17 Jun South African Restaurants To Visit Abroad

Saffa Restaurants And Cafés To Visit Abroad

Most immigrants would agree that their move abroad is definitely not something they would backtrack on. Life abroad allows us to experience new places and cultures, to relish in the physical and financial securities offered by our new homes and offer our children safe and prosperous futures.

But no matter how much you like your new home, you’re undoubtedly feeling the blues now and then. Being homesick can be terrible and if you can’t even sate your yearning for South African people, places and climate, it can make you feel downtrodden.

There is a silver lining though, as South Africans with a similar longing for home have lain down roots all across the globe and are catering to this very need you’re currently experiencing.

We’ve put together a list of South African restaurants and cafés across the globe where you can sample some of your favourite meals from back home.

Here are a few places to put on your travel itinerary.

1.Jack and Lil’s – Toronto, Canada

Jack and Lil’s is located in Old Toronto, just north of Lake Ontario in Toronto Canada. The venue screams South African heritage, and is named after owner Lauren’s parents.

The restaurant is co-owned by Lauren’s son, Dan, who has been cooking since high school. The ‘Open Kitchen’ is decorated with treasures and trinkets Lauren has collected over the years. They offer Sunday brunch, private brunches, private dinners, cooking classes and ‘pickups’ (pre-ordered takeaways). They claim to not have a particular cooking style, but note that the venue is choc-a-bloc with saffa reminders to soothe the weary soul.

2. Zulu – Cairo, Egypt

Zulu, a South African ‘restobar’ in Cairo, brings home your South African roots through their delectable dishes and proudly South African decor.

Saffas can look forward to a range of familiar dishes, including samosas, sosaties, bobotie spring rolls, biltong, pickled fish, Nando’s style chicken burger, wors rolls, the Zulu or Hakuna Matata platters and melktert or malva pudding to end off a wonderful meal.

3. Hammer & Tongs – London, UK

With the greatest concentration of South African expats around the world, it’s no wonder the UK has a few saffa venues scattered throughout their borders.

Among the favourites is Hammer & Tongs in London. The venue offers different menus, each aimed at a particular dining experience. They have a braai menu, dessert menu, weekday lunch menu and weekend little cubs menu – each one offering a variety of South African dishes.

Some of the favourites on the menu include Cape Malay curry fish, sosatie party, braaibroodjies, skaap tjops, biltong, malva pudding and braai burgers.

4. La Pomme D’Eve – Paris, France

La Pomme d’Eve, or Eve’s Apple, is the only South African pub to be found in Paris. The pub was launched in 2000 in a gothic cellar which used to be part of the Saint Geneviève’s abbey, hailing from the XII century. It is located in the Latin Quarter of Paris.

In addition to serving as a venue for nighttime pursuits, the pub also broadcasts all major sporting events on their televisions – which means you’ll never miss out on a springbok rugga match!

The bar stocks South African favourites like Appletizer, Hansa, Hunter’s, Amarula, Castle, Nachtmusik, Sparletta, Zappa, KWV, Stoney, Savanna and Klipdrift.

5. Kalahari A taste of Africa – Perth, Australia

Kalahari A Taste of Africa is a bit of a multifaceted all-in-one saffa shop. The venue has a café, Sowetan-style shebeen as well as a shop where you can buy food, groceries and other South African gifts and garb.

But of course, we’re here for the grub! We hope you come hungry as you’ll have to sample everything from potbrood, African Shushuska or Kalahari plaas breakfast,  Pap, wors & sheba, boerie rolls, vetkoek and biltong salad.

6. Braai Republic – Seoul, South Korea

Braai Republic has been a favourite in South Korea for all that is a saffa. The venue caters for meat lovers and showcases the South African braai to people who have grown to love the novelty in Asia.

Patrons can sample a selection of South African dishes as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic South African beverages. We have been hoping to sample the mielie salad, lamb potjie with pap and slaw as well as their Amarula dessert.

7. Kaia Wine Bar – New York City, USA

Chef Billy Dineen from Kaia Wine Bar in New York is well versed in South African and other intercontinental cuisines.

The venue not only serves food from their ‘kitchen’, but offers event catering, ‘skemerkelkies’, brunch and, of course, wine to boot! They even host braai shindigs for those who long to get together around the fire.

Guests can expect yummy dishes like biryani, oxtail potjie, gatsbys, bobotie, rooibos tea and ‘bosbessie’ pork ribs and more.

8. Chorleys – Truro, UK

With a 4,8 star rating on Google maps, it’s clear that Chorley’s is a favourite with South Africans and Brits in the UK as it has been for years since its launch in the 1980s.

The menu features a selection of SA dishes, including bunny chow, Durban Curry, boerewors coil, piri piri chips, the Inkosi burger and koeksisters. They even have their own brand of sauces!

Chorley’s is a modern restaurant which means you can install their app on your phone and book online.

9. Der Südafrikaner, Bush Bar – Hanover, Germany

Der Südafrikaner is much more than a bar, it is an experience! With a 5-star rating on Google maps, it’s clear that this is one  is a favourite with locals and South Africans in Germany.

The ‘bush bar’ is most famous for the incredible selection of South African wines — both red and white — but you’ll be happy to know there are also South African and German snacks to accompany the tasting.

10. The Lodge – Paphos Cyprus

The Lodge or ‘Braai Lodge’ in Cyprus pays tribute to Southern African cuisine. Owners Anastasia and Peter van Rijn hope to give expats and locals a taste of their South African heritage and hospitality.

Favourite saffa dishes include Ouma’s potato salad, Oupa’s potjie of the day, Wild Coast whole fish, biltong, Lekker burger, mieliepap & chakalaka, Cape Town fish mezze and bunny chow.

11. Braaihut – Whangarei, New Zealand

The Braaihut calls themselves a ‘flame-grilled periperi restaurant’ and dubs the slogan It’s Lekker Man!

And honestly, what else would you want from a saffa restaurant in New Zealand than it being lekker. The braai hut offers two menus – the front (regular) menu and gourmet menu with yummy dishes which include: Braaihut flame grilled meatballs, Braaihut boerewors, braai mix platter, ostrich double works, peri peri chips, sosaties and more!

12. Liefie Li Vine – Winnsboro, USA

Liefie Li Vine is as quirky and inviting as the name suggests. You are welcomed to South African hospitality with a menu of fusion foods comprising South African, Eastern and European flavours.

Among the South African dishes you can expect are paninis with boerewors, cheddar and fruit chutney, boerie rolls, lekker liefie salad, South African quiche, frikadelle, pap and wors, bunnychow, rooibos tea and marula milkshake.

Happy dining fellow saffas!

Our tummies are positively rumbling. Hope you find a spot to sate your saffa appetite. Have any suggestions for South African dining spots? Why not tell us about it on the Facebook blog post linking to this article?

And remember, if you need to convert some currency for your fine dining or foreign braai, Rand Rescue can assist with all your forex needs. Just leave your details below or give us a call.