Kapokbos Restaurant at Weltevrede Estate Bonnievale won Eat out Lexus Best Destination Restaurant. CONGRATULATIONS!
The 2025 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards took centre stage at the Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town on Monday, 31 March. The ceremony was a star-studded affair, bringing together the country’s leading chefs, restaurateurs and industry figures for an evening celebrating South Africa’s culinary excellence.
As part of Eat Out’s ongoing evolution, the 2025 judging process took a more comprehensive and transparent approach. Over eight months, a panel of eight anonymous, independent judges visited each shortlisted restaurant multiple times – during both peak and off-peak periods – to ensure a fair and all-encompassing assessment.
“This year’s winners represent the pinnacle of South African dining,” says Abigail Donnelly, Eat Out’s Culinary Director. “The new judging process ensures that every star awarded truly reflects consistent excellence, from innovation on the plate to the overall guest experience. The level of talent and dedication in our restaurant industry is nothing short of world-class.”
Eat Out’s star-rating system remains the gold standard in South Africa, with restaurants earning 1, 2 or 3 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. The coveted 3-star rating is reserved for restaurants scoring over 90 out of 100, while 2-star and 1-star ratings go to those scoring between 80 and 89 and 70 and 79 respectively. Achieving even a single star is no small feat, with only the very best making the cut and setting themselves apart.
