Unique Restaurants in Joburg
I’ve decided it’s finally time to share my favorite, unique restaurants in Joburg. Joburg is such a foodie city— it’s one of the things that I love most about it. There is always a new restaurant or cafe opening to look forward to. But that also means writing about food in Joburg is intimidating! It seems impossible to keep up. I’ve probably started and stopped writing this blog 100 times since we moved here but have thought now I might as well start and add on as I eat.
Some of these restaurants overlap with my posts on getting take-away/delivery, eating in a group, or my favorite cafes around town.
A note: The downside of constant restaurant openings is that there is a lot of turnover in Joburg. Please check for yourself if the restaurants are open when you plan to go. Menus also change frequently here.
I will continue to update this post as I visit more restaurants.
This post contains affiliate links.
Fine and Fancy Dining in Joburg
The Marabi Club
The Marabi Club in downtown Joburg is the perfect spot for a date night, a celebration with friends or family, or a reason to treat yourself to a fantastic night out. Start with drinks during sunset at the Hallmark House rooftop and then make your way to the basement to the Marabi Club for delicious cocktails and food. We usually end up splurging and get several tapas to share. Everything can be shared!
Our must-haves for serious splurging and appetites:
- Thai Oysters (the best oysters)
- Fish Tacos
- Kat’s Broc (with gorgonzola goodness)
- Marabi Bread Course
- Tuna Tosa-mi (a MUST wowow, I was blown away by this dish)
- African Carrot
- Fire Prawn Stack (with tempura kimchi prawns!)
- Sexy Chick 2.0
On our latest outing, we spent R1700 for 4 drinks, water, and food. The tip is included in your bill.
Book in advance online. You can visit the Marabi Club on Thursdays for their set menu date night for just R595 per couple.
Les Creatifs
Les Creatifs is the brainchild of Chef Wandile Mabaso. He’s served presidents overseas and at home as well as international celebrities like Kelly Roland. We’ve visited a couple of times and the food has been spectacular. Definitely save this when you’re looking for a unique restaurant in Joburg for a special occasion. A reservation is a must as there are just a few tables in this hidden location inside an unassuming strip mall in Bryanston.
Go up the stairs past the ATMs to get to Les Creatifs.
The menu changes seasonally and there is a full veg or vegan menu available upon request. The tasting menu is R950 (a total steal for this level of fine dining).
Here we are with Wilhelm’s parents!
There is also a cocktail and wine pairing option though we usually stick to getting a cocktail or just a glass or two of wine.
There is no better way to share how incredible the food is than through pictures.
It looks like pure art, don’t you think!? Here is the menu from the last time we visited:
Fancy but not too fancy
These restaurants actually all have a very similar vibe and experience. There are main plates as well as tapas in a minimalist, clean-feel environment with nice staff and great food. They are good for both lunch and dinner with family and friends, or for date night.
The Pot Luck Club
Originally a Cape Town institution, South African Chef Luke Dale Robert brings the classics to Joburg. I’ve loved this restaurant in Cape Town and am so glad to have it here! The Pot Luck Club serves tapas style international dishes. I suggest ordering 3 dishes per person, unless you’re starving. We ordered 8 tapas between the two of us and after the 5th dish, I was stuffed. There are plenty of vegetarian options to keep you full. My favorite dishes are the fish tacos, fish sliders, line fish sashimi, and the broccoli Penang.
The vibe is a classy Joburg experience. There is indoor and outdoor seating as well as bar seating where you can watch the chefs make the tapas. You can book online for the regular indoor table seating but if you need a last-minute fancy dinner suggestion to impress, then you can call.
Embarc
I love taking people to Embarc. It’s also the only place (that I know of) that serves a really good Ostrich steak that’s perfect for someone who hasn’t had it before. Embarc serves a mix of African fusion cuisine. In the evening, this restaurant has an elegant touch with low lighting and a clean, minimalist feel. It’s the perfect way to feel a little fancy in the middle of the day for lunch, too.
The menu changes seasonally but I always get something with the ostrich and prawns.
Bespokery
I really like the vibe and food at Bespokery. It’s a chill, minimalist yet classy experience whenever we come for dinner here. Honestly, I like it more than Wilhelm but we’ve also come with friends and his parents. I like that they have a full page of veg options. Some of the dishes come in tapas and main versions, which is great for some people who still want their own plate of food. My favorite dish is actually the beetroot “cheesecake.”
Besos
If you’re craving lobster, look no further than Besos. The lobster roll is a fantastic R225. It’s a steal. The food is so filling. I loved the burrata with roasted tomatoes too. Besos is located inside the Woods Shopping Center. I explored with my friend Nafisa, the tech genius behind Recharged.
Kolonaki
If you’re craving amazing Greek food, head to Kolonaki in Parkhurst.
Unique Eats
Brian Lara
Brian Lara is the only Caribbean restaurant in Joburg I’ve managed to find, automatically making it one of the most unique restaurants in Joburg. We first came here in March 2021 for Wilhelm’s birthday as I was looking up Caribbean restaurants (since it’s one of his favorite cuisines). We’ve visited and taken friends here a dozen times or more since then. The food is great for pick up also (though they don’t do delivery). Who is Brian Lara, you may ask? He’s a Trinidadian former international cricketer.
The 2-for-1 cocktails between 2pm-6pm is an incredible deal. I love the Mai Tai, pina colada, caipirinha, and the Bloody Mary.
We’ve come to eat, just the two of us, or with a large group of friends. For a group of 4, I suggest ordering:
- Jerk Cauliflower (the best dish on the menu, it’s better than the jerk chicken)
- Doubles (a spicy lentil curry with bread)
- Sweetcorn fritters
- Spicy rice and beans
- Coconut cream spinach
- Coleslaw
The pineapple salsa and chips you get upon sitting down are amazing too. It’s also a popular spot for birthday lunches or dinners—and Brian Lara has a separate group menu for that too.
I always suggest booking a table. The restaurant is especially popular on Friday and Saturday. Brian Lara is located in Linden.
Emzini
Emzini is an all-day dining spot in Westdene. It’s kinda South African, kinda Italian, and pure flavor. The menu is varied and each dish is delish! There is a legit pizza oven, excellent pastas, grills, and great breakfasts. You can visit for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and get something new each time. The restaurant is a little bit off the radar as a local spot, which is why I think this is what makes it one of the most unique restaurants in Joburg.
Here we are with my parents!
My fav dishes:
- Gorgonzola pizza
- Veg pizza
- Prawnalicious platter (Best I’ve ever had!!)
- Vegan giant ravioli
- Mushroom ravioli
The prices of the meals are pretty reasonable and there are “specials” each day of the week, as well as beer and wine deals. Vegans and meat eaters all have options.
1920 Portuguese Restaurant
1920 Portuguese Restaurant totally surprised me. Located in a strip mall in Hyde Park, I was shocked that the restaurant was almost full on a Wednesday night. After we got our dishes, it was clear why. The food is incredible. I got the prawn pasta with shrimp in a nut sauce. WOWOW. We also got interesting starts and the fish soup.
Galata Bakery
This Turkish restaurant is the perfect place to get a traditional Turkish coffee and pide (long flatbread with topping). Galata Bakery is located in Greenside.
Instagrammable and Delicious
It’s hard to strike the balance between a totally vibing, Instagrammable location and one that also had good food. I’ve been to plenty of places where the food looks good on my phone but I don’t even want to eat. These places have managed to get both food and décor right.
Goddess Cafe
A girl’s day at Goddess Cafe is a must! Pink everything, glitter everything, the food and drinks are honestly as good as they look. Book for brunch on the weekend.
Hi to my friend Shannon!
Casual Eateries
Joon’s Coffee Bar
Although I’ve written about Joon’s in my cafe guide, it also deserves to be here as they host unique dinner experiences from poetry nights to skull painting. We went for the Mexican skull painting experience! It was complete with themed food and music. We spent 3 hours painting skulls and eating tacos. It’s such a fun evening. Switch up date night, meet your friends, or bring the kids along.
Njam
Visit Njam in Linden for fantastic all-day dining. From breakfast through dinner, the meal options are excellent. Ask for the fresh quiches or chicken pie, they sell quickly! A big fan of the juice selection too. The whole vibe of Njam is spot on. You can catch up with friends or use the fast wifi to work at the shared workspace bench (or grab a table). It’s one of my go-to restaurants for lunch when a friend suggests to meet up!
International Cuisine
Middle Eastern
Schwarma Company
The Schwarma Company in Norwood has always been our favorite Middle Eastern takeout spot in Joburg. We usually get a bunch of falafels and sides to take home.
We’ve also sat down for dinner too. The restaurant has two floors and service is fast. We ordered one mezze platter with extra falafels. We also ordered my favorite dish which is ful (a mashed bean dip). This filled us up and we even had some leftovers.
The mint tea is an absolute must! We went on a cold, rainy evening and felt warmed up by the food and the nearby heaters. I highly recommend it for a chill and easy dinner, takeaway or dine-in.
Ba Pita
From brunch through dinner, Ba Pita has great Middle Eastern cuisine that will keep you coming back.
Italian
I have a whole post about my favorite Italian restaurant in Joburg. Check it out.
However, if I had to pick just one, it would be Tortellini d’Oro. I love eating amongst the imported Italian groceries. It feels like something you’d only stumble upon while in Italy. We started with baked fennel, which was so creamy and delish! For mains, I’m obsessed with the spaghetti vongole (with mini clams) and porcini mushrooms ravioli! Perfect for date night, dinner with friends, or visiting colleagues.
Indian
Woaah, this is going to be a difficult section and so I’m going to direct you to my delivery blog post because we actually rarely go out to eat Indian food. To us, Indian food ends up being mainly a take-away or delivery option. Why? I’m not sure. Growing up at home, my mom would always make Pakistani food so I don’t associate it with outing out, rather eating in! We always end up over-ordering and have great lunch leftovers too.
Dosa Hut
Overall, Dosa Hut has the best Indian food in Joburg. They have food from all regions, from the south (dosa) to the northern paneer curries. There is both a Fordsburg and Fourways location. We have only been to the Fordsburg location both for dine-in and take-away. Read all about it.
Modern Tailors
For the best food and vibe experience, the folks at Modern Tailor’s have really got it right. Sure, the place is super instagrammable, and the food is amazing too. It’s a different experience than a delivery or take-away Indian meal that may be a little better in taste, but you won’t have the opportunity to dress up and have a fun evening. Read more about it on my group dining post.
Asian
Chong Qing Huo Guo Hot Pot Restaurant
Chong Qing Huo Guo Hot Pot Restaurant is an incredible dining experience and definitely one of the most unique restaurants in Joburg! The broth is veg-friendly and there are tons of tofu and veg options to keep you full. We got the half and half spicy and half plain broth option. This spot is perfect for group dining! The more the better so that you can try all the fun things. My fav veggies to put in the hot pot were tofu (bean curd) sticks and enoki mushrooms.
We also got an eggplant dish that was incredibleeee. You get to pick whatever you want to go inside your hot pot from a menu and it’s brought out in tapas-style dishes. You can also make your own dipping sauce (YOU NEED THIS) or ask for help from the friendly owner!
For 5 people, we spent R900ish total.
We have always driven and parked in Cyrildene without issues. There is street parking right outside.
Tea and Antique
Also in my cafe guide, Tea and Antique has expanded to more than a light lunch menu when I first visited. However, the main star of the menu remains the bean cakes. My favorite is the osmanthus-flavored green bean cake. Osmanthus is my favorite herbal tea. There are hot and cold tea options as well and owner Nini performs a classic Chinese tea ceremony while her husband, the chef, cooks up delicious meals from their home provinces in China.
Daisy Dumplings House
Located in Rivonia amongst other Asian eateries, Daisy Dumplings House is a popular dumpling destination. With 18 dumplings for just R80, the deal is almost too good to be true. I explored with Heather aka 2Summers. She also has a post on Asian Food Exploration in Rivonia.
Our waitress said that the pork and leek dumplings were the most popular. As they didn’t have veg dumplings at the time, I opted for the chicken. Veg folk may want to call ahead before making the drive to Rivonia. My friend, Heather, had mixed dumplings (pork, leek, shrimp, and egg). It was clearly the winner between the chicken and the mixed dumplings. The smashed cucumber was so refreshing and amazing as well.
Here is the menu:
Chef Micky Private Dining
I’ve written about Chef Micky’s before in my group dining post and my take-out post. People usually order take-away rather than dine in, but it’s still an option. Plan to be the only people there. The Thai flavors are amazing, as are the portion sizes, and I think it’s the best Thai restaurant in the country. The restaurant can also accommodate vegetarian diets as there are a lot of tofu dishes.
Our favorite dishes are:
- Green Curry
- Panang Curry
- Basil stir fry
- Pad Thai (the best in the entire country)
Momo
There are a couple of Momo chain restaurants that specialize in different Asian cuisines around Joburg. I’ve enjoyed Momo XO in the Zone (Rosebank Mall) for lunch as it specializes in sushi.
I also love Momo Baohaus for take-away orders as their bowls always hit the spot, especially on a rainy day. I’ve actually never eaten here in person, to be honest, but my delivery orders will carry on.
The Momo Kuro is the place to go for a unique restaurant in Joburg. It’s hidden away in Key Arts Mile and has a great view over the city. The decor is so nice. It’s not usually crowded for lunch but by dinner-time the place is buzzing.
I love the noodle dishes and the crispy calamari at Momo Kuro.
Chopstix
For delivery or dine-in, I love Chopstixs. We tend to UberEats this more than we dine-in but the restaurant is good for lunch or early dinner. I love the veggie chow mein and the tofu.
Banchan
Head over to Banchan for date night or dinner with friends for Korean fare.
Although I think that the gimbap (Korean-style sushi) is better an Market Kokoro, the entire menu at Banchan sounds so fun. We went with our friends for dinner and got the Mandoo, gimbap, tteokbokki, black noodles, and japchae noodles. My favorite dish was the tteokbokki, which is a kinda Korean street food that is made from thick noodles and a sweet and sour sauce. It’s so hard to describe—you gotta come try it for yourself. The menu has a great selection of dishes and also includes Korean barbeque!
Try from of the Soju too! We spent around R900 total for 4 people.
Mexican
Baha Taco
Baha Taco in Norwood is my favorite place to get tacos. I like the option and the outdoor seating (next to Ba Pita) with hanging lights.
Razor Charlie
If you’re out shopping in the Design Quarter then start your day at Razor Charlie. They are located by the entrance of Amatuli, which has gorgeous home design goods from around the world. I like the breakfast tacos with vegan meat with a cup of coffee. Wilhelm likes the hallumi version!
Ethiopian
Joburg has some fantastic Ethiopian restaurants. I’ve got a post about my favorite places.
Downtown Spots
Besides Marabi Club, there are several spots around Braam and Maboneng that are good for drinks and dinner combos to have a cool afternoon or evening out.
Sanctuary
Tucked away in the Arts on Main complex in Maboneng, Sanctuary is a gem. Tables and couches are set up under the fairy lights of the complex courtyard. And, there is also an indoor section thoughtfully designed.
We ordered the prawns, chakalaka dip, garlic broccoli, and crumbled mushrooms.
There are several menus to enjoy: the kitchen bar, brunch, and sushi. You can also order platters to share amongst your group. Here is a little sampler of the menu. We spent around R250 per person for a drink and two tapas each.
Loco
Braamfontein’s Loco is a great option for tacos and drinks. I loved the street corn and the veggie tacos.
Food Tours in Joburg
Downtown Joburg, more commonly known as the “CBD” (central business district), is home to a ton of great restaurants. However, I don’t recommend you go to the CBD alone. Even as a (somewhat) local, I only go on tours to get this experience. I’ve gone on several I suggest you go on the Taste of Africa experience with Eenblond Tours or the Street food, public art & history tour with Honest Travel Experience.
Outside of Town
Plan a getaway and visit Bellgables, just 30 minutes outside of town. The old-time Italian mansion vibe is exquisite and the food is amazing. It’s perfect for a fancy occasion.
What are some of your favorite unique restaurants in Joburg? Lemme know in the comments!