Johannesburg, the vibrant and bustling metropolis known for its rich history and cultural diversity, has recently witnessed an explosion of gastronomic delights. As the city’s culinary scene continues to evolve, a wave of new restaurants has emerged, redefining Johannesburg’s dining landscape. From elegant fine dining establishments to trendy and eclectic eateries, these hotspots are garnering attention from locals and visitors alike.
Join Mrpocu.com on a delectable journey as we unveil the best new restaurants in Johannesburg that have captured the hearts and taste buds of Johannesburg’s food enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie seeking bold and innovative flavors or a casual diner looking for a memorable experience, these culinary gems are sure to tantalize your senses and leave you craving for more.
Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure like no other as we explore the top new restaurants that are putting Johannesburg on the global culinary map.
Best New Restaurants In Johannesburg
The Fat Zebra, Parkhurst
If you have been to their other shop in Linden, then you shouldn’t be surprised by this fantastic new dining establishment. In general, there isn’t much about this restaurant chain that you won’t like. The food is delicious in addition to having the trendiest name on the street. We were therefore really eager to check out their newest addition.
With crispy, crunchy potatoes and their next-level delicious chocolate brownie for dessert, get the winning chicken peri-peri prego roll. Purchase a bottle of Zbubbles, their exclusive sparkling beverage. Very cool! The 2016 Blanc de Blanc is well worth trying. You are welcome to bring a bottle home, of course!
Zioux, Sandton
You might as well never dine anywhere else if you start at the top of the best restaurants, isn’t that right? Unfortunately, every inch of this wonderful, just-opened 400 square-meter restaurant area seeps into your consciousness and sticks to your memory bank. This is the newest stunner in Jozi. The new business, which the city sorely needs, will quickly become your favorite new upscale hangout. A similar excitement occurred when Saint first debuted.
So the menu is small plates. We advise placing a minimum purchase of 4 plates per person. It would be tough to choose only four dishes from the Peruvian-inspired menu, but we’ll try.
Get the lamb shoulder tacos with herbed guacamole, the tempura-style tofu steamed buns, the beetroot agua chile salad with walnuts and ricotta, the cauliflower with cumin, capers, and sultanas, and the lamb shoulder tacos. Oh, and the side of corn with lime feta and coriander ought to be the main course.
The Agua de Me-hee-ko, a Zioux specialty drink. Served with a chameleon tied to the rim, this cocktail isn’t your average concoction. Oh, and the Blanco tequila, mango juice, and habenero tincture don’t hurt either.
The Blockman, Parkhurst
Carnivores rejoice that a steakhouse that is not only exceptional in design but also in flavor has finally opened on 4th Avenue. A modern, fashionable, and exquisite steakhouse offering the best meat in town and providing five-star service is precisely what the Parks needed. Oh, and did we mention that they also have their own butcher?
The T-bone is expertly sourced and prepared, and the ribeye is the best in town. The fillet is like butter. Because they have a butcher on staff, the quality of their meat guarantees that every meal is excellent. The Blockman restaurants is one of the Best New Restaurants In Johannesburg
Ukko, Bryanston
Johannesburg welcomed a popular new restaurant to its streets. Through its relaxing and natural materials and decor, the restaurant infuses the upscale Nicolway Shopping Centre with a sense of tranquility and sophistication. We cherished it!
With salmon, tuna, and beef available as crudo, along with tataki, Peruvian ceviche, and, of course, a platter of sushi to go with it, you can order from their Mediterranean-Asian raw bar. Try their Ether drink, which combines gin, fresh passionfruit, elderflower, prosecco, and aromatic bitters to represent the God of Air.
Chalk Craft Eatery
The former Coobs restaurant has been taken over by this friendly, inviting newcomer. This is a place where you may meet up with your closest friends for a memorable night, a candlelit dinner for two, or perhaps a first Tinder date. It truly is a winner! Only the best ingredients are used in the preparation of the cuisine, which is precisely balanced.
Their expertly made-flatbreads will send your taste buds into overdrive. The Hippie is a crisp flatbread in the vegan style that includes vegan tahini, pine nuts, and fresh mint. Additionally, we adored the traditional Green Italian with buffalo mozzarella and basil pesto, and the tandoori lamb flatbread is delectable for carnivores.
OUI Bar & KTCHN
You probably haven’t heard of this brand-new location. They are located inside Rosebank’s brand-new Radisson Red Hotel, the city’s first Red Hotel. The food is delivered to your table in the form of a beautifully presented arrangement of flowers, and the restaurant’s warm colors and splash of red for zing add to the feeling of coziness.
You should stop by for breakfast because this is where you’ll refuel for the day’s work. Enter, take a plate, and help yourself to the delectable buffet and freshly baked goodie choices.
Jungle, Edenvale
When your stomach grumbles, all it wants is a junk food feast of chicken wings, sticky barbecue ribs, milkshakes, and hamburgers. Where do you go then? Of course, you visit the Jungle in Edenvale. A pina colada served in a cup shaped like a rainforest tree, together with a huge burger, onion rings, and a side of complete decadence, are sometimes all you need.
Additionally, HJ, keep in mind that on Sundays, calories don’t count! The Big Kahuna Burger is so enormous that there are no words to adequately describe this juicy marvel. Jungle restaurant is one of the Best New Restaurants In Johannesburg.
The Shortmarket Club
The Shortmarket Club is less formal than the original in Cape Town, but it is just as extravagant. Because this is Johannesburg, the atmosphere is different, and the locals are a really vibrant population. The Shortmarket Club is situated at Oxford Parks, a recently established district along Oxford Road between Rosebank and Dunkeld.
The restaurant has undergone a renovation and a striking expansion since it first opened. The maitre’d will greet you as you enter the corridor through the entrance door. A towering pink door that is typically closed and a clipboard for finding your reservation will greet you upon arrival. All of the tables inside require reservations, however, on nice days, there are some walk-in spots at tables set out on the deck. But there are no assurances.
Once inside, you’ll be escorted to your table by what appears to be a tiny army of wait staff. A flutter of ornamental butterflies flutters above you. The walls are lush because The Greenhouse restaurant, known for its vertical gardens, once called this place home. One side of the restaurant is completely open to the outdoor deck, which is particularly refreshing and airy in this age where we have become hyper-aware of personal space. Seating is a mix of tables and banquettes.
Of course, there is a menu of specialty cocktails, and both times we went, the wait staff gave us some excellent recommendations. The wine list has obviously been given particular consideration since this is a journey from Cape Town.
Tang Asian Luxury Restaurant & Bar
Don’t let Tang’s position in Sandton’s tourism hub Nelson Mandela Square fool you; it’s not your typical restaurant or bar. This is where you go to experience Joburg’s high life; it’s elevated above the mall and more akin to eateries in LA or Hong Kong. Tang is not the place to go for a casual supper or a short lunch stop. In actuality, there aren’t many items, but let’s list them nonetheless to save words.
A place to see and be seen, to let loose a little, to gaze into the enormous Champagne fridge and choose a bottle of the best, or to sample from the range of cool cocktails, with excellent Asian-style cuisine and sophisticated service. The most important thing is to commit to a celebration.
Long periods of time spent wondering where it all went so wrong while gazing at the garden wall are the cure to Tang. Each dish is presented beautifully, and your table will appear to have been dressed specially for the occasion. The room is filled with sparklers that move around and land to squeals of excitement. An army of waiters dressed in black is creating a lot of activity. Even the desserts, with their opulent and dramatic dry ice fog pouring over tabletops, are up for Oscar-winning special effects performances. One quick peek around the room reveals that everyone is either taking pictures of their dessert or themselves.
Proud Mary
One of the sexiest bar counters in the neighborhood can be found at this roomy bar and restaurant, which is a component of the Voco Hotel The Bank. The wine and cocktail selection is equally remarkable. As “a modern eatery,” it describes itself with a menu that includes a large selection of breakfast and lunch options, a “seafood raw bar” with items like oysters, ceviche, sashimi, picanha steaks, salads, and a variety of small plates and “cafe plates” that are all well presented.
Additionally, the adjacent coffee shop has good coffee. The patio is a great place to people-watch, and the street-facing facade lets in lots of light. Proud Mary is marked as one of the Best New Restaurants In Johannesburg you can visit for a simple dinner with your family.
Le Parc by Tashas
This flagship location of the well-known cafe brand tashas, because is Best New Restaurants In Johannesburg is opened (on the site of tasha Le Parc) in Hyde Park Corner, is aptly described as a tiny Parisian sanctuary in the middle of one of Joburg’s understated yet swankiest retail malls. The establishment of lifestyle hotspots where the elite enjoys gathering, frequently dressed to the nines, is credited to founder Natasha Sideris. A tashas experience is synonymous with casual luxury.
When Natasha Sideris opened her first tashas in Athol, she caused a stir by including salad, which was previously limited to garnish on most Joburg menus. For the most part, her ingredients were unusual, fresh, and healthful. The counter was covered in heaping platters of mouthwatering baked delicacies, resembling Ottolenghi’s renowned Notting Hill cafe.
Le Parc by tashas, in our opinion, is what occurs when you create 17 cafes, sell your company to corporate, then buy it back along with your name, giving you the chance to play with your brand. It’s a fantastical place in many respects. If you look closely, you’ll see the art nouveau stained glass ironwork, the hand-selected gifts, the gelato and candy floss kiosk, and other details that cause tiny children’s eyes to widen. In addition to gorgeous Assouline coffee table books on everything from design to food, there are flowers for sale. Naturally, Tasha’s cookbook is also present—a monstrous volume that requires a separate cocktail table just to balance its opening.
Istanbul Kebab Melrose Arch
In the beginning, the Turkish Halaal restaurant in Istanbul was a modest, unpretentious eatery and butchery in a Fordsburg courtyard. They opened their main restaurant in the northern suburbs at Melrose Arch in early 2021, replacing the Moyo restaurant, and it has been a huge success. There is plenty of room for outdoor seating on the terrace, which spans the entire open piazza. On weekends, this is already a well-established family favorite among Joburg’s Muslim community.
The menu for the day features traditional Turkish kebabs that are grilled over hot coals and served with an abundance of mouthwatering sides and fluffy Turkish flatbread. A tiny store within offers a variety of imported Turkish goods, including delicious Turkish delights.
Solo Sandton
One of many glitzy new establishments actively courting those who enjoy drinking Champagne, eating oysters, and making sure it is all captured in the ideal selfie, Solo Sandton is one of many flashy new spaces (the restaurant’s statement wine cellar tunnel has been shamelessly placed and lit for Instagram likes). Ashley Murison-Johnson, who previously worked at The Saxon (under David Higgs) and at the 12 Apostles in Cape Town, is in charge of the cuisine. She prefers muted, abstract flavor combinations that are artistically plated to create “sophistication simplified.” Although some of the flavor combinations were hit or miss for us, Solo Sandton is a place where an evening out is as much about “the vibe” as it is about the cuisine.
Obento Ramen Bar
The owners of this little noodle shop, Daniel Liu and Ling Chiu, were inspired to start a catering company in the fall of 2020 after providing lunchboxes (obento) for friends and family during the lockdown. The noodle bar is nestled away in an inconspicuous Parkmore strip mall. They soon started selling their mouthwatering ramen bowls, Korean fried chicken, and BBQ bao buns at the Fourways Farmers Market before opening their own restaurant in the winter of 2021. Even though we believe the Taiwan beef ramen bowl is a particular standout, you really can’t go wrong with any of the ramen bowls on offer.
Rich and flavorful homemade broth gives these noodles “Worth traveling to a random strip mall for” quality. This food is genuine and lovingly prepared. Rich, filling, nostalgic, and sloppy as well if you really want to go slurping on it.
The Edge of Glory
The Edge of Glory, opened by the same team that made the nearby Park Corner cafe Morning Glory such a smash, aims to promote “anti-fancy” cuisine served in a laid-back bistro-style setting. The restaurant’s design leans toward ultra seductive retro glam, and its “Fancy AF”-themed menu has plenty of irreverence. The food is casual yet wonderfully presented, with lots of comfort food inspirations including fillet diane, mac & cheese, baked camembert, and even a spin on prawn cocktail (made by the same kitchen that makes the Morning Glory cafe’s renown delicious breakfasts). The cocktails are top-notch on the beverage front. Try a traditional margarita or the revitalizing Elder Spritz.
The Wild Side
The Wild Side, a restaurant-bar with a neon-bright tropical atmosphere, was taken over by new owners and reopened in June 2021 in Craighall Park (just off Jan Smuts Ave, behind The Valley Centre), where it had previously been the garden restaurant Possum’s. Cocktails and Saturday afternoon DJ sets are available in addition to a delectable buffet of casual-contemporary gastronomy (the brioche bun burgers do not disappoint). Most of the tables in the indoor dining area are outside and open onto a wide terraced courtyard garden. The ideal place to meet for some cocktails in the afternoon sun.
Chopstix
This modest Chinese restaurant immediately established a reputation for itself in the neighborhood, lighting social media ablaze with enthusiastic praise for its dim sum selections. It is located in one of the small ground-floor spaces at Melville’s 27 Boxes’ center. The dumplings, fried rice dishes, and chow mein are popular choices for dine-in or takeout customers in the area.
Home of the Bean
A modest cafe called Home of the Bean debuted in the courtyard of Maboneng’s iconic The Cosmopolitan skyscraper in 2019. With very stylish interiors and statement furnishings by the local award-winning design team Houtlander, they significantly increased the city’s style quotient when they relocated into larger facilities in Arts on Main on Maboneng’s main street Fox in the winter of 2021. Before you even taste the coffee, which is strongly advised, all of this. The beans come from various roasteries in far-off countries including Burundi, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.
Goddess Cafe
The girliest coffee shop in Pretoria, located at the South Downs Shopping Centre, relocated to Johannesburg in spring 2021 and opened a second location in Linden. One of the best selections from their unusual specialty coffee menu, according to our coffee columnist #JoziCoffeeSpots, is their Spanish latte, a vibrant pink latte prepared with condensed milk and garnished with edible flowers. Ferrero Rocher and cereal-topped lattes are two additional uncommon hot beverages that are great for the ‘gram, especially when paired with a slice of one of their delectable cakes.
Radisson RED Rooftop Bar & Terrace
The Radisson RED Rosebank hotel, which debuts in August 2021, is the second Radisson RED establishment to open in Africa (the first was at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront). The brand is renowned for its hip and artistic flair created to appeal to young and extroverted travelers, and the rooftop bar is always a distinguishing element. You won’t want to leave this rooftop bar after you’ve been there.
On a Saturday afternoon, you can enjoy some fantastic music and a cocktail while relaxing poolside and watching the sun set over the suburbs. With an unobstructed view that extends all the way to Northcliff Ridge, you can see the vast expanse of trees that make up Johannesburg. It truly is great.