Old-school favorites in Johannesburg

Family places, counters and bakeries that have fed the neighborhood for years, with what to order at each.

12 places in Johannesburg · by Chef Amazing · updated October 20, 2026
Photo: Wasiul Bahar, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

1. 1

   Tshilis

   Noordwyk, Midrand

   Order: Mogodu, skopo or masonja with pap or samp

   417 Monica's Place, Noordwyk, Midrand · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
2. 2

   Dosa Hut

   South Indian · Fordsburg

   Order: Masala dosa

   Quail Street, 2062 Randburg · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
3. 3

   Chaf Pozi

   South African braai · Orlando Towers, Soweto

   Order: Braaied meat with pap and cold drinks

   Kingsley Sithole Street, 2001 Johannesburg · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
4. 4

   Curry & All

   Morningside, Sandton

   Order: The vegetarian bunny with beans

   4 Hill Rd, Morningside, Sandton, 2057, South Africa · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
5. 5

   Akhalwaya's

   Indian, bunny chow · Fordsburg

   Order: Steak sandwiches, burgers and dagwoods; the samoosas

   80 Central Road, Fordsburg, Johannesburg · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
6. 6

   Bedford Bunny

   Lenasia South

   Order: The mutton bunny, eaten with the bones

   Duxmed Centre, 2852 Sheffield Rd, Lenasia South, Johannesburg, 1829, South Africa · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
7. 7

   De Baba Eatery

   Melville

   Order: Almond croissant

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
8. 8

   Wandie's Place

   South African · Dube, Soweto

   Order: The traditional buffet: dumplings, mogodu, ting, pap, umqushu and chakalaka

   618 Makhalemele Street, Dube Village, Soweto, 1801, Johannesburg · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
9. 9

   Amanda's Fast Food

   Naturena, Soweto

   Order: R14 starter kota with chips, polony, achaar and special sauce; a fully loaded one is R45

   Map · Add to Chef Amazing
10. 10

    Ntsitsis FUN Foods

    Diepkloof, Soweto

    Order: Kota with your choice of fillings and sauces

    Map · Add to Chef Amazing
11. 11

    Kota King Roadhouse

    Protea Glen, Soweto

    Get: A loaded kota with Russian, cheese, egg and atchar

    Order: The King Feast Kota with rump steak and signature sauces

    Also on the list: The best kota in Johannesburg.

    13942 Belhambra Crescent, Protea Glen, Soweto · Map · Add to Chef Amazing
12. 12

    Sakhumzi Restaurant

    South African · Orlando West, Soweto (Vilakazi Street)

    Order: The buffet with mogodu (tripe) and braaied meats

    6980 Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, Soweto · Map · Add to Chef Amazing