Zoe's Greenside Guidebook

Zoe
Zoe's Greenside Guidebook

Food scene

This place is affectionately known as 'the dining room of Parkview”. It is situated in our neighboring Parkview 5-10 minutes drive from our Airbnb. A lovely warm place, always buzzing and with that special touch that comes from a family business. Franco Forleo has been serving traditional homemade dishes for many years. His culinary roots take him back to his student years, working in a local pizzeria in lower Rosebank then known as, 'La Pizzeria'. Working as a waiter, he took the opportunity of learning the art of flipping pizza's whenever he could. Later, when he started work, he continued at ‘La Pizza’ subsidizing his meagre banker's salary. When he was asked to join full time he leapt at the challenge and years later, Franco had the opportunity to own it. In 1987, Franco sold 'La Pizza' and after a few months of rest, found an insolvent, rundown restaurant in Parkview. This establishment was notorious for never having been successful, and Franco was frowned upon by locals as being just another who would “come and go”. A pizza oven was built and Franco began trading at the beginning of December of that year and has never looked back. With the help of his nephew Massimo and his now grown up sons, Franco jnr. and Ricky, Franco continues to serve and please.
30 recommandé par les habitants
Franco's Pizzeria & Trattoria
54 Tyrone Ave
30 recommandé par les habitants
This place is affectionately known as 'the dining room of Parkview”. It is situated in our neighboring Parkview 5-10 minutes drive from our Airbnb. A lovely warm place, always buzzing and with that special touch that comes from a family business. Franco Forleo has been serving traditional homemade dishes for many years. His culinary roots take him back to his student years, working in a local pizzeria in lower Rosebank then known as, 'La Pizzeria'. Working as a waiter, he took the opportunity of learning the art of flipping pizza's whenever he could. Later, when he started work, he continued at ‘La Pizza’ subsidizing his meagre banker's salary. When he was asked to join full time he leapt at the challenge and years later, Franco had the opportunity to own it. In 1987, Franco sold 'La Pizza' and after a few months of rest, found an insolvent, rundown restaurant in Parkview. This establishment was notorious for never having been successful, and Franco was frowned upon by locals as being just another who would “come and go”. A pizza oven was built and Franco began trading at the beginning of December of that year and has never looked back. With the help of his nephew Massimo and his now grown up sons, Franco jnr. and Ricky, Franco continues to serve and please.
Doppio Zero is a Mediterranean restaurant (not an Indian restaurant - not sure why the Airbnb location map has named it as an Indian place!!). Their food has been prepared to a high standard since day 1, everything is fresh and consistently good. It is literally 5 minutes drive from our Airbnb and is a place I’ve been frequenting since they started started out as a bakery and al fresco cafe in March 2002. Made popular by its freshly made artisan ciabatta, exclusive bakery and meeting place, the aroma of baking kept people coming and they knew they had something special. Over time this evolved into a full service restaurant with a wide range of Mediterranean specialties and traditional Italian fare. It has a menu for everyone, whether you are a vegan or a meat eater. Salads, seafood, pizza, pasta, and even mezze or tapas dishes. With the success of the Greenside restaurant, Doppio Zero began a quick expansion. Doppio Zero currently has restaurants in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Alexandria in Egypt. One of my “home from home” places.
34 recommandé par les habitants
Doppio Zero Greenside
Barry Hertzog Avenue & Gleneagles Rd
34 recommandé par les habitants
Doppio Zero is a Mediterranean restaurant (not an Indian restaurant - not sure why the Airbnb location map has named it as an Indian place!!). Their food has been prepared to a high standard since day 1, everything is fresh and consistently good. It is literally 5 minutes drive from our Airbnb and is a place I’ve been frequenting since they started started out as a bakery and al fresco cafe in March 2002. Made popular by its freshly made artisan ciabatta, exclusive bakery and meeting place, the aroma of baking kept people coming and they knew they had something special. Over time this evolved into a full service restaurant with a wide range of Mediterranean specialties and traditional Italian fare. It has a menu for everyone, whether you are a vegan or a meat eater. Salads, seafood, pizza, pasta, and even mezze or tapas dishes. With the success of the Greenside restaurant, Doppio Zero began a quick expansion. Doppio Zero currently has restaurants in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Alexandria in Egypt. One of my “home from home” places.
An award-winning restaurant In Parktown North (10 mins drive from the Airbnb), specializing in grass-fed beef, as well as a variety of other options (local dishes such as bobotie, venison, ostrich and lamb as well as a few vegetarian meals, fish and shellfish, and salads). This is not a place for vegans, and although they have a few good options for vegetarians the menu is very focused on meat. Following strict ‘field to fork’ principles means that the beef is sourced from the best producers they can find, is aged on the premises and cut to order. Their food is outstanding, it is one of the few places offering home-made ice cream, and they have an interesting wine list too.
47 recommandé par les habitants
The Local Grill
50 7th Avenue
47 recommandé par les habitants
An award-winning restaurant In Parktown North (10 mins drive from the Airbnb), specializing in grass-fed beef, as well as a variety of other options (local dishes such as bobotie, venison, ostrich and lamb as well as a few vegetarian meals, fish and shellfish, and salads). This is not a place for vegans, and although they have a few good options for vegetarians the menu is very focused on meat. Following strict ‘field to fork’ principles means that the beef is sourced from the best producers they can find, is aged on the premises and cut to order. Their food is outstanding, it is one of the few places offering home-made ice cream, and they have an interesting wine list too.

Great vibes & local talent

Food, shopping and South African design
The most established precinct on the edge of downtown Joburg, 44 Stanley is a mixed use development that fuses downtown urbanism with a subtle sophistication. A mix of carefully-curated, bespoke stores and independent restaurants gives the centre an authenticity that runs through eating, drinking, shopping, working and living experiences. Shady arcades and green courtyards between what was once a series of industrial 1930's buildings make this a unique Johannesburg space. Visit some of my favorite shops - Salvation cafe which always has fresh delicious organic food, Luna (fashion), Mungo (towels & throws), Bean There (coffee roastery), a chocolatier, bakery, jeweler, the Jozi shop (funky Johannesburg items) and loads of others. 5 mins drive from Greenside, unexpected & fun!
39 recommandé par les habitants
44 Stanley
44 Stanley Ave
39 recommandé par les habitants
The most established precinct on the edge of downtown Joburg, 44 Stanley is a mixed use development that fuses downtown urbanism with a subtle sophistication. A mix of carefully-curated, bespoke stores and independent restaurants gives the centre an authenticity that runs through eating, drinking, shopping, working and living experiences. Shady arcades and green courtyards between what was once a series of industrial 1930's buildings make this a unique Johannesburg space. Visit some of my favorite shops - Salvation cafe which always has fresh delicious organic food, Luna (fashion), Mungo (towels & throws), Bean There (coffee roastery), a chocolatier, bakery, jeweler, the Jozi shop (funky Johannesburg items) and loads of others. 5 mins drive from Greenside, unexpected & fun!
The Bamboo Centre is a small but authentic and varied shopping experience in Melville, Johannesburg (find it at the cnr of 9th & Rustenberg Roads, Melville). Here you’ll find everything from food and wine to art; books; haute couture and collectables. Each shop is independent and owner-run – no chain brands here. Personal favorite is Convoy, a collaboration between several talented South African clothing/jewelry/shoe designers. Convoy is adjacent to the Service Station an informal restaurant and deli where during the day you can connect to the WiFi and have the best coffee in town. Upstairs the Gallery and the Great Eastern Food Bar which is a great place for dinner.
Bamboo Lifestyle Center
24 9th St
The Bamboo Centre is a small but authentic and varied shopping experience in Melville, Johannesburg (find it at the cnr of 9th & Rustenberg Roads, Melville). Here you’ll find everything from food and wine to art; books; haute couture and collectables. Each shop is independent and owner-run – no chain brands here. Personal favorite is Convoy, a collaboration between several talented South African clothing/jewelry/shoe designers. Convoy is adjacent to the Service Station an informal restaurant and deli where during the day you can connect to the WiFi and have the best coffee in town. Upstairs the Gallery and the Great Eastern Food Bar which is a great place for dinner.
Parkview borders Greenside and is part of the greater Rosebank area. The timeless old suburb of Parkview is one of the few remaining areas in Johannesburg where South Africans can still stroll, cycle and jog along its tree-lined avenues. Parkview borders on Saxonwold and Forest Town, both of which were developed as forest plantations. Parkview is a breathtakingly pretty suburb. The plane trees lining Dundalk Avenue are part of this original plantation. The charming little Parkview village complete with delightful shops, delis, restaurants and a village library are on the suburb’s highstreet, where one constantly jostles for a parking space, and add to the character of a suburb that is over 100 years old. In addition to restaurants such as Croft & Co., Europa, Tase of Punjab, Blind Tiger and the Perfect Cup you will find a Spar, a greengrocer, Postnet, a laundromat, beautician, ArtAfrica (a favorite of mine for high quality African gifts), a manufacturing jeweler LALI (also a personal favorite for unique jewelry pieces), a hardware store and a wine/bottle store
The Village Centre
60 Tyrone Ave
Parkview borders Greenside and is part of the greater Rosebank area. The timeless old suburb of Parkview is one of the few remaining areas in Johannesburg where South Africans can still stroll, cycle and jog along its tree-lined avenues. Parkview borders on Saxonwold and Forest Town, both of which were developed as forest plantations. Parkview is a breathtakingly pretty suburb. The plane trees lining Dundalk Avenue are part of this original plantation. The charming little Parkview village complete with delightful shops, delis, restaurants and a village library are on the suburb’s highstreet, where one constantly jostles for a parking space, and add to the character of a suburb that is over 100 years old. In addition to restaurants such as Croft & Co., Europa, Tase of Punjab, Blind Tiger and the Perfect Cup you will find a Spar, a greengrocer, Postnet, a laundromat, beautician, ArtAfrica (a favorite of mine for high quality African gifts), a manufacturing jeweler LALI (also a personal favorite for unique jewelry pieces), a hardware store and a wine/bottle store