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Shivava Cafe Review

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Shivava Café

Address: 1 President St., at Miriam Makeba and Jeppe Sts., Newtown, Johannesburg
Phone: 011/834-8037; 072/449-2199

Price range: ¢-$$
Cuisine: African
Location: Downtown

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Fodor's Review:

Although not in the same league as the more famous Nambitha's and Wandie's traditional township restaurants in Soweto, the Shivava Café in Newtown is popular and easier to find. Jazz music vies for attention with the rather boisterous crowd, and the place has the feel of a shebeen (township bar). The food is speedily prepared, and is a good example of black South African cuisine. A specialty is pap (a traditional South African maize-meal porridge that is white and stiff) and mogudo (tripe), which is something of an acquired taste. The café serves other dishes popular in the townships, such as chicken livers and giblets, masonja (mopane worms) and morogo (wild spinach). Simpler meals like steak are also served—with a certain African panache.

Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V
Closed: Closed Mon.