While in Johannesburg, there are 3 places to visit in order to eat – and keep it in a reasonable budget!

Definitely the first recommendation is Lekgotla, a traditional restaurant in Nelson Mandela Plaza (they have also a website). If you stay in Johannesburg for several days, you may consider eating here several times. Why? Because only in this way you will be able to taste the special dishes from South Africa. Tasty food, good service and good looking restaurant. A pleasant experience.

The second recommendation, especially for those coming from parts of the world where you don’t usually eat different types of fish, is Ocean Basket. This is, as the name suggest, a Seafood Restaurant. A chain with restaurants in other cities and parts of the world, Ocean Basket is also another place to visit several times and try different fish dishes. They also have an official site – http://www.oceanbasket.co.za – a more comprehensive one. You also have the menus online and prices – see this page. Also, online you can easily locate the nearest restaurant! The food is good, the place is also OK!

The third recommendation is Steers – Real Burgers – a fast food chain similar to Burger King if you want. This is their official website. Steers is in fact a good alternative for those wanting to eat something fast, that don’t refuse fast food and search for something similar with what they know. Yes, there are all pros and cons of fast food, but giving the price and how many people search for something like this it is a good recommendation. The food is also OK – the sandwiches are tasty and well done.

Fahad Al Anezi, the owner of the Marmar Restaurant in the city of Dammam in the Eastern Province launched a campaign against food waste made by people that order too much – much more that they can actually eat.

According to gulfnews.com, “”There are many clients who make large orders in order to impress the people around them and boost their social prestige,” he said, as quoted by Saudi media.
The fine is symbolic for diners whose eyes or egos are bigger than their stomachs and is decided according to the quantity of the leftovers.”

Fahad Al Anezi says that this innovative idea has been largesly endorsed by Saudis.

What do you think about the idea?

There are many people ordering and leaving a great amount of leftovers. Of course, sometimes the food isn’t great – thus the amount not eaten – but often indeed people order too much, not out of the desire to try something local, but because they seem not to know themselves and how much they can really eat and also because they don’t really care that there is so much food thrown away.

So, is charging people for the leftovers a solution?

Entertaining friends in London is made a lot easier due to the grand lineup of restaurants to choose from. Las Iguanas is the best place to get a Latino experience. Amaya Restaurant is great for modern Indian food. And for a whole new sensory experience in dining, it has to be Dans Le Noir!

At Las Iguanas the décor blends quirky elements with a cheerful atmosphere. In true grill style, food comes in ceramic pots placed on a stove, so it remains hot throughout. You will surely be transported to the large tapas parties of Brazil. The signature dishes like xinxim and the mocqueca curry are a riot of colour and texture but come with a soothing flavor. There’s a whole array of Latin street food with fajitas served with chicken, prawns, asparagus and artichoke. Oh, and how can you forget the cocktails? Don’t miss the cachacas – a liquor from sugarcane sourced from its own plantations near Rio.

Amaya Restaurant is welcoming with its extensive marble and premium furnishings. This restaurant is a great way to unwind with friends as the open kitchen bustling to get the orders ready adds to the carnival-like atmosphere. Food is Indian tailored to the global diner. The meats are cooked in Indian grill but the spices and flavors are subtler to give a wholesome feel.

If you are raring for a totally new concept in eating out, Dans Le Noir is something more. It adds a totally new dimension to the art of dining by taking you literally through a dark space. This means the food not just tickles your taste buds but offers a wacky sensory experience. You should arrive early and a guide will take you to a dark ante room. Once you have settled down, the cocktails and food follow. The contemporary spread on offer is enhanced by the selection of wines available. The darkness makes for a vivid exploration of different senses in savoring the food and drinks.

Next time when you want to spend the evening with friends, I strongly recommend to choose one of the above options to ensure that the time spend will become truly exceptional!

Guest post by Erinna

Every time you’re visiting a country, a region or a town, you must try a local restaurant. But what to choose? One could try to consider a recommendation from a magazine / guide – but which one? Sometimes a review is a useful instrument for a foreigner, and I was always delighted when someone gave me a hint about a local good restaurant.

Well, the Decebal Restaurant, located in Romania’s capital city of Bucharest, on the avenue with the same name, is a perfect choice for someone looking for tasty food and high quality services for a reasonable price.

We go every now and then to Decebal Restaurant because everything here is… perfect. You can choose from a wide variety of dishes – from specific Romanian ones to some international varieties for those not tempted by local food. The portions are big enough and you can make any combination you like. However, above everything else we recommend you to try “papanasi” for a desert. If you want to have a “sneak peak” at the look of several different dishes, click here.

The official site is only in Romanian – however you may call for a reservation and try this restaurant because the personnel are English-speakers and the menus are also dual-language: in English and Romanian. Medium prices, tasteful dishes, nice atmosphere, elegant place, relatively central location – that’s Decebal Restaurant.

Pofta buna!