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The Library Food Club

Contemporary Eastern European
Location Pointer 64 Wrenrose Ave, Birdhaven, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
4.6
(285 reviews)
RR
Menu
Favourite

Attributes

  • Romantic

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Menu
Favourite

At The Library Food Club, each spring brings a new chapter. With Chapter I Mexican and Chapter II Peruvian now behind us, the pages turn once again.

We now open the pages to Chapter III USSR, a journey through its traditions, flavours, rituals and unexpected experiences reimagined for the present day.

Opening Hours

  • Monday CLOSED
  • Tuesday CLOSED
  • Wednesday CLOSED
  • Thursday 18h00 - 23h00
  • Friday 18h00 - 23h00
  • Saturday 18h00 - 23h00
  • Sunday CLOSED

Reviews (285)

4.6 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.5
Value 4.4
Service 4.6
Ambience 4.8
  • Shané C. Dined: 2 days ago
    2.8
    Food 2.0
    Value 2.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 13 Sep 26
    Unfortunately expected more. The service was good, and had a lovely waitress. The food was beautifully plated and displayed however the level of finesse when it comes to flavours, seasoning, textures and temperatures was underwhelming. I expected the food to match the level of fine dining plating and social media hype.

  • Mieks G. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 12 Sep 26
    We went there to celebrate a birthday. And what a wonderful celebratory meal it was too. We kicked off our dinner sharing several starters amongst our table of 5. The table quickly fell silent as we hmmmm'ed and aaaa'ed our way through delicious textures, complex flavours. We instantly landed in Russia. Highlights were the cabbage rolls, the trout with pickles and the dumplings. Mains were generous and full of interesting flavours, from the deep cherry flavour in the duck to the umami-bomb of the mushrooms accompanying the pork belly and the king of the beef shortrib. We didn't have much room for desert but shared a few plates anyway. The Russian Honeycake was crazy delicious as was the traditional Russian milk desert with dark chocolate coating. Surprisingly divine. Wine selection was incredible - Ghost in the Machine Sauvignon Blanc a new favourite. Service was attentive without being overbearing. Great setting too, not the usual Joburg spot. Well worth a visit.

    The Library Food Club responded on Mon 14 Sep 26:
    Thank you so much for this beautiful review Mieks!! What a joy to read that you felt transported to Russia—from the cabbage rolls and dumplings to the cherry duck and beef short-rib, and finishing with honeycake. And we're so glad you enjoyed the Ghost in the Machine with it. Service attentive without being overbearing is exactly what we aim for. Thank you for celebrating with us and for the kind words. We can't wait to host you again. Warm regards, The Library Food Club

  • Warren J. Dined: 5 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 10 Sep 26
    We really like The Library Food Club. We enjoy the mystery and the cosy atmosphere, which you don't really find ANYWHERE else. The other thing which really sets them apart from other restaurants is that their menu changes annually and they follow off-the-wall cuisines, which makes them even more original. This year is the Russian bloc. The dishes are on the pricey side so they cannot score a 5 on that. All our dishes were perfect and delicious except our dumplings which had a bit too much dough which caused them to be a little too chewy and the filling on the beef one I had, had too little filling. If it wasn't for ONE dumpling. To mark them down for one of a spread of many bites seems wrong, so I scored them a 5. If you're looking for something interesting and different from the same-old, give them a try.

  • Mbalenhle Z. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 10 Sep 26
    What a lovely time! 10/10 experience

  • Beaulah R. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 30 Aug 26
    The owner met us at our table with wonderful tidbit about Peruvian food. Atmosphere was intimate. We were well tended to. Will definitely be returning for chapter 3

  • Kelly Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 29 Aug 26
    What a lovely little find. This is a restaurant with soul!

  • Carmel G. Dined: 3 weeks ago
    4.5
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 23 Aug 26
    The experience was really amazing, the cocktails a bit stronger for us. And not all the drinks are on the menu, we had to ask for other options. The food was a new experience. We shared the Cheviche starter on a stone, shrimp soup was so amazing. My husband enjoyed his meat dishes as he's been to South America. Fish Tacos, Ocra and Chicken was a new experience

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