Categories > Guides and Tips

The 10 Best Restaurants in Linden

The 10 Best Restaurants in Linden

Linden is one of the oldest suburbs of Johannesburg and is popular for some of its historical sites such as the Linden Farm and its buzzing tourist spots like the Linden Market. However, this area of the city can also be considered an amazing food hub.

The area is known for its unique restaurants serving local and fusion dishes. Let’s do a deep dive into the best restaurants in Linden to make your taste buds sing!

1. The Whippet

Address: 34 7th St, Linden, Randburg, 2104, South Africa 

Website: https://thewhippetcoffee.com/ 

Contact Number: +27 79 711 5604

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Thursday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Saturday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Sunday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM

The Whippet is a quaint and elegant cafe located in Linden where you can enjoy great food, good coffee, and fantastic vibes. From the moment you step into the cafe, you’ll feel relaxed thanks to its comfy and plush furniture and light-coloured walls.

Their all-day brunch menu also has a ton of options for you to choose from. 

You can go for their buttermilk chicken Benedict (ZAR 155), pulled pork Benedict (ZAR 155), or bobotie (baked minced beef) omelette (ZAR 135) and pair these with drinks (e.g., coffee, tea, and smoothies).

Pro Tip:
The Whippet carefully curates the experiences of customers; hence, they have specific happy hour schedules per day. On Thursdays, these run from 1 to 4 PM, on Fridays from 2 to 5 PM, and on Saturdays from 3 to 5 PM.

2. Gaucho 

Address: 67 7th St, Linden, Randburg, 2104, South Africa

Website: https://gauchorestaurant.co.za/ 

Contact Number: +27 87 655 4480

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Friday, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
  • Saturday, 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
  • Sunday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Gaucho is an upscale-looking restaurant located on 7th Street. With its sleek and minimalistic indoor seating and patio, we won’t be surprised if you bring your loved ones and buddies here for a hearty meal and a good drink!

Some of the food items you can expect to enjoy at Gaucho include their all-time favourites: beef, chicken, and lamb mini-dogs; Argentine choripan (Argentine sausage on a baguette); and their perfectly grilled steak. 

You can also order unique desserts here such as their cookie skillet!

Pro Tip:
Gaucho also shows live sporting events on select dates. We recommend checking out their social media if you want to confirm if they will be featuring the sports team you support! 

3. Brian Lara Rum Eatery

Address: 56 4th Ave, Linden, Randburg, 2104, South Africa

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Brian-Lara-Rum-Eatery/100046448863966/  

Contact Number: +27 76 320 9739

Operating Hours:

  • Wednesday to Saturday, 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
  • Sunday, 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM

Brian Lara Rum Eatery is a Caribbean-inspired restaurant that will make you feel like you’re in a lovely tropical resort. The decors use colourful hues, and the materials of their interiors are simple but delightfully light on the eyes.

Their food is also a must-try when you’re in Linden with crowd favourites such as burgers, chicken wings, onion rings, fried battered fish, and large BBQ ribs. The eatery also offers great cocktails like strawberry daiquiri!

Pro Tip:
The eatery also shows live sporting events, specifically football matches. Check out their social media to verify if they will be featuring a sports team you support during your visit here!

4. Njam Eatery 

Address: 3rd Ave &, 6th St, Linden, Randburg, 2104, South Africa

Website: https://njam.co.za/

Contact Number: +27 10 157 2810

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM

For your local cuisine cravings, why not visit Njam Eatery located on 6th Street? Aside from the authentic local dishes served at this eatery, you also get to enjoy the classy yet relaxing and casual feel of this establishment.

You can order starters such as frikkadels and smoor (beef meatballs) (ZAR 85) and marinated olives. If you want something more filling, you can have lunch plates like the double chicken sosatie (oven-roasted chicken).

Pro Tip:
Check out their Village Table and their Naughty Corner menus. The Village Table has freshly baked pastries while the Naughty Corner features desserts such as cakes and chocolates. 

5. Bravas

From thescribsandnibs

Address: 35 8th St, Linden, Randburg, 2104, South Africa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bravastasteofthemed/?locale=he_IL 

Contact Number: +27 64 814 8670

Operating Hours:

  • Tuesday to Friday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
  • Saturday, 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM
  • Sunday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Bravas is a great Mediterranean restaurant in the heart of Johannesburg, and it nails the vibe just right. 

The interiors look like it was taken directly from a beach eatery complete with greenery and fixtures and furniture made from natural materials (e.g. fibre).

Go for their small plates (e.g. patatas bravas) if you want a quick bite, or order their plates for sharing (e.g. baked feta) if you’re hungry!

Pro Tip:
If you want the ultimate finger food for sharing, visit on Tuesdays for their Tuesday tapas. This food item can be ordered from 12:00 NN to 8:00 PM and comes with 4 small platters of bar food (ZAR 120). 

6. PRON (People’s Republic of Noodles)

Address: 69 7th St, Linden, Randburg, 2104, South Africa

Website: https://www.pron.restaurant/

Contact Number: +27 65 555 1211

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Saturday, 12:00 NN to 10:00 PM

People’s Republic of Noodles may sound too serious, but it’s actually a fun place to be (but they do take their noodle dishes seriously!). The interiors scream oriental with Chinese lanterns, a dragon hanging off the ceiling, red paint, and Chinese trinkets.

While they do serve authentic Chinese noodles, they also have other classic Chinese food like dumplings, sizzling beef, and sweet and sour chicken. Don’t miss out on their best-selling dish though—beef fried noodles (ZAR 130).

Pro Tip:
Most of their noodle dishes come in large portions and will be best enjoyed with a friend or two. We recommend that you order a noodle dish and check its serving size first before ordering other items.

7. The Fat Zebra

Address: 71 7th St, Linden, Randburg, 2195, South Africa

Website: https://thefatzebra.co.za/

Contact Number: +27 67 403 1896

Operating Hours:

  • Tuesday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
  • Friday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM
  • Sunday, 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM

The Fat Zebra is a cute and cosy bistro-style restaurant that’s designed to make you feel like a million rands! Its interiors look elegant with its use of solid colours and sleek, modern furniture.

Some of their most sought-after dishes include beef and chicken burgers and pizzas with variants like Margherita, vegetarian, or salami.

Pro Tip:
We recommend that you ask the restaurant’s wait staff or check the menu for any promotions during the day of your visit. 

They sometimes have Burger Thursdays (2 burgers for ZAR 150) and Pizza Saturdays (2 pizzas for ZAR 180). 

8. Choo Choo Junction

Address: 57 4th Ave, Linden, Randburg, 2104, South Africa

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ChooChooJunction/ 

Contact Number: +27 72 910 3000

Operating Hours:

  • Tuesday, 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
  • Wednesday and Thursday, 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
  • Friday and Saturday, 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
  • Sunday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Choo Choo Junction is the perfect fusion restaurant if you want variety and unique flavours in your meals. The interiors are muted but fun with unique decor, especially if you look up at the ceiling (e.g. chandeliers that look like octopuses).

Their fusion dishes such as their Mediterranean plates (e.g., Italian pasta and Moroccan calamari) are also quite flavourful. For Asian dishes, you can feast on their Korean wings, Thai pho, Asian pork belly, and Indonesian nasi goreng (stir-fried rice).

Pro Tip:
They have specific promos on certain days such as Curry Thursday (2 curries for ZAR 165) and Flatbread Tuesday (2 flatbreads for ZAR 165). 

9. Satori Family Restaurant

Address: 61a 4th Ave, Linden, Randburg, 2195, South Africa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Satori-Restaurant-100067373856506/ 

Contact Number: +27 11 888 7452

Operating Hours:

  • Monday, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
  • Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 NN to 10:00 PM
  • Sunday, 12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Satori Family Restaurant offers authentic Italian cuisine here in Linden. The place itself doesn’t have a lot of fancy decor or trinkets, but the interiors feature traditional and minimalist hues that will make you feel like you’re in a rural area.

You can choose among their classic pizzas such as their focaccia, Margherita, and Regina and their gourmet pizzas like Gambini, Sorrento, Mamma Mia, and Lloyd’s Special. If you want something less filling, you can also go for salad or pasta.

Pro Tip:
Don’t leave Satori Family Restaurant without trying their unique homemade desserts. They have Italian kisses and ice cream with chocolate sauce at ZAR 45 each and peppermint crisp tart and tiramisu at ZAR 55 a piece.

10. FOND Linden

Address: First Place, 44 1st Ave, Linden, Johannesburg, 2195, South Africa

Website: https://www.fond.co.za/ 

Contact Number: +27 83 271 5534

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Sunday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

FOND is fondly described as a boutique eatery, and we agree. The place looks like a modern grocery that has a casual dining area with products displayed across wooden and refrigerated shelves.

Most of the food items you can order here are generally pick-and-go items such as sandwiches, soups, salads, burgers, and steak slices served with crisp chips. Some of their must-try beverages include refreshing grapefruit tea and black cherry mocha.

Pro Tip:
Check their social media to see if they have any ongoing promotions. They sometimes have promos where you tag a friend to get a discount and a free upsize to your drink if you visit during specific days.

Related topics