Some say the pie is the ultimate worker’s snack: a nifty food item that’s portable, filling and, above all, ridiculously tasty. Yet in ancient Rome, pies were used as an offering to the gods. The takeaway? You can never go wrong with a good pie. Here are five of Gauteng’s best.

Johannesburg

Holi Cow (Fourways)

Known for their glorious Indian-inspired good, this gem also packs a punch with their homemade winter pies. These golden beauties are packed with flavour and choice cuts of meat, with a homemade butter puff pastry. Flavours might include braised mutton curry and potato; Durban-style mince curry; chicken madras; butter chicken; old fashioned roast chicken in a cream sauce; traditional braised lamb and cabbage; and paneer lentil and spinach. There’s also a new addition of the Durban breakfast pie with spicy baked beans and chilli lamb sausage.

 

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The Holi Cow Humble Pies are on special today!The pies are packed with filling and we use the best quality and choice cuts of meat in all home made butter puff pastry. Our pies are on special today with any 2 boxes (8 pies) for R300. Each box contains 4 pies. We have braised mutton curry and potato, Durban style mince curry, chicken madras, butter chicken, old fashioned roast chicken in a decadent cream sauce, traditional braised lamb and cabbage, paneer lentil and spinach and patha pies. Peppered fillet steak pies are not part of the R300 special but they are on promotion for R200 per box of 4. Call 0609885003 to place your order.

A post shared by Holi Cow (@holicowsa) on May 4, 2019 at 9:38pm PDT

Home of The Chicken Pie at Maggies Farm (Lanseria)

This spot is known as the ‘home of the chicken pie’ for good reason. From the farm shop emerge hot pies made with farm-fresh ingredients. They stuff as much filling as possible into the traditional golden crust and, in addition to the iconic chicken pie, have options like steak and kidney, mince, and spinach and feta. Relax in the sun and enjoy it with a choice of tasty accompaniments, or grab some to go.

The Patisserie (Illovo)

This well-loved spot for pretty baked treats has a humble (in looks, anyway) pie on offer. The chicken pies fly out of the kitchen, but the beef is also a popular choice. Accompanied by a simply dressed side salad. Got a crowd coming over? You can also order a big-dish chicken-and-mushroom pie for a crowd, which will serve six to eight people.

Nice on 4th (Parkhurst)

Expect homemade and tasty food at this cosy spot. The freshly baked pies here are seriously good and come served with a fresh mixed herb salad or new potatoes and veggies. The shortcrust pies are packed with juicy chicken or tender steak, and come in 130g or 240g sizes.

A post shared by NiceOn4th (@niceon4th) on Jun 10, 2018 at 1:00pm PDT

Not Bread Alone (Randburg)

This ex accountant-run bakery has become known for their hot, comforting pies. Fans rave about their bobotie pies as well as the Malay steaks. Also tuck into options like potato, leek and cheese, mini beef Wellingtons, and classic roast chicken.

Pretoria

Anja’s Tea Garden (Zwavelpoort)

Why not turn your quest for the perfect pie into a mini road trip? Located on the outskirts of town, just far enough to get that fresh country vibe, Anja’s Tea Garden is where you’ll find a truly epic chicken pie. The outside is all exquisitely flaky, while the filling is pure soul food. It comes served as a trio of three small pies, which guarantees an ideal pastry-to-filling ratio. The cosy ambience is a suitable backdrop for a bit of unfettered pie-dulgence.

 

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A post shared by Anja’s Tea Garden (@anjas_tea_garden) on Jun 1, 2019 at 6:18am PDT

Blos Café (Faerie Glen)

Located in a gorgeous natural setting that’ll have you thinking you’ve left the city, Blos Café has become a favourite among 012 folk for serving scrumptious meals made with a whole lot of heart. Their deliciously flavoursome pepper steak pie is no exception. You’ll find it under the ‘comfort food’ section on the menu, where it rightly belongs. It comes served with a generous portion of yummy veggies. 

Café Beyritz (Lynwood Manor)

Whoever thought the words humble and pie belong together has not been to Café Beyritz, a classy, European-style spot in the beautifully airy Lynwood Bridge mall. The creamy chicken-and-mushroom pie is a dreamy creation that’ll make you glow with joy. It’s served with a seasonal fruit skewer; a fresh and innovative complement to all that hearty yumminess. The chicken pie is only available on the lunch menu but, if you call in advance, they’re happy to serve it for dinner.

 

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#vegetarian #lunch 🙂

A post shared by Pom Knight (@obvslypom) on Apr 17, 2016 at 4:35am PDT

Casa Bourguesa Tapas and Grill (Faerie Glen)

A homely little spot located in Faerie Glen, Casa Bourguesa serves a venison pie as a starter-sized tapas portion (two small pies) or a main. Whichever option you choose, be prepared for some serious goose bump-inducing deliciousness. The slow-cooked ‘fynvleis’ filling is wrapped in phyllo and served with a delicately piquant Madagascan pepper sauce, with a burst of sweet marula jelly.

La Pentola (Riviera)

Chef-patron Shane Sauvage elevates the everyday pie to a thing of epicurean perfection at La Pentola, one of the Pretoria’s most celebrated fine-dining establishments. The chicken pie, found on the lunch menu, features exceptionally tender pieces of chicken breast pan-fried in butter, doused in white wine, bound with cream and a hint of tomato. It comes elegantly wrapped in crisp phyllo pastry.

 

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Happy weekend, why not join us for lunch and try our famous La Pentola chicken pie – Tender chicken breast pieces, pan fried in butter, onion, garlic, mushroooms, peas, black pepper doused in white wine flavoured with fresh oregano bound with cream and a hint of tomato, with cheese and wrapped in a phyllo pastry and baked till crisp #chickenpie #chicken #pretoria #Lapentola #food #lunch #yum #goldenbrown

A post shared by La Pentola (@lapentolapta) on Sep 8, 2018 at 4:06am PDT

Have we missed your favourite spot for pies around Gauteng? Let us know in the comments below or review your experience using our free app.