Alta Gracia, Boksburg

Updated: 05-09-2024

Luxury halaal dining spots are slowly on the rise, even more so in Johannesburg than in Cape Town or Durban. This could be due to greater demand but also due to higher spending power in the City of Gold. Luxury restaurants come at luxury prices and a great many of the Joburg Muslim community are no strangers to the luxury life.

Even the East Rand, which is low-key snubbed as the country cousin, has been abuzz and rapidly growing it’s contingent of halaal eateries. They now sport their own luxury eatery in the form of Alta Gracia Restaurant.

Located at Atlas Junction on the border of Boksburg and Benoni, Alta Gracia offers elevated dining in a sophisticated setting. We popped in one afternoon for lunch without a reservation and were accomodated easily as they were not busy.

The setting is a throwback to 1930’s lounge decor. A cross between old world style and modern finishes. Slick marble tabletops contast with plush floral printed upholstered dining chairs and modern lighting. The waiters are outfitted in dapper pinstripes with waistcoats, complete with bowler hats. You feel a bit like you’re in a mobster movie, which is great for a bit of escapism from the daily grind.

Our waiter was very efficient and knowlegable of the menu. We ordered a mushroom starter to share and mocktails while we waited for our mains and I must add that the mushroom starter gets extra points as it came artfully presented in an unusual egg box style plate. It was substantial and easily shared amongst the three of us. The accompanying sauce tangy and flavourful.

Our mains took a bit of time. My Firecracker Prawn Pasta was exceptional. The flavour spicy and creamy with just enough heat. The portion was generous and I ended up taking some home. Zulfi had the Butter Chicken which comes with rice and naan. I felt the double carbs was overkill and one of the carbs could rather be substituted for a veg. At R230 I also felt the portion of curry was quite small.

Taufeeq had the Tikka Chicken cubes. This came with chips and naan as well and a small salad garnish. The chicken breast cubes were tender and coated in sauce which was spicy and tangy. This was very tasty and priced at R150. Our drinks both milkshake and mocktail came in the trending mocca style cocktail glasses. I’m not normally a cream soda girl but my orange and cream soda flavoured mocktail actually went down really well.

We had to try some dessert and opted to share a rasmalai flavoured kheer dessert. I must admit I appreciated the presentation of this pudding which is normally served in a bowl. Moulded into a flower form with a side of ice cream and slight drizzle of rose flavoured syrup, it was a delight. The cardamom flavour shone through and pistachio shards added a bit of crunch.

This was an expensive lunch and came in at R1200 for the 3 of us. It’s not a place I’d head to randomly or take the kids. It’s a good spot for special occasions and date nights. Alta Gracia also has private dining spaces where a curtain can be drawn for those observing parda or if you’re simply in the mood for an intimate dinner for 2 with no prying eyes.