Johannesburg Restaurant Tips by Jenniflower

Restaurant Name: Da Vincenzo Italian Country Restaurant

This is now our favourite restaurant of all in Johannesburg. We went for the first time in October 2006 and will be going again when next in Johannesburg at the beginning of February 2007.

We were with my family - 5 adults and a toddler - and thoroughly enjoyed it!!!

The waitron comes to you with a blackboard with the menu written in chalk... he goes thorugh the menu with you, answering any questions you might have.

We were impressed with his knowledge of how dishes were made, and his manner. Professional and friendly.

The dessert menu is then presented in a unique way: on a platter!

They have a sample of each dessert with it's name on it on a platter, and you can choose from there which one oyu would like. Often, one has no idea what a dessert will look like when it has a fancy name... this way you know exactly what you are getting!

It's a fantastic idea!

So there's the cakes, mousses, tarts etc... tantalising!!!

There is a lovely rustic outdoor area (they are situated on a large agricultural property, so there's lots of space!) where the kids can play and there is a lovely patio area near a fountain. We are going for a lunch in January and this is where we will be sitting... in the glorious sunshine!

The indoor restaurant is more formally rustic, with crimson red table cloths and starch white napkins, and this, together with the high arched ceilings and fireplaces, lends an elegant and romantic ambiance.

Favorite Dish: Having not had a decent rack of ribs for some time, this is exactly what I felt like. Pork ribs, not beef ribs.

This was accompanied by a large plate of fresh green salad, instead of the usual side of fries. The others had kingklip, a lobster, a steak and my brother had a pizza.

Service is efficient and friendly. Wine, a Beyerskloof Pinotage, was d i v i n e ...

This restaurant is HIGHLY recommended. Has that something special.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: +27 (0)11 466 2618 / 42
Address: 29 Montrose Ave, BBQ Downs Kyalami Jhb
Website: www.davincenzo.co.za
Other Contact: info@davincenzo.co.za

Restaurant Name: Wimpy

The Wimpy is synonomous with growing up as kids in South Africa.. the drive-thru, the roadhouse, the rest stop on the way to our holiday destination!

Family-orientated and reliable.

I have vivid memories of driving down to Durban from Johannesburg as a child, excitedly waiting to catch that first smell and then glimpse of the ocean! This conjures up nostalgic memories, which includes at elast 3 pit stops on the way there!

At the service stations they generally have the garage, a shop selling sundries and sweets, toilet facilities and some restaurants. The Wimpy is usually one of these.

The Wimpy is a bright and cheerful restaurant, which caters for the family and kids espacially. A much-needed service whilst travelling with kids!

Favorite Dish: The food is nothing spectacular in presentation to be honest, but it is tasty and simple and well priced.

We particularly enjoy thier breakfasts!

Rashers of bacon, mushrooms, eggs, tomato and baked beans (okay, I could've done without the beans..)

Their burgers are filling, their salads crisp and fresh...

If you are wanting something quick, cheap and simple to eat, this is the place to go!

ps: Their milkshakes are great too!

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Theme: Autogrill/Rest Stop
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 011 315 3000
Address: All over the country!
Website: http://www.wimpy.co.za/
Other Contact: info@wimpy.co.za

Restaurant Name: Baglios

Baglios is a chain of Italian ice cream shops around the country, generally found in shopping malls.

They are a lovely treat to have but are quite expensive!

Favorite Dish: It has a wide variety of ice cream in delicious flavours!

I usually enjoy a sweet and a non-sweet, so generally opt for coffee and chocolate scoops in a cup/home made sugar cone.

If I am in a fruity mood I opt for one of the citrus fruity flavours.

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Theme: Ice Cream
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 083 627 3170
Address: Shop No: 40a, Monte Casino
Directions: Various shops throughout the country

Restaurant Name: Cafe Fino

A bustling upmarket cafe in a newish, circular-shaped mall, Clearwater.

It serves superb food, and the service is cheerful and friendly (and accurate!).

There is a handy play area for kiddies close by. THis play area services the whole food court area, so you do need to stay with your child whilst they play, as it is not enclosed or supervised by anyone.

One lovely feature here is the mall's transparent roof opens sometimes. It is really lovely... walking through a mall with no roof over you!

Favorite Dish: The smoothies are worth a special mention for sure! They are just the right consistency, and not too rich/lacking in flavour.

Delicious!

I had a ham and cheese trammezzini, it was toasted and I was well-pleased. Too much food though, I had to leave some.

The others had salads and chicken wraps, which were also very nicely presented, fresh and crisp. I am quite fussy about freshness of food, especially salads.. and they are very good here.

Decent quantities too!

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: (011) 675 4435
Address: Shop No LM 132
Directions: Clearwater Mall
Shop No LM 132
Clearwater Mall
Hendrikpotgieter Road
Stubens Valley
Website: http://www.cafe-fino.co.za/stores.php
Other Contact: cfino@lantic.net

Restaurant Name: Ocean Basket

This is a South African chain of restaurants that specialise in seafood.

We have been to a few in various parts of the country, and they generally have good service.

The last time we went was to the Monte Casino branch...

Service was okay, not as good as usual to be honest, they got the order wrong and we waited too long for one dish, and as we wouldn’t eat till she had got her dish, ours then got cold. So they had to warm them up again.

It is important that dishes for one table are served together, we feel.

Other than that, it was a thoroughly enjoyable meal! And of course we will be back!

Favorite Dish: The food is excellent quality here, but you do pay for it!

Even when we come here when on holiday (sending British Sterling), we feel the prices are too high.

The food is really good though.

We usually have seafood platters, which serve two people. Very well I might add! We always have leftovers.

One always leaves here sated and satisfied!

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Theme: Seafood
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Address: All over the country!
Website: http://www.oceanbasket.com/branches.htm

Restaurant Name: Salvatore

Wowee, we didn’t know about this new restaurant until my brother mentioned we should meet up there for lunch on our last day in South Africa.

And we are so glad we did!

As you arrive one notices that there is a dress code after 5pm. No shorts or tackies/trainers/sneakers. We were here at lunchtime so thought it would be fine, and it was.

Service here is phenomenal. And I am not overstating it!

We sat outside on the upper deck, to appreciate the view and the sunshine.

Our waitress took our orders sans a notepad. Only by memory. We were eager to see if she’d got all three orders with drinks, correct!

She did! Plus when I asked her to take the lime out of the glass when she was pouring in my sparkling water, she remembered this when she brought a new glass for me later on.

It’s the little things like this that make all the difference I think.

She was friendly, cheerful and professional. She got a top tip!

Favorite Dish: One ingredient we get on pizzas in South Africa but not in London, is avocado. We absolutely LOVE avo on pizza, so put our own on in London.

My brother had a bacon and meatfeast pizza, with olives, which was scrumptious!

Lance had a a bacon avocade pizza - with loads of ingredients. He thoroughly enjoyed this!

I had a gorgeous salad, yes, it was a good portion size, and the lettuce, tomato and onion was all very fresh and tasty!

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Directions: Just off Beyers Naude Drive, on the way to Clearwater Mall.

Restaurant Name: Mimmos

We have been going here since kids...

It is an Italian restaurant, that is usually a lot of fun to go to, as they have TV coverage of sports, especially soccer!

We usually went to the Randburg Waterfront branch, but this no longer exists.

Their service is okay, but nothing special. The waitrons are usually students working for some extra money, so it’s not their profession.

Favorite Dish: Their pizzas are their best meal we think.

They are thin crust, come in three sizes and they have a large variety to choose from. You can also make your own pizza with a choice of your own ingredients.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Directions: JUst off Beyers Naude Drive, on the way to Clearwater Mall

Restaurant Name: Il Paesano ~ Continental Cafe

My brother and his wife took us to this cafe after church one Sunday. The sun was hot, the skies blue, so we were wanting to sit outside.

We were well impressed with this cafe!

The staff are very friendly and know what they are talking about. They are patient and professional.

There is a lovely little play area outside where kiddies can go down slides, walk along bridges, ride wooden horses etc. and there is always a staff member keeping an eye on them and interacting with the kids, not just standing there.

They put out kiddies tables where they can eat from the kiddies menu, plus there is a low table where staff show kids how to make their own pizzas!

This is much appreciated by mums and dads who get to enjoy an uninterrupted meal for a change!

Favorite Dish: We thoroughly enjoyed our meals.

I had a breakfast, it was not oily and was just right. The others had toasted sandwiches and breakfasts too, and these looked chunky and tsaty too.

We had fruit juices and smoothies and these were great quality.

Portion sizes were really good too...

All-in-all, a thoroughly enjoyable lunch! We will go back here again!

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Theme: Breakfast
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: (011) 467 4460
Directions: Across the road from Monte Casino, and behind Sevens, Fourways
Website: http://www.kidsonline.co.za/Child-friendly%20restaurants.htm
Other Contact: ilpaesano@netactive.co.za

Restaurant Name: Black Steer

I have been quite a few times, it is a favoured steakhouse chain in South Africa.

They are a slightly upmarket chain, where the food is good quality and service just fine.

It is a tad expensive here, but you will have a good meal. Guaranteed.

Favorite Dish: One particular occasion stands out.

It was my sister’s birthday and she had invited 18 people along to celebrate.

Of the 18 people, 14 decided to have pork spare ribs!!! They are reknown for their ribs and so I guess we weren’t too surprised.

The funny thing was, when we had all finished our ribs (and they were large racks, that bent up a bit), prior to the waitron retrieving the empty plates, we took a photo… of 14 plates along this long table, with lots of empty ribs!

We looked like a bunch of ferocious carnivores!

Other dishes are also good, but ribs are a personal favourite here.

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Theme: Steakhouse
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Directions: All over the country!
Website: http://www.blacksteer.co.il/english.cfm

Restaurant Name: The Crown Bar @ Gold Reef City

We were feeling a tad hungry after spending the last 4 hours gallivanting on all the rides at Gold Reef City.

We were soaked through, having gone on a few water rides. The sun was beating down though at 34 degrees celcius, and we would dry quickly.

We popped into this little pub restaurant for a quick bite to eat...

One thing we noticed on our recent trip to South Africa was the superb service offered at places, especially when one compares the service at London restaurants and the service at South African ones. It is far better in South Africa.

The lady who served us here was a local Afrikaans lady who was so polite and helpful. She took her job seriously and tried hard.

She deserved her excellent tip!

Favorite Dish: We didn’t expect much to be honest, and the food we had, although very simple and plain in presentation, was above our expectations!

The burgers we had were tasty with good beef patties, and the salad was fresh and crispy, just the way I like it!

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Theme: Pub/Brewery
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter