Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (2024)

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (1)

    Calexico Vinyl Lounge and Restaurant

    Johannesburg

    A California-inspired Tex-Mex restaurant with a hint of craft beer and vinyl mixed in. The mix is delightful. The simple menu (nachos, ribs, sandwiches),…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (2)

    Yeoville Dinner Club

    Johannesburg

    Jo'burg's most memorable meal out is in this artily decorated cramped room with a balcony overlooking Rockey St, heart of the much-bad-mouthed, inner-city…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (3)

    Breezeblock

    Johannesburg

    The designers have a done a grand job transforming this old Chinese restaurant into a pastel-shaded haven of mid-century cool amid the gritty 'burb of…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (4)

    Urbanologi

    Johannesburg

    Even if Mad Giant's very quaffable beers are not your thing, do not pass over on the microbrewery's fabulous restaurant. Serving an inventive range of…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (5)

    Marble

    Johannesburg

    Currently one of Jo'burg's hottest restaurants, this is braai (barbecue) given a luxe makeover. Chef David Higgs and his cloth-capped team in the open…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (6)

    Patisserie de Paris

    Johannesburg

    Patisserie de Paris owner Paul Zwick spent 30 years in the television business before moving to France to train as a chef. He eventually returned to South…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (7)

    La Boqueria

    Johannesburg

    Taking inspiration from global street food, La Boqueria serves up gourmet snacks and meals in a dramatic double-storey space with walls covered with…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (8)

    Lucky Bean

    Johannesburg

    Low lighting, slick tunes, a decked-out co*cktail bar and waiters who happily skip down a flight of stairs to serve – Lucky Bean is one of most atmospheric…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (9)

    Coalition Pizza

    Johannesburg

    The whitewashed walls and simple decor of this little hole-in-the-wall eatery belie the excellence of the food on offer. Specialising in Neapolitan pizzas…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (11)

    Bergbron Plaaskombuis

    Johannesburg

    Bergbron Plaaskombuis serves authentic Afrikaans cooking at rock-bottom prices in a setting right out of the South African Karoo. Modeled after a…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (12)

    Kolonaki

    Johannesburg

    Opened in 2018 on a street crammed with popular high-end restaurants, Kolonaki became an immediate 'must-book-well-in-advance' kind of place. This modern…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (13)

    Il Contadino

    Johannesburg

    Chef James Diack owns several restaurants in Jo'burg, serving food primarily from his family's farm in the nearby town of Magaliesburg. Il Contadino is…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (14)

    NGC

    Johannesburg

    In a city filled with high-end tapas bistros, NGC is among the best. Situated on an unlikely corner in the quiet suburb of Blairgowrie, NGC (which stands…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (15)

    Chez Fong

    Johannesburg

    Pan-Asian chef Su-Yen Thornhill cooks up delightful ten-course dinners – complete with hilarious, Oscar-worthy running commentary – most Wednesday…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (16)

    Saigon Suzy

    Johannesburg

    Saigon Suzy can be summed up in three letters: F, U and N. The food, inspired by pan-Asian street cuisine, is delicious, and the restaurant's interior is…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (17)

    City Perk Café

    Johannesburg

    Good luck with securing a seat at this deservedly popular cafe, which makes splendid breakfasts, sandwiches, wraps, grills and salads, as well as serving…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (18)

    Lexi's Healthy Eatery

    Johannesburg

    In a city with limited meat-free dining choices, Lexi's is a vegetarian/vegan Nirvana. The menu, filled with salads, smoothies and tasty breakfast bowls,…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (19)

    Troyeville Hotel

    Johannesburg

    This character-filled hotel is a memorable place for a long meal. It has been frequented by the Portuguese community since well before the paint began to…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (20)

    Sumting Fresh

    Johannesburg

    Ironically named considering the focus of this eatery is fried chicken, Sumting Fresh started out as a food truck on the Jo’burg market and festival scene…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (21)

    Roving Bantu Kitchen

    Johannesburg

    Sifiso Ntuli is the genial patron of this great little spot keeping it real in Brixton. Bookings are essential and there's no written menu – instead the…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (22)

    PRON

    Johannesburg

    When the craving for Asian street-food hits, PRON delivers both on food and experience. The menu, designed by chef and owner Emma Chen, mentions the word …

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (23)

    Perron

    Johannesburg

    Tex-Mex cuisine is wildly popular in Jo'burg, and Perron is one of the best examples. Located on a prominent Melville corner, Perron is decorated with a…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (24)

    Fresh Earth

    Johannesburg

    Vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Jo'burg are few and far between, making Fresh Earth a breath of fresh air on the city's dining scene. From tofu…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (25)

    Solly's Corner

    Johannesburg

    Solly's Corner, a legendary cafe in Fordsburg serving Indian-style comfort food, is most famous for its masala-seasoned fish and chips. But the menu…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (26)

    Leopard

    Johannesburg

    Chef Andrea Burgener is known for her excellent take-out deli food, which includes a changing rainbow of eclectic dishes such as taro-leaf masala, and…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (27)

    Service Station

    Johannesburg

    In a far corner of Melville, Service Station is that easy-to-miss 'secret spot' that locals like to recommend. Come here for bountiful breakfasts…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (28)

    Brian Lara Rum Eatery

    Johannesburg

    Now you're on holiday – you've entered tropical paradise. When you're sipping a pina colada out of a real pineapple and enjoying old fashioneds made the…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (29)

    Il Giardino Degli Ulivi

    Johannesburg

    Inside the hip 44 Stanley precinct, Il Giardino feels like a charming old-world trattoria, its leafy courtyard the backdrop to nourishing dishes at…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (30)

    Baha Taco

    Johannesburg

    Using the freshest ingredients and traditional cooking methods, Baha started as a food market stall. But it has grown into the Grant Ave institution that…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (31)

    Glenda's

    Johannesburg

    Glenda’s is a romantic tropical kingdom where the floral detailing extends from the decor and table settings to the impeccable presentation of the meals…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (32)

    Bolton Road Collection

    Johannesburg

    Different shades of blue and trendy design choices make Bolton Road Collection easy on the eye while the original and thoughtful menu is certainly easy on…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (33)

    Salvation Cafe

    Johannesburg

    Organic deliciousness awaits at this casual cafe (bonus points for the covered veranda and inviting courtyard). All bases are covered, from baked treats…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (34)

    Nice on 4th

    Johannesburg

    Mismatched crockery and bunches of fresh wildflowers adorn all surfaces of this quirky cafe-cum-bookshop, but the main reason to visit Nice is for the…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (35)

    Momo Baohaus

    Johannesburg

    Minimalist decor greets visitors to Momo Baohaus, where fusion Asian tapas is the order of the day. Dine on crispy pork potstickers, sushi rolls and the…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (36)

    Johannesburg

    This popular suburban cafe is the perfect spot for a leisurely brunch or quick coffee. The menu is simple and uses locally sourced ingredients. Bacon and…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (37)

    Pablo Eggs Go Bar

    Johannesburg

    You have to love this place for the name alone, but the Middle Eastern–inspired all-day breakfast menu also keeps the hipsters and foodies coming back…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (38)

    Dukes Burgers

    Johannesburg

    Elevating the humble burger to high art, this eatery on lively 7th St serves up a wide variety of options. The vegetarian picks are tops, especially when…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (39)

    Ritual Cafe

    Johannesburg

    Ritual Cafe is a small, simple, yet stylish restaurant serving traditional South African favourites (think curry and oxtail stew) with a modern twist…

  • Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (40)

    De Backery

    Johannesburg

    De Backery opened in 1963 as a small bakery in the far-eastern suburb of Edenvale. Thirty years later the owners expanded the premises by building an…

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Best restaurants Johannesburg, Gauteng - Lonely Planet (2024)

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