Right amongst the suited hustle and bustle of Joburg’s buzzing business hub, there are a few eateries that are worth their olive oil. I haven’t focused on the high-end 5 star options though, these are the guys who you might consider slightly ‘back streets’ but full of character and who won’t break the bank. So that also means more moola for Christmas festivities. Nice hey?
Beirut, Parkmore
136A 11th Street
Arguably one of the best places in Joburg to get your Leb on, their baba ghanoush and schwarmas are worth writing home about. They also have a deck that lets in the street vibes from below, so all in all it’s pretty fun. A great spot to visit with mates for a laid-back evening, and order platters so that you can all taste different things.
Bella, Sandton
66 Rivonia Rd, Cnr Rivonia and Protea Rd
Highly recommended for a casual office lunch, especially if you’e the only twit who didn’t’ take leave over Christmas and are hanging about Sandton like a third wheel. Mostly mediterranean food is prepared with care, and they have great daily specials including artichoke and parma ham salad, prego chicken rolls and salmon fish cakes. Their pastry and tea cakes are also delicious.
HQ, Sandton
24 Central Centre, Cnr Fredman Drive and Gwen Lane
This is one of my favourite spots to get my steak fix in Jozi. A little more chic than old favourites such as Wombles and Turn n’ Tender and with a very impressive wine selection. Also, there is only one thing on the menu, and that’s steak and chips. Pretty bold unless you know exactly how to cook them perfectly, and they do, every time. Drizzled in exquisite Cafe de Paris butter and with a simple green salad on the side it’s hard to beat.
Luigis, Riverclub/Sandton
Shop 1 , Riverclub Shopping Centre, Cnr Northleigh Crescent & Poplar Roads?
No-mess no-muss fuss just great value pizzas are what these folks are all about. How does this sound? ‘Premier pasta with porcini mushrooms, zucchine, Italian pork sausage, chilli, garlic, white wine, rosemary, olive oil, whiskey and mascarpone cheese’. Sho.
It’s your classic suburban ‘round-the-corner’ restaurant that you will find yourself frequenting on chilly week-nights when only the king of Italian-style comfort food will do.
Modo Mio, Sandton
339 Jan Smuts Avenue, Shepherd Market, Randburg/Hyde Park
They have Zucchini fries. And they are drop dead delicious. And well, then there’s the dessert pizzas. Need I say more?
Modo Mio is tucked away in “Shepherd’s Market” off Jan Smuts (between Hyde Park Centre & the Colony) and opens onto a not-so-grand parking lot. But don’t let that put you off for one single second. It’s a cute little trattoria that deserves your undivided attention very soon.
Tai Su, Parkmore
Shop 7, 126 11th Street, Parkmore
One doesn’t have to venture too far down the road for the next little gem, and the best Pad Thai this side of Bangkok. And that’s just the start. Add to that the requisite kitsch décor and great service and anyone wanderlusting for a taste of Asia will find themselves smiling all over their face.
The Eatery, Parkmore
C/O Victoria Ave and 11th Street
You’d think it’d be hard to take two fairly green (as in newbie) green (as in sourcing happy food) restaurateurs seriously, or at least think ‘their days are numbered’ but not so of this spot. It’s far and away one of my favourite in the city so far. Beautiful food, sophisticated yet vibey atmosphere and the distinct impression that this is about the evolution of epicurean passion.
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