Sunday Lunch in Johannesburg
Sunday lunch in Johannesburg, or in general for all South Africans, is an almost sacred family pastime that has been carried over for generations. Seven colour Sundays anyone?
There’s the roast meat – traditionally chicken or beef, but these days you’ll usually get a few different options – and an assortment of colourful vegetable sides and salads. And let’s not forget the pudding (dessert). There’s just something particularly excellent about eating it all on a Sunday with the family or loved ones.
So, where to find some wholesome Sunday lunch in Johannesburg? From beautiful restaurants and child-friendly spots, we list them all below.
Qunu at The Saxon Hotel
The Saxon in Sandhurst is known for the delicious and decadent brunch served in Qunu Restaurant on Sundays. Their brunch experience begins with a glass of bubbly served in the comfort of the Piano Lounge before being guided through to the restaurant where you can choose a number of dishes and treats from the platters and starters portion of the brunch menu, served to your table.
For mains and dessert, the chefs have put together a range of dishes including a classic Sunday roast complete with Yorkshire pudding and gravy, Tamarind glazed duck leg, and other creative options. Complete your brunch with a dark chocolate mousse served with cherry compote or a baked lemon tart with naartjie frozen yoghurt among others.
It’s worth mentioning that the kitchen builds most of the menu dishes around organic produce from the hotel’s sustainable food garden on the property.
Cost: R975pp, book online
When: Every Sunday from 11:30am to 2pm
Where: The Saxon Hotel, 36 Saxon Rd, Sandhurst, Johannesburg
Website: saxon.co.za | Email: reservations@saxon.co.za | Tel: 087 375 7777
Flames Restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff
Make the most of Sunday lunch in Johannesburg with stunning views from Westcliff at Flames Restaurant. The chef’s team is hosting a lavish buffet brunch experience with all the trimmings.
Build your own cheese and charcuterie platter, try fresh West Coast oysters, or head to the live sushi station for your fill of rolled mini bites.
The ‘Chef’s Playground’ is a special menu that changes on a weekly basis. Here you can dine on seasonal salads, bruschetta and carpaccio to start, and parfaits bursting with colour and flavour. For desserts, there’s an assortment of showstopping petits fours, cakes and confectionery.
Cost: R850pp for adults, R595pp for kids aged 6 to 12yrs. Book via Dineplan
When: Every Sunday, from 11:30am to 3pm
Where: Four Seasons Hotel, The Westcliff, 67 Jan Smuts Ave, Westcliff, Johannesburg
Website: westclifflife.co.za | Email: reservations.johannesburg@fourseasons.com | Tel: 011 481 6000
Chiefs Boma at Indaba Hotel
The 300-seater Chief’s Boma African Dining Experience Restaurant caters for all tastes and brings the flavours of Africa straight to your table. The cuisine is truly African from the North African Moroccan dishes to koeksisters and melktert from the Cape. With over 120 dishes available, everyone will find their favourite.
The Boma also does a Shisa Nyama grill where chefs prepare your preferred cut of meat, carefully selected by our on-premises butcher, to your specifications. Enjoy sundowners or craft beer on the deck overlooking the Boma Dam before sitting down to enjoy your meal to the sounds of the Resident African Marimba Band – and when all is done, enjoy a glass of red wine or roast a marshmallow over Boma Fire.
Cost: R695pp per adult; Children 0 – 2 years eat for free and 3 – 5 years pay R100pp; 6 – 12 years pay R235pp. Book via indaba@indabahotel.co.za
When: Lunch service from 12pm to 2:30pm weekly, and 12pm to 3pm on weekends. Dinner service from 6pm to 10pm
Where: Chiefs Boma Restaurant at Indaba Hotel, cnr. William Nicol & Pieter Wenning Road, Fourways, Johannesburg
Website: indabahotel.co.za | Email: indaba@indabahotel.co.za | Tel: 011 840 6600
Sanctuary Mandela
Please note the restaurant and Sunday Jazz Lunch are temporarily closed. The hotel however is still open for bookings
Add a smooth, jazzy twist to your Sundays at Sanctuary Mandela in Houghton. This boutique hotel in Johannesburg hosts weekly live jazz performances while guests indulge in delicious cuisine.
Sanctuary Mandela celebrates the life of the iconic freedom fighter, peacemaker, statesman, and father of the South African nation, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Guests who visit or stay at the hotel immerse themselves in the spirit of a leader known to the world as Madiba.
Their lunch set menu is a sharply curated list of dishes inspired by Nelson Mandela’s favourites. The experience starts with a glass of bubbles before tucking into dishes such as Springbok Carpaccio with malted onion puree and grilled asparagus salad, classic beef roast with onion puree and red wine jus, rich chicken thighs cooked slowly in a North African tagine with dried apricots, and seasonal mango sorbet with hints of pineapple and coconut. Advance booking is essential.
Cost: R600pp, includes a complimentary glass of bubbles and a 3-course lunch. Book via info@sanctuarymandela.com or call
When: Every Sunday, from 12pm to 3pm
Where: Sanctuary Mandela, 4 13th Ave, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg
Website: sanctuarymandela.com | Email: info@sanctuarymandela.com | Tel: 010 035 0368
Toadbury Hall
The team at Toadbury Hall Country Hotel have been known to serve up some of the best Sunday carvery in Johannesburg. Hit up this beautiful country escape for a plate of succulent roast meat of your choice, smothered in gravy, served with classy yet tasty sides and something sweet for afterwards. They only host the experience once a month, so bookings are highly recommended.
Cost: R395pp per adult and R195pp per child under 12. Book via enquiries@toadbury.co.za or call
When: First Sunday of the month, from 12pm
Where: Toadbury Hall Country Hotel, Plot 64 Beyers Naude Ext, Lanseria, Krugersdorp
Website: toadbury.co.za | Email: enquiries@toadbury.co.za | Tel: 010 593 7523
Leafy Greens Cafe at Casalinga Farm
Vegans and vegetarians, Leafy Greens Cafe at Casalinga Farm hosts a Sunday buffet every First Sunday of the month. You can look forward to a range of fully plant-based dishes and desserts. This wholefood restaurant in Johannesburg 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.
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: Every First Sunday of the month, from 10am to 4pm
Where: Casalinga Farm, Plot 328, Rocky Ridge Rd, Beyers Naude Dr. Muldersdrift
Website: leafygreens.co.za | Email: mytable@leafygreens.co.za | Tel: 010 595 4563
Budmarsh Country Lodge
Elevate your Sunday roast with Budmarsh Country Lodge’s weekly seasonal feast that’s worth the drive out to Magaliesburg. Indulge in a four-course plated meal that features a choice of soup, starters, a slice of white or red roast meat, roast vegetables and a stunning dessert to top it all off. For a further touch of elegance at this charming country escape, leaf through their wine list to pair with lunch.
Cost: R350pp, book via email or call
When: Every Sunday from 12pm to 2pm
Where: T1 Magalies Meander Road, R96, Magaliesburg
Website: budmarsh.co.za | Email: enquiries@budmarsh.co.za | Tel: 083 610 1214
Nyama Choma Restaurant at Lesedi Cultural Village
Sunday Lunch in Johannesburg isn’t just a weekend treat at one of the city’s most popular cultural spots. You can tuck into hearty and homely African cuisine every day of the week at the charming Nyama Choma at Lesedi Cultural Village in Lanseria. They take guests on a culinary journey from South Africa right up to the North of the continent with a wide range of buffet-style dishes. Think Kalahari lamb, Mozambican fish, and vegetable sides cooked in a myriad of ways.
Cost: R230pp. Book via call or email
When: Daily from 1:30pm to 3pm; and 6:30pm to 8pm
Where: Lesedi Cultural Village, Kalkheuwel Broederstroom, R512, Lanseria, Johannesburg
Website: lesedi.com | Email: cro@aha.co.za | Tel: 011 840 6600
Kloofzicht Lodge and Spa
If you’re a fan of nature views, head to Kloofzicht Hotel and Spa out in the beautiful part of Muldersdrift every Sunday from 12pm. Enjoy amazing food and spectacular views of the trout dams at the foot of the Zwartkop Mountains. Their lunch spread includes a wide selection of cold starters, a carvery, main course dishes from the buffet and 15 tasty desserts.
Stick around for a nature hike before or after your dinner at the property’s hiking trail. Not that the hiking fee is R100pp over and above.
Cost: R340pp, book via email or call
When: Every Sunday from 12pm
Where: Kromdraai Rd, Muldersdrift, Krugersdorp
Website: guvonhotels.co.za | Email: pro@kloofzicht.co.za | Tel: 011 317 0600
