Thailand is a country of harmony, style as well as of taste and flavour. Simply Asia has captured all of this and more in their bowls of delicious Asian fusion food and on their rainbow platters of sushi! Enjoy the fragrances of the east to tempt your nostrils and your palate. Eat in or order out, but if you’ve never tried it, you don’t know what you’re missing.

simplyasia.co.za, 021 447 4387

It all started with a trip to Mexico, where the Salsa Mexican Grill learned to master the craft of Mexican cuisine. They brought those recipes and cooking methods back home and added their own Salsa spin, creating something that is truly auténtico. They put true Mexican pride and passion into each and every nacho, burrito, quesadilla and taco, using only the freshest ingredients and feistiest flavours. That’s how they turn every feast into a fiesta. So, what are you waiting for, amigo?

salsamexicangrill.co.za, 011 615 4562

@The Bistro Rynfield has witnessed its fair share of marriage proposals, wedding anniversaries, birthday parties and more but now it’s time to celebrate them and their win in this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards. They’re planning their own party on November 4 and you’re all invited, but if you miss it, we’re sure it won’t be the last opportunity to dance the night away at this popular spot!

011 425 0512

Orexi means appetite in Greek and Orexi’s Greek Street Food will certainly whet your appetite with its giros, souvlakia, and platters of delicious meze style dishes. You’ll be smashing the plates in deep appreciation (but ask them first). They also have a food truck that will bring their authentic flavours of Greece to your next function.

orexigreekstreetfood.co.za / Benoni – 081 494 7968 / Boksburg – 074 788 2222

Situated on the top floor of the Radisson OR Hotel, Level Seven Restaurant & Skybar is all about style and glamour. The décor is bold, modern and luxurious and there are views over the city by day and of miles and miles of twinkling lights by night. The cuisine is ‘modern international’, so even if you’re not jet-setting, go and enjoy a sundowner and make like you’re far from home.

levelsevenrestaurant.co.za

Did you know that the word ‘masala’ comes from an ancient Himalayan word meaning ‘spice’ and no one blends and cooks them better than Masala Indian Restaurant right on our Ekurhuleni doorstep? The flavours are subtle, and the spices are not too hot (unless that’s how you like them). You’ll find all the traditional classics, with a modern Masala twist on their extensive menu, complemented by a fine wine list.

Boksburg: 011 894 3546 / 084 848 1853 / masalaindianrestaurant.co.za

Benoni:  011 425 1233 / masalabenoni.com

What a slam dunk for this great eatery! A massive favourite for any occasion, Il Gusto serves Italian and Mediterranean-inspired food and great vino – not to be missed! Take the family, take your new bae, or take your boss – everyone is welcome! We bet their phones are going to be ringing off the hook with so many awards to their name, so make a reservation now!

ilgustosa.co.za, 011 894 7847, 083 324 9901

With a menu inspired by the city of Napoli, Tonino Cucina & Griglia is a much-welcome new kid on the block. The Italians say ‘the appetite comes when you are eating’ but just thinking about Tonino’s menu makes us hungry! Sourdough and wood fire baked, their pizzas are sublime and their special ossobuco is a must-order! With a children’s pizza-making station, this restaurant is set to become a firm favourite with the whole family.

toninocucina.co.za

With names like Smash Burger, Yabbler, Sweetbird and Bomba, RocoMamas has always made dining out at their restaurants fun as well as yum. With a funky décor and rock and roll vibe, they’re all about ‘fast and casual’ in a good way. There’s nothing casual about their approach to great food and great service. This is a smashing win!

rocomamas.com/za/

The Shed & Silo Café was created to fulfil a dream of the owners who had never quite found the place they were looking for. Thanks to them, now you have somewhere to go that is always unhurried, and is a pleasant, mellow environment with light music to sit, relax and let time slip by. And the food is excellent, too. What a combination! A country vibe in the city, great food and completely chilled. The Shed & Silo completely meets the brief of Best Restaurant for Lunch in the Country.

theshednsilo.co.za, 064 102 3230

You won’t find fresher seafood, friendlier staff or a warmer welcome anywhere this side of the Mediterranean! You can smell the ocean the minute you sit down to enjoy any of Ocean Basket’s magnificent dishes whether it’s today’s catch of the day, any size of prawn, oysters or a combo platter to share. Always a Readers’ Choice favourite!

oceanbasket.co.za

Get your glad rags on and treat yourself to a sumptuous dinner and all together glamourous evening at Pigalle. This sophisticated restaurant is a real treat – French champagne, live music, and a dance floor to smooch the night away. We recommend you save Pigalle for a special occasion, though who’s to say that any night of the week isn’t special!

Reservations: 011 450 2242

Who doesn’t have a memory made in a Turn ‘n Tender? It’s where we’ve been going for as long as we can remember, not only for their perfectly cooked steaks, but for the friendly service, and the sense that it’s somewhere we can go where we belong. They have an amazing wine list and are one of the few places that know how to serve an after-dinner brandy. They are part of the fabric of our city and long may they continue to be so.

turnntender.co.za

There is something so inherently beautiful about a plate of perfectly prepared sushi. It’s fresh, appealing to the eye and certainly a delight for the palate! Yamitsuki really knows how to present their food: they are artists as much as they are chefs! Enjoy daily specials and lunch time offers, a selection of sushi as well as dim sum and teppanyaki. This is a worthy winner.

yamitsuki.co.za, 011 455 0380

Lexi’s Healthy Eatery strives for the most sustainable, conscious, moral and nutritious way of living limiting use of plastic, and sourcing locally as far as possible, in an effort to chart a course to a better world. Lexi’s encourage eating mostly plants, very little processed food and excluding animal products as much as you can. Lexi’s is definitely a place for vegans and vegetarians, they nevertheless also have dishes for the flexitarians.

lexiseatery.com

Kaylee’s promotes a healthy, happy and cruelty-free lifestyle, all while promoting quality local brands and businesses. Their food will show you just how exciting vegan cooking and baking can be. The food is creative and vibrant as well as inventive. Whilst over the years following a plant based diet has become a whole lot easier, Kaylees provides an onsite market for everything you need to be full time vegan.

kaylees.co.za

A perennial favourite with our readers, Papa Boa is obviously keeping up the very high standards it has set for itself. With live music sessions, great food for all the family and an extensive menu of Portuguese classics as well as buffet offerings, the portions are generous and the prices reasonable.

www.facebook.com/PapaBoaRestaurant, 011 918 4686