Santis Bar & Grill is the kind of place that makes you wish more suburbs had a real local hangout—somewhere that understands the value of good food and drinks, good company, and the kind of atmosphere that doesn’t try too hard to impress. Located inside The Square Shopping Centre in Sunninghill, Santis isn’t flashy or dramatic. But it doesn’t need to be. It hums with the quiet confidence of a place that knows exactly who it’s for. After all, there’s something oddly comforting about finding a joint that doesn’t just serve meals and drinks—it builds a sense of community.
We visited on a Thursday evening, right as the after-work crowd began filtering in from offices nearby. The sun was low, the sky tinged with early Joburg gold, and the outdoor terrace had already begun filling up with regulars. Waiters moved with the easy pace of people who know their guests by name. No pretence, no performance. Just a place that feels lived-in and loved.
Santis layout is split between a relaxed indoor bar and an outdoor section that spills onto the square, giving it a sociable, open-air feel. You’ll find a mixed crowd: locals grabbing an after-work drink, friends settling in for dinner, and a few solo diners catching the tail end of the day with a burger and a beer. It’s the kind of crowd that reminds you that restaurants don’t always need a theme or gimmick to feel inviting. Sometimes, all it takes is a well-poured pint and a plate of food that hits the spot.
Food-wise, Santis does something that too many spots forget to get right: it keeps things simple, but not boring. The menu leans into pub-and-grill comfort food, elevated just enough to feel considered. We started with a few things to share—the battered calamari—tubes and heads, lightly crisped, served with a slice of lemon and a classic tartar sauce. The batter held well without being too heavy, and the portion was generous. It was clear the seafood hadn’t come from a freezer bag. The second starter, peri peri chicken livers, arrived in a shallow bowl, braised in a gently spicy napolitana sauce with soft onion and just enough kick to wake the palate. The bread on the side was perfect for scooping up what remained of the sauce once the livers were gone.
For mains, we decided to cover both sides of the spectrum: the cheesy, oven-baked meat lasagne and the flame-grilled T-bone. The lasagne had that comforting homemade quality—the pasta slightly uneven in thickness, the meat and cheese layered with enough richness to satisfy without feeling overdone. It’s the kind of dish that holds warmth well and doesn’t demand attention but rewards it when given.
The T-bone came out still sizzling, a modest fried egg resting on top. It was served with a side of spinach and roasted butternut—simple, earthy, and a nice contrast to the richness of the meat. Cooked medium as requested, the steak held its juices and had a good char, neither over-seasoned nor bland. It didn’t try too hard and didn’t need to.
Even though we’d already eaten more than enough, we couldn’t leave without trying what our waiter had casually referred to as “a must if you’re into pizza.” So, we ordered Santis’ meaty pizza. What landed on our table was exactly that: thin base, loaded but not overloaded, with ham, salami, mince, mushrooms, chilli, and a hint of garlic. There was a slight crisp on the edges, the cheese golden without being greasy, and the toppings balanced just right so that no one flavour drowned the rest.
Just when we thought we were done, someone at a nearby table was served the seafood curry, and after a brief debate, we decided to share one “just for a taste.” The medley came in a warm, curry-based sauce, not too thick, with a mild heat that built gently with each bite. It was served with rice and didn’t feel like an afterthought, even though we ordered it on a whim.
For dessert, we went for the sticky toffee cake with ice cream and a serving of creamy vanilla ice cream drizzled in what they called the “Santis chocolate sauce.” The cake was moist, dense but not heavy, and clearly made in-house. The chocolate sauce was rich but not cloying, and the ice cream smoothed everything over nicely. There’s nothing overly fancy about these desserts—they’re nostalgic, uncomplicated, and hit the right note at the end of a long meal.
Sunninghill isn’t short on restaurants, but too many of them feel like they’re trying to be somewhere else—Cape Town chic, Sandton luxe, Maboneng cool. Santis isn’t doing any of that. It’s deeply rooted in its location, unapologetically local, and all the better for it. For travellers staying nearby, it offers a laid-back alternative to the polished corporate restaurants around Sandton. For Joburgers, it’s a reminder that neighbourhood spots still matter.
In a city that often moves too fast and builds too high, there’s something grounding about a restaurant that keeps its head down and focuses on what matters: good food, good drink, and people who keep coming back. Santis may not have a long history or a fancy origin story, but it’s carving out its place one plate at a time.
Whether you’re popping in for a quick weekday lunch, meeting friends for drinks after work, or planning a relaxed weekend dinner, Santis Bar & Grill delivers what it promises—unpretentious, flavourful food and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay a little longer than you planned.