We don’t know about you, but nothing makes us swoon quite as much as a lip-smacking food parcel arriving at our doorstep. Eating is the City of Gold’s pastime, but with the ongoing lockdown measures, dining out won’t be a possibility for the next few months. Thankfully, you can order unbeatable eats from some of the best Joburg restaurants as takeaways to be delivered right to your door. From goldfish nigiri to nine-slice pizza, you’re about to fall in love with this list like a mouthwatering Romeo to an utterly insatiable Juliet.
For sushi: La Marina Foods
Gone are the days when the best sushi delivery in Joburg involved frozen salmon nigiri. Eternally popular wholesaler, La Marina Foods supplies fresh fish and essential cooking ingredients to top restaurants and hotels all over the city, and you can come directly to the source by sampling the sushi here. The sushi chefs roll out a no-nonsense, at-whim menu of top-tier sushi to rival more highfalutin sushi joints, without the sucker-punch price. Available for takeaway or delivery, the menu ranges from the whimsically elaborate to the painstakingly traditional – we’re talking Emperor Fashion rolls made with salmon and avocado, topped with prawn, teriyaki, Japanese mayo and caviar, or inari prawn nigiri. Our top pick is the Exotic Platter, consisting of four pieces of salmon sashimi, two pieces of goldfish nigiri, four salmon houses, four salmon roses and eight strawberry rainbow rolls. The Rock & Roll rolls are another must-try: Spicy tuna and avocado is encased by nori and rice, while fall-apart tuna gets a light dip in teriyaki and is topped with Japanese mayo, spring onion and caviar.
How to order: Phone 011 608 3277 or go to www.lamarinafoods.co.za
7 Platinum Drive, Longmeadow Business Estate, Edenvale
Facebook: @lamarinafoodssa
Twitter: @lamarinafoods
Instagram: @lamarinafoods
For pizza: The Dark Kitchen
There are many pizza joints and chains in Jozi. Some of them are bad, many are adequate (depending on if you have booze left to consume), some are good and a few, like The Dark Kitchen, are exceptional. It’s about the most fun you can have with a cardboard box on your lap that doesn’t involve another jigsaw puzzle. And there’s no need to hop out of bed to enjoy their never-less-than-brilliant pizza – order on their easy-to-use app and let them bring it to you. The chefs here choose ingredients with great care (think imported chorizo, smoked salmon, bocconcini mozzarella balls and truffle oil), there are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options and it’s the only place in the world that offers a ninth slice pizza. We highly recommend the Dillon James topped with grilled aubergine, roasted red and green pepper, red onion, artichokes and basil pesto, as well as the Easy Brie – brie, bacon, balsamic glaze and fresh rocket. Or, you can build your own and pile on all the toppings your heart desires. This Birdhaven locals’ favourite has fancy at-home date nights sorted!
How to order: Phone 010 900 3703, go to www.thedarkkitchen.co.za or download The Dark Kitchen app on the Apple or Android app store
Facebook: @thedarkkitchenjhb
Twitter: @darkkitchenjhb
Instagram: @thedarkkitchenjhb
For baos: Bao Bun
The coronavirus is wreaking havoc on Joburg’s food scene, with restaurants struggling to keep going as diners stay in the safety of their homes. But they’re not giving up without a fight – the creators of Tonic gin bar and Tanen wine bar in Linden have launched a bao home-delivery service. There are two fluffy masterpieces that you can tuck into – hoisin mushroom and Korean fried chicken – as well as a beef smash burger, bacon jam burger and black bean burger. And on the side, there’s Korean fried chicken wings, Korean fried cauliflower and hand cut potato chips. The Korean fried chicken bao is a bun in a million: It’s more slider-like, with a little burger bap wrapped around deep-fried chicken, kimchi slaw, a thick coating of kimchi mayo and sesame seeds. For a bit more flair, order the hoisin mushroom bao, which is what lifts this delivery restaurant from merely great to sublime. The fluffy white steamed bun is filled with hoisin mushrooms and pickled cucumber, sprinkled with sesame seeds. Both options are acceptable as a scrummy quick-fix or a main meal.
How to order: WhatsApp 063 989 0029 or inbox them on Facebook
Facebook: @baobunsa
Instagram: @baobunsa
For Greek: Mr Souvlaki
The City of Gold might be on the verge of a Greek restaurant boom, but where is good to eat Greek food right now? Operating out of a bright space in the Post Office Centre in Illovo, Mr Souvlaki is a pleasure in every way. The Greek street-food eatery churns out gyros with salad and homemade dips and sauces alongside traditional and modern takes on Greek fare. You can expect salads, meze, souvlaki, shaved gyro meat, skinny lamb chops, desserts and pita bread with their signature creamy feta dip blended with peppers and mild chilli. The kitchen keeps things simple but honest: We recommend that at-home diners order the killer spanakopita wrapped in crispy phyllo pastry and the halloumi chips topped with oregano and honey to start, followed by the signature Mr Souvlaki gyro filled with juicy lamb, their famous tirosalata dip, onion and tomato for mains. Vegan and vegetarian options sit beside their meaty cousins in the form of a falafel and hummus as well as a halloumi and rocket gyro. Dessert means sticky pastries like baklava and kataifi bathed in lemon scented syrup.
How to order: WhatsApp 060 363 4776
Post Office Centre, corner of Rudd Road & Otto Street, Illovo
Facebook: @mrsouvlakisa
Instagram: @mr_souvlaki
For pasta: Bottega
Pasta la vista baby! If there’s one experience that pasta-obsessive Joburgers shouldn’t miss, it’s a meal from Bottegadelivered to your door. This Parkhurst legend’s note-perfect, well-priced pastas are as raved about now as they were when the restaurant first opened. Whether you’re in the mood for a simple panzerotti stuffed with butternut or a fancy Luganicapork mince pasta with ricotta cheese, they’ve got you covered. We highly recommend the crab and rocket pasta made with 80g of fresh crab meat, cherry tomatoes, red onion and olives in a gorgeously golden white wine sauce with a touch of Napolitana, topped off with fresh rocket and roasted almonds. It’s officially the restaurant’s most ‘grammed dish. And, unofficially, it’s got to be one of Joburg’s too. The prosciutto pasta with Parma ham, sundried tomato and red onion in a creamy Napolitana sauce is just as good. Fill what remains of your boots with the tiramisu made of lady fingers dipped in freshly brewed coffee, then layered with a whipped mixture of mascarpone, eggs and liqueur.
How to order: Phone 011 447 4448 or WhatsApp 063 214 0338
22D 4th Avenue, Parkhurst
Facebook: @bottegaparkhurst
Twitter: @bottegaparkh
Instagram: @bottegaparkhurst
Caffeine & Cashmere 