In front of the country’s top chefs, industry professionals and fine-dining aficionados, La Colombe was announced as ‘Restaurant of the Year’ at the 2023 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards, held at GrandWest in Cape Town.

Image credit: Eat Out

Having most recently won this accolade in 2019, and receiving Three Stars in the updated Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant rating system in 2022, La Colombe has consistently ranked within the top 10 restaurants in the country, to the delight of the team.

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La Colombe’s Golden Moment

Stepping up to collect the award with part of his team, executive chef James Gaag said, “Thank you to Eat Out for this honour – it would not be possible without the passion and dedication of our incredible team. I couldn’t be prouder of the talented chefs on our team – this award is dedicated to them.”

Gaag added: “I’d also like to thank every single person who has dined with us over the past year – the consistent support is what makes us constantly strive to be the best we can. Food is our theatre – and the show is dedicated to you.”

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What the Judges Had To Say…

When awarding the honour to La Colombe, the judges commented: “Our winner for 2023 is an institution on South Africa’s fine-dining scene. It has been a consistent award-winner, both locally and internationally, offering a menu that is executed with impeccable precision and attention to detail. But that is a given for a restaurant of this stature. What resonated strongly with our judges this year was a restaurant that had a real sense of place, and was not just serving its patrons spectacular dishes, but using this medium to communicate. Through the food, and through the service, you really got a sense of who its head chef was and what inspired his menu.”

La Colombe was announced as ‘Restaurant of the Year’ at the 2023 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards…

Having most recently won this accolade in 2019, and receiving Three Stars in the updated Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant rating system in 2022, La Colombe has consistently ranked within the top 10 restaurants in the country, to the delight of the team.

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From Constantia to Franschhoek

The celebrations aren’t confined to Constantia, with all seven restaurants in the La Colombe Group receiving stars at the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards – special mention was given to La Petite Colombe, who not only received Three Stars, but also the Eat Out Patron Mixology Award.

Head chef of La Petite Colombe, Peter Duncan, says: “I’m at a loss for words. We’re incredibly honoured – thank you to our amazing team for all the hard work and passion you put into La Petite Colombe.”

Epice in Franschhoek, and Foxcroft in Constantia, and PIER in the V & A Waterfront all received Two Stars. Commenting on the accolade, John Norris-Rogers, head chef at PIER adds: “We are honoured to be recognised by Eat Out. I’m immensely proud of the effort the team have made this year and the hard work and dedication that has gone into making PIER the restaurant it is today.”

Protégé in Franschhoek, and The Waterside in the V & A Waterfront both received One Star.

Zane Soutar, head chef at Protégé adds: “We are immensely happy to have gotten our first Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards star. The team has worked really hard throughout the year and the hard work has paid off. I cannot express how proud I am of everyone – we can’t wait to see what the year ahead holds!”

Chef proprietor of La Colombe, Scot Kirton, concludes: “I could not be prouder of each of our restaurants – they have all grown so much over the last year; it is great to see all their hard work has been recognised.”

To make a reservation at La Colombe, call +27 21 794 2390, send an email, or visit the website link below. 

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