The African Voyager

Johannesburg, South Africa

Local cuisine: the must-eat dishes in Johannesburg

Southern Africa • Insider guides • Local cuisine: the must-eat dishes in Johannesburg

A flavorful journey through Johannesburg’s iconic dishes

Johannesburg is a city that tells its story through food. As the largest city in South Africa, it draws culinary influences from across the country and the world. The food blends indigenous African traditions with flavours introduced by Dutch, Malay, Indian and British settlers. This unique combination reflects the city’s multicultural identity. Johannesburg’s culinary culture also thrives on creativity. Traditional dishes are often reinterpreted in exciting ways, we loved that we could choose to enjoy the same traditional dish at a street market or at a fine-dining restaurant – that’s how diverse Johannesburg’s culinary scene is!

How does global influence shape Johannesburg’s culinary scene?

Johannesburg’s cuisine reflects its history as a migration and cultural exchange hub. Popular food influences include the Dutch-inspired milk tart, a creamy dessert with a cinnamon-dusted crust, while Indian workers brought samoosas, crispy pastries filled with spiced vegetables or meat. Cape Malay settlers contributed dishes like koeksisters – sweet, syrup-soaked dough twists.

Johannesburg’s cuisine also incorporates flavours from neighbouring African countries. You can find Mozambican peri-peri chicken, Nigerian jollof rice and Zimbabwean sadza,a thick, smooth porridge made from maize meal and water. Chefs in Johannesburg often fuse these global influences with local flavour to create innovative dishes that have now become part of Johannesburg’s identity.

What are the must-try traditional dishes in Johannesburg?

Johannesburg offers traditional dishes that reflect South Africa’s diverse heritage. Pap and chakalaka, a classic combination, is a must-try. Pap is a maize-based porridge that is a South African staple, while chakalaka is a spicy vegetable relish that adds flavour to any meal.

Bunny chow, a curry-filled loaf of bread originally from Durban, has also become a favourite in Johannesburg’s streets and restaurants.

Another iconic dish is bobotie, a Cape Malay creation made from spiced minced meat baked with an egg custard topping. This savoury-sweet dish is typically served with yellow rice and chutney.

Other local staples that you should try while visiting the city include boerewors (traditional sausage), mogodu (tripe stew) and samp and beans.

What iconic snacks should you try in Johannesburg?

Let’s just start by saying this – you can’t visit South Africa and not give biltong a try! Biltong, a dried and cured meat snack, is one of South Africa’s most loved snacks. Another snack that can also be enjoyed as a meal is vetkoek (or amagwinya), a deep-fried dough ball filled with either savoury or sweet fillings like minced beef, chicken or syrup.

Kota, a popular street snack in Johannesburg, is a type of sandwich made by hollowing out a loaf of bread and stuffing it with a combination of ingredients such as sausage, chips, fried egg and atchara (pickled vegetables).

What local beverages pair well with the local cuisine?

Rooibos, a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant, is a South African staple. It has a mild, naturally sweet flavour and is caffeine-free. In Johannesburg, you’ll find rooibos served hot or cold at cafes and restaurants, it pairs perfectly with sweet treats like koeksisters.

Amarula is an iconic South African liqueur made from the fruit of the marula tree and blended with cream to create a smooth, sweet drink. Amarula is often enjoyed as a digestif or mixed into cocktails. You can try it in a cocktail or over ice at many Johannesburg bars and restaurants or even paired with desserts like milk tart.

If you are adventurous try umqombothi, a traditional South African beer made from maize, millet and sorghum. It’s unfiltered, with a thick, creamy texture and a slightly sour taste. While not as commercialized as Western beers, it is a staple at traditional ceremonies and social gatherings.

How have contemporary influences impacted the traditional culinary scene in Johannesburg?

Johannesburg’s culinary evolution is a fascinating story of preserving heritage while embracing innovation. Traditionally, local dishes like pap, chakalaka and boerewors were staples of home cooking or shared in township street markets.

These meals, deeply rooted in South African culture, were prepared using simple, time-honoured methods. Street vendors, for instance, would braai (grill) boerewors over open flames or serve kota – a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with chips, sausage and sauces – wrapped in paper for a quick, affordable meal.

Today, these traditional foods have moved beyond their humble origins, taking center stage on restaurant menus across Johannesburg. Upscale eateries and fine-dining establishments have embraced these staples, infusing them with contemporary techniques and premium ingredients.

A dish like pap en vleis, once a home-cooked favorite, is now reimagined in gourmet settings with elements like braised lamb shank or a red wine reduction. Similarly, kota, once a street snack, is offered as a high-end version filled with gourmet ingredients.

Where to go try these must-eat dishes in Johannesburg?

Street food and casual eats

Vilakazi Street, Soweto

This iconic street is home to some of the best traditional street food. Try kota from vendors who have perfected this township classic. For a sit-down option, head to eateries like Sakhumzi Restaurant, where authentic local dishes like mogodu, chakalaka and dumplings are top choices.

Neighbourgoods Market

Located in Braamfontein, this market offers a variety of vendors that serve a little bit of everything, this is the go-to spot for vetkoek, bunny chow and koeksisters.

Maboneng Precinct

This neighbourhood is home to fantastic restaurants and street vendors that focus on traditional South African meals, we especially love Pata Pata – they serve all the African staples!

Restaurants and fine-dining

Marble

Situated in Rosebank, Marble is known for its open-fire cooking and elevated South African cuisine. They have an impressive indoor braai which they use to grill their traditional dishes like boerewors, which they serve with gourmet sides to give traditional meals a fine-dining twist.

DW Eleven-13

This fine-dining restaurant in Dunkeld West reimagines South African staples with inventive techniques. Their menu often features dishes like deconstructed milk tart and braised lamb, slow-cooked in a traditional cast iron pot and served with other traditional South African staples like pap.

Moyo

A local favourite spot for South African cuisine with an upscale twist. Their menu includes staples like pap and nyama choma (grilled meat) alongside live music and traditional performances.