The Marabi Club Review: My Favorite Joburg Restaurant

If you follow me on Instagram then I’m sure you know that I end up at the Marabi Club at least once a month. It’s the perfect place to bring visitors and friends who haven’t really explored the downtown area of Joburg and showcase what CBD can actually offer.

Marabi Club is located inside the Hallmark House Hotel, just outside of the Maboneng area. The hotel is thoughtfully designed and not only hosts the Marabi Club, but also an incredible rooftop where you’ll be part of the classic Joburg skyline.

If you haven’t been to the Marabi Club yet, I promise you are missing out. It’s great for friend gatherings, special occasions, or a romantic evening with your bff or love.

Practical info for visiting

• The Marabi Club is open Thursday- Saturday 6pm until around 11:30pm. The music picks up at 8pm and you should stay till 11pm if you can.
• I highly suggest you take an Uber (not a Bolt as it will get lost). There is secure parking but if you are not familiar with the area, just take an uber. I’ve never driven downtown at night and don’t plan on it.
• Make a reservation to dine here. It always looks full every time I’ve gone. Book online or over the phone.
• There is a cover charge of R50/pp via a text payment link once you make your reservation.
• Chef Katlego Mlambo’s pop-up is open until the end of June 2022.

Why I love the Marabi Club

The Marabi Club is perfect for intimate evenings. The food is spectacular, as is the ambiance.

The Marabi Club is a jazz performance restaurant. Tables are located around the stage. There is a house band that plays frequently as well as visiting jazz musicians.

One of the things I love most about the Marabi Club is the whole Hallmark House experience. First, visit the little shop near the reception for some interesting clothes and small pottery items. I bought the Hallmark house hoodie in time for winter this year.

Next, head up to the rooftop for sundowners around 5pm (or sooner in winter). You can read my full rooftop review here.

After the rooftop, head down to the basement level of the hotel to the Marabi Club around 6:30pm or 7pm. Try to rally and stay until 11pm. The end of the evening is always so much fun as people get up to dance and the waiters take over the microphones to sing.

At the end of the night while waiting for an Uber, stop one of my favorite Joburg signs hidden behind the cafe area. The sign says “Hello Jozi” and is perfect for bringing visitors to snap some great pictures for Instagram.

The Food at Marabi Club

The food at the Marabi Club has some of the most unique dishes I’ve tasted not only in Joburg but in my life! I love the combination of world-class flavors that come together on tapas sharing plates.

Visiting Chef Katlego Mlambo is an absolute star. His pop-up began in January and was originally supposed to last until March. It’s been extended until the end of June so you’ve still got time to check it out.

The food is a mixture of international flavors like Thai oysters, fish tacos, and sashimi, as well as classic South African dishes like chakalaka and bone marrow.

The combination of flavors is unlike anything I’ve ever tasted before in dishes like the Line Fish Medley, which includes coconut, lemongrass, curry, and tamarind flavors. This dish is what made me first fall in love with Chef Katlego Mlambo’s menu. There’s something about the coconut and tamarind curry flavor that is indescribably good.

The Cheeky Prawn with kimchi and lemon butter sauce is outstanding, as is Kat’s Broc

What Should You Order?

Order absolutely everything you feel like. Some of the dishes are smaller like the oysters, tacos, and sliders. The oysters come as a single serving (one oyster), so you should order one per person. Also, the fish tacos come in two portions so order enough for the whole table. The other dishes are moderately sized tapas and can be shared amongst your dining crew.

You may want to order around three dishes per person and share. Of course, you can add more dishes as you go because the tapas arrive when they are ready. The waiters will gladly explain the menu to you as well.

For two people, I suggest ordering two Thai Oysters, Marabi Bread Course, Fish Taco’s, Kat’s Broc, Cheeky Prawn, and the Line Fish Medley. I honestly haven’t even gone to the desserts on this menu because I’ve been too full of the savory items. Perhaps swap out one of the fish items for the Sexy Chick for some variety.

The only thing I didn’t love on the menu so far is the calamari, but that’s honestly only because I’m not that into calamari. I tried a bite of the Sexy Chick (with peri peri flavors) and found it very succulent.

The drinks and wine list are also good at the Marabi Club. If you’re doing something fancy, get a bottle of champagne. Otherwise, sit back with a beer or a bottle of wine to share.

The Marabi Club Vibe               

There is a house band as well as visiting jazz musicians that perform each evening. The vibe is calm around 6-7pm when the restaurant opens and people are getting settled. By 8pm, the music picks up. I think the music can get a little too loud but that’s just me. Remember, this is a jazz spot so you’re here for the music just as much as the food.

Sunday Lunch

If you don’t have time Thursday through Saturday, you can visit the Hallmark House Rooftop for a Sunday lunch. Here, you’ll get a smaller and different selection of menu items prepared by Chef Katlego Mlambo. The Miss Piggy, the Lekker Calamari, and the Hot Chick are three similar items to the Marabi Club Menu. Check on The Marabi Club’s Instagram page for their latest dates and menus.

See the Marabi Club website here.

p.s. The menu on the website is not the pop-up menu.