As winter sets in, hearty comforts become essential. This month, we bring word of five tasty menu offerings at some of Joburg’s finest restaurants – perfect for the upcoming brisk evenings. In around the world flavours, we share dispatches from recent culinary expeditions including The Shortmarket Club x Greenhouse Bar, Hello Thailand, sister restaurants Kanpai and The Prawnery. Plus, discover which cocktail at The Pot Luck Club has stolen our team's hearts.
In the mood for a surprise? Secret Eats is just the thing. For Father’s Day, treat the father figure in your life to The Troyeville's brunch buffet or take him to The Sourcery for some great coffee. Rounding up all things new and noteworthy, Rosebank has you covered from sandwiches to go and sweet treats. We're also excited for the reopening of fine dining spot Épicure by renowned Chef Coco Reinarhz. Meanwhile, rave culture’s getting a caffeine kick as DJs spin tracks at coffee shops and other unexpected locales.
1. Sweet and savoury sips: Cocktail of the month
During our recent Roaming Office adventure at The Peech Hotel in Melrose, lunchtime rolled around and so did cocktail tasting. We tried The Pot Luck Club's Thai green curry cocktail; a symphony of litchi, coconut, and chilli-infused vodka. The silence around the table after the initial sip made it quite obvious that we had found our new go-to cocktail. A solid 10/10 rating is only fitting.
2. New and noteworthy spots in Joburg
NOUGAT AND SANDWICHES AT THE ZONE
Not only is the pretty Wedgewood Emporium now open at The Zone @ Rosebank – inviting you in with shelves of handcrafted nougat, biscuits and decadent hampers – but the much-anticipated Pret A Manger has officially opened its doors. The second South African location for this cult UK sandwich chain, decked out with a vibrant mural by UJ student Precious Mogoje, is ready for your on‑the‑go coffee and smoked trout sandwiches cravings (tried and tested), and other ready-to-go meals.
PROUD MARY'S TERRACE UPGRADE
If you recently walked past Proud Mary and noticed it's a little under construction, know that it was with good cause. As if it wasn't stylish enough, this Rosebank restaurant's terrace underwent a revamp, blending mid-century elegance with lush greenery and warm, open-air charm. This spot overlooking Cradock Avenue is now better than ever for relaxed dining, people-watching, and sunset drinks.
ÉPICURE REOPENS
For fans of acclaimed Chef Coco Reinarhz, fine dining restaurant Épicure is set to reopen after a Covid closure, with a new home at the One Rosebank development. Reinarhz is a Burundian-born, Belgian-trained chef celebrated for redefining Pan-African cuisine. He has led acclaimed Johannesburg restaurants like Sel et Poivre in Morningside, and he's known internationally, from masterclasses and TV appearances on MasterChef South Africa and Clover’s Little Big Cook Off. Set to serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late‑night tapas, Épicure restaurant also has private‑dining options, a cigar lounge, and offers food‑and‑wine pairings. Expect inventive menu creations that draw on flavours across the continent.
THE SOURCERY IN MELVILLE
Not new but newly on our radar, The Sourcery is a unique spot in Melville that combines a café, co-working space, and a curated store all in one. Known for its fantastic flat whites, the space offers more than just great coffee – it features an array of antique furniture, vintage books, and beautiful photography, all available for purchase. The only items not for sale are the vinyl collection, the turntable, and the artworks on the walls. Plan a visit soon.
3. Book these experiences and seasonal menus
SECRET EATS
Does an overnight culinary journey on a grand Gauteng country estate, with a multi-course meal by a secret (but star) chef, strike your fancy? You're in for a treat. Choose between the Secret Supper or extend your stay with the Secret Escape. (For now, the location is part of the secret, but keep an eye out for more details.) Spaces are limited for this experience on Fri, Jun 27 and Sat, Jun 28, 2025. Book here.
TANG'S NEW KAISEKI MENU
We loved sampling the new winter kaiseki menu (a multi-course Japanese meal) at TANG at Nelson Mandela Square. It's exceptionally good value for money, with stand-out chicken miso soup and, trust us on this, edamame beans. All served alongside TANG's own Mirabelle Rosé. Book here.
A WINTER OFFERING AT CYRA
Chef Candice Philip works her seasonal magic at fine dining restaurant Cyra at The Houghton Hotel.
Our highlights from the seven-course winter tasting menu include the beef tartare amuse bouche – described as 'umami velvet crunch' – and the coffee-glazed duck on parsnip purée. Each course is paired perfectly with an array of interesting wines and spirits. Book here.
THE POT LUCK CLUB'S PRIX FIXE MENUS ARE BACK
We're nothing if not fans of The Pot Luck Club's delicious prix fixe (fixed price) menus – an affordable take on fine dining available from Mon, May 5 – Tue, Sep 30, 2025. Opt for the Prix Fixe Lite, a six-plate sharing experience for two that's ideal for a quick lunch, or the Prix Fixe Loaded, which includes two more plates and is best-suited for dinner or a longer, lingering lunch. Book here.
DIM SUM TO SHARE AT FAIRLAWNS BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Sushi might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Fairlawns Boutique Hotel in Sandton, but it's on the menu – and extensively so. New to this offering is the addition of dim sum in a variety of flavours. These bites are perfect for sharing in the relaxed and beautiful setting that this hotel is known for. Book now.
4. On the rise: Daytime raves ft. coffee, cold plunges, and ice cream
Alternative raves are stirring in South Africa – and these are not your typical bass-heavy parties. In Cape Town, "Coffee After Dark" hosts intimate café gatherings, marking a shift from wild nightlife to mindful mingling, focused on flavour and flow. Here are a few ways to experience this new rave culture in Joburg.
COFFEE AND PLUNGE
While this Joburg experience doesn't market itself as a rave, the word on the street is that it's certainly a jol. Coffee and Plunge started as a winter dare amongst friends and has grown into one of the city's most popular wellness events, combining cold water plunges with hot flat whites, and a welcoming community. It’s a fun way for locals to connect, recharge, and start their weekends together. Start off with an optional 5km run before your plunge, hop in the sauna, or join a yoga session. Follow @coffee_and_plunge on Instagram for upcoming events
HERE COFFEE
It’s a pastry drop at Here Coffee in Rosebank – the coffee’s hot, the decks are on, and trays are limited. Arrive early and stay as long as you like, it's a cool space featuring a few collabs that you might know. Join the fun every Sat – Sun from 07:30. Follow @here.joburg on Instagram for DJ lineups.
THIRD SPACES
Sunday morning rave with a side of ice cream? This pop-up party has been found spinning the decks at Paul's Homemade Ice Cream in Parkhurst, amongst other local haunts. Part of the fun is that you don't know where they'll show up next. Follow @thirdspaces_za on Instagram for the scoop.
5. Lunch for the dads
If the way to your father figure’s heart is through his stomach, treat your dad to a sumptuous buffet on Sun, Jun 15 from 12:00 at The Troyeville restaurant's Father’s Day buffet. There will be a generous spread of prawns, peri-peri chicken, beef trinchado, and fried hake, plus a variety of other starters, salads, and desserts to choose from. The buffet costs R350 p.p. for adults, R250 p.p. for pensioners, and R190 p.p. for kids under 12. Book here.
6. Starting at home: Indigenous food in the spotlight
Photo: @hlculinary_experience.
"We need to recognise and start embracing indigenous foods," says Chef Lebo Phala, "because our ancestors had a thorough understanding of living in balance with the natural world." It’s this philosophy that makes the Pretoria East-based chef and founder of HL Culinary someone to watch. While we haven’t dined at her spot yet, we’re intrigued by her refreshing approach in a food culture often dominated by imported trends. Her menus lean into local ingredients and time-honoured techniques – like fermentation and preservation – reframed through a fine dining lens. In a world obsessed with reinvention, Phala reminds us we don't have to travel far for a world of flavour.
7. Recent visits: Authentic Italian and tasty Thai
From culinary wonders on our doorstep to tastes that take us a little further afield, here are a few of the restaurants we've sampled of late.
PINK MAMA'S
What makes Pink Mama’s in Joburg unique isn’t just the Southern Italian-inspired menu or the pretty pink-hued house – it’s also the setting. Situated in a space cleverly split between lively padel courts and the restaurant, you can work up an appetite with a match or simply come for the food. Read our review.
THE SHORTMARKET CLUB X GREENHOUSE BAR
Greenhouse Bar in Sandton might be known for its late-night party crowd, but with The Shortmarket Club now in-house, there’s a shift in the air. We popped in on a buzzing Friday night, where a mix of mood lighting and stylish diners and drinkers set the scene for another busy night out in the city. We'll return for the seared tuna (a first for this writer), which was a standout from the starter menu, and is only available until 22:00. The tasty beef tacos, on the other hand, are part of the exclusive after-hours menu that’s available until midnight. Cocktails? Super satisfying. A space that now moves seamlessly from dinner to dancefloor. Full review coming up.
KANPAI AND THE PRAWNERY
Sister restaurants Kanpai and The Prawnery offer two distinct but equally satisfying dining experiences at Keyes Art Mile. Start off at Kanpai with drinks and Japanese-inspired small plates – the spicy Vietnamese stuffed chicken wings were our favourite – before crossing the passage to The Prawnery for mains (and more cocktails). We loved the buttery steak and fresh line fish. The flavours are bold, and the setting chic. More on our visit coming soon.
HELLO THAILAND
After our foodie friend, Nick Hamman sang its praises, we had to check out Hello Thailand in Bedfordview for ourselves. Run by powerhouse entrepreneur Wassamon Vatanavarodom, this spot serves fresh, authentic flavours that truly hit home. From fiery Tom Yum Goong (a hot and sour soup) to crisp salads and deep-fried prawns, we understand why some are calling this one of the best Thai restaurants in South Africa. Our review is loading.
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