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We’re used to seeing the usual award-winning local restaurants feature on the likes of the 50 Best Restaurants In The World list, but this time, you’re in for something a little different.

Thanks to the keen tastebuds of the judged over at Food & Wine’s Global Tastemaker Awards, a lesser-known Cape Town gem has made the cut, just about clinching a spot in the top 10 best restaurants in the world for 2024.

I mean the restaurant is known – but you might not have heard of it.

Food & Wine‘s second annual Global Tastemakers Awards celebrate a truly diverse selection of restaurants that span the globe, including an Iranian-inspired cafe in Bombay, a restaurant on a farm in Nairobi, a wildly inventive tapas bar in Barcelona, a small izakaya in Tokyo, and a boundary-pushing pizzeria in Caserta.

“Authenticity is key when it comes to a groundbreaking restaurant. There are hundreds of thousands around the globe, but few stand out as truly unforgettable experiences. The perfect mix of food with dynamic flavor, unmatched hospitality, and a permeable personality that makes an institution one-of-a-kind also presents a dining experience that’s special — and that’s what we’re here to celebrate.”

The 20 most exceptional dining establishments showcase a blend of Michelin-starred excellence and cosy family-owned eateries. This year, a wave of promising young chefs gained recognition, alongside venues championing farm-to-table dining and sustainable practices.

Whether they’re delving deep into the culinary traditions of the region in which they’re located, or making a conscious effort to uplift the overlooked cuisines of marginalised communities, all of these recognised chefs are delivering delicious experiences that will have you ready to jump on a flight.

In 10th position, is our very own Chef Mmabatho Molefe at Emazulwini Restaurant, located right on the V&A Waterfront with a focus on Zulu and Nguni cuisine.

 

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Food & Wine recognises Chef Molefe for her contribution to the celebration of African cuisine by infusing her fine dining perspective into reinterpretations of dishes inspired by her mother’s recipes.

 

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Molefe announced in February that the restaurant’s three-year residency at the V&A Waterfront has drawn to a close, but she will be popping up elsewhere. Follow the restaurant’s Instagram account @emazulwini_restaurant for more details.

As for the other drool-worthy restaurants that Food & Wine picked for the second annual Global Tastemakers Awards, the restaurant that was named the world’s best for 2024 is Mérito, a Peruvian-Venezuelan fusion restaurant based in Lima’s Barranco neighbourhood.

The 20 best restaurants in the world for 2024

1. Mérito (Lima, Peru)
2. Petermen (Sydney, Australia)
3. SodaBottleOpenerWala (Mumbai, India)
4. Cucina Villana (Ruvo di Puglia, Italy)
5. Soil (Athens, Greece)
6. Celele (Cartagena, Colombia)
7. La Cocina de Humo (Oaxaca, Mexico)
8. Indigo (Arequipa, Peru)
9. Cultiva (Nairobi, Kenya)
10. Emazulwini Restaurant (Cape Town, South Africa)
11. L’Evo (Toyama, Japan)
12. Teté Cocina de Barrio (Guadalajara, Mexico)
13. Wana Yook (Bangkok, Thailand)
14. Beba (Montreal, Canada)
15. Dos Pebrots (Barcelona, Spain)
16. Sait (Istanbul, Turkiye)
17. Pizzeria I Masanielli (Caserta, Italy)
18. Kotaro Shibuya (Tokyo, Japan)
19. BiBi (London, UK)
20. Note (Dublin, Ireland)

This year, a special ‘plus one’ pick, voted for by Food & Wine’s panel, was also included. This year, that’s Dill in Reykjavik – the first restaurant in the country to be awarded a Michelin star.

It is a pity that Emazulwini Restaurant doesn’t have a sit-down location right now, but my tummy is rumbling and ready for whenever and wherever Chef Mmabatho Molefe shows up next.

[source:timeout]