Written by: Hennie Fisher
How wonderful that Pretoria has suburbs with such specific culinary identities, allowing one to spend time just exploring a particular suburb. Whether you are in a new or an established relationship and you need a romantic night out, try Lynnwood for a romantic selection of beautiful restaurants that will make your partner’s heart feel warm and fuzzy.
Hillside Tavern
What could be more romantic than dressing up and heading out to a nice white tablecloth restaurant for some serious pampering by very professional waiting staff? Hillside Tavern, the go-to place for many romantic dinners in Lynnwood, feels as if it is tucked away inside the belly of a cave. Even larger tables have a romantic old-world charm to them. But it is the professional service and gracious hospitality that set this restaurant apart. Indulge in some old-style stalwarts such as fresh oysters with a Bloody Mary sauce, or Duck à l’Orange – a confit of duck thigh and leg served with mash and classic orange and mandarin sauce.
Website: https://hillsidetavern.co.za/
LM in the East
Previously known as LM Prawns and having moved to another site in the same small centre not so long ago, LM in the East has come a long way in Pretoria's restaurant history. Their new interiors are modern and fresh, without losing any of the delightful old-world charm of a restaurant run by professionals. The quintessential banquettes are still there, and even though they are for more than two people, there are many smaller tables for romantic dining. If lunch is your romantic hour, they run a lunchtime special of 10 prawns and calamari, but of course, there are other ‘romantic’ foods, such as their classic Sole Bonne Femme, grilled and served with a mushroom sauce and prawns.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LmInTheEastRestaurant
Blumin Pizza
Even though they churn out a huge number of takeaway pizzas, this family-run artisanal pizzeria offers a number of smaller tables inside and a few outside, if the weather allows. But one could also ask them to sit in the florist shop (they share a space, from there the name), which is totally unique and rather romantic, tucked in between the buckets of blooms. Some of their pizza names are quirkily Afrikaans, such as ‘die Parmantige Vy’, of course, a play on a deliciously romantic pizza with figs, parma ham, brie and rocket. They make pizzas reminiscent of Naples, with airy, poofy crusts that spend mere minutes in the oven, presented at the table sizzling and moreish.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blumin_pizza/?hl=en
Forti Too
Because of their large outside area, and the fact that the restaurant space has distinct ‘rooms’, one can easily forget that this is a restaurant in a shopping centre. Larger than life Fortunato Mazzone will, in all likelihood, pop around to your table; if he does, take the opportunity to ask him for a special romantic suggestion for both food and wine – this man knows his way around the concept of romance. What could be more delicious than fresh tuna carpaccio with radish and a citrus dressing or Penne Gamberi, with prawns, lemon zest and duck fat? End your romantic dinner with Bigne, profiteroles filled with Crema Pasticcere and served with a scoop of watermelon sorbet.
Website: https://www.fortitoo.co.za/
Stephnies
Stephnies, in the Lynnwood Bridge centre, is a busy restaurant with many tables out on the piazza. One could however easily find a private corner inside the restaurant, but it could also be very romantic to share a small table for two under an umbrella, watching the beautiful people go by. Indulge in a bottle of MCC and enjoy a romantic meal of Smoked salmon and beetroot dauphinoise, served with crispy capers and finished with beetroot ice cream, or perhaps even some traditional South-African pumpkin fritters, layered with Goat’s cheese, mango sauce and cinnamon palm sugar.
Website: https://www.stephnies.com/
The Pretoria suburb of Lynnwood offers a distinct selection of romantic dining options, ranging from the intimate, classic setting of Hillside Tavern to the unique, floral atmosphere of Blumin Pizza. Other notable options for a romantic evening include the seafood-focused LM in the East, the refined Italian dining at Forti Too, and the lively, people-watching setting of Stephnies.
