Written by: Hennie Fisher
Are you still in holiday mode, not ready to venture into ‘from-scratch’ cooking at home? Explore five of the best dining destinations in Pretoria where one does not have to be overly cost-conscious.
It’s January and most of us will feel the pinch of Dezemba. The festive season has passed, bringing not only rest and peace, but unfortunately - more often than not - financial worry too. In addition, we also want to start the new year on a better footing, getting back into a healthy eating and exercise routine. But, we suggest easing into home cooking, so as not to strain yourself so early in the new year!
Large chain restaurants often have the upper hand in offering specials and eat-out experiences that won’t break the bank, because they have the resources to research and market specials based on bulk purchasing to you, the consumer. On the other hand, smaller, independent restaurants mostly don’t have that luxury and they need your support when they do offer good food at affordable prices.
Here is a lovely mix of Pretoria-based restaurants, offering Asian cuisine, Indian food, Italian dishes, and a bit of good old South African chicken for good measure - all at prices you need not worry about. These five dining destinations are sure to give you a little respite without having to think too hard about the financial consequences.
NO WORRY ICHIBAN, A MUST-TRY DINING DESTINATION IN PRETORIA
Ichiban is a small multi-store business owned by Southeast Asian men who expertly fuse Japanese Sushi, Thai and Chinese foods. They have very friendly and engaging local waiting staff, and their Rietfontein branch (there are other branches in Waverley, Queenswood and Mountain View) features lovely banquette seating and serves a small selection of alcoholic beverages.
A constant stream of take-outs get picked up on any given night of the week, but they are equally happy to serve customers at one of the in-store tables. This Pretorian dining destination offers delicious fried dumplings or a few spring rolls to start, and for an exceptional bargain, opt for the Assorted Chow Mein or Chow Faan - stir-fried rice or Asian noodles, deeply flavoured with traditional soy, garlic and fresh ginger. Here, assorted means the combination of beef, chicken and prawns with a selection of vegetables. It is a huge plate, and if you are a small eater, there will certainly be leftovers to take home!
The Chow Mein or Faan is unfortunately not laden with too many classic Asian vegetables (probably due to supply challenges), but they often serve stir-fried bok choy with garlic, which comes as a lucky surprise since it’s not stated on the menu. The bright green bok choy platter with finely chopped fresh garlic is deliciously traditional and also dirt cheap.
Order a plate of fried dumplings or one plate of Assorted Chow Mein (or Faan) to share along with a plate of bok choy. Paired with two beers, you are likely to walk away having had a lovely meal for around R100 per person.
SPICY, AFFORDABLE BAY LEAF
Head out to Laudium, Centurion (yes, it is far, but safe and totally worth it) for a meal at Bay Leaf at 259 Tangerine Street. Be sure to arrive a little earlier to explore some of the spice and vegetable shops for even more cost-conscious shopping. Items like black pepper, dried chickpeas and fresh red peppers are dirt cheap here - probably around a quarter of the price you’ll pay anywhere else in Pretoria.
Compared to some of the high-end Indian restaurants in town, Bay Leaf is most certainly much more affordable. The trick to getting the best deal lies in what you select from the menu, though. Order a few roti (R12 each), naan (R5 - R17 each) or even a slightly pricier paratha (R22 each), and for R100 you will have enough bread to satisfy a table of four. Then, throw in some dhal, a dry-fried cauliflower dish and one chicken dish (with green chillies), and you will leave satisfied having spent under R400 for four people.
OYAMA FOR AFFORDABLE SUSHI IN PRETORIA
If sushi is what you’re after and your budget is slightly tight, head straight to Oyama Sushi Restaurant - shop number 38 at Gift Acres Shopping Centre on the corner of Lynnwood and Lizann Avenue. Tucked away behind the large KFC drive-through, this is probably your best bet in Pretoria when you’re after sushi that won’t break the bank.
Given the price of fresh tuna and salmon per kilogram, it would be impossible for anyone to offer cheap sushi, but this little gem - run by a Hong Kong husband and wife team - is affordable compared to most other places offering sushi.
Oyama runs specials on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, where for a mere R8 extra, you get two for the price of one. So, instead of four pieces of salmon or tuna California rolls that would cost you around R40, you’ll only pay around R48 for eight pieces. There is also an 18-piece Couples Platter for around R135 - what a bargain! In addition to sushi, they also offer a variety of other dishes for you to try.
A DINING DESTINATION WITH LARGE PIZZAS FOR UNDER R80
Casa Gelati - previously located on Frederica Avenue - is now situated in a rather unassuming shopping centre called Wonderboom Plaza, at 517 De Beer Street, Wonderboom South. Whilst they are not really geared for sit-in dining these days, there are two tables inside and two high tables outside allowing for some people watching as the wood-fire pizza oven is deftly fuelled by two skilled pizza makers.
Be sure to ask Fransina, the waitress at Casa Gelati, for the most delicious chilli sauce that comes standard with all their large pizzas. The Regina, Hawaiian and Spicy BBQ Chicken have been on special since forever, all at R79 each.
CHICKEN AT A GREAT PRICE
Finally, visit Bird & Co in Groenkloof for a delicious and slightly more affordable version of take-out (or dine in) chicken than what the usual fast-food outlets offer. At a mere R79 you can get a plate with two delicious, deboned, flame-grilled and basted chicken thighs with a side of your choice. Throw in a buddy drink at R19 and you will have a lovely meal under R100 per person.
Even better value for money is to get a whole deboned chicken, two sides and four rolls at R269. This could probably feed a family of four for under R350 if bottled water is the only beverage of choice if going dry this Jan is on the cards.
So, as we ease into the new year and tighten our belts after the festive season, remember that you don't have to sacrifice a great meal. The wonderful, independent dining destinations of Pretoria - like those highlighted above - offer delicious and diverse cuisines. From Asian and Indian to Italian and South African, they all offer value for money and respite from January’s financial worries.
Plus, by supporting these local gems, you can indulge in that holiday feeling a little longer, avoiding the hassle of cooking while helping small businesses thrive. Go on, treat yourself to a pizza at Casa Gelati, affordable sushi specials at Oyama, or a satisfying meal at Ichiban, Bay Leaf or Bird & Co - your wallet (and your taste buds) will thank you!