Eat Out’s new Johannesburg correspondent, Kristia van Heerden, cut her teeth on a number of national and local publications while her appreciation for food morphed into obsession. Her chef's knife is among her most-prized possessions and she continues to be perplexed by turnips. Kristia shocked us by admitting her ignorance about Speckled Eggs, but we decided to let her stay anyway.

Kristia loves to travel, would do almost anything for a New York slice and believes making the perfect Napoletana sauce requires the passion of the tango, the art of opera and the patience of goats. While Kristia’s a firm veggie, her partner’s love for meat makes them a formidable eating out team. In her mission to uncover the very best that Johannesburg has to offer, Kristia shares her personal recommendations for the greatest eats and treats in Johannesburg with us.

My favourite place for…

Pizza
Without a doubt, The Ant in Melville. The base is paper-thin and crunchy, the toppings modest and fresh, and the atmosphere rustic, bordering on dodgy.

Asian food
I adore Indian food. A murderer could probably lure me into a panelled van with a good curry and a bottle of wine. The Curry Palace in Randburg makes an insanely good North-Indian curry, as proven by the scores of people collecting takeaways or waiting for a table. You can’t go wrong with their paneer makhni, and the naan is worth every garlicy breath.

A great view
Us Johannesburgers often have to do without a view, but those willing to drive can enjoy the peaceful tranquillity at Roots in the Cradle of Humankind.

Takeaways
Having a pizza stone at home means I can heat up – and sometimes improve – takeaway pizzas. When I don’t feel like driving, I like to have pizza delivered from the Pizza del Forno around the corner in Robindale. The Antonio – with cherry tomato, feta, olive, rocket, basil pesto and olive oil – is a favourite.

Take-away coffee before work
The Lucky Bean Café close to my home has saved many a morning, but when I can I love to go to The Whippet in Linden – by far the best brew in Jozi.

A week-day breakfast
The Argentinian’s fresh croissants changed my expectations of croissants. Sometimes, when I manage to drag myself out of bed early enough, I get there in time for a cheese croissant. Delicious, rich cheddar cheese is baked into the buttery folds of the croissant. They sell like hotcakes.

A lazy Saturday morning brunch
Junipa’s in Bryanston is without a doubt my favourite brunch spot. It’s the type of place that makes you feel right at home, but also like you’re on holiday. I’m a complete sucker for creamy mushrooms on toast and I always seem to order it, no matter how hard I try not to. If you feel particularly indulgent, have a slice of baked cheesecake after brunch. In the Melville area, Service Station offers a great brunch, too, and if you stay long enough you can saunter over to The Ant for lunch. And then stay for dinner.

A business lunch
Be Leaf in Sandton is within walking distance of the office, and one of the only places in Johannesburg where people will actually stand in line for food. One bite of the vegetarian wrap – a symphony of flavours and textures – and it’s easy to see why. Be Leaf offers fresh ingredients, generous portions, good value for money and great opportunities for people watching.

Sunday lunch with the family
We enjoy Sunday lunches at home. Our family is a rowdy bunch – it’s best to avoid public scrutiny.

A romantic dinner
Café Mechixo in Melville might not be the traditional choice for romantic dinners, but whenever my partner and I enter through the doors, we instantly fall deeper in love. Nothing says ‘love’ quite like nachos!

A blow-the-budget celebratory dinner
Budgeting for our imminent wedding means blowing our budget is easier than usual. We recently discovered the Crazy Horse in Parktown North, completely blew our budget and ate like our lives depended on it. I can’t wait to do it again!

An end-of-the-month weekday dinner
Good Taste Chinese restaurant on Bram Fischer offers a vegetarian sushi platter to die for. When on a budget, grab a bottle of bubbles from the bottle store next door, get the platter and watch a movie at home. 

Buying flowers
It’s such a drag to get to The Flowerspot in Woodmead, but if you survive the traffic you’ll be rewarded with a wide variety of fresh flowers at very reasonable prices. The Multiflora flower market is the best place to order flowers for special occasions, but not worth the drive if you’re only looking for a bunch.

Buying bread
Not Bread Alone is right across the road from our place, which means the smell of fresh bread often sneaks up on us. This might explain why I broke up with my skinny jeans.

Ordering birthday cake
Koljander Home Industry in Melville is an old-school tuisnywerheid. The chocolate mousse cake makes for an unforgettable birthday.

Market-style shopping
The Centurion farmer’s market is a great place to find fresh produce, but if you’re after fresh street-style food, the Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein is great.

Photographs (from top): Roots, The Whippet, Neighbourgoods Market x 2, The Whippet, Pauline Mak and Roots.  

Follow Kristia on Twitter, or send her an email here.