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April’s most popular restaurants

Still feeling flush after payday and looking for somewhere to spend your hard-earned cash? This list of the most-viewed venues over the past month should give you plenty of ideas. (It was compiled using statistics of the most-viewed restaurant listings on eatout.co.za in April 2016.)

Johannesburg

1. Starbucks (Rosebank)

Everyone is dying to try the international brand’s new entry into our market. Local coffee shops are hoping the phase will pass soon.

Some of the beans on offer. Photo by Rupesh Kassen.

Some of the beans on offer. Photo by Rupesh Kassen.

2. PRON (Linden)

Owner Emma Chen is ever-present, offering her comfort food for sharing.

Three dishes at Emma Chen's PRON. Photo by Rupesh Kassen.

Three dishes at Emma Chen’s PRON. Photo by Rupesh Kassen.

3. The Grand (Rivonia)

Yes, the buffet has over a hundred dishes, including sushi, but you need to know: it’s a strip club.

4. EB Social Kitchen (Hyde Park)

A buzzing, beautiful restaurant in a bookshop with a view. You had us at hello.

5. Krispy Kreme (Sandton)

Doughnuts, doughnuts, doughnuts. Need we say more?

The interior at Krispy Kreme. Photo supplied.

The interior at Krispy Kreme. Photo supplied.

6. Sheds@1Fox (Fordsburg)

Historic warehouses refurbished into a thriving marketplace of artisanal food and flowing drinks.

7. Restaurante Parreirinha (Rosettenville)

Here it’s all about Portuguese delights like prawns and peri-peri dishes.

8. Craft (Parkhurst)

Reviews rave about the mac and cheese with chorizo, banting burger and showstopping salted-caramel popcorn waffle.

A decadent milkshake at Craft in Parkhurst. Photo supplied.

A decadent milkshake at Craft in Parkhurst. Photo supplied.

9. El Jalapeño (Linden)

Truly authentic Mexican food from regions you may not have tried here. (The chef is actually from Mexico!)

Churros at El Jalapeno. Photo supplied.

Churros at El Jalapeno. Photo supplied.

10. Mash Braai House (Bryanston)

This shisa nyama spot is garnering attention (not all good) for pumping crowds and music.

Pretoria

1. Afro-boer (Die Wilgers)

Four words: brie braaibroodjie for brunch.

The airy interior at Afro Boer. Photo supplied.

The airy interior at Afro Boer. Photo supplied.

2. Life Grand Café (Hazelwood)

A beautiful setting with crowd-pleasing tapas.

3. Tuscan BBQ Restaurant (Groenkloof)

It’s all about variety and volume at this buffet restaurant with 120 international dishes.

4. Aroma Bistro Silver Lakes (Lynnwood)

Fans come here for coffee and gelato.

5. Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient (Elandsfontein)

Chef Chantel Dartnall’s restaurant is in the Top 10 for a reason. A few, actually: absolute luxury, attention to detail, and phenomenal food and wine.

dish prepared and served at Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient

A halibut dish prepared and served at Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient. Photo supplied.

6. 23 on Hazelwood

Popular milkshakes include lemon meringue and Oreo flavours and the baked goods come highly recommended.

Pastries at 23 on Hazelwood. Photo supplied.

Pastries at 23 on Hazelwood. Photo supplied.

7. Blu Saffron (Waterkloof)

French and Italian classics with a focus on meats in dishes like carpaccio, tartare and grills.

8. Pirara Braai Lounge (Centurion)

A self-proclaimed authentic African kitchen with welcoming ambiance.

Tables at Restaurante Parreirinha. Photo supplied.

Tables at Restaurante Parreirinha. Photo supplied.

9. Burger Bistro (Hazelwood)

This may sway you or slay you: their Elvis burger boasts peanut butter sauce and bacon.

10. Alfie’s Pizzeria

Sibling to the original Alfie’s, this neighbourhood spot celebrates the classic pizza pie.

Durban

1. Fourteen on Chartwell (Umhlanga)

Gastropub fare includes the noteworthy cider-soaked mussels, barbecue pulled pork jaffles, or pie of the day.

The leather booths at Fourteen on Chartwell. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The leather booths at Fourteen on Chartwell. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

2. Jaipur Palace (Durban Central)

A curry buffet restaurant with all the trimmings.

3. Mama Luciana’s (Glenashley)

The alfresco dining area is popular for Italian cuisine with a view over the Indian Ocean.

4. Old Town Italy (Umhlanga)

The extensive menu includes breakfast, delicious pasta, out-the-box sandwiches, coffee and incredible gelato.

The cheese counter at Old Town Italy. Photo supplied.

The deli counter at Old Town Italy. Photo supplied.

5. Papparoti (Westwood)

Their signature is a butter-filled coffee-flavoured roll in a crispy shell. We’re on board.

6. S43 Home to That Brewing Company

Street food and tapas, washed down with ales brewed on site. What’s not to love?

The interior at S43 in Station Drive. Photo supplied.

The interior at S43 in Station Drive. Photo supplied.

7. Indian Summer (Umhlanga)

The new location with its wide-angle ocean view, spruced-up décor and delicious-as-ever Indian food is getting rave reviews.

8. Spiga D’oro (Morningside)

Comforting Italian fare is what you’ll get at this popular Florida Road spot. Pizzas, pastas and gnocchi, it’s all there.

A mozzarella topped salad at Spiga D'Oro. Photo supplied.

A mozzarella topped salad at Spiga D’Oro. Photo supplied.

9. Surf Riders Food Shack (Addington Beach)

Kick off your shoes at this beachfront eatery for a taste of honest chow like burgers and pizzas.

10. Lingela Restaurant at Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani (North Beach)

The buffet offers a wide selection of tastes and flavours, including Durban curries and casseroles.

Cape Town

1. Village Idiot (City Bowl)

A relaxed bar-club place, where you can also order food and flirt with fellow ad agency types.

the fireplace at The Village Idiot

The cosy interior at The Village Idiot. Photo supplied.

2. Locanda at Villa 47 (City Bowl)

Bree Street’s hottest new Italian restaurant was created by Food importers Rialto. No expense is spared – they even have a cheese and charcuterie room.

The interior at Locanda at Villa 47. Photo supplied.

The interior at Locanda at Villa 47. Photo supplied.

3. Crumbs & Cream Food Truck

The success of this food truck has now resulted in the owners opening a bar dedicated to ice-cream sandwiches in Sea Point.

The bricks-and-mortar Crumbs & Cream store in Sea Point. Photo supplied.

The bricks-and-mortar Crumbs & Cream store in Sea Point. Photo supplied.

4. Charango (City Bowl)

Peruvian-inspired food and cocktails in a vibrant street-side environment.

Tuna taco at Charango

Tuna taco at Charango. Image by Katharine Jacobs

5. Live Bait (Muizenberg)

Reports are varied about the service at this new spot, but everyone agrees on the great views and fresh fish.

6. Downtown Ramen (City Bowl)

If you like the dive-bar vibe, visit with friends for drinks, glossy ramen and tasty miso-aubergine bao.

7. HogHouse Brewing Company (Ndabeni)

Readers love the sublime pork ribs and great service at this busy barbecue spot.

The Hog House Brewing Company. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Hog House Brewing Company. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

8. Il Leone Mastrantonio (Green Point)

Classic Italian never gets old.

9. Kaprinos (Northgate Estate)

Expect a large buffet of dishes for breakfast, lunch and supper.

10. Homespun Restaurant (Tableview)

A gem in the northern suburbs. Try the beef tataki and tuna crunch.

A fruity dessert at Homespun. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

A fruity dessert at Homespun. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Winelands and beyond

1. Hudson’s (Stellenbosch)

Burgers, beers and onion rings are justifiably popular at this student hot spot.

2. Durbanville Hills Restaurant (Durbanville)

Typical winelands bistro fare with some imaginative twists and Durbanville Hills wines.

The deck area at Durbanville Hills. Photo courtesy of the estate.

The deck area at Durbanville Hills. Photo courtesy of the estate.

3. Thirsty Scarecrow (Stellenbosch)

Overlooking the Mooiberge Strawberry Farm, this vibey spot is popular for after-work drinks with easy-going buddies. The chilli poppers, Hollandse Bitterballen and beer-battered fish and chips are big hits.

4. Oppie Dorp (Stellenbosch)

This popular spot in Stellenbosch has a good vibe with affordable light meal options and a view over busy Dorp Street.

5. The Hickory Shack (Elgin)

In the tradition of Texas barbecue this smokehouse boasts wood-burning fires and blue smoke.

6. The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français (Franchhoek)

As one reviewer put it: You have not eaten in South Africa until you have eaten at LQF.

The interior at The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The interior at The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

7. Schoongezicht Restaurant (Brackenfell)

Definitely a spot for the hungry, this buffet restaurant focuses on letting you eat and drink as much as you like.

8. De Warenmarkt (Stellenbosch)

This market space in a heritage building is filled with easy-to-love snacks and wine from the area.

The interior space at De Warenmarkt. Photo supplied.

The interior space at De Warenmarkt. Photo supplied.

9. Orangerie Restaurant at Le Lude (Franschhoek)

A relaxed, French atmosphere is promised, with a classic lunch menu, high tea and MCC tastings with canapés.

10. Jordan Restaurant (Stellenbosch)

Chef George Jardine never fails to impress with his accessible and ever-delicious cuisine at this beautiful Top 10 spot.

This list was compiled using statistics of the most-viewed restaurant listings on eatout.co.za in April 2016.

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