December in South Africa feels like a way of life. The air shifts with holiday traffic, full bars, sunscreen and braai smoke. It is a time for exhaling, where sunlit days roll into hazy evenings, and every meal becomes a celebration. Tables stretch longer, laughter grows louder, and the food tastes better for it.
From coastal feasts and vineyard brunches to rooftop sunsets and five-course Christmas lunches, Dineplan has gathered memorable places to eat, drink and celebrate the season. All that is left is to pick your table and let summer do its thing.x
Cape Town
Upper Union Restaurant, Gardens
Perfect for: slow summer lunches in the city
Upper Union blends elegance with warmth, offering leafy seating and small plates that arrive as confident, flavour-driven statements. The five-course festive lunch celebrates seasonal produce, with a welcome drink and gifts from the kitchen setting the tone. Special edition Christmas chocolates close the experience on a sweet note.
The Offer
📅 Thursday, 25 December from 12h00
💸 R1,550 per person | Optional wine pairing R450
Book via Dineplan →
Palm Terrace at Palm House, Wynberg
Perfect for: a glitzy atmosphere and food with opulent flair
Palm House captures Cape Town’s verdant beauty with wraparound verandas and an old soul charm. For New Year’s Eve, the Palm Terrace becomes a Gatsby-like soirée, with its Carnival of the Cape dinner promising opulence, live flair and a champagne-rich atmosphere. The garden spaces make pre-dinner drinks irresistible.
The Offer
📅 Wednesday, 31 December
💸 R2,650 per person
Book via Dineplan →
SPYCED, Cape Town
Perfect for: a lunch that blends food, colour and a touch of theatrics
SPYCED is a feast of rhythm and Cape Malay flavour. The Christmas Lunch Harvest Table includes warming curries, vibrant pickles and abundant roasted veg. Expect friendly hosts, bursts of drumming or live elements and a menu rooted in nostalgia and spice.
The Offer
📅 Thursday, 25 December | 12h30 – 17h00
💸 R950 per person
Book via Dineplan →
Chef’s Warehouse & Canteen, Cape Town
Perfect for: snacks and sundowners
Chef’s Warehouse delivers clever small plates and a relaxed sharing style. The Snacks & Sundowners menu is a light early evening option with a drink included, ideal for an effortless start to a summer night.
The Offer
📅 Daily | 16h00 – 18h00 | Ends 31 December
💸 R160 per person (snack + one drink)
Book via Dineplan →
Retreat Restaurant at Boschendal, Franschhoek Valley
Perfect for: long lunches under the oak trees
Sundays at Boschendal’s Retreat offer long tables beneath ancient oaks, fresh valley produce and a sense of calm. The Sunday Brunch highlights local ingredients and world-class wines, ideal for stretching the weekend.
The Offer
📅 Sundays | 12h00 – 15h00 | Ends 27 December
💸 R325 per person
Book via Dineplan →
Ginologist Distillery, Somerset West
Perfect for: live music and craft spirits
Ginologist Distillery’s Gin & Jazz Sundays pair botanical-driven craft spirits with live music in an industrial chic setting. Expect blues, relaxed energy and a curated menu of nibbles.
The Offer
📅 Sundays | 14h00 – 17h00 | Ends 4 January 2026
Book via Dineplan →
Durban
Tylers, Umdloti
Perfect for: family feasting with an ocean view
Tylers captures Durban’s festive charm with a Christmas menu built for sharing. Lamb potjie, smoked brisket and wood-roasted chicken headline the offering, matched with sides meant for family-style dining. Ocean views seal the experience.
The Offer
📅 Thursday, 25 December | 11h00 & 14h30
💸 R1,200 per person
Book via Dineplan →
Gauteng
De Vette Mossel, Parys
Perfect for: seafood feasting, family style
De Vette Mossel brings a coastal feast inland. Guests eat with their hands and enjoy endless waves of seafood, including mussels, snoek, calamari and crayfish. Two sittings and tiered pricing make it accessible for families.
The Offer
📅 Thursday, 25 December | 12h00 & 18h00
💸 R460 per adult (tiered pricing for pensioners & children)
Book via Dineplan →
Johannesburg
QLounge Wine Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Johannesburg
Perfect for: sleek wine and sushi pairings
QLounge brings a winelands feel to the city, pairing contemporary Japanese dishes with standout South African wines—a stylish option for those staying in Joburg over the holidays.
The Offer
📅 Tuesday – Saturday | 12h00 – 17h00 | Ends 31 December
💸 From R270 – R400 per person
Book via Dineplan →
Alto 235, Johannesburg
Perfect for: the highlife with a side of bubbles
Moët & Chandon, golden hour and DJ Chuck SA set the tone for Alto’s Sunday sunset experience. More atmosphere than formal dining, it offers a vibrant way to end the weekend.
The Offer
📅 Sundays | 16h00 – 20h00 | Ends 30 November
💸 R390 per person (includes a glass of Moët & Chandon)
Book via Dineplan →
Fairlawns Boutique Hotel, Sandton
Perfect for: the ultimate go-slow Sunday
Fairlawns’ Jazz Sunday Lunch offers polished service, live jazz and seasonal dishes in a garden setting. It is an elegant, unhurried way to savour a summer afternoon.
The Offer
📅 Sundays | 12h30 – 17h00 | Ends 30 November
Book via Dineplan →
Wherever you settle, Dineplan makes it simple to reserve your table. Secure your spots ahead of holiday crowds to avoid missing out on smaller venues or limited-time experiences.