If burgers and milkshakes are firm favourites in your family, head over to Joe’s for your fix, because this is where you’ll find some of the most sizzling toppings and sauces in the ‘hood! From the zingy bite of perfectly plump jalapeños to moreish cream cheese, roasted tomatoes and caramelised onions, there’s even a secret sauce to give burgers here some added oomph. As for dessert, the butterscotch ice cream steals the show, while the excellent milkshake selection includes a delectable Vietnamese coffee shake. Oh, and there’s some jolly good coffee too.
In step with the famous offering at Butcher Blocks elsewhere, excellent cuts of meat, done to perfection, is the name of the game for lunches and dinners. Here, you have the added benefit of breakfast – as well as treats like jaffles, flatbreads and pressed juices. Yummy must-try items on the menu include the moreish halloumi skewers with sweet plum dipping sauce, the lemon-butter calamari tubes starter, the oxtail simmered in Guinness and the pinotage pot-roast lamb shank. Round it off with deep-fried Oreos, koeksisters or the marvellous malva pudding.
City chic has never looked (and tasted) this good! This café-style eatery is all about atmosphere and from the interesting clientele (including hip young professionals and business folk with some serious clout) to the knowledgeable and friendly waitrons, the lively vibe just adds to the appeal. The restaurant aims to “celebrate taste” and there are no set starters or main courses – the menu is divided into “tit-bits” and “bit-parts” instead. Tit-bits are small and tasty bites meant to be shared around the table, while bit-parts are the main affair in the evenings (comprising half and full portions).
Craftsmen:
What started out as a food truck is now a fully fledged restaurant on Helen Joseph Road and the street food served here ensures the relaxed, trendy and unpretentious vibe that keeps patrons coming back for more. With their quirky bench-style seating and meals served on wooden boards, the look and feel is edgy yet casual, and the menu is brimful of delicious offerings such as Chicken Poppa’s (cheesy balls with chicken, chili, coriander and lemon zest), the Hulk Smash for mains and the Willy Wonka (the yummiest chocolate brownie ever, served with a berry coulis and vanilla ice cream).
This unique eatery is run by principals, lecturers, and past and present students from The Fusion Cooking School, and is known for its highly innovative approach to cooking. Think soups that change colour as you eat them, pretzels poached in caustic soda and a 16-hour electric-blanket-slow-cooked oxtail! There’s even liquid nitrogen ice cream created right next to your table… As an extension of the chef school, this restaurant is all about pushing the envelope, and patrons can look forward to a complete gastronomic experience when they opt for a magical meal here.
