Summer is here! It’s the perfect time to be out and about. Here are some great local hotspots you can visit whether you’re keen for a quick drink, a fun night out with your friends, a fine-dining experience or just a lovely Saturday brunch outing. 

Western Cape

Perfect for: Fine dining 

FYN Restaurant 

Dining at FYN Restaurant in Cape Town’s city centre is a culinary experience like no other. This food marvel was recently ranked at number 37 on the World Top 50 list of restaurants. The restaurant uses Japanese cooking techniques to prepare South African indigenous fynbos ingredients. FYN was opened in 2018 by chef Peter Tempelhoff and his partners Jennifer Hugé and Ashley Moss and has been on the radar ever since. The menu consists of five-course kaiseki-style menus for lunch and dinner. Those with specific dietary requirements are considered as well, with plant-based and pescatarian menus on offer. The dinner menu is more in demand, but if you go for lunch, you are rewarded with beautiful views of Lion’s Head and Table Mountain. FYN Restaurant offers food and service any foodie should be excited about. 

 

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Perfect for: A delicious brunch spot 

Pyjamas + Jam 

Pyjamas and Jam is a fantastic hidden gem in Somerset-West in the Helderberg valley (about 50 km from Cape Town). If you are looking for a laid-back, scrumptious brunch on a Saturday morning, this is your spot.  

This charming and trendy eatery offers hearty food, good music, great coffee, eclectic décor, treasured antiques and a buzzing vibe – the perfect combination for any escape from busy city life. The menu includes breakfast, lunch and drinks, and good news – breakfast is served till 16:00, so no need to rush out of bed for the delicious poached egg green toast or chicken livers and mosbolletjies. 

 

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Gauteng

Perfect for: A chic lunch outing 

GRK by Ethos 

Do you have a craving for Greek street food? Look no further – GRK by Ethos in Sandton will hit the spot. The Greek eatery opened in July and has been a local favourite, featuring Greek showstoppers like vaflaki and gyro. The gyro is made from a selection of thinly sliced meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie and served wrapped in pita bread. With a selection of meats ranging from chicken to lamb, and four different types of imported Greek pita bread – carob, corn, choriatiki and wholegrain – there is a gyro for everyone! This relaxed space is well worth the outing for both the food and the chic setting. 

 

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Perfect for: Drinks and dinner with friends 

Ukkō Restaurant 

Ukkō restaurant situated in Bryanston, Sandton is one of Jozi’s chicest hot spots right now. The Mediterranean–Asian restaurant specialises in tapas and small plates, ideal for sharing, and is the perfect meeting place for young professionals looking for a fun dinner and drinks over the weekend. Ukkō’s signature sushi is a menu highlight, especially the Ukkō roll with salmon, chives, avo and chilli. The décor and the buzzing vibe are any avid Instagrammer’s dream, so get dressed in your weekend’s best and enjoy a night out with your friends while you eat, sip, and snap the beautiful dishes and colourful cocktails. 

 

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Durban 

Perfect for: A coffee date 

Bard & Minstrel (Umhlanga) 

In the picturesque coastal town of Umhlanga in Durban, you’ll find this French brasserie-inspired café. Bard & Minstrel is ideal for a quiet coffee date, a catch-up with a friend or after-work drinks. The café serves small dishes and is the perfect spot to blow off some steam with friends as they serve the finest quality cocktails and Champagne. A great addition to the café is access to their contemporary library of Assouline coffee table books. Enjoy light meals such as the salmon tartare and a variety of delicious and eclectic sandwiches. 

 

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The post Local hot spots to keep on your radar appeared first on MyKitchen.

Johannesburg remains a flourishing modern metropolis on the African continent. The world-class city plays a major role in the country’s economy and has cemented itself as a thriving cultural and financial hub. Despite being a major player in the African economy, Johannesburg has evolved into a bustling city which celebrates African culture in the most incredible way. In fact, the city has developed a thriving foodie culture which shines a light on the many different cultures and people the city houses. Jacaranda FM’s breakfast host Martin Bester, a massive foodie himself, continues to be amazed by the incredible mix of flavours, aromas and ingredients used in foods around the city and shares five local foodie hotspots you need to visit when you’re in Jozi next.

Taste of Punjab

The Taste Of Punjab in Sunninghill is my favourite North Indian restaurant. When I lived in Sunninghill, I would eat their food at least twice a week – that’s how good the food is there. The restaurant serves some of the most authentic North Indian cuisines and celebrates how important Indian cuisine is to our South African culture. I highly recommend the Palak Paneer, Tandoori Mushrooms and vegetable samosas when visiting. You won’t regret it!

The Brian Lara Rum Eatery

The artsy suburb of Linden has certainly made a name for itself as one of the most unique and diverse foodie destinations in Johannesburg, and the Brian Lara Rum Eatery certainly lives up to the hype. I love going there on a Friday or Saturday afternoon. It has a great vibe, lekker food and offers those visiting something different. I also love that there was a vinyl record shop across the road. I would often visit after my meal to buy some tunes.

Signature

The Signature brand has done incredible things in the fine-dining space that their Morningside branch is my go-to restaurant when I want a more elegant evening out. While their food is remarkable, I love the fact that they would have a great singer and pianist as entertainment for patrons to enjoy while dining. I’ve eaten some of my favourite fine-dining meals there and would highly recommend a visit to anyone wanting to add a little romance to their evening.

The Marabi Club

This venue in Maboneng is definitely a must-visit! What a surprise when those big doors swing open! The club is known for its food, and I love that your dining experience is accompanied by fine live jazz performances that highlight some of the exceptional performers we have in the city. Every visit to The Marabi Club is an experience – and one they have perfected elegantly.

La Boqueria

This Hispanic-style restaurant in Parktown North has become a popular destination for foodies since it opened its doors, and one visit highlights why. The restaurant offers a delicious selection of food from Mexico and Peru and their beautiful décor helps diners embark on a unique culinary adventure. If you have a look at their amazing Cocktail menu, you’ll find our very own ‘Breakfast with Martin Bester’ cocktail! Give it a try, it will surprise you!

Chef, cookbook author, Zanele van Zyl is here to inspire you to cook better, eat better and create beautiful food such as this amazing chicken wrap.

The post Martin Bester’s Top Five Foodie Hotspots In Jozi appeared first on MyKitchen.