Johannesburg Restaurants

  1. Adega do Monge

    A heaving, tastefully designed Luso-South African joint close to Diamond Digger's Lodge that draws in Eastern Suburbs locals and folks from further afield - bookings are highly advised. Portions are huge and waiters are Portuguese-speaking. The real thing.

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  2. Ant Café

    This hole-in-the wall Italian eatery has a distinctly Bohemian edge to it and whips up tasty pizzas in snug surrounds. Note that only cash is accepted.

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  3. B's Place

    Local types meet up and cook together at this licensed bar and shebeen that's already winning the heart of international guests. There's West and South African food on offer, plus a selection of homemade pastries.

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  4. Ben-kei

    This jazzy Japanese place attracts Norwood's young trendies with its fashionable styling and authentic cooking. If you have had enough red meat, the sushi offers welcome reprieve from the braai, and it's the best in town at these prices. Try the all-you-can-eat sushi platter (R110).

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  5. Bite

    Asian food is served in this slick eatery, whose clean lines and muted tones recall a Japanese Zen garden. Try the fresh line fish steamed in banana leaves.

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  6. Catz Pyjamas

    Eateries in New Melville are generally not as good as those around 7th St - this is where you will find the usual chain eateries - but they are generally easier on the pocket. The Catz Pyjamas can be a little sterile, but it's open 24 hours and the cheap food is welcome after a long night out.

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  7. Chaplin's

    This twee little bistro whips up some legendary food and, in an area where new places come and go in a flash, remains a true veteran. European meat and fish dishes predominate.

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  8. Circle

    With an emphasis on real ingredients, this informal, popular place is a restaurant for all seasons, with something on the menu to suit every fancy and appetite.

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  9. Cranks

    Still going after almost 20 years, Cranks was one of the first Thai-Vietnamese places in Jo'burg. Among the tried-and-tested favourites is fish fillet with lemongrass (R45).

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  10. De La Creme

    One of Jo'burg's best patisseries, with a daily selection of freshly baked delicious sweet treats such as homemade gateaux, and a full meal menu. It's closed on Monday nights.

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  11. Europa

    This welcoming, street-front café heaves on the weekend, when the Norwood set congregates here to tuck into their weekly omelette, juice and hot bevvy.

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  12. Gaia

    The basement level of the former Linden Hotel is now an Afro-Mediterranean restaurant designed in earthy tones and with a suitably health-oriented menu to match. It's a bit out of the way, but worth the trip.

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  13. Gramadoela's

    Full of curios and character, this gay-friendly Newtown classic in the Market Theatre complex whips up a mean mix of African and Asian cuisine, blending recipes that range from the Cape to Cairo and adding a distinctly Malay twist. Diners include Hillary Clinton, Denzel Washington and Nelson Mandela.

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  14. Guildhall Bar & Restaurant

    Established way back in 1888, this was one of the city's first bars and makes you wish the nicotine-stained, wood-panelled walls could talk. You can while away the day in the dark English-style pub below, or sit out on the upstairs balcony and watch the City of Gold pass you by over a pie and chips.

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  15. Ish Caffé

    Trendy little Ish Caffé has chic design, scrumptious breakfasts, great cappuccinos and gorgeous and attentive wait staff - what more could you ask for?

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  16. Kapitan's

    Jo'burg is awash with award-winning restaurants offering just about every world cuisine, but for a taste of the new city in surroundings that reflect its past, there's nothing quite like Kapitan's. Don't let the grubby stairwell put you off - this is a Jo'burg institution, with authentic Indian food and eccentric décor that's been attracting luminaries for years.

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  17. Karma

    Bringing traditional Indian cooking into the 21st century, this stylish place puts a contemporary spin on the old favourites and offers a smorgasbord of tasty vegetarian dishes for those sick of the South African meat obsession.

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  18. La Suite

    This is one of Norwood's plusher eateries, with wicker chairs on the pavement and coffee-and-cream décor inside. There's a wide range of local and European dishes on the menu, or you can dig into the lunchtime buffet.

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  19. Melville Grill

    The only place for a hardcore meat feast, this upmarket steakhouse serves sublime aged cuts in modern surrounds. It also claims to cater for vegetarians.

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  20. Moyo's

    Oozing chi-chi African charm, this busy chain offers a wide range of contemporary African eats. Each has a stylish cigar bar and fresh, herb-packed cooking forms the backbone of the innovative menu. There's also a top-notch wine list for vinophiles. Thanks to its waterside setting, our favourite is the Zoo Lake branch (though it's not open for dinner).

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  21. Nambitha

    Nambitha means 'to taste - expensively' in Zulu and this place represents the township's changing face. Stylish and open-fronted, it serves a delicious combination of contemporary and traditional African fare and a decent selection of drinks.

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  22. Ove Flo

    This Continental-style bistro is a good spot for romantic dining, with an atmospheric, womb-red interior, plenty of gold-edged mirrors for checking your hair, and a menu offering everything from snail pizza to freshly ground coffee.

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  23. Paros Taverna

    With fresh, white-and-blue taverna décor and tasty Greek eats, this little piece of the Mediterranean gets lively on the weekends. On Saturday morning, they're still sweeping up the smashed plates from the night before.

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  24. Radium Beerhall

    It's a tad crummy and the food (filling Portuguese fare) is nothing to write home about. But the draught beer is always cold, the crowd always festive and, as this was Jo'burg first ever licensed pub, it has an atmosphere of the city's gold-rush days rich enough to have theme parks green with envy.

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  25. Sakhumzi Restaurant

    In the very heart of the Vilakazi St area, this excellent little eatery draws a steady stream of tourists and locals alike. The food is tasty, there are sometimes jazz bands playing in the evening, and tours of the area can be arranged.

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