4th Ave Parkhurst
4th Ave Parkhurst has developed into a restaurant destination with eateries of all types in every block between 14th st and 6th St. And this is wonderful for guest staying at Liz at Lancaster Guesthouse because 4th Ave is a mere 2km away. Many guests walk there during the day although the uphill return is a bit of a challenge.
It’s a great street to meander down checking out specialty stores, clothing boutiques, gift shops and interior design and antique shops. Here are some restaurant recommendations some of which come from guests who have stayed at Liz at Lancaster.
Some recommendations:
Bistro Vine is my favourite. Foodie guests recently also raved about this restaurant.As its name suggests – good bistro fare. 23 4th Ave 011 327 4558
Coobs calls itself ‘an eclectic contemporary bistro’. It comes highly recommended by Liz at Lancaster guests. You can book on-line or phone 011 447 0710; The sister restaurant is The National 4th Ave (cnr 7th Ave) Parktown North 011327 3030 They also run The Supper Club where they provide a seasonal menu (so always fresh ingredients) paired with SA’s best boutique wines.
Craft is very popular and always full. Guests staying at Liz at Lancaster have raved about it. I have had an OK meal but quite mediocre service. But it is certainly worth trying. 33 4th Ave cnr 13th St 011 788 7111
Bottega is another favourite of mine. It’s very small and offers pastas, salads, open sandwiches as well as more substantial meals 011 447-4448. It is open every night so good on Mondays when so many other places are closed.
Café del Sol Tre is the third restaurant in the Café del Sol brand. The Olivedale Café del Sol has an excellent reputation so it’s worth giving this one a try. 011 568 1063
While all the restaurants open onto the street there are some which are more informal with more of a pavement café style menu and ambience
Still one of my favourites is Vovo Telo Bistro in The Cobbles cnr 4th Ave and 12th St. It offers salads and open sandwiches and light meals at excellent value and it’s always buzzing. Although it has had patchy reviews I have always had good experiences at Vovo Telo as have guests from Liz at Lancaster who have eaten there. If there are no tables available they used to take your cell phone number, (sometimes things change?), advise that you wander down the street looking at the various shops and goodies on offer and then they phone you when a table becomes free. Hope they still do this as it is an excellent service. 011 447 5939
Espresso café and bistro has been going forever (which is unusual with Joburg’s high turnover of restaurants). It’s consistently good. It is between 11th and 10th Streets and it’s closed Mondays 011 447-8700
The Wolfpack is a buzzy burger bar. It opened August 2013 under the same owners who started the now well-known Cnr Café in Craighall Park. Open from Tuesday to Sunday (12pm to 12am). 011 447 7705.
Rockets provides good gastro-pub fare : good hamburgers if they are your thing, and thin crust pizzas, delicious baked potatoes with scrumptious fillings, a wide range of salads and entree dishes. 11 880 6102 Cnr 4th Ave and 10th St .
Nice is on the cr 4th Ave & 14th St and offers good pavement café fare.
If you want somewhere to watch sport:
The Jolly Rodger As its name suggests, this is a typical English pub, known affectionately as ‘The Jolly’. It’s a very popular place to watch sports along with Giles in Grafton Ave (more sophisticated) and Colony Arms in the Colony Centre, Craighall Park. All three are close to Liz at Lancaster if you want to leave the comfort of your flatlet in the guesthouse in favour of a more sociable time.
Parktown North
Slightly further east along 6th st Parkhurst which becomes 7th Ave Parktown North, is a cluster of more very good restaurants.
At the corner of 3rd Ave and 7th Ave Parktown North there’s the gastro pub The Foundry (which overflows on Friday evenings and week-ends) as well as some specialist steak eateries: The Local Grill (excellent steaks) and more everyday but very good steaks The Turn and Tender.
At 43 7th ave is the very well-known La Cucina di Ciro popularly known as Ciro’s. It is in a lovely old house so a great setting and the food is excellent although pricey.
Opposite is The Full Stop which has wholesome ordinary food at very reasonable prices. Don’t expect a gourmet meal. It’s getting a little tired but you can usually get in and it is not too noisy. There’s a great outdoor courtyard with brazier fires in winter. Lovely on a summer’s evening or warm winter’s day. And you won’t have to struggle to park as they have designated secure parking in a lot on the opposite side of the road.
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