In our monthly #FreshlyPlated restaurant news round-up, we share a glimpse of all the new cafés, bars, and restaurants that Joburg should know about. The year has only just started and we've already seen the much-anticipated Gigi in Waterfall City and a new Coalition in Blairgowrie opening their doors. You'll get a caffeine kick from the coffee spots opening around town, and there are exciting collaborations and restaurant renovations, cocktail innovation, as well as a whole ice-cream situation.
If you missed it, catch up on our previous edition of #FreshlyPlated here, and see our round-up of the best new Joburg restaurants and bars that opened in 2023 here.
AJABU is coming
Coalition has moved
Coalition has closed its Rosebank branch to consolidate and expand its new Blairgowrie restaurant which has moved to Hillcrest Avenue. With an awesome outside area and the addition of a kiddies' menu as well as some cheeky pasta, sinfully good antipasti, and classic meat dishes including their version of Bistecca alla Fiorentina: a 1kg T-bone cooked over the open flame, sliced, and simply dressed in peppery olive oil and salt. Plus, they’re now doing weekend breakfasts.
De Baba Eatery is open
De Baba Eatery has just made a colourful corner of Melville’s 4th Avenue and 7th Street home, with a shop front brimming in bright pink, green, and yellow, and their offering brings as much joy as their décor. Think decadent pastries, doughnuts, croissants, macarons, cheesecakes… if it’s made with butter and sugar, it’s on the menu.
Father Coffee brings us Father Goods
Father Coffee – the people who taught Joburg what it is to be a coffee connoisseur – have launched an online store selling all the pantry goods you didn’t know you needed, along with a host of homeware and other treats. Think cold-brew coffee, jams, mustards, and lacto-fermented hot sauce. They’ve even taken the filling from their famous kanelbullar Swedish buns and made it into a buttery spread. Find Father Coffee Goods here .
Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff hires their culinary dream team
Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff has just announced that they have brought on board a stellar new team to head up their restaurant and bar offering in the form of Chef Wesli Jacobs, previously the Executive Chef at Spier Wine Farm and The Table Hotel, and Chef Katlego Mlambo, who you'll know from New Doornfontein's Marabi Club and Kudu Restaurant in London. Plus two pretty new but very exciting kids on the block: mixologist Brent Davids, from Marble, and sommelier Bazil Cass. We're looking forward to all that they have in store for us.
Freshly Ground gets a fresh facelift
The coffee shop-café located in the Trumpet Building on Keyes Art Mile recently indulged in a little renovation and has given its menu a mini-facelift too. This all-day café has added extra coolness to their new fruit krushers and milkshakes, alongside a whole array of new breakfast and lunch items. They’ve also got a host of classic cocktails and wines on offer.
Fond opens in Fruits and Roots
Fans of Fruits and Roots health store in Bryanston will rejoice to know they’ve just opened a Fond eatery serving up banana bread French toast, blue frozen lattes, moreish breakfasts, coffees, and so much more.
Gigi is open
We had a first glance and first taste of the much-anticipated Gigi by the talented Chef Moses Moloi (previously head chef at Zioux) . He opened the beguiling space in Waterfall earlier this month with a dream team that includes his dear friend and right-hand man, Chef Wesley Van Wyk , whom he worked with at the award-winning Cape Town restaurant The Greenhouse. It’s a sensational venue at the main entrance of Waterfall Corner that flows out onto a covered outdoor patio space. They’re open from breakfast through to dinner serving a contemporary, global a la carte menu that celebrates South African ingredients and flavours. And, they’re working on an exclusive 10-course tasting menu that’s going to be served right in front of the open kitchen at their exclusive, 10-seater chef’s table.
