The 14 best restaurants in Johannesburg

In the inviting setting of Steyn City, Café Del Sol offers a delightful fusion of Italian tradition and contemporary flair. The spacious piazza allows for al fresco dining for long lazy lunches which stretch into the evening, while the warm indoor ambience invites lingering over plates of creamy porcini risotto, handmade pastas and crisp Neapolitan pizzas topped with fresh mozzarella and basil.

The on-site deli adds a nice extra touch, offering high-end Italian goods like imported olive oils, aged cheeses, freshly baked breads and artisanal sauces to take home.

Café del Sol is a household name in Joburg, and for good reason. The service is attentive yet unobtrusive, and the staff are happy to suggest menu picks, along with the perfect wine to pair alongside it.

Address: Shop 211 City Centre, Upper Piazza, Central Lane, Steyn City

On Parkhurst’s lively 4th Avenue, Modena combines modern Italian cuisine with a welcoming ambiance. The cosy space is light, bright and airy and the blurred lines between the indoor and outdoor area are very European in feel, especially as visitors to nearby restaurants and bars spill over onto the pavement in a cheerful gaggle as the night draws on.

Dishes like braised oxtail risotto and handmade tagliatelle highlight Chef Vassilios Holiasmenos’s exceptional talent for bold flavours and refined techniques. The wood-fired pizzas lean on the adventurous side (you won’t find any ham and pineapple here!) and are topped with premium ingredients like prosciutto, rocket, and Parmesan. They’re a crowd favourite with both kids and adults. Whatever you pick, be warned that the portions here are huge!

Address: Shop 10 Cobbles Shopping Centre, 4th Ave, Parkhurst, Johannesburg, 2120

A mainstay in Rosebank, The Grillhouse is synonymous with top-tier steaks and impeccable service. With leather booths, wood accents and soft jazz playing, the classic New York-style setting is perfect for any occasion. Ideal for business dinners or celebratory evenings, The Grillhouse has been consistently delivering exceptional dining experience since 1994.

The menu is heavy on the red meat – and red wine - as you’d expect from any steakhouse worth their salt in South Africa. It includes perfectly grilled ribeye, tender fillet and other options like lamb chops and pork belly. It would be sinful not to lean into the South African tradition of complementing your steak with sides like creamy spinach, roasted butternut and crispy chips to round out the feast.

One tip: finish off your meal with the malva pudding dessert, served with a rich toffee sauce and silky custard.

Address: 6th Ave & 20 Gleneagles Rd, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196

The Marabi Club in Maboneng is the epitome of a hidden gem. In the basement of the Hallmark House Hotel, the dim lighting, leather seating and vintage decor evoke a timeless charm reminiscent of the 1920s. People often come for the live jazz performances, which host some of the best musicians in the country – but they stay for the food.

With Chef Freddie Dias (of Pot Luck Club fame) at the helm, it’s no surprise to see a thoughtfully curated menu of shareable dishes. Order your dishes one or two at a time until you’ve had your fill of either the food or the music. You can’t go wrong starting with the grilled prawns with laksa foam and coconut rice alongside the Thai oysters and nam jim sauce. Make sure to save space for the lamb belly with red pepper marmalade and preserved lemon yoghurt, though.

Address: 47 Sivewright Ave, New Doornfontein, Johannesburg, 2094

Another standout in Parkhurst, Embarc offers a fine dining experience in a minimalist setting. The seasonal menu changes regularly, but keeps one or two stalwarts like kataifi prawns and lavender ice-cream throughout.

What makes it particularly popular is that most dishes are available in a full size portion or starter sized portion, so you can decide whether you’re tasting a few different things or tucking into one big portion of one dish you can’t resist. If you truly can’t decide on a handful of options, there’s an ever-changing tasting menu on offer too.

Every dish is plated like a work of art, with unbelievable attention to presentation and balance. The wine list is expertly curated with both local and international labels held in the cellar. The space fits the experience perfectly; clean, fresh and uncluttered, so the food can take centre stage.

Address: 34 4^th Avenue, Parkhurst

Shortmarket Club in Rosebank is the brainchild of Luke Dale Roberts, one of South Africa’s top chefs. Each element of the art deco-inspired interior is carefully thought out, from the drinking glasses to the placement of the lights. Deep red leather booths and gold mirrored accents sit alongside touches of greenery and warm ambient lighting.

This is South African modern fine dining at its best, with the choice of an a la carte, prix fixe, six-course tasting menu. Whichever one you choose, you’ll find a selection of plates that artfully blend European and Asian culinary traditions.

The delicacy of this fusion is showcased in standouts like Thai sashimi with Pad Thai dressing and coconut yoghurt or miso cheesecake with sesame tuille. If you wish, each dish can be paired with your choice of local wine, international wine or handcrafted cocktail.

Address: 1 Oxford Parks, 199 Oxford Road, Rosebank

Sanctuary Mandela’s in-house restaurant, Insights, offers a unique dining experience which is intimately connected to Nelson Mandela's personal history. The restaurant pays homage to Madiba's favourite dishes, which are thoughtfully recreated by his long-time personal chef, Xoliswa Ndoyiya, who served him for over 20 years.

The menu features modern interpretations of Mandela's preferred meals. That means South African classics, but made more refined. Think slow-cooked oxtail served in a homemade samosa alongside smoked jalapeno.

The space is small and intimate, and intentionally feels more like a dining room than a restaurant. Adding to the distinctive atmosphere, menus are presented as letters sealed with wax, a nod to the handwritten letters he would send from his cell on Robben Island. This attention to detail, combined with the historical significance of dining in Mandela's former home, makes Insights Restaurant a truly special place for a meal.

Address: 4 13th Avenue, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg

Book a table at Les Creatifs for some of the finest dining the city has to offer. Chef Wandile Mabaso is at the helm, with experience in several Michelin-starred restaurants abroad, including Restaurant le Meurice in Paris and Le Bernardin in New York City. French-trained Mabaso opened Les Creatifs in 2019 and curates an ever-shifting menu based on seasonality and his latest inspirations.

There is always a hefty dose of South African flair on the menu, where local ingredients are combined with traditional French techniques. Mabaso enjoys playing with contemporary twists on dishes he grew up eating. The restaurant is intimate with limited seating and every table has a view of the kitchen, where food becomes art. For a special occasion, it’s a must.

In the artsy, Bohemian area of Melville, NCW Restaurant offers a contemporary fine dining experience under the guidance of chef-owner Ence Willemse, who cut her teeth in renowned restaurants like Overture and Roots. The restaurant's name, NCW, is a play on Willemse's name.

The tasting menu, which is one of Joburg’s most reasonably priced options, is built around inventive dishes that blend modern techniques with authentic African flavours. You can expect courses like smoked duck breast paired with umngqusho (a traditional South African dish made from samp and beans) and a velvety amasi panna cotta for dessert.

The dining room is something of a gallery, with curated art pieces that rotate regularly. Soft lighting completes the mood. If you’re looking for a fine dining date night which doesn’t come with a European price tag, this is it.

Address: 46 Main Rd, Melville, Johannesburg, 2109

La Boqueria in Parktown North is the place for a birthday party or celebratory group dinner. It perfectly captures the energy of a busy, bustling Hispanic market. The décor is designed to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a buzzy street in the middle of Barcelona.

Picture lots of reds and blues, hanging macrame planters, double volume ceilings with wicker-covered lights and brightly coloured cushions, finished off with Bohemian artwork and polished wooden floors and tables.

The menu focuses on sharing plates and communal feasting, showcasing flavours inspired by markets across Spain, Peru, Mexico and Argentina. You’ll be hard-pushed to find something which doesn’t sound amazing, but there are some standout dishes; smoky chorizo croquettes, tender lamb empanadas and a seafood paella to share with your whole table.

Address: 17 3rd Ave, Parktown North, Johannesburg, 2193

Bringing the authentic flavours of Madeira to the upscale suburb of Hyde Park, Chef Paula and her husband Manny run this charming, family-owned gem with warmth and passion.

It’s a humble spot which one could easily pass by and overlook, but their homestyle dishes and hospitality have garnered a dedicated following among Joburg locals craving good milho frito or proper rissoles.

The menu is a love letter to Madeiran cuisine and is packed with traditional comfort food from Portugal, including feijoada - a traditional pork, beef, chouriço and bean stew - and peri peri chicken grilled to perfection. The portions here are generous, so come hungry. It's also your go-to spot for the famous Portuguese dessert (or breakfast, we’re not judging!) of pasteis de nata. The regulars say it’s the best one you’ll find this side of Lisbon.

Address: 1 Hutton Court, Corner Jan Smuts & Summit Road, Hyde Park

Argued by many as the best fine dining option in Joburg, Qunu (the Saxon Hotel) is a must-visit for anyone who takes good food seriously. Qunu’s revamped interior is light and spacious, offering plenty of privacy for guests within the open-plan design. Diners have the option of choosing how many courses they’d like to opt for (three is the sweet spot), though Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings allow for a six-course tasting menu.

The tableside-flambéed Steak Diane is a menu mainstay, though the other items change: all the more reason for a repeat visit. Regardless of which night of the week you choose, arrange an Uber. The wine pairing is arguably the best in the country, never mind the city. Qunu’s excellence was awarded with two plates by the Jenny Handley Gourmet Guide 2025, a well-deserved accolade. For an unforgettable celebration, you’ve come to the right place.

Address: 36 Saxon Rd, Sandhurst, Johannesburg, 2196

At Signature in Morningside, floor-to-ceiling windows frame panoramic views of Sandton. Everything from business lunches to anniversary dinners take place against a backdrop of live piano music to up the ambiance factor.

The menu is extensive and varied, but some must-try options include the perfectly seared venison loin with charred butternut and blackberry jus, as well as the curry lamb shank, slow-roasted with garam masala and served with creamy mashed potatoes. The sushi selection remains a standout, featuring salmon roses, California rolls and premium sashimi platters.

The wine list is a masterpiece in itself, spanning 65 pages and featuring wines from around the globe, complete with tasting notes and regional maps to guide your choice.

Address: Morningside Shopping Centre, Rivonia Rd, Morningside, Sandton, 2057

The Pot Luck Club has just reopened with a brand new home in the sustainability-centred Peech Hotel in Birdhaven. Leaving its former spot in Rosebank, the arrival of Luke Dale Roberts’ Asian-inspired small plates restaurant is already making waves.

Chef Ebie du Toit is at the helm, bringing Dale Roberts’ vision to life, along with the group’s head chef, Jason Kosmas. Diners can expect many of their established favourites (hello, chickpea fries) as well as new additions, focused on foregrounding fresh ingredients.

The crispy PLC fish sliders on pillowy steamed buns are worth writing home about. A lot of love has been given to the cocktail menu, so do yourself a favour and Uber to get the full experience. Bring friends and try as much of the made-for-sharing menu as possible, but book ahead – it’s going to get busy!

Address: 61 North St, Melrose North, Johannesburg, 2196