The 8 best restaurants in Pretoria

If you’re after craft cocktails, pizza and a place to unwind after a long week, Moonshine in Menlyn is where you want to be. The space has an effortless contemporary-yet-industrial feel, with an open bar, wooden tables, and enough of a vibe without it being a full blown party (the over 30s will be grateful!). Their double-cooked chicken wings are satisfyingly crispy and come with a punchy parmesan dip, but the real stars are the trio of sliders, featuring Southern-fried chicken, pulled pork and a beef-and-bacon combo – ideal if you can’t decide. For something different, try the mac and cheese bites; they're indulgent and pair well with their selection of craft beers or signature cocktails.

Time Square, 209 Aramist Ave, Menlyn, Pretoria

Run by chef Fortunato Mazzone, a bit of a legend in terms of the Pretoria dining scene, this place is all about bold flavours, great wine and unapologetic indulgence. Regulars of any of his restaurants will know that nothing here is done by halves. Perched above Time Square in Menlyn, the views are as good as the food. Seafood lovers should go for the prawns roasted in Champagne and garlic, a nod to Forti’s Italian roots. If you’re into wine, trust the sommelier - Forti’s list is one of the best in town, and they know how to match a bottle to your meal. Service is polished but warm, and the cityscape vista adds a little extra magic. Book ahead, especially on weekends.

Times Square, Aramist Ave & Corobay Ave, Menlyn, Pretoria

Some places just get it right, and Culture Club in Hazelwood is one of them. It’s done a great job of bringing the Mediterranean to your doorstep. Plenty of outdoor seating, fairy lights and a tapas menu that makes you want to order everything will keep you chilling here all afternoon, whether you planned it or not.

Start with the almond-crusted baked feta, which is salty, crunchy and drizzled with honey. Or go for the brandy-infused chicken liver pâté. After all, Pretoria knows a thing or two about brandy… for instance, that it’s best served double, with Coke. Speaking of brandy, they take their drinks seriously too. The cocktails usually come with a bit of theatre (a bonus if you need a good IG story) and the homemade pomegranate iced tea is something different if you don’t feel like drinking.

16th St, Hazelwood, Pretoria

There’s a reason Alfie’s has a cult following in Pretoria. It’s honest, no-fuss Italian food done properly. Their gnocchi gorgonzola is hands-down one of the best pasta dishes in the city. But they take their pizza seriously here, as evidenced by the giant pizza oven right in the middle of the restaurant.

Of course you could go with a standard (read: boring) topping like ham and mushroom, and it’d be delicious. But the prosciutto pizza, topped with Parma ham, fresh rocket and pecorino shavings, is the real winner. It’s small, intimate and always buzzing, so book ahead or go early. No fancy décor, no gimmicks - just really good food. Expect a warm, unpretentious atmosphere and a menu that keeps locals coming back.

13th Street, Hazelwood, Pretoria

If you love Greek food, Mezetaki is a proper find. It’s casual but full of life, with tables packed with platters of grilled meats, fresh seafood and those lemony Greek-style chips that somehow taste better than anywhere else (Seriously, HOW?). You may as well have been transported straight to Crete.

The lamb souvlaki is a safe bet – juicy, well-seasoned and served with fluffy pita and tzatziki. The halloumi starter is always a winner, perfectly grilled and served with a drizzle of lemon. If you’re in the mood for something lighter, their meze platter for two is a great way to taste a bit of everything. Service is fast and friendly, and the vibe is always upbeat. It’s a good option for a quick lunch or a long, wine-fuelled evening with friends.

Greenlyn Village Centre, Thomas Edison St, Menlo Park, Pretoria

Tucked inside Opikopi Guest House, Peppertree is a fairly recent addition to the Pretoria dining scene. It’s getting rave reviews, and it’s easy to see why after a lunch or dinner there. The renovated residential home is a quiet, elegant space with a leafy terrace, pool and koi pond which make for a perfect long, relaxed meal.

You won’t find weird experimental dishes here, but the food is what you’d expect at a dinner party or lunchtime get together with your foodiest friends: tasty, crowd-pleasing and handmade. The menu isn’t lengthy, but there’s a good mix of grilled steaks, handmade pies and burgers, curries, pasta and more. After having a chicken mayo toastie (which I’m told had just the right amount of mustard) a friend declared the chips to be ‘cripsy and soft and totally covered in seasoning’. High praise, indeed.

Opikopi Guest House, 581 Verdi St, Erasmuskloof, Pretoria

Smoke isn’t the kind of place you expect when you think about Pretoria’s dining scene, which tends to lean more towards old-school South African steakhouses. But Smoke is a solid representation of the way the Jacaranda City is evolving in terms of its food. 

This is what happens when top-tier steakhouse meets speakeasy glamour. The interiors are dark, moody and full of velvet and brass. The classic cocktails are served in gorgeous glasses that could’ve come from a 50s bar.

The food is undeniably “fancy” - in the truest and best sense of the word. The prime ribeye is grilled over an open flame and finished with café de Paris butter, while the short rib bao buns take smoky, slow-cooked beef and stuff it in a pillowy-soft bun with pickled onions and house sauce, and the grilled prawns with miso butter are a nice twist on regular lemon butter.

16 Firwood Ave, Hazelwood, Pretoria

This is Pretoria’s ultimate long-lunch spot. Set on the edge of the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary, Blue Crane is right in the centre of things but still feels removed from it all. The deck overlooks a huge dam, where you’ll often see birds gliding past or diving into the water in hope of their own meal.

The menu leans classic South African with a contemporary touch. The oxtail slow-cooked in red wine is pure comfort food, while the grilled calamari is light, tender and full of flavour. Breakfasts here are legendary too, especially the eggs benedict with smoked salmon trout. It is, of course, family-friendly – so bring the kids to work off some of their energy while you take an extended lunch break.

 232 Boshoff St, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria