When the sun is shining in Joburg, it's time to head out and enjoy a long lunch in a sunny garden or courtyard. To save you from staring out at a mall parking lot, we made a guide focused on Joburg restaurants with charming courtyards or hidden gardens, leisurely pool decks, rooftops with views, sprawling piazzas, and other places where the outdoor space offers something special.

Garden restaurants and cafés

A popular neighbourhood spot on Parkview's pretty main street of Tyrone Avenue. The front of the restaurant is cosy, with a long bar and windows opening onto the street. Blind Tiger's hidden garden is a hit, with loads of space to spread out under the trees. There's a great cocktail menu and red meat lovers should try the beautifully plated "topless burger", a juicy medium-rare beef patty topped with blue cheese and caramelised onion.
Where: 62 Tyrone Ave, Parkview

CAFÉ 28 INANDA
Tucked into a Sandton office park, Café 28 Inanda isn't easy to find unless you know someone who has already been hooked by what we think might just be the best Neapolitan pizza in Joburg. Pillowy dough, light as a feather, with a fantastic array of toppings. Add an Italian beer and look out over an immaculately landscaped nine-hole golf course and manicured gardens, and you might forget that you are in Joburg. We strongly recommend you reserve your table well in advance as weekends tend to get busy. 
Where: 54 Wierda Rd, Wierda Valley, Sandton

BERGBRON PLAASKOMBUIS EN PADSTAL
Come to the homely Afrikaans plaaskombuis (farm kitchen) in Northcliff for bulging plates of unpretentious and good value comfort food that you'd more typically find far from a big city like Johannesburg. The Afrikaans padstal (farm shop) styled café is set out just as you might find at a farm kitchen in many small South African towns. A long, shady stoep (veranda), a tall shiny windmill, and even an old tractor overlook verdant gardens. Breakfast is served all day at the Bergbron Plaaskombuis en Padstal, where options include the sonop jaffel (sunrise toastie) with fried egg, bacon, and cheese, phutu pap (crumbly maize porridge) with maalvleis (minced meat), or a classic cooked breakfast with all the works, served on rustic enamel plates. 
Where: 268 Weltevreden Rd, Blackheath

DELTA CAFÉ
What started as a small café in a carefully converted old cottage looking out over the lush Delta Park is now a hive of activity with a café, beer garden, and pizza restaurant set over two outdoor covered areas. With stables on its doorstep, a playground, and a dedicated menu for kids, Delta Café is an ideal hangout for families. And with direct access to the Braamfontein Spruit biking trails, it's also popular with the cycling crowd. There's a simple and relaxed menu of light home-style breakfasts and lunches such as chicken pregos or pizzas made in a giant wood-fired oven.
Where: 20 Marlborough Rd (entrance via garden centre), Craighall Park

THE FORUM KITCHEN AT L'ANTICO GIARDINO
A classy weekend-only breakfast and lunch venue created by top events organisers The Forum Company, located at their beautifully restored Lanseria farm White Light (about 30 minutes from Sandton). The "ancient garden" or L'antico Giardino spreads out under tall trees and into a lush garden with the majority of seating outdoors. The kitchen serves breakfasts and a weekly changing menu of immaculately presented and flavourful lunches made with fresh produce sourced from nearby farms and suppliers.
Where: White Light, Pine Valley Rd, Lanseria

Garden dining at The Kitchen at L'antico Giardino. Photo: Johannesburg In Your Pocket. 

GROUND THE VENUE
Ground Café at Ground The Venue in Muldersdrift offers a charming farmhouse-style indoor space and spacious outdoor seating in a beautifully manicured garden, making it perfect for both planned outings and spontaneous visits. The menu features fresh meals and tempting deli options, along with Naked Coffee. For an escape from Joburg, book a picnic experience tailored to your taste, from DIY setups with food boxes to luxe packages like the Boschendal Picnic or Bougie Boho, complete with treats, blankets, and even bubbly. It's ideal for weekends with groups of up to 10, so be sure to reserve your spot! Plus, Ground Café is a dog-friendly venue, so you can bring your pooch along for the adventure.
Where: 19 Driefontein Road, Muldersdrift

KRANZ RESTAURANT AT THE NORTHCLIFF
The Northcliff Boutique Hotel is perched right on top of the Northcliff ridge and its garden terrace serves up one of the finest panoramic views in Joburg. The hotel's restaurant Kranz opens for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (note that non-hotel guests can only visit the property with a dining reservation, strictly no walk-ins or drinks-only bookings). The cuisine is elegantly presented and is flavourful continental fare, complemented by a solid wine list. Visit for lunch and dine outdoors in the garden or arrive early for your dinner reservation so you can enjoy the sunset.