There’s so much to munch on at these three really hot Joburg eateries

MAMA SAMBA

Mama Samba is a place I knew I’d love before it opened. Whether it was the inviting storefront or the promise of feel-good Latin American flair, I wasn't wrong.

The latest offering from Colada House, the team behind flagship eatery Proud Mary, the restaurant and cocktail bar opened mid-December and is the “It” spot among the proliferation of offerings in Rosebank’s The Zone.

Spanning two levels, the restaurant is expansive. A lush oasis with high ceilings and smooth lines awaits diners on the first level, with its ceviche bar and Copa dining lounge having an elegant, light feel. 

A mirrored emerald staircase, one of Joburg’s most striking locations for Insta inspiration, leads to the cocktail bar and inviting jungle terrace, where relaxed morning and afternoon dining make way for a supper club.

The décor is impressive, with giant, white, taco-shaped light fixtures, greenery spilling from every crevice and a round bar at the centre of the rooftop with gorgeous touches to provide more Insta backdrops.

The food is inspired by Latin and Central American flavours, making for a meat-heavy menu, but with plenty of fish and seafood options, and limited but tasty vegetarian dishes.

Diners are invited to share their food, from small plates and Nikkei sushi — made with Peruvian ingredients and Japanese techniques — to grilled dishes from the josper (a coal oven for smoking and grilling) and parrilla (an open firewood and charcoal grill).

ACID FOOD AND WINE BAR

There’s a chic new eatery and wine bar in town and it comes in the form of Acid Food and Wine Bar, a space where the hip folk congregate, unusual wines are curated and good food is celebrated.

The brainchild of sommelier Jemma Styer and chef Jessie Doveton, Acid opened last October and has been a popular newcomer to Joburg’s restaurant scene. It’s not unusual to find it packed on a Tuesday night, friends gathered over glasses of wine, couples sharing small plates and the occasional birthday party playing out on the terrace outside.

Perhaps the most charming aspect is its size. A round bar is stationed in the middle of the space, with tables seating mostly two to four branching out. The space is small, cosy, intimate, but welcoming.

The wine menu is a treat, offering an unusual selection of mostly natural, minimal-intervention varieties from marginalised, independent producers who don’t usually get listed or are hard to find. Expect a small selection of bubblies, whites, reds and rosés that will appeal to every taste. Styer also tries to include at least one orange and one Pet-Net (Methode Ancestrale) on the menu, which changes regularly.

Wines are available by the bottle or glass (averaging R85 for 125ml), which offers wine lovers the opportunity to try a variety without committing to an unknown bottle.

A highlight on the night I visited were the cabbage-filled spring rolls served in crispy lettuce leaves; the green pea and balnori goat’s cheese risotto; and the crispy squid served with a gochujang hot sauce, garlic emulsion and charred corn. The selection is small but still caters to vegans and vegetarians.

Whether you’re dining out or looking to enjoy an exciting wine, you can expect something new and exciting on every visit, just don’t forget to book in advance.

Acid is at 19 4th Avenue, Parktown North, and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm to late. Reservations can be made via Dineplan. 

CHUNKY CHAU

If you enjoy feasting with your eyes, then a banquet awaits at Chunky Chau. Described as a “Pan Asian fusion dining experience”, the restaurant opened last September and is a delightful addition to the ever-expanding restaurant scene in Rosebank.

Relaxed seating outside gives way to rich, velvet drapes and wraparound barstools, lush green ferns spill from baskets and light fittings and peacock feathers dangling from lofty chandeliers pick up the motifs jumping off an impressive mural to one side.

The atmosphere translates as something playful from noon, when the restaurant opens, and transforms into something more moody as the sun sets and the lights dim — the right place for a sexy date night, perhaps.

From the velvet-clad bar comes a small but fair wine list and a selection of cocktails described as “spiked tea infusions”, available in alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Some are syrupy, but those served in teapots and small cups add a touch of flair.

The menu draws widely from Asia, starting with fresh oysters, tasty parcels (potstickers, spring rolls and baos), noodle and rice dishes, small sharing plates, Thai curries, large plates, poke bowls and salads, and a few sweet dishes.