We researched SA’s top 10 restaurants to find out exactly how much it costs to eat like royalty - and find some surprising value

ALSO READ: 8 Places to dine out for less than R80 in Cape Town

We recently researched South Africa’s highest awarded restaurants, to find out how much a entry level dinner for two adults will cost you. We also took a look at the price of a cheapest bottle of wine, because what is a fine meal without a glass of wine to accompany it? Starting with the most expensive meal, we count down the top 10:

1. The Test Kitchen, Woodstock (Eat Out No. 1)
Price per 2 guests: R4032
Cheapest bottle of wine: wine pairing available for R750 p/p.
Most expensive bottle of wine: pricing not available
As the number 1 restaurant in South Africa, and recently named the best restaurant in Africa, it is no surprise that Luke Dale-Roberts’ flagship restaurant comes in at the top spot.

Hot smoked Trout and watercress soup. Perfection.

A post shared by The Test Kitchen (@thetestkitchenct) on Jan 31, 2018 at 6:41am PST

2. Greenhouse, Constantia (Eat Out No. 5)
Price per 2 guests: R2640 for the Provenance Menu
Cheapest bottle of wine: R170
Most expensive bottle of wine: R1825
This 9-course menu is intricate and detailed, with a wide selection of South African flavours such as karoo truffle, madumbi, sour fig and Mpumalanga mango.

A post shared by Greenhouse (@greenhouse_ct) on Mar 3, 2018 at 4:26am PST

3. La Colombe, Constantia (Eat Out No. 7)
Price per 2 guests: R2228 for the Reduced Set Menu
Cheapest bottle of wine: wine pairing available for R750 p/p.
Most expensive bottle of wine: pricing not available
French fine dining, with a contemporary South African interpretation, La Colombe remains one of South Africa’s iconic establishments.

“Art stretches far beyond paintbrush to canvas at La Colombe restaurant in Constantia– and this is where head chef Scot Kirton’s flair for innovation is delivered through his detail-driven passion right onto your dinner plate. Scot’s exquisite plating skills are a precise art: balanced and perfectly harmonious. His team’s faultless techniques are awe-inspiring to say the least, and this is why we think a visit to La Colombe needs to be on your Cape Town art itinerary! It was recently voted as the seventh Best Restaurant in the World by TripAdvisor, and our advice is to go and taste for yourself. A wise word of warning, however – book as soon as possible.” – House and Leisure Magazine http://www.houseandleisure.co.za/uncategorized/explore-cape-town-art/ #plating #foodart #canvas #constantia1685 #finedining

A post shared by La Colombe Restaurant (@lacolombect) on Dec 13, 2017 at 12:10am PST

4. Restaurant Mosaic at the Orient, Johannesburg (Eat Out No. 2)
Price per 2 guests: R2090 for the Market Degustation Menu
Cheapest bottle of wine: wine pairing available for R395 p/p.
Most expensive bottle of wine: pricing not available
Representing Johannesburg, in an otherwise Cape-dominated Top 10, Restaurant Mosaic is a romantic dining experience with local, Eastern and French flavours.

Cosmorganic Menu at Mosaic “Some Birds Don’t Fly” Featuring 3 preparations of Ostrich. #thebestchef #restaurantmosaicatorient #newmenu #artofplating #thebestchefawards #greatplates

A post shared by Chantel Dartnall (@restaurantmosaicatorient) on Oct 24, 2017 at 6:45am PDT

5. The Restaurant at Waterkloof, Somerset West (Eat Out No. 3)
Price per 2 guests: R1232 for the Reduced Set Menu
Cheapest bottle of wine: R190
Most expensive bottle of wine: R340
Award winning chef, Gregory Czarnecki is at the helm of The Restaurant, set atop the hillside in a breathtaking glasshouse construction.

#Repost from @kevwinesw19: . “My #egg63 dish at @waterkloofwines this week. Incredible – will be hard to eat a better dish this year.”

A post shared by Waterkloof Wines (@waterkloofwines) on Feb 12, 2018 at 2:24am PST

6. Overture, Stellenbosch (Eat Out No. 9)
Price per 2 guests: R1122 for the Set Menu
Cheapest bottle of wine: R195
Most expensive bottle of wine: R950
Multi-award winner Overture, and chef-owner Bertus Basson, is a regular on both the fine- and casual-dining scenes. Nostalgic South African recipes are refreshed with modern techniques.

When the birthday celebrations start early & mom takes you out for lunch at Overture @bertusbasson… As my one friend says, it’s a birth week, not a birthday!! ?? ?????? . . #turning34 #overture #bertusbasson #birthdaycelebrations?? #birthdaysAreBigInOurFamily

A post shared by Christine Meintjes (@cmeintjes) on Feb 27, 2018 at 6:18am PST

7. The Potluck Club, Woodstock (Eat Out No. 10)
Price per 2 guests: R1115
Cheapest bottle of wine: pricing not available
Most expensive bottle of wine: pricing not available
The younger sister to The Test Kitchen, The Potluck Club is a casual dining experience, with international flavours and textures that will delight and entertain.

Tuna Bordelaise. New Drought Menu launching April 1st. #savewater

A post shared by The Pot Luck Club (@thepotluckclubct) on Mar 28, 2018 at 7:12am PDT

8. Camphors, Somerset West (Eat Out No. 6)
Price per 2 guests: R1089 for the Reduced Set Menu
Cheapest bottle of wine: R130
Most expensive bottle of wine: R5590
Set among the established and celebrated gardens of Vergelegen Estate, Chef Mike Cooke brings a sense of sensitivity and consciousness to fine dining in the Winelands.

Red Wine Butter & Grape Salt ?? #ourstory #winecountry #farmlife #redredwine #grapes #breadandwine #breadandbutter #cheflife #chefsgarden #chefsofinstagram #foodart #wine

Throw back to shooting one of my all time favourite spots in Cape Town @theshortmarketclub. If you haven’t visited then you are truly missing out! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #thetrufflejournal #capetownliving #capetownmag #tbt #shortmarketclub #capetownrestaurants #foodphotography #beautifulcuisines

A post shared by MELISSA DELPORT (@trufflejournal) on Jun 14, 2018 at 9:24am PDT

#chefsofinstagram #vineyardtotable

A post shared by Michael Cooke (@chefmikecooke) on Jan 4, 2018 at 2:27am PST

9. Shortmarket Club, Cape Town (Eat Out No. 8)
Price per 2 guests: R1087
Cheapest bottle of wine: R200
Most expensive bottle of wine: R4000
Luke Dale-Roberts’ third establishment creates a modern, industrial inner city atmosphere with neo-bistrot influences with authentic local ingredients.

Throw back to shooting one of my all time favourite spots in Cape Town @theshortmarketclub. If you haven’t visited then you are truly missing out! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #thetrufflejournal #capetownliving #capetownmag #tbt #shortmarketclub #capetownrestaurants #foodphotography #beautifulcuisines

A post shared by MELISSA DELPORT (@trufflejournal) on Jun 14, 2018 at 9:24am PDT

10. Chefs Warehouse, Constantia (Eat Out No. 4)
Price per 2 guests: R770
Cheapest bottle of wine: R180
Most expensive bottle of wine: R850
Head Chef Ivor Jones made his top 10 debut this year with Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia. Their sharing menu for two is layered, delicate and always delicious. Go for the view, stay for the food. By far the best value meal in the top 10.

Thank you for sharing, @karen_germishuys . . . #cheflife #chefswarehouse #beauconstantia #constantiawineroute #eatout #capetown #lovelife #lovefood #summer #yay

A post shared by Chefs Warehouse (@chefswarehousebeauconstantia) on Jan 4, 2018 at 12:23am PST

Notes:
All prices correct at time of publication.
Dinner for two based on 2 starters, 2 main course, 1 dessert or cheapest set menu including gratuity as per restaurant policy, or 10% if not specified. All wine 750 ml. South African only, excluding dessert wine and champagne.

Have you eaten at any of these restaurants? Do you feel that they were good value? Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter, and let us know your thoughts, or get in touch with us on editor@food24.com

ALSO READ: SA restaurant voted 50th best in the world