In a dazzling celebration of South Africa’s culinary talent, the country’s top chefs gathered at Cape Town’s Baxter Theatre Centre on Monday, 23 March, for the 2026 Woolworths Eat Out Awards ceremony. FYN claimed the coveted Restaurant of the Year title, while Johannes Richter of The LivingRoom was named the Eat Out Woolworths Financial Services Chef of the Year.
FYN received acclaim for fusing Japanese techniques with an authentic South African identity. The restaurant weaves the Cape’s natural abundance into its dishes, using edible plants and seasonal specialities with precision and creativity. According to the South African National Biodiversity Institute, the use of indigenous ingredients is crucial for promoting biodiversity and supporting local farmers.
2026 Eat Out Awards Winners
The Eat Out S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna Chefs’ Chef award went to Chef Ryan Cole, a testament to the respect and admiration of his peers. The Eat Out House of Suntory Lannice Snyman Lifetime Achievement Award honoured industry legend winemaker Ken Forrester, whose decades of passion, innovation, and hospitality continue to shape South Africa’s culinary landscape.
Aren Pollack at Embarc in Parkhurst, Johannesburg, claimed this year’s Eat Out Rising Star Award. This award recognises exceptional young talent, innovation, skill, and promise for a thriving culinary career. As stated on the South African Tourism website, the culinary industry plays a significant role in promoting tourism and economic growth in the country.
Top Restaurants in South Africa
The evening saw 66 restaurants receive stars following an eight-month judging process by seven anonymous culinary experts, who assessed food, service, ambience, and value across South Africa’s finest restaurants. Three stars are awarded to restaurants scoring more than 90 out of 100, including:
- Salsify at the Roundhouse, Cape Town
- The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate, Pinetown, Durban
- Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia, Cape Town
- Meraki by Charlie Lakin, Hillcrest, Durban
- Rust en Vrede Restaurant, Stellenbosch
- The Jordan Restaurant with Marthinus Ferreira
Abigail Donnelly, Eat Out’s culinary director, said: “The Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards celebrate the talent, passion, and dedication that make South Africa’s food scene extraordinary. It is about more than food; it is about the people, stories, and community that bring it to life.”
