THE 2025 Gourmet Guide™ was launched with a spectacular event hosted by Upper Union Restaurant. This curated collection of fine-dining restaurants reflects the artistry and expertise of chefs across the country and is now accessible as a free digital guide on the Gourmet Guide website.
Consistency, global benchmarking, impartial and anonymous reviews by professionals since the first guide was launched in 2016 has resulted in the guide, Plate ratings and Haute Performance awards being respected and revered by the industry.
“In addition to One, Two and Three Plate awards, this year FYN and La Colombe received gold plates for their globally iconic status, which is a first. The guide promotes gastronomic tourism to South Africa, and we are very proud of how the restaurants showcase our culture through food,” says curator and founder Jenny Handley.
The success of the 2025 awards is due to valued collaboration with Mervyn Gers Ceramics, Wesgro, and WWF-SASSI.
- Mervyn Gers Ceramics – Known for creating luxury, bespoke ceramic pieces, Mervyn Gers Ceramics once again crafted custom-designed Plates and awards to honour the restaurants.
- Wesgro: In partnership with Wesgro, the Gourmet Guide awarded the Haute Purpose & Passion award to The Tasting Room at Creation for its exceptional dedication to skills development and its support of future chefs and hospitality professionals. With commitment to community upliftment, The Tasting Room provides integrated training opportunities, empowering a new generation of culinary talent.
- WWF-SASSI – Partnering with WWF-SASSI (Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative), the Gourmet Guide awarded the Haute Green Philosophy Plate to beyond, highlighting its commitment to sustainable and responsible sourcing practices.
The 2025 Gourmet Guide™, now available for download here, provides an extensive look into the culinary mastery found across South Africa. This year’s selection underscores the significance of sustainable practices and celebrates those elevating the dining experience to new heights.
