Mertia in Stellenbosch was crowned Restaurant of the Year, while Carla Schulze took home the Chef of the Year title at the 2026 LUXE Restaurant Awards, held at MIRA Sandton on Monday night.
LUXE Restaurant Awards organisers said Mertia was being recognised for its refined approach, unwavering consistency, and exceptional dining experience, while Chef of the Year Carla Schulze was honoured for her outstanding leadership and artistry in the kitchen.
Callan Austin of Dusk received the Culinary Innovation Award, applauded for his bold creative vision and continued contribution to contemporary cuisine. Amura at the Mount Nelson in Cape Town was named New Restaurant of the Year, celebrated for its elegant concept and immediate impact on the country’s fine dining scene.
The evening also paid tribute to emerging talent, with Nic Charalambous of Ouzeri in Cape Town receiving the Culinary Rising Star Award, recognising his distinctive voice and rapidly growing influence within the industry.
2026 LUXE Restaurant Awards Winners
Restaurant of the Year: Mertia (Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
Chef of the Year: Carla Schulze (Cape Town, Western Cape)
New Restaurant of the Year: Amura (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Pioneer Award: Marble Hospitality (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
Culinary Innovation Award: Callan Austin – Dusk (Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
Culinary Rising Star Award: Nic Charalambous – Ouzeri (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Hidden Gem Award: Melfort (Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
Pastry Chef of the Year: Arno Ralph (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Service Excellence Award: Hōseki (Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
Style Award: Amura (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Sustainability Award: Fermier (Pretoria, Gauteng)
Restaurant Group of the Year: Olives & Plates: (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
African Restaurant of the Year: Qunu (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
Bakery of the Year: Lion’s Bread (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Bistro of the Year: Le Bistrot de JAN (Franschhoek, Western Cape)
Burger Joint of the Year: Le Pickle (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Cafe of the Year: Café Sofi (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Casual Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Coy (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Concept Restaurant of the Year: The Wiggle Room (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Contemporary Restaurant of the Year: Embarc (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Rust en Vrede Restaurant (Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
Food Truck of the Year: Briskets & Biscuits (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
Grab and Go Restaurant of the Year: Slaps Sandos (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
Grillhouse of the Year: Vuur (Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
Hotel Restaurant of the Year: The Pot Luck Club Johannesburg (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
International Restaurant of the Year: De Eetkamer (Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
Lifestyle Restaurant of the Year: Ocaso (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
Supper Club of the Year: Nine Lives (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
Street Food Restaurant of the Year: How Bao Now (Cape Town, Western Cape)
People’s Choice Award: Club Como (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
LUXE Diamond Star Awards
La Colombe (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Salsify at the Roundhouse (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Fyn (Cape Town, Western Cape)
LUXE Three Star Awards
Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Dusk (Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
La Petite Colombe (Franschhoek, Western Cape)
Mertia (Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
Pier (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Salon (Cape Town, Western Cape)
The Living Room at Summerhill (Durban, KwaZulu-Natal)
LUXE Two Star Awards
Belly of the Beast (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Cyra (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
Hōseki (Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
JAN Franschhoek (Franschhoek, Western Cape)
Rust en Vrede (Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
The Pot Luck Club Cape Town (Cape Town, Western Cape)
The Pot Luck Club Johannesburg (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
LUXE One Star Awards
Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Curate (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Galjoen (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Le Coin Français (Franschhoek, Western Cape)
Les Créatifs (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
Marble Restaurant (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
Ouzeri (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Post & Pepper (Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
Reverie Social Table (Cape Town, Western Cape)
The Tasting Room at Creation (Hemel-en-Aarde, Western Cape)
The Test Kitchen Fledgelings (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Upper Union (Cape Town, Western Cape)
Vuur (Stellenbosch, Western Cape)
