There’s really no shortage of great restaurants and unique dining ideas to try in and around Johannesburg. But the bar should always be raised even higher for Mother’s Day.  

Benn Ndzoyiya shares some of the best restaurants in Johannesburg to take your mom to this Mother’s Day and to make new memories. A friendly reminder to kids and partners reading this – bookings for Mother’s Day tend to fill up super fast so you’ll get proactive and reserve your space. If you’re looking for high tea events in Johannesburg, click here. 

Level Seven Restaurant

This standout restaurant and rooftop bar is a destination for flavour fans who are keen on exploring fine food and drink in Joburg. Level Seven Restaurant is doing an all-around spoil for Mother’s Day with a live cooking demo and wine-pairing lunch experience like never before.

Celebrity chefs Lucia Mthiyane and Liziwe Matloha will share expert tips on how to craft a mouthwatering four-course meal from start to finish. For those keen on taking the skills home, the duo will host a book signing of their latest publication.

Guests can tuck into a range of dishes, perfectly paired to tempt you with exceptional red and white wines from Steenberg Vineyards in the Constantia Valley. The pampering continues with a special goodie bag for all moms valued at R1200.

Space is limited therefore advance booking is absolutely essential. Kids of all ages are welcome to join, with meals served from the a la carte menu.

Cost: R1700pp, including a cooking demo, a four-course meal with wine pairing, and a special gift. Book via email [email protected] or call 010 541 1320

When: Sunday, 12 May from 12pm
Where: On the top floor of the Radisson Hotel O.R. Tambo, 3rd and 6th Ave, Bredell, Kempton Park, Johannesburg

Goddess Cafe

Nothing screams indulgent girlish treat like a visit to Goddess Cafe, one of Johannesburg’s most Instagrammable restaurants. They’ve got a venue in Linden and a three in Pretoria. Once you slip through the door, you’re greeted with a pink wonderland with bold interiors, floral decorations aplenty, and a relaxed, easy-going atmosphere that’s ideal for breakfast and lunch. 

Although their signature is the cake and dessert offering (you can’t go wrong with a slice of the pink velvet Turkish delight!), the menu of savoury treats is definitely worth a try if you’re after something more substantial. READ MORE

When: Monday to Saturday 8am to 5pm | Sunday 8am to 3pm
Where: Goddess Cafe Linden, 44, 1st Ave, Linden, Johannesburg. Further branches in Pretoria

Basalt

Chef James Diack at Basalt is fine-tuning his signature emphasis on sustainable produce and gourmet dining with a special six-course tasting menu on Mother’s Day. The mood at this intimate gourmet dining restaurant in Melrose is sophisticated and relaxed at the same time. All guests receive a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival.

Cost: R975pp, or R795pp for the Vegetarian menu, book via Dineplan, email [email protected] or call 011 537 9797

When: Sunday. 12 May from 12pm to 5pm
Where: Basalt Restaurant at The Peech Hotel, 61 North St, Melrose, Johannesburg

The Avenue at Radisson Hotel O.R. Tambo

Put on your Sunday best for the classiest Mother’s Day lunch in Kempton Park. The Avenue restaurant at Radisson Hotel O.R. Tambo Johannesburg is turning Sunday, 12 May into a decadent dining affair. Executive Chef Johan van Rooyen and his team is going above and beyond with a buffet menu that comprises of multiple courses. Start with a touch of class, dishing from the smoked salmon platter, fresh West Coast mussels with a citrus vinaigrette, and other light dish options.

The hot selection brings homely slow braised lamb casserole, butter chicken, and grilled sole to the fore alongside roasted vegetable sides. No Sunday lunch is complete without a selection of premium meat cuts cooked perfectly. To end, try the homemade chocolate mousse or chiffon cake slices among others. The experience includes a glass of welcoming bubbles.

Cost: R385pp, includes a welcoming glass of sparkling wine, starter, mains, and dessert served buffet-style. Book online via email [email protected] or call 011 100 4436

When: Sunday, 12 May from 12:30pm to 3pm
Where: Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre O.R. Tambo, 3rd Ave, Bredell AH, Kempton Park

Truffles on the Park

Take Mom to Sandton’s favourite restaurant that overlooks the tranquil Mushroom Park. Truffles on the Park is serving their a la carte menu for Mother’s Day, and all guests receive a welcome glass of Rosé bubbles courtesy of Wildekrans Estate. Dine on fuss-free brunch favourites such as steaks, salads, and more light meals.

Cost: R250pp deposit to reserve your space, the amount will be offset against your bill. Includes a welcoming glass of Rosé MCC and a sweet treat for all moms. Book via email [email protected] or call 010 025 0436

When: Sunday, 12 May from 10am to 3pm
Where: Truffles on the Park, Mushroom Farm Park, Cnr Rivonia Rd and Daisy St, Sandown, Sandton, Johannesburg

Brambles Restaurant at Vivari Hotel & Spa

Head down to the Brambles Restaurant at Vivari Hotel & Spa from 12pm this Mother’s Day for a stylish lunch spread with a gastro edge. Start with the forage table where guests can choose between Raclette cheese with truffle potatoes, a goat’s cheese and leek quiche, a prawn and brioche bun, and much more. The soup station features an oyster and chicken soup with comforting tortellini. And for mains, choose between citrus glazed duck breast and grilled sole and prawn among others.

This Mother’s Day lunch in Johannesburg kicks off with a welcome glass of Prosecco on arrival, and saxophonist Femi Koya will set the mood with mellowly Pan-African Afrobeats. To top it all off, all moms will receive a complimentary pamper gift to take home.

Cost: R895pp for adults, and R395pp for kids under 12 years, including a three-course set menu. Book via email or Dineplan

When: Sunday, 12 May, from 12pm
Where: Brambles Restaurant at Vivari Hotel and Spa, Ext 8, 1 Riviera Ln, Featherbrooke Estate, Johannesburg

Ethnic Restaurant

Play it your way this Mother’s Day at Ethnic Restaurant in Edenvale. The hardest part will be deciding between their sumptuous three-course lunch spread, a deluxe brunch platter that can be shared between two or four guests, and their prawn pasta. All dishes come paired with Leopard’s Leap Cuvee Brut bubbles, straight from the Franschhoek Winelands. 

Award-winning artist, Jude Harpster will serenade guests with an intimate live performance on the harp, while Zama Afrika and her band deliver mellow Afro-jazz songs for an afternoon of beautiful music. 

Looking to extend your experience into a lazy lunch? Add on bottomless mimosas at R99pp that will keep the popular cocktails coming. 

Cost: R450pp, including a 3-course lunch and a welcoming glass of bubbles. R750 or a brunch platter for 4 and a bottle of Leopard’s Leap Cuvee Brut. R400 or a brunch platter for 2 and a bottle of Leopard’s Leap Cuvee Brut. Bottomless mimosas – R99pp. Book via call 010 746 1636

When: Sunday, 12 May from 12pm
Where: Ethnic Restaurant, Eden Terrace, 60 Terrace Road, Eden Glen, Edenvale, Johannesburg

Kaylee’s Eatery

Kaylees Eatery sets the gold standard for elevating traditional French pâtisserie with a unique vegan twist. Drawing on her prestigious Le Cordon Bleu background and Superior Pâtisserie diploma, the chef brings a touch of France to South Africa.

The vegan restaurant in Joburg presents a meticulously curated selection of vegan pastries, each showcasing the refinement of gourmet indulgence for their high tea on Mother’s Day.

Choose from 3 time slots to accommodate your schedule. Delight in a selection of finger sandwiches and an exquisite assortment of vegan pastry creations, all accompanied by a pot of your preferred steaming tea. Bookings in advance are highly recommended to avoid disappointment as these events book out fast.

Cost: R395pp, book online

When: Sunday, 12 May 2024, at 10am, 12pm and 2pm
Where: Kaylees Eatery, Wonderland Park, 147 North Reef Rd, Bedfordview

The Old Oak Restaurant

The fine dining restaurant that boasts a state of the art play structures for kids is hosting a special three-course set menu on Sunday. Let Chef Ransley Pietersen and his team wow you with a gourmet twist to wholesome dining faves. On the menu is a hashbrown with slow-roasted beef, caprese bruschettas, braai-spiced sirloin from the Carvery, lamb chipolata sausages, and decadent desserts to end.

Cost: R425pp kids under 8 eat free, book via email [email protected]

When: Sunday, 12 May from 12pm
Where: Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, 1 Fairway Ave, Linksfield North, Johannesburg

54 on Bath Hotel

Known as one of the best fine dining restaurants in Johannesburg, Level Four Restaurant at 54 on Bath in Rosebank is giving moms a special treat with their five-course lunch experience. Indulge in a complimentary glass of bubbles upon arrival, and relax to the sounds of live entertainment. Moms receive a special gift too.  

Cost: R750pp for adults and R195pp for kids under 12 years, book via email [email protected]

When: Sunday, 12 May, from 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Where: 54 Bath Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg

Buitengeluk Restaurant

With beautiful wooden beams and a high thatched roof, classic interiors, Buitengeluk Restaurant in Sandton is a place for all seasons, with two large fireplaces for chilly days. When the weather is good, you can retreat outside on the spacious veranda that overlooks carefully tended gardens and a tranquil koi pond. 

Bookings are currently open for Mother’s Day lunch, call or email to find out more.

Cost: Book via email [email protected] or call 011 540 1556

When: Sunday, 12 May, from 12pm
Where: Buitengeluk Venue, Broadacres Lifestyle Centre Cnr Valley Rd &, Cedar Rd, Fourways, Sandton

Equinox Restaurant at Hotel Sky Sandton

Looking for a stylish Mother’s Day dining event in Johannesburg? The Equinox at Hotel Sky Sandon is doing a delightful lunch buffet at the terrace space. You can teak in skyline views while toasting on a wide selection of go-to perfectly cooked carvery that shows off the roast leg of lamb and rump steak among others, hot dishes such as seafood paella, and luscious desserts to end. 

Cost: R495pp for adults, R248pp for kids 5 to 12, u5s eat free. Book via email [email protected] or call 010 880 4449

When: Sunday, 12 May from 12:30pm to 5pm
Where: Equinox Restaurant at Hotel Sky Sandton, 150 West Street, Sandton

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa is planning two experiences for Mother’s Day this year. The enchanting Mother’s Day Garden Tea Party brings a lavish high tea experience complete with sparkling wine from Boschendal Wines to the fore. Kids can delight in their own special high tea menu and there will be entertainment by the talented Jeph Nomvete.

If you’re after something more substantial, the Sunday Brunch is an opportunity to savour a sumptuous spread and enjoy a complimentary mimosa to kickstart your brunch affair. Waterford Wines will be adding a touch of sophistication to your brunch experience.

Cost: Garden Tea Party – R530pp for adults, R235pp for kids. Sunday Brunch – R450pp. Book via email [email protected] or call 011 808 7300

When: Sunday, 12 May. Garden Tea Party – 12pm to 4pm. Sunday Brunch – 11am to 2pm
Where: Equinox Restaurant at Hotel Sky Sandton, 150 West Street, Sandton

Sound bath and brunch at Farmhouse58

Celebrate Mother’s Day a little differently by tapping into your divine feminity through sound and vibration. Gather with Mathapelo, a certified sound alchemist of  Nyiko Wellness Refinery, to honour the sacred Mother energy while immersing into cosmic sound healing with soothing rhythmic gong beats and harmonic crystal bowls, drums, mbira, chimes, and rattle amongst others.

After the sound journey, guests are treated to a scrumptious two-course brunch spread where an array of dishes will be laid out leaving your taste buds dancing.

Cost: R850pp including a sound bath experience and two-course lunch, book via Webtickets

When: Sunday, 12 May from 9am to 12pm
Where: Farmhouse58, R540 Kromdraai Rd, Krugersdorp

Kanpai

Kanpai is an Asian tapas and bubble bar in Rosebank, and they’re adding a creative twist to Mother’s Day lunch in Johannesburg. The experience includes a sip and paint session with all materials needed, a set menu for lunch, and a wine tasting session guided by their in-house team.

Cost: R760pp for sip and paint, lunch and wine tasting. R600pp for sip and paint, and lunch. Book via email [email protected] 

When: Sunday, 12 May from 12pm to 3pm
Where: Kanpai, 21 Keyes Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg

Random Harvest Nursery

Looking for a quiet and charming garden setting? Random Harvest Nursery in Muldersdrift is a good choice. They’re serving a generous high tea experience crafted with fresh ingredients in a space surrounded by plants and birdlife (there are 166 species recorded at the nursery).

The venue is wheelchair-friendly, and do keep their range of indigenous plants in mind for a spontaneous gift. Kids can play in the sandpit and some of the many nature spaces to explore.

Cost: R220pp, book via email [email protected]

When: Sunday, 12 May, from 12pm
Where: Random Harvest Nursery, 57 College Road, Muldersdrift

The Thatch restaurant at Bothongo Rhino and Lion Reserve

Boma Restaurant at Rhino and Lion is going for a relaxed and family-friendly Mother’s Day celebration with all the familiar Sunday lunch favourites. Think slow-roasted leg of lamb, chicken drumsticks and braised beef with vegetable and salad options. All moms receive a complimentary self-drive game reviewing ticket as a gift.

Cost: R550pp for adults and R250pp for kids (under 5s eat for free), book via call on 011 957 0349, 011 957 0106, or 011 957 1019

When: Sunday, 12 May, from 12pm to 3:30pm
Where: Thatch Restaurant at Bothongo Rhino and Lion Reserve, Kromdraai Road Kromdraai, Krugersdorp

See more things to do on Mother’s Day in Johannesburg