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South Africa’s best stories are told around food, in the places that have been feeding generations, the bakeries that started as dreams, and the corner cafés that have become cultural landmarks. Continuing the Mr D and Hammy Eats partnership, broadcaster and storyteller Nick Hamman is back with his first round of Nick’s Picks, a celebration of local flavour and the proudly South African eateries you might not have tried yet.
Each of Nick’s Picks shines a light on small, independently owned restaurants available on the Mr D app, proving that great food and great stories are often found just down the road. (Read more about what the Stamp of Approval stands for here).
Harry’s Café – Johannesburg
Harry is a South African man who, through generations of hard work, has built a business that serves some of the best fried fast food in the country. He is preserving a cultural legacy deeply linked to the stories of our past, housed within the iconic Oriental Plaza in Johannesburg, a place rich in history and heritage. Harry’s Café is about food, family, community and the flavours that shaped the city.
De Baba Eatery – Johannesburg
De Baba Eatery is both a love story and a story of baking. Two young people decided to follow their dreams and take on one of the toughest industries there is, and through sheer determination and heart, they have built something special. Their baked goods rank among the best in the country and prove that when passion meets purpose, beautiful things rise.
Cosy Corner – Cape Town
For more than forty years, Cosy Corner has been a place that South Africans swear by. This is where you will find one of the best Gatsbys in the country, a dish that is more than a meal; it is a slice of South African heritage. Any place flying the flag this high for food so loved and so local deserves recognition for keeping this proudly South African classic alive.
Nick Hamman says, “Each of these places tells a story of South Africa, of resilience, creativity and culture on a plate. Nick’s Picks is about shining a light on those hidden gems and giving them the recognition they deserve. Thanks to Mr D, it has never been easier for people to discover and support them.”
Luke Olivier, Head of Food at Mr D, says, “Independent restaurants remain the backbone of South Africa’s food culture, and our collaboration with Hammy Eats is about continually celebrating and uplifting those local legends. Hammy Eats is simply one more way to help Mr D users discover the incredible variety on the app. With more than eleven thousand restaurants to choose from, there is always something new to enjoy, and supporting local becomes part of every order.”
Order Local, Eat Local, Celebrate Local
Explore Hammy Eats stamp of approval and thousands more restaurants on the Mr D app, from iconic spots to hidden gems personally approved by Nick Hamman. With Apple Pay and TakealotMORE benefits, ordering is smoother than ever.
When you order local, you are not just getting food, you are getting a taste of South Africa’s story.