For the coolest city in the country, the one that supposedly never sleeps, Johannesburg's restaurants have a very conservative attitude towards late-night dining.
The kitchens of the majority of restaurants close at or before 10pm, and those that are open after that time tend to resemble processed food factories. Nonetheless, there remain a few bastions of culinary excellence that cater to the tastes of late-night foodies.
The Griffin
As one of Illovo's trendiest after-work drinking holes, the Griffin's gourmet pub grub, their almost infinite list of craft beers and ciders and their relaxed atmosphere have made them the home of the young and upwardly mobile. With a kitchen that only closes between 10.30pm and 11pm, The Griffin is one of the best places to grab a bite after bedtime.
- Find them on: Corner Corlett Drive and Oxford Road, Illovo. 011-447-9842
Catz Pyjamas
Should hunger pangs invade your belly at 2am, Catz Pyjamas is your Iron Dome missile defence system. Situated on Main Street in Melville, this after-hours bistro offers everything from burgers to calamari and lamb shank .
- Find them on: 12 Main Road, Melville. 011-726-8596
Radium Beer Hall
Established in 1929, the Radium Beer Hall is the oldest surviving bar and grill in Johannesburg. Its simple combination of history, live jazz music and pub food gives it the kind of comfortable feel one can only get when at home and free of the leather confines of shoes. During the week the kitchen closes at around 10.30pm. At the weekend, it is open until 11pm.
- Find them on: 282 Louis Botha Ave, Orange Grove. 011-728-3866
Andiccio 24
Andiccio is a 24-hour pizza parlour where the menu is completely DIY. Customers can choose everything from the base to toppings that include jelly babies. They are open 24 hours on weekends and until the early hours of the morning during the week and have 11 locations around Gauteng.
- Find them on: www.andiccio24.co.za
Swad Restaurant
What could make one sleep better than a belly full of Indian food? Swad Restaurant in Melrose Arch offers a variety of spicy delights to cap your evening off. Vegetarians are well catered for as are those with a less adventurous palate. Swad stop cooking at 11pm.
- Find them at: Melrose Arch Square, Entrance 3. 011-684-1007
The Gig
Anyone who knows the DJ collaborative Major Lazer will know Guns Don't Kill People, Lazers Do. That was the title of the group's debut album.
The team will be in South Africa for the first time this weekend as part of their record label, Mad Decent's, annual Block Party.
Gamers will recognise the group's trademark electro-dance hall style of music after their hit single Hold the Line featured on the football game Fifa 10. Those unfamiliar with their sound can get a taste of the fevered excitement this weekend.
Major Lazer originally consisted of US DJ and producer Diplo and British producer Switch. The two split in 2011 citing "creative differences". Diplo quickly reformed, enlisting the services of Jillionaire and Welshy Fire. In 2012 the trio produced a second album, Free the Universe .
The album is a frenzied dose of musical adrenaline. The group's hyper-energetic performances routinely feature pyrotechnics and laser shows worthy of Star Wars.
Major Lazer have worked with Beyoncé, La Roux and Santigold. They will be accompanied in South Africa by label mates Flosstradamus and Dillon Francis and locals Niskerone and Das Kapital, among others. - Yolisa Mkele
- Major Lazer will be at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Johannesburg tomorrow and at Dias Lot on Cape Town's Foreshore on Sunday. For tickets and info visit www.webtickets.co.za
