30 nominees announced for SA’s Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards

To the delight of food lovers around the country, the 30 nominees for the highly anticipated 2018 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards have just been announced. The nominated restaurants were determined by the scores of a panel of anonymous judges, convened by Margot Janse, who dined around the country. ‘A fantastic field of nominees has come out of this year’s judging, with some newcomers and old favourites making up a list that truly represents the best of the best in South African dining today,’ says Janse. ‘As always, these nominees have been nominated for their achievements in excellent dining, innovative menus, ambience and service excellence.’

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The top 10 restaurants will be revealed on Sunday 18 November 2018 at the awards ceremony at GrandWest in Cape Town, following the countdown from positions 20 to 11. ‘The announcement of the 30 nominees is an absolute highlight on our calendar,’ says Eat Out editor Linda Scarborough. ‘This year, we are pleased to see five new names featuring in the top 30, and we look forward to counting down to the restaurant of the year.’

Selvin Govender, marketing director of Mercedes-Benz, says, ‘As a brand, we’re always striving to find the very best, and we’re thrilled to recognise local chefs and restaurants around South Africa whose culinary delights exceed expectations year after year. Congratulations to everyone!’

Who are the nominees?

1. Camphors at Vergelegen (Somerset West)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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#camphorsatvergelegen #lunching #somersetwest #atcharglazedhake #westcoastmussel #crunch #yum

A post shared by Nina van Niekerk (@nninster) on Sep 8, 2018 at 10:15am PDT

2. The Chefs Table (Umhlanga)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Spring Six Course Tasting Menu – Course 6 Turkish Love Story, katmer, Prieska pistachio, raspberry, black pepper, coriander . . #artofplating #tastingmenu #foodporn #cheflife #seasonal #local #dessert

A post shared by The Chefs Table (@thechefstableza) on Oct 8, 2018 at 7:25am PDT

3. Chefs Warehouse & Canteen (Cape Town CBD)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ain’t it a beaut- #oysters #yumm only at #chefswarehouse #canteen #food #foodies #capetownfoodies #instafood

A post shared by Chefs Warehouse & Canteen (@chefswarehouse_canteen) on Sep 3, 2014 at 8:54pm PDT

4. Chef’s Warehouse at Beau Constantia (Cape Town)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What a gorgeous morning at Beau, with all of the vineyards, as seen from our Tasting Room, bursting with a bright golden shimmer. . . . As the seasons shift to Winter, join us for a tasting, with our current selection showcasing our Pas De Nom MCC NV and three indulgent red wines🍷 Still only R55.00 per person👍🏻 #Constantia1685 #VisitConstantia #LoveConstantia #morningview #sunrise #winelands #winetasting #indulge

A post shared by Beau Constantia (@beauconstantia) on May 15, 2018 at 1:23am PDT

5. Chefs Warehouse at Maison (Franschhoek) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I guess you’ll just have to taste it yourself. #franschhoek #maisonestate #winefarm #winetram

A post shared by Maision Estate (@maison_estate) on Aug 31, 2018 at 12:40am PDT

6. dw eleven-13 (Johannesburg)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Some people call it anticipation #new #tasting #food #kitchen

A post shared by dweleven13 (@dweleven13) on Jul 16, 2015 at 6:45am PDT

7. Fermier (Pretoria)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A throwback to one of our very first dishes 🍽

A post shared by Fermier Restaurant (@fermierrestaurant) on Nov 20, 2017 at 12:56pm PST

8. Foliage Restaurant (Franschhoek)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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See this Instagram video by @eatoutguide: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo3ZokFg6Rg/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet #eatoutrestaurant #chefsoninstagram #foliagerestuarant #pastrychef #eatout

A post shared by Foliage Franschhoek (@foliagefranschhoek) on Oct 14, 2018 at 11:23pm PDT

9. Foxcroft (Cape Town)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Everyone grew up eating chicken and cabbage in some form, just maybe not quite like this: Confit thigh, rolled and stuffed with smoked boudin noir, cabbage compressed in sauerkraut juice and charred, smoked apple puree and a pancetta-quince jus. Different but still nostalgic. Image by @andreavdspuy Ceramic by @corrinedehaas #foxcroft #foodie #chicken #freerange #sustainable #simple #capetownfood #capetownliving #finedining #neobistro

A post shared by Foxcroft Constantia (@foxcroftfood) on Sep 8, 2018 at 1:19am PDT

10. Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenort (Cape Town)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“Our menus are narrated as a holistic epicurean experience” – @PeterTempelhoff #springprovenance #greenhousect #capetown

A post shared by Greenhouse (@greenhouse_ct) on Oct 16, 2018 at 1:40am PDT

11. Indochine (Stellenbosch)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The new spa lunch menu from Indochine Restaurant makes the spa terrace the perfect place to pause between treatments.

A post shared by Delaire Graff Estate (@delairegraff) on Oct 2, 2018 at 10:22am PDT

12. Jardine Restaurant (Stellenbosch)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Lemon meringue . . . #summerfeels #dessert #happychef #sweettooth #chefstalk #pastry #kitchenlife #foodphotographer #jardinerestaurant #chef #gastroart #foodstarz_official #winelands #cleanflavours #whileitswarm #artofplating

A post shared by Hilde-lee Olivier (@hildeleeolivier) on Oct 11, 2018 at 5:21am PDT

13. Jordan Restaurant (Stellenbosch)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Baby chicken, butter ponzu roasted eryngi, miso cauliflower, ginger and garlic roasted bok choy

A post shared by Jordan Restaurant (@jordanrestaurant) on May 9, 2018 at 9:32am PDT

14. La Colombe (Constantia)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Reposting @s_sadie08: … WOW!!!! By far the best dining experience I have ever had… Incredible what can actually be done with different food ingredients 👌 #lacolombe #finedining #unbelievableexperience #food #wine #family #fun #fivestarstothechef #blessed

A post shared by La Colombe Restaurant (@lacolombect) on Apr 30, 2018 at 1:00am PDT

15. Le Coin Français (Franschhoek)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fresh new colours for a fresh new season! 💚💜💛 ____________________________________________ #franschhoek #finedining #lecoinfrancais #plated #atthepass

A post shared by Le Coin Francais (@le_coin_francais_restaurant) on Oct 22, 2018 at 12:32am PDT

16. La Mouette Restaurant (Sea Point)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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New dessert menu for summer is in full swing, more exciting dishes coming soon #desserts #lamouette #theartofplating

A post shared by La Mouette (@_la_mouette) on Oct 14, 2018 at 11:03pm PDT

17. La Petite Colombe (Franschhoek)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Reposting @thejoburgfoodie: … 1/3 Absolutely blown away! Incredible lunch at La Petite Colombe, so far. Asian style tuna, aubergine, miso, kalamansi, avocado & sesame paired with @mullineuxwines Old Vines’. Sensational flavours, beautiful presentation. #thejoburgfoodie #thejoburgfoodieincapetown #artofplating #fdlmoment @finedininglovers @eatoutguide @lacolombect

A post shared by La Petite Colombe (@lapetitecolombe) on Apr 13, 2018 at 10:00pm PDT

18. La Tête (Cape Town CBD)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Wonderful fresh West Coast 🐟Harder’s have arrived today & pair so well with a glass Chi Reisling by the lovely @jessicasaurwein #harders #sustainableseafood from @abalobi_app #eatouttop20 #breestreetrestaurants #letseatlocal #capetown

A post shared by La Tête Restaurant 📍Cape Town (@la_tete_restaurant) on Oct 18, 2018 at 5:08am PDT

19. Marble (Johannesburg)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Not just a plate of food, but a theatre of experience. Photo by @michaellvanrooyen

A post shared by Marble (@marble_sa) on Sep 19, 2018 at 9:06am PDT

20. Nobu at One&Only (Cape Town)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Chocolate Tart #nobu

A post shared by Lungelo Khulu (@lungelo_k) on Nov 25, 2016 at 12:48pm PST

21. Overture (Stellenbosch)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Overture team works hard to surprise and delight guests with our bread service. The latest offering includes a coriander seed ciabatta, onion bread and homemade butter. Toppings include slices of pig’s head terrine, Imam Biyaldi, Jamestown radish, and soet mosterd. #overturerestaurant #winelandsrestaurants

A post shared by Overture Restaurant (@overture.restaurant) on Oct 5, 2018 at 5:04am PDT

22. The Pot Luck Club (Cape Town)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PLC new menu : Crayfish Tostada . . #foodie #food #instagood #restaurant #interior #justgoshoot #potluckclub #lukedaleroberts #eatout #igers #igdaily #igerscapetown #instafood #yum #foodporn #capetownfoodie #capetown

A post shared by The Pot Luck Club (@thepotluckclubct) on Oct 16, 2018 at 3:15am PDT

23. The Restaurant at Waterkloof (Somerset West)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sea bass blanc manger; watercress, almond & yoghurt dressing; pickled onions. #waterkloofrestaurant #therestaurantatwaterkloof #waterkloof #waterkloofwineestate #somersetwest #gregoryczarnecki #gastroart #gastronomy #gastronomia #chefstalk #chefsoninstagram #chefsofinstagram #theartofplating #foodie

A post shared by B I A N C A S T R Y D O M (@notyourbabe___) on Dec 16, 2015 at 6:09am PST

24. Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient (Pretoria)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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And yes, chef Chantel Dartnall’s autumn menu did not disappoint! Each little dish comes with its own tale of chef’s inspiration, each bite heaven to the tastebuds. From magic mushroom risotto inspired by wild mushrooms in the Francolin valley after the rains, to snowflakes and Christopher Robins’n red Wellies leaving footprints in the snow. Even breakfast presents itself as a mini taste menu – all in the most beautiful setting. #restaurantmosaicattheorient #lovefoodlovelife

A post shared by Renee van Eyden (@reneevaneyden) on Apr 21, 2018 at 11:46pm PDT

25. The Shortmarket Club (Cape Town CBD)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The kitchen in full flight. . . #foodie #food #instagood #restaurant #interior #justgoshoot #shortmarketclub #sonsofshortmarket #eatout #igers #igdaily #igerscapetown #instafood #yum #foodporn #capetownfoodie #capetown #picoftheday #portrait

A post shared by The Shortmarket club (@theshortmarketclub) on Oct 22, 2018 at 4:42am PDT

26. Springfontein Eats (Stanford)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Pinotage with bresaola. Chenin blanc with foie gras. Bringing Pinotage and Chenin to France 🇫🇷. #springfonteinwines #stanfordvillage #walkerbay #southafricanwine #frenchfood #nantes #loire #winetravel #eurotravel #pinotage #cheninblanc #drinkchenin

A post shared by Springfontein Wine Estate (@springfonteinwine) on Jun 16, 2018 at 8:59am PDT

27. The Test Kitchen (Cape Town)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Beef Tartare. . . #foodie #food #instagood #restaurant #interior #justgoshoot #testkitchen #lukedaleroberts #eatout #igers #igdaily #igerscapetown #instafood #yum #foodporn #capetownfoodie #capetown #picoftheday

A post shared by The Test Kitchen (@thetestkitchenct) on Oct 12, 2018 at 3:56am PDT

28. Thali (Cape Town)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Friday night tapas.. Thali style..* #service #fridaynight #tapas #thali

A post shared by Thali (@thali_capetown) on Jun 29, 2018 at 9:13am PDT

29. The Werf Restaurant at Boschendal (Franschhoek)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Guided by the rhythms of the season, the Buttermilk mousse, passion fruit curd, sorbet & meringue served at The Werf Restaurant’s Long Sunday Lunch was the perfect ending to a warm summer’s day. . . . 📷: @gourmetextracts #thewerfrestaurant #farmtotable #summer #longsundaylunch #dessert #boschendal #franschhoek #capewinelands

A post shared by Boschendal (@boschendal) on Oct 7, 2018 at 9:04pm PDT

30. Wolfgat (Paternoster)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Transitioning from winter to spring, the west coast landscape is transforming rapidly. This means daily menu tweaks and the onset of seasonal separation anxiety in the Wolfgat kitchen. Clinging to the last of winter’s abundance, current snacks include a kind of surf ‘n’ turf: limpet in its shell, with waterblommetjie, sea lettuce, suring and lemon veloute. #Wolfgat #Paternoster #surfnturf

A post shared by Wolfgat (@wolfgat) on Sep 15, 2018 at 2:41am PDT

PHOTO: iStock/andresr

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