In our monthly #FreshlyPlated round-up, we share news about Joburg's food scene, from new cafés, bars, and restaurants, to special offers and chefs in the spotlight. 

With unusual food combos as a recurring theme for 2025, we were delighted to have a taste of Curry Up's milk tart samoosas – hand-delivered to us at the office to sample on our weekly deadline day. Legends in the Asian food scene, Glory is doing a pop-up, so head over to say hello to them at 44 Stanley. And culinary enthusiasts, take note: Restaurant Week South Africa runs until Sun, May 4.

For your weekend wanderings, Octo Bar in Sandton has a monthly Sunday lamb spit braai. A local classic. If that's not your style, we're loving the vegetarian and vegan options on the menu at Soul Souvlaki. Gigi's in Midrand launches an exclusive new tasting menu, while Pink Mama's arrives in Dunkeld – a pretty spot to try out.  

With Easter around the corner, we are sharing some festive meal and treat ideas. The Troyeville Hotel is offering a Portuguese-inspired Easter buffet, and the Bootlegger Coffee Company is going creative with a new twist on hot cross buns. 

In the fair Cape, the Mother City's Salsify at the Roundhouse was crowned South Africa's Best Restaurant in the Eat Out Woolworths Awards for 2025. And for your next foodie adventure, bookmark our reviews for Cyra, Turkish Kebab House Rosebank, and Manaka Coffee – from fine dining to authentic flavours and simply delicious cafe-style fare. 

Office taste tests: Sampling Curry Up's viral milk tart samoosas

The deadline stresses of a Wednesday morning melted at the scent of cinnamon and crisp pastry when Alex Zohany  of Curry Up  dropped into our office with a box of warm milk tart samoosas for our team to try out. It was love at first bite. 

Zohany tells us these treats have been on the menu for a while but have seen an upsurge in demand after a TikTok video of them went viral. Having tasted them for ourselves, it's easy to see why. These crispy pockets blend a classic Indian snack with the nostalgia of grandma's milk tart.  Some remarks from the team:

"What more to say? An inspired combo." 

Curry Up is just one of the restaurant brands in the We Sell Flavourz stable, which also includes Thai Me Up and Pasta Worx. Beyond their restaurant operations, they provide catering services for events ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale functions. Visit their website here for more info. 

Joburg restaurant openings and culinary news

A NEW TASTING MENU SERIES AT GIGI'S
Led by Chef Moses Moloi ,  Gigi's  in Waterfall, Midrand offers a unique dining experience for April 2025, with the humble yet versatile mushroom as the star of the month. Each month, a new key ingredient takes centre stage in the restaurant's seven-course tasting menu, every Wednesday night with only 10 places available each week. "This series is deeply personal to me, shaped by my travels and time spent alongside some of the most talented chefs, both locally and abroad," says Moloi. "Tasting menus have always been at the core of my cooking." To book for this experience, contact  +27 10 443 9711 . 

PINK MAMA'S BRINGS THE FLAVOURS OF ITALY TO DUNKELD
Where Livy's used to be,  Pink Mama's  is open for business at 49 Eastwood Road, Dunkeld – bringing summertime charm and al fresco Italian fare to Joburg. It wouldn't be true to form without a wide variety of antipasta (or antipasto , meaning starters) on the menu, as well as pizzas, pastas, insalate (salads), and delicious secondis (main courses) – lasagne is said to be one of their specialities, and we can't wait to try it. The dolce (desserts) include pistachio tiramisu, chocolate cannoli, and gelato, ensuring those with a sweet tooth will not be disappointed. (While much has changed from when it was Livy's, the padel courts remain an attraction.) Make a reservation via Dineplan here .

GLORY ALL AROUND JOBURG
If you've visited Glory at No.17 4th Avenue in Parktown North, you'll know this is Asian food with an operatic twist. Which is simply to say, it's very good. The menu takes inspiration from Southeast and East Asian dishes, and every plate is a beautifully styled affair. The sit-down menu is still available for lunch and dinner at the Parktown restaurant, while Glory also does takeaways of the original Glory box meals.

For even more opportunities to tuck into something glorious, Glory has teamed up with 44 Stanley in Milpark for a pop-up called Glory 44 (in the corner space opposite The Bioscope cinema where Beijing Opera used to be). This will run throughout April and May 2025, currently on Saturdays and Sundays. To find out about additional pop-up days, follow @gloryjoburg on Instagram. 

Book your table with Restaurant Week South Africa 2025

Restaurant Week South Africa 2025 is currently underway, running from Fri, Mar 28 – Sun, May 4. This annual culinary celebration features over 150 of the country's top restaurants, offering specially curated two-course lunches starting at R195 and three-course dinners from R295. Establishments range from award-winning fine dining venues to trendy hotspots, providing food enthusiasts with an excellent opportunity to explore South Africa's diverse gastronomic landscape. Participating Joburg restaurants include The Potato Shed in Waterfall, Midrand; Marble at Keyes Art Mile, Rosebank; and Saint in Sandton.

Given the popularity of the event, reservations are highly recommended. For more details and to secure a booking, visit the official website here. 

Salsify at The Roundhouse in Cape Town is crowned 'South Africa's Best Restaurant'

Salsify at The Roundhouse was awarded the title of  South Africa's Best Restaurant  at the Eat Out Woolworths Awards 2025 . The restaurant is located in Cape Town's historic Roundhouse building, which dates back to 1786, first serving as a guardhouse and then as a hunting lodge for the 19th-century Governor of the Cape, Sir Lord Charles Somerset. With the arrival of Salsify in 2018, it's become a fine dining location of note.