Best restaurant awards honour Pretoria establishments
The capital city's culinary heroes proving themselves with more than 10 nominations in a countrywide restaurant award competition open to the public for voting.
Now is the time to vote for your favourite restaurant in Pretoria and establish the capital as a culinary node of note.
More than 10 restaurants in Pretoria were nominated in the South Africa Restaurant Awards.
The awards will be handed out at the event’s second annual ceremony at the esteemed Hotel Sky in Sandton on April 7.
Various categories feature nominated restaurants and chefs countrywide.
Pretoria restaurants have been nominated in the categories Best Fine Dining, Best Restaurant in Pretoria, Best Restaurant in Gauteng and Best Restaurant/Nightclub for 2025.
This prestigious event celebrates the nation’s finest culinary talents, recognising restaurants, bars, and industry professionals who have demonstrated exceptional excellence and innovation in South Africa’s vibrant culinary scene.
Operated by the World Restaurant Awards Group, established in 1999, the South Africa Restaurant Awards is part of a distinguished portfolio that includes renowned events such as the British Restaurant Awards and World Restaurant Awards.
Sara Kensington, spokesperson for the South Africa Restaurant Awards, said they are honoured to spotlight the outstanding talents within South Africa’s culinary community.
“It is a good platform that recognises hard work and dedication.”
Nominated in the Best Restaurant in Pretoria is the Pepper Tree restaurant in Erasmuskloof in Pretoria east.
Owner Helen de Beer told Rekord that the nomination comes as a surprise as the restaurant is relatively new on the scene and only became a full-fledged restaurant after the Covid pandemic in 2020.
De Beer, a trained fashion designer and artist, cannot believe the miracle that was the transformation of a guest house restaurant not open to the public before Covid-19, to a busy, award nominated restaurant today.
“But the good Lord knew that this day would come,” said De Beer, who attributed the wisdom of signing up to delivery apps like Uber Eats even before the pandemic started due to a hint a friend gave her.
“When President Ramaphosa gave the go-ahead for takeaways in May 2020 after the lockdown started at the end of March, we could be operational because of having these apps in place. We had orders for R63 000 worth of takeaways on day 1,” said De Beer.
Through the takeaways, the service and food at the guest house, Oppikopi, became known in the neighbourhood and surrounds.
After the lockdown, the restaurant came into being by public demand.
“I put it down to hard work, determination and faith,” said De Beer.
The restaurant, with its cosy ambience, is full of De Beer’s colourful paintings, and food from her own recipes is served in a cosy atmosphere.
Reflecting the diversity of South Africa’s culinary landscape, the award categories are open for public voting. Voting is live from February 10 until March 30 on the social network platform Telephonos. Click on this link: https://url.za.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/nT_eCRgB0AhPjpL0IOsZT1wYll?domain=telephonos.com
Other categories can be seen on www.southafricarestaurantawards.com.
Official Nominations List featuring Pretoria establishments:
Best Fine Dining
Stephnie’s (Pretoria)
Best Restaurant in Pretoria
Pro Sopa Restaurant
16th by Koi
Pepper Tree
PRIVA
Stephnie’s Restaurant
Kream Restaurant Brooklyn
Golden Hour
La Madeleine
Wood & Fire
Fermier Restaurant
Best Restaurant in Gauteng
Fermier Restaurant (Pretoria)
Best Restaurant / Nightclub
Greenhouse on Festival (Pretoria)
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