the 2026 jhp Gourmet Guide® showcases 50 Plated restaurants across South Africa.

the Plate rating system

The Plate rating system recognises the complete dining experience, not simply a single exceptional dish. Each Plate reflects leadership, consistency, service, culinary precision and overall execution.

a decade of excellence

The jhp Gourmet Guide® was founded in 2014 with a single objective: to recognise and elevate excellence within South Africa’s fine-dining industry. The inaugural edition featured 21 Plated restaurants. Each year, the guide expanded with care, ensuring that growth reflected standards, not popularity. In 2025 the guide intentionally capped at 50 Plated restaurants, determined to do justice to telling the story of South Africa’s finest restaurants. Over the past decade, the industry has evolved significantly. Collaboration has replaced competition. Sustainability has moved from trend to responsibility. Indigenous ingredients have been rediscovered and reimagined. Through consistent methodology, global benchmarking and constructive feedback, the guide continues to support restaurants while showcasing South Africa as a world-class culinary destination.

Consistency remains the defining principle.