[Image: Salsify / Facebook]
Salsify at the Roundhouse in Camps Bay has been crowned South Africa’s best restaurant, winning the prestigious Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant of the Year award at the 2025 Eat Out Restaurant Awards.
In presenting the honor, Eat Out’s Culinary Director, Abigail Donnelly, praised Salsify for earning “the highest score of any restaurant in the country.” She described it as a restaurant that “masterfully balances the history of its unique setting, reflecting on its past while celebrating its surroundings through hyper-local foraging.”
Donnelly also highlighted the restaurant’s ability to tell a story through its menu, paired with exceptional, attentive service. “There is a wonderful sense of generosity here,” she noted, “and guests feel special from the moment they arrive.”
Chef Ryan Cole, co-owner and executive chef at Salsify, expressed heartfelt gratitude while accepting the award. “Six years of sacrifice, six years of relentless pursuit of improvement – not to be better than anyone, but to be the best versions of ourselves – and six years of empowerment, betterment, and finding our voice in the South African food scene,” he shared.
“We stand for a few things: no bullshit, honesty, and flavour. But it takes an absolute village to pull it all together and put it on the plate.”
He also acknowledged the contributions of head chef Nina du Toit, manager Eden Danda, and sommelier Sam Ross, stating, “Without everyone on our team, none of this would happen. This is only the beginning.”
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Eat Out’s star-rating system is South Africa’s benchmark for excellence in dining, with restaurants awarded 1, 2, or 3 stars based on their scores. The coveted 3-star rating, reserved for those earning more than 90 out of 100, was also awarded to Salsify, placing it among an elite group of seven restaurants recognized for being “at the pinnacle of culinary craft.”
In addition, Cole’s second restaurant, COY, won the Eat Out VISI Style Award.
Set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and the iconic Lion’s Head, Salsify is a cornerstone of Cape Town’s fine dining scene, known for its commitment to preserving heritage and crafting dishes that honor history, stories, and ingredients.
The restaurant serves modern cuisine inspired by nature and driven by the seasons, offering an opulent culinary journey within the historic Roundhouse. The menu features locally sourced proteins, foraged herbs, ancient grains, and preserved elements from previous seasons, creating a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience.
[Source: The Newspaper]
