Shrouded in a rich culinary history, Soweto is the place for wining and dining ekasi style! With a main focus on 'local is lekker', restaurants in Soweto often fuse South African staples with a European flair, such as Italian and Mediterranean. But enough chit-chat, let's introduce you to the wonderful world of restaurants in Soweto!
African
American
Buffets
Italian
Street Food
African
Chez Alina
If you're looking for a business or buffet lunch in Soweto, check out Chez Alina. This is a popular spot for both locals and tourists. The beer is always cold and the food always flavourful, so be sure to check out this restaurant the next time you are passing through Dobsonville. The mood is chilled and the well-trained staff are friendly. Add Chez Alina to your bucket list - you won't be sorry.
Restaurant Vilakazi
Interestingly enough, Restaurant Vilakazi's menu boasts Mediterranean, as well as local urban and traditional foods which is a spectacular display of Soweto fusing with the world.
Image By Restaurant Vilakazi
Nambitha
Nambitha, which means ‘taste’ in isiXhosa, first opened its doors in 1999 and is the brainchild of Khulani Vilakazi. It’s famous for its sticky wings and homey feel, a go-to spot for when you’re in the mood for a taste of something warm, familiar and flavoursome. You know when you’re keen to chill with your people, devour a plate of something good and indulge in the best of being in Soweto? Nambitha won’t let you down.
Image by Food24
Nexdor
Known for its pub grub and exciting atmosphere, Nexdor is one of the places that should be penned into the top of your culinary bucket list when visiting restaurants in Soweto. The name, proposed during a fun night at Sakhumzi Restaurant, comes from the fusion of two words 'next' and 'door' and is written in this fashion to reflect colloquially a local and/or nearby destination in 'kasi' speak. On the menu, visitors will find options such as ribs, burgers, and steaks to name a few.
Image Source: Dineplan
Chaf Pozi
Situated at the base of Orlando Towers, Chaf Pozi plays as a restaurant by day and turns into a club by night, hosting some of the greatest nightlife events bringing an authentic Soweto experience in food and vibe. The restaurant also offers a Premium Bar with a great selection of alcohol to choose from, anything from Zamalek in a Quart to Johnny Blue on the rocks.
Image Source: Dineplan
Tavern
Situated inside Maponya Mall, Tavern offers a refreshing look at tavern cuisine and trends that serves classic South African food such as dombolo, grilled meat, and so on. On Sundays, visitors can indulge in Cookout Sundays, a buffet-style vibe, perfect to end off the weekend.
Image By Tavern
Sakhumzi
You’ll spot Sakhumzi by the number of diners marching to the restaurant's front door. Sakhumzi doubles as a tourist attraction and the place to go when you've got your dancing shoes on. It came to be in 2001, now 19 years later it’s created a name for itself as one of Vilakazi’s best. Whether you want an a-la-carte menu selection or you feel like exploiting their famous buffet you can’t go wrong with anything out of their kitchen and the live entertainment on certain occasions is a treat on its own.
Image Source: SA Tourism
Vuyo's Restaurant
Situated on the popular Vilakazi Street in the heart of Soweto, Vuyo's Restaurant is the place to be. The view is amazing and the eatery itself is within walking distance of many popular tourist attractions. It's all about modern African cuisine at Vuyo's, as they put a twist on traditional meals. It is well worth ending your meal with one of their delicious desserts. The are many cakes on display are worthy of a posting or two on Instagram, for sure!
Robby's Place
The classiest shebeen on the planet can be found in Pimville. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner inside the dining area or outside in the courtyard - all in a relaxed and friendly environment. This Soweto gem is so popular that pre-booking is essential at least a day before your visit. Robby's is also a B&B, so why not plan a weekend foodie trip to Soweto for you and a couple of friends?
Wandies Place
In Dube Village, there's this really cool spot popular among the locals. Wandies Place is where the flavour of Soweto lives. The dishes include mutton, lamb, beef or chicken - roasted or cooked, served buffet style. While there is a set menu, you can skip straight through to the all you can eat option. Fun fact - Wandies is a personal favourite of Virgin boss Richard Branson.
Buffets
The Jazz Maniacs & Rusty's Bar
Named after the 50s musical group, The Jazz Maniacs offers an oasis to all things fine when it comes to restaurants in Soweto. The menu features traditional South African cuisine with a touch of the Mediterranean. But that's not why we're here! The Jazz Maniacs offers a big buffet fit for the hungriest of them all! With roast meats, veg and different choices of starches, patrons can eat to their heart's content.
Image By EatOut.
American
Thrive Café
Vilakazi Street enjoys its glut of Kwaito-thumping, tourist-trap taverns. So, how nice to see the sleek, minimalistic, vuvuzela-free Thrive Café bistro on this famous street. Thrive Café has its finger on the pulse of dining trends in South Africa, making it one of our favourite restaurants in Soweto.
Image By Food & Home
Italian
Sowetalian
Looking for restaurants in Soweto? We've got you covered. In fact, we found it fairly difficult to place this restaurant. It's half Italian, half ekasi... just like its owner! Either way, at Sowetalian, you will find rich and cream Italian dishes fused with South African flair, such as pasta with oxtail liver, or chicken tenders served with pasta salad topped with fresh mozzarella. Either way, be sure to get your Sowetalian fix whenever you find yourself in Moroka.
Street Food
Ntsitsi's Fun Food
Situated in Diepmeadow, Ntsitsi's Fun Food is the kind of street stall you would find in an episode of a Netflix food travel show. One of our favourite restaurants in Soweto, Ntsitsi's menu is filled with real South African street food, and is home to the legendary kota. Not too sure what a kota is? Well, let's educate you! "Kota" is an approximation of the word "quarter," for the quarter of the loaf of bread that is the base of the sandwich. The bread is hollowed out, filled first with a layer of seasoned french fries, then topped with optional layers of sauce, cheese, egg, and meat.
https://www.facebook.com/Ntsitsikota/videos/807040449481521/
As part of our Restaurants In Johannesburg series, we're proud to take you on a culinary tour of African cuisine in and around the great city of Johannesburg. Let's get started, shall we?
Sakhumzi
Best known for their delicious tripe, Sakhumzi is a definite must try the next time you find yourself in Soweto. Aside from getting a full Soweto experience at the restaurant, their menu is full of authentic African cuisine that will have you going back for more! To top it off, if you love wine with every dish, you're sorted! Be sure to check out their Wine-Wednesdays.
Chaf Pozi
If you're feeling for shiza nyama, a cold beer, and a vibrant atmosphere with township music to set the tone, then Chaf Pozi is definitely the place you need to go. Also located in Soweto, you won't have a more authentic South African experience than this. Some of the menu goodies you can look forward to including chicken livers, chakalaka, pap and gravy, and even traditional dessert!
Roots Restaurant and Gallery
Connect to your roots and indulge in some beautiful art at the Roots Restaurant and Gallery. You can look forward to live performances/ entertainment, a cigar and wine lounge, arts and crafts, and more importantly authentic, delicious African meals. From single meals to platters and buffet options, there's something suited for anyone and everyone's taste preferences.
Nambitha
Located on the famous Vilakazi Street in Soweto, Nambitha is one of the most popular African eateries in Soweto. Serving soul food while offering catering services, conferencing and venue hire as well as buffet bookings; no matter what the event is, you're guaranteed a delicious plate of satisfying African cuisine with a touch of a la carte menu options.
Mandela Family Restaurant
Owned by Winnie Mandela, the Mandela Family Restaurant, also located on Vilakazi Street, serves classic Soweto bunny chows with chips, breakfast sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips, garlic and cheese, and processed meat – all with an African touch. It's the perfect venue for a quick bite or casual dining with family or friends.
Hombaze African Cuisine
Forget about the long trip to your home base and just visit Hombaze located in Parkmore, Sandton for traditional African cuisine that will impress even your gogo. Offering quality and healthy food paired with exceptional service you won't want to go anywhere else. Hombaze is also rated as one of the top African cuisine restaurants in the country so give it a shot.
The Roving Bantu Kitchen
A thing of legend, the Roving Bantu Kitchen is a small setup ran by passionate individuals. The menu is small but is always fresh and wholesome, cooked in-house with love and fresh ingredients. The Roving Bantu Kitchen serves up Afro-soul food. Patrons can expect to find mogodu, peanut and coconut chicken, cow heels, and samp and beans on the menu. Vegetarians and vegans are also catered for. Try Sifiso’s African risotto, a combination of samp and beans cooked long and slow with pork hocks.
Little Addis
Little Addis on Fox Street is a must-try food experience. Serving their famous meat and veggie combo injera platters as well as several traditional Ethiopian delicacies, Kassa’s kitchen serves up delicious and hearty meals from Tuesday – Sunday. Little Addis has become a flagship meeting point in Maboneng Precinct with Kassa still preparing all of the dishes himself and a regular list to be proud of so come on over and have a cup of coffee with Kassa when you are next in the area!
Know other great African cuisine restaurants not mentioned above? Let us know below!
Remember that our “Top Picks” are not paid for and are compiled at the discretion of the journalist. We only write about what we love.
What Is It?
It's a celebrate of women, mothers and all the strong women in the world. The main aim for this event is to give women the platform they deserve and also to create an environment where they can be celebrated for simply being in our lives. Make sure you head over with the woman in your life for a day of food and music. The theme is all while with a doek.
When Is It?
Sunday, 13 May 2018 at 12:00.
Where Is It?
Chaf Pozi, Corner Kingsley Sithole And Nicholas Streets, Orlando East, 1804 Soweto.
How Much It Is?
Ticket Cost R 200 Per person at the door.
For More Information.
For more information contact 081 797 5756 or [email protected].
Imbizo Shisanyama
Also known as the Busy Corner, Imbizo Shisanyama in Midrand has been entertaining and feeding scores of open-fire fanatics with their amazing menu. Expect good food and good company at this eatery. In 2013, Imbizo won the National Small Business Champion Award. From special occasions to heritage celebrations, Imbizo can put on the spread to wow you.
Chaf Pozi
Mzanzi style, that's what's going on at Chaf Pozi. Mention it to a local and they will smile from ear to ear saying, "Duuuuuuude, that place is awesome!" Cold beer and hot coals. That's what we're talking about here. Lekker steak, lekker live music and big-screen sports for days. Chaf offers a great view of the Orlando Towers and has that authentic township vibe we all love so much. It's a good excuse to explore Soweto.
E'Socialink Shisa Nyama & Car Wash
A car wash and a shisa nyama? It's one of those things we just go with over here. It works. We don't know how, but it does. Get the mags on your Beemer polished at E'socialink Shisa Nyama & Car Wash while you have a cold one and something to eat. 'When in Soweto…' is pretty much what's going on at E'Socialink. And the food is brilliant – we can't get enough.
Meat Lounge
DJs, open-flame cooking and VIP treatment — that's why we love Meat Lounge in Sunninghill so much. Treat your taste buds with a traditional twist on the South African shisha nyama experience. And as you'd expect, it's all about the meat — tasty A-grade stuff including beef, chicken and lamb, perfectly cooked at Meat Lounge. Check it out when you have a chance.
Sakhumzi
Next time you find yourself in Soweto, Sakhumzi is a must-try. Trust us. Aside from getting the full Soweto vibe, their menu has authentic African cuisine that will have you craving more, and all to the beats of township music. In addition, wine lovers, you're sorted! Be sure to check out their Wine-Wednesdays.
Chaf Pozi
If you're feeling for shisa nyama, a cold beer and a vibrant atmosphere, then Chaf Pozi is definitely the place to go. Located in Soweto, you won't have a more authentic South African experience than this. Look forward to chicken livers, chakalaka, pap and gravy and even traditional dessert, served up on platters at your table!
Roots Restaurant and Gallery
Connect to your roots and indulge in the beautiful art at the Roots Restaurant and Gallery. Enjoy live performances/entertainment, a cigar and wine lounge, arts and crafts and delicious African meals. From single meals to platters and buffet options, there's something suited for everyone's taste preferences.
Nambitha
Located on the famous Vilakazi Street in Soweto, Nambitha is one of the most popular and long-standing African eateries in Soweto, offering classics like mogodu (tripe), samp and umngqusho (samp and beans). In addition to their a la carte menu, they offer catering services, conferencing and venue hire, as well as buffet bookings. No matter what the event is, you're guaranteed a plate of soul food.
Mandela Family Restaurant
Owned by Winnie Mandela, the Mandela Family Restaurant on Vilakazi Street serves classic Soweto street food like kotas filled with mince and polony, chips, breakfast sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips, garlic and cheese, and processed meat – all with African flair. It's the perfect venue for a quick bite or casual dining. Bring your family and friends!
Hombaze
Forget about the long trip to your home base. Visit Hombaze for traditional African cuisine that will impress even your gogo. Find quality and healthy food with exceptional service. You won't want to go anywhere else. Hombaze is also rated one of the top African cuisine restaurants in the country, so give it a shot.
By Cleopatra Shava [assisted by Neo Sesinye]
Know other great African cuisine restaurants not mentioned above? Let us know below!
Remember that our “Top Picks” are not paid for and are compiled at the discretion of the journalist. We only write about what we love.
Chaf Pozi
For an authentic Soweto experience, Chaf-Pozi is the perfect spot for you. Mostly a restaurant by day and a club by night, this venue offers amazing entertainment, vibrant music and mouthwatering local meals, including a tasty Tshisa Nyama and a premium cold beer to quench your thirst. Here, you get to socialise with the who’s who in town and in celebville. Round up your crew as there is something for everyone.
Where is it: Orlando Towers, Chris Hani Road & Nicholas Street, Soweto. Find more information here.
701 Panyaza Pub And Braai
Kick off your weekend at 707 Panyaza which hosts a variety of events ranging from hip-hop, house, dancehall, jazz and RnB to get you into the groove of things. You can also experience live entertainment while mingling with socialites. If it’s for a good Tshisa Nyama, drinks or just coming together with people, networking and having fun, 707 Panyaza is the place to be.
Where is it: Panyaza Braai and Pub Tumahole Street, White City, Jabavu, Soweto. Find more information here.
Sedibeng Pub And Restaurant
Sedibeng Pub And Restaurant is one of the finest pubs in the township and has a variety of events happening weekly. Whether you want to party indoors or have a swim by their fancy outdoor area, this sophisticated bar is a perfect spot for a girls night out, a meeting, a social gathering and so much more.
Where is it: 3166 Shinkhova Street, Soweto. Find more information here.
E'Socialink Shisa Nyama
This is a fresh, new, trendy, sophisticated spot in Soweto. E'Socialink Shisa Nyama is a pub, bar, Tshisa Nyama and car wash all in one that offers you time to unwind, celebrate, catch the derby, enjoy live entertainment and so much more.
Where is it: Mdeni Link Road and Impala Road 1874, Soweto. Find more information here.
KwaLichaba
If you’re looking forward to an amazing Saturday, this ChesaNyama and Car Wash, located on the famous and trendy Vilakazi Street in Orlando, is a must visit. KwaLichaba has a great, authentic offering that will spice up your weekend. So whether you’re looking for laid back spot to chill or a pumping party spot at night, this is the place to be. Plus, it makes for a great venue to catch the Soweto Derby.
Where is it: 8033 Corner Xorile & Khumalo Street, Orlando West, Soweto. Find more information here.
Remember that our “Top Picks” are not paid for and are compiled at the discretion of the journalist. We only write about what we love.
Have you been to any of these spots before? Tell us what you think? Do you have any other cool places in Soweto to suggest?
By Neo Sesinye