Fishmonger Illovo

Fishmonger Illovo is a seafood and sushi restaurant in Thrupps Illovo Centre, 204 Oxford Road, Illovo, Sandton, Johannesburg, Gauteng. Illovo is a suburb between Rosebank and Sandton, and Thrupps is a long-established upmarket shopping centre, so the restaurant draws shoppers, local residents and a strong weekday business-lunch crowd. The menu combines Japanese-style and grilled seafood, with sushi platters, grilled linefish, prawns and calamari as the main dishes. Linefish is a South African term for fish caught on a line rather than in nets, and the day's catch is usually grilled and served with simple sides. Sushi platters suit groups who want to share, and prawns and calamari are reliable choices for lighter meals. The dining room is modern and busy, with a professional, efficient atmosphere on weekdays and a more relaxed family and friends mood at weekends. Noise is moderate, and smart-casual dress is typical. The drinks list includes South African white wines, which pair well with fish, along with beer, sake and cocktails. Prices are in the upper-middle range for Johannesburg, and a seafood platter with wine is a moderate to significant spend. Opening is for lunch and dinner daily, though exact hours vary, so confirmation by phone is sensible before visiting. Reservations are recommended and can be made on +27 11 268 0067; weekday lunches and Friday and Saturday dinners are the busiest periods. Thrupps has parking on site, and Illovo is easily reached by road from Rosebank, Sandton and Melrose Arch. Many diners combine a meal with shopping at the centre's specialist food and homeware stores, making the restaurant a convenient midday stop for visitors staying in the northern suburbs.