By Gugulethu Tshabalala
Johannesburg has a habit of serving up beautiful restaurants with average food, and after a while you start to lower your expectations before you even walk through the door. So when my cousin and I headed to La Parada Waterfall Corner for a Sunday catch-up, I was not expecting to be genuinely impressed. But from the moment we arrived, it became clear this place is different.
What was supposed to be a simple lunch turned into a full afternoon. We sat down at 1pm and only looked up when we realised it was well past 6pm. The restaurant just has that quality, the kind of atmosphere that makes conversation easy and time irrelevant. Stylish without being cold, beautiful without making you feel like you have to behave.
The Drinks
The drinks menu caught my attention immediately, particularly the virgin cocktails. I ordered the Tiger Kiss and it was exactly what a warm Sunday afternoon calls for. Citrusy, refreshing and genuinely well-made.
I also tried the Never Forgotten, a crisp blend of apple, lemon, lime, basil, kombucha and tonic. Light but full of flavour, the kind of drink you keep reaching for without realising.
My cousin went for the Hampton & Co Red Blend, which surprised her in the best way. It drinks almost like a rosé , smooth, light and easy and paired beautifully with the relaxed Sunday mood.
The Food
We ordered the Feta, Avo & Bacon Pizza and the Wagyu Beef Burger, and both were genuinely excellent. The pizza struck the right balance, creamy avo, salty feta and crispy streaky bacon on a well-cooked base with just enough crunch. Rich but not heavy, which is harder to get right than it sounds.
Then came the Wagyu Beef Burger, and it was the clear standout of the afternoon. A toasted artisan brioche bun, a properly juicy Wagyu patty, mature cheddar, butter lettuce, the house burger sauce and a roasted red pepper chutney that brought everything together beautifully. Every bite was exactly right. If I had to give it a rating it would be a 10 out of 10, no hesitation.
La Parada Waterfall Corner is the kind of restaurant Johannesburg needs more of somewhere that looks stunning and actually backs it up with food worth returning for. Whether you are planning a slow Sunday lunch, a catch-up with someone you have been meaning to see, or just looking for a place that will not disappoint , this one is worth it.
Budget roughly R400 – R600 per person depending on your drinks and meals.
One thing I have also come to really appreciate is the Waterfall Corner location itself. After lunch we wandered into Woolworths Food next door to grab a few things before heading home, and it made the whole outing feel complete. Good food, a beautiful space and the convenience of everything in one place — that combination is always a win.
