DiningDelights Contemporary

FROM NEW OPENINGS TO TRIED-AND-TESTED FAVOURITES, THE TRENDY TO OFF-THEBEATEN-TRACK, THOSE THAT REQUIRE BOOKINGS WELL IN ADVANCE TO THOSE WHO DON’T ACCEPT RESERVATIONS… THESE ARE OUR PICKS FOR THE MUST-VISIT DESTINATIONS TO WINE, DINE AND DRINK AT RIGHT NOW

WORDS STEVE STEINFELD

RIVA RESTAURANT Cape Town

There are few dishes more comforting than a really well-made bowl of pasta, and there are few places better than RIVA when when it comes to making such dishes. Situated in De Waterkant, the casual eatery started by two friends from Italy specialises in seafood and pasta – and they do both really well.

At RIVA it’s all about beautiful ingredients, simple cooking, traditional recipes and plenty of warmth, comfort and flavour. The casual space, candle lit and cosy, proves to be a fabulous setting for this kind of food.

Begin with a creamy burrata, thin shavings of carpaccio and fresh tomato bruschetta before you move onto some mains. Think along the lines of gorgeous strips of silky pappardelle served with crayfish tails, al dente paccheri rounds served with prawns, clams and mussels, or perhaps the fish of the day served in a rich and deep saffron bouillabaisse.

Naturally, a meal of such nature wouldn’t be complete without a tiramisu and a coffee to end the evening.

24/4 Napier St, De Waterkant, Cape Town | Monday – Saturday | Reservations: 021 418 0657

COOPER WINE BAR Cape Town

Having recently opened its doors in Cape Town’s CBD, Cooper Wine Bar, or “Mr Pants 2.0”, which it’s referred to in the industry as a nod to its Joburg counterpart, sees restaurateur and avid wino Shayne Holt bring his much-loved wine-bar concept to the Cape.

You can expect to find a host of local and international wines – including some heavy hitters and exceptional vintages – all, for the most part, available by the glass. It’s the kind of space that’s as wellsuited to a pre-dinner drink as it is for a long evening spent with good friends having ‘just one more’ glass.

If you’re wondering where the names come from, Mr Pants is Shayne’s cat, so it only made sense that his dog, Cooper, has a wine bar named after him too.

32 Parliament Street, Cape Town | Wednesday – Saturday |

No reservations

EMBARC Johannesburg

The popular Parkhurst eatery has, in the few years since opening, become a mainstay on Joburg’s dining scene. Set along the bustling Fourth Avenue, Embarc is where chef Darren O’Donovan serves his take on modern dining, drawing from South Africa up to Europe and through to Asia.

After realising that Joburg wasn’t all too interested in fine dining and tasting menus, Darren has taken his fine technique and created a series of elevated and refined small plates, well suited to sharing amongst the table or to be used as building blocks to create your very own multi-course dining experience.

Try the babotie filled wontons with an apricot chutney and beef tartare with punchy components of red onion, pickled radish and capers. Perhaps the delicate pockets of mushroom tortellini are more to your taste, or the luxe lobster risotto with saffron, champagne and Parmesan.

Those looking for a meatier option will relish in the likes of Black Label-braised oxtail croquettes and the pork belly served with a deep-fried mac and cheese… at Embarc, there’s something for everyone.

Dishes are paired with the many fine wines on the well-curated wine list.

Corner 13th Street and 4th Avenue, Parkhurst, Johannesburg | Lunch and dinner Wednesday – Saturday | Reservations: 081 848 6480 | embarcrestaurantza.com