The Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant of the Year was awarded to FYN on Monday night as the South African food community gathered for a celebration of culinary excellence at the Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town on 23 March. 

“The judges said FYN delivered a world-class dining experience defined by precision, creativity and balance,” says Abigail Donnelly, Eat Out’s culinary director. 

The recognition formed the centrepiece of an extraordinary night for the FYN Group. Service and Beverage Director Jennifer Hugé accepted the Eat Out Patrón Mixology Award for her work across FYN and Beyond, with both restaurants receiving the accolade. FYN was awarded Three Eat Out Stars, while Beyond was awarded Two.

After their win, FYN restaurant posted on the social media: “Being named @eatoutguide Woolworths Restaurant of the Year 2026 reminds us why we ask ourselves, ‘how can we push FYN one step further?’ every day.

What can we do to strengthen the experience for guests? What can we do to elevate our beverage program? How can we develop a compelling narrative about South African ingredients?

Every day at FYN is about trying to answer those questions: with a vision shaped by @petertempelhoff , with beverages and service led by the inimitable @hugejennifer with a menu developed by our remarkable @ashleybmoss , @beamalherbe , @lucas.ceasar.56 and the kitchen teams that support them…and with countless little details that strengthen our story.”

Another standout moment was the recognition of the Eat Out Woolworths Financial Services Chef of the Year, awarded to Johannes Richter owner and executive chef of The LivingRoom at Summerhill Estate in KZN for the second year in a row. 

Meanwhile, the Eat Out S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna Chefs’ Chef award went to Ryan Cole, a testament to the respect and admiration of his peers. 

Donnelly said: “The Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards are a celebration of the incredible talent, passion and dedication that make South Africa’s food scene so extraordinary. It’s about more than just the food – it’s about the people, the stories and the community that bring it all to life. This year, we are thrilled to see the number of starred restaurants grow to 66, reflecting the continued evolution and excellence of our culinary landscape. Congratulations to all the winners on their remarkable achievements.” 

Eat Out stars

Eat Out’s star-rating system, widely recognised as the gold standard in South Africa, awards restaurants one, two or three stars based on their final scores. The criteria cover every aspect of the dining experience, from food quality and technique to service, ambience and value. Over eight months, seven anonymous judges visited restaurants across the country, ensuring a rigorous and fair evaluation process. 

Three stars are awarded to restaurants scoring between 90 and 100, representing the pinnacle of excellence. 

• FYN (City Bowl, Cape Town)
• La Colombe (Constantia, Cape Town)
• La Petite Colombe (Franschhoek)
• MERTIA (Stellenbosch)
• Pier (V&A Waterfront, Cape Town)
• Salon (Woodstock, Cape Town)
• Salsify at the Roundhouse (Camps Bay, Cape Town)
•  The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate (Pinetown, eThekwini)

Two stars are awarded to those scoring between 80 and 89, showcasing exceptional quality. 

• Belly of the Beast (City Bowl, Cape Town)
• Beyond (Constantia, Cape Town)
• Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia (Constantia, Cape Town)
• COY Restaurant (V&A Waterfront, Cape Town)
• Dusk (Stellenbosch)
• Epice (Franschhoek)
• FABER at Avondale (Paarl)
• Fermier (Tshwane)
• Good to Gather (Stellenbosch)
• Hōseki (Stellenbosch)
• Meraki by Charlie Lakin (Hillcrest, eThekwini)
• Ouzeri (City Bowl, Cape Town)
• Post & Pepper (Stellenbosch)
• Protégé (Franschhoek)
• Rust en Vrede Restaurant (Stellenbosch)
• The Jordan Restaurant with Marthinus Ferreira (Stellenbosch)
• The Pot Luck Club Cape Town (Woodstock, Cape Town)
• The Table at De Meye (Stellenbosch)
• The Waterside Restaurant (V&A Waterfront, Cape Town)
• Vuur Goose Island (Stellenbosch)
• Wolfgat (Paternoster)

One star is awarded to restaurants scoring between 70 and 79 – a mark of distinction that sets them apart. 

• BLOEM at Paul Clüver Family Wines (Elgin, Grabouw)
• Cavalli Restaurant (Somerset West)
• Chefs Warehouse at Maison (Franschhoek)
• Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic (Hout Bay, Cape Town)
• CHORUS (Somerset West) 
• Creation Wines Tasting Room (Hemel-en-Aarde Valley)
• CURATE at Ellerman House (Bantry Bay, Cape Town)
• Cyra (Houghton Estate, Johannesburg)
• Eike (Stellenbosch)
• ëlgr (City Bowl, Cape Town)
• Embarc (Parkhurst, Johannesburg)
• Ember & Oak (Constantia, Cape Town)
• Galjoen (City Bowl, Cape Town)
• Kapokbos Restaurant (Bonnievale)
• Le coin Français (Franschhoek)
• Leeto (Paternoster)
• Les Créatifs (Bryanston, Johannesburg)
• Marble Restaurant Johannesburg (Rosebank, Johannesburg)
• Melfort (Stellenbosch)
• Merchant Bar & Grill (City Bowl, Cape Town)
• Nevermind (Cape St Francis)
• Ongetem (Gardens, Cape Town)