The Johannesburg South is known for many popular attractions such as Gold Reef City, Apartheid Museum, Rietvlei Zoo Farm, state of the art shopping malls, Golden City Shooting Club and FNB Stadium – to mention a few. Addition to that, the area also offers unforgettable dining adventures waiting for your enjoyment. We were lucky to be afforded an opportunity to review the Kraal Restaurant not long ago, situated in the secluded, beautiful, and tranquil Thaba Eco Hotel within the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve.
The nature reserve is conveniently positioned – it is only 25 km from Sandton, 10 km from the Johannesburg CBD, and five km from Soweto. It is open to the public from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, and at no cost to enter.
The Kraal Restaurant provides a delightful collection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes cooked with the immaculate ingredients and to perfection. The menu is diverse and there is something for everyone. Their dishes are prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients, and the portions are generous – the prices are reasonable too.
Our review was scheduled for 6pm, and we started the evening with a bread service of buttermilk roosterkoek (homemade) which was deliciously grilled to golden perfection and served alongside fluffy whipped butter, accompanied by the rich flavour of baba ghanoush and olives. Each bite was a delightful symphony of textures and taste. We also had king oyster mushroom atop, a velvety turmeric parsnip puree, accentuated by a drizzle of aromatic chive oil. Furthermore, we tasted mouthwatering Mediterranean calamari with tangy sundried tomatoes, char grilled peppers and roasted olives. The starters were to die for, and delivered on the promise of a burst of flavour in every bite.
The chef also suggested the Harissa infused meatballs, gently simmered in a perfectly made sauce and served with velvety ricotta and luscious tahini yogurt – each bite was a culinary delight perfected by a crispy butter toast and roasted pine nut. The dish was expertly cooked and full of flavour.
For main, we experienced the indulgence of tender braised oxtail prepared beautifully with the meat falling off the bone, served atop a bed of creamy samp accompanied by charred baby vegetables. We also adored the seafood platter comprised of grilled hake fillet, calamari tubes, creamy garlic mussels, vannamei prawns, creamy garlic sauce and homemade chips.
As filling as the mains were, we couldn’t resist the heart-warming and perfectly seasoned beer battered fish and chips served with garlic rosemary potato wedges, and zesty remoulade, complemented by the rich and smokey tomato sauce. The mushy minty peas added a satisfying freshness to the dish.
Our desserts of beignets made of soft pastry pillows filled with decadent Caramel and rich chocolate ganache, as well as baklava cheesecake which was a bit lighter were out of this world and hit all the right notes.
The restaurant also offers a wide selection of wines, cocktails, alcohol, warm and cold drinks.
Kraal Restaurant has a brilliant ambiance, decorated to make you feel at home. Our evening was wonderful with fireplaces in the background. Their interior decoration is the whole ball of wax, while surrounded by magnificent views. Their staff is very helpful and hospitable.
If you are looking for an upmarket restaurant with an unmatched dining experience in the wilderness of Jozi, surrounded by nature and serene atmosphere perfect for intimate dinning, then Kraal Restaurant is the place to go. It is our best pick by far!