Pancakes At Salvation Cafe
For quite some time Salvation Cafe has been the go-to brunch spot for locals in and around Milpark. As one of 44 Stanley's most popular tenants, Salvation Cafe offers an authentic cafe experience one would find along the French Riviera during spring time. And what better way to soak up the sun at the edge of Africa than with a hearty dose of pancakes? Choose between classic pancakes glittered with cinnamon sugar, fresh lemon juice and syrup, or island it up with a Caribbean inspired flatty topped with fresh fruit, a berry coulis, syrup and yogurt.
Details: https://www.salvationcafe.co.za/
Vegan Toasted Tofu Mayo The Fussy Vegan
Werner and his team runs a tight, delicious and cruelty free ship over at the Fussy Vegan. This deli style eatery in Blairgowrie sets out to create meals stuffed with attention to detail. An example of this would be my absolute favourite menu item, the toasted tofu mayo and bacon sandwich. Wait, what? Bacon? Yeah, vegan bacon. It's made from something called seitan - a wheat gluten meat substitute dating back to 6th century China.
Details: https://www.facebook.com/TheFussyVegan/
Korean BBQ At Love Me So
Bringing a pinch of flair, loads of flavour and a helping of heat to Love Me So's winter menu, crispy pork pancakes, jaga bata (butter potato salad that will become every stoner's go-to munchie meal) and miso eggplant have been added to the mix by chef Alex. And that's just to start. Patrons can also choose from a curated ramen menu, as opposed to building their own noodle bowl. Speaking of slurping... some signature soups, such as a chicken wanton and vegan miso noodle, will be available until winter puts its stuffy head to bed in September.
Details: https://www.facebook.com/lovemesojozi/
Churros And Tacos Perron
With churros being served at every second restaurant in the north these days, it's clear that Mexican food is the new Italian, and no one seems to do it quite like Perron in Melville. Why that specific branch? It's got a cool-kid vibe about it without having a bunch of hipsters lurking in the corner, and the food is always great. Jump right in with some Holy Moly Chicken – grilled chicken supreme with a red achiote mole, served with Mexican potatoes, roasted tomato salsa and créma. Or there's the burnt corn croquetas with smokey honey and chipotle salsa. While you're at it, you might as well indulge in a White Chocolate Fool with white chocolate, raspberry and passion fruit double-cream yoghurt (fool being a folded fruit dessert).
Details: http://perron.co.za/
EVERYTHING at Rocomamas (Melrose Arch)
Over the span of something like three years, RocoMamas has gone from a little burger joint in Randburg to the country's most famous and outrageous spot to grab a fun and funky meat (or veg) sandwich. The RocoMamas at Melrose Arch acts as a haven for Joburgers who eat halal (they replace the bacon with macon made from mutton or beef). Do yourself a favour (and if you like something spicy) order the Chilli Cheese Bomb and pair it with a serving of fully loaded fries topped with cheese and chillies. If you fancy something with less heat, then perhaps check out the Slacker: 3 x 100g Beef Smash, 3 x slices of aged cheddar, sweet pickle & RocoMayo... and then maybe go for a jog and eat cholesterol lowering food for a while. Also, you can just build your own smashburger - the sky's the limit.
Details: https://www.rocomamas.com/
Pies At La Patisserie
Illovo's very own authentic French restaurant and bakery is home to delicious dishes. Beyond its petit fours and salmon fish cakes, La Patisserie has some of the best pies in Johannesburg... by far. The chicken pie is slightly more popular than the classic beef pie and is served with the salad of the day. Seeing as though cooking is a serious art form and a national sport in France, we're glad to have a little bit of the land of the Franks in Jozi.
Details: http://thepatisserie.co.za/
Pizza At Picola
What's up with Linden and the most chilled pizza places in town? At Picola you can grab a seat, listen to the resident muso play Rodriguez on his guitar and enjoy wood-burning oven-baked pizzas and cannelloni. The owner is awesome and super-friendly and their drinking whiskies are decently priced. Also, there's a dedicated kids' play area, which makes the restaurant quite accommodating for the family.
Details: www.facebook.com/Picola-Pizza-Pasta-Linden-743799982359553/
French Toast At The Bannister Hotel
One of my favourite hidden gems in the city is the restaurant at the Bannister Hotel on de Korte Street in Braamfontein. Close to the end of 2017, I spent an evening there, drinking craft beer from Durban and having a fun night with the hotel's operations manager. The next morning I woke up with a light hangover and an empty belly. That's where I met the softest, creamiest, crispiest, and most delicate of French toasts. I've mentioned the breakfast at the Bannister Hotel more times than I should, but who could blame me? It's just that good. The French toast is topped with Back bacon and maple syrup, almonds and a berry compote.
Details: http://bannisterhotel.co.za/
Steak & Eggs from Piccolo Mondo
Yeah, no it's the odd one out on this list but it'd make for a sweet adventure nonetheless. Nothing beats a good steak, eggs, and chips combo. Except this one comes with a slice of ciabatta bread instead of chips. Fair enough. The Piccolo Mondo at the Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton serves Steak and eggs on baked ciabatta with sautéed onion and tomato concasse, mushrooms, sunny side up egg and béarnaise sauce. Straight forward. No bushes to beat around here. Sure, the Piccolo Mondo does serves gourmet, 5-star productions but that's not what my holy grail of Joburg dishes are.
Details: https://www.legacyhotels.co.za/hotels/michelangelo-hotel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irlss8NTfOw
By Shawn Greyling
Vegan Toasted Tofu Mayo The Fussy Vegan
Werner and his team runs a tight, delicious and cruelty free ship over at the Fussy Vegan. This deli style eatery in Blairgowrie sets out to create meals stuffed with attention to detail. An example of this would be my absolute favourite menu item, the toasted tofu mayo and bacon sandwich. Wait, what? Bacon? Yeah, vegan bacon. It's made from something called seitan - a wheat gluten meat substitute dating back to 6th century China.
Details: https://www.facebook.com/TheFussyVegan/
Korean BBQ At Love Me So
Bringing a pinch of flair, loads of flavour and a helping of heat to Love Me So's winter menu, crispy pork pancakes, jaga bata (butter potato salad that will become every stoner's go-to munchie meal) and miso eggplant have been added to the mix by chef Alex. And that's just to start. Patrons can also choose from a curated ramen menu, as opposed to building their own noodle bowl. Speaking of slurping... some signature soups, such as a chicken wanton and vegan miso noodle, will be available until winter puts its stuffy head to bed in September.
Details: https://www.facebook.com/lovemesojozi/
Churros And Tacos Perron
With churros being served at every second restaurant in the north these days, it's clear that Mexican food is the new Italian, and no one seems to do it quite like Perron in Melville. Why that specific branch? It's got a cool-kid vibe about it without having a bunch of hipsters lurking in the corner, and the food is always great. Jump right in with some Holy Moly Chicken – grilled chicken supreme with a red achiote mole, served with Mexican potatoes, roasted tomato salsa and créma. Or there's the burnt corn croquetas with smokey honey and chipotle salsa. While you're at it, you might as well indulge in a White Chocolate Fool with white chocolate, raspberry and passion fruit double-cream yoghurt (fool being a folded fruit dessert).
Details: http://perron.co.za/
EVERYTHING at Rocomamas (Melrose Arch)
Over the span of something like three years, RocoMamas has gone from a little burger joint in Randburg to the country's most famous and outrageous spot to grab a fun and funky meat (or veg) sandwich. The RocoMamas at Melrose Arch acts as a haven for Joburgers who eat halal (they replace the bacon with macon made from mutton or beef). Do yourself a favour (and if you like something spicy) order the Chilli Cheese Bomb and pair it with a serving of fully loaded fries topped with cheese and chillies. If you fancy something with less heat, then perhaps check out the Slacker: 3 x 100g Beef Smash, 3 x slices of aged cheddar, sweet pickle & RocoMayo... and then maybe go for a jog and eat cholesterol lowering food for a while. Also, you can just build your own smashburger - the sky's the limit.
Details: https://www.rocomamas.com/
Pies At La Patisserie
Illovo's very own authentic French restaurant and bakery is home to delicious dishes. Beyond its petit fours and salmon fish cakes, La Patisserie has some of the best pies in Johannesburg... by far. The chicken pie is slightly more popular than the classic beef pie and is served with the salad of the day. Seeing as though cooking is a serious art form and a national sport in France, we're glad to have a little bit of the land of the Franks in Jozi.
Details: http://thepatisserie.co.za/
Pizza At Picola
What's up with Linden and the most chilled pizza places in town? At Picola you can grab a seat, listen to the resident muso play Rodriguez on his guitar and enjoy wood-burning oven-baked pizzas and cannelloni. The owner is awesome and super-friendly and their drinking whiskies are decently priced. Also, there's a dedicated kids' play area, which makes the restaurant quite accommodating for the family.
Details: www.facebook.com/Picola-Pizza-Pasta-Linden-743799982359553/
French Toast At The Bannister Hotel
One of my favourite hidden gems in the city is the restaurant at the Bannister Hotel on de Korte Street in Braamfontein. Close to the end of 2017, I spent an evening there, drinking craft beer from Durban and having a fun night with the hotel's operations manager. The next morning I woke up with a light hangover and an empty belly. That's where I met the softest, creamiest, crispiest, and most delicate of French toasts. I've mentioned the breakfast at the Bannister Hotel more times than I should, but who could blame me? It's just that good. The French toast is topped with Back bacon and maple syrup, almonds and a berry compote.
Details: http://bannisterhotel.co.za/
Steak & Eggs from Piccolo Mondo
Yeah, no it's the odd one out on this list but it'd make for a sweet adventure nonetheless. Nothing beats a good steak, eggs, and chips combo. Except this one comes with a slice of ciabatta bread instead of chips. Fair enough. The Piccolo Mondo at the Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton serves Steak and eggs on baked ciabatta with sautéed onion and tomato concasse, mushrooms, sunny side up egg and béarnaise sauce. Straight forward. No bushes to beat around here. Sure, the Piccolo Mondo does serves gourmet, 5-star productions but that's not what my holy grail of Joburg dishes are.
Details: https://www.legacyhotels.co.za/hotels/michelangelo-hotel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irlss8NTfOw
By Shawn Greyling
