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KEYES ART MILE
First on the list is Keyes Art Mile, a complex on Keyes Avenue that includes Everard Read Gallery and Circa Gallery, Banele Khoza's BKhz Gallery, the fancy Trumpet Building, and, of course, some of Rosebank's most delectable eats and treats. Our picks here are Kanpai, Marble, Mix Cocktail Bar, Momo Kuro, and Pantry.
Marble
With its impressive art and turquoise walls, renowned chef David Higgs’s rooftop restaurant creates the impression of being suspended over the city. It features uninterrupted views over Joburg's western suburbs, a well-stocked and expertly curated wine cellar, and the incarnation of South African fare. Higgs used his food journey as inspiration for Marble's impressive menu to give visitors a choice of more than 90 dishes. Marble also boasts an imaginative list of cocktails, all made with premium spirits. At the heart of Marble is a live fire that is used to cook its South African-inspired food. The bar is definitely a highlight, and the restaurant is an excellent venue for a drink, an upmarket dinner, or both – all accompanied by a stellar view.Outdoor seating: Rooftop balcony.
Mix Cocktail Bar
If you're in the mood for something sophisticated, head over to this sexy cocktail lounge. Mix Cocktail Bar is housed in what is, by day, part of the private members’ club, Mesh. It is a place where you can savour your drink with a fabulous view of Joburg’s tree-filled suburbs from the large terrace, or continue your experience of art admiration by taking a look around the striking collection on display inside (and, yes those Pierneef paintings are the real thing). The DJ sets are slick and the bespoke furniture and interiors ooze contemporary luxury.Outdoor seating: Balcony.
Momo Kuro
Follow an unmarked stairway up past Mesh Club to the inside of the atrium of the landmark Trumpet building from where you'll pop out at this casual, modern eatery. With the most enticing rooftop terrace, Momo Kuro is without a doubt one of Rosebank's most hidden dining hotspots. The menu specialises in bite-sized Asian street food like baos and dim sum and, while unlicensed, you are welcome to bring your own drinks.Outdoor seating: Rooftop balcony.
Pantry
For Joburgers it doesn't get much better than this – a 24-hour convenience store in a petrol station forecourt that serves pizza, delectable pastries, fresh coffee, great ice cream, and one of the best breads you can find in this town: the Marble foccacia. People come here at all hours of the day and night to sit and enjoy the company of friends, a romantic date, or to just hang out solo. A winner!OXFORD PARKS
Oxford Parks is a mixed-use precinct that includes apartments, offices, and retail spaces. It is also home to an array of fantastic restaurants that promises to give you an authentic Rosebank experience. In our search for fantastic food and drinks, we visited BGR, Ethos, The Shortmarket Club, The Pot Luck Club Johannesburg, QLounge Wine Restaurant and QSushi Bar, and OUI Bar + KTCHN at Radisson RED Johannesburg.BGR
Inspired by the New York chain that started life as a Central Park food truck, BGR is fast becoming the go-to Joburger, burger. Their classic American-style burgers are made using 100% pure beef patties with no basting. They also boast a selection of impeccably curated, locally sourced toppings. It’s a casual, order-at-the-counter type of place that’s quick and easy, and that never disappoints. For the ultimate refreshment, order their famed ‘Arnold Palmer’ (a mixture of iced tea and lemonade) and make sure you get the frozen custard for dessert.
Outside seating: Small terrace.
Ethos
This chic, contemporary restaurant in Oxford Parks offers Greek-influenced Mediterranean cuisine with a menu co-created in partnership with top chef Luke Dale Roberts. The interiors are a soothing mix of cream and white shades, natural blonde wood, marble and ceramics, all beautifully lit. To make it even better, the restaurant spills out onto a wide, pedestrianised walkway. For appetisers there are oysters, and when it comes to the extensive wine list, the sky's the limit with an enviable range of exclusive varieties and vintages alongside more entry-range wines by the glass.Outside seating: Large terrace on pedestrianised walkway.
The Shortmarket Club
The opening of any Luke Dale Roberts restaurant is an occasion, and the announcement in the winter of 2021 that Cape Town’s most awarded chef was moving his The Shortmarket Club to Joburg created quite a stir. Luke Dale Roberts’s first permanent restaurant in Joburg, The Shortmarket Club is comparatively less formal than the Cape Town original but no less indulgent. The restaurant features fine-dining small plates and an Asian-influenced menu, and their decadent seafood platters and fantastic cocktails are a hallmark. When it comes to the décor, the impressive garden wall earns The Shortmarket Club plenty of style points.Outdoor seating: Terrace.
The Pot Luck Club Johannesburg
Open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, The Pot Luck Club celebrates indulgent sharing plates of rich dishes of varied tastes. Here you'll enjoy the old favourites that mesmerised Capetownian palates, such as smoked fillet and café au lait, along with a selection of new and vibrant additions by Executive Chef Jason Kosmos. We also enjoyed the open kitchen, which gives you insight into the work that goes into crafting these small plates of wondrous flavours.
QLounge Wine Restaurant and QSushi Bar
This gilded lounge, located in Oxford Parks, is a dedicated wine bar showcasing Cape Town-based Quoin Rock’s fine wines. On offer is a small wine selection, including Quoin Rock’s highly-rated Black Series MCC. The menu features thoughtfully prepared small plates, like fried chicken goujons and wet-aged beef tataki, to accompany – but not overshadow – the wine. Next to QLounge is QSushi, which is known for its delectable sushi.
Outdoor seating: Terrace.
OUI Bar + KTCHN at Radisson RED Johannesburg
Opened in August 2021, the Radisson RED Rosebank Hotel is the second Radisson RED property to launch in Africa (the first being at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront). The brand is known for its cool and creative aesthetic, designed specifically to appeal to young and outgoing travellers. As with its other hotels, the rooftop bar is a significant feature. OUI Bar + KTCHN is the kind of spot you will struggle to leave. We especially enjoy spending Saturday afternoons there, when it's all about good tunes and cocktails. There is no way better way to spend the day than nestling into comfy seating at the poolside and watching the sun sink over the suburbs. From here, you'll have an uninterrupted view of Joburg's famous urban forest. Trust us: it's as exceptional as it sounds.Outdoor seating: Rooftop.
THE ZONE @ ROSEBANK
Located directly in front of the Rosebank's Gautrain station, The Zone @ Rosebank is one of three interconnected malls. What is most notable about The Zone is the open-air, pedestrianised section of Tyrwhitt Avenue that runs through the centre of The Zone. Here, you'll find all the main restaurants and cafés, many of which have outdoor seating. In addition to restaurants such as Modern Tailors, Momo XO, Tashas Rosebank, Proud Mary, Mamasamba, Fugazzi, and Krispy Kreme, you'll also find fast food favourites like Nando's, RocoMamas, KFC, McDonald's, Anat, Kauai and a News Café as well as a variety of coffee shops including Father Coffee and Starbucks.
Modern Tailors
Modern Tailors gives the street food of India a vibrant, fine-dining twist. The setting is enchanting and a real feast for the senses, and the food is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the stomach. The menu is a carnival of small plates, curries, tandoori, biryani, and even salads. They also serve a few fanciful street food items such as the ‘Bollywood Barrito:' a roti stuffed with chicken tikka, deli slaw, put-put chutney and kachumbar. Needless to say, there’s something for everyone and a great gin bar to boot.Outside seating: Small terrace on pedestrianised street.
Momo XO
Created by two Taiwanese brothers keen to introduce the taste of Taiwanese street food to Joburg, the Momo brand began in Greenside and each new addition comes with its own signature dishes that include Chinese, Korean, and Japanese influences. Momo XO at The Zone @ Rosebank is one of the moreish iterations of its swiftly growing brand, and for its sushi dishes, it's a winner.Outside seating: Small terrace on pedestrianised street.
Tashas Rosebank
This chain of boutique cafés, which is loved and frequented by socialites, was started by Natasha Sideris. It is a great place for anyone who enjoys fresh and tasty food served in immensely generous portions. Sideris also continues to ensure that each branch lives up to the brand's hallmark – flavourful bistro food presented with flair. The baked goods are delicious, the juices freshly squeezed and, like the flagship Sandton branch, this is a pedigree people-watching spot.Outdoor seating: Terrace on pedestrianised street.
Proud Mary
This expansive bar and bistro (part of the voco Hotel The Bank) has one of the sexiest bar counters in the neighbourhood and an impressive wine and cocktail menu to match. Describing itself as "a modern eatery," the food menu boasts an extensive breakfast and lunch selection, a 'seafood raw bar' (think oysters, ceviche and sashimi), picanha steaks, salads and a variety of small and 'café plates'. The terrace is prime people-watching territory and spills onto the street, making it an ideal place in fine weather (so, most days in Joburg).Outdoor seating: Outdoor terrace.
Mamasamba
A beautifully designed indoor jungle-style eatery with floor-to-ceiling foliage and an impressive upper-level bar. The menu incorporates a Japanese foundation with Peruvian flavours, like their Nikkei sushi with unusual touches like chipotle mayo or smoked asparagus. The kitchen utilises a Josper and Parilla to achieve a smokey depth of flavour in all their food – including pineapples used for charred pineapple salsa, sticky rib marinade, and more. The bar has an extensive cocktail menu, also with Latin American flair, and offers an astonishing range of 26 tequilas to knock back or sip.Outside seating: Small terrace on the upper level.
Fugazzi
Great ambience meets tongue-in-cheek decor, Fugazzi is a New York Italian-style diner with a menu that oozes voluptuous portions of spaghetti meatballs and sourdough pizza, alongside a sassy selection of negronis and spritz. Do try the fried olives and the spinach and ricotta dumplings in red sauce. The tiramisu is an absolute must.Outside seating: Adjoining outdoor terrace.
Krispy Kreme
Few can resist the smell of powdered sugar wafting through their doors. Krispy Kreme is the home of the classic, American glazed donut (or, as we know it, doughnut). But have you tried their milk tart iteration? Or even the strawberry Nesquik? They’re very, very good, and if you can stick to having just one, they’re also not so bad.ROSEBANK MALL
Rosebank mall is one of Rosebank's favourite hangout spots, and it features shops, grocery stores, and a lovely range of restaurants and coffeeshops. We visited Casa de Natas, Father Coffee, Popo Tea House Coffee & Bakery, and Level Four Restaurant at 54 on Bath.
Casa de Natas
Casa de Natas launched a second location at Rosebank Mall in September 2022, following the success of its first outlet in the food court of Sandton City Mall. The pastéis de nata, a famous Portuguese pastry, served at Casa de Natas, are off the charts kind of good. The kiosk took over what was originally an information booth close to the mall's main ground-floor entrance. These moreish tartlets are handmade and baked fresh daily using creamy egg custard cups that have been caramelised. We agree that 'life is short; eat a nata'.
Father Coffee
These are the guys who taught Joburg coffee aficionados about the cold brew tonic, the V60 pour-over, and the Gibraltar, but who also do an unpretentious flat white and a scrumptious hot chocolate. Father Coffee Rosebank welcomed a newly renovated space at the close of 2022 with the same great coffee, their signature Swedish buns, burnt basque cheesecake and all-day toasts, just in a larger, sleeker, open-plan space. Can't go wrong.
Popo Tea House Coffee and Bakery
On a trip to Rosebank, you might have missed Popo Tea House Coffee and Bakery unless you closely follow social media. This is because it is discretely tucked away, positioned across from the entrance to the Rosebank Art & Craft Market outside Rosebank Mall, alongside the popular pedestrian promenade. We recommend the layered crêpe cakes, fun latte art and milky bubble tea here.
Outdoor seating: Top deck seating.
Level Four Restaurant at 54 on Bath
Many a great time begins with a glass of bubbles at the Champagne bar and rooftop terrace of Level Four at 54 on Bath. Whether it be for a celebration or just because it’s Tuesday, if the sun is shining, it’s one of the loveliest spots in Rosebank to sit back, relax and watch the city go by. The fine-dining a la carte menu is available for lunch and dinner and their Afternoon High Tea is one of the best in the city.
Outside seating: Rooftop garden.
THE FIRS AT ROSEBANK
Positioning itself as Rosebank's most upmarket mall, The Firs has at its centre a newly renovated piazza lined with restaurants. You'll notice the exciting renovation has resulted in an upgraded outdoor space and an elevated dining experience. Look out for live music and DJ sets on Sundays. We checked out La Parada Rosebank, Chunky Chau, Doppio Zero, Fishmonger Rosebank, and The Grillhouse and Katzy's Live.La Parada Rosebank
Outdoor seating: Piazza.
Chunky Chau
Chunky Chau is a pan-Asian fusion restaurant and bar leaning on Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese influences. This is an easy-going rather than high-end cuisine option. Cheerful looking and with plenty of little tricks to make your dining experience fun, here you can choose from Japanese yakitori chicken skewers, pickled Vietnamese crystal prawn rolls, Peking duck with pancakes, classic pad Thai and Singapore noodles, Korean BBQ pulled beef burgers, as well as a selection of ornately-presented sushi that looks almost too Instagramable to eat. Dine at the eclectic, sumptuously designed restaurant while sipping on a speciality tea-infused cocktail.
Outdoor seating: Piazza.
Doppio Zero
Part of the Italian bistro chain, this is our favourite Doppio Zero branch for its always buzzing atmosphere and its super terrace on the piazza. In January 2021 the restaurant reopened after an extensive renovation which included a fresh, new interior and the addition of a chocolate bar. Upstairs, a Jazz Room offers lovers of the music genre an opportunity to connect and enjoy live performances.
Outdoor seating: Piazza.
Fishmonger Rosebank
A casual yet sophisticated choice for seafood and sushi, Fishmonger Rosebank has been going for years and everything here works like clockwork. The service is friendly, the fish selection is always prime and there are even fresh oysters to start dinner. We like the prawns cooked Portuguese-style and the classic crispy battered hake and chips. We also recommend the selection of salads and sides.Outdoor seating: Piazza.
The Grillhouse and Katzy's Live
This New York-style grill house is an institution. Serving excellent spice-crusted fillet and saucy ribs amid a constant buzz accompanied by a selection of single malts and fabulous local wines, reservations for this celebrated spot are recommended, especially if you want to celebrate a special occasion in one of their atmospheric private dining rooms. Service is excellent and you'll be surrounded by impeccably turned-out waiters flawlessly darting around moodily-lit tables, heaving platters piled high with luscious South African beef steaks.Outdoor seating: outdoor patio (via the adjoining Katzy's jazz bar).
ALSO IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Clico Restaurant
This year (2023) saw Clico Boutique Hotel welcome a new head chef as well as a new restaurant space. Chef Dario Angeli (chef-owner of the award-winning Cube Tasting Kitchen and Est Est Alea) announced his residency at the opening of 400 Degrees at Clico: a casual Italian pizza, pasta and antipasti offering served on the terrace area of the hotel. Head over there for bubble-crusted Neapolitan-style pizzas and gin and tonics from their Hendrick's gin bar. It's a great spot for quick work lunches, after-work drinks and laid-back dinners (the fine-dining offering from Clico is still available for lunch and dinner in the formal interior of the hotel).Outdoor seating: Garden courtyard.
Soul Souvlaki Rosebank
Dino Vlachos's Soul Souvlaki chain of neighbourhood Greek souvlaki stops has successfully launched on street corners across the city, although this Rosebank branch still stands as one of our favourites. For one thing, it has one of the finest locations – a repurposed shipping container (with a rooftop deck) that opens onto a courtyard shaded by one of Rosebank's grand oak trees (find it at the corner of Bath and Baker Streets, opposite Brik). Lamb, bifteki (spiced minced beef patties) or chicken souvlaki served with tzatziki, fresh tomatoes, red onion and rocket and wrapped up snugly in a freshly baked pita bread is still the star of the show, although you can also mix and match to create your own meze platter.
Outdoor seating: Garden courtyard and rooftop.
GET THERE WITH GAUTRAIN
This attraction is close to the Rosebank Gautrain Station. See our guide to the Gautrain here and download the Gautrain app for real-time updates on when the next Gautrain and Gautrain midi-bus is due. Visit www.gautrain.co.za for more information on the timetable and fares. #YourGautrainJourneyStartsHere
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