Meet The Restaurant Of The Year Nominees For 2026

These five restaurants are redefining dining through distinctive food, considered interiors and experiences that linger long after dinner

By Olivia Vergunst | September 7, 2026 | Category design

From Durban’s waterfront to Johannesburg’s after-dark dining scene, five standout restaurants have been nominated for House & Garden South Africa’s Designer of the Year Restaurant of the Year award. Each nominee brings something distinctive to the table, pairing memorable food with considered interiors, atmosphere and a strong sense of place. Here, we meet the five restaurants vying for this year’s coveted title – and explore what makes each one worthy of the nomination.

9th Avenue Marina, Durban

A long-standing presence on Durban's dining scene, 9th Avenue Marina continues to evolve while remaining closely connected to its waterfront setting. The restaurant describes its offering as fresh, seasonal cuisine that moves from modern interpretations of bistro classics to more contemporary creations, complemented by an upstairs cocktail lounge overlooking the bay.

A waterfront dining destination where seasonal cuisine, considered interiors and Durban’s harbour views come together

More recently, its interiors have undergone a striking transformation by TMD Studios, with colour, texture and references to Durban's landscape bringing a renewed sense of identity to the restaurant. The result is a dining destination that feels both polished and distinctly local – an approach that has helped cement 9th Avenue Marina's place among the city's most celebrated restaurants.

Cyra, Johannesburg

At The Houghton Hotel, Cyra offers a more intimate interpretation of contemporary fine dining. Led by Chef Candice Philip, the restaurant takes its visual cues from the warmth and changing colours of the evening sunset, with muted tones, textured fabrics and handcrafted chandeliers creating a sophisticated backdrop for the food.

Cyra pairs modern fine dining with a softly sophisticated interior, creating an intimate setting for Chef Candice Philip’s cuisine

The menu is equally considered, with four- and seven-course options spanning pescatarian, vegetarian and signature experiences. Dishes combine ingredients and techniques in unexpected ways, from marinated beef tartare with truffled mushrooms and curry leaf barley crisps to seabass with turnip, cashew, pearl couscous and smoked fishbone dressing.

MIRA, Sandton

MIRA brings the vibrant flavours of Mozambique to Sandton, with a menu rooted in coastal cuisine and enriched by African heritage. Located within the Sandton Sun Hotel, the restaurant combines contemporary design and hospitality with a food offering built around fresh seafood, bold spices, charcoal cooking, citrus and richly layered sauces.

MIRA brings Mozambican coastal flavours, bold design and contemporary culture together in an immersive Sandton dining experience

Its menu moves comfortably from grilled calamari and Mozambican-style prawns to flame-grilled chicken, Portuguese steak and seafood platters, while its evolving seasonal approach keeps the experience fresh. MIRA positions itself as more than a restaurant – and its combination of food, design and atmosphere makes a strong case for the idea of dining as a complete sensory experience.

The Naked Woolf, Rosebank

The Naked Woolf arrived in Rosebank with a distinctly different proposition: a restaurant designed as much around energy and connection as food. Created by hospitality veterans Yanky Woolf and Chef Sean Haarhoff, the venue combines dining, cocktails and nightlife in a moody, theatrical setting.

The Naked Woolf combines bold flavours, moody interiors and a lively atmosphere for an unapologetically social dining experience

Its menu deliberately resists a single culinary identity, moving between globally inspired sharing plates, burgers, steaks, seafood and comfort-food favourites. The interiors follow the same eclectic philosophy, combining charred timber, industrial steel, leather, red stone and glass brick. It is an unapologetically social restaurant, where dinner can easily become a much longer night.

Nine Lives, Rosebank

Hidden within Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank, Nine Lives takes the idea of dinner and turns it into an after-dark experience. The speakeasy-style restaurant and bar is tucked between the hotel's fourth and fifth floors, creating a sense of discovery from the moment guests arrive.

Hidden behind a speakeasy-style entrance, Nine Lives brings fine-dining precision to an intimate, after-dark supper club

Inside, intimate lighting, plush seating and hidden corners establish a seductive atmosphere, while the food is designed to complement an extensive drinks offering. Plates are intended for lingering and sharing, with the restaurant's approach combining fine-dining discipline with the relaxed indulgence of a supper club.

Together, these five nominees demonstrate just how much the restaurant experience has evolved, where food, interiors, atmosphere and identity are increasingly inseparable. From the polished waterfront setting of 9th Avenue Marina to the intimate, after-dark world of Nine Lives, each brings a distinctive point of view to the table. With five exceptional contenders nominated for House & Garden South Africa’s Restaurant of the Year award, the question now is which one will take home the title.

Winners will be announced at a private ceremony on the 30th of September at Steyn City.

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Images: Supplied