Food fanatic or not, there’s something exciting about trying somewhere new for dinner. A different aesthetic and a menu you haven’t tasted before, and Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity.
Restaurant Week is back, bringing together over 200 restaurants across the country with special menus and dining experiences created for the week. Running from 25 September to 1 November 2026, Restaurant Week gives diners plenty of time to swap their usual dining spot for somewhere new.
And there’s no shortage of options. The participating restaurants span everything from relaxed neighbourhood spots to some of the country’s more celebrated dining destinations, with menus covering everything from South African favourites to Japanese, Italian, Mediterranean and other international cuisines.
So, where should you eat?
That depends on what kind of night you’re after. You can book tables and view upcoming special menus on the Official Restaurant Week South Africa Website
For a more formal meal, several participating restaurants are offering multi-course tasting menus. Others have created lunch and dinner menus at more accessible price points, making it easier to try somewhere new without committing to a full tasting experience.
We all have that list of restaurants we keep saying we’ll try. The one saved on Instagram. The one a friend has recommended approximately 17 times. The one you walk past and think, we really need to go there. Restaurant Week is a pretty good reason to finally make the reservation.
Cape Town
Cape Town has one of the biggest Restaurant Week line-ups, with 90 participating restaurants ranging from casual dining to some of the city’s most talked-about fine-dining spots.
For a special occasion, FYN is offering a five-course signature experience for R1,375, while Beyond has a six-course tasting experience for R850. COY is offering a five-course lunch for R595, while The Red Room has a four-course Pan-Asian experience for R750.
If you’re after something slightly more relaxed, Marble Cape Town has a three-course lunch for R495, Maru is serving a Korean BBQ sharing experience for R445 and Shoreditch has a three-course Fire & Flame experience for R495.
There are also plenty of options for seafood lovers, including Galjoen, with its sustainable seafood experiences, and Harbour House Kalk Bay, which is offering a three-course Water’s Edge experience for R365.
Johannesburg
Johannesburg has the largest Restaurant Week line-up, with 94 participating restaurants across the city.
For a longer dining experience, The Pot Luck Club at The Peech is offering its seven-course signature experience for R925, while NOOK has a five-course South African tasting menu for R495.
If Italian is more your thing, SINN has a three-course modern Italian experience for R395, while Saint is offering a three-course signature experience for R495. For something with a little more spice, MAMASAMBA has a three-course Latin Fire experience for R545.
There are also plenty of options for a more casual dinner. Solo Sandton has a three-course dinner for R345, Obscura is offering a three-course sharing experience with a cocktail for R425 and The Thai Table 789 has a two-course Thai experience for R365.
Stellenbosch
If your idea of a good dinner includes a trip out to the Winelands, Stellenbosch has 31 participating restaurants to explore.
DUSK is offering a five-course signature journey for R1,195, while Cavalli Restaurant has a three-course dining experience for R700. For something a little more relaxed, Post & Pepper is offering a four-course sharing lunch for R345, while Guardian Peak has a three-course sharing experience for R300.
Those looking for a more indulgent tasting experience can also look to MERTIA, which is offering a 10-course tasting experience for R2,050, or Melfort, with its farm-to-table spring experience for R695.
Pretoria
Pretoria may have a smaller line-up than Cape Town and Johannesburg, but there are still 28 participating restaurants to choose from.
One to have on your radar is Amazon Menlyn, which is offering a three-course experience with a cocktail for R495. The city’s Restaurant Week selection also includes options across different cuisines and price points, making it worth browsing if you’re looking for somewhere new for lunch or dinner.
Durban
Durban has 13 participating restaurants this Restaurant Week, including options for both casual and more elevated dining.
The Chefs’ Table is offering a three-course dinner for R495, with a menu that includes options such as coal-roasted prawns, ox tongue and mushroom tortelli, followed by mains including coal-roasted petit poussin and East Coast market fish. There is also a two-course option available for R395.
For anyone planning a dinner in Umhlanga, The Chefs’ Table is one of the restaurants to browse, with its open kitchen and contemporary menu built around seasonal KwaZulu-Natal ingredients.
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