Being a food blogger and passionate foodie, this is always something I look forward to each year. We all have our favourites in each food category, and I am stoked that my best burger and sushi spots have landed themselves on the winners list at the EAT OUT Awards for 2016! One in the Savanna Best Burger category as the runner up, and the other in Best Asian Eatery taking home to top gong. Here is how the Eat Out Annual Awards rolled out last night in Cape Town!
Content Via Eat Out!
The favourite restaurants of the Eat Out community in the Western Cape have been announced at the Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Best Everyday Eateries in Cape Town. The winning restaurants are those with the highest average ratings given by Eat Out website users from 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2016 – that’s a full year of reviews and star ratings. Eat Out also celebrated the eateries that were crowd favourites but didn’t quite receive enough reviews to win with ‘highly commended’ certificates.
Here are the winners in the Western Cape. (The public’s favourite eateries in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and Mpumalanga will be announced at the Johannesburg leg of the awards on 25 October.)
Best Asian Eatery
Active Sushi (Bree Street) – winner
Last year, this popular sushi spot won itself a highly commended certificate. Now the easy-going eatery takes top honours as the best Asian Eatery in the Western Cape. Its fresh sushi, great specials and friendly staff are what keep Capetonians coming back for more. Eat Out fan Aqeelah Splinters agrees: “I had the best service and freshest sushi ever.”
A sashimi salad at Active Sushi. Photo supplied.
Tjing Tjing Torii (City Bowl) – highly commended
Tjing Tjing Torii has a menu full of fun, delicious teasers like Asian-style hot dogs, nasu dengaku (miso-roasted aubergines), lime-cured fish with chilli aioli, butter-soft panko beef tataki, and, if you’re lucky, the sweet, sticky rib special. Stylish décor and spectacular cocktails add to the experience.
The Stack (Gardens) – highly commended
This brasserie has been making waves since it reopened in June 2016. The extremely stylish restaurant and beautifully vibrant bar offers delicious French-inspired dishes with a hint of South African influence. Think poisson Provençal (grilled Atlantic angelfish with aubergine purée, garlic roasted tomatoes and beurre blanc au citron) and pork confit (confit pork belly with caramelised apple purée, fynbos honey-glazed carrots and cider jus).
A double cheese whopper from Gibson’s. Photo supplied.
Savanna Best Burger Eatery
Gibson’s Gourmet Burgers & Ribs (V&A Waterfront) – winner
The burger selection here is extensive: there’s a build-your-own section, a gourmet section and the menu dubbed the Rolls Royce of burgers. Highlights include the Royal Burger with two patties and two kinds of cheese, and the Sunday Blues Brunch Burger, which comes with cheddar, a fried egg, bacon and barbecue sauce. They also offer some pretty mean ribs and decadent milkshakes. Eat Out fan Kwandiwe Madikizela said: “Best burgers and ribs I’ve ever had. If you are a foodie like me, this is for you!”
A double cheese whopper from Gibson’s. Photo supplied.
Jerry’s Burger Bar (Observatory) – highly commended
This popular burger haunt is known for cheekily named buns and juicy patties. The Seven Deadly Sins patties are stuffed with all manner of things and are a serious hit with the locals. Service here is efficient and friendly, with a bit of edge. It’s a good place for weekend feasting with beer and friends.
A burger at Jerry’s Burger Bar. Photo supplied.
Best Coffee Shop
Meraki (Stellenbosch) – winner
Whether you’re here for a Sunday lunch feast or speedy midweek cortado, Meraki is a super stylish haven for all things delicious. Don’t leave without getting your hands on a freshly baked pastry. The cruffins (croissant muffins) are a hit and come stuffed with anything from peanut butter to Nutella. Eat Out reader Aldi Du Toit enthused: “It’s not just any place but rather a home to those who cherish friendship along with good food and drinks. It’s a sure favourite for me when in need of a space to reconnect with friends and family or just to break away from the daily rat race. To many more years on Ryneveld Street…”
Meraki cruffins. Photo supplied.
Pajamas and Jam (Strand) – highly commended
This Strand eatery has a knack for serving up Instagram-worthy plates. Its delicious breakfasts (think eggs with beef or pork sausage, and chicken livers on toast) are very popular with locals, as is the array of beautiful cakes. Lunch features gourmet sandwiches with fillings like curried chicken with bacon and onion marmalade, or generous salads with tuna or chicken mayo. Sip on a hazelnut flat white, or a house cordial with gin and tonic.
A fresh plate at Pajamas & Jam. Photo supplied.
Best Country-style Eatery
Karoux (McGregor) – winner
If you find yourself in the small town of McGregor, head to this spot for exceptional bistro dishes from a seasonal menu. Dishes like twice-baked mature gruyère soufflé, slow-cooked Karoo lamb tongue and Barrydale springbok loin with garlic mash, green beans and gremolata have cultivated a loyal following. Chef Ryan Josten delivers innovative and delicious food with the freshest ingredients. Eat Out reader Rachel Beaton said: “This place is truly a great find. Chef Ryan delivers innovative and delicious food. The menu changes regularly, using only the freshest ingredients. Book ahead; you will be pleasantly surprised.”
A steak dish at Karoux. Photo supplied.
The Post House (Greyton) – highly commended
This country-style eatery is a favourite among Greyton locals and visitors. Expect anything from Asian-inspired takes on French classics to modern small plates. We hear the goumet sourdough pizzas are a winning option.
A cheese and charcuterie board at The Post House. Photo supplied.
Best Indian Eatery
The Indian Chapter with Prim Reddy (Bloubergstrand) – winner
Hands-on owners and luxurious Indian flavours won this Blouberg restaurant the Best Indian Eatery category in the Western Cape. Tuck into favourites like onion bhajiya, Bombay aloo, fiery hot lamb vindaloo and smooth chicken korma with cashews. Eat Out fan Priyanka Goberdhan said: “It continues to be one of my fine-dining favorites. Their delectable dishes surpassed all of my expectations, dancing with flavour and luxury. The royal treatment received is an added bonus, with the hospitable host never failing to make us feel at home.”
The cuisine at Prim Reddy’s Indian Chapter. Photo supplied.
Sundoo (Sea Point) – highly commended
This Indian tapas restaurant is a stylish addition to Sea Point, and is already wildly popular with locals looking for a bit of heat. Share dishes like biryani, beetroot curry, spring lamb, clay-oven chicken or kingklip with ginger and coriander.
Best Italian Eatery
True Italic (City Bowl) – winner
This traditional osteria serves handmade pastas and Italian specialities. Fans rave about the gnocchi, and another must is the homemade Sicilian-style sausage that Chef Luca Di Pasquale prepares in a Bolognese sauce. “Unpretentious and authentic – a breath of fresh air in the often too-trendy Bree Street. Great food as it should be. Everything from the bread and olive oil to the homemade gnocchi in a Sicilian rib sauce, topped with just the right amount parmesan. A definite must-visit if you enjoy a hearty plate of pasta,” is what Eat Out fan Adriana Roos had to say.
Locanda at Villa 47 (City Bowl) – highly commended
Bree Street’s hottest new Italian restaurant was created by food importers, Rialto. The menu includes options like beef or octopus carpaccio, authentic pastas and risotto. The eggs Benedict is glorious, and there’s also a rich saltimbocca (veal with prosciutto crudo, sage, white wine and polenta). Locanda is a popular spot for after-work dinner with friends – but booking is a must.
Poached eggs and pancetta at Locanda at Villa 47. Photo by Katharine Jacobs.
Best Steakhouse
The Eatery Wood Fired Grill (Claremont) – highly commended
This Southern Suburbs favourite takes home a highly commended award for the second year in a row – and with good reason. The welcoming spot offers a broad menu with great-value meaty dishes, from sirloin steak and lamb rump to gourmet burgers. All dishes are cooked on the wood-fired grill and include barbecue pork belly ribs, sirloin with rosemary and Dijon mustard, and the Argentinean-style steak with fresh chimichurri sauce. Eat Out fan Gavin Mandel said, “I’d say the best salt-and-pepper squid starter in Cape Town, and the Nkandla Burger was incredible! I would definitely recommend it.”
Wild card
Hoghouse Barbecue & Brewery (Ndabeni) – winner
This Best Everyday Eatery winner inspired a first for us, because they don’t quite fit into any of our categories. With so many glowing reviews and sky-high ratings, we had to recognise them with a wild card award. This friendly neighbourhood local focuses on the three Bs: beer, bread and barbeque, serving honest, hearty food with plenty of soul. Eat Out fan Jane Smith said, “Every time I go back to them, I find something new to enjoy – without ignoring old favourites of course! This really is a friendly neighbourhood local where everybody knows your name. And the food is fabulous too. Can’t wait for my next visit…”
