Rosebank, Johannesburg is known for its vibrant culinary scene, offering a wide array of dining options to suit every palate. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor exploring the area, Rosebank has no shortage of fantastic restaurants to choose from.
ROSEBANK is one of Johannesburg’s most sought after suburbs . . . there’s so much happening right now , it is growing so fast and there’s been so many changes in the last couple of years.
And when it comes to entertainment, accommodation, where to eat and drink, there has been a lot of development in the last couple years, and now, it is thee place to be. For foodies, it is really a haven, and you re totally spoilt for choice.
The dining scene and experiences that you can get from Rosebank, is right there with some of the very best in the world. Yes, in the world.
If you are thinking about dining in Rosebank, and you are looking for great restaurants to try out, you can start right here. When it comes to Rosebank, there are restaurants at the Zone, the Firs and at the Keyes Art Mile complex on Keyes Avenue.
I already have my favourites, like Mamasamba, Marble and Ethos, to name just a few. Would love to try more and find even more that I love, but for now, let’s get right into it.
Disclaimer: The restaurants are in random order, not position.
Best Restaurants in Rosebank
1. Ethos
Ethos is a “reimagined culinary experience inspired by the Mediterranean”.
Ethos has one of the best interiors when it comes to restaurant standards. It is incredibly well decorated, and their food is the delicious taste that you expect from a restaurant of that calibre.
From their starters livers, oysters and octopus to their delicious pastas to their delicious grills, Ethos always delivers a great dining experience.
Their outside seating area is their large terrace that their patrons love.
2. Marble
Marble is a rooftop grill restaurant, with stunning décor and artworks, it is an impressive restaurant that serves dishes that you will be talking about way after you have enjoyed the meal.
If you are looking for an upmarket dining experience in Rosebank, with impressive cocktails to top it up, then this is the spot to check out.
It’s impossible to talk about Marble Restaurant without mentioning their impressive bar or the live fire grill with the spectacular flames . . . it really adds on to the amazing experience. They don’t only cook the meat on fire, they do it for fish, poultry, vegetables and breads.
They have a rooftop balcony for their outdoor seating area, giving patrons an amazing view while they eat.
Dining Options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Location: Trumpet on Keyes, Corner Keyes and Jellicoe Avenue, Rosebank
Website: Marble Restaurant
3. Mamasamba
Mamasamba is kind of the new kid on the block, having opened late in 2022. It’s a super beautiful double story eatery with a lot of greens, and a beautifully designed upper level bar.
The food is great, and their menu is Central and Latin American inspired, so you can expect bright, flavourful and dishes that are also exciting. They have a good variety of dishes from your chargrilled octopus to Rib Eye Asado to Mexican beef ribs , Baby grilled chicken, Linefish, Grilled Prawns and more. We definitely cannot talk about Mamasamba without talking about the spiral staircase, which takes one to the cocktail bar and the jungle terrace . . .the vibes there are insane!
Image: Proud Mary
4. Proud Mary
Proud Mary is one of Rosebank’s most popular restaurants, a modern eatery and wine bar, with an extensive menu that celebrates cuisines from the world over. This modern eatery has one of the most delicious breakfast menus, not to mention their ‘seafood raw bar’ which has everything seafood lovers love including oysters, ceviche and sashimi, picanha steaks and of course salads.
The terrace is the perfect spot to enjoy the delicious food, and take in the beautiful weather when Joburg decides to behave. The atmosphere is superb, just as their service.
Read more: Best Restaurants in Hazelwood
5. La Parada
Then comes La Parada, a stunning Spanish tapas bar, and according to them, “every dish is a labour of love”. They serve small plates (which we love) and delicious cocktails, perfect for pairing with delicious food.
The vibe is amazing, even more amazing on the weekend because of the live entertainment that they have going. This is the perfect spot for a night out with your partner or with friends.
The outdoor seating is at the Piazza.
6. Fugazzi Rosebank
Fugazzi is the new kid on the block, when it comes to the culinary scene in Rosebank. The new eatery brings a taste of New York-Italian dining, right Fugazzi is the brain child of the owners of Proud Mary and Mamasamba, and that already says a lot in terms of the standard of what we can expect, and yep, it doesn’t disappoint. Here, you can expect delicious pizzas, great pasta dishes, and Italian dish classics. Their mac and cheese is said to be out of this world.
7. Fishmonger Rosebank
Fishmonger in Rosebank is a great spot for the freshest seafood . . . they serve some of the best Mozambique prawns, Salmon Fillet, Kingklip Fillet with Lemon Butter Sauce and Steamed Veggies.
The ambience of the restaurant is intimate, relaxed and cosy, and patrons have the option to sit indoors or outdoors. Their service is also top notch, so definitely a great spot for an awesome dining experience.
Image: blackline.ae
8. Mythos Rosebank
Mythos Rosebank is the spot for authentic and sumptuous Greek cuisine, their signature Kleftiko lamb is just out of this world. “Best Greek food in Joburg! The service is incredible, staff is so attentive & the quality of food is unbeatable!” is how one patron described their dining experience. We also love how they have specials every week, making their food super affordable.
Read More: Mamasamba Restaurant & bar in Rosebank
9. Momo Eatery XO
Momo XO Eatery gives you the taste of Taiwanese street food right here in Joburg. The dishes from this restaurant include Chinese, Korean and Japanese influences. Momo XO Eatery at the Zone is the spot to be for sushi lovers.
When dining there, you can sit inside or, sit outside on the small terrace.
One thing to keep in mind, they do not serve alcohol. If you like your food with an alcoholic drink, you are free to take your own., and no corkage fee.
10. Tashas
Tashas is one of most famous restaurants in Rosebank, and the many other branches. Owner Natasha Sideris created something that food lovers enjoy, with delicious food and great portions in mind.
And people love the vibe and ambiance. Their outdoor sitting area is great, a great spot to enjoy your food, and the bustle of some parts of Rosebank.
The restaurant is spacious and clean, and and with summer around the corner, sitting outside is going to be popular again.
It can be a little pricey.
11. Soul Souvlaki
Soul Souvlaki is all about delicious Greek inspired street food.
We love the concept of Soul Souvlski . . . a repurposed shipping container with a rooftop deck.
Their lamb or chicken souvlaki that comes with Italian parsley, red onion, rocket, tomato, chilli served with tzatziki rolled in a toasted pita bread tastes amazing. But then again, their food is very tasty, so you definitely try out their other offerings.
Their outdoor seating area is the rooftop and the garden courtyard.
Image: The Shortmarket Club
12. The Shortmarket Club
The Shortmarket Club is an “upmarket European style brasserie serving delicious modern European food with Asian influences”.
We love the fine dining in small plates, and their seafood platters are super delicious. It makes for a great dining experience, and the outdoor seating space is the terrace.
“Unreal experience!!! Staff, food, pairing, atmosphere, EVERYTHING just awesome!!! They made a birthday so so special!!! Can’t wait for our next visit!!!” said one patron who clearly had an amazing time there.
13. Lexi’s Healthy Eatery
Lexi’s Healthy Eatery is more of a vegan-vegetarian cafe, and those who love plant foods love Lexi’s.
The interior is a little different to the norm, it is filled with pot plants, plant walls and lush indoor shrubbery. And the menu, is just as great.
You can expect unique flavours and their mains include ‘the Italian stallion’ which is roasted aubergine on crispy polenta with roasted tomatoes, almond ricotta, broccoli and basil pesto. They also have different vegetarian burgers for you to choose from.
Their outside seating, is on the terrace.
14. Doppio Zero
Doppio Zero serves great food, and this branch in Rosebank has a better vibe than most of the other ones, especially because of the terrace on the piazza.
The restaurant benefitted from the interior upgrades that it got back in 2021, and the Jazz Room upstairs is a haven for music lovers.
Their dishes taste great, and with their affordable prices and great portions, it’s a great spot to dine.
Their outdoor seating area is the Piazza.
15. The Test Kitchen Carbon
The Test Kitchen Carbon Restaurant offers a different kind of fine dining.
Here, you can indulge in a 3+ hour eight course tasting menu with great local wine pairing. . . these decadent multi course dinners come highly recommended.
They are also highly popular, so make sure you make a booking. Sundays are strictly a tapas menu. With an outstanding wine cellar, and one of the best Sommeliers in South Africa, the wine pairings are incredible.
Their outdoor seating is on a small terrace.
This restaurant has CLOSED.
16. Clico Restaurant
Delicious cuisine awaits you, if you choose to dine at Clico Restaurant which is inside the Clico Boutique Hotel.
It is a fine dining destination, that makes for a great intimate dinner, complete with low lighting.
Their outdoor seating area is their garden courtyard.
Location: 27 Sturdee Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196
Website: Clico Restaurant
17. Chunky Chau
Chunky Chau is a Pan-Asian fusion restaurant and bar, and you can expect Thai, Korean, Chinese and Japanese dishes influences.
Their dishes are good, from their pickled Vietnamese crystal prawn rolls, to their Korean beef burger to their sushi.
Their outdoor seating area is at the Piazza.
18. The Grillhouse and Katzy’s
This grill house is a great dining choice. From their South African beef steaks, to their ribs, their dishes are excellent, and so is their service.
What we love more about this dining spot is their private dining rooms, that come highly recommended, especially if you have something special to celebrate.
Make sure you make a booking, to avoid disappointment.
19. Momo Kuro
Momo Kuro is a casual, modern eatery and it has a stunning rooftop terrace for you to enjoy.
Their menu is bite-sized Asian asian flavours like baos and dim sum. You can take your own alcohol, while they are still unlicensed.
Their outdoor seating area is the rooftop balcony.
20. QBar by Quoin Rock
QBar by Quoin Rock is an upmarket bar set apart from the rest, a wine bar that brings the Cape Winelands all the way to Johannesburg.
This bar and the menu are set out so as to compliment the exclusive wine that is served, giving patrons tasting of limited releases you cannot be found anywhere else. This is what the sets this bar apart from the rest.
The personal sommelier service that is rendered by Quoin Rock sommeliers that relocated from Stellenbosch, makes this experience pretty amazing for wine lovers.
21. Omen Bar
Omen bar in Rosebank is the spot for where the vibe, the food and the cocktails all come together to give patrons an amazing experience.
They also have great service, and great sushi.
As one patron put it, “Dope scenery, amazing ambience, great sushi and the cocktails are awesome ”
22. Radisson Red Rooftop Bar
The rooftop bar at Radisson Red is coolest place to enjoy cocktails, and with summer around the corner, many will be choosing it as the spot of choice for enjoying beautiful views of Rosebank and more.
They have new menu items for patrons to enjoy, that include the popular mogodu, pork trotters, and grill platters.
Dining options: Dine in
Location: 4 Parks Boulevard, Oxford Parks, Dunkeld, Johannesburg
Rosebank is a vibrant place, one of the central places when it comes to culinary experiences in Johannesburg. To us, a great restaurant is a spot with amazing food, great aesthetics and great ambiance, we truly could never rerist a place that has all these 3 things.
This curated list of 23 restaurants that you can try is meant to give you options, so you can try as many restaurants that you can, should you choose to.
What is your favourite place to enjoy a meal in Rosebank? let us know on the comments below.
