The City of Gold really does have some ambrosial dessert options, and we have put together a list of our absolute favourites! So if you out and about and craving something decadent, give these a try! Splurge yourself, you can always run it off the next day… Have you always had a predilection for creating your very own tantalizing desserts, why not boost your culinary knowledge and study to become a Pastry Chef at the International Hotel School? Without further a do, here are our top picks when it comes to what makes our taste buds tingle.

Bennigan’s (Kensington)

Synonymous with great steak and fine American cuisine this family restaurant has been operating since 1972, serving the most delectable brownies you will ever taste! This serving of heaven has a layer of salted-caramel chocolate sandwiched between two layers of chocolate brownie. Made from 80% cocoa chocolate topped with buttered popcorn a salted caramel sauce and served with ice cream obviously, this is to die for!

Craft (Parkhurst)

Serving everything from craft beer, to burgers and insane desserts, this restaurant offers an attention to detail like no other, with their authentic dishes and old school handmade menu options which keeps their customers coming back for more! The restaurant focuses their attention on hospitality with a steampunk aesthetic feel, complimented by other natural elements, like leather couches and antique mirrors. Everything started with their infamous freakshakes that included candy floss, marshmallows and spun sugar. Next up came the freak hot chocolates, just in time to warm up the Johannesburg locals looking for a good winter treat. They have now introduced a new range of freak waffles, where 2 golden buttermilk waffles are layered with soft serve ice cream, Oreos, Nutella, white-chocolate caramel and whipped cream, making it one not to be missed!

Clico Restaurant (Rosebank)

Situated in the leafy upmarket suburb of Rosebank, this boutique restaurant hotel opened in 2006, offering patrons five star cuisine in a unique architectural setting. Encased by triple volume ceilings, Clico has a beautiful flood of natural light which is a refreshing scene for food lovers. With a semi alfresco atmosphere, they serve a home favorite called the Pina Colada, a heavenly combination of caramelised pineapple, slow baked meringue, roast lime puree, honey custard, salted coconut jellies and a butterscotch and buttermilk ice cream. Does that not sound to die for?

DW Eleven 13 (Dunkeld West)

Offering customers a unique experience through experimental cuisine, DW Eleven 13’s forte lies in giving familiar dishes an interesting twist. DW Eleven 13 prides themselves in gastronomy and creating flavoursome food that everyone can relish in, by using fresh produce to create their culinary masterpieces and knowing exactly where and how things have been grown. If you want to feel like you walking on cloud nine, try Chef Marthinus Ferrira’s pecan tart with chocolate ganache, vanilla ice cream, chocolate mouse and smoked meringue; it will leave your taste buds tingling with delight.

Gemelli (Bryanstan)

A restaurant that prides itself on being family oriented, offering a great atmosphere with chic décor. Their food weighs heavily on seasonality and sustainability. With an inspired touch of personality, all their dishes explore innovative and contemporary ways of creating scrumptious Italian cuisine. If you looking for a dessert that’s  decadent, their Torta Limone, comprised of vanilla lemon posset, lemon cream cheese frosting, vanilla meringue and shortbread crumble, topped off with a dollop of Limoncello ice cream and berry gel is simply splendid to end of any dinner.

The National Eatery and Speakeasy (Randburg)

Not only is this a sophisticated spot to dine at, but they also have some really great music to enjoy all that deliciousness, bite by bite. In addition, they have a very large range of wines to pair every dish with. It is home to one of the most sinful desserts, the deep fried snickers bar with vanilla-bean ice cream; it is out of this world! The National Eatery and Speakeasy restaurant is curated by Chef James Diack, who is emphatic about sustainability and farm-to-table ingredients.

So if you were inspired by the above scrumptiousness Johannesburg has to offer, come and study to become a Pastry Chef, you will not go wrong! This program has been specifically designed to allow you to move effortlessly between the most basic puff pastry recipes to the most intricate of and complex desserts. This course offers you the knowledge and experience you require to be the next Pierre Hermé or even to simply create your very own dessert trend and entice your own city.

(source: www.eatout.co.za ,  images: www.eatout.co.za