By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe
Growing up in Johannesburg means being surrounded by a mix of cultures. The city is a true melting pot, where people from all walks of life come together and call it home. And one of the most delicious ways this cultural blend shows up is in the food – whether it’s what we cook at home or enjoy when dining out.
Being originally from the Eastern Cape, I must admit that I only prepare traditional
dishes from home on special occasions. Day-to-day, my kitchen reflects the melting pot that is Johannesburg. For Christmas, you’ll often find gammon, smoked ox tongue and, on occasion, turkey on my menu. Our weekly meals range from our take on tacos and spaghetti bolognese to butter chicken with basmati rice, Alfredo, chicken chow mein, boerie rolls and milk tart. Now and then, I will feature a dish from the continent and my attempt at jollof rice hasn’t been that bad. I’ll be the first to say they’re all very simplified versions – while I enjoy food, I’m no great in the kitchen!
But oddly enough, pickled fish has never made it onto my menu, even though I grew up in Ennerdale, a predominantly coloured township where Easter isn’t Easter without it. That memory came rushing back this past Easter weekend as I was trying to figure out what to make for my family, and in turn, create a little tradition of our own. It also hit me that while I love seafood, I’ve never quite felt confident cooking it. Maybe it’s a confidence thing, or maybe I just needed a little inspiration.
The restaurant
A friend recently introduced me to My Fish, a charming little seafood deli tucked away in Roodepoort, not far from Melville. You could easily miss it if you’re not paying attention. Housed in what looks like an unassuming corner house in a quiet neighbourhood, My Fish is a delightful surprise.
It’s a small, thoughtfully curated space that doubles as a pantry, boutique deli, and cosy restaurant. Portuguese-inspired, the shelves are packed with Mediterranean staples — fresh seafood, vibrant condiments, and everyday essentials that transport you straight to a coastal village somewhere in southern Europe or Mozambique. There are only a few tables inside, nestled between the heaving shelves.
The real magic, though, is on the patio. That’s where you want to be, basking in the sun or under the shade, soaking in the atmosphere. Tables are few and tightly packed, making it easy to catch snippets of nearby conversations, which adds to the charm. It’s busiest at lunchtime, so parking inside can be tricky, often leaving you to find a spot on the street.
The Food
A friend recently introduced me to My Fish, a charming little seafood deli tucked away in Roodepoort, not far from Melville. You could easily miss it if you’re not paying attention. Housed in what looks like an unassuming corner house in a quiet neighbourhood, My Fish is a delightful surprise.
After a quick scan of the menu, we each settled on the individual seafood platters. Each plate had a catch of the day, squid heads, calamari and prawns grilled to perfection. The prices were surprisingly reasonable, especially for seafood this fresh.
Flavours were clean and unfussy. Their garlic lemon butter sauce added just the right zing without overpowering the natural taste of the seafood. It’s rare to find such quality at this price point in a landlocked city like Joburg.
We chose to sit outside, enjoying what little autumn sunshine we could before winter starts nudging us into boots and coats. I enjoyed a cappuccino, while my friend preferred imported orange juice, a great ending to a relaxed afternoon.
The drive:
Of course, no relaxed afternoon drive to a charming local gem would be complete
without a car that makes the journey just as enjoyable. The Nissan Magnite, was my
ride to My Fish. The compact SUV that ticks all the right boxes for someone like me who enjoys small cars that offer big value without screaming “budget”. It’s lovely to drive, no-frills, and gets the job done effortlessly.
What really stood out for me was the interior. Nissan can sometimes be hit and miss, but when it comes to cabin design, they usually deliver, and in the Magnite, they’ve nailed it. It had that “rich auntie” vibe going on, thanks to its two-tone colour scheme, leatherette touches, sleek fascia, and smart-looking infotainment screen. It didn’t feel like an entry-level SUV at all, more like a premium space in a compact package.
The styling hits that sweet spot between minimalism and class. It has thoughtful
features like a push-start button, so no more fumbling with keys, and seamless connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s even a USB port up front and another at the back, which my teenagers definitely appreciated. The seven-inch screen may be a bit modest in size, but it works well, and the cabin itself is surprisingly roomy, with generous head and legroom.
It’s clearly made for urban life, nipping through traffic is a breeze, and even the
constantly out traffic lights on Beyers Naudé didn’t dampen the experience. It genuinely made my day-to-day drive feel less of a chore. Fuel efficiency was impressive too.
Safety features include six airbags, Nissan Vehicle Dynamic Control, traction control,
and hill-start assist, useful on the steep drives in Northcliff.
Prices start from R246,200 and go up to R410,700 for the top-of-the-range CVT version with all the bells and whistles.
In the end, the Magnite felt like the perfect pairing with my visit to My Fish: simple
pleasures, great value, and a touch of surprise in all the right ways.
