The winners of the 7th World Culinary Awards have been announced, recognising restaurants and hotel dining experiences around the world. In Southern Africa, establishments in South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Eswatini feature among the winners.
South Africa was named Africa's Best Culinary Destination 2026, while Cape Town received the title of Africa's Best Culinary City Destination.
La Colombe in Constantia, Cape Town, was named both South Africa's Best Restaurant 2026 and Africa's Best Restaurant 2026. Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic in Hout Bay received both the South African and African titles for Best Hotel Restaurant, while Journey – Urchin Restaurant in Cape Town was recognised as South Africa's and Africa's Best Fine Dining Experience 2026.
For travellers planning a trip to the region, the awards offer some ideas for dining experiences to consider alongside safaris, city breaks and coastal holidays.
South Africa was named Africa's Best Culinary Destination 2026, while Cape Town received the title of Africa's Best Culinary City Destination.
La Colombe in Constantia, Cape Town, was named both South Africa's Best Restaurant 2026 and Africa's Best Restaurant 2026. Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic in Hout Bay received both the South African and African titles for Best Hotel Restaurant, while Journey – Urchin Restaurant in Cape Town was recognised as South Africa's and Africa's Best Fine Dining Experience 2026.
For travellers planning a trip to the region, the awards offer some ideas for dining experiences to consider alongside safaris, city breaks and coastal holidays.
Africa's Best Restaurants of 2026 in Southern Africa
- Africa's Best Restaurant 2026: La Colombe — Constantia, Cape Town, South Africa
- Africa's Best New Restaurant 2026: Precious Hidden Valley Restaurant — Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Africa's Best Mediterranean Cuisine Restaurant 2026: Bellagio — Cape Town, South Africa
- Africa's Best Hotel Restaurant 2026: Chefs Warehouse @ Tintswalo Atlantic — Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
- Africa's Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant 2026: Babel @ Babylonstoren — Simondium, Cape Winelands, South Africa
- Africa's Best Brunch Venue 2026: JARRYDS Brunch & Bistro — Sea Point, Cape Town, South Africa
- Africa's Best Fine Dining Experience 2026: Journey – Urchin Restaurant — Cape Town, South Africa
- Africa's Best Landmark Restaurant 2026: Life Grand Cafe Waterfront — Cape Town, South Africa
- Africa's Best Japanese Cuisine Restaurant 2026: Hoseki at Delaire Graff Estate — Stellenbosch area, South Africa
- Africa's Best New Hotel Restaurant 2026: Room 32 @ Park Hyatt Johannesburg — Johannesburg, South Africa
- Africa's Best French Cuisine Restaurant 2026: Le coin Français by Darren Badenhorst — Franschhoek, South Africa
Southern Africa's top culinary establishments by country
Angola
- Angola's Best Restaurant 2026: Restaurante Vitrúvio — Luanda
- Angola's Best Hotel Restaurant 2026: Kimera @ EPIC SANA Luanda — Luanda
Botswana
- Botswana's Best Restaurant 2026: Two Six Seven Kitchen + Bar — Gaborone
- Botswana's Best Hotel Restaurant 2026: Xigera Restaurant @ Xigera Safari Lodge — Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve
Eswatini
- Eswatini's Best Restaurant 2026: Ramblas Restaurant — Mbabane
- Eswatini's Best Hotel Restaurant 2026: The Lihawu Restaurant @ The Royal Villas — Ezulwini Valley
Mozambique
- Mozambique's Best Restaurant 2026: Salt Restaurant & Bar — Maputo
- Mozambique's Best Hotel Restaurant 2026: Bistro @ Avenida Hotel Maputo — Maputo
Namibia
- Namibia's Best Restaurant 2026: Butcher Block Steakhouse — Windhoek
- Namibia's Best Hotel Restaurant 2026: Platform One Restaurant @ Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre — Swakopmund
South Africa
- South Africa's Best Restaurant 2026: La Colombe — Constantia, Cape Town
- South Africa's Best Hotel Restaurant 2026: Chefs Warehouse @ Tintswalo Atlantic — Hout Bay, Cape Town
- South Africa's Best Culinary Experience 2026: Journey – Urchin Restaurant — Cape Town
Zambia
- Zambia's Best Hotel Restaurant 2026: The Curate Restaurant @ InterContinental Lusaka — Lusaka
Zimbabwe
- Zimbabwe's Best Restaurant 2026: The Boma — Victoria Falls
- Zimbabwe's Best Hotel Restaurant 2026: The Kitchen Restaurant @ Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles — Harare
Planning a culinary stop in Southern Africa
The 2026 World Culinary Awards provide a starting point for travellers interested in exploring the region's restaurant scene. The winning establishments range from city restaurants in Cape Town, Luanda, Gaborone, Maputo and Windhoek to hotel dining and safari-lodge experiences.
South Africa has several recognised options around Cape Town, while Botswana's Xigera Restaurant offers a dining experience in the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta. In Zimbabwe, visitors can consider The Boma when staying in Victoria Falls.
For more information, see the official World Culinary Awards 2026 winners list.
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