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Modern and elegant dining, in a laid back environment. Focused on food that intrigues and excites with a wine offering to match!

Gourmet Guide Description

In trendy Parkhurst, Embarc has earned a notable reputation as one of Jozi’s premier dining destinations. Stylish, minimalistic décor with neutral tones set the stage for an exceptional experience that seamlessly blends elegance with comfort.

At the heart of its allure is a meticulously curated menu, a testament to chef and owner Darren O’Donovan’s dedication to quality and innovation. It’s unique – every dish can be enjoyed as either a starter or a main, encouraging diners to explore a wide array of flavours and fostering a convivial atmosphere for sharing. The menu rotates seasonally, ensuring both novelty and familiarity, with beloved classics like the kataifi prawns and the white chocolate crème with lavender ice cream and honeycomb remaining perennial favourites.

An extensive wine list is a connoisseur’s dream, featuring a curated selection of local and international labels that perfectly complement the fare. Whether you’re savouring a constant drawcard or exploring the latest seasonal offerings, you’re guaranteed an experience that is both memorable and satisfying.

Reviews (1449)

4.7 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.8
Value 4.6
Service 4.7
Ambience 4.5
  • MarieLouise G. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 27 Apr 25
    Absolutely five star! Impeccable food and service. Great wine list and good wines per glass. Shout out to the lamb belly and cheese board.

  • Victor G. Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 27 Apr 25
    Excellent all round. We will become regulars.

  • Mathole M. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 21 Apr 25
    The best fine dining experience I have had!

    1
  • Carmen J. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 3.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 21 Apr 25
    The experience was very pleasant.. only thing was one of the waiters that did not deliver a good service at all.. unfortunately i forget his name.. but all in all the food was super good and the ambience! Was great!

  • Nick T. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.3
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 20 Apr 25
    Superb food and service, noisy acoustics

  • David N. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 19 Apr 25
    Excellent dinner and casual friendly service. Enjoyed our meal tasting small plates and drinking wine.

  • Jane W. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 18 Apr 25
    Embarc is one of our favorite restaurants - we dine there regularly and have done so for the last few years. The menu is changed frequently and on our lunch today the scallops, line fish and ostrich were stand outs. The staff are superb - service is outstanding. The owner is friendly and makes an effort to come and say hello. Highly, highly recommended. One of Parkhurst’s gems.

  • Sujata C. Dined: 3 weeks ago
    1
    Food 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Service 1.0
    Ambience 1.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 15 Apr 25
    **"A Fine Dining Disaster – Cold Service, Cold Food"** I’m absolutely disappointed with this so-called "fine dining" restaurant. From the moment we arrived, the service was cold and unwelcoming. Despite the restaurant being empty, we were made to wait at the door like we were invisible. Eventually, a completely disinterested waiter approached us — no smile, no greeting, just pure rudeness. We had come all the way from Pretoria, excited to dine here, but the experience quickly turned sour. The waiter seated us awkwardly in the middle of the restaurant and showed no concern when my mum struggled with the uneven seating. When we asked if we could move, he bluntly said, “That’s how it is,” despite there being ample space. The so-called welcome treat was a puri filled with mango achar — not enjoyable at all. From the beginning, it felt like the waiter didn’t want to serve us. He was unfriendly, unprofessional, and the staff even giggled in the corner, making us feel even more unwelcome. The food was a huge letdown. We’d been here before and had a decent experience — about 80% of the food was great then. This time, barely 30% of the dishes were decent. The beetroot dish was bland and completely ruined the beautiful burrata it was paired with. The tuna was one of the few highlights — fresh and well-prepared. The steak tartare, however, was terrible — flavourless, sinewy, and poorly presented. The marrow bones were empty, and when I asked, the waiter just shrugged it off. The prawn kataifi was especially bad — soggy, falling apart, with no proper kataifi wrapping. Eventually, a manager/host came over. She agreed the beef and prawn dishes weren’t up to standard and offered to replace the prawn dish. We chose to swap it for something else instead. She kindly removed the beef tartare from the bill and reassured us that the rest of the meal would be better, saying the chef was new. We decided to stay, hoping for improvement. Sadly, that didn't happen. The pork dumplings were grainy and lacked flavour. The seafood curry tasted decent, but the mussels were stale. The Gorgonzola pasta, which I was excited to try, came out cold and underwhelming. The risotto was okay but not memorable. Even the chips and calamari starter were average at best. We ordered a large variety of dishes between the three of us, but we were treated poorly throughout. The only saving grace was the dessert — beautifully done and honestly the highlight of the entire evening. But what shocked me the most was when we received the bill — the prawn kataifi was still on it. When I questioned it, she completely changed her story, saying “but ate 3 prawns.” I was stunned, because they knew we were sharing all meals, as we were 3 people. After admitting earlier that the dish wasn’t up to standard and promising to remove it, she now claimed we should be charged because Daron said so. We didn’t even finish the last one. After more back and forth, she finally agreed to remove it — but this should never have happened. I won’t be returning. The atmosphere was cold and uninviting, the service was downright disrespectful, and the hospitality was the worst I’ve experienced in a long time. I run my own small food business, and I would never treat a customer this way — good day or bad day. Your customers are your business. Sadly, this restaurant has lost that principle. The whole street was buzzing — except this place. That says it all.

  • Natasha B. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Jean M. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 13 Apr 25
    This for me is easily the best place to eat in Gauteng

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Opening Hours

  • Monday 11h30 - 22h00
  • Tuesday 11h30 - 22h00
  • Wednesday 11h30 - 22h00
  • Thursday 11h30 - 22h00
  • Friday 11h30 - 22h00
  • Saturday 11h30 - 22h00
  • Sunday 11h30 - 22h00