Johannesburg has plenty to offer in terms of entertainment and shopping, but what’s on offer for epicurean travellers? Daniella Di Gaspero rounds up some of the most unique dining experiences on offer.

1. Moyo Melrose Arch

Moyo restaurant in Melrose Arch shopping centre, Sandton, offers diners a unique African dining experience. This 350-seater, four-level modern restaurant is inspired by African tradition.

Along with the urban-styled menu, Moyo entertains guest with live music and Jazz Sundays.

While dining, guests can choose to have their face painted by one of the restaurant’s artists and can listen to the music of traditional African instruments.

Moyo Melrose Arch is also suited to host corporate events, in their private function rooms: the Blue Room and Rock Room. Function rooms have two bar areas and can be transformed into a nightclub environment, offering live entertainment on the built-in stage.

 2. oneNINEone Restaurant

oneNINEone Restaurant, at the Hyatt Regency in Johannesburg, is a stylish, modern restaurant that captures the cosmopolitan setting and essence of the city.

The eclectic menu offers diners a variety of cuisine, inspired from all over the world, with a unique South African flair.

The restaurant has a light and welcoming feel, with an open-plan kitchen in the centre. Guests can also choose to dine in the hotel’s garden.

Chef Andrew Atkinson, who oversees all food in the hotel, comments: “My approach to food is always the same - keep food tasty and appealing, no matter what area of the hotel it’s in.”

“We need to stay current, fresh and relevant and are always striving to improve and innovate,” says Rolf Heusing, Food & Beverage Director. “We want to make use of local distributors and suppliers and be trend-setters in this regard.”

3. The Lotus Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar

The Lotus Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar, located within the Tradewinds Terrace at the Hilton Sandton, offers diners an innovative and interactive dining experience, with a difference.  Diners can interact directly with the sushi chef and watch popular sushi dishes being created in front of them at the sushi bar. 

This restaurant is a great option for an intimate get together with friends or a quality corporate team-building experience. On a Friday night, diners can partake in ‘Sushi School’ where they can learn the art of making their own sushi.

Bookings for the Lotus Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar are essential.

4. African Pride Hotel

African Pride Hotel in Melrose Arch shopping centre, Sandton, offers guests a fine dining experience and a unique spot to have a cocktail with your feet in the pool.

African Pride Hotel offers three dining venues: the March Restaurant, the Library Bar and the Pool Bar.

Guests at the restaurant can enjoy a fine dining, gastronomic menu designed by Executive Chef, Hanroe Erasmus. The menu showcases natural ingredients with an African-style. The restaurant has four private dining areas, which can seat up to eight guests. The private dining areas are suited for intimate dinners and week-day business meetings.

For a lighter lunch or for cocktail hour, guests can experience the unique Pool Bar. Featuring tables immersed in a shallow pool, guests can kick off their shoes and dine al fresco in the hotel’s Alice in Wonderland-inspired gardens.

5. District Six

District Six restaurant in Emmarentia, Johannesburg echoes the iconic Distric Six area in Cape Town. This unique restaurant celebrates Cape Malay cuisine, but from the City of Gold. Grace Fourie is the restaurant’s owner, chef and waitress. The restaurant is decorated with hurricane lanterns, panama hats, family portraits and jazzy carnival costumes. Renowned dishes on the menu include Fourie’s Samoosas, Oxtail in Pumpkin, Lamb Curry, Bobotie, Smoorsnoek and Tomato Lamb Bredie. Guests from Johannesburg will experience true Capetonian culture while visitors from Cape Town will be able to experience a little touch of home.