South Africa Makes History: Cape Town Restaurant Named Africa’s Best and Ranks 35th in the World
La Colombe South Africa ranks 35th in the 2026 World’s 50 Best Restaurants and wins Best Restaurant in Africa.
South Africa has earned another major international achievement after Cape Town’s La Colombe restaurant secured 35th place in the 2026 World’s 50 Best Restaurants ranking. The restaurant was also named The Best Restaurant in Africa, placing the country’s fine-dining industry firmly in the international spotlight.
The announcement was made at an awards ceremony in Lima, Peru, on 4 November 2026. La Colombe’s latest achievement represents a remarkable improvement from its 55th position in 2025, moving the restaurant back into the world’s top 50.
The result is particularly important for Cape Town, which continues to build a reputation as one of the world’s leading food destinations. Two other restaurants from the city, FYN and Salsify at the Roundhouse, also improved their positions in the extended global top 100.
For South Africa, the recognition celebrates more than one restaurant. It highlights the talent of local chefs, the quality of South African ingredients and the growing international interest in the country’s food culture.
La Colombe climbs 20 places in global rankings
La Colombe finished 35th in the 2026 edition of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. That is a 20-place improvement from its 55th position in 2025.
The Constantia restaurant has now returned to the main top-50 list after spending the previous year just outside it. Its latest position also makes it the highest-ranked restaurant in Africa for 2026.
The ranking recognises restaurants from across the world and attracts attention from chefs, food writers, travellers and hospitality professionals. A place among the top 50 can raise a restaurant’s international profile and encourage visitors to include it in their travel plans.
Executive chef James Gaag accepted the recognition on behalf of the restaurant team during the ceremony in Peru. The achievement reflects the work of the chefs, kitchen staff, service professionals and everyone involved in delivering the restaurant’s dining experience.
La Colombe is located on Silvermist Wine Estate at Constantia Nek, between Constantia and Hout Bay. Its setting among trees and natural surroundings forms part of the experience that visitors encounter before they even begin their meal.
Why La Colombe stands out
La Colombe has built its reputation around a creative approach to food that combines modern French techniques with South African ingredients and selected Asian influences.
Rather than relying on a conventional restaurant menu, the establishment is known for its tasting-menu experience. This approach allows the kitchen to present a carefully planned sequence of dishes, with attention given to flavour, presentation and the overall dining experience.
The restaurant’s philosophy places creativity at the centre of its cooking. South African ingredients provide an important foundation, while international techniques help shape how those ingredients appear on the plate.
Its location also contributes to its appeal. The restaurant sits within a green setting at Silvermist Wine Estate, giving diners a different atmosphere from the busy streets of central Cape Town.
La Colombe’s position at number 35 demonstrates that South African restaurants can compete with leading international establishments. Its achievement also gives local hospitality professionals another reason to believe that the country’s culinary industry can attract global recognition.
Two more Cape Town restaurants enter the global top 100
La Colombe was not the only South African success story in the 2026 rankings.
FYN secured 65th place, while Salsify at the Roundhouse reached 71st. Both restaurants improved by 17 positions compared with their 2025 rankings.
FYN is known for combining South African ingredients with Japanese-inspired techniques. Located in central Cape Town, the restaurant has developed a distinctive approach that brings together local produce and international culinary influences.
Salsify at the Roundhouse is situated near Camps Bay in a historic setting overlooking the surrounding landscape. Its food and location have helped it establish a strong reputation among local and international diners.
Having three Cape Town restaurants represented in the world’s top 100 is an important achievement for the city. It also shows that South Africa’s international restaurant reputation is not dependent on one establishment alone.
The progress made by all three restaurants suggests that the country’s fine-dining industry continues to develop, with chefs finding new ways to present local ingredients to international audiences.
Spain takes the number one position
Although South Africa celebrated La Colombe’s achievement, the overall number one position went to Spain.
Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo was named The World’s Best Restaurant for 2026, moving up from second place in the previous ranking.
Gaggan in Bangkok secured second position, while Copenhagen’s Alchemist finished third. The top five also included Quintonil in Mexico City and Wing in Hong Kong.
The 2026 ranking brought together restaurants from different regions and culinary traditions. It included establishments from 28 territories across six continents.
The results show the international nature of the competition, with restaurants recognised for different approaches to ingredients, cooking methods, hospitality and dining experiences.
For La Colombe, reaching number 35 places it among some of the most celebrated restaurants in the world, despite competing against established destinations with long international reputations.
How the World’s 50 Best Restaurants ranking works
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants ranking is based on votes from an international group of more than 1,100 restaurant industry experts.
The voting academy includes chefs, restaurateurs, food writers and experienced diners from different regions. Their selections contribute to the annual ranking, which recognises restaurants that have made a strong impression on the international food community.
The ranking is influential in the hospitality industry, although it is not the only way to judge a restaurant. Different diners value different things, including affordability, traditional food, atmosphere, service and personal taste.
Fine-dining rankings also tend to focus on restaurants offering specialised and often expensive experiences. This means that a restaurant’s absence from the list does not necessarily indicate poor food or service.
Nevertheless, earning a place in the top 50 can bring valuable international attention and strengthen a restaurant’s position as a destination for food travellers.
What the achievement means for South Africa
La Colombe’s recognition gives South Africa positive international exposure at a time when tourism and hospitality remain important parts of the country’s economy.
International visitors often consider food experiences when choosing destinations. Recognition from a respected global ranking can encourage travellers to explore Cape Town and discover the wider South African hospitality industry.
The success also highlights the contribution of local chefs and hospitality workers. International recognition usually reflects the combined effort of many people, from those selecting ingredients to the teams preparing meals and welcoming guests.
Cape Town’s strong showing also gives other South African restaurants an example of what is possible through creativity, consistency and investment in quality.
La Colombe’s rise from 55th to 35th place is therefore more than a ranking improvement. It is a moment of recognition for a South African restaurant that has returned to the global top 50 and claimed the leading position in Africa.
As the country’s food industry continues to attract international attention, the achievement gives South Africans another reason to celebrate local talent and the growing reputation of the nation’s culinary scene.