There’s something special about dining or drinking at outdoor restaurants in Johannesburg, and catching up with friends while soaking up the fresh air and sunshine. Thankfully, Joburg is home to plenty of winning outdoor dining spaces; from leafy cafe courtyards you can settle into for a freshly brewed morning latte, to spacious eateries perfect for unwinding over cocktails and small plates. We spotlight some of the best to try right now.
The Forum Kitchen at L’antico Giardino
Following on from the Forum’s extremely popular Farm to Table events, the focus for breakfast and lunch at The Forum Kitchen at L’antico Giardino follows the same philosophy: dine under the trees and enjoy delicious, fresh food, using produce that has been sourced from the area.
As it is on the cycle route towards the Cradle, it is a lovely outdoor option for those who want to pop in for a coffee or breakfast after a morning ride. There is also ample space for kids to ride their bikes. The menu is updated regularly offers an array of scrumptious dishes, and can be viewed on request.
When: Saturday to Sunday, from 8am to 4pm
Where: Portion 17, Farm 543, Nooitgedacht, Pine Valley Rd, Lanseria, Johannesburg
Website: theforumkitchen.co.za | Email: thekitchen@theforum.co.za | Tel: 082 834 4899
And then there was fire
NIROX celebrates the culinary arts at their on-premises restaurant named And Then Where Was Fire.. which is nestled in the heart of the park, overlooking the lawns.
Executive Chef Leo Lanussol showcases various techniques of modern rustic cooking using organic, seasonal produce from local farms, prepared over a hearth with a simple intention. Chef Lanussol takes residence at And Then Where Was Fire.. from May 2022 for a short period and hosts pop-up curated dinners, the details of which can be found on the restaurant’s website and social media accounts.
When: Thurs to Sun from 11am | Kitchen closes 4.30pm
Where: NIROX Sculpture Park, Kromdraai Rd, Kromdraai, Krugersdorp, Johannesburg
Website: andthentherewasfire.com | Email: bookings@andthentherewasfire.com
Culinary Table
The resident chef at Culinary Table, Daniela Gutstadt, designs the menu with new dishes every week to really position seasonal fare.
This fusion restaurant pays homage to contemporary techniques and flavours while using local South African produce. Diners here are reminded of a hearty home-cooked meal with a modern touch, complete with generous servings and a cosy, relaxed atmosphere. Bookings are highly recommended for this popular spot.
After high school, Daniela completed an undergraduate degree in Marketing, Business French and Italian Literature and Language at The University of Cape Town. She then moved to New York City, where she enrolled at the International Culinary Centre for a Grande Diplome in Classic Culinary Arts, as well as Professional Bread Making and Wine Service.
When: Daily, from 8am to 5pm
Where: Lanseria Centre, Unit 1, R512 Malibongwe Rd, Lanseria, Johannesburg
Website: culinarytable.co.za | Email: table@culinary.co.za | Tel: 011 017 0999
The Terrace at Ground the Venue
The focus is firmly driven by delicious sharing plates that each pack flavourful Mediterranean food for the menu. An assortment of dips and their bread for the day will be a good way to start – try tirosalata, roasted aubergine, and whipped feta.
The beauty of the food at The Terrace lies in its simplicity. Heading onto mains, match juicy lamb shank with mint sauce and fresh herbs with wholesome patatas bravas. There’s also a sharp lineup of seafood and chicken dishes to consider. Any hunger-based aggression over food supplies will quickly diminish – as the dishes will just keep coming.
Ground the Venue is already a popular haunt for their venue hire, hiking trails and picnics. The new space is set on the terrace with washed white walls, natural and decorative greenery, and woven furniture for a modern boho touch.
When: Wednesday to Sunday, from 11am to 6pm. Kitchen closes at 4:30pm /5pm. Book via Dineplan
Where: Ground the Venue, Plot 19, Driefontein Rd, Muldersdrift, Johannesburg
Website: groundthevenue.com | Email: restaurants@projectground.co.za | Tel: 063 296 2274
Truffles on the Park
Truffles On The Park is a lucid, light and dynamic kitchen located in Sandton. Their promise to visitors is to create meals that involve all senses – an experience that restores, delights, challenges and enriches. Where cocktails and service are given the same attention, a place where botanical mixologists are trained as culinary chefs, where the produce and herbs are carefully sourced and always fresh.
Truffles On The Park is also where drinks are made proudly and consistently in a state-of-the-art botanical beverage kitchen.
Times: Tues to Fri 12pm until late | Sat 10am until late | Sun 10am to 4pm
Address: Mushroom Farm Park, Cnr Rivonia Rd and Daisy St, Sandown, Sandton, Johannesburg
Website: trufflesbistro.co.za | Email: reservations@trufflesbistro.co.za | Tel: 010 025 0436
Herb Cafe at Herb Land
Enjoy the quiet atmosphere of Herb Land while treating your taste buds to delightful culinary experiences, one of the hidden outdoor restaurants in Johannesburg. The Herb Cafe, nestled on a covered deck just beyond the garden, invites you to tuck into delicious eats and drinks.
Start your day with breakfast delights available from 9am to 11:30am, featuring options like English field breakfast, muesli with fresh fruit and yoghurt, open sandwiches, and tempting sweet treats. For lunch, served from 12pm to 4pm, explore a diverse menu offering wholesome meals, light fare such as freshly baked quiche, and flavourful homemade burgers.
Despite being primarily a garden centre, Herb Land boasts some solid WiFi access, making it an ideal spot to unwind. Whether you’re relishing a hearty grilled beef panini or a slice of decadent baked cheesecake with berry coulis, the panoramic view of the gardens adds an extra layer of enjoyment to your experience.
When: Wednesday to Sunday. Breakfast from 9am to 11:30am; Lunch from 12pm to 4pm
Where: Herb Cafe at Herb Land, 264 Summit Rd, Bridle Park, Midrand, Johannesburg
Website: herbland.co.za | Email: herbcafe@herbland.co.za | Tel: 082 465 5561
Olives & Plates Wits Club
Olives and Plates Wits Club is one of the few outdoor restaurants in Johannesburg that boasts an authentic Cape Winelands charm thanks to the beautifully maintained architecture. The Club seems far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet it is easily accessible to the M1 and Empire Road and there is ample secure parking.
But it’s not all aesthetics here. As with the various Olives & Plates restaurants in Joburg, it’s the great food and service that shines here. Dine on brunch faves such as inventive salad, well-cooked steak and sophisticated platters underneath the oak trees. The restaurant also serves afternoon tea on the First Weekend of the month. See more info here.
When: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4pm. Saturday & Sunday, 8am to 4pm
Where: Olives & Plates Wits Club, 7 Yale Road, Parktown, Johannesburg. Please use Wits Yale Road Entrance off Empire Road (North Gate)
Website: olivesandplates.co.za | Email: info@olivesandplates.co.za | Tel: 011 717 9365
Delta Cafe at Delta Park
Delta Café started as a small café in 2014, run out of a renovated cottage on the grounds of Reeanear Delta Park. Over the years, this dog-friendly cafe in Randburg has evolved into the ultimate spot to enjoy a bit of nature in our urban jungle and get away from the madness of the modern world.
The menu is served a family friendy lineup of dishes for breakfast and lunch, and quick after-work wind down. Weekends extend to al fresco dinners with live music on selected evenings. Delta Cafe donates a portion of our turnover in support of Reea, and the team also support regular successful feeding schemes.
When: Monday to Thursday, 9am to 6pm. Friday, 9am to 9pm. Saturday, 8am to 8:30pm. Sunday, 9am to 4:30pm
Where: Delta Cafe, Delta Park, 76 Marlborough Ave, Craighall Park, Johannesburg
Website: deltacafe.co.za | Email: bookings@deltacafe.co.za | Tel: 010 900 3850
Glenda’s
After creating and nurturing the beloved Patisserie in Illovo for 10 years, Glenda Lederle sold in 2002 and moved to start a popular eatery in the Cape and decided to travel the world. She trained in some of Europe & America’s top kitchens from ‘The Red Rooster’ in New York City, to the acclaimed ‘Petersham Nursery’ & world famous ‘River Café’ in London to the Four Seasons Michelin-starred restaurant in Berlin.
Upon her return in May 2015, she opened Glenda’s in Hyde Square for breakfast, lunch, tea, after-work drinks and dinner seatings. There is also a ‘choux choux’ lounge for quaffing champagne and ‘Dotty Choux’ the takeaway patisserie counter specialising in Choux Pastry.
When: Monday, 7am to 6pm. Tuesday to Saturday, 7am to 10pm. Sunday, 8am to 3pm
Where: Glenda’s Restaurant, Hyde Square, cnr Jan Smuts Avenue and North Road, Hyde Park, Johannesburg
Website: glendas.co | Email: nfo@dottyglenda.co.za | Tel: 011 268 6369
Gia’s on Montrose
Since their 2006 opening, Gia’s on Montrose has fine-tuned an easygoing oasis to escape the humdrum of the city. You’ll find them nestled in the picturesque gardens of Montrose Nursery in Morningside surrounded by nature where the sounds of birds chirping and the breeze in the trees replace the drone of car engines and the hustle and bustle of urban living.
A diverse family-friendly menu is on the cards with delicious meals to choose from ranging from their famous burgers to a pie in a mug, eggs Benedict, pasta, salads and bagels to name a few. Round your meal with premium Italian coffee, cocktails, handpicked wines and other beverages.
When: Daily, from 7:30am to 8:30pm
Where: Gia’s on Montrose, Montrose Nursery, 66B South Rd, Morningside, Sandton
Website: giasonmontrose.com | Email: giasonmontrose@mweb.co.za | Tel: 011 326 5074
Leafy Greens Cafe
The philosophy of the Leafy Greens Cafe is defined by respect for the earth and human health by showing you that, far from being restrictive, a vegan or vegetarian diet can open up a world of delicious, nutritious possibilities.
Leafy Greens Cafe believes that eating well can completely change your outlook on your life, and give you renewed energy and passion. So, they’re all about keeping things raw and natural wherever possible, adding as little as they can, and taking away the same. Fresh and real food with nothing to hide, they’re determined to make things a little bit better, one plant-based dish at a time. Take a stroll through their gardens, and treat yourself to a meal that contains only real food, grown and prepared well.
The cafe is situated next to a farm, giving you not only magnificent views but a calm, tranquil environment in which to work, relax, eat and dream. There is also a kids play area so everyone is happy.
When: Monday to Sunday: 8.30am to 5pm
Where: Plot 328, Rocky Ridge Rd, Beyers Naude Dr. Muldersdrift
Website: leafygreens.co.za | Email: mytable@leafygreens.co.za | Tel: 010 595 4563
The Tea Garden at Random Harvest Nursery
The green and calm setting at Random Harvest Nursery’s Tea Garden is famously charming. Surrounded by plants and birdsong, al-fresco dining in the shade of spreading Monkey-Thorn Acacias in summer or in front of a cosy fireplace in winter serves up dishes made with the freshest ingredients.
The menu is a simple but delicious selection of homemade sweet and savoury foods; keeping our old firm favourites, but constantly adding new and interesting items. Founder Linda’s Italian heritage is evident – everything is homemade and fresh. The milk is from the small dairy herd, as is the homemade butter. The jam is made by Linda’s mother (people travel miles for it!) and the bread is homemade. The green salads are supplemented with produce from the veggie garden.
Kids are welcome to join, there’s a sandpit and plenty of space for children to explore safely.
When: Daily, from 8am to 4:30pm
Where: 57 College Road, Muldersdrift, Krugersdorp
Website: randomharvest.co.za | Email: marketing@rhn.co.za | Tel: 011 957 5354
The Secret Tea Garden
Set in the tranquil gardens of Norscot Manor in the heart of Fourways, The Secret Tea Garden offers a quiet escape from the malls and roadside coffee shops. Relax on the terrace overlooking the manicured lawns and distant views, whilst the children amuse themselves in the impressive play park, guaranteed to give parents a much-needed break for an hour or so. The Secret Tea Garden is an ideal venue to host birthday parties, stork parties, kitchen teas and corporate functions.
The main menu focuses on breakfasts and light meals with a good selection of salads, burgers and sandwiches.
When: Tuesday & Wednesday, 9:30am to 4pm. Thursday & Friday, 10:30am to 5pm. Saturday & Sunday, 8am to 5pm
Where: The Secret Garden, Norscot Manor, 16b Penguin Drive, Fourways, Johannesburg
Website: thesecretteagarden.co.za | Email: info@thesecretteagarden.co.za | Tel: 010 880 8604
