Johannesburg Restaurants

Situated in the spacious grounds of a pre-war rooming house, Linger Longer stands among South Africa's top ten restaurants as rated by Wine Magazine. The elegant ambience and legendary culinary standards make this one of the country's longest surviving and favourite fine dining experiences, combining classic French fare with Eastern flavours. Famous signature dishes include appetizers such as Walter's Foie Gras; for main course the rack of lamb with rosemary, garlic and course-grain mustard is highly recommended; and the crepes filled with warm cream cheese, vanilla and brandied raisins is a particularly good dessert. Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday. Reservations recommended.

Address: 58 Wierda Road, Wierda Valley, Sandton; Tel: (011) 884 0465

For over 30 years an international clientele of celebrities, heads of state and royalty have flocked to Gramadoelas to sample the traditional South African and Cape cuisine. The menu has recently expanded to incorporate specialities from all over Africa and is one of the best spots to taste excellent dishes like Cape Malay-spiced bobotie, melktert and malva pudding, as well as experiencing recipes from Zanzibar, Morocco and Ethiopia. Game meat, such as cubed crocodile tail and ostrich steak, has long been served; the more adventurous can try the favourite dishes of Hillary Clinton and Nelson Mandela: mopani worms and mogodu (black tripe and wild African spinach stew), respectively. Closed Sunday. No lunch Mondays. Reservations recommended.

Address: Market Theatre Complex, Bree Street, Newtown; Tel: (011) 838 6960

This African-themed restaurant is spectacularly decorated with a mixture of modern and African design, and although spread over five floors, each one has a unique ambience with secluded alcoves, elevated galleries and atmospheric lighting. Moyo's is an experience, from the traditionally attired staff and perfumed finger bowls, to the exotic dishes, and the live African entertainment and music that keeps the place abuzz. The food is varied with dishes from around the continent that include fragrant North African stews, East African fish curries, huge Mozambique prawns, and unusual desserts like the sweet potato and chocolate pudding. There are also set menus served in large platters for the table to share. Service is outstanding, and booking well in advance is essential. Open daily until 12am.

Address: 5 Melrose Square, Melrose Arch; Tel: (011) 684 1477/8; E-mail: info@moyo.co.za

The food here is authentic and prepared in the home-style way by Tuscany brothers Federico and Fernandino, who use family recipes handed down from their mother and uncle, as well as a few newly created inspirations. Al Dente is popular for its ambience, the excellent food and the genial presence of Federico who is always close by to advise on the innovative specials of the day. The extensive menu has the usual pastas and pizzas, as well as the speciality rump steak, stuffed with garlic and rosemary and lightly roasted. Reservations are recommended. Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Friday, dinner only on Saturdays and lunch only on Sundays.

Address: 85 Grayston Drive, Sandton; Tel: (011) 783 9989; E-mail: aldente@aldente.za.net

This long-standing Provencal favourite serves excellent French traditional cooking served up by chef-owner Marc Guebert, who is the only member in Africa of the illustrious group of chefs from the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France. His speciality is soufflés, and to dine here without trying the Grand Marnier soufflé, his signature dessert, is a culinary faux pas. The dishes found at Ile de France are uniquely created and nothing similar will be found as good anywhere else in the city. The menu also includes a six-course tasting menu that is a treat. Closed Monday. No lunch Saturday. Booking is essential.

Address: Cramerview Centre, 227 Main Road, Bryanston; Tel: (011) 706 2837

The central feature of Carnivore Restaurant is a large open fire with over 50 converted Masai warrior spears holding a wide range of meats roasting over the flames. These include the usual pork, chicken, beef and lamb, as well as a minimum of five speciality game meats such as crocodile, zebra, impala, giraffe and ostrich. Waiters bring the spears from the fire to the table and carve succulent cuts of your choice directly onto your plate. The meat is served with six different salads, a variety of sauces, and a pot containing traditional 'pap and sauce' or baked potatoes. The set meal begins with the homemade soup of the day and freshly baked honey bread, and concludes with a choice of five different desserts and coffee. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Address: 69 Drift Boulevard, Muldersdrift; Tel: (011) 957 2099; E-mail: carnivore@rali.co.za

This trendy restaurant boasts a variety of delicious seafood as well as some excellent international cuisine. There are meat and vegetarian dishes, pastas and curries, along with famous speciality dishes like the Seafood Chowder, which is considered the best in the world. Another speciality is the Kingston Kebabs, consisting of skewered prawns wrapped in bacon and accompanied by a voodoo dip. A fresh oyster and sushi bar is also available for starters or light luncheons. The Montego Bay service is excellent.

Address: Shop 31, Nelson Mandela Square, Rivonia Road, Sandton; Tel: (011) 883 6407;

Johannesburg Airports

Johannesburg International (JNB)

Location: The airport is 14 miles (22km) east of Johannesburg. Time: GMT +2. Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)11 921 6262. Transfer to the city: An airport bus departs regularly to the city centre between 5.30am and 11pm. The journey takes 35 minutes and costs around R30. There is also a private minibus service available (R70), and taxis are freely available (R8 per km). Car rental: Car rental companies Avis, Budget, Imperial and Tempest are represented at the airport. Facilities: There are two banks available on the mezzanine level of Terminal 1, and an ATM in the Domestic Departure hall. A bureaux de change operates 24 hours on the ground floor of the International Arrivals hall. More ATMs can be found in terminals 4 and 6. There are bars in all the Departure and Arrivals halls, and numerous shops. A post office operates between 8am and 9pm. Departure tax: None.

Johannesburg Basics

Time: GMT +2.
Electricity: 230 volts, 50Hz. Round, three-pin plugs are standard.
Money: South Africa's currency is the Rand (ZAR), which is divided into 100 cents. Money can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and the larger hotels. ATMs are widely available (there is a daily limit for cash withdrawals) and major international credit cards are widely accepted, except in petrol stations where cash is required. Visitors should take care and be vigilant when drawing cash from ATMs as there is a high incidence of credit card fraud involving the use of ATMs. Travellers cheques and some foreign currencies are accepted at larger hotels and shops, but commission is charged, otherwise all commercial banks will exchange them. 

                                          Rates subject to change at any time

Language: South Africa has 11 official languages, including Afrikaans, English, Xhosa, Zulu and Sotho. English is widely spoken.
Entry requirements for Americans: United States passport holders need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days for business or touristic purposes.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British passport holders need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days if passport is endorsed British Citizen or British Overseas Territories citizen. Those whose passports state British National (Overseas) may stay up to 30 days without a visa. All others require a visa. Visa extensions are possible if applied for at least 30 days before expiry date, and cost ZAR425.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian passport holders need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australian passport holders need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans who hold dual nationality should note that they are required to enter and leave the country on their South African passports.
Passport/Visa Note: Passports must be valid for at least 30 days beyond the period of intended stay. An onward or return ticket is required, as well as sufficient funds and documents needed for further travel. Note that visitors to South Africa must have at least one free page in their passport for endorsements.
Embassy or Consulate in US: South African Embassy, Washington, United States: +1 202 232 4400
Embassy or Consulate in UK: South African Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7451 7299
Embassy or Consulate in Canada: South African High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 744 0330
Embassy or Consulate in Australia: South African High Commission, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 2424-7
US Embassy or Consulate: United States Embassy, Pretoria: +27 (0)12 342 1048
UK Embassy or Consulate: British High Commission, Pretoria: +27 (0)12 421 7733
Canadian Embassy or Consulate: Canadian High Commission, Pretoria: +27 (0)12 422 3000
Australian Embassy or Consulate: Australian High Commission, Pretoria: +27 (0)12 342 3740
Getting around: Johannesburg is a sprawling city and the lack of convenient and safe public transport is often an obstacle to visitors. City transport consists of an unreliable bus network and a series of minibus taxi routes, neither of which operate much after dark. The main bus terminus is at Ghandi Square in the city centre where there are timetables and route maps, but times are rarely accurate; alternatively a City Slicker sightseeing bus provides hop-on hop-off tours around the city in open-topped buses. The quickest and cheapest way to get around is on a minibus 'taxi', an informal bus service that goes everywhere but has no schedule or formal stops and can be picked up at taxi ranks or hailed anywhere along its route. However, dangerous driving, overcrowding and high crime rates at taxi ranks have deterred many from using them as a means of transport. If necessary use them for short hops only and never with baggage. Safer but far more expensive are metered taxis, which need to be booked in advance. The best way to get around is by private car and there is an excellent network of highways and well-maintained roads. There are a number of car rental agencies that require drivers to be over 23 years old and hold a full driving license. A passport and credit card are also necessary. Drivers should keep their windows up and doors locked at all times, never leave anything visible in a parked car, and never stop for hitchhikers. Be aware that there is a risk of car hijacking so remain alert, especially when leaving or returning to the car, and seek out secure parking.
Health: Travellers arriving in South Africa from infected areas require a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Otherwise no vaccinations are required. There is a malaria risk in the low-lying areas of the Northern Province and Mpumalanga (including the Kruger National Park) and northeastern Kwa-Zulu Natal, and precautions are advised when travelling to these areas. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Tap water is safe in urban areas but sterilisation is advisable elsewhere, as there are periodic outbreaks of cholera in the poor communities of rural South Africa, particularly in Northern KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces. Food poisoning is rare. Medical facilities in South Africa are good, but medical insurance is strongly advised as private hospitals expect cash upfront and public hospitals are best avoided.
Tipping: If a service charge is not included in the bill, waiters expect a tip of 10%. Tipping for services rendered is widely anticipated by porters, taxi drivers, golf caddies and petrol attendants. 'Car guards' operate in the city centres and tourist spots and will offer to look after your parked car; they are usually immigrants from neighbouring countries looking for work and will expect anything from R2 upwards on your return.
Safety: Visitors to South Africa should be aware of the country's high incidence of crime. Although this tends to be concentrated in pockets throughout the country, for example in the township areas, opportunistic crime is fairly widespread. Travellers should always be aware of these risks and exercise the necessary precautions. Doors should be locked when driving and one should not walk alone at night in city streets, isolated beaches or remote areas. Berea and Hillbrow in Johannesburg are high risk areas and visitors should be cautious in the area. There have been recent incidents on hikers walking on Table Mountain in Cape Town and visitors should avoid walking alone on the mountain. One should be vigilant when using ATMs and carrying valuables. It is worthwhile noting that the South African authorities do give high priority to the protection of tourists.
Communications: The international access code for South African is +27. The outgoing code is 09 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0944 for the United Kingdom). South Africa also has city codes. International phone cards cannot be used in South Africa. The country is served by three GSM mobile phone networks. Mobile service providers offer 'pay-as-you-go' Sim cards, which are a good option for visitors staying for some time. Internet cafes are widespread.
Duty free: Travellers to South Africa do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco; 2 litres wine and 1 litre spirits; perfume up to 50ml and 250ml eau de toilette; and other goods to the value of R3,000. All other goods brought in from abroad by residents of South Africa must be declared on arrival. These will be subject to import duties. For goods to be re-imported, travellers must complete a DA65 or NEP-form that is issued on departure. Prohibited items include meat and dairy products, all medication except for personal consumption, flick knives, ammunition, explosives and pornography containing minors and bestiality.

Johannesburg Climate and Weather

South Africa is a large country and has diverse climactic regions, but in general the weather is sunny and hot in the summer months (December to April), and mild during winter (May to November). Winters in the Cape are cold and wet, and snow falls on the mountain ranges here and in Natal. Gauteng and the northern areas experience thunderstorms regularly during evenings in the summer months, and winters are usually warm during the day and cold at night.