Nothing makes you forget about long queues and gift-buying as much as a glorious meal. Though some of these restaurants may lack views, they more than make up for it with a tasty reprieve from tedious end-of-year mall drudgery.

Cafe del Sol Classico (Olivedale Corner Shopping Centre) ? 

Few do hearty Italian food better than Cafe del Sol. Don’t be overwhelmed by the extensive menu or generous portions. Take your time, as they do with their wholesome, slow-cooked offering. For a simple pasta, choose from fresh spaghetti, penne, tagliatelle, rice pasta or gnocchi and top with a made-to-order Italian sauce such as basil pesto, duck ragu or carbonara. Opt for a half-portion of pasta as a starter for the best of both worlds and to make room for the unmissable mains. These include the porcini chicken risotto, two crispy and succulent roasted breasts on the bone with porcini mushroom sauce on a bed of porcini mushroom, pea and truffle risotto, or the bestselling 400g lamb rack in a delicious red wine jus. And, although not strictly Italian, leave room for Mamma’s pavlova of sticky meringue, vanilla cream and fresh berries.

? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app. 

 

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A post shared by Cafe del Sol (@cafedelsolsa) on Aug 19, 2018 at 9:07am PDT

Catch (Bedford Square)

Catch serves up a wonderful take on modern Asian cuisine and seafood, with everything from sushi and dim sum to poké bowls and the classic catch of the day gracing the menu. The signature sushi offering seems to be the most popular, with interesting flavours and textures ramping up the traditional sushi experience. Try the rainbow reloaded – a classic rainbow roll dressed up with teriyaki, mayo and caviar – or the rock shrimp tempura roll. The poké bowls also shouldn’t be overlooked, with popped rice forming the base of a dish brimming with avo, edamame, wasabi, ginger and tuna or salmon.

 

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A post shared by Steve (@thejoburgfoodie) on Sep 1, 2018 at 7:46am PDT

Épicure by Chef Coco (Central Square Sandton) ? 

Épicure by Chef Coco is a feast of inspired African dishes from all over the continent. Pick your favourite flavour region and explore. It’s a rare treat to find goat in a local fine-dining establishment. Here, it’s prepared West African-style in pepe-spiced broth on a bed of plantain mash. The North African-style lamb tagine served with chickpeas, couscous and microgreens is incredibly tender and aromatic. From the east, Epicure offers a spicy Ethiopian chicken stew with injera pancakes and from the south, grilled venison loin with biltong butter and sweet potato wedges or umphokoqo with a side of amasi. It’s an experience you’ll remember for the tastiest reasons.

? Available for online bookings on the Eat Out app. 

 

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A post shared by Épicure Restaurant (@epicure_restaurant) on Aug 1, 2018 at 4:31am PDT

Farro (Thrupps Illovo Centre)

Intimate, semi-industrial, cool and comfortable, Farro is a modern European restaurant with an ever-changing offering. But what’s listed on the brief menu packs a culinary punch. What to expect? Flavourful fare, pretty plating and the sense that all dishes are handled with care. The snacks include mini starters such as teeny truffle cheese toasties. For starters, the creamy Jerusalem artichoke veloute with ham hock is sensational. A favourite main is the crispy off-the-bone lamb shoulder on a bed of pearl barley. Finish off with a light helping of Eton mess or an almond cake with custard and poached pear.

 

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A post shared by Farro (@farroillovo) on Aug 29, 2017 at 3:43am PDT

Gemelli (Posthouse Link Centre)

Joburg’s social elite flock to this buzzy Italian restaurant for good reason. The menu strikes a delicious balance between classic and contemporary fare and it’s consistently good. Go in a group and start with a table of snacks to sample a bit of everything. The spicy lamb meatballs with white bean hummus are a must, as is the tuna tartare, which is a seriously fresh mix of spring onion, avo, cucumber, pickled jalapeno and chive aïoli. Highly recommended pasta classics – available in family-size portions too – include the puttanesca with anchovies, capers, chilli and basil in a Napolitana sauce and a saucy, tomato-based shellfish linguine tossed with prawn tails, mussels, clams, calamari and just the right amount of herby cream. The latter even arrives with a bib. Don’t forget to order a side of duck fat baby potatoes, no matter what you’re eating.

 

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A post shared by Gemelli Cucina Bar (@gemelli_restaurant) on Aug 5, 2016 at 4:27am PDT

Glenda’s (Hyde Park Shopping Centre)

Glenda’s is one of the prettiest tea-room like restaurants you’ll find at a mall. It’s elegant yet comfortable and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you’re a sucker for a never-ending breakfast that turns into a leisurely lunch, this is for you. Start with the eggs in purgatory: poached eggs in a spicy tomato-and-coriander sauce served with sourdough toast. Or go for the Turkish eggs with yoghurt, tabbouleh, hummus and chilli oil. A little later, try the gloriously fat salmon fishcake generously drizzled with rocket mayo, or the steak and parmesan chips. Save your sweet tooth for a treat from Dotty Choux, the irresistible patisserie counter.

 

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A post shared by Glenda’s (@glendas_restaurant) on Jul 20, 2018 at 6:28am PDT

Naked Kitchen & Coffee Bar (Morningside)

Hip and happening, Naked Kitchen has become the go-to brunch spot for Sandton homemakers and business people alike. The space, kitted out in white subway tiles and accents of green and brass, offers up some of the best coffee in town. Their name is a nod to the style of ‘naked’ portafilter they use that gives their coffee a signature, rich, thick crema. For breakfast, opt for the classic smashed avo on toast or a slice of the dreamy banana bread generously slathered with almond butter. Lunch is served deli-style and boasts a wonderful array of Mediterranean flavours.

Mezepoli (Melrose Arch)

Melrose Arch’s go-to Greek offering has become somewhat of a stalwart within the shopping precinct, with loyal patrons returning for the meze offering. The menu dubbed offers up a selection of classic Greek dishes with twists incorporating Middle Eastern flavours. Order a host of small plates to share with your dining companions. Begin with a selection of dips – think hummus, taramasalata and tzatziki – to be scooped up with warm pita slices before moving onto the likes of dolmades, spicy chorizo, keftethes and so much more. If you’re looking for something heartier, opt for the peri-peri baby chicken or one of the options served in pitas.

 

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A post shared by MezepoliSA (@mezepolisa) on Nov 17, 2018 at 1:30am PST

Saint (Sandton)

Situated in Sandton’s recently launched MARC centre, Saint has quickly earned the title as one of the trendiest places in town. Choose a table under the ever-changing 3D projection mapped dome – with visuals ranging from a Sistine Chapel-like ceiling to an intergalactic night sky – with a view of the open kitchen, where chef David Higgs and his team cook up some seriously stellar twists on Italian cuisine. Pop in for a pizza – authentically Neapolitan in style, with thin bases and chewy, crispy crusts – or one of their pastas for the perfect summer lunch.

 

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A post shared by Saint (@saint_jhb) on Nov 18, 2018 at 4:48am PST

So Yum (Hyde Park)

Cape Town’s Hemelhuijs teamed up with Hyde Park Centre’s trendy dim sum and sushi bar to offer up this breakfast experience like no other. Indulge in the former’s classic Cape farm cuisine, featuring the likes of toasted mosbolletjie bread with lashings of curdled cream and marmalade, or the gorgeous poached pear with decadent double cream yoghurt topped with an almond praline and juicy blueberries. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try one of SoYum’s Asian-inspired breakfasts – the beautiful Japanese rice porridge with shredded chicken and a host of fragrant and zesty accompaniments is a wonderfully considered and conceptualised dish, bursting with flavour and interesting textures.

 

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A post shared by So Yum Hyde Park (@soyumhemelhuis) on Oct 31, 2018 at 9:39pm PDT

Did we miss your favourite mall restaurant? Let us know in the comments below and remember to review it using our free app.