Top 5 Unique Food Experiences to Try in Joburg
Joburg foodies in the know will be quick to tell you that there are loads of incredible places to eat in Johannesburg and beyond. From laid-back hangouts to fine dining eateries that will blow your socks off – it’s all happening in the highveld. If you’ve found yourself in a bit of a restaurant rut and are bored of typical Friday night dinners at the same old restaurants then check out these 5 fabulous Gauteng foodie finds that are a little more off-the-beaten-track.
1. Chez Fong – Houghton
With the catchy tagline, “Love you long time”, you can be sure that Chez Fong is a foodie gem not to be missed! Claiming to be more of a kitchen theatre party rather than a restaurant, the menu offers eight to ten taster courses that are Chinese-inspired with a twist. Chez Fong is a completely different take on eating out and operates on the premise that once you’ve managed to secure a booking, you BYOB to the given address on the day and watch chef Su-Yen work her magic using fresh, organic, seasonal ingredients.
Booking is essential for Chez Fong – for more information, say Hi to Chez Fong on Facebook.
2. Carnivore – Muldersdrift
As per the name, this one definitely isn’t for the vegetarians in your group (although vegetarian and fish dishes are available)! Situated in the Misty Hills Country Hotel, Carnivore offers a delightfully exotic, ever-changing menu which always includes four types of game meat such as crocodile, ostrich, zebra, gnu and kudu. The best thing? It’s an all-you-can-eat experience!
For more information, visit the Carnivore website.
3. The Victorian Secret Bakery – Benoni
Located in a charming historical building in Benoni, this artisan bakery and patisserie is known for its specialty coffee and tea selection as well as its unusual pastries, macarons and desserts. This exclusive spot offers a magnificent high tea experience as well as a selection of breakfast and lunch meals, sandwiches, light meals and a kids menu – perfect for the whole family to enjoy.
Visit The Victorian Secret website for more details.
4. Boeremark – Pretoria
From the finest bread and cheese and the tastiest boerewors, to the most beautiful Proteas and handcrafted items, Boeremark is the place to source local produce directly from farmers. The market is continuously expanding with more stalls popping up every week and as a bonus, this is the perfect place to shop locally and ethically with all kinds of ingredients at your fingertips. Enjoy a morning out, try a variety of breakfast foods, and end it off with a luxurious Belgian waffle – what a treat! The market opens at 05:00 every Saturday morning and most things have sold out by closing at 09:30.
For more information visit the Boeremark website.
5. Thali – Laudium
A list is never complete without the addition of great Indian cuisine, and this is it for Joburg! Thali is run by a South Indian family and offers high-quality, freshly made traditional dishes at a decent price in an intimate home-away-from-home setting. Try the samoosa starters and the incredible Kerala porotta (a type of bread), sample the variations of biryani, and enjoy the endless veggie options which will satisfy vegans and vegetarians.
For information say Hi to Thali on Facebook.
Don’t be afraid to venture out of your comfort zone – these hidden unique gems are sure to impress everyone!
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