Where To Dine: Top 5 Tapas Restaurants In Joburg

Tapas is a type of cuisine that first originated from Spain and has grown to become increasingly popular amongst foodies worldwide.

The fact that people are eating smaller plates of food that includes a variety of different flavours and cuisines is what makes tapas so trendy right now… which is why we decided to give you a round-up of our top five favourite tapas restaurants in Joburg:

Lima Tapas Bar

Lima is Montecasino’s only tapas-style restaurant that includes Latin American dishes inspired by the great Andean civilisations of South America, where plants and herbs like corn, avocados and chocolate were cultivated for years. For starters try their empanadas stuffed with fig and cheese or chicken, or their pulled pork tacos. For mains order their rump or fillet with sides like sweet potato, honey and aji pepper or baby broccoli, green beans and zucchini. They also offer a sushi menu with signature sushi dishes and sushi burgers. www.limatapasbar.co.za

Cilantros

Situated on Nelson Mandela Square, Cilantros offers a pleasant dining experience with exceptional food. Plus, the restaurant itself is aesthetically sleek and stylish, yet comfortable. Expect tapas dishes like Sicilian meatballs, tempura prawns, grilled calamari in a lime sauce, and garlic butter prawn bites. They also offer tapas sharing boards, pizzas, pastas, as well as other main meals for those looking for something a bit more filling. But whatever you do, make sure you order their Oreo pavlova for dessert. Follow Cilantros on Instagram

Escondido Tapas And Wine

Escondido is tucked away on the lower level of the Illovo Post Office centre, just behind Thrupps and is a firm favourite for those living in the area. Some of the stand out dishes include the paella, Arancini balls, honey and lime chicken wings and truffle fries. For sweet lovers, the chocolate fondant and brownie waffle with vanilla ice cream are certified hits. Their tapas menu changes weekly and they also have an extensive wine collection. Follow Escondido on Instagram

EB Social Kitchen And Bar

Located inside the Exclusive Books store in Hyde Park Corner Shopping Centre, EB Social Kitchen And Bar is an upmarket, contemporary eatery that offers superb food. Their menu includes appetisers like Swartberg mountain olives and Namibian oysters with a saltwater dressing, entrees like smoked salmon served with potato blini and crudo of scallops, tuna and avocado, and mains like roast duck, rib eye on the bone and squid ink linguine. Dessert options include salted caramel chocolate tart and grilled banana with hazelnut crumble and vanilla anglaise. www.socialkitchenandbar.co.za

Urbanologi

Urbanologi, found in Ferreirasdorp at 1Fox Precinct, is where art meets food. Based inside Mad Giant Brewery, the team behind Urbanologi have worked alongside the brewery team to create an adventurous menu that includes rich Asian flavours, new techniques and the freshest locally sourced ingredients. Standout dishes include the venison tataki with smoked amasi labneh, beetroot peso and pickled candy beetroot as well as their lamb rib kushiyaki with fresh oak wood teriyaki and roast apple. As for dessert? Their ginger malva pudding with lime ice cream and popcorn soil and their chocolate ganache fondant with beetroot ice cream are two of their most popular dishes. www.urbanologi.co.za