This month, we’re dishing on what’s new in Joburg – from a café convert in Melville to a Portuguese coffee spot and new art gallery opposite the Rand Club. Think bottomless bao at Chunky Chau, gnocchi towers at Besos, and leafy luxury at the new Park Hyatt in Melrose (with a high tea to match). Ibiza might still be on the bucket list, but you can get a taste closer to home at Ibiza on the Highveld with And Then There Was Fire's Ibiza-inspired dinner evening next month. Plus, the spring edition of Wine Forty Four at 44 Stanley is around the corner. And don’t miss our R3,000 giveaway for two to feast at The Greenhouse’s The Shortmarket Club – keep reading for more details. Missed a few stops? Catch up on our latest restaurant visits and what’s been on our plates.
1. WIN! Supper for two at Sandton's lush urban playground
Photo: Johannesburg In Your Pocket.
Want a night out in style? We’re giving one lucky reader a R3,000 voucher to indulge at Sandton’s lush urban playground at The Greenhouse bar and club and The Shortmarket Club restaurant. This collab is where atmosphere meets artistry: The Greenhouse’s vibrant energy paired with The Shortmarket Club’s refined yet playful food philosophy. Expect a globe-trotting menu inspired by French, Mediterranean, Western, and Asian flavours – with bold pairings, striking textures, and plating that’s just as creative as the setting. We loved every bite when we visited, and we’re certain you will too. Our recommendation: Try the tuna sashimi and the Henny Pot cocktail. Read our review.
Keep an eye on our Instagram @johannesburginyourpocket for the competition launching Thu, Aug 28, 2025.
2. New and noteworthy around Joburg
FRESH PURPOSE FOR MELVILLE'S ICONIC PINK CHURCH
Since its birth in 1903, the unmissable little Pink Church or ‘Die Pienk Kerk’ on the corner of Chatou Road in Melville and Richmond has transformed from church to synagogue, office, and studio, and now reopens as a café and arts space curated by Derek Smith. Visitors can soon enjoy breakfast, coffee, and a garden filled with bougainvillaea, with a gift and lifestyle shop adding to the charm. The soft launch is set for Sat, Sep 13 ahead of a grand opening on Sat, Oct 11. (Save the date: In mid October, the long-awaited second Karoo Gothic exhibition of outsider artists will take place at The Pink Church.)
KOLONAKI COMES TO BRYANSTON
Driving for your favourite bites can be exhausting – Bryanston peeps rejoice! Parkhurst’s Kolonaki Greek Kouzina has touched down at the Winifred Mandela Precinct. It's stylish and ever-so elegant, as we’ve come to appreciate about this fine eatery. Make your reservation here.
TROY'S CAFE OPENS IN THE CITY CENTRE
A fan of those delicious Portuguese custard tarts from Casa das Natas? Love contemporary art? The city has some surprises in store for you. Troy’s Café, from the team behind The Troyeville Hotel and Casa das Natas, has popped up as a charming little coffee nook next door the magnificent, shiny, and new Asisebenze Art Gallery. The duo are housed in the newly refurbished heritage classic, the Aegis Building, opposite the Rand Club. The coffee is excellent, the sandwiches hearty, and the prices kind. For a moment, you might trick yourself into thinking you’re a tourist in a foreign city – until a Toyota Quantum honks you firmly back to Loveday Street.
PINKIES UP FOR HIGH TEA AT PARK HYATT'S ROOM 32
Housed in a meticulously restored 1930s colonial mansion originally influenced by Sir Herbert Baker, Park Hyatt Johannesburg opened its doors (July 2025) in the leafy Melrose Estate, steps away from the Rosebank district. The hotel’s restaurant, Room 32, offers a high tea served daily from Monday to Saturday from 14:00 – 17:00. Guests can enjoy an optional Champagne Lanson pairing for an extra touch of luxury. On the menu: Cape Malay Chicken Vol-au-Vent, Lemon Verbena Meringue Tartlets, and Pistachio Bonbons. Email room32@hyatt.com for more information.
3. Must-try bites on our radar
BOTTOMLESS BAO BUNS AT CHUNKY CHAU SANDTON
Chunky Chau in Sandton isn’t shy about indulgence – on Wednesdays and Sundays, you’ll find bottomless bao buns alongside all-you-can-eat sushi and dumplings. Each plate is designed around balance: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami, with seasonal touches that keep things interesting. The kitchen takes its cue from Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese traditions, but never forgets to have fun with flavour. Make your reservation here.
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE BESOS MENU
Besos in Craighall Park has rolled out a new menu that takes comfort food and gives it a refined, modern twist. The Korean fried chicken burger is a proper handful, while their steak frites come tender and peppery, topped with a crown of shoestring potatoes. Even the hot dogs have gone gourmet, elevated beyond anything you’d find at the rugby match. Follow @besos.jhb on Instagram for more information on upcoming additions. Sunday brunch plans? Book here.
4. Come thirsty – 10 of Joburg's sexiest bars
Sure, a casual beer at your local pub hits the spot – but sometimes you want to swap the sneakers for something snazzy and hop over to a bar with stylish decor, delicious drinks, tasty nibbles, and just the right amount of ‘extra’. Read our guide to 10 of Joburg’s sexiest bars, where a late-night drink may turn into two.
5. In case you missed it: What's been on our plate recently
THE TEST BAKERY, A WEEKEND LABORATORY OF FLAVOUR
The team at The Test Bakery in Milpark, tucked behind 44 Stanley, has spent more than six months mastering the 'perfect' croissant – and it sure does taste that way. Only open on Saturdays and Sundays, The Test Bakery is powered by a husband-and-wife duo, Muhammad and Sadika Lavangee, who bake from the soul. On any given Friday, the kitchen buzzes with prep for the weekend rush: think golden croissants, layered cakes, and wild-fermented sourdoughs. What started as a small idea has grown into a full-fledged artisanal operation, with 20 team members, a cult following, and a menu that blends tradition with imagination. We loved the pistachio knafeh cheesecake, triple chocolate sourdough, and the sesame-seeded sourdough. Read our story on them here.
ASIAN-INSPIRED BITES AT 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. Read our review here.
SI FIESTA AT OCASO IN OXFORD PARKS
When a venue wears “Corona” in glowing letters across its walls, it is less a subtle hint than a declaration: this is a place made for a party. So it is with Ocaso, the latest arrival at Oxford Parks on the edge of Rosebank. Ocaso (Spanish for "sunset") is a bright, breezy space that channels the feel of a beach bar in our landlocked city. The menu features Mexican classics with a Joburg twist. Already making waves is the guacamole, prepared tableside in traditional style, vibrant with lime and chilli. During our visit, we sampled generously – tacos filled with chicken, pulled lamb, and slow-braised beef, alongside ribs of corn carved off the cob. Cocktails here are show‑stoppers: the Flor de Sol (gin, passionfruit, coconut, lime, ginger beer) refreshes; the Berry Basil Coronita (with minis of Corona suspended in berry‑basil cordial) is as playful as it is dangerously drinkable. Read our thoughts on this new spot.
6. Save the date
WINE FORTY FOUR RETURNS TO 44 STANLEY
Sample sips from 15 South African wineries at 44 Stanley's Spring Edition of Wine Forty Four on Sat, Sep 20 from 11:00 – 16:00. Hosted in collaboration with Vinosity, this edition is all about wines that love the land as much as you love a good glass, so expect an afternoon of sipping, swirling, and a Riedel tasting glass you can take home. General tickets cost R420 per person and include entrance and unlimited tastings from 15 wineries. Need to savour the taste for longer? All wines will be available for purchase. There are also special screenings and group tastings at The Bioscope. Follow @44stanley_avenue on Instagram for more updates. Get your tickets here.
EXPERIENCE IBIZA IN THE CRADLE
Photo: @andthentherewasfire_restaurant.
Spanish-born guest chef Santi Louzán brings his Mediterranean flair to the Cradle for an unforgettable dinner at And Then There Was Fire’s ‘Ibiza on the Highveld’ – a one-night feast of Iberian cuisine and firelit flavours on Fri, Sep 26. Come through at 17:00 to cool down in Nirox’s art-filled gardens before sitting for dinner at 19:00 – a wine-paired Spanish-inspired affair at long communal tables. Bookings can be made by contacting bookings@andthentherewasfire.com. If you fancy, stay the night at Farmhouse58 and continue the celebrations over at Kromdraai Impact Hub on Sat, Sep 27 with food stalls, cocktails, and Ibiza beats by DJ Merlon, Breetz and more. Book here.
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