In Johannesburg everything is bigger and brighter, even the sun shines more. The city buzzes all year round, and so does the food scene! The City of Gold offers the most diverse dining scene in South Africa. From breakfast diners to small family run French, Italian or Portuguese eateries, and from modern African live-fire cooking to brilliant burger joints - there is something for every palette, at every time of any day.
In Melville alone
For breakfast, Pablo Eggs-Go-Bar has recently opened its doors. They have partnered up with Urban Grind coffee, and every meal, which always includes eggs, is paired with fruit, juice or a health bowl, and a really great coffee. For an afternoon sweet treat, visit Café De La Crème. Either sit down in the elegant tearoom, hung with chandeliers and decked out in antique furniture, or grab a pastry from the bakery, which occupies the other half of the space. The Leopard is an excellent choice for a memorable dinner. Described as a sophisticated yet fun experience, the menu is defined as a blend of Asian and bistro-style cuisine.
African Fare
While visiting South Africa, it would be regrettable to miss out on trying some African fare. At the Bannister Hotel Bar and Restaurant in Braamfontein, you can order flame-grilled brisket with pap and spicy chakalaka; bunny chow; or ugusi, a Nigerian chicken stew. A little more upmarket but just as ‘native’, Flames Artisan Braai and Craft Beer in Westcliff combines fancy South African braaivleis (barbeque) with wonderful views from the top of the Westcliff Hotel.
American Food
If local is not your lekker (urban word for cool) and instead, your palette is crying out for some good American food, there is a plethora of mouthwatering options.
BGR in Rosebank offers the great burger experience, with preservative free burger buns baked onsite, patties made of a secret combination of select cuts of meat, and fries that are ‘the most expensive, highest-quality… in all of South Africa.’ Hell’s Kitchen in Melville offers burgers, tacos, wings, and wraps, and great – sometimes live – music. Impressively, it would seem that BBQs are done “bolder and better” than ever before at the Beast Grillhouse in Weltevreden Park which has a growing fan base, for a new kid on the block!
There is such a vast range of excellent eateries in Johannesburg that perhaps the best way to experience the crème de la crème and urban specialties, is to enjoy a guided tour around the best eateries that Johannesburg has to offer.
