Pretoria's restaurant industry has again won national recognition after three of the capital's most renowned dining establishments were named among the top winners. South African Restaurant Awards 2026Highlighting the city's growing influence in the country's hospitality and culinary sector.
Brooklyn based Cream Restaurant While, was named the best restaurant in Pretoria Personal Waterloof Heights achieved runner-up status in the same category during the awards ceremony held at Hotel Sky Sandton, Johannesburg on 25 May.
Pretoria also featured in the Nightlife category Greenhouse at the Festival Won the title of Best Restaurant/Nightclub.
The strong performance by Pretoria establishments comes as South Africa's hospitality sector continues to rebuild and expand in the face of rising operating costs, changing consumer expectations and increasing competition within the food industry.
Kabelo Ndonyane, Head of Partnerships South African Restaurant Awards (SARA)Said SARAs returns for its third annual edition, bringing together chefs, restaurateurs, hospitality executives and culinary innovators from across the country. They were brought together for a nationally televised ceremony celebrating excellence in the restaurant industry.
Hosted by actor Llewelyn R Cordier and media personality Tiffany Caitlin Francis, the event featured leading establishments from Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, North West and Northern Cape.
Over 1.2 million public votes were submitted across the various categories, reflecting significant public engagement with the awards platform and growing consumer interest in the local food industry.
Pretoria's performance at the awards highlighted the capital's ability to compete with traditionally major culinary centers such as Cape Town and Sandton.
Green House On Festival's win in the Restaurant/Nightclub category demonstrated Pretoria's growing entertainment and lifestyle economy, particularly among younger consumers seeking integrated dining and nightlife experiences.
Ndonyane said the awards were designed not only to recognize excellence but also to support growth within the wider hospitality ecosystem.
“The South African Restaurant Awards exists to celebrate those individuals and establishments that continue to push the boundaries within the industry while creating jobs, promoting tourism and contributing to South Africa's economy,” he said.
Nationally, several high-profile restaurateurs and culinary experts walked away with top honors.
Tempo Luxury Restaurant in Sandton won the award for Best Culinary Experience, while La Colombe in Constantia claimed Best Restaurant in Cape Town and Best Restaurant in the Western Cape.
Aurum Restaurant in Sandown achieved Best Restaurant in Sandton as well as Best Restaurant in Gauteng, cementing Johannesburg's continued dominance in luxury dining.
Flames Restaurant in Westcliff won the Best Fine Dining category, while Moses Moloi was named Best Chef 2026.
Other notable winners include Kunu Restaurant at The Saxon Hotel for Best Hotel Restaurant, Col'Cacchio for Best Restaurant Chain and Alto234 at Sandown for Best Bar.
The inclusion of both winners and runners-up across all categories highlighted the depth of competition within the country's hospitality industry.
Industry analysts have noted that South Africa's restaurant sector has undergone significant changes in recent years as establishments increasingly focus on experiential dining, premium hospitality and culinary innovation to attract customers in a competitive market.
Ndonyane said supporting young culinary talent is a key priority for the awards platform.
He said, “The future of South African hospitality depends on investment in young chefs, restaurateurs and hospitality professionals. Creating opportunities for emerging talent to showcase their skills alongside established industry leaders is vital to the continued growth of the sector.”
The awards also reinforced South Africa's ambitions to establish itself as a leading global food and hospitality destination.
From fine dining establishments in Cape Town and Johannesburg to regional restaurants in Hartbeespoort, Colesberg, Gkebarha and Durban, the 2026 winners reflected the geographical diversity and cultural richness of the country's culinary landscape.
Ndonyane said the continued growth of the awards demonstrated the growing recognition for South African hospitality both locally and internationally.
He said, “The standard of excellence we are seeing in South African restaurants is improving every year. Our hospitality industry is flexible, innovative and able to compete on a global scale.”
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