurre noisette and thyme, paired with a glass of Nilberg Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, handcrafted by Chef Jesper’s own family.
3-course winter dinner menu
Price: R495 per person
Time: From 18h00 | Wednesday – Saturday
For: fine dining in a casual setting
Foxcroft, Constantia
Tucked away in quiet, leafy Constantia, Foxcroft is the brainchild of award-winning La Colombe Executive Chef, Scot Kirton, and his long-standing Pastry Chef, Glen Foxcroft Williams. Bringing their fine-dining experience into a more casual setting, the team lean into seasonal produce – expect beautifully balanced flavours, artful plating and a wine list that reads like an ode to the Cape.
3-course winter lunch and dinner fine dining menus
Price: Lunch: R595 per person | Dinner: R895 per person
Date: 19 May – 20 July
For: Japanese comfort food
Obi, Cape Town
The Japanese understand the art of delicately complex, nourishing dishes that pair with a slower pace of life, and ramen is the ideal antidote to chilly nights, with a side of freshly rolled sushi and tempura crisped to perfection. Obi, Chef Hatsushiro Muraoka and Chef Ben Bettendorf’s small but mighty Japanese gem delivers just that – expertly made, generously portioned, and always comforting.
R100 lunchtime bento box, including miso soup, roses, nigiri, California rolls and veg tempura
Price: R100 per person
Time: 12h00 – 14h00
For: elevated winter dishes
9th Avenue Waterside, Durban
Durban’s 9th Avenue Waterside turns winter dining into an occasion. Overlooking the yacht club, it offers a backdrop that’s equal parts serene and cinematic. The real star, though, is the food, which celebrates fresh and beautifully presented seasonal ingredients. Their braised short rib pasta is the stuff of midwinter dreams – slow-cooked, richly layered and unapologetically indulgent. The kind of dish that makes you want to slow down and savour every bite.
For: hearty dishes with Argentinian flair
Zai Restaurant, Durban
There’s a hushed elegance to Zai in winter – the moody lighting, the deep spice notes, elegant brass finishes and the welcoming service. Serving hearty Argentina-meets-Durban-inspired plates, the restaurant is known for its wood-fired grill. Expect oxtail, fragrant curries, slow-cooked lamb shank, pies, silky soups and sticky malva pudding alongside a well-stocked wine cellar.
For: a cosy neighbourhood brasserie
The Black Rabbit, Durban
Cosy, stylish, and just enough edge to feel in-the-know, The Black Rabbit is a winter go-to for Durban’s discerning diners. From wood-fired eats to hearty mains that feel thoughtful but unfussy, it’s the kind of place where locals settle in and tourists wish they’d booked twice.
Price: 2-course R189pp | 3-course R210pp
Time: 12 - 4pm (Mon - Sat)
For: Umami-packed small plates
The Pot Luck Club, Johannesburg
Perched high above the buzzing streets of Rosebank, Luke Dale-Roberts’ new Pot Luck Club brings its signature Cape Town cool and cult following to the City of Gold. As dusk falls, the skyline glitters through vast industrial-style windows, setting the scene for a sensory feast. Here, each small plate is as bold and unpredictable as it is delicious – think smoky, spicy, umami-packed bites and a wine list to match.
Prix fixe 5-course lite and 7-course loaded sharing menus for two
Price: Lite: R495pp (lunch) | Loaded: R795pp (lunch and dinner)
For: an intimate feast
Cyra, Johannesburg
Tucked behind a discreet façade in Melrose Arch, Cyra is Johannesburg’s newest dining jewel. Equal parts opulent and intimate, the restaurant is award-winning Chef Candice Philip’s love letter to Levantine cooking. Warm breads, the smell of spice drifting out of the open kitchen and slow-cooked lamb shoulder pair with low lighting and soft textures – a setting suited to slow winter evenings amongst the city’s most stylish set.
7-course fine dining winter tasting journey by award-winning Chef Candice Philip.
Price: R1250 pp (food only) | R1,995 (food and wine pairing)
For: hands-on dining
Banchan Korean Restaurant, Johannesburg
If there were ever a season made for Korean BBQ, this is it. Banchan is a family-owned restaurant full of heart where you grill your own dishes tableside in a cosy setting while a large glass roof lets you watch the chilly weather go by. Standouts include the Mandoo dumplings, Budae Jjigae (Army Stew), crispy Korean Fried Chicken, Bulgogi, Cheesy Tteokbokki, or the full Korean BBQ experience, and bonus, you can take leftovers home.
While the cold lingers outside, there’s warmth to be found in the cities most thoughtful kitchens. These aren’t just meals – they’re rituals of winter. A table by the fire. A bottle opened. A dish you’ll think about days later. Allow Dineplan to take the fuss out of booking – all you need to do is pick your favourite and wrap up warm.
Bookings can be made on dineplan.com
Courtesy of Dineplan.
