Swallows Inn Chinese Restaurant — Restaurant in Gauteng

Best Chinese food in the whole of Gauteng

The oldest Chinese restaurant in South Africa

According to the present owner who took over in 1976, the restaurant has been there in some shape or form since at least the 1930's. It is even rumoured that Nelson Mandela frequented this restaurant as a young lawyer and it still sells the Shanghai steak that the waiters swear was his favourite.

This restaurant may seem like your regular Chinese restaurant with its chow meins and chop suey, but what's interesting to note is that the cuisine here is actually Afro-Cantonese, a fusion food genre that emerged after the arrival of Cantonese mineworkers in Johannesburg.

This food genre is characterised by a higher ratio of red meat to vegetables and a much gentler spicing than in classic Cantonese cuisine.

The restaurant itself is rather dated and probably could use a facelift, but if you are someone who wants to experience a taste of the past, Swallows Inn will certainly amaze you.

This restaurant in Old China Town offers the real taste of Afro-Cantonese fusion cuisine, renowned for its delicious flavours and immense portion sizes!

Address: 6 Commissioner St, Midrand, Johannesburg

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday 11am - 3pm...

Honestly Swallows Inn is still the best Chinese food restaurant in Johannesburg. Its where the locals go for really authentic and superbly delicious Cantonese style food. Swallows has certainly stood the test of time and I am so glad they are still around even though the Old Chinatown is looking very dilapidated and dodgy. We went for a family get together and the food was just fantastic and the portions were generous. My photos attached with all the dishes we ordered. You go to Swallows for the food, not the decor or the service - just fabulous food. Our price per head with soft drinks averaged R210 with tip but we had the speciality stuffed crispy chicken with sticky rice (not easily available at any other Asian restaurants) - choice of 9...

Don’t be fooled by the decor which hasn’t been updated in ages as the Ingredients couldn’t be any fresher and the bustling kitchen has been serving authentic Cantonese dishes in a place steeped in more than 70 years of history.

Swallows is the go to for celebrations and life events and you will find many of the local community getting their weekly fix of food that reminds one of family recipes handed down over generations and that taste like granny’s cooking.

The servers are usually very busy, but Shauny, Gladys and Sharon will remember your name and your favourite dish and make super recommendations based on your preferences.

Go to Swallows for the best and most original sui gow 水饺 water dumplings. This is Guangdong cuisine...