On Monday, 31 March, the spotlight turned to the Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town, where South Africa’s top culinary talents gathered for the 2025 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards. The prestigious event dazzled with glamour and gourmet flair, drawing an elite crowd of chefs, restaurateurs, and key industry players for a night dedicated to honouring the finest in the nation's dining scene.
In keeping with the evening’s theme, guests arrived dressed to the nines in classic black tie ensembles. Leading the night with seamless synergy were the evening’s charismatic hosts, Cape Town’s beloved comedian Marc Lottering and seasoned broadcaster Relebogile Mabotja. The duo delivered a stellar performance, delighting the audience with witty banter and light-hearted commentary, all while celebrating the very best of the culinary world.
This year, Eat Out introduced a more in-depth and transparent judging process. Across an eight-month period, a team of eight independent, anonymous judges discreetly visited every nominated restaurant on several occasions, sampling their offerings during both busy and quieter times. This thorough approach aimed to deliver a well-rounded and genuinely fair evaluation of each establishment.
Taking home top honours were some of South Africa’s most cherished restaurants, both long-standing favourites and exciting newcomers. Recognised with one, two, or three stars, these accolades celebrated their exceptional contributions to the country’s ever-evolving hospitality scene. Among the standout winners were FABER at Avondale in Paarl, The Chefs’ Table in Umhlanga (eThekwini), and Salsify at the Roundhouse in Camps Bay, Cape Town , with many more acclaimed establishments also receiving well-deserved recognition.
The evening also featured a series of special awards, honouring excellence beyond the plate. Awards such as the Best Style Award, Best Destination Restaurant, and Best New Restaurant celebrated standout achievements in atmosphere, experience, and innovation.
One of the evening’s most anticipated highlights was the Mixology Award, proudly sponsored by Patrón. This prestigious awards recognised South Africa’s leading mixologists, visionaries who transform cocktails into an integral part of the fine dining experience.
Taking home the coveted title of Mixologist of the Year was La Petite Colombe, a Contemporary fine dining in Franschhoek, the shining example of Patrón’s vision for the future of cocktail culture. Their bar team impressed with bold flavour profiles, inventive twists on timeless classics, and cutting-edge techniques that elevated each drink into a work of art.
Patrón’s presence was felt throughout the evening, not only through their sponsorship of the award but also their standout drink activations that celebrated their exceptional craftsmanship and deep connection to the culinary world.
The evening itself was flawlessly executed, an immersive celebration filled with energy, and camaraderie. Industry insiders and culinary enthusiasts gathered in support of one another, creating an electric atmosphere that honoured the spirit of South Africa’s hospitality scene.
From innovative mixology to world-class dining, the awards was a powerful reminder of the talent, passion, and resilience that drive the industry forward. Here’s to the chefs, the creators, the storytellers, and every individual behind the scenes, your work inspires, delights, and pushes boundaries. Until next year, we raise a glass to excellence.
