17 great wine bars and wine restaurants in Johannesburg 2024

Going to Johannesburg and looking for some great wine bars and wine restaurants? Check out this guide where Star Wine List's ambassador Steve Steinfeld guides you to his favourite spots in the city!

  1. Phone: +27 10 594 5550

    Address: Trumpet on Keyes Corner 19 Keyes and, Jellicoe Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg

    Best Medium-Sized List of the Year South Africa, presented by Amorim Cork 2023

    The restaurant Marble, by Chef David Higgs, situated within the Trumpet Building on Keyes Art Mile, has established itself as a key player in Johannesburg’s restaurant scene. The upmarket eatery, focusing on open-flame cooking, offers a menu of refined fare. While meat is certainly their speciality – with the option of a selection of beef cuts sourced from around the world – they also offer up an exciting array of poultry, pescetarian, vegetarian and even vegan dishes, most of it not all, with an element cooked over fire. The restaurant boasts stunning interiors and is the perfect place to cat...

  2. Phone: +27 010 900 3130

    Address: 33 on, 4th Avenue, Parkhurst, Randburg

    Located along the busy 4th Avenue in Parkhurst, one of Johannesburg's favourite avenues for foodies, with various restaurants on each side of the road. If you are a meat lover, you get to go to the display and choose from the aged selection that the chefs then will prepare to your liking. The wine selection is curated by their head sommelier and represents wines that complement the meat dishes very well. A fairly big selection of wines by the glass covering different regions and styles. Ask the sommelier for a private selection of wines not always listed on the main wine list.

  3. Phone: +27 010 446 9906

    Address: Corner Eastwood and, Parks Boulevard, Rosebank

    The wine list design is detailed and offers an appendix with definitions of words often used in the wine world. It also includes descriptions of South African wine regions and other major wine-producing countries, as well as main grape varietals allowing for a great read while waiting for your company or just enjoying a drink at the bar that has a marvelous design. The wine list is broad, featuring a good selection of international wines to take your palate on a journey around the world. A wide selection of wines by the glass followed by a diverse by-the-bottle selection that features known...

  4. Phone: +27 10 594 5888

    Address: The Marc Corner Rivonia &, Maude Street, Sandton

    Sandton, Johannesburg’s trendy Italian restaurant and bar, dishes up traditional Napolitan-stylee pizzas and twists on Italian cuisine within their magnificently over-the-top restaurant. Think the likes of Cathedral-esque ceilings and larger-than-life David-esque sculptures (which make up the back wall of the bar) artfully brought to life with animated projection mapping, pink feathered lampshades, gold mosaic pizza ovens and a white marble pass which runs the length of the restaurant The wine list focuses on Champagne and Cap Classique, though there’s certainly something for everyone with a...

  5. Phone: +27 10 594 5455

    Address: The Marc Corner Rivonia and, Maude Street, Sandton

    Sparkling Wine List of the Year South Africa 2022

    The luxurious bar and lounge Zioux, situated in Sandton Johannesburg, is an extravagant and opulent affair from start to finish. The twist on the word “zoo” sees the design draw inspiration from a menagerie of animal influencers, all with the feel of a suave gentleman’s lounge or member’s club, paired with a contemporary take on Latin American cuisine and flavours with a local twist. The wine list includes a well-considered by-the-glass offering in addition to in-depth and extensive bottle service. Champagne being the focus, there’s a selection of both vintage and non-vintage Champagnes and...

  6. Phone: +27 81 848 6480

    Address: Cnr 4th and, 13th Street, Parkhurst, Johannesburg

    International Special Jury Prize 2023

    An intimate eatery found upon Parkhurst’s trendy 4th Avenue in Johannesburg, Embarc offers up a contemporary take on European cooking. The minimalist space delivers a host of delicious dishes which can be ordered either as a tasting portion or main meal – allowing guests to either create their own tasting menu or tuck into a single heartier dish. The wine list, in the hands of co-owner and sommelier Lisa De Beer, showcases a small selection of a long list of varietals and blends, ranging from the expected to the interesting. There’s a definite focus on the more niche South African producers...

  7. Phone: +27 71 379 2161

    Address: Shop No 120, Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton

    Situated within Johannesburg’s iconic Nelson Mandela Square, the sexy and sophisticated Tang offers diners modern takes and twists on Asian fare – drawing inspiration from classic Cantonese cooking and the street food found within the izakaya’s of Japan. Separated into sushi, small plates, signature dishes and larger mains, my suggestion would be to order for the table and share amongst guests. The gorgeous setting with its black marble, dark woods and neutral tones create a luxurious and elegant setting in which to indulge. The wine list boasts over 150 bottles and focuses on the heavy hitt...

  8. Phone: +27 87 375 7777

    Address: 36 Saxon Road, Sandhurst, Johannesburg

    By the Glass List of the Year South Africa 2023

    One of Johannesburg's (and South Africa's) most prestigious addresses, the Saxon Hotel in the affluent suburb of Sandown has a majestically magnificent wine program, which has been carefully curated, cellared and served throughout the hotel's long and storied history. The offering, which is available throughout the hotel's many dining areas, spans over 30 pages long and includes an array of local and international wines across a host of cultivars, blends, vintages and regions. In addition to a concise yet considered by-the-glass and Coravin service, there's also a half-bottle offering (375ml...

  9. Phone: +27 011 780 5000

    Address: Sandton Sun Hotel Corner Fifth Street and, Alice Lane, Sandhurst, Sandton

    Sparkling Wine List of the Year South Africa 2022

    The Sandton Sun Hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant is known for its panoramic views over the bustling, metropolitan hub of Sandton, Johannesburg; its glamorous appeal, roaring firepits and casual meets contemporary dining offering. Drawing an eclectic mix of locals and tourists, San is always bustling with activity. The wine list, compiled by Southern Sun’s group sommelier Miguel Chan, changes fortnightly and offers an exceptional mix of tried and tested favourites and new discoveries, all at competitive price points. It’s a list that encourages trying new wines, including sections encouragi...

  10. Phone: +27 067 294 1673

    Address: Shop 7, Delta Central, 74 Hillcrest Avenue, Blairgowrie, Randburg

    The hole-in-the-wall winebar Mr. Pants, in the quiet Johannesburg neighbourhood of Blairgowrie, remains something of a best-kept secret amongst Johannesburg’s wino crowd. Perhaps because it’s here, within the little burgundy-painted corner spot with its minuscule back courtyard, where you can find some of the most exciting, unique, fine and rare wines in the country – the best part being that they are, for the most part, available for order by the glass. Whether it’s the quirky local small batch producer you’re looking for or an older international gem, they’ll likely have it or something s...

  11. Phone: +27 067 150 3428

    Address: 2 Bolton Road, Parkwood, Johannesburg

    The sibling restaurant to Mr. Pants, this quaint Rosebank wine bar is bringing a taste of Italy to Johannesburg. The bar, specializing in Italian wines and varietals, has blackboard menus featuring what's on offer and the region it comes from – a handy labelled map painted on the wall giving guests an idea of where what's in their glass comes from. The offerings run the course of the country from Piemonte to Sicily and everything in between – and it's all available by the glass.

  12. Phone: +27 011 784 8676

    Address: Shop 30 Nelson Mandela Square Sandton

    A stalwart of Johannesburg’s food scene, The Butcher shop & Grill has for over 20 years been serving up their expertly butchered, aged and cooked meat cuts from their prime position within Sandton’s iconic Nelson Mandela Square. The classic steakhouse is perhaps as well known for its signature steaks as they are for its wine offering. The wine list, which leans more towards the heavier red styles of wine, naturally in line with their food offering, features an array of great South African producers and winemakers (where possible, the winemaker is even credited under the wine). While their li...

  13. Phone: +27 011 884 8888

    Address: Shop U13, Morningside Shopping Centre Cnr Rivonia & Outspan Roads, Morningside, Johannesburg

    Best Medium-Sized List of the Year South Africa, presented by Amorim Cork 2023

    The opulent restaurant within the affluent Johannesburg suburb of Morningside is a luxurious, sophisticated and fashionable affair. The extensive menu ensures something to everyone’s fancy, be it sushi, salads, steaks or seafood. The sultry sounds of jazz and blues, along with the plush furnishings, make it a great place for elaborate and long-lasting evenings. The wine list spans the globe and is even accompanied by maps of the various countries and wine-growing regions it features, as well as tasting notes for each of the wines on offer. Running 65 pages long, much like their food menu, th...

  14. Phone: +27 010 023 3316

    Address: The Bank, 26 Cradock Avenue, Rosebank

    Best Short List of the Year South Africa 2022

    This trendy all-day eatery and wine bar can be found within the bustling heart of Johannesburg’s foodie-centric suburb of Rosebank. Kitted out in mid-century meets modern design, the restaurant offers up a selection of small plates in addition to a larger café and bistro-style casual offering. While the focus of the wine list may be on smaller scale and minimal intervention winemaking, the selection of wines on offer is varied, featuring a diverse mix of predominantly local (there’s a Champagne and small international section, too) wineries and winemakers. Particularly exciting is their sm...

  15. Phone: +27 010 900 2415

    Address: Hyde Park Corner Shopping Centre Jan Smuts and, 6th Road, Hyde Park, Johannesburg

    Drawing inspiration from the famed Japanese street-food alleyways called izakaya, this exquisite Hyde Park Corner restaurant brings a taste of Japan to Johannesburg. Indulge in a selection of traditional and contemporary sushi or an assortment of flame-cooked small plates off their robata grill or heartier mains from their Jasper coal-fired overs.

  16. Phone: +27 076 471 1489

    Address: Level 7, The Leonardo, 75 Maude Street, Sandton

    Situated within the tallest building in South Africa, in Sandton Johannesburg’s towering The Leonardo Building, Aurum serves up modern European fair ranging from casual café and bistro-style dishes – including burgers and salads for lunch and a more refined dinner offering which features the likes of fillet, prawn risottos and decadent mains of beef fillet, pork belly and roasted duck. The wine list features an array of well-known South African producers with a particular slant towards Stellenbosch while still showcasing a host of exceptional wines from prominent local growing regions. In ad...

  17. Phone: +27 0741515051

    Address: 19 Dartfield Road, Kramerville, Johannesburg

    Johannesburg’s trendy Scandi-designed coffee shop in the retail area of Kramerville has expanded to include a new wine bar, simply called Winebar. It takes up the left-hand side of their coffee bar. In line with their trendy and hipster approach to coffee, their focus is on the lesser known and alternative wines and winemakers. The blackboard menu features an ever-changing, predominantly local selection of small-batch, natural and low-intervention wines.