The Troyeville Hotel
8.1Friend Score / 10#1 of 15 Restaurants in Johannesburg
Known forperi-peri prawnsespetadaprego rollstrinchado
A 1939 east-side institution serving unfussy, excellent Portuguese-Mozambican food — prawns, prego rolls, espetada — to a devoted crowd of artists, journalists and old Joburg families, daily from noon till about 22:00. A friend absolutely sends you; it's the city's great unpolished classic. Caveat: Troyeville is a hard-edged neighbourhood, so drive or Uber to the door.
Key facts
| Hours | Daily 12:00–22:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Rea Vaya buses run the Albertina Sisulu corridor nearby, but take an Uber door-to-door — it's about 10 minutes from the CBD |
| Time needed | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Best time to go | Sunday lunch for the classic long-table scene; match days at nearby Ellis Park make it buzz (and fill up) |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.1/10- Value8.5
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level7.5
- Authenticity9.0
- Accessibility5.5
Frequently asked questions
- Is Troyeville safe to visit?
- The restaurant itself is a warm, well-run bubble with parking and a guard; the surrounding neighbourhood is rough. Uber or drive directly there, park where they tell you, and you'll have zero trouble — that's how everyone does it.
- Is the Troyeville Hotel still open?
- Yes — the restaurant, rooftop and sports bar are all running, with the Portuguese menu served seven days a week and weekday specials. It's been going since 1939 and shows no sign of stopping.
- Do I need to book?
- Weekdays, walk in. Sunday lunch and Ellis Park rugby or soccer match days, book ahead — the dining room and rooftop fill with pre-match crowds.
- Is there a bar or somewhere to watch sport?
- Yes — there's a sports bar and a rooftop section, and match days at nearby Ellis Park stadium are an event in themselves here. Come early on big fixtures.
- What are the Troyeville's hours?
- Lunch from 12:00 daily, with dinner service running to about 22:00, seven days a week. Phone 011 402 7709 to confirm on public holidays.
- How much will a meal cost?
- Mid-range and honest — most mains sit comfortably below northern-suburbs prices, and the weekday specials are genuinely cheap. Prawns are the splurge item, as everywhere.
- What food is the Troyeville Hotel known for?
- Portuguese-Mozambican classics: peri-peri prawns, prego rolls, espetada, trinchado and proper chips. Nothing cheffy — just consistent, generous cooking that's kept regulars coming for decades.
- Why is this place such a legend?
- It's fed generations of east-side Portuguese families, journalists, artists and theatre people, and it stayed put while the neighbourhood changed around it. Eating here is eating a piece of working Joburg history.
Nearby in Ask Johannesburg
- Victoria YardsMarket0.88 km · 11 min walk
- Pata PataRestaurant1 km · 12 min walk
- Maboneng PrecinctAttraction1.06 km · 13 min walk
- Maboneng Bioscope MarketMarket1.06 km · 13 min walk
- MabonengNeighborhood1.09 km · 14 min walk
Where to stay near The Troyeville Hotel
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