It may have originally have gained fame for its hand-crafted pizzas, but Doppio Zero offers a little taste of everything, from Moroccan chicken thighs to teriyaki bowls. Speedy service is an added bonus. Doppiozero.co.za
First things first. It’s a given that your morning coffee is going to be excellent. As for the dishes that follow … they, too, can be expected to be wonderfully flavoursome. Choose from an exciting array, from the unabashedly decadent (apple crumble French toast) to the health conscious (spicy beans on toast). Muggandbean.co.za
Can’t get to Phuket? Go to Simply Asia instead, and dine out on the bold, punchy flavours that have made Thai one of the world’s hottest cuisines. We love the flexibility of the menu: choose your dish, then choose your favorite protein to go with it. Simplyasia.co.za
French Café Run by an award-winning team who are veterans of the restaurant scene both locally and abroad, Old Ducky’s fine French fare is exactly what you would hope for. Expect French onion soup, canard (duck) and Crepes Suzettes, along with all the other classics that have made this cuisine famous. There’s an excellent wine list, too Oldducky.com
Celebrity chef David Higgs’ tribute to the wood-fired grill has become a Jo’burg attraction in its own right – as much for the iconic skyline views as for the superlative food and excellent cocktails. Marble.restaurant
Drenched in lemon and laced with garlic, every mouthful from Mythos transports you to Greece’s white and blue beaches. The seafood mezze platter is a must. Mythos.co.za
Since owner Matthew Abraham grew up in Kerala, it makes sense that his food is an entirely authentic representation of the region. Seafood, lamb, chicken and veg curries are all lovingly prepared and served with a range of accompaniments – best followed by the gulab jamun. Thava.co.za
With spaces in Bryanston, Honeydew and Steyn City, Café del Sol has grown a name for Italian dishes just like mama would make – because Mama does, indeed, make them. The secret to this much-loved brand is that it is family-owned, bringing you all the warmth that you would expect from an Italian table. Cafedelsol.co.za
Mozambik considers itself Afro-Porto rather than strictly Portuguese, drawing inspiration from the beautiful beaches and laidback vibes Mozambique. So although you can expect the fantastic seafood common in a Portuguese kitchen, there’s an equal focus on one-of-a-kind chicken and peri-peri dishes. Mozambik.co.za
Renowned for its authentic take on seafood dishes, Adega has been around since the 90s, and has a strong and loyal following – and it keeps innovating. Try out the new Adega Lounge, a warm and relaxed place to chat with friends over cocktails and tapas. Adega.co.za
There’s nothing wrong with an ordinary burger – but you won’t find them here. Instead, you’ll be invited to experiment with flavours, try something new, or make up your very own burger creation. Come hungry. Rocomamas.com
Casalinga isn’t just a restaurant. It’s an experience. It all starts with organic ingredients grown right on site, and from there, it’s all about exploring the beautiful gardens and its many secret nooks. In fact, you may want to order a takeaway to enjoy in the woods, rather than sitting down at a table – the choice is yours. Casalinga.co.za
It might be the stunning interiors that make the Fireroom the perfect restaurant for date night, or it could be the stunningly unique menu. This is food served with imagination … the sushi, in particular, grabs diners’ attention – and since options include rainbow rolls wrapped in 24 carat gold or flamed at your table, that’s hardly surprising. Fireroom.co.za
Ocean Basket doesn’t just serve seafood … it also serves up the fun and festivity of the Mediterranean lifestyle, which means that every meal you order is generously portioned, full of flavour and, of course, ocean fresh. Oceanbasket.co.za
The pizzas may be wood-fired, but that’s where Col’cacchio’s nod to tradition ends. Rather, the brand is all about having fun with flavours, giving you a world of exciting toppings to choose from. We love Norm’s Pralina, with roasted butternut, chilli, feta, pumpkin seed praline and rocket. Or try Oh My Seoul, with bulgogi beef, shiitake mushrooms and Korean sauce. Colcacchio.co.za
Johannesburg’s restaurant scene is notoriously fickle – so any eatery that remains a favorite for more than 40 years must be doing something right. For Turn & Tender, it’s all about the perfect steak – no matter what cut you choose, you can’t go wrong. Turnntender.co.za
Let’s get one thing straight. The Big Mouth offers far more than sushi. In fact, it has an especially large and varied menu, with a distinctly cosmopolitan feel. But there’s no denying that the sushi is especially good, not to mention innovative. The prawn firecracker roll, for example, features ingredients like chilli garlic crunch and passion fruit sweet chilli mayo. Thebigmouth.co.za
The Vegan Chef dishes up comfort food that is just as rib-sticking and heartily satisfying as any meat dish. The menu is loaded with goodies like vish ‘n chips, southern fried chikn, nachos and even decadent brownies. It’s all your favourites, just kinder to the environment. Theveganchef.co.za
Maybe it’s because the ingredients are so fresh, or maybe it’s because the menu has been created with care, but every bite from Fresh Earth feels as though it is flooding your body with wellbeing. Go in time for the midday harvest table, then wander through the store to fill your fridge, freezer and pantry with farm fresh fruit and veg, condiments, frozen meals and straight-out-the-oven bakes. Freshearth.co.za