The Best Restaurants in Johannesburg

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The wine cellar at EB Social Kitchen in Johannesburg.

Every time I move to a new city, I make it my mission to track down the best of every kind of food – sushi, burgers, pizza, Mexican, the list goes on (I have been told I need more nuanced hobbies…).

My time in Johannesburg was no exception. It doesn’t have quite the same foodie reputation as Cape Town does, but there are lots of places with good vibes and great food. Joburg is often just a stopover on the way to the Kruger, but it’s definitely worth getting out of your hotel and exploring the food scene, which is young, vibrant and very friendly.

Here’s my guide to the best restaurants in Johannesburg, from hidden gems and cult classics to smashburgers that will ruin you for all others.

The Best Coffee in Johannesburg

Joburg has an excellent coffee scene, which has gotten even better in recent years. Here are the best ones:

Father Coffee, Rosebank: You’ll forgive their almost painful hipsterism because the coffee is outrageously good.

Bean There, 44 Stanley: Incredibly friendly staff, and the coffee here is very smooth and lovely. They put a lot of emphasis on ethical sourcing.

Motherland, Rosebank: They have a huge number of stores now, but try the one in Rosebank for excellent coffee and simple breakfasts.

Plato, various locations: Plato has popped up everywhere recently and serves perfect coffee.

The Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Johannesburg

The half and half at Nice on 4th in Parkhurst. Half portion pancake, and half portion egg and bacon basket - this is one of the best breakfasts in Johannesburg. — The half and half at Nice on 4th

Going to brunch on the weekend is a compulsory Joburg activity. Follow it up with a stroll around Delta Park or Emmerentia Dam, or a get a mani-pedi (another compulsory Joburg activity). Here’s where to go:

Nice on 4th, Parkhurst: This is everyone’s favourite breakfast spot, and one of the first places that people take you to when you’re new to Joburg. Parkhurst is a suburban heaven, filled with lots of cute cafes, bookshops and galleries. The best thing about Nice on 4th is that, on days when you can’t choose between a sweet breakfast or a savoury one, you can get the half and half – a half portion of pancakes, and a half portion of the egg basket.

The Whippet, Linden: Excellent coffee and breakfast, dog-friendly, and a good vibe. This was our favourite breakfast spot when we lived in Joburg.

Croft and Co, Parkview: The best, creamiest scrambled eggs I’ve ever had.

Tasha’s Cafe, various locations: Tasha’s is South Africa’s best upmarket cafe chain, and the food is unfussy but outstanding. There is also a fairly extensive menu – the restaurants all have the same basic menu, and each has its own individual menu as well. Try the one in Nelson Mandela Square, and have your breakfast in view of the giant Nelson Mandela sculpture.

Salvation Cafe, 44 Stanley: A very peaceful vibe under the trees at 44 Stanley, with delicious coffee and breakfast – think French toast, flapjacks and Benedicts. Breakfast here, followed by a browse around the shops, is a favourite Joburg weekend activity.

Flames, the Westcliff (Sunday brunch): not casual or cheap, and pretty much a full day affair – but the Westcliff is super fabulous and very Joburg.

The Best Sushi in Johannesburg

Joburg’s dining scene is nothing if not glamorous, and Joburg must always have one standout sushi and cocktails spot, which is glamorous and delicious in equal parts, and which shines above all the rest.

For ages, this was Koi. Koi was particularly memorable for me as I lost my rock shrimp tempura virginity there. Koi sadly moved from its very beloved spot in Sandton to Pretoria, which almost caused me an existential crisis. My husband once took me to Koi in Pretoria one weeknight after I’d had a horrible day, but even I can’t do a regular 2-hour round trip for sushi (even as a passenger).

Never fear, because the Big Mouth promptly popped up as tribute to fill the role of Sandton’s Standout Sushi Spot. I actually think the location, on Nelson Mandela Square, is better, and the food is absolutely fabulous. There is a huge marble bar and an open sushi kitchen. Get the rock shrimp tempura roll, the fish and chips roll, and a raspberry margarita, and soak up the City of Gold vibes.

The Best Pizza in Johannesburg

A margherita from Coalition in Johannesburg. Coalition is one of the best pizza spots in Johannesburg. — A margherita from Coaltion

Working my way through Joburg’s pizza scene was a delicious activity, but just before we left, the absolute best pizza spot in Joburg opened up, and I never looked elsewhere again.

Coalition serves ridiculously good, incredibly fresh Neapolitan-style pizza. Their first store in Blairgowrie was dangerously close to where we lived (honestly, when I was packing up to move to London, I think I was getting Coalition every 48 hours).

For alternatives, try these:

La Pergola, 44 Stanley: Set in a leafy courtyard, with a warm, inviting vibe – it is very popular for Sunday lunch. The pizza is thin-based (if you can get a ham and pineapple, a true South African classic, do it!).

Saint, Rosebank: Very Joburg-fab, with painted ceilings, stunning views across the city, DJs, Neapolitan pizza, and an exciting cocktail menu.

The Best Italian in Johannesburg (non-pizza)

Modena, Parkhurst: Modena is a lot more vibey than the others on this list, and would be my pick if I only had one night in Joburg. It has a buzzing atmosphere and absolutely amazing food.

Stelle, Houghton: Stelle has moved more than once and is definitely more old school than it is fancy. But the food is life-changingly good, and the menu changes seasonally. I will never forget having hazelnut ravioli here on a very cold Joburg winter night.

Mastrantonio, Illovo: Another old school delight, perfect for an upscale work lunch, but also for an amazing dinner. Mastrantonio feels like a secret that your rich old Joburg grandmother told you about. I love the prawn penne.

Tortellini D’Oro, Oaklands: Another old school Italian, and our favourite (we celebrated lots of anniversaries here, and got probably the best takeaway of our lives during the lockdown). Beloved by Joburg locals for its authentic food and unassuming, upmarket vibe, this is a hidden gem.

The Best Burgers in Johannesburg

A BGR burger, fries and chocolate milkshake. BGR makes the best smashburgers in Johannesburg.

BGR burgers

Joburg’s best burger spot is BGR in Rosebank. They make smashburgers, which will ruin you for all other smashburgers for the rest of your life. I once met one of the owners and literally fangirled in a slightly embarrassing way.

Seriously, I’m not convinced that even Shake Shack is better. I used to think constantly about how to get a proper comparison between them, but given that the closest Shake Shack to Joburg is an 8-hour flight away in Dubai, you’d never get them in a single meal together (plus, smashburgers are temperature-sensitive).

One day, I will find a way to have both in a single meal, and do a proper comparison (or perhaps I will eat a BGR on the way to the airport, and then get Shake Shack as soon as I land in Dubai – maybe the 12-hour difference will be ok in terms of actually comparing them properly).

You can sit down at BGR, but it definitely has very casual American diner vibes. If you prefer more of a restaurant feel (or you prefer non-smashed burgers), try Hudson’s, South Africa’s favourite gourmet burger spot (get a spiked milkshake).

The Best Steak in Johannesburg

There is absolutely nothing like a South African steak. Here are the best places to get one in Joburg:

The Grillhouse, Rosebank: The Grillhouse is a Joburg institution, and is consistently rated Joburg’s best steakhouse. The decor is perfect too – brown leather and dark wood panelling. It now has three locations, in Sandton, Rosebank and Melrose Arch.

The Butcher Shop and Grill, Nelson Mandela Square: Yes, Nelson Mandela Square can be a bit touristy, but the Butcher Shop is loved by locals. It has very dedicated regulars and a great wine list.

The Best Indian Restaurants in Johannesburg

Joburg has a lot of good Indian food. Here are the top three:

Thava, Norwood: This was our favourite Indian spot when we lived in Joburg, and I still miss it. It has pretty old-school vibes, with white tablecloths and very polite service. Get the butter chicken, a garlic naan, and a bottle of Beyerskloof Pinotage, and thank me later.

Ghazal, Bryanston: Another Joburg gem, the only issue with Ghazal is that it is in a shopping centre (but in some ways, that is the perfect Joburg vibe!).

The Raj, Sandton: Also in Nelson Mandela Square, the Raj is a Johannesburg classic, which is always reliably good.

The Best Mexican Restaurants in Johannesburg

The standout Mexican restaurant in Joburg is Baha Taco, in Norwood. It is very casual and almost grungy, with a simple menu, but don’t let that put you off.

They make their tacos from scratch, in a traditional taco press, and the fillings are fresh and very tasty. Get a margarita (or three) for a perfect, very well-priced meal.

The Best Asian / Pan-Asian Restaurants in Johannesburg

The staircase at Saigon Suzy in Johannesburg. Saigon Suzy is a fun restaurant with karaoke rooms.

The ceiling at Saigon Suzy in Johannesburg. Saigon Suzy is a fun restaurant with karaoke rooms.

The staircase and ceiling at Saigon Suzy

Joburg has a lot of cool, fun Asian spots. Here are the best:

Momo Kuro, Rosebank: There are many of these absolutely delicious places in the Momo group, but the one in Rosebank definitely has the best views. They serve dim sum and bao buns, and do them very well. Try the crispy calamari and the Colonel Bao. Note that they don’t have a liquor licence, but you can bring your own wine, and there is no corkage fee.

Saigon Suzy, Parkwood: Quirky decor, boba cocktails, and karaoke rooms make this a really fun night out. But the food is great too – try the prawn toast.

The Best Greek Restaurants in Johannesburg

Kolonaki in Parkhurst

Here are the best places for Greek food in Johannesburg:

Kolonaki, Parkhurst: Upscale and super fabulous, on trendy 4th Avenue. The food, cocktails and vibe are top-notch.

Soul Souvlaki, various locations: A lot more casual, but with really good food. There used to be a hole-in-the-wall Soul Souvlaki near where we lived, and it became an almost weekly affair. It has expanded a lot more now, and the menu is also more extensive.

If You Only Have One Night in Johannesburg

If you only have one night in Joburg, I’d go classic, depending on what I felt like: sushi and cocktails at The Big Mouth, a proper steak at The Grillhouse, or pizza and vibes at Modena or Saint. And if you’ve got the morning after too, don’t miss brunch at Tasha’s, which is a necessary stop in Joburg.

Whether you’re in Joburg for a layover, a work trip, or as part of a safari itinerary, make sure you leave your hotel and have a local meal or two. What makes Johannesburg unique is that it feels like the centre of South Africa, and the food scene is worth exploring.