Winter is here, and as the temperatures drop, some of South Africa’s best restaurants are embracing the season with menus designed to warm the soul. From multi-course feasts by the sea to neighbourhood lunches and refined wine evenings, these winter specials are a reason to eat out this season. 

We’ve rounded up a selection of Eat Out star restaurants embracing the season with special winter menus that will chase away the chill. 

FYN 
Experience the trailblazing spirit of FYN with special seasonal offerings that celebrate the wild, the precise, and the extraordinary. The beauty of South African ingredients and the vibrancy of local flavours meet the precision of Japanese technique at this three-star restaurant. The winter special offers a seven-course expression of FYN’s acclaimed multi-sensorial Experience Menu, featuring dishes like Cape Malay pickled yellowtail, Atlantic Ridge kingklip, and Silesia meringue. 

Cost: R1175 per person | R890 wine pairing
Location: 37 Parliament Street, Cape Town
Booking: fynrestaurant.com; 021 286 2733 

Beyond
Set against the backdrop of Buitenverwachting’s lush vineyards, two-star restaurant beyond presents a five-course winter menu that’s unpretentious, uncomplicated and elegant. Seasonal ingredients and regional flavours are at the heart of every dish with a curated wine and cocktail list to complement each bite. The special menu includes dishes like hake brandade, dry-aged Bangus rump, and spiced pumpkin ice-cream for dessert. This is winter dining at its most sophisticated. 

Cost: R645 per person
Location: Buitenverwachting, 37 Klein Constantia Road, Cape Town
Booking: Book online

Beyond

Nevermind
At this laid-back coastal gem, winter dining is all about bold vegetarian flavours, shared plates, and wood-fired comfort. The seasonal tapas offering for two is a rotating feast of the freshest ingredients, served with warmth and flair. Highlights include wood-fired fermented potato bread paired with whipped tahini, chimichurri and sumac. Top everything off with some vanilla madeleines with chocolate and lemon curd. With dishes evolving throughout the season, it’s the perfect reason to return – again and again. Available Monday to Friday for lunch (12:30 to 15:00) and dinner (17:30 to 20:00). 

Cost: Tapas for Two at R450
Location: Seal Point Lighthouse, Cape St Francis,
Booking: nevermind@sealpointlighthouse.com ; WhatsApp or call 066 421 1532 

The Waterside Restaurant 
Cosy up by the water with a four-course lunch or five-course dinner at this scenic two-star V&A Waterfront restaurant. The winter menu is packed with flavourful combinations like yellowfin tuna with Thai broth, Sri Lankan curry linefish, and a luscious, salted macadamia dessert. Available daily from 26 May to 31 August.  

Cost: four-course lunch for R595 per person | five-course dinner for R895 per person
Location: Pierhead Building, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Booking: Book online

The Waterside Restaurant

Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic
Tucked into the rocky coastline of Chapman’s Peak, Eat Out one-star restaurant Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic offers an immersive dining experience, where each course is layered with warmth, comfort, and coastal charm. This winter, their multi-course special menu is a tribute to the season with slow-cooked flavours like mushroom and aubergine terrine, seaweed broth, and sweet grapefruit sorbet. Enjoy every mouthful in a relaxed atmosphere just steps from the Atlantic Ocean. 

Cost: R850 per person
Location: Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay
Booking: info@chefswarehouse.co.za 

Upper Union 
The beloved Neighbourhood Lunch is back this winter season at one-star restaurant Upper Union. A curated collection of popular seasonal specials that showcase fresh ingredients and layered, expressive flavours, there are three curated set menu options. Designed for generous lunches with friends or slow midday escapes, it’s available seven days a week. For something more intimate, the Winter Wine Evenings return with monthly food-and-wine pairings. 

Cost: Neighbourhood Lunch for R295 per person
Location: 3 Upper Union Street, Cape Town
Booking: reservations@upperunion.co.za 

Upper Union

The Chefs’ Table
Winter evenings are best spent in good company – and The Chefs’ Table sets the scene with its refined, four-course Date Night tasting menu. Designed with couples in mind (though groups are welcome too), this intimate culinary experience lets you choose from four elegant options per course. Expect standout dishes like octopus tortellini with smoked Malay velouté, spiced apricot, Brussel leaves and sev, and a decadent Chocolate Symphony featuring chocolate genoise, banana ganache, namekala, chocolate feuilletine and hazelnut ice cream. A glass of wine is included, with the option to elevate your evening even further with a curated wine pairing. Sophisticated and romantic, it’s a standout winter treat in Durban. 

Cost: R895 per couple (includes a glass of wine each) | Optional wine pairing at R195 per person
Location: 25/28 First Floor, Protea Mall, Chartwell Drive, Umhlanga Rocks, KwaZulu-Natal
Booking: reception@thechefstable.co.za; 031 001 0200 

Le coin Français 
Hot fires, moody interiors and dishes that celebrate local flavours with French soul have arrived at Le coin Français. The new winter menu at this one-star restaurant includes highlights like roulade of rabbit with braised pork belly and a decadent pretzel and caramel ganache. Each plate is a bold expression created with warmth and depth.  

Cost: R795 per person
Location: 17 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek
Booking: reservations@lecoinfrancais.co.za; 074 126 0022 

La Colombe
Indulge in a carefully crafted winter lunch menu, available from Monday to Friday until 29 August, at this three-star restaurant. This winter special offers a striking combination of flavours, from signature creations like Tuna ‘La Colombe’, tender pork belly and scallop to a delicate rose, raspberry, and pistachio dessert. With panoramic views over the Constantia hills and impeccable service, this is a must-do winter treat! 

Cost: R1195 per person
Location: Silvermist Wine Estate, Constantia Nek, Cape Town
Booking: Book online

La Colombe