Johannesburg · South Africa
The Johannesburg food cheat sheet
One page from Chef Amazing · November 2026
The dish to eat
A quarter loaf of white bread hollowed out and stuffed with fries, polony, Russian sausage, cheese, egg and atchar.
Best at Kota King Roadhouse, Protea Glen, Soweto. Get: A loaded kota with Russian, cheese, egg and atchar
Five places, and what to order
- Amanda's Fast Foodstreet-food · Naturena, SowetoGet: A R14 starter kota with chips, polony, achaar and special sauce; a fully loaded one is R45
- Ntsitsis FUN Foodsstreet-food · Diepkloof, SowetoGet: Kota with your choice of fillings and sauces
- Chaf Poziclassic · Orlando Towers, SowetoGet: Braaied meat with pap and cold drinks
- Ballito Bunnyfor bunny chow · Honeydew, RoodepoortGet: Durban-style bunny
- Kwa Lichabafor shisa nyama braai · Orlando West, SowetoGet: Braai meats with traditional sides
The market
Food hall. Oysters, gourmet burgers, craft beer, rooftop bar
The line worth it
SakhumziVilakazi Street, Soweto
Get: The buffet of South African dishes
Expect: Weekend crowds. Beat it: Go on a weekday.
In season this November
Bryanston moonlit evening market · Fordsburg Square night market street food · First Sunday at Victoria Yards
How it works here
Tip: Leave 10-15%; also tip the car guards a few rand.
Book: Book the top tables weeks out; markets and casual spots are walk-in.
When locals eat: Lunch 12:30-2:30pm, dinner 7-9pm.