Johannesburg's Best Restaurants
Published on: November 14th, 2017
Last updated: July 27th, 2023
Johannesburg is an exciting, lively city with a broad range of restaurants and eateries on offer.
Often used as a starting point for a safari, Johannesburg is a great spot for foodie adventurers.
From classic fine dining to authentic South African cuisine, Johannesburg's food is simply amazing.
A few notables
Qunu
Set in the Saxon Hotel, the menu at Qunu is celebratory of its South African roots. A calm environment with fantastic food and knowledgable sommeliers, it’s a guaranteed favourite for anyone who dines within its pristine walls. All of their ingredients are locally sourced, and the menu shows off the very best flavours of South Africa.
Mosaic at the Orient
Just outside Pretoria and within an easy drive of Joburg, the award-winning Chef Chantel Dartnall – voted South Africa’s Chef of the Year – creates seasonal European-inspired menus for the Art Nouveau-style Mosaic at the Orient. Expect modern fine dining with a South African twist.
DW Eleven-13
Celebrity Chef Marthinus Ferreira – who has worked with the likes of Heston Blumenthal – now mans the kitchen at family-run DW Eleven-13. The food is modern South African with a global influence, and there’s a constantly evolving six-course tasting menu with a fantastic wine list. All ingredients are locally and sustainably sourced.
Marble
The food at this quintessentially South African restaurant is centred around the restaurant’s stunning wood-fired grill. Expect exceptional meats and an array of fresh ingredients grilled to perfection on the open flame. The restaurant itself is beautiful; they collaborated with local artisans to design and create the space, making it a welcome, fun atmosphere to dine in.
Hip and happening
Luke Dale Roberts at the Saxon
Famous South African chef Luke Dale Roberts partnered with The Saxon to open a restaurant offering innovative 5 and 8-course tasting menus. Expect dishes such as springbok with ash baked beetroot and langoustine and cured lamb risotto – all paired with fantastic local and international wines. It’s an experience.
The Grillhouse
This Rosebank-based restaurant is quite possibly the best steakhouse in town, with a warm, lively atmosphere. They have a great live music space upstairs and a cigar lounge to relax in post-meal, but what really attracts the crowds is the outstanding meat and impeccable service.
The Living Room
A trendy rooftop bar and lounge in the hip area of Maboneng, the atmosphere alone is enough to make us keep going back. The space gets its name from the jungle-like array of plants and greenery displayed on site, and their famous Sunday parties have everyone dancing through til Monday. Great for both a sundowner and a satisfying weekend brunch.
The Restaurant at Athol Place
Known as one of Johannesburg’s best restaurants, the restaurant Athol Place Hotel & Villa is a must-do even if you’re not staying there. The ever-evolving fine dining menu shows of the chef’s passion for fantastic, innovative food. Go early for a drink and canapé at the bar – it’s well worth it.
Steady favourites
Wombles
A Joburg institution in Parktown North, this restaurant is known for its cosy atmosphere and great steak. We recommend trying something a bit more local, like venison or springbok, so you can really experience South African cuisine as it was meant to be. Expect an extensive wine list, excellent service, and decor that boasts a bit of old school charm.
Bistro Vine
This Parkhurst bistro is the place to go for French classics like Moules Frites. It’s a small, intimate restaurant, and great for light meals and big dinners alike.
Clico Hotel
The restaurant in the Clico Hotel boasts European-style fine dining menu with the focus on organic and seasonal ingredients. The food changes daily, and the environment is relaxed and unpretentious.
Flames
At the Four Seasons Hotel, Flames has informal outdoor dining with a BBQ or ‘braai’ (as they say in South Africa) menu. We love the seasonal menu, but the panoramic rooftop views are are truly spectacular. If you can’t make it for a meal, then go for a sundowner to take it all in.
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