Cape Town restaurants La Colombe, FYN and Salsify at Roundhouse have all been named in the extended list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2025. La Colombe earned a coveted spot at number 55, FYN at number 82, and Salsify at the Roundhouse debuted at number 88.
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants ranks the top dining destinations globally, while the extended 51-100 list provides a glimpse into the rising stars of the global food scene. Selected by 1,080 industry experts, this list showcases restaurants across six continents, celebrating innovation, sustainability, and cultural storytelling in gastronomy.
La Colombe is the flagship restaurant of Scot Kirton’s La Colombe Group, which comprises several of South Africa’s top restaurants. Consistently winning local and international awards, Chef James Gaag and his team create elegant dishes grounded in French technique and accented with Asian influences.
In a social media post following the announcement, La Colombe said: “Thank you @theworlds50best for ranking us No. 55 in the world! It will always be the biggest privilege to not only represent South Africa on the global stage, but to continue to serve the diners who support us, year after year. To our team who makes this possible – and the guests we welcome through our doors – thank you, thank you!”
This marks the fifth consecutive year that FYN has been honoured in this globally respected ranking, affirming the Cape Town-based restaurant’s continued impact on the international culinary stage. Founded in 2018 by Chef Peter Tempelhoff, alongside Culinary Director Chef Ashley Moss and Service & Beverage Director Jennifer Hugé, FYN has become a bastion of innovation, fine cooking, and impeccable service. Its culinary vision celebrates the wildness of South African ingredients and flavours through a Japanese lens.
“To be recognised by the World’s 50 Best for the fifth time is an extraordinary honor,” says Tempelhoff. “This is a celebration of the whole team – from our kitchen and service brigades to our foragers, farmers, fishermen, and ceramicists. FYN is the product of a deeply collaborative ecosystem, and this recognition is for everyone who plays a part in creating the FYN experience. We are very grateful.”
Salsify at the Roundhouse’s inclusion in the prestigious The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Top 100 comes hot on the heels of the restaurant winning Restaurant of the Year at the 2025 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards.
“Being recognised on the extended list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants is an incredible honour,” says Ryan Cole, executive chef and co-owner. “At Salsify, we push boundaries, embrace creativity, and craft experiences that reflect the essence of South African ingredients and stories. This achievement is a testament to the relentless passion, innovation, and dedication of our team – our aim is simple: to be better than we were yesterday.”
Since opening in 2018, Salsify at The Roundhouse has firmly established itself as one of Cape Town’s landmark dining destinations. Over the last six years, it has been celebrated for its passion for preserving heritage – paying homage to history, stories, and ingredients while crafting light, delicate dishes.
Ryan, together with head chef Nina du Toit and their team, focuses the Salsify menu on locally sourced produce, foraged herbs, ancient grains, and preserves of ingredients at their peak from previous seasons. Most of the fish served in the restaurant is caught by Chef Ryan or his brother, ensuring not only its freshness but also peace of mind that it has been ethically sourced, underscoring his dedication to sustainability.
“I am so proud of what we have accomplished. It has been a dream to be on the list, and it has taken many years of consistent growth and hard work,” says Nina.
The list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, will be revealed from Turin on Thursday, June 19.
