4 Best Restaurants in Johannesburg, South Africa

This is fine dining at its finest, according to the 2021 Luxe Restaurant Awards which conferred the title of Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year on Basalt. This intimate, dinner-only establishment prides itself on attention to detail with immaculate plating that plays on a fusion of color, texture, and storytelling. It hosts chefs-in-residence who design tasting menus (from three to seven courses; price quoted for seven courses), with options for meat lovers, pescatarians, and vegetarians, that can be complemented with a wine pairing selected by an experienced sommelier. It’s a memorable culinary experience that is accentuated by a sophisticated, yet comfortable, atmosphere in The Peech Hotel’s heritage house, with its parquet flooring, Basalt-gray walls and backlit bar.

The relaxed fine-dining, Mediterranean-inspired fare at Ethos has as much appeal as its decor and design, which is characterized by beige hues, Doric columns, brass accents, and flowing ceiling baffles. Dishes are carefully curated to highlight how the natural flavors of various foods also complement each other in terms of texture, color, and thoughtful presentation. Servers are astute in advising how to best pair meals with the restaurant's extensive collection of South African wines. 

Award-winning chef and owner Wandile Mabaso has worked with renowned chefs in Michelin-star restaurants in New York and Paris, before returning home to open this experiential dining spot that works to elevate the African experience. The restaurant specializes in contemporary French haute cuisine created with indigenous ingredients presented in four courses. 

Smartly dressed waiters in ties serve truly African food—meat stews, sweet potatoes, beans, a stiff corn porridge, traditionally cooked pumpkin, chicken, and tripe laid out in a buffet of pots and containers—to a steady stream of hungry patrons. The food is hot, the drinks are cold, and the conversation flows, especially if you happen to meet Wandie, who frequently still runs operations. While you may end up here on a private tour or with a tour bus, it's big enough to cope. It's not that difficult to find, and parking is safe, but it's probably better to organize a visit on a guided trip. The decor is eclectic township, and the walls are adorned with signatures and business cards of tourists and dignitaries who have dined here.