Pop-up dinners light up Forest Town, cinnamon rolls tempt Rosebank, and women take charge with bold new restaurants and cookbooks. Dining in or out? Our guide to Joburg’s best markets will have you planning your next outing. Over at LXX Sandhurst, the show-stopping three-storey Mila Modern Greek is serving pantry staples worth stocking up on, while Italian job SINN sets the mood with low lighting and a dangerously good Nutella tiramisu. We learnt plenty about wine at our recent in-office wine tasting, and we are giving you a chance to experience the real deal for yourself at Standard Bank WineX. And with the heat rising, we’ve swapped our Americanos for something cooler – meet our new summer crush: the espresso tonic. For a trip out of town, follow the quest of Michelin-star Chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen for "lost ingredients" at Sun City's The Palace.
1. Sips and swirls: Win tickets for Standard Bank WineX
If you caught our notes about last week’s in-office wine tasting and felt a little FOMO creep in, don’t worry: you know we’d never let you miss out. We’re giving away three sets of double tickets to experience Standard Bank WineX on either Thu, Oct 30 or Fri, Oct 31, 2025, plus a bottle of Graham Beck Cap Classique Pinot Noir Rosé and a two-pack of Riedel performance range wine glasses to take your next pour to new heights. Each prize is worth R1,665. Stay tuned to our Instagram @johannesburginyourpocket for more details.
2. New at Rosebank Mall
CINNABON
No matter what sweet treat comes about, nothing can compete with the simple combo of cinnamon and brown sugar. And so we were delighted to find that a Cinnabon store has now opened at Rosebank Mall. With our offices being in Rosebank, we are grateful for this post-work blessing.
WOOLIES NOW NOW
Already popular at Sandton City and Canal Walk, Woolies Now Now is a standalone food service by your favourite grocer serving freshly made meals, snacks, and beverages, and even a Nutella, cream cheese, and banana croissant. The menu also includes items like breakfast pots, wraps, salads, and smoothies that aren't store regulars. We hear that the Rosebank branch is set to open soon!
3. Queens of the kitchen
FEHMZ MAKES IT EASY WITH HER NEW COOKBOOK
The other day, our Uber driver launched into a passionate rant about the absurd price of cooking pastes (garlic, ginger, and masala). Turns out that Fehmida “Fehmz” Jordaan, founder of the Halaal Goods Market and Joburg food personality, has clocked this struggle too. In her new cookbook, Damn Good Food, she tackles everyday recipes like fish tikka and family dokra (dumplings), all while keeping things deliciously doable. This is your post-work survival guide, filled with “easy peasy lemon squeezy” hacks for when the thought of cooking makes you want to toss everything into a blender and call it dinner (there's section in the book for just that.)
We asked Jordaan what part of the city inspired her most while creating her cookbook. She replied: “I love Joburg – it’s vibrant, ever-changing, and constantly sparks creativity. Coming from the South Asian diaspora, I’m inspired by how our flavours adapt to the city’s rhythm and to South Africa’s diverse palate. This mixed masala of influences shaped the book.”
Damn Good Food is available in bookstores nationwide and online from Fri, Oct 31, 2025. Pre-order here.
Photo: Supplied.
Celebrate 15 years of culinary magic in South Africa with a lunch on Sat, Nov, 1, 2025 prepared by the vivacious Su-Yen Thornhill of Chez Fong at her bookings-only restaurant in Forest Town. For R600 per person, enjoy a 10-course crafted menu that takes you from grilled octopus with salsa and sesame-seared tuna to duck red curry and pork belly. Finish off with ice cream, fortune cookies, and White Rabbit sweets. Book your spot via Whatsapp on +27 74 361 9079. Note: Spots are limited, and no dietary restrictions can be accommodated.
CAFE SOFI BY TASHAS
Café Sofi by tashas, housed in a Victorian building in Cape Town’s Long Kloof precinct, has quickly become a standout on the local dining scene. In a nutshell: Sofi Electra, the formidable mother of Natasha and Savva Sideris (the minds behind tashas), inspired this new café. From their social media posts, you can expect to see bursts of lively stripes, soft yellows, and deep manganese blues. The menu ranges from sumptuous breakfasts, like honey butter croissants and cheesy toasts (a melty toastie, served with soup for dunking) to café-style lunches, aperitivo snacks, and dinner dishes. Save this for your December holiday plans.
4. Trading steam for sparkle: Espresso tonic
What’s your go-to summer drink? Iced tea, lemonade? Classic choices, sure – but we’ve probably reached peak variation. Try an espresso tonic. It's where sharp coffee notes meet the sparkling bitterness of tonic water to create something far more refreshing than your usual Americano – offering the same kick, without the heat. Curious where to try one? Mamakshaka and Friends serve a lovely version, and we’ve heard good things about the takes at Father Coffee and here.Joburg.5. Joburg's best markets
For locals and visitors alike, markets are a fantastic window into the heart of a city and its people – and Joburg has no shortage of exciting markets to visit. From daily haunts to seasonal pop-ups, there’s something for every mood and every craving. Here’s our roundup of the city’s top spots to shop, eat, and soak up local flavour.
6. Mila Modern Greek: For the gods, and the groceries
Mila Modern Greek, the newest addition to LXX Sandhurst, makes it hard to believe you’re still in Joburg once you step inside. It feels like the Greek gods themselves had a hand in the design. Marble staircases, a lush central bar, soft beige tones, and bougainvillea spilling over for a touch of nature are just a few highlights of this space. It’s no surprise that the restaurant reportedly took 12 months to build.In a corner opposite the lift that leads to the upper level – housing a private dining room and bathrooms that open with just a wave – you’ll find an elegant pantry selection worth exploring. Shelves are lined with Greek olive oil, Symbeeosis organic honey, Terra Madre Greek seasoning, glassware, nuts, salts, and preserves – all beautifully curated and offering a tantalising peek into Greek island cooking. If you can pull yourself away from the calm of the main dining area, wander over to the pantry. (Note: As tempting as it is, photography isn’t allowed inside. You'll just have to trust us on this one.) Plan a visit now.
7. Wrapped with love at Garden Fresh
Have you ever realised midway through a veggie shop that you’ve got a birthday party tonight and are unprepared? Our friends at Garden Fresh have recently opened a fabulous gifting shop filled with ceramics made by Cape Town's Wonki Ware, farm fresh products including kalamata olive and fig pate by Boschendal, and even coffee capsules and tinned olives by Babylonstoren. There are also Lego botanical sets inside for the adult kids and, if need be, grab a few helium balloons for your party from inside Garden Fresh itself. We're also very excited to share that you can soon shop fresh Cape fish outside of the main store, as of November 2025. More on this coming soon!8. Halloween events for the foodies
ALCHEMY THEATRE'S BUBBLE AND BREWOn Fri, Oct 31, 2025 from 18:30 – 21:30, learn to craft three mocktails, then create your own – all paired with themed tapas and sweet treats at Alchemy Theatre's Bubble and Brew event. Enjoy Halloween mini games like mystery ingredient challenges, trivia, and the Potion Master Contest. Get your tickets here.
VEGAN HIPPIE CONNECTION HALLOWEEN MARKET
Get into the Halloween spirit at the Vegan Hippie Connection Halloween Market on Sun, Oct 26, 2025 from 09:00 – 15:00 at Pirates Sports Club, Greenside. Enjoy a plant-based feast with gluten-free treats, live music, yoga, sip & paint, stilt walkers, and local products. Bring your friends, family, and furry companions. Free entry!
9. Recent tastings
HIDDEN DELIGHTS: DAISY'S DUMPLINGS
Daisy’s Dumplings in Sandton is the kind of hidden gem you want to keep secret. It feels like home – simple, soulful, and full of flavour. The owner Daisy’s welcome feels like a hug, and her dumplings carry that same warmth. Go for the pork and prawn or the beef flank soup noodles. Six tables, one order counter, pure comfort.
A NEW MENU AT SINN
When we first visited SINN at the lush LXX Sandhurst, we thought we stumbled into an Italian fever dream – one filled with yummy tiramisu, moody lighting, ricotta-stuffed butternut, and flamboyant crested tableware that left a lasting impression. One year later, not much has changed – except, perhaps, that it’s gotten even better. We recently returned for the launch of their spring-summer menu (September 2025), and what a time we had. New dishes like wood-fired salmon pâté with charred dill bruschetta and tomato chilli stracciatella set the tone beautifully, followed by the comforting manzo al cognac (slow-roasted short rib with parmesan mash and baby carrots). All were great choices, and the leftovers made for an excellent breakfast the next morning. The tiramisu here is a spectacle we've raved about previously – but the Nutella variation is one sinful step closer to heaven. Book your table here.
WHAT'S IN A SCOOP? FOREST GELATO
If you’ve ever stopped by Forest Gelato and found yourself grinning like a kid on holiday – that’s exactly the point. When Candice Harrison-Train signed the lease for Forest Gelato just three weeks before South Africa’s first Covid-19 lockdown, she couldn’t have imagined she was about to open one of Johannesburg’s most beloved dessert spots. The store opened at 44 Stanley in September 2020, and later expanded to The Village Shopping Centre in Parkview. Against all odds, this small-batch gelato shop has grown into a city favourite, proving there’s always room for something sweet – even in tough times. From Karoo pistachio to cookies and cream with ginger biscuits, and cling peach and basil sorbet, there's always something new to try out here. So far, the coconut and lime vegan gelato is our favourite. Read the origin story.
FIRST TRY: DIE PIENK KERK IN MELVILLE
A church, a synagogue, a community hall hosting dance lessons and now… a restaurant and coffee shop. This is the latest incarnation of Die Pienk Kerk, which was originally the Auckland Park Wesleyan Church, built in 1903, in Melville. On our recent visit, we devoured the popular Smoky Joe burger, layered with spicy mayo and balsamic glaze over a juicy beef patty, and couldn’t resist taking home a slice of moist carrot cake. Stay tuned for our full review and reasons why this “church” is worth a Sunday visit.
CHANGES AFOOT AT TURKISH KEBAB HOUSE
We are already missing the cooler, creamier cousin of traditional baklava – cold baklava – which had been the highlight of every visit to the Turkish Kebab House in Rosebank. Now the restaurant is closed for renovations, and we hear it will be under new management soon. Watching this space.
THE LOST INGREDIENTS AT THE PALACE OF THE LOST CITY
Michelin star Chef Jan Hendrik van Westhuizen makes news wherever he goes. One of his latest projects is unfolding at The Palace of The Lost City, where we recently visited to follow his quest to hero the "lost ingredients" – indigenous ingredients that celebrate South Africa's rich culinary heritage in a unique way. It's a beautiful concept in the making, a collaboration with Executive Chef Gino Fortune and his vast team to unearth heritage ingredients and showcase them at the famous Crystal Court.
The result is surely South Africa's most impressive breakfast offerings – the equivalent of a 20-course degustation menu that includes a series of featured ingredients. When we visited, corn was the star of the show, and it appeared in dishes that ranged from a tangy lemon tart with popcorn to corn-studded amadombolo bread. We hear next up is amaranth madelaines and other inventive treats. Breakfast is only open to The Palace guests, and we think that's reason enough for a booking.
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