There’s a reason Joburgers just go out to dinner instead of hitting up a grocery store. Us city slickers don’t have the time to deal with crowded supermarkets and long lines – or to weigh up five different kinds of hummus before inevitably choosing the ‘normal’ one. But with our country now under lockdown and all our restaurants closed, we have no choice but to shop for ingredients and prepare our own meals.
Buying from independent food stores is the best thing you can do for your community and our economy right now. Plus, when you support small businesses, you’re supporting a dream. These independently owned grocers, bakeries, delis and more – which are all open during the lockdown – are stocked with fine foods and niche products so you can whip up a restaurant-worthy meal at home.
For packaging-free shopping
We love The Refillery – Joburg’s plant-friendly grocer offering a convenient, plastic-free ‘weigh-and-pay’ shopping experience. You can restock your pantry with products such as beans and pulses, cereal, condiments, dried fruit, flour, grains, herbs and spices, pasta, rice, seeds and nuts, snacks and seeds, superfoods, tea and coffee and more without all that wasteful packaging normally associated with a trip to the grocery store.
Shop U17 Morningside Shopping Centre, corner of Rivonia & Outspan Roads, Morningside
010 495 7476
Cedar Square, corner of Cedar Road & Willow Avenue, Fourways
011 465 4426
For cheese and charcuterie
Whether you’re looking to impress at a dinner party or just a cheese fanatic (aren’t we all?), Cheese Gourmet boasts over 150 local handmade soft and hard cheeses. The cosy, well-organised store run by by owners Jo and Brian also stocks preserves, cold meats, olives, pickles, chutneys and bread, so you can easily craft the perfect charcuterie board for easy entertaining.
71A 7th Street, Linden
011 888 5384
For briny-fresh seafood offerings
While the upmarket Fisherman’s Deli specialises in – you guessed it, fish and seafood products – it also offers a range of meat, poultry and deli products. The fishmonger section holds a wide variety of top-quality fish, calamari, prawns, crab, lobster and other seafood. From Norwegian salmon and East Coast sole to yellowfin tuna and Cape line fish, you’ll find it all here.
Dunkeld West Shopping Centre, corner of Jan Smuts Avenue & Bompas Road, Dunkeld West
011 325 2577
For those looking for rare cuts
Adjoining the glittering grillhouse, the butchery and deli at The Butcher Shop & Grill is known for all manners of meat cuts – think the finest quality beef, lamb and chicken as well as mature aged meat including local beef and lamb, Argentinian rib eye, Kobe-style wagyu and Dutch veal. Seafood lovers don’t miss out either, as there’s also giant crayfish, langoustines, prawns, local oysters and salmon on offer.
Shop 30 Nelson Mandela Square, 5th Street, Sandton
011 784 8676
For a slice of Italy
It might be called a restaurant, but walk past the dining area at Super Sconto and you’ll find lines of fridges and shelves that proudly display quality Italian produce. Get some tomatoes, Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano and olive oil, or imported pasta like Pasta Baronìa and De Cecco. Cured meats, pasta sauces and other ingredients are also available for you to stock up on. Buon appetito!
169-171 Louis Botha Avenue, Orange Grove
011 728 7561
For premium meat and dairy
Casa Marani Italian Restaurant & Deli is more than just one of our favourite Italian restaurants. The deli also sells 20 types of cold meats including prosciuttos, salamis and pastrami, over 30 types of cheese from burrata to Parmigiano-Reggiano as well as Italian products like pasta, flour and truffle pasta. Did we mention the frozen lasagna, melanzane, cannelloni and pasta sauces … and the award-winning cheesecake?
34 4th Avenue, Parkhurst
010 900 4717
For epicurean gifts
You won’t find a more convenient spot than Oregano to pick up freshly baked confectionaries. Choose from cinnamon rolls, milk tarts, French tea cakes, lemon bundt cakes, macaroons, caramel cheesecake brownies and more – each beautifully packaged for easy gifting. You can also grab frozen meals to-go, such as Moroccan chicken tagine, beef and tomato ragout and low-carb cottage pie.
71 7th Street, Linden
083 260 6582
For sustainable meals and larder treats
The Leopard @ Rand Stream not only stocks free-range eggs and pasture-based dairy and meat but also soups, salads and sides, vegetarian and meat dishes and sweet stuff. Pea and parsley soup, melanzane with homemade Jersey milk ricotta and tilapia fishcakes with sweet chilli ginger syrup are just a few examples. Next-day delivery is available via The Leopard’s website or admin@leopardfoodcompany.com.
Rand Stream Shopping Centre, corner of Barry Hertzog Avenue & Napier Road, Richmond
072 617 2145
For bread made with love
At Not Bread Alone, you’ll find every type of bread you can and can’t imagine: ‘Ouma’ bread, rye bread, French loaves, paninis, rolls, banana bread and date loaf to name a few. But as the name suggests, more than just bread is on offer – you can also buy pastries, homemade pies, quiches, cakes (cheesecake, carrot cake, red velvet, tiramisu and Bar One) and baked goods.
63 Malibongwe Drive, Linden
011 888 8764
For marvelous food for your freezer
We are Food is a female-strong business that makes up wholesome, tasty and affordable frozen dishes. The Parkhurst store offers mains like butter chicken, coconut beef masala and gourmet macaroni cheese as well as family meals, mini meals, puddings and special diet meals for those who are vegan or vegetarian or don’t eat dairy, gluten or carbs. A click-and-collect and delivery service is available via We are Food’s website.
11 4th Avenue, Parkhurst
073 052 5581
For ethical produce from niche farms
Stock up on ethically sourced produce from artisanal farmers at Impala Fruit & Flowers. The stores retail a colourful display of super-fresh fruit and vegetables along with freshly squeezed seasonal juices and its own line of dried fruit and nuts. While shopping for your weekly fresh produce, why not pick up a well-priced bunch of lovely flowers too?
101 Lancaster Avenue, Craighall Park
011 788 5613
Impala Centre, 177 Beyers Naude Drive, Northcliff
011 888 4211
Lifestyle Crossing Centre, corner of Hendrik Potgieter Road & Nic Diedrichs Boulevard, Little Falls
011 475 0340
For a bunch of happiness
Stockist of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and of course flowers, the family-run Dunkeld Fruit & Flowers has made it its mission to spread the floral joy. The store has every type of flower you can think of – roses, tulips, lilies, hydrangeas, peonies … you name it! Pick a bunch of this and a bunch of that, and the staff will snip, cut, arrange and wrap to create a gorgeous bouquet.
Dunkeld West Shopping Centre, corner of Jan Smuts Avenue & Bompas Road, Dunkeld West
011 341 0101
Caffeine & Cashmere 