Best of Johannesburg
The best pap, mogodu and stews in Johannesburg
Start with Sakhumzi Restaurant in Orlando West, Soweto for the buffet and mogodu, Wandie's Place in Dube, Soweto for the buffet: mogodu, ting, pap, umqushu, chakalaka and Tshilis in Noordwyk, Midrand for mogodu, skopo or masonja with pap or samp. Here are all 5, with what to get at each.
- Sakhumzi RestaurantOrlando West, Soweto · classic
Get: The buffet and mogodu
A Vilakazi Street fixture, with a Zoo Lake branch.
- Wandie's PlaceDube, Soweto
Get: The buffet: mogodu, ting, pap, umqushu, chakalaka
A tour-route classic known to visitors.
- TshilisNoordwyk, Midrand
Get: Mogodu, skopo or masonja with pap or samp
Traditional dishes with African spices.
- The Hot Pot KitchenMidrand
Get: Township and indigenous-ingredient plates
A family-run food truck founded by TK and Pablo Tshiololi, named in Time Out's street food coverage.
- Insights RestaurantHoughton Estate
Get: Oxtail samosa
Serves dishes Mandela favoured at his former home.
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Where is the best pap, mogodu and stews in Johannesburg?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Sakhumzi Restaurant (Orlando West, Soweto), Wandie's Place (Dube, Soweto) and Tshilis (Noordwyk, Midrand). All 5 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Sakhumzi Restaurant, get the buffet and mogodu. At Wandie's Place, get the buffet: mogodu, ting, pap, umqushu, chakalaka. At Tshilis, get mogodu, skopo or masonja with pap or samp. At The Hot Pot Kitchen, get township and indigenous-ingredient plates.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for Johannesburg: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
More in Johannesburg
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.