Eating out near Liz at Lancaster Craighall Park, Rosebank Region, Johannesburg

There are several excellent restaurants close to Liz at Lancaster all in Craighall Park or neighbouring Dunkeld West.

• At the end of the block, in Lancaster Village, a five minute walk is the excellent Dolci Café – is a fabulous laid back pavement café with delicious authentic Italian cooking. It’s licensed and opens Monday to Saturday from breakfast to dinner; Sunday closed in the evening and closed all day Monday +27 10 900 2274
• Cnr Café – Corner Buckingham and Rothesay Aves 2 and a half blocks away; closed Sundays evenings 011 880-2244 Excellent food and nice outside pavement venue and of course very convenient . Consistently voted one of Joburg’s best neighbourhood restaurants
• An easy 20 minute walk down the hill from Liz at Lancaster is Delta Café which overlooks Delta Park and the little stream. Traditional Neopolitan pizzas are served up on the deck which overlooks the spruit and Delta Park and there’s a new pub on the lawn. Chilled laid back and convivial, ideal for weekend lunches … all helped by a playground much loved by kids and even more so by parents, especially as there are excellent child minders.
• 10 Bompas Rd is a 5 star boutique hotel which has a superb restaurant WineHouse which gets its name from a painting of pop singer Amy Winehouse and is also named for an extensive wine collection. Check their changing menu here. They also host a monthly jazz lunch. Booking recommended 011 325 2442
• The Royale at 357 Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall Park next to The St. Albans Centre. It’s colourful and stylish and very retro – based on the Pre-Castro Cuban era. There are giant palms, fab tropical wallpaper and a great courtyard at the back. It used to be the cool place for a cocktail or a delicious Cuban style meal (don’t know if it still is!). The Royale is open, from 11:00 till 23:00 Wednesday through Saturday and on Sundays between 11:00 and 19:00
• Founders-Giles – Has become a very popular meeting place, especially on Thursday evenings and for those TGIF evenings after work – either in the pub or to have a meal out on the deck. Congenial home fare. 011 442 4056
• Pronto At the nearby shopping centre, The Woods. Outstanding Italian menu with tables outdoors; great pastas. 011 447 4346; Open every day for lunch dinner except closed Sunday and Monday evening. They have recently opened a ‘sister’ restaurant across the open parking area – Liberte. It’s a very different vibe “celebrating life, femininity and connection” and an emphasis on French food.
• AJ’s in the Park is very child friendly so parents can kick back and enjoy a glass of wine or a beer with a pizza or hamburger. Wonderful neighbourhood laid back cheap and cheerful. 33 Abercorn Ave 074 959 7184

There are several excellent restaurants in the nearby HydePark Mall which is a very popular place for “ladies who lunch”. Here are just a few:

• Red Chamber is tucked away on the lowest floor and while the space is a bit dark with heavy brown furniture Mandarin style food is really good. Open every day except Monday 011 325 6048
• Browse around the wonderful Exclusive Books and then relax in Olives and Plates which is attached to Exclusive. Elegant setting and a wonderful view over northern Joburg with huge glass floor to ceiling windows and a choice of scrumptious dishes. Closed Sunday evenings Walk-ins for breakfast and lunch but advisable to book for dinner.
• Le Parc Tashas is a very popular bistro café offering good standard bistro fare. Tasha started with one restaurant and now has restaurants across South Africa.

For recommended neighbourhood restaurants in neighbouring suburbs of Parkhurst, Parktown North and Greenside click here