Afro-Latin Flavors (and Fun) at Artüro in Melville

2Summers | 7 August 2024
johannesburg melville food restaurants mexican food

Artüro, a new-ish restaurant on 7th Street in Melville, appears Mexican at first glance. As someone who is always on the lookout for Mexican food in Joburg, I was excited to check out Artüro after spotting a photo of a platter of tacos on the “I Love Melville” Facebook page.

View from Arturo’s entrance
Inside Artüro, which is on 7th Street between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue. This is one of those Melville spaces that has changed hands at least half a dozen times over the past 15 years…I can no longer remember any of the restaurants that were here before. But I have high hopes that this one has staying power.
Fish tacos from Artüro
Beer-battered fish tacos from Artüro.

I went for dinner at Artüro not long after seeing that post, and I did have some great tacos. But I also realized that Artüro isn’t exactly Mexican – or at least it’s not ONLY Mexican. In addition to tacos and nachos and margaritas, the menu offers stuffed plantains, Colombian red snapper, and a Central African dessert called Mikate: beignets with Benin chili sauce.

Mikate with Benin chili sauce
Mikate, kind of like South African amagwinya, with spicy sauce. You can also order Mikate with icing sugar or peanut butter sauce.

Artüro is owned by Tanya (with whom I had a very brief conversation during a recent Friday evening dinner rush), a woman originally from Congo, who discovered Latin cuisine while researching the slave trade in Colombia. Tanya realized that a lot of the food she ate in South America reminded her of food she grew up eating in Africa. So she decided to start a restaurant inspired by the mingled cuisines of both continents. Artüro is the delightful result.

What I Like About Artüro

I have now eaten at Artüro many times – for research purposes! – and I’ve tried nearly everything on the menu. Here are the things I like best about it:

1) The vibes

Artüro is comfortable, classy, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s fun. I love the decor, the dishes, the comfy window seats, the fireplace (during winter), the friendly service, and the music.

Mural in Artüro
I love this mural on Artüro’s back wall.
Fish-shaped water jug
One day I ordered tap water and it came in this fish-shaped jug.
Tequila neon sign
I love a good neon sign.
Fireplace in Artüro
Good fireplaces are hard to to find in Joburg. Artüro has a great one.

Artüro has very fun social media channels (follow them on Instagram and Tiktok). They also have monthly “Afro-Latin Socials”, with Salsa/Kizomba dancing, and Taco Tuesdays, when taco platters cost R100 (about $5.50).

2) The food

“Exuberant” is the best word I can think of to describe the menu at Artüro. The food is fun and doesn’t try to be something it’s not. Depending on what you order, each visit can feel like a completely different culinary experience.

I have several favorites: the Birria beef tacos, the stuffed plantains, the Mexican pork and black bean stew, the trio of salsas, and the Mikate.

Pulled pork tacos
Artüro’s tortilla chips are seriously good – a rarity in South Africa. I also particularly like the mango salsa (the one at the back).
Jalapeno poppers
Saffas love jalapeño poppers – no Latin-inspired menu in South Africa is complete without them. This version has a lovely tempura crust and shredded chicken mixed in with the cheese filling.
Fried plantain stuffed with shrimp and chorizo – so delicious. Despite being a staple in many other African countries, plantains are quite uncommon in Joburg.
Shrimp tacos
Shrimp tacos with red cabbage and tomatillo sauce – a Taco Tuesday special. I also love the Birria beef, chicken, and fish tacos.
Mexican pork and black bean stew with very good tortillas.

3) The margaritas

Technically this restaurant is called Artüro Tequila Garden, so obviously the margaritas are good. There is also a long list of other tequila cocktails that I haven’t tried yet.

Heather at Arturo
The spicy mango margarita has a very nice bite to it. But the classic margarita is still my favorite. (Photo: Thorsten Deckler)

Artüro is hard to stay away from. I probably didn’t need to make five trips there to write this review, but it’s one of those places – like De Baba, the Melville bakery down the street, which I also recently blogged about – that keeps calling me back. Another win for 7th Street! Keep ’em coming, Melville.

Artüro is at 6 7th Street, Melville. They’re open every day except Monday.