As the silly season approaches, restaurant traffic soars. Here are the restaurants that had the most hits on our site in the past month.

1. Il Contadino (Parktown North)

James Diack’s fourth restaurant is pulling the crowds with rustic dishes inspired by Italian, Spanish and French country-style food. Think roasted pork belly, confit duck thigh on a bed of truffle-infused parsnip mash, and home-made ice creams. Scrumptious stuff.

Il Contadino’s Woodfired heirloom pumpkin with pan fired oyster mushrooms sumac red onion bulgar wheat with nutmeg parsley cream. Photo supplied.

2. Saigon Suzy (Parkwood)

Styling itself as an Asian barbecue and rock ‘n’ roll bar, this brand-new restaurant and karaoke spot opened up in Rosebank’s buzzing stretch in November. The menu runs the gamut of cuisine from Thailand, Vietnam, China, Korea and Japan, and dishes are fusion-inspired rather than authentic. The tiramisu, for instance, features mascarpone, Italian finger biscuits soaked in soju, and Vietnamese coffee.

3. Rockets (Bryanston)

This spot took the title of Best Tapas Eatery in Gauteng at the Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Best Everyday Eateries in October. The menu offers pizzas, pasta, steak, and pork belly.

A tapas dish at Rockets. Photo supplied.

4. Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient

Chantel Dartnall’s magnificent fine-dining restaurant came in at number two in this year’s Top 10. The Grande Degustation menu (R1250) is bucket-list stuff.

Where the river meets the ocean, a dish from Restaurant Mosaic. Photo supplied.

5. The Silo Rooftop (V&A Waterfront)

This rooftop bar has one of the best locations in the Mother City. Set atop the brand-new Zeitz MOCAA museum, it offers unmatched views of the city, mountain and harbour. Pop in to check out the art first, but you’ll need a reservation to access the 11th-floor bar.

The Silo Rooftop Bar. Photo supplied.

6. The Test Kitchen (Woodstock)

The unstoppable Luke Dale-Roberts has just taken the number-one spot in our Top 10 for the sixth year running. The 10-course Gourmand Menu (R1600 or R2250 with wine pairing) might feature pork scratchings with milk stout foam; sweetbreads with asparagus, morels and porcini Hollandaise; and a toasted turmeric marshmallow, still hot from the flames.

The Test Kitchen’s Billionaire’s shortbread. Photo supplied.

7. Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia

Liam Tomlin’s Constantia outpost is headed up by chef Ivor Jones, who executes the tapas for two concept with exemplary skill. Expect big flavours and lots of little flourishes. Humble-sounding carrot risotto is served in a little copper saucepan, glossy with beurre noisette and silky carrot purée, crispy sage leaves, raisins and roasted walnuts. The wild-honey-and-lavender crème is an extra, but worthy, ending.

Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia. Photo by Claire Gunn.

8. The Yard at The Silo District (V&A Waterfront)

In the shadow of the Zeitz MOCAA, this stylish new drinks-and-dinner spot is popular for curries as well as platters. There’s been some controversy around the name, which has no doubt increased its notoriety. (There’s another Yard on Roodehek Street in town.)

Share a platter, in lieu of a starter at The Yard. Photo supplied.

9. Thali (Gardens)

Liam Tomlin’s Indian tapas concept is headed up here by spice master John van Zyl. Expect a tapas-for-two menu featuring succulent smoky meat from the tandoor oven, unctuous lamb curry, and all the sambals and poppadoms your heart desires. The restaurant doesn’t take bookings, so go early. There’s a lovely courtyard out back.

A selection of tapas from Thali. Photo supplied.

10. Momo Soko (Illovo)

Aadil Mayat and Tim and Lawrence Lai’s modern take on Asian street food is an absolute hit in Jozi.

One of the bowls at Momo Soko. Photo by Kate Liquorish.