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Best of Joburg 2013

From the brightly lit buzz of the city’s nightlife to laid-back, golden afternoons, Johannesburg has got it all. Chosen by our team of 50 panellists for the 2014 Eat Out magazine, we bring you the best restaurants in the city of gold in each category. From spicy curries to classic steaks and Asian broths, these restaurants will give you a treat to remember.

African

 

District Six Eatery

A taste of Cape-Malay food unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere in Johannesburg.

 

The Americas

 

Beefcakes

Great burgers and fun topless waiters with a side of glitz and glam.

 

Café Mexicho

Traditional and Americanised Mexican dishes in a quirky, vibey setting.

 

Dukes

The burgers are mammoth so come hungry.

 

Gourmet Garage

Order a steak or the ostrich burger on a pre-theatre outing.

 

Jo’Anna Melt Bar

A hip neighbourhood diner with toasted mac ‘n cheese and craft beer.

 

Asian

 

Chinese Northern Foods Restaurant

A favourite for mid-week dinner.

 

Gwefey Asian Cuisine

The menu showcases the subtle complexity of foods from Thailand and China.

 

Koi (Rosebank and Sandton)

Contemporary Asian cuisine in a vibey setting.

 

Kong Roast

Good for a rollicking and noisy Friday or Saturday night.

 

Lai Lai Garden
New Asian offerings sit alongside classic Cantonese dishes on the menu.

 

Li Kou Fu

Excellent Chinese food at great prices without the frills.

 

Orient

Cool, contemporary Asian food at one of the city’s most fashionable addresses.

 

Ramen

Tasty, simple food in the heart of new-generation Braamfontein.

 

Red Chamber

A neighbourhood favourite for mid-week dinner.

 

Sai Thai

Superb Asian flavours.

 

Shun De Chinese Restaurant

One of the best spots for traditional dim sum, served with green tea.

 

Yamato

Outstanding sushi.

 

Bistro

 

Bistro Vine

Order from the black board menu with dishes like plump oysters and pan-seared salmon.

 

Coobs

A menu that celebrates produce and passion for great food.

 

Eatery JHB

A great little spot with attentive young owners and great staff.

 

The Green Peppercorn

A reliable restaurant that serves quality ingredients, with good service and a great atmosphere.

 

Junipa’s

An amazing brunch venue, especially on the weekend.

 

The Leopard

Play with the menu so your dinner part tastes different dishes.

 

Le Souffle

Their loyal clientele is evidence of consistency.

 

Licorish Bistro

Clever and consistently good food.

 

The Patisserie

As the name suggests, their baked goods are heavenly.

 

Possum’s Bistro and Deli

The interesting menu keeps evolving.

 

Red Rabbit French Grill

The small menu is complemented by daily specials.

 

Thomas Maxwell Bistro

A fabulous atmosphere and classics with a twist.

 

Cafés

 

Burnside’s Café

The food is prepared with flair and beautifully presented.

 

Café Picobella

They serve simple but beautifully presented Mediterranean dishes and great pizza.

 

Chalkboard Collaboration Café

Pizza and a great variety of craft beer.

 

Corner Café and Bistro

The menu is very exclusive and they boast an impressive wine list.

 

Espresso Caffe and Bistro

Sidewalk snacks like crazy good pregos served with crispy fries to mop up the goodness and beef trinchado.

 

The Foundry Café

Enjoy a variety craft beer with charcuterie, sourdough pizza or pork belly on cannellini mash.

 

Love Food Kitchen Café and Deli

The daily ‘graze-table’ caters to a mix of university students and office workers.

 

Gia’s on Montrose

Small-town country ambience in the heart of Sandton.

 

Moemas

Lovely baked items are complemented by a creative menu.

 

Post

This tiny coffee bar has great breakfasts and sandwiches.

 

The Pudding Shop

Drink bubbly and nibble on a frittata or gourmet French Toast.

 

Odd Café

Good food for a young, vibey crowd that likes to be seen.

 

Salvationcafe

Good-looking patrons, hustling service and delicious food.

 

Service Station

Excellent coffees and unique juice specials.

 

Velo

A simple sandwich/art/coffee bar that feeds the district’s students, creative industries and legal fraternity.

 

Warm and Glad

A favourite of every journalist in Joburg.

 

The Whippet

A trendy coffee shop with impeccable foods and service.

 

Fine Dining

 

Clico Boutique Hotel

Their set menus include spectacular soups and innovative starters.

 

DW Eleven-13

The tasting gives you comprehensive understanding of chef-patron, Marthinus Ferreira’s love for good food.

 

Five Hundred

The best fine dining in Joburg.

 

Indian

 

Al Makka

A friendly dining hall perfect for a quick meal with a friend.

 

Bukhara

A superb dining experience, with a menu populated by more than 20 tandoori options.

 

Ghazal North Indian Restaurant

The flavours are light years of ubiquitous Durban curry.

 

Shayona

Some of the best vegetarian curries in Joburg.

 

Spiceburg

Spiceburg serves fare from India’s southerly provinces as well as the more common north Indian dishes.

 

Thava Indian Restaurant

A favourite with Indian groups – proof of its quality and authenticity.

 

Italian

 

’86 Public

Pizzas have wood-fired bases, Napolitana sauce and not too much cheese.

 

Amacord Osteria Italiana

The spacious and very Mediterranean venue with blow-your-socks-off food.

 

The Ant

It’s a charming, idiosyncratic place usually crammed with arty types.

 

Assaggi

A classic Italian eatery that operates by its own rules and serves delicious seasonal dishes and old favourites.

 

Bellini’s

The menu never changes; and neither does the top quality and service.

 

Bice Restaurant

An elegant hotel eatery run by the international brand that combines the unlikely cuisine of Japan and Italy.

 

Café Del Sol

Sensational food served in an unpretentious, modern setting.

 

Casalinga Ristorante

This restaurant maintains a lovely country feeling with great traditional Italian food.

 

Ciao Baby Cucina

Great for a night out with friends.

 

Col’Cacchio (Hyde Park)

The menu you know and love.

 

Crazy Horse

A quirky, intimate spot.

 

Da Graziella Pizzeria and Trattoria

Try the pasta carrettiera and any of the meat dishes.

 

Franco’s Pizzeria and Trattoria

Order the potato and parmesan pizza; spaghetti puttanesca; or Franco’s salads with his killer secret dressing.

 

Il Giardino Degli Ulivi

Relax under the trees with the kids at this country-style retreat in the city.

 

Il Tartufo Ristorante Italiano

Slightly old-school, classic décor adds to the authenticity of the menu.

 

La Campagnola

The place is always packed and the food impeccable.

 

La Cucina Di Ciro

Sit on the veranda with a group to sip wine and while the afternoon away.

 

La Scala

The balcony ‘sky’ makes it good for a date.

 

Luca’s Ristorante Italiano

A huge, Tuscan-inspired menu features calzone, pizza and plenty of veal dishes.

 

Lucio’s Pizzeria

A local favourite that offer a respite from mall dining.

 

Mastrantonio

Authentic Italian cuisine served with flair.

 

Osteria Rossa

Pizza in three sizes and attempting antipasti selection makes ordering a treat.

 

Ottimo Pizza and Pasta

A neat menu of eat in or take out pizza done in a traditional wood-fired oven.

 

Pronto Italian Deli

Always busy and buzzing with a menu inspired by regular ‘mood trips’ to Italy.

 

Tasca do Sol

A great Portuguese restaurant with a lovely view of the shimmering Westdene Dam.

 

Tony’s Spaghetti Grill

A buzzing, perfect night out with friends or day with the family.

 

Tra Amici

Tuesdays still feature the amazing banquet of Italian foods to fill takeaway boxes.

 

Trabella

A small menu, comfy décor and the thinnest pizza crusts with varied and unusual pizza toppings.

 

Vera Vita

A comfortable space featuring a giant pizza oven.

 

Vovo Telo

A great setting on a weekend morning.

 

Mediterranean

 

Mezepoli

Consistently good food in a vibrant atmosphere overlooking Melrose Arch’s central piazza.

 

Mythos Design Quarter

Greek specialities like meze platters, fish dishes, garlicky roasts and filled pitas will satisfy your cravings.

 

Plaka

The main course menu is a delightful medley of Greek favourites like moussaka, souvlaki, kleftico, calamari and prawns.

 

Middle Eastern

 

Beirut

The menu covers a wide range of dishes packed with flavour, but go for tabbouleh, anything with hummus and the raw or fried kibbeh.

 

Teta Mari

An owner-run café with an interesting selection of Middle Eastern breakfast dishes and American classics.

 

Modern

 

Bellgables Country Restaurant

Food here is relatively simple, well-prepared and tasty.

 

Bliss Lifestyle Lounge

Urban and chic with Afro-Cuban music.

 

Central One Bar and Restaurant

Go for steak and cocktails.

 

Cube Tasting Kitchen

The textures are incredible; the flavours are an education.

 

De La Crème

A great spot to indulge in a quiet coffee, lunch from the blackboard menu and a fresh pastry.

 

The Good Luck Club

A fantastic eatery with a young, trendy vibe.

 

The Grazing Room

The place to go for after-work drinks and a bite of tapas with flair.

 

The Griffin

A great South African version of the English gastro-pub, with hearty food.

 

Higher Ground

Sip a glass of wine and behold the stunning view of the city skyline.

 

Level Four Restaurant

An elegant eating experience, but not too stuffy and formal.

 

Lucky Bean

Brilliant service and good food on the seasonal menus.

 

Melon

Expect good quality food and wine in a friendly environment with state-of-the-art décor.

 

Narina Trogen

A compact menu offers enough options for everybody’s tastes, including soups, fishcakes, grills and sandwiches.

 

Sel et Poivre

A good spot for business meetings.

 

Tashas Le Parc

You can’t fault the fresh, French-style food or the service.

 

Tashas Melrose Arch

Great for breakfast, brunch and lunch.

 

Portuguese

 

1920 Portuguese Restaurant

An authentic Madeiran experience.

 

A Churrasqueira

Expect consistently tasty and fresh food at affordable prices.

 

Radium Beer Hall

An historic bar known for its hearty, saucy, Portuguese pub food.

 

Troyeville Hotel Restaurant

The usual Mozambican and Portuguese fare, with excellent flavours.

 

Seafood

 

Yume Sushi Bar

Small and buzzy with a revolving sushi belt with an unusual selection of sushi flavour combos to choose from.

 

Steakhouses

 

Alpine Restaurant

Great food, service and atmosphere and an impressive wine collection.

 

Butcher Shop and Grill

An institution in Sandton Square with some of the best aged meat around.

 

The Local Grill

Beautiful cuts are aged, meticulously care and grilled to perfection.

 

Saxon Qunu Grill

The focus is on fine South African ingredients like West Coast mussels and grass-fed beef from KwaZulu-Natal prepared with distinctive African flair.

 

The Squires Loft

They specialise in steaks and have sides like edarmame beans and courgette chips.

 

Thunder Gun Steakhouse and Pub

The old-school menu honours steakhouse classics.

 

Turn ‘n Tender (Bryanston)

The quality meat speaks for itself.

 

Turn ‘n Tender (Illovo)

A good classic never dates.

 

Wombles Steakhouse

Meat lovers have a choice between 11 cuts of meat, chargrilled to perfection.

 

 

Heading to Cape Town? Check out our best of Cape Town guide.

Pictured (from top): Clico Boutique Hotel, Walnut Grove, Café Del Sol, Le Canard, tashas le parc, Turn n Tender, Bellagio, Possum’s Bistro, District Six Eatery, DW Eleven-13, The Red Chamber, Bice Ristorante and Mastrantonio.

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