Restaurants with great views

A light summer breeze, a glass of chilled sauvignon blanc, and a view out over the ocean: it’s hard to beat eating out in summertime. Whether it’s a vast mountain vista, a spot to watch the sun set over the sea, or the twinkling lights of the city by night, we’re blessed with a vast array of restaurants with spectacular views in South Africa. We've put together a list of some of our favourite summery spots to dine with a view.

Johannesburg
 
Bice
See: a great view of Joburg’s leafy northern suburbs.
Sit: anywhere. The seating is arranged around the view.
Eat: Italian.

La Belle Terrasse
See: a great view of Johannesburg and the zoo. In summer, the Jacaranda trees add a sea of purple to the setting.
Sit: at the window.
Eat: oriental.

Central One
See: green hills and Gautrain Station
Sit: anywhere. The seating is arranged to make the most of the view
Eat: contemporary

Roots
See: situated in the Cradle of Humankind, the restaurant looks out over a nearby dam.
Sit: anywhere in the restaurant.
Eat: contemporary, African, Asian and French.
 
Pretoria

The Blue Crane
See: a tiny nature reserve and the lake.
Sit: on the deck.
Eat: African, fusion.

Ciao Baby Cucina (Parkview)
See: a view out over Pretoria East's Moreleta Dam
Sit: Near the window.
Eat: Italian, grills and seafood.

Pride of India
See: a 360 degree view of Pretoria including the city infrastructure, hills and some greenery.
Sit: anywhere in the restaurant.
Eat: Indian.

Rhapsody’s
See: the whole of Centurion.
Sit: outside to experience the view.
Eat: light meals, grills, sushi, international.
 
Durban
 
Havana Grill
See: the beachfront and the walkway of the Sun Coast.
Sit: anywhere on the glass-enclosed deck.
Eat: seafood and grills.
 
Moyo at the Pier
See: a 360 degree view of the ocean.
Sit: anywhere. The glass building provides a view for all diners.
Eat: African, tapas.
 
Ocean Terrace
See: the view of the Indian Ocean and the lighthouse.
Sit: anywhere.
Eat: seafood, Indian, contemporary.
 
Riverside Café
See: the riverbank and lagoon.
Sit: close to the window.
Eat: seafood, grills, contemporary.
 
Roma Revolving Restaurant
See: the city, the bay, Berea and the beachfront.
Sit: anywhere. The restaurant revolves so you will see all 360 degrees of the view.
Eat: Italian, continental.
 
The Sugar Club
See: a view of the ocean.
Sit: anywhere in the restaurant.
Eat: seafood, grills, international.

Midlands

Blueberry Hill
See: surrounding farm valleys, dams, Drakensburg Mountain
Sit: anywhere in the restaurant
Eat: light meals, health

Caversham Mill
See: waterfall on The Lions River
Sit: anywhere
Eat: local cuisine

Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
See: Drakensburg Mountains
Sit: anywhere in the restaurant
Eat: contemporary

Cape Town

Azure
See: the Atlantic Ocean as far as the eye can see.
Sit: on the terrace, but reservations are essential.
Eat: contemporary French with South African influences

Bistro Sixteen82
See: reflecting pools and gardens from the restaurant. Take a walk and enjoy views of the Constantia mountain range, including vineyards, Elephant’s Eye and False Bay.
Sit: outside.
Eat: tapas, Bistro, light meals.
 
Bloemendal
See: a 270 degree panoramic view from Yzerfontein to Robben Island and Gordon’s Bay.
Sit: anywhere in the restaurant.
Eat: traditional buffet, South African.

The Grand
See: the ocean and waves of Granger Bay.
Sit: anywhere in the restaurant.
Eat: continental, fusion, Mediterranean and French.

Harbour House
See: False Bay, the mountain range and the harbour.
Sit: close to the window.
Eat: seafood, Mediterranean and grills.

Blue Water Café
See: the Atlantic Ocean, Hout Bay and Noordhoek
Where to sit: on the stoep or lawn
The food: light meals, pizza, contemporary

The Lookout Deck
See: Hout Bay beach and harbour, and Chapman’s Peak pass.
Sit: anywhere on the deck.
Eat: seafood, grills, contemporary.

Polana
See: the rocks and the crashing waves of Kalk Bay.
Sit: in the lounge area.
Eat: tapas, grills, Portuguese.
 
Rhodes Memorial
See: a huge part of Cape Town, including the Atlantic and Indian oceans, as well as Athlone Stadium and Durbanville Hills.
Sit: anywhere outside
Eat: light meals, contemporary and Cape specialities.

The Roundhouse
See: Camps Bay beach and spectacular sunsets, and the forests of the Glen.
Sit: in the Somerset Room.
Eat: contemporary and French.
 
Salt
See: Bantry Bay, rocks, swimming pool, hotels and a small part of Sea Point.
Sit: close to the window.
Eat: tapas, contemporary, French, seafood.

Sotano
See: Sea Point promenade, the Atlantic Ocean and the lighthouse.
Sit: outside
Eat: Mediterranean, seafood, bistro.

Winelands
    
La Vierge
See: the Hemel-en-Aarde valley, vineyards, farmlands and the Atlantic Ocean.
Sit: anywhere in the restaurant.
Eat: fusion.

Jordan
See: the winelands, mountains, vineyards, Franschhoek and Helshoogte.
Where to sit: anywhere in the restaurant.
Eat: contemporary.

Tokara
See: the mountain range from Simonsig to Table Mountain as well as False Bay.
Sit: on the terrace (reservations essential), but the view can be seen from anywhere in the restaurant.
Eat: contemporary

Overture
See: the Stellenbosch Mountain Range and on a very clear day you can even see Robben Island.
Sit: outside.
Eat: contemporary, Mediterranean and South African.

Delaire Graff Estate Restaurant
See: on the left is the Simonsberg Mountain range, on the right are the Klein Drakenstein and Groot Drakenstein Mountain Ranges.
Sit: anywhere
Eat: contemporary, bistro chic and international

Waterkloof
See: the vineyards of Stellenbosch
Sit: anywhere in the restaurant
Eat: contemporary, international
   
Plettenberg Bay

Cornuti al Mare
See: the sea with a backdrop of the mountain.
Sit: close to the window.
Eat: Italian, pizza.

Lookout Restaurant and Deck
See: views of Lookout Beach, Keurbooms Beach and the Tsitsikamma Mountains. If you’re lucky you may spot a dolphin or a whale.
Sit: On the deck
Eat: seafood, grills, light meals

Ristorante Enrico
See: Keurbooms Beach
Sit: outside
Eat: Italian, seafood

The Grand
See: sea views of Keurboom leading to the lagoon.
Sit: outside on the corner deck.
Eat: bistro, seafood, café-style.
 
Port Elizabeth

Ginger
See: sea views. On most mornings dolphins are spotted, as well as the odd whale or two.
Sit: anywhere in the restaurant.
Eat: fusion.

By Katharine Jacobs and Kelly Pluke