Johannesburg, also known as Joburg or Jozi, is a city that knows how to impress with its diverse and vibrant culinary scene. This guide rounds up some of the best restaurants in Johannesburg, offering a variety of cuisines and dining experiences.
Mr. George: A Diverse Menu with Something for Everyone
Formerly known as JB’s Corner, Mr. George is a favorite restaurant for a casual weeknight dinner. The food is always quality and absolutely delicious. The best thing about this restaurant is the very big menu offering a great selection of all different things. Everything on the menu is a winner (even their milkshakes)!
I tend to shy away from restaurants that offer too many types of cuisines, as there isn’t really much expertise, but this is not the case with Mr George. Everything is good! The burgers are possibly the best in Joburg, the salads aren’t your average simple salads, the pizzas are thin based and crispy and the pastas are Italian restaurant class. There is also sushi which is superb as well as curries and steaks! So that’s why we eat at Mr George religiously, because when the Man wants a burger and I want sushi, neither of us have to compromise.
Chaplin’s Grill: The Best Steak in Johannesburg
It’s not often you find a restaurant with a majority of excellent reviews, especially in these times. This is why we love Chaplin’s Grill, because the reviews speak for themselves - this restaurant is excellent! If you are looking for the best steak in all of Johannesburg, possibly South Africa even, you will find it at Chaplin’s Grill. Not only the best steak, but also the best view of the Sandton skyline. Chaplin’s Grill cook their steaks to absolute perfection.
To top this off, the service is excellent and they have a great wine list.
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Espresso in Parkhurst: A Saturday Afternoon Delight
There is no better place to be on a Saturday afternoon than at Espresso in Parkhurst. There is such a vibe and the food is superb! They make the best fillet prego rolls, ever! The sauce is so tasty, the meat is tender, the Portuguese roll is crispy and the fries are real proper fries!
The Big Mouth: Johannesburg's Best Sushi
Hands down, the best sushi in Johannesburg is found at The Big Mouth in Nelson Mandela Square! This is our go to restaurant for sushi, but besides for sushi, we love everything on the menu. The atmosphere is great and because of all the tourists roaming around, it feels like you’re overseas. My favourite dish to order is the S.U.V. because you get half rainbow reloaded and half salmon california rolls with creamy shrimp tempura.
Red Chamber: A Long-Standing Tradition of Delicious Food
We have been visiting Red Chamber since I was in matric which is nearly 14 years ago! Yip, that is a long time. I can definitely say, the standard of absolutely delicious food has only gotten better and better. Some of our favourite dishes include dim sum, crispy sesame prawn toast, peking duck, crispy beef and three flavour chicken. The best part is ordering just about everything and sharing with everyone at the table.
Other Notable Mentions
Johannesburg’s dining scene is incredibly diverse. Here are a few more options to consider:
- Proud Mary: Known for its pleasing palates and award-winning cuisine, holding the title of Best Hotel Restaurant in the 2025 Luxe Awards.
- Craft Beer Taprooms: Johannesburg has a thriving craft beer scene with incredible taprooms.
- Rooftop Bars: The City of Gold knows how to impress with its panoramic plateaus, offering some of the best rooftop bars.
Whether you're looking for a casual meal or a fine dining experience, Johannesburg has something to offer every palate. So that is a round up of the best restaurants in Johannesburg. Which will you be eating at first?
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