Eat Out

PRETORIA

Upper Crust

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class

AFRICAN

1855

BEST FOR Affordable South African cuisine. FOOD This is an easy diner-style eatery with a distinct South African theme, celebrating the establishment of Pretoria in 1855. Breakfast offerings include putu pap with biltong, or eggs Benedict with salmon. The bobotie jaffles with sweet caramel pumpkin fritters and chips is a must-try. The peanut-butter chicken salad or the biltong salad are both heavenly. For dessert, the deconstructed milk tart should please all taste buds. They frequently offer breakfast specials with crazy-cheap prices. DRINKS Slightly limited wine list, but staff will quite happily run to the shop next door to source anything you want. Good craft beers. SERVICE Friendly, engaging and willing to go the extra mile. AMBIENCE A modern contemporary feel, with block-mounted pictures of Pretoria and its historical buildings, as well as a clever roof installation using maps to pay homage to South Africa’s past. (HF)

Lynnwood Bridge Retail Centre, Daventry Road, Lynnwood; 012 348 5431; dinner Mon to Sun; avg main meal R70; corkage R50

AFRO-BOER

BEST FOR Cake on the verandah or a family Sunday lunch. FOOD The menu at Afro-boer is a treasure trove of creative and cultural surprises. You’ll love some of the unusual combinations that make up the unique dishes, from wild marogo-leaf omelette and braaibroodjies, snoek fishcakes and bobotie to gorgonzola rump with pinot-noir jelly, biltong amadumbu and sweet mustard. Quiche of the day could be the likes of caramelised pear, chicken and feta. The pork belly sandwich is a must, served with potato rösti and delicious plum chutney. The cakes are a highlight. DRINKS There’s a variety of affordable wines on offer, by the bottle and glass, as well as craft beers, cocktails, shakes, smoothies and innovative teas and coffees. SERVICE Helpful, friendly and efficient. AMBIENCE The décor in the large house is witty and stylish. Afro-boer radiates warmth, quirky humour and a ‘welcome home’ feeling. (GF)

1 Meerlust Avenue, Corner of Lynnwood Road and Meerlust Avenue, Die Wilgers; 012 807 3099; breakfast and lunch Mon to Sun; avg main meal R70; corkage R50

BLUE CRANE

BEST FOR Relaxing over good food next to nature. FOOD Start off with snails in a demi-glaze sauce, served with puff pastry and a tomato-and-onion salsa. There is an interesting selection of traditional dishes on the menu, including slow-cooked oxtail in a red wine sauce, Cape Malay lamb curry served with basmati rice, and pap and wors served with a tomato and onion relish. Lamb, pork, poultry, seafood and venison are all options on the menu. The hake is deep fried to perfection, with a firm texture that deliciously falls apart in the mouth, served with lashings of tartare sauce. DRINKS The wine list is extensive, along with champagne, whiskies and fortified wines. SERVICE The staff are friendly and welcoming from the moment you step through the arched doorway. AMBIENCE Enjoy the views of the lake from the deck, or move between different spaces inside. (IO)

156 Melk Street, New Muckleneuk; 012 460 7615; breakfast and lunch Mon to Sun, dinner Tue to Sat; avg main meal R100; corkage R65 (white, red, champagne and sparkling wine), R130 (magnums)

KAROO CAFÉ

BEST FOR A relaxing meal of South African favourites. FOOD Expect local dishes including the likes of skilpadjies (lamb’s liver wrapped in caul fat) with two eggs, a poppy seed muffin and tomato chutney for breakfast, or Karoo lamb burger on a mosbolletjie or chicken livers in a creamy Cape Malay sauce with bruschetta and crispy bacon for a light lunch. Otherwise go all out with a mushroom risotto or duck leg, or stick to a modern interpretation of local favourites, such as pumpkin fritters layered with bacon, mushrooms and sweet cream sauce. Conclude with lavender-sauced pancakes, rooibos malva pudding or lemon meringue. DRINKS The wine list is average, so rather opt for a beer. A good selection of hot and cold non-alcoholic drinks, from coffee and tea to smoothies and milkshakes. SERVICE Smooth and communicative. AMBIENCE It’s a quirky venue with an industrial design, plus chickens wandering about outside. (DdB)

141 Lynnwood Road, Die Wilgers; 012 807 6063; breakfast, lunch and dinner Mon to Sat; avg main meal R75; corkage R30 (wine), R40 (champagne)

LA TERRASSE ROOFTOP CAFÉ

BEST FOR A North African feast. FOOD The menu is a hit of bright colour, robust spice and soft perfume, from breakfast right through to heftier lunch dishes. The kefta tagine makes for a scrumptious introduction to Moroccan cuisine: eggs poached in chermoula-laced tomato relish with spicy beef meatballs. Snack platters include delicious carrot-and-garlic dip with roasted cumin seeds, keftas roasted in chermoula, baba ghanoush, mini lamb kebabs and crisp falafel. The Arabic salad is a good option, featuring falafel balls, halloumi, green olives, chickpeas, hummus and garden greens. A popular meaty choice is the oxtail tagine, second only to the lamb tagine with dates and honey. End with a traditional chocolate sesame cone. DRINKS A flamboyant selection of juices, homemade floral cordials and herbal teas. The wine list is presented on request. SERVICE Personalised, friendly service with great attention to detail. AMBIENCE This vibrantly coloured rooftop venue is an enchanting Moroccan-inspired space. (KM)

435 Atterbury Road, Menlo Park, Pretoria East; 012 346 5713; breakfast and lunch Mon to Sat; avg main meal R100; no BYO

THE AMERICAS

BURGER BISTRO

Elaborate, good-quality burgers. There are a few other options, but why wouldn’t you have a burger at a place called Burger Bistro? From the standard burger, the menu moves to 'Karate Kid' (topped with black peppercorn sauce), 'Dirty Harry' (garlic sauce, of course), 'Hiroshima' (smothered in mushroom sauce) and the new kid on One of their strengths is their decent wine list but there’s also a good selection of beers and a cocktail menu. Also check out their amazing milkshakes with flavours like peanut butter, candy floss, crème brûlée, gingerbread and toffee nut. The staff members know their stuff and have you smiling throughout. Burgers are the name of the game, with all the memorabilia, music and the colour red dominating the design.

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