A Culinary Celebration: Luxe Restaurant Awards 2026

Judged through a rigorous evaluation process, the awards celebrate not only standout restaurants and chefs, but the broader evolution of South Africa’s food culture.

At the 2026 ceremony, the V&A Waterfront was proudly represented among the country’s top honours. This is a true reflection of the strength, diversity and ambition of our culinary community.

We are delighted to celebrate the 2026 Luxe Restaurant Award winners in our neighbourhood:

• Le Bistrot de Jan: located in the newly renovated InterContinental Table Bay Hotel, Awarded Bistro of the Year.

• COY: Named Casual Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year, honouring its refined yet accessible dining experience.

• How Bao Now: located in Time Out Market Cape Town was awarded Street Food Restaurant of the Year at, celebrating bold flavour and creative expression in a vibrant market setting.

• Arno Ralph of Ladurée: Crowned Pastry Chef of the Year, recognising craftsmanship and artistry in the world of pâtisserie.

• Marble Hospitality: Winner of the Pioneer Award, proudly shared with our Marble Cape Town location for its contribution to shaping contemporary South African dining.

• Marble Cape Town: Awarded LUXE 1 Star for its signature live-fire dining experience.

• Pier: Awarded LUXE 3 Stars, one of the highest distinctions, for its exceptional ocean-inspired tasting menu and world-class execution.

What makes these accolades particularly meaningful is what they collectively represent. The Luxe Awards are not simply popularity-driven; they acknowledge sustained excellence, innovation and leadership within the industry. To see recognition spanning street food, fine dining, pastry, hospitality groups and pioneering concepts, all within one neighbourhood, speaks to the depth of talent at the V&A Waterfront.

Our food ecosystem is intentionally curated to support diversity, inclusivity and excellence. From intimate bistros to immersive tasting menus, from bustling market counters to refined dining rooms, more than 100 restaurants, cafés, bars, bakeries and grab-and-go concepts create a layered and dynamic culinary landscape.

It is a place where emerging concepts share space with established names, where chefs build reputations, where brands scale, and where experiences resonate with both local and international visitors. This balance between ambition and accessibility defines the Waterfront’s approach to food.

Recognition at this level reinforces what our visitors experience every day: the V&A Waterfront is one of South Africa’s most compelling culinary destinations. These awards celebrate more than individual achievement; they affirm a collective commitment to excellence that continues to elevate our neighbourhood and the city’s dining scene as a whole.

To our 2026 Luxe Award winners — congratulations! We invite you to join us in celebrating them, and to taste the award-winning difference for yourself.