The 2026 LUXE Restaurant Awards delivered one of the most compelling evenings on South Africa’s dining calendar, unfolding in spectacular fashion at MIRA Sandton in partnership with Audi South Africa. Chefs, restaurateurs, and culinary trailblazers from across the country gathered for an evening that was as much a celebration of craft as it was a formal recognition of outstanding achievement.
An Evening Crafted to Match Its Occasion
The ceremony set a tone of considered elegance from the outset. Media personality Shashi Naidoo returned as Master of Ceremonies, joined by celebrated cookbook author and culinary icon Mogau Seshoene – widely known as The Lazy Makoti – who took on the role of official LUXE Awards correspondent. Together, they guided guests through a programme that felt both polished and genuinely celebratory, reflecting the creativity and dedication that define South Africa’s best hospitality professionals.
Behind the scenes, luxury event specialist and catering designer Vicky Crease brought her signature attention to detail to the guest experience, ensuring that every element of the evening matched the calibre of the occasion.
The Winners: South Africa’s Best Restaurants and Chefs
The night’s most anticipated moment arrived with the awards themselves, and the winners reflected the depth and ambition of a culinary industry in confident stride.
Mertia in Stellenbosch was crowned Restaurant of the Year, honoured for its refined approach, exceptional consistency, and the kind of dining experience that earns its reputation visit after visit.
Carla Schulze took home Chef of the Year, a recognition of her outstanding leadership, technical artistry, and continued influence in the kitchen at SALON.
Callan Austin of Dusk received the Culinary Innovation Award, applauded for a creative vision that consistently pushes contemporary cuisine forward. Cape Town’s Amura at the Mount Nelson was named New Restaurant of the Year – celebrated for its elegant concept and the immediate impression it has made on the country’s fine dining landscape since opening.
Rising Stars and the Future of South African Dining
One of the evening’s most warmly received moments came with the Culinary Rising Star Award, presented to Nic Charalambous of Ouzeri in Cape Town. His distinctive voice and rapidly growing influence within the industry made him a worthy recipient, and his recognition spoke to the broader intent of the awards — not only to honour those at the top, but to spotlight the talent shaping what comes next.
A Defining Moment on the Culinary Calendar
The 2026 LUXE Restaurant Awards once again proved why it holds its place as one of the most significant evenings in South African hospitality. Beyond the trophies, the night captured something more lasting — an industry that continues to evolve, diversify, and produce world-class talent with quiet confidence. As the evening drew to a close, the sense in the room was clear: South African dining is in exceptional hands.
2026 LUXE Restaurant Awards
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)
