The sprawling metropolis that is Sandton may not have the reputation of being home to the country’s best fine dining establishments, but it is the place where diners can find some of the best steakhouses, ethnic establishments and boutique cafés.

Sandton is a place where people seem to live at a frantic pace and don’t spend hours lingering over their food, although they do dine out often and have money to spend.

One culinary establishment that is consistently good and where diners are prepared to linger just that little bit longer is that perennial Parkmore favourite Thomas Maxwell Bistro. This eclectic gem has atmosphere in abundance, hands-on service and delicious French-inspired food. One of the specials is the decadent crayfish pasta with truffle oil, caviar, crispy prosciutto and a delicate thyme and chardonnay velouté. It may be pricey but it is worth every delicious mouthful.

Nearby, a reclaimed car workshop is the setting for another small bistro, The Eatery. The menu is as compact as the dining space and offers a choice of three starters, mains and desserts, which changes monthly. There’s always a meat, fish and vegetarian option and dishes are often French inspired.

The folks at the Thomas Maxwell are also the brains behind the Red Rabbit French Grill in the newly opened Nicolway Centre in Bryanston. In typical Sandton fashion, the eatery overlooks the ubiquitous car park and is split in two by a pedestrian walkway. However, the food is excellent and the compact menu includes their famous mussels and chips.

A number of Joburg’s most popular restaurants have now opened branches in Sandton at the new Nicolway, the spot of the moment to see and be seen. These include Turn ‘n Tender, which serves up some of the best meat in the city; The Fishmonger, which is known for its fresh fish, oysters and sushi; and that extraordinary culinary success story, Tashas.

The first branch of this popular establishment was opened by Natasha Sideris in Athol Square in Sandton back in 2005. These boutique cafés are hugely popular and there are generally queues of people waiting to be seated. The menu is both large and diverse (branches also have their own special menus; at Nicolway it is a buffet-style ‘at the table’ concept) and yet the establishment has become known for its great, well-priced and fresh food that gets people returning time and again.

Pasta lives alongside lamb cutlets, designer salads, quesedillas and Turkish flatbreads, and the burgers – particularly the salmon burger – are excellent.

The Butcher Shop and Grill is another Sandton food landmark for those who prize their flesh. It’s the first port of call for many international visitors keen to experience renowned South African meat and wine. There are plenty of options for those who don’t like their flesh red on the extensive menu, including fish, chicken in all guises and a host of veggie options. However, meat is king here. Most of the cuts are wet-aged for about three weeks. Larger cuts can be requested and accommodated at the in-house butchery, where they are weighed and charged pro rata to the menu price.

Another good option for meat-eaters is Karoo Cattle and Land,  which has all the regular cuts of meat, excellent boerewors and South African fare such as bobotie and tomato bredie.

Sandton is cosmopolitan and offers something for all tastes and palates. For authentic Lebanese food, head for Beirut. There’s everything from baba ganoush to labna and sambousek (meat pie). Kebabs, grills and shwarmas make up most of the main dishes. You can also expect a flavour explosion at the popular Ghazal in Peter Place, which specialises in North Indian cuisine.

Marc Guébert’s small bistro Le Soufflé is a French gem and the savoury and sweet soufflés are as light as air. His signature is the classic Grand Marnier which makes the perfect end to any meal.

Good news for those Sandton gourmands who are looking for innovative fine dining is that multi award-winning chef, David Higgs (formerly of Rust-en-Vrede in the Cape winelands and more recently a seven-month stint at Central One at the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel is now executive chef at the award-winning Saxon Hotel and has been given carte blanche to change the entire food offering. With his credentials, this is welcome news for Sandton diners – provided he stays in the position long enough.

The best of the rest:

•    Annica’s Boutique Restaurant – slick continental food from designer burgers to salmon ceviche.
•    Bukhara – for North Indian food.
•    Central One Bar and Restaurant – a contemporary, vibey spot for lunch and dinner.
•    Gia’s on Montrose – situated next to a nursery, this is a laid-back friendly spot, good for breakfast or lunch with the kids.
•    Gourmet Garage – gourmet burgers, moreish ribs and steaks in a colourful retro-chic atmosphere.
•    HQ – order the grilled sirloin topped with café de Paris herbed butter sauce and crispy chips. (You have to; it’s all they serve!)
•    Le Canard – traditional French cuisine.
•    Lekgotla – African fare.
•   Maximillien  – tasty steaks and pork chops.
•    Midori –    for sushi, Thai and Chinese.
•    Pomodoro Ristorante – a vibey Italian trattoria.
•    Rococo – light meals and fusion food.
•    San Restaurant – South African fare, lovingly sourced from local producers.
•    Sel et Poivre  – Coco Reinarhz’s French-influenced fine dining establishment.
•    Vin MMX – fine dining at the Sandton Sun Hotel.
•    Wang Thai – head to this chain for good quality Thai food.

By Janine Walker and Katharine Jacobs

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