The red carpet was rolled out, the champagne was chilled, and South Africa’s top culinary talent took centre stage on Monday evening at the dazzling South Africa Restaurant Awards 2025. Hosted at the vibrant Hotel Sky Sandton, the event toasted to the chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality stars who continue to elevate the country’s dining scene to world-class heights.
Fronted by the charismatic duo of serial entrepreneur Jordan Kensington and TV presenter Nicole Watson, the ceremony was nothing short of spectacular. With more than 950,000 votes cast by the public, the awards were a true reflection of what South Africans are eating, loving, and celebrating right now.
From fine dining marvels and new openings making waves, to family-friendly favourites and iconic neighbourhood gems, the night was a powerful tribute to the ever-evolving food culture of SA. As Jordan Kensington aptly said, “Tonight is not just about winning — it’s about honouring the art of food, the magic behind the scenes, and the moments that bring us together around the table.”
Broadcast live to millions on the rising streaming platform VooVix TV, the evening also marked another milestone for the World Restaurant Awards Group — the powerhouse behind the British Restaurant Awards, World Hotel & Restaurant Awards, and Mauritius Restaurant Awards.
Here’s a taste of who took home the top honours:
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Best Culinary Experience: TANG Asian Restaurant & Bar (Sandton)
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Best Restaurant in Cape Town: Salsify
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Best Hospitality: Mamasamba (Rosebank)
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Best Family-Friendly Spot: Encore (Three Rivers)
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Best Restaurant in Durban: The Chefs’ Table
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Best Chef (sponsored by Crispa Gold): Moses Moloi
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Best Hotel Restaurant: Eclipse Restaurant, Hotel Sky
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Best Restaurant Chain: Col’Cacchio
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Best New Restaurant: Golden Hour
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Best Fine Dining: Aman
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Best Bar: Sin + Tax
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Best Restaurant in Eastern Cape: Muse Restaurant (Port Elizabeth)
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Best Restaurant in Northern Cape: Klein Jan
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Best Restaurant in North West: La Terrazza Restaurant
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Best Restaurant in Western Cape: Salsify at The Roundhouse (Camps Bay)
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Best Restaurant in Sandton (sponsored by George & Mana Wines): Tempo
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Best Restaurant in Johannesburg: Flames Restaurant
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Best Restaurant in Pretoria: Kream Restaurant Brooklyn
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Best in Gauteng: Trumps Grillhouse & Butchery
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Best in KwaZulu-Natal: The Livingroom at Summerhill Estate (Durban)
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Best in Limpopo: Crawdaddys
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Best Cooking Show: MasterChef South Africa (SABC 3) & Expresso Culinary Hotline – a tie!
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Best Restaurant/Nightclub: The Address (Cape Town)
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Best in Mpumalanga: Orange Restaurant
One of the standout moments of the night? A rare but well-deserved tie in the Best Cooking Show category. MasterChef South Africa and Expresso Culinary Hotline shared the spotlight for their shared impact in shaping local food culture and inspiring home cooks and budding chefs alike.
Nicole Watson summed it up perfectly: “This isn’t just about the food on the plate – it’s about the stories we tell, the platforms that educate, and the passion that drives our culinary world forward.”
ALSO SEE: SA’s top restaurants revealed at the Eat Out Awards 2025
