Luxury dining in South Africa has taken on a new level of artistry, with chefs across the country crafting dishes that are not just meals but full-on experiences. While local cuisine is often celebrated for its hearty authenticity and value, a handful of restaurants have stepped things up—offering gourmet plates with price tags that match their prestige. For travellers and foodies with an appetite for indulgence, this is where you’ll find the 10 most expensive dishes in South Africa, each reflecting a unique blend of top-tier ingredients, intricate technique, and unforgettable settings.

In Cape Town, fine dining reaches its zenith at La Colombe, nestled in the lush Silvermist Wine Estate in Constantia. The chef’s multi-course tasting menu features dishes like their signature Tuna ‘La Colombe’—a playfully presented sashimi with ponzu, coconut and wasabi—accompanied by wine pairings that elevate the entire experience. At just under R2 500 per person with pairings, it’s one of the city’s most extravagant culinary outings.

Down the road in Green Point, Utopia Cape Town serves an opulent lobster thermidor with truffle mash and a view of the city skyline. The dish is priced around R1 200 and is often paired with vintage Champagne. This is luxury with a view, perfect for romantic evenings or high-end celebrations.

FYN Restaurant, located in the heart of the city centre, is another contender for the country’s crown jewel of dining. Its Japanese-African fusion tasting menu features dishes like springbok tataki with fermented cassava and Karoo lamb with dashi. With its minimalist design and globally inspired ingredients, FYN draws a sophisticated crowd willing to spend upwards of R2 000 per person for a full tasting experience.

Over in Sandton, Saint Restaurant by Chef David Higgs doesn’t just deliver Italian food—it transforms it. Their most indulgent dish is the truffle and lobster tagliolini, made with hand-rolled pasta, fresh Atlantic lobster, and finished with shaved black truffles. It’s rich, velvety and sits at around R900 a plate, exclusive of drinks. The design-heavy space—with its cathedral ceilings and artful plating—makes every bite feel like part of a curated show.

Still in Johannesburg, Marble Restaurant, also by David Higgs, is known for its flame-cooked extravagance. The wagyu tomahawk steak, served with marrow, chimichurri, and a fine selection of sides, tops the list at approximately R2 000. Perfectly charred and luxuriously tender, it’s designed for sharing and decadence.

Durban’s luxury scene is a bit quieter but no less indulgent. At The Oyster Box’s Grill Room in Umhlanga, the standout is the signature seafood platter for two—piled high with crayfish, langoustines, prawns, oysters and scallops. It’s elegantly presented and served with artisanal sauces and a bottle of premium white wine. The cost? Around R1 800, but the ocean views and live piano music make it worth every cent.

For something a little more niche, The Test Kitchen Fledglings in Woodstock, Cape Town, offers an exclusive off-menu chef’s table experience where diners are treated to a surprise tasting selection curated by the kitchen team. With bespoke pairings and rare ingredients like black garlic and sea urchin, this experience can cost around R3 000 per person. It’s about more than just the food—it’s immersive and tailored down to the last bite.

Chef’s Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic, perched above the crashing waves of Hout Bay, offers one of the most scenic luxury meals in the country. Their elevated meals features sustainably sourced seafood and locally foraged produce. Every dish is plated with breathtaking attention to detail and set against a coastal backdrop that’s hard to beat.

If you’re venturing into the Cape Winelands, Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch pulls out all the stops. The restaurant’s signature dish—Karoo lamb loin with aubergine purée, harissa, and lavender jus—is paired with estate wines and garnished with edible gold leaf. Priced around R950, it reflects the luxury ethos of the estate, where guests can also shop for diamonds or spend the night in ultra-luxury lodges.

Finally, for those who like their extravagance with a local twist, Mosaic at The Orient in Elandsfontein—before its closure—was famous for its 16-course degustation menu created by Chef Chantel Dartnall. While the venue no longer operates, it helped pave the way for luxury gastronomy in South Africa, and many of its disciples have since spread into other high-end kitchens across Gauteng and beyond.

Whether it’s truffle-stuffed pastas, aged wagyu beef, seafood towers, or artful tasting menus, these dishes don’t just serve up sustenance—they offer theatre, indulgence, and a chance to savour the heights of South Africa’s culinary artistry. Each plate, whether eaten under the stars in the Cape Winelands or inside a design temple in Sandton, tells a story of craftsmanship and luxury that lingers long after the final bite.