This year’s LUXE Restaurant Awards, held at MIRA Sandton, was clearly a glittering affair. In partnership with Audi South Africa, the evening brought together the country’s most celebrated chefs, restaurateurs and culinary visionaries for what has become one of the most anticipated events on the local dining calendar.
More than an awards ceremony, the LUXE Restaurant Awards once again served as a barometer of where South African cuisine is headed – bold, refined, globally relevant and deeply rooted in local identity.
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An Evening of Elegance and Industry Icons
The sophisticated affair was hosted by media personality Shashi Naidoo, who returned as Master of Ceremonies, alongside acclaimed cookbook author Mogau Seshoene, better known as The Lazy Makoti, serving as the official LUXE Awards correspondent.
Together, they guided guests through a curated programme celebrating craftsmanship, innovation and the dedication that defines South Africa’s ever-evolving dining culture.
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Luxury event specialist Vicky Crease elevated the guest experience with her signature refined aesthetic, ensuring the setting matched the calibre of the culinary excellence being honoured.
The Big Winners at the LUXE Restaurant Awards 2026
Among the evening’s most prestigious accolades:
- Restaurant of the Year was awarded to Mertia in Stellenbosch, recognised for its consistency, precision and exceptional dining experience.
- Chef of the Year went to Carla Schulze, applauded for her artistry and leadership in the kitchen.
- New Restaurant of the Year was claimed by Amura, which has already made a significant impact on Cape Town’s fine dining landscape.
- Callan Austin of Dusk received the Culinary Innovation Award, celebrated for his bold, boundary-pushing approach.
- Rising talent Nic Charalambous of Ouzeri was honoured with the Culinary Rising Star Award, cementing his growing influence on the national stage.
Naturally, the evening also recognised industry pioneers, sustainability leaders and service excellence across a wide range of dining categories – from fine dining and bistros to bakeries, food trucks and contemporary concept spaces.
LUXE Diamond Star Excellence
At the pinnacle of the awards were the coveted LUXE Diamond Star Awards, presented to three of South Africa’s most celebrated restaurants:
- La Colombe
- Salsify at the Roundhouse
- Fyn
These establishments continue to define world-class dining in South Africa, seamlessly blending technique, storytelling and sensory experience.
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A Full List of the LUXE Restaurant Awards 2026 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)
A Reflection of South Africa’s Culinary Evolution
From the Sustainability Award going to Fermier to the African Restaurant of the Year accolade awarded to Qunu, the awards reflected the depth and diversity of the country’s hospitality landscape.
Fine dining stalwarts like Rust en Vrede Restaurant shared the spotlight with innovative spaces, neighbourhood favourites and culinary disruptors – a testament to a dining scene that refuses to stand still.
The evening’s mood was one of camaraderie and forward momentum and the Awards did much more than just celebrating achievement. In fact, they affirmed South Africa’s position as one of the most exciting and dynamic food destinations in the world.
For lifestyle lovers, travellers and wine enthusiasts alike, this year’s winners at the LUXE Restaurant Awards offer a curated roadmap of where to dine next. From Stellenbosch vineyards to Cape Town’s design-forward dining rooms and Johannesburg’s ever-energised culinary hubs, South Africa’s dining scene has never looked more inspiring.
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