For some scrumptious Italian fare in Johannesburg, head to Franco's Pizzeria & Trattoria. A family-run establishment, this cozy pizza joint has been delighting gourmands for over two decades. A lively setting, complete with potted plants, tiled floors and comfortable seating booths welcome diners at Franco's which offers an exciting menu of savory pastas, hot pizzas and an amazing selection of homemade delights that remind one of the flavors and aromas of Tuscany and Sicily.
Housed within the imposing Forum Homini Hotel at the sprawling Letamo Game Estate, Roots is a wonderful choice for a memorable dining experience in the heart of Johannesburg. Wooden-finish flooring, crystal-like booths and tables draped in black tablecloths complete a jovial ambiance at Roots. While it specializes in carefully crafted table d'hôte meals offered for dinner, lunch and breakfast, weekend lunches and brunches are also equally popular here. Wine tastings held on Fridays attract wine buffs, while gourmands hop in to relish a mix of cuisines like African, Asian and European. Chef Adriaan Maree has chalked out an intelligently priced bill of fare that does justice to diners' whims and budgets.
If the words "healthy dining" bring to your mind images of drab and unsubstantial plates of salad, dry toast and tasteless slivers of meat, allow Cafe Zing to redefine the very concept with its decadent selection of dishes. The cafe offers an imaginative variety of dishes prepared using natural ingredients like organic produce, free-range poultry and other fresh ingredients. Sample whole wheat buttermilk pancakes and scrambled eggs with smoked salmon for breakfast, spicy Thai vegetable wraps, lamb burgers with mango chutney and beef fillet salad for lunch, and lamb chops with a side of wasabi potato mash for dinner. While the menu sounds rich and indulgent, every dish is packed with the goodness of fresh, natural ingredients for a meal that is flavorful and healthy at the same time. Through soft hues, fresh flowers and mirrors, the cafe creates a light-filled space that is bright, inviting and decadent in its own special way.
Trumps prides itself on two things: firstly, a wide selection of meat, chicken and fish dishes; and secondly that it is the first grill house in South Africa to have been granted the exclusive license to sell Angus Beef - the best beef money can buy. Brightly colored décor, an exciting menu and good service, make this a vibrant and buzzing place to eat out. The grill house guarantees meat that is 'incredibly tender, naturally juicy and abundantly flavorful'. Vegetarians are not forgotten, as the menu boasts of a wide choice of salads and specialty dishes. The cellar is stocked with an exclusive selection of rare and vintage South African wines (accompanied of course by some newer gems). This is complemented by the restaurant's selection of beer from 17 countries.
Italian with a dash of Continental and Cosmopolitan, the lively, sporty-type atmosphere within Vini's has been created with the inclusion of a diversity of colorful Italian football teams' flags. The restaurant becomes busy and it's the jostle for space that adds character here. For those who desire their own elbow room, a patio-type dining area looking on the mall is available. The lively, bustling atmosphere is further heightened on Sunday nights with live music and dancing. Although Vini's is, in essence, an Italian restaurant, its menu dares to be different by crossing the Italian borders to bring a delightful selection of European Continental fare. The Lamb Masala, Polo Pizza, Pork Ribs, steaks and baby chicken come highly recommended. For private functions Vini's offers a sumptuous set menu.
In a country with African and European cultural influences, it makes sense that the aptly named Local Grill would have both African and European favorites on the menu. Karoo lamb cutlets exist on the same menu with lemon linefish and Falklands calamari. Local wines also abound, of course, and The Local's sauces are so in-demand that they have their own menu and can be ordered alone. Some of these sauces include Madagascar peppercorn cream, bleu cheese and peppadew, and cranberry & port jus. The cornerstone of this restaurant's cuisine, however, is beef, so if that is something you enjoy, be sure to try one of their premium cuts.