Gourmet meals in a relaxed family atmosphere between guided horseback rides through beautiful wild life reserves can hardly be beaten, even for novices, young or old. A holiday or eating experience that is out of this world.

Horizon Horseback Adventures and Safaris, Triple B Ranch, PO Box 791, Vaalwater, 0530 , South Africa.
Tel: +27 (0) 14 755 4003

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Pizzeria with a difference. Arrive early or late- it is very small and gets packed quickly. Delicious and cheap pizza by the slice in a great area for a few drinks, not far from the Nouveau Casino club and bars such as Le Café Charbon.

2 Bis Rue Neuve Popincourt, 75011 Paris
+33(0)1 43 38 12 00
Google map: bit.ly/lrRbMy

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Encompassed with breathtaking views, Phantom Forest is nestled high above the picturesque coastal town of Knysna, just a few hours scenic drive east of Cape Town along the Garden Route. Upon arrival, we were greeted by friendly staff and a cluster of luxurious yet surprisingly affordable eco-treehouse suites set amongst an enchanting 137-hectare nature reserve.
Eating here is an adventure in itself. Wander through the forest canopy trails along interlinking wooden boardwalks to the forest buma, an al-fresco fire-deck wilderness viewpoint and restaurant, where a delicious choice of breakfast is served, as well as an entertaining 5-course dinner, with a range of award-winning delights including fresh local oysters.
A highly memorable dining experience under the south african night sky - one not to be missed.

www.phantomforest.com
info@phantomforest.com
Phantom Pass. +27 44 386 0046
7km west of Knysna

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Unexpectedly good Middle-Eastern restaurant. A great combination of flavors create really super dishes. Friendly staff and good decor, but the food is really the star here. Not cheap, but definitely worth a visit.

123 3rd Street North
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 746-5533
www.saffronmpls.com/

Google map: tinyurl.com/yb8hs9r

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New super-cool home of the Guthrie Theater. I hear the plays are great, but the building is something special. Architect is Jean Nouvel. An endless bridge points over the Mississippi and the building sits beautifully within this newly renovated mill-working area. Stunning and serene. (And there's a fab seafood restaurant there too.)

818 South 2nd Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415
www.guthrietheater.org/

Google map: tinyurl.com/ybnv6fe

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With a name like Razzmatazz, you might expect a menu of '80's fare; maybe some avocado and a prawn cocktail? Well, the only thing this restaurant underneath the Cabana Beach Hotel inspires from the 80's, is a name Wham would be proud of. The food and the setting, unlike the former, are simply timeless.
The calamari is so tender, one's jaw barely works out and the seating on the deck looks straight beyond Umlhanga's busy seafront onto the serene Indian Ocean.
This may be the restaurant that you encountered in the '80's, smart waiters in ironed waistcoats, caraffs of red wine and blue gingham table cloths; but with its specialism in seafood and game, the menu is far from dated. Indeed the food is far more progressive, try the crocodile kebabs or the langoustines, steamed with lemongrass for a signature taste of South Africa.

10 Lagoon Drive
Cabana Beach Hotel
Umhlanga Rocks
4320
Take the M4 from Durban or the M12 from Pietermaritzburg and travel towards Umhlanga.
Take the Lighthouse Road turnoff and proceed into this road. Turn left into Lagoon Drive
and proceed to the Cabana Beach Hotel.

Google map: tinyurl.com/yaxf7x4

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Royale Eatery & Royale Kitchen

The best burgers and Cape Town. Buzzy, great atmosphere and perfect location where you can rub shoulders with the "who's who" in Cape Town.

273 Long Street, City Bowl, Cape Town

Phone number: 021-4224536

Google map: tinyurl.com/y9lj4a5

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It's a fish and chip shop, with outdoor barbecue tables, insanely happy serving staff willing to guide you through a totally unrecognizable menu of fish names - very funny if you don't mind them laughing at your accent - huge portions, and the best chips on the continent, all eaten out of paper,serve yourself salt and proper vinegar, (but no peas). Entertainment supplied by local kids competing with the seagulls for spare chips. Awesome view of Chapmans peak and an inlet to the Atlantic, the drive from Cape Town to and over and around Chapmans peak is stunning, especially the last 20 minutes before Hout Bay, an amazingly bend filled road which will generate plenty of adrenalin to fuel the hunger required to make respectable damage to the portions. Fish on the Rocks has become a bit of a family tradition, we generally buy two meals for every three adults, and a bag of chips between two kids - after 40 minutes we are all stuffed and surrounded by equally stuffed seagulls.

Yellow building at the end of Harbour Road, Hout Bay, Atlantic Seaboard, Cape Town

Tel +27 (0)21 790 0001

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Attica is superb, unbelievable, different, wonderful and challenging.

In a quiet suburb, south east of the city (better known for its majestic National Trust mansion), Attica is breaking the ground rules for dining in Melbourne and gaining a very good reputation and two or three hats in local dining guides.

Attica presents food that is challenging - their after mains course called 'Terroir' consists of beetroot, limes, berries and flowers and is a prelude to various desserts, one of which blows you away - a tumbler of sauternes custard berries and toffee.

The service is exemplary and professional beyond belief. Attica hands the diner a wine list of great length with a selection of wines, local and international.

The degustation menu (on Friday and Saturday evenings) presents diners with two entrees and seven mains and a dessert dish, presented and explained over three hours of dining.

An astonishing dining experience
not cheap but absolutely worth it

74 Glen Eira Rd
Ripponlea
ph 9530 0111

www.attica.com.au/

Google map: tinyurl.com/yl5bk65

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Hidden in a discreet alley off Hermanus' main street - so discreet that we almost gave up and had pizza - Marimba Rhythms is a welcome opportunity to taste genuine pan-African food in authentic feeling "township chic" surroundings. Traditional food is surprisingly difficult for tourists to find.

The menu varies with the seasons - indeed there is no printed menu, it is brought to you on a big blackboard. We were able to share a "Taste of Africa" platter - Angolan feijoada, Moroccan lamb, peanut stew, Cape Malay bobotie and samosas, spicy sausage and chicken wings, rice, and South Africa's traditional staple, mealie meal.

All this at significantly lower prices than tourists in the Cape will be accustomed to. The cafe also sells locally made art and crafts. Our meal here was a highlight of our two-week stay around Cape Town.

Marimba Rhythm
9 Royal Lane,
Hermanus Central

The alley is hard to spot - it's opposite Vodashop on the high street.

www.marimbarhythm.co.za/
Phone: 028 312 2115

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A busy restaurant (book in advance) underneath the Bazar hotel offering a reasonably priced North African, Turkish and Iranian menu.

Plenty of bars, cafes on Witte de Withstraat to let your grilled chicken kebab and couscous settle, afterwards.

A word of warning though, tried to add 'tourist tax' of a couple of drinks we did not have. Shame, as is put a dampner on an otherwise enjoyable Bazar experience.

Witte de Withstraat 16, 3012 BP, ROTTERDAM
Tel.: +31(0)10-2065151;
Fax: +31(0)10-2065159

www.hotelbazar.nl/

Google map: tinyurl.com/yjdfbll

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Most people wanting a meal out in South Africa's winelands head to the tourist hotspots of Franschoek and Stellenbosch. But travel a little further down the N1, via the stunning Du Toitskloof Pass (worth a trip in its own right), and you will find this fantastic little place. The Bistro is upstairs, and spills out onto a balcony looking straight over the Slanghoek mountains and the vineyards on the valley floor. There is a wonderful sense of space, and of escaping the crowds on the Cape Town side of the mountains.

The food is wonderful (sandwiches etc or full meals, all beautifully prepared), the service always friendly and attentive, and the wines (by winemaker Ivy Du Toit) are a treat. (You can buy bottles at a fraction of the price of Franschoek vineyards). I can recommend the sparkling Rose!

This was our favourite place when we lived in and travelled around SA - for good food in peaceful, beautiful surroundings, you can't beat it.

Contact: 0027 82 265 4492
Email: bistro@jasonshill.co.za
www.jasonshill.co.za
P.O.BOX 14, RAWSONVILLE 6845 SOUTH AFRICA

Google map: tinyurl.com/ya29gn8

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This is a fantastic gay-friendly bistro and bar which offers hearty food in an ambient setting, in the heart of the trendy Waterkant neighbourhood. The locally-sourced fillet steak is so good we went back twice during our stay.

The resident live act, Three Tuns of Fun, is a trio of singers with, how shall I put it, fuller figures, who belt out a mixture of Motown classics and acapella numbers straight out of the townships. Makes for a memorable trip every time.

74 Waterkant Street, Cape Town 8001
T: +27 21 421-6666
www.manhattan.co.za/

Google map: tinyurl.com/ylbgjwy

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We had an absolutely fantastic meal here, and certainly the best we had in our month in South Africa. It is an Italian restaurant but with a South African twist (I tried Gemsbok).
During the summer there are tables outside, but as we were there during the winter they had a roaring open fire.
It is really popular with the locals but is quite a small place so we recommend booking before you go.
The prices were very reasonable, working out to be about £10 for a main course when we went during August 2009. There were a couple of a couple of different pasta dishes avaiable but we tried the Gemsgok which was just beautiful.
The staff were brilliant - attentive and friendly but not too pushy. They were enthusiastic about explaining the food they had on the menu.
They also have accommodation available, although we didn't stay there so can't comment.
Swellendam is a two hour drive from Cape Town.

145 Voortrek Street, Swellendam 6740, South Africa (Along the main street)
Tel: 028 5141470
Website: www.lasostaswellendam.com/en/ristorante.php

Google map: tinyurl.com/yjn427y

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If you like eating seafood in sight of the sea, then Enrico's is the place for you. As their T-shirt strap-line says "Any closer and you'll get wet". Enrico's is perched on the cliff-edge where you can feel the spray from the breakers while you're tucking into your crisply-fried calamari. The restaurant provides typical italian fare in its cosy interior, but when the sun's out, the outside tables in view of the surf are packed. Service is prompt and enthusiastic.

Main Beach, Keurboomstrand
Tel: +27 44 535 9818
www.enricorestaurant.co.za/

Google map: tinyurl.com/yfsoffn

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Cape Town should be re-named Sushi City - we lost count of the number of Japanese style outlets. That didn't stop us trying quite a few, but the best we tried was Balducci's 'Royal Sushi Bar' at the V&A waterfront. The sushi bar is separate from, but next to, their traditional italian restaurant, in a sort of sushi-Tardis with seating either at low tables or stools in front of the chefs where you can point out your favourite sushi rolls directly. For lunch, we tried the Royal Platter which is a mixture of sushi rolls and sashimi, washed down with a a couple of Japanese beers (me) and a glass of S African sauvignon blanc (girlfriend), all for a total of R330 (about £28). Bliss!

Shop 6162, Lower Level, Victoria Wharf
Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Tel: +27 21421 6002

www.balduccis.co.za/#/the-royal-sushi-bar

Google map: tinyurl.com/ya9mdx2

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Butcher Boys is a steak house for people who are passionate, committed carnivores. Although they offer seafood, chicken and salad dishes, they specialise in game and beef steaks (in a variety of ages). Skip straight to "The Butcher Knows Best" section of the menu. The prices, service and taste leave the likes of Aberdeen steakhouses in the dust!
TIP: don't eat lunch if you plan to go there for dinner. Save the space for something special instead.

170 Florida Road
Morningside
Durban
Tel: +27 (0)31 312 8248 / +27 (0)312 0143
butcherboys@wol.co.za
www.butcherboysgrill.co.za

Google map: tinyurl.com/yanxwnw

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The whole of Franschhoek to eat! There are so many good restaurants with a variety of settings to suit a multitude of tastes. It is an extraordinary village for foodies. Here are some of the restaurants I would choose, being a regular visitor:

La Petite Ferme Restaurant – a Franschhoek Instiution. No one comes to Franschhoek without eating here. Do it on the first day because it sets the scene for your visit, and possibly a hangover. The views take your breath away and the temptation is there to lie on the grass and order one bottle after another. It is beautifully situated along the pass road, spectacular views and really good food. Recently voted top 10 in Wine Magazine - open for lunch only. lapetite@iafrica.com. 00 27 (0)21 876 3016 Tel Book Early!

Reuben’s – wonderful restaurant, centrally situated with modern interior, shady courtyard and trendy bar area. I love a lazy lunch in the summer under the mist spray and it's difficult to drag yourself away. Famous Reuben Riffel voted Chef of the Year 2005 and Restaurant of the Year 2005. The menu is modern French cuisine with cosmopolitan influences and a choice of a contemporary or a more classical menu. reubens@mweb.co.za 00 27 (0)21 876 3772 Book Early!

Le Quartier Francais – Famous Chef, Margot Janse (Chef of the year 2003 & 2004) Top 50 Restaurants in the World 2007. TASTING ROOM: Elegant and more formal dining – 4/6 and 8 course meal with wine carefully selected for each course. ICI – a la carte bistro restaurant with deliciously simple and fresh food. If you want the full works you must eat at The Tasting Room. I can only do it once every six months. She gets amazing flavours and Margot is just fantastic. Ask her to come to the table if you like www.lequartierfrancais.com Book Early! 00 27 (0)21 876 2151

Bouillabaisse – Camil & Ingrid’s classy Champagne and oyster bar and seafood deli on the High Street in Franschhoek . This vibrant new 'front-cooking' eatery combines freshly prepared favourites like bouillabaisse and gourmet seafood tasters with the decadence of the world’s most sought after treats, like Beluga and Fois Gras. Watch Camil and his team prepare a daily selection of seafood delights in his stylish open kitchen to be sampled as tasting portions, made a meal of or taken away to be savoured later.
The kitchen is open all day from 10am to 10pm, on offer will be a variety of fish and seafood tasters encouraging guests to create their own menu. www.bouillabaisse.co.za Book Early! 00 27 (0)21 876 4430

French Connection - bistro style venue with excellent food and relaxed atmosphere, perfect for something easy - open both lunch & dinner . 00 27 (0)21 876 4056

Haute Cabriere - elegant dining in their cellar restaurant with award winning Chef, Matthew Gordon - wines are offered per course - open both lunch and dinner. 00 27 (0)21 876 3688

Le Bon Vivant – Dutch Chef making his presence felt in Franschhoek. Excellent European cuisine with superb presentation. Portions are not too large - open both lunch and dinner. 00 27 (0)21 876 2717

Mont Rochelle – Mange Tout. Another beautifully situated hotel/restaurant. Outside dining available, formal, elegant dining - open both lunch and dinner. 00 27 (0)21 876 2770

Mont Rochelle – The Country Kitchen. One of my favourites, popping in for a glass of wine and a plate of tapas. Unpretentious simple food and one of Franschhoek’s hidden gems. Has a great view from the ‘other side’ of the valley. 00 27 (0)21 876 3000

Topsi & Co - a delightful dining experience – Topsi is a wonderful character and she and Alidi prepare simple uncomplicated meals from only the freshest produce she can get her hands on. She has two, sometimes 3 African Grey parrots that wander around and mumble away to themselves. You do have to bring your own wine – open both lunch and dinner. 00 27 (0)21 876 2952

Bread & Wine - situated on Môreson wine farm, here the chef smokes his own meats and fish, his wife bakes the best bread this side of the mountain and the wines are a compliment to the whole setting - relaxed, easy going and very casual - open lunch mainly but occasional evenings Book Early! 00 27 (0)21 876 3692

Grande Provence Restaurant – Probably the most stylish restaurant in Franschhoek. An excellent kitchen and nouvelle cuisine dining. Situated on the Grande Provence Wine Estate 3 km from the centre of the village. Open Lunch and Dinner daily. Take a browse through the beautiful art gallery just before dinner. Home of Agusta wines and the well known Angel’s Tears. Private Dining room available upon request. www.grandeprovence.co.za 00 27 (0)21 876 8600

Vineyard Brasserie – Run by La Petite Ferme team and located in a corner of Franschhoek overlooking the orchards. Lovely and quiet, but minutes walk away from the main road. Indoor and outdoor seating and lawn. Friday night in Summer comes alive with the sound of jazz. Book early as numbers often exceed 250. 00 27 (0)21 876 3420

Franschhoek is 45 mins drive from Cape Town international airport, 1 hour from the centre of Cape Town. Situated in the heard of the Winelands. www.franschhoek.org.za

Google map: tinyurl.com/ylbh7gg

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After a long twelve hour overnight flight from London, I arrive in Cape Town a little bleary eyed to be transported to the wonderful Mount Nelson Hotel, a true oasis in South Africa. Surrounded by pink buildings bright in the sunshine, I go for a brunch on the terrace of the aptly named Oasis restaurant. The buffet is sumptuous featuring fresh catch from the nearby sea, intriguing vegetable dishes, and delicious breakfast foods. The service is attentive yet comforting. After the long flight, my senses are becoming restored aided by some of South Africa's fine sparkling wines and fresh fruit juice. I relax into my chair on the terrace overlooking the pool, open the newspaper, and relax to the sounds of live jazz music softly filling the air. London is a whole world away and now the journey feels worthwhile.

Mount Nelson Hotel
76 Orange Street, Cape Town
Republic of South Africa, 8001
Tel: +27 21 483 1000
www.mountnelson.co.za

Google map: tinyurl.com/yegojpm

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The reason for recommending this place is not only the food but the setting. If you are going for a wine tour in the winelands region of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, then the combination of view and food here is ideal. It is slightly elevated as it requires a five minute drive up the valley, but this elevation offers beautiful views of the whole valley.

www.dieudonnerestaurant.co.za/
PO Box 94, Franschoek, 7690
+27(0)218762493

Google map: tinyurl.com/yaxwupn

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