Conveniently located between the Sandton and Rosebank business districts, Illovo is a popular residential area filled with 1950s and 1960s apartment blocks, walkable tree-lined streets, and a wide choice of cafes and restaurants. These are mostly centred around the small Thrupps, Illovo Muse, Illovo Square and Illovo Junction centres along Oxford Road and the Post Office Centre one block east. The neighbourhood is famous for being home to the Wanderers cricket stadium as well as the Wanderers Golf Club , the Wanderers Club (which includes running, boxing, tennis, bowls, rugby and 5-aside football facilities) and the Protea Hotel Wanderers  (recently renovated, it now has a great poolside deck area). 

Neighbouring Illovo is leafy Melrose , characterised by its jacaranda-lined streets and the mid-Century apartment blocks of  Birdhaven , another peaceful suburb that opens onto the delightful James and Ethel Gray Park (a haven for birdlife which inspired the suburb's name). Further down the hill to the east just beyond the park and approaching the M1 highway is glossy  Melrose Arch Precinct , popular for its pedestrianised streets and designer shopping. 

WHERE TO EAT IN ILLOVO

Bellagio

Where: 196 Oxford Rd, Illovo

A seafood lunch at Bellagio in Illovo

Bellinis 

This unfussy little bistro is a socialites hub with the crowded tables groaning under the weight of open wine bottles, designer handbags and lively conversations. The food is simple but accomplished bistro fare – the fillet salad is delicious – and the bustling atmosphere akin to a wine bar. Bookings for lunch only.
Where:18 Chaplin Rd, Illovo

Chateau Gateaux 

The refrigerators in this place at the Thrupps Centre encase beautifully decorated pastries and cake slices, while a display table overflows with freshly baked goods. Mouth-watering gateaux, pastries, savoury burekas and gourmet sandwiches are on the menu. Try the chocolate volcano – warmed to make the chocolate ooze out. Supremely delicious. Menu items can be ordered and elegantly boxed to take home.
Where: Thrupps Illovo Centre, 204 Oxford Rd, Illovo
The dining room at Don Armando in the Illovo Square centre

Don Armando

For the best steaks in the neighbourhood book a table at this Argentine grillhouse in the Illovo Square centre, owned and run by the same team from the Mastrantonio Italian restaurant upstairs. Classic Argentinian meat cuts are cooked over an open fire and there's a good menu of Argentinian wines to enjoy your steak with.
Where: Illovo Square 3 Rivonia Rd, Illovo

Great Eastern Food Bar

The Great Eastern Food bar is for eaters who relish unique and subtle flavours, and many of them have followed this restaurant here all the way from Melville after it relocated in 2019. Trout ceviche tacos, vegetable or kimchi gyoza dumplings and flavoursome bowls are just a few of the many Asian-inspired delights on offer, and vegetarians will be delighted with the broad selection of meat-free options.
Where: The Post Office Centre, 30 Rudd Rd, Illovo
A flavour packed spicy tofu bowl at Great Eastern Food Bar

The Fishmonger

A casual yet sophisticated choice for seafood and sushi. Try the prawns cooked Portuguese-style. There's also a good selection of salads and sides, and excellent crispy battered hake and chips. As is typical for Joburg, the outdoor tables look directly onto the car park.
Where: Thrupps Centre, 204 Oxford Rd, Illovo

Momo Soko

Specialising in Taiwanese and Chinese street food with a twist this is a casual restaurant with a wide-ranging menu that focuses on small plate dishes that are designed to be shared. Start with traditional potstickers, Norwegian salmon tacos, and crispy Korean fried chicken wings and go all out on the grilled Chinese ‘soko’ skewers and the stuffed bao (steamed buns). The restaurant is unlicenced though you can bring your own drinks.
Where: Illovo Muse, 198 Oxford Rd, Illovo
Baos at Momo Soko in the Illovo Muse Centre. Photo by Miss Lucky Pony

Parea

A lively taverna serving Joburg’s best Greek fare since 1993. Their wide-ranging and authentic menu includes a large selection of meze dishes, delicious roasted fish specialities (more than worth the extra waiting time) and other Greek standards such as kleftiko and souvlakia. Pre-Covid times Parea was famous for its belly dancers and smashing crockery. While the Greek dancing has subsided for the time being, if it's your birthday they'll still get out the sparklers and sing you a song.
Where: 3 Corlett Dr, Illovo

The Patisserie

This girly cafe, with its bold pink and white striped walls and small French-style tables, is known for its awesome display of pastries and cakes, and can create custom cakes for special occassions. They also serve a light meals menu. Menu favourites include the fluffy scrambled eggs or the generous helping of salmon fishcakes with salad.
Where: Post Office Centre, 30 Rudd Rd, Illovo
Peri peri prawns from The Prawnery

The Prawnery

The clue's in the name, this friendly restaurant and bar on the corner of Oxford Road and Corlett Drive specialises in prawns - available grilled with lemon and herb or peri peri bastings. They also serve a host of other seafood specialities including whole grilled fish, tuna steaks and pasta dishes, and there's sushi on the menu too. Look out for their great value mid-week prawn specials.
Where: Illovo Junction, 178 Oxford Rd (cnr Corlett Dr), Illovo

Teta Mari

For the best Israeli shakshuka breakfast there’s this stylish and welcoming café with an outdoor deck perfect for sunny days, serving generous portions of food that would bring comfort to any troubled soul. Other musts are the vanilla-infused kitka French toast with mascarpone, halva and toasted almonds or the New York deli-style Reuben Special of brisket on rye.