12-05-2025
New traditional South African restaurant opens in Sandton
Sandton has welcomed a new spot for food lovers craving traditional South African flavours. Tasty Nation, the local food brand best known for its convenient home-style meals, has just opened its first quick service restaurant right in time for Joburg's chilly season.
What's on the menu at Tasty Nation
Tasty Nation's menu pays tribute to the country's rich culinary heritage. Guests can enjoy classic favourites like Mogodu (beef tripe in a thin gravy), Thlakwana (slow-cooked cow heels), and flame-grilled Peri Peri Chicken and Beef Short Rib.
Comfort food staples such as Durban-style mutton curry, bobotie, and indulgent desserts like Malva pudding and koeksisters round out the menu.
'With our new quick service restaurant, we're creating a space where people can come together and enjoy familiar flavours,' says Kelly Lewis, CEO of Tasty Nation. 'It's about making traditional African cuisine both accessible and inviting.'
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A flavourful experience that feels like home
When Time Out visited Tasty Nation, we were treated to a flavour-packed experience. The adventurer in me gave almost everything a try (I decided to skip the Mogodu as a matter of personal preference), and at one point, I was tempted to see if someone's grandmother wasn't holed up in the kitchen churning out these delicious dishes.
My highlights included the Peri Peri chicken livers and the tender durban-style mutton curry served with rotis. The curry was milder than its Durban counterpart, but full of authentic flavour—a nod to Kelly's Durban roots.
Another standout dish was the Nhloko (beef head meat in a thin gravy with onions and chillies) served with soft, spongy Dombolo dumplings—perfect for soaking up that gravy.
As a side note the restaurant's warm, vibey music selection added to the experience, creating a space that feels as comforting as the food. If the atmosphere remains this consistent, Tasty Nation could easily become one of Joburg's go-to spots for traditional food with a modern twist.
