Proud Mary Rosebank: The Art of Dining, Drinking and Doing Things Beautifully

If Johannesburg had a love letter written in wine, velvet, and wagyu fat fries, it would look a lot like Proud Mary. Nestled in the polished folds of Rosebank’s thriving foodie strip, this bold all-day eatery and wine bar is more than just a restaurant; it’s a full-sensory experience that blends luxury and comfort in equal measure.

Tucked inside “The Bank,” a New York-inspired black-and-brick landmark on Cradock Avenue, Proud Mary invites you to slow down, sip something rare, and taste the kind of detail you don’t usually find outside of fine dining. Except here, you can wear sneakers, order a mimosa at 10 am, and feel just as chic as if you were in a mid-century Manhattan lounge.

Also read: From Istanbul to Greenside: Galata Bakery & Restaurant Serves Turkish Soul in Jozi

An Interior That Talks in Textures

There’s something cinematic about the space. Teal leather, oxblood velvet, emerald tile, and rich wood finishes form a warm, theatrical stage. You’ll notice terrazzo tops and brass accents that nod to New York’s golden age, but with that unmistakable Joburg edge: confident, creative, and a little rebellious.

Food That Travels, But Always Lands Here

The menus at Proud Mary read like passports. Global flavours are grounded in local produce and plated with flair, without ever being fussy. Whether you’re here for a power lunch, lazy breakfast, or showstopper dinner, expect something familiar with a twist.

At breakfast, hotcakes come stacked with caramelised banana and butterscotch walnuts. Shakshuka arrives bubbling with za’atar and chilli feta. Or go full luxe with a Croque Madame made of grilled ham, brioche, béchamel, Gruyère, and a fried egg that melts like a dream.

By lunch, the tempo changes. Crisp fish and chips is plated with celery remoulade and potato wedges. Sirloin baguettes meet sautéed mushrooms and mustard mayo. And if you’ve got time (and taste), the steak, egg, and bravas with confit tomato is a standout.

At night, Proud Mary comes alive with everything from wagyu beef koftas and coal-fired broccolini to saffron seabass with harissa squid. The Tomahawk is dry-aged for 32 days. The risotto is laced with mascarpone, ash, and baby onions. The pork belly? Crispy, sticky, and served with smoked mash and tarragon cream.

The Wine List Is a Love Story

Proud Mary’s wine list is not just long, it’s curated. And proudly South African. The philosophy? Champion small-batch, local, and independent winemakers. You’ll find rare allocations, minimal-intervention vintages, and bottles that sommeliers get excited about.

They stock heavy hitters like Testalonga, Craven, Sadie Family, and Alheit, plus playful newcomers like Rebel Rebel Pet Nat and Lievland Rosé. Wines are poured generously by the glass, which makes exploring easy and a bit dangerous.

And if you don’t do wine, their cocktail menu is just as serious. Try the strawberry-infused Proud Mary, a Bank Martini, or the Rooibos French 75 with Cap Classique and buchu syrup. It’s a menu with mood.

Image 1: Facebook/Proud Mary SA

Come Hungry, Stay Stylish

There’s also a Café Menu, three-course set menus, and private dining options for those planning something special. And desserts? Think coconut brûlée cheesecake, Turkish delight gelato, and a chocolate fondant with salted caramel and popcorn crunch.

The best part? It’s open daily from early morning to just past midnight. Which means Proud Mary is whatever you need it to be: a breakfast date, a power meeting, wine-fuelled nightcap, or an elegant event. It adapts to your mood, your table, and your moment.

Social Buzz and Local Love

Since opening, Proud Mary has developed a kind of cult following. Locals love it for being upscale but not snobbish. Tourists Instagram the interiors. Sommeliers recommend it. And the Rosebank regulars? They know the bar staff by name.

Online, Joburg foodies have called it “the most beautiful restaurant in the city” and “an experience you return to again and again.” For a city that prides itself on flair, Proud Mary fits right in, with a little extra gold dust.

Why It Matters

Proud Mary feels like a blueprint for where Joburg’s dining scene is going: less pretentious, more intentional. Less about trends, more about quality. It’s about telling stories through food and wine and giving people a place to belong, whether they’re there for a bagel or a bottle of Bollinger.

Proud Mary Johannesburg

Location: The Bank, 26 Cradock Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg
Hours: Daily, 6.30am to midnight
Bookings: [email protected] or WhatsApp 061 585 1596
Instagram: @proudmary_sa

Also read: More Than Just a Brew: How Manaka Coffee is Pouring True African Excellence in Jozi

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Source: proudmary.co.za

Featured Image: Facebook/Proud Mary SA