Johannesburgs Best Cultural Restaurants

The Johannesburg restaurant scene is exploding with flavors and variety. One of world’s largest cities, its many districts and suburbs offer something for everyone. Chefs, both local and international, vie to produce the most unusual flavor combinations or the heartiest comfort food. We’ve picked our top ten restaurants to help you get a flavor of this unique South African city.

1. Yamato

Restaurant, Japanese

While Johannesburg may not be the first place you think you’d find great sushi, the city is as hooked on the raw fish delicacies as the rest of the world. Yamato’s calm, white interior and tasteful decor offer a sophisticated dining experience while it’s beautifully presented and authentic bento boxes, sushi and sashimi are unrivaled in the capital. The tuna platter and tempura are highly recommended. Come for dinner or grab one of their lunch specials en route to the nearby Museum of Military History or the Johannesburg Zoo.

2. Tashas

Cafe, Restaurant, Contemporary, Healthy, Fusion

Delicious breakfast with eggs Benedict and juice

Founder Natasha Sideris is a monolith on the South African cafe scene, with ten boutique venues in the country. Yet the extension of her brand hasn’t diluted her culinary brilliance or exquisitely tasteful interior decor. Our pick is the Rosebank branch with its display of books dangling from the ceiling, open front and long tables. It’s perfect for a lazy lunch or brunch. On the menu are classics with some extra pizzazz, like the mascarpone french toast or the Arabian quesadilla stuffed with steak, houmous, tomato and chili.

3. Coobs

Bistro, Restaurant, Contemporary, South African, Dessert

Homemade churros with cinnamon sugar on a plate

This eatery in bustling Parkhurst celebrates natural, local produce in a relaxed bistro setting. Three quarters of the food served at Coobs comes from the restaurant’s organic farm in Magaliesberg, and 100% of it is home-cooked, free range and organic. As a result, simple classics like home-baked bread, salads, fish and steaks stand out here. Chef James Diack cooks different specials every day depending on what’s in season on the farm, which was also his childhood home. Don’t miss his desserts, the churros and tarts are particularly delicious.

5. Cafe del Sol

Restaurant, Cafe, Italian

Cafe del Sol is an award winner and it’s easy to see why. The kitchen whips up fresh pasta, gnocchi and pesto every day for its bustling lunchtime service and its romantic, candlelit dinners. The menu is not called a menu, but rather a ‘journey’ through authentic Italian cooking. Passion for real dining and real Italian food shines through every aspect.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.