Want some South African food? How about we visit Jozi?
Howzit*, friends, if you are hungry, you’ve come to the right place to get your ‘chow on’. Like any bustling metropolis, Jozi, as we affectionately call the city in South Africa, has an ever-changing culinary scene. South African food is heaven on earth and if you are not a foodie yet, we will convert you. Johannesburg is home to unbelievably good restaurants – we have a wealth of culinary and cultural influences which chefs incorporate skilfully in their menus. You are certain to find something lip-lek-lekker, loosely translated as ‘mouth-watering’, whichever restaurant you choose for your deep dive into South African food.
The City of Gold, another local moniker for the city, is full of many culinary experiences.
5 of the best South African food hubs in Johannesburg
The Marabi Club
The kitchen here is run by Head chef Katlego Mlambo, winner of the 2019 Eat Out Nederburg Rising Star Award. Using his knowledge of French cooking and his love of Asian flavours, he creates a menu of South African food that is fresh and interesting. It is also small, which we love, and you could almost try everything and be spared the agony of choosing between deliciousness. The restaurant has an old-school jazz atmosphere, housed as it is in the basement of Hallmark House and hotel. A current favourite is the Marabi Club’s interpretation of a ‘bao bun’. Crisp deep-fried chicken marinated in pink salt is just one example of the South African food on offer here. It comes smothered in cabbage and pickled ginger. Yum.
- Location: Hallmark House, 47 Sivewright Ave, New Doornfontein, Johannesburg
- Contact: +27 10 591 2879 or email info@themarabiclub.com
The Leopard: Kitchen, Larder and Can Do
This European-style deli and restaurant has a great vibe and buzzing energy. They are famous for their focus on sustainability – we love this! The menu is quirky and playful and the food seriously good, served up by award-winning chef Andrea Burgener. The menu, deli and ladder offerings change regularly because they use only the best local ingredients available, taking it up a notch by using only free-range poultry and pork, grass-fed beef, and seafood from sustainable sources. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with late afternoon tapas and drinks. A local favourite is the spaghetti Marmite – we told you it was quirky. But there is something for every taste and craving. Everything on the menu is available for take-away or delivery. And their catering service starts at a 4-person minimum (perfect for intimate dinner parties) and needs only 24 hours lead time: impressive. This is a popular spot that serves innovative, outstanding South African food so make sure to book.
- Location: 44 Stanley Ave, Milpark, Johannesburg
- Menu: leopardfoodcompany.com
Galata
Well known for their exceptional customer service and affordable prices, this Turkish inspired bakery and coffee shop is your go-to for something a little different. It is run by a Turkish family who fell in love with South Africa whilst on holiday. Their lovely little spot soon became an instant hit with the locals. The breakfast here is worthy of an early start and the pastry is to eat for! They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The sucuk Turkish sausage is a local breakfast favourite and the tantuni, made with sumac-spiced strips of beef, served in wraps or on delicious Turkish bread, is a lunchtime must. Located near Neibourgoods Market, it is a great spot for Saturday brunch.
- Location: 87 Juta St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
- Contact: +2711 339 1492 or info@galatabakery.co.za
Fresh Earth Café & Restaurant
Want some South African food that’s vegan or vegetarian? We have got you covered at Fresh Earth. There is an abundance of choice and you will not have to order off-menu or go through a list of ‘please hold…’ with your waiter here. Because we know how that takes the fun out of the eating, right! From butternut frittata to parmesan-doused with wild mushrooms on toast, your gluten-free needs will be met here too. Burgers are a knockout and are, arguably, the best in Jozi. Try the Argentinian. A vegetarian, falafel, or quinoa patty with home-made chimichurri. And served on a freshly baked homemade bun. Frankly, it is so good, I could eat just the bun with a knob of butter. Delish!
- Location: 103 Komatie Rd, Emmerantia, Johannesburg
- Contact: +27 116464404
Breezeblock
For laidback sophistication in Brixon, the Breezeblock is where you need to go and you’ll get a real taste of South African food culture. In South Africa, we love our breakfast (OK. Lunch and dinner, too) so a restaurant that will serve it all day is bound to be hit. Throw into the mix sports on tap, and you have got your new favourite weekend hang-out spot. Breakfast here goes from the traditional oatmeal to sweet tooth pancakes and regular bacon and eggs to fun flavours like curry-style beans, mountains of eggs Mizra and super smoky aubergine. The lunch menu takes a gold medal if you can tear yourself away from the breakfast of champions. And leave a little space for dessert. Butternut dumpling drizzled in butterscotch is my kind of participation award.
- Location: 29 Chiswick St, Brixton, Johannesburg
- Contact: +27767053992 or email: info@breezeblock.co.za, https://breezeblock.co.za/
Wherever you end up at for your taste of South African food, at the end of your meal, make like a South African: call your food lekker** and do not forget to tip your waiter, generously.
*say hello like a local
** a word that can mean anything from delicious, cool, yes, and fun.
Sources:
https://www.eatout.co.za/article/best-of-johannesburg/
https://www.getaway.co.za/food/restaurants-food/unusual-places-eat-joburg/
https://www.thedailyvox.co.za/fordsburg-food-tour-discover-joburgs-hidden-culinary-gems/
