Located in the heart of Craighall Park, Johannesburg, Mother-in-Law is a restaurant that offers traditional Indian food with a modern twist, and tantalising handcrafted cocktails.

Fast Facts

Restaurant name: Mother-in-Law

Address: The Woods Shopping Centre, 345 Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall Park, Randburg

Contact number: 082 319 8125

Opening and closing times: Tuesday 5pm to 10pm; Wednesday and Thursday  12.30pm to 10pm; Friday and Saturday 12.30pm ’til late; Sunday 12.30pm to 5pm

Average price of a main meal: R140

Corkage: No BYO

Parking situation: Secure parking at the shopping centre 

Food type: Modern Indian

Best for: Anyone who enjoys modern Indian cuisine and spicy food; dinner with friends and family; ideal spot for a casual daytime drink or cocktail night with friends and family

Food

The food menu has an array of dishes, from small plates to snack on, large plates for a more substantial meal, and sweet treats to finish off.

On the small plates menu, the deliciously spiced fried corn cooked in ghee with a kick of chilli powder, and the thinly cut lamb chops marinated in a wet masala mix served with curried green sauce are a must-try. Despite the lamb not looking particularly appetising, it was cooked perfectly and the flavourful sauce more than made up for it.

Moving on to the large plates, the classic butter chicken is served with freshly made roti. The chicken is juicy, incredibly complex and bold in flavour with just the right amount of heat. Other large plate options include fried white linefish, paneer and peas, mutton bunny chow and chicken and lamb burgers – making sure that there is something for everyone to enjoy.

 

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Drinks

The cocktails are a tantalising treat for the senses and perfectly complement the flavourful Indian cuisine. If you’re a fan of strong cocktails with a kick, look no further than the Ginger Snap cocktail. Made with a homemade ginger syrup, gin and pineapple juice, this drink is perfectly balanced and refreshingly spicy.

Another crowd-pleaser is the delectable Basil Smash cocktail. With its vibrant green colour and the perfect combination of gin, basil syrup and sparkling water, this is a sweet and refreshing drink that will leave you wanting more.

Unfortunately, the drinks menu provides no description of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, so you’ll need to ask your waiter for clarification on each item.

 

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Service

The service is friendly and the waiters are knowledgeable about the menu and are able to make recommendations based on your preferences. The co-owner appears to be very hands-on.

While the food is delicious and the overall experience pleasant, drinks orders can take a while to arrive, even when there are few patrons in the restaurant. However – the drinks are certainly worth the wait.

Ambience

The moment you walk in, you are welcomed by the spacious outside seating area surrounded by beautiful greenery. The indoor dining area is cosy with a striking open bar and inviting atmosphere that’s further accentuated by the simple yet beautiful décor and aromas of Indian spices and herbs.

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