Seafood extravaganza! and other South Africa Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Ocean Basket

This is a South African chain of restaurants that specialise in seafood.

We have been to a few in various parts of the country, and they generally have good service.

The last time we went was to the Monte Casino branch...

Service was okay, not as good as usual to be honest, they got the order wrong and we waited too long for one dish, and as we wouldn’t eat till she had got her dish, ours then got cold. So they had to warm them up again.

It is important that dishes for one table are served together, we feel.

Other than that, it was a thoroughly enjoyable meal! And of course we will be back!

Favorite Dish: The food is excellent quality here, but you do pay for it!

Even when we come here when on holiday (sending British Sterling), we feel the prices are too high.

The food is really good though.

We usually have seafood platters, with lobster, prawns, line fish, calamari and mussels, which serve two people. Very well I might add! We always have leftovers.

One always leaves here sated and satisfied!

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Theme: Seafood
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Address: All over the country!
Website: http://www.oceanbasket.com/branches.htm

Restaurant Name: Wimpy

The Wimpy is synonomous with growing up as kids in South Africa.. the drive-thru, the roadhouse, the rest stop on the way to our holiday destination!

Family-orientated and reliable.

I have vivid memories of driving down to Durban from Johannesburg as a child, excitedly waiting to catch that first smell and then glimpse of the ocean! This conjures up nostalgic memories, which includes at elast 3 pit stops on the way there.

At the service stations they generally have the garage, a shop selling sundries and sweets, toilet facilities and some restaurants. The Wimpy is usually one of these.

The Wimpy is a bright and cheerful restaurant, which caters for the family and kids espacially. A much-needed service whilst travelling with kids!

Favorite Dish: The food is nothing spectacular in presentation to be honest, but it is tasty and simple and well priced.

We particularly enjoy thier breakfasts!

Rashers of bacon, mushrooms, eggs, tomato and baked beans (okay, I could've done without the beans..)

Their burgers are filling, their salads crisp and fresh.

If you are wanting something quick, cheap and simple to eat, this is the place to go!

ps: Their milkshakes are great too!

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Theme: Autogrill/Rest Stop
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 011 315 3000
Address: All over the country!
Website: http://www.wimpy.co.za/
Other Contact: info@wimpy.co.za

Restaurant Name: Black Steer

I have been quite a few times, it is a favoured steakhouse chain in South Africa.

They are a slightly upmarket chain, where the food is good quality and service just fine.

It is a tad expensive here, but you will have a good meal. Guaranteed.

Favorite Dish: One particular occasion stands out...

It was my sister’s birthday and she had invited 18 people along to celebrate.

Of the 18 people, 14 decided to have pork spare ribs!!! They are reknown for their ribs and so I guess we weren’t too surprised.

The funny thing was, when we had all finished our ribs (and they were large racks, that bent up a bit), prior to the waitron retrieving the empty plates, we took a photo… of 14 plates along this long table, with lots of empty ribs!

We looked like a bunch of ferocious carnivores!

Other dishes are also good, but ribs are a personal favourite here.

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Theme: Steakhouse
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Directions: All over the country!
Website: http://www.blacksteer.co.il/english.cfm

Restaurant Name: You just cant say no!

Yet another family favourite... You know what you will be getting and it’s not pricey.

It is brightly coloured, fresh and funky.

Service is merely okay, nothing fantastic in our general experience. But as we usually pop by here for a dessert, not a meal, it is not worth complaining about.

Favorite Dish: If you are feeling like a waffle, then this is the place to come!

They are yummy, crispy, with generous dollops of cream or ice cream. They pop other bits and pieces on the waffle too, like peppermint crisp bits. Absolutely yummy, albeit fattening!

So I never had any this last time, only hubby did.

I had a good cup of strong coffee though!

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Theme: Ice Cream
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: All over the country!

Restaurant Name: Baglios

Baglios is a chain of Italian ice cream shops around the country, generally found in shopping malls.

They are a lovely treat to have but are quite expensive!

Favorite Dish: It has a wide variety of ice cream in delicious flavours!

I usually enjoy a sweet and a non-sweet, so generally opt for coffee and chocolate scoops in a cup/home made sugar cone.

If I am in a fruity mood I opt for one of the citrus fruity flavours.

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Theme: Ice Cream
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Directions: All over the country!

Restaurant Name: Mimmos

We have been going here since kids. It is an Italian restaurant, that is usually a lot of fun to go to, as they have TV coverage of sports, especially soccer!

We usually went to the Randburg Waterfront branch, but this no longer exists.

Their service is okay, but nothing special. The waitrons are usually students working for some extra money, so it’s not their profession.

The Wynburg (Cape Town) restaurant holds a particularly special memory for us!

When we got married in October 2001, we had an Afternoon Tea. As it always goes with weddings, we didn’t get to eat much at all, what with chatting with the guests, having photographs taken etc.

So when we finally left, and arrived at the B&B for our wedding night, we were starving!

The hostess had kindly laid fresh white rose petals all over the bed in the shape of a heart, with some champagne for the ready on the sideboard.

We got out of our wedding gear (my hair was still in the wedding braids with ivy leaves though!), hopped into the car and dashed to Mimmos! We got a large chicken pizza and took it back to the B&B. We had our own secluded cabin in their expansive garden, it was quite private.

So our very first meal as newlyweds was pizza and champagne!!!

Favorite Dish: Their pizzas are their best meal we think.

They are thin crust, come in three sizes and they have a large variety to choose from. You can also make your own pizza with a choice of your own ingredients.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: JUst off Beyers Naude Drive, on the way to Clearwa

Restaurant Name: Spur Steak and Grill

In South Africa we were practically brought up with this restaurant chain, with it's red indian theme. As adults we dont go here nearly as much as it is child orientated, where kiddies join the 'Spur Secret Tribe!'

It's great for birthday parties and the like. As adults though, the food is yummy, portions sizeable, and we always have a good time here, rarely being disappointed.

Dont go hear of you feel like a romantic evening though, because it is aimed for the kiddies. Fair warning!!

Favorite Dish: There are so many superb dishes, I will name a few highly recommended.

Lazy-aged steak, Various burgers with really great patties, Cheddamelt Schnitzels, Deep friend calamari, Linefish, Half ranch chicken, Nachos, Spur t-bone steak, Spur spare ribs, Enchiladas and their Salad Valley.

This is my favourite.

Their salad vallies are a buffet-style section with tons of different salads, from green to pasta.

They do cater for vegetarians.

Their chocolate brownies are a firm favourite for dessert too.

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Theme: Steakhouse
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: All over the country!
Website: www.spur.co.za

Restaurant Name: Nandos

This is probably our most regular restaurant. A firm favourite!!!!

It is a South African chain of restaurants, we used to go in South Africa now and again, but since living in London, have gone alot more.

Their website is worth a look, as they have some 'spicy marketing'...

They also have an online shop, as their spices are truly world class and DELICIOUS. They even have t-shirts in black with white lettering saying 'Hot n Saucy'... the waitresses have t-shirts saying 'Hot chicks' etc... alot of play on words and fun.

They have a gallery online, and the artwork is in their retsaurants, titled ROOTS - where they showcase African artists work. I have taken a couple of samples from their website so you can see the type of artwork.

Favorite Dish: We know this restaurant very well and have tried everything - a few times!lol - on it. They have a loyalty card system which is great too. Once you have eaten a couple meals you get a free bowl of olives, a couple more meals and you get a free quarter chicken, a couple more meals and you get a whole chicken for free! (You see the incentive here huh? haha)

It being of a South African Portuguese origin, the food is tangy generally, and the mild option is the lemon and herb option.. the one I usually go for. If I feel like some hottening up I add one of their superb hot sauces (free) onto it.

Their grades are EXTRA HOT, HOT, MEDIUM HOT and LEMON AND HERB.

They are primarily known for their peri-peri chicken, but you get lovely steak rolls etc there too. Burger and pitta combinations are also great.

The food is really delicious and the portions very generous!

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: All over the country!
Website: http://www.nandos.co.za/

Most people love kebabs... but to different people, a kebab means something different...

In South Africa a kebab is pieces of meat on a stick (also called a 'sosati').... and in England, a kebab is what you find in the photo..

the mind boggles :)

(a special thanks to my brother and his wife for demonstrating this so beautifully!)


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Theme: Middle Eastern
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Directions: Kebabs are found all over South Africa, especially in supermarkets, where people take them home and cook them themselves.

Restaurant Name: Sosaties at a braai (barbecue)

A sosatie... you get a thin stick and pierce pieces of meat (eg. lamb), peppers
(green, red and yellow), dried fruit (prunes, apricots, apple), onions etc...

You can get these at some of the typically South Africa restaurants... but we make these ourselves at home.

They are not hard to do! And they are ever so yummy!!!! :)


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Theme: Local

Address: at home
Directions: at home