DW Eleven-13

About DW Eleven-13

Marthinus Ferreira cooked under Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal in the UK before opening DW Eleven-13 in Dunkeld West in 2009, and within six months Eat Out had voted it the fifth-best restaurant in South Africa. The fried gnocchi, dressed with spinach, seeds, raisins, and capers, is the most-ordered plate and a Johannesburg classic; the roasted chicken with braised lettuce is the one he keeps returning to. The six-course menu is R900 for food, R1,375 with the wine pairing, and the room remains an Eat Out two-star fixture.

The Kitchen

Marthinus Ferreira trained in the UK under Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal, then came home to open DW Eleven-13 in 2009 in the Dunkeld West shopping precinct at 279 Jan Smuts Avenue. The cooking is contemporary with Mediterranean and Asian threads: the fried gnocchi with spinach, seeds, raisins, and capers that regulars will not let him take off the menu, the roasted chicken with braised lettuce, and a vegetarian tasting that locals rate as highly as the main run. There is a four-course menu at R650 and a six-course at R900, with wine and whisky pairings on top.

Eat Out ranked it the fifth-best restaurant in the country within six months of opening, the highest in Johannesburg that year, and it has held star status on the Eat Out 500 across the decade since. See where it sits on our best Johannesburg restaurants for date night, compare it with the best tasting-menu restaurants worldwide, and browse the full Johannesburg dining guide.

The Room

DW Eleven-13 hides in plain sight in a Dunkeld West shopping centre, and inside it is calm and low-key: neutral tones, white linen, art on the walls, lighting kept dim and even. Regulars describe the service as warm rather than stiff, which sets the room apart from grander fine-dining spaces in Sandton. Sound stays conversation-easy, tables are well spaced, dress is smart-casual, and the dining room is intimate, seating a few dozen across two-tops and small groups. It is built for lingering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DW Eleven-13 worth it?

Yes, for one of Johannesburg's most consistent tasting menus. Marthinus Ferreira trained under Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal, opened DW Eleven-13 in 2009, and earned an Eat Out top-five national ranking within six months. The fried gnocchi is a local classic and the vegetarian tasting is unusually strong. The six-course is R900 for food or R1,375 with wine, which is fair for cooking at this level in Joburg.

How hard is it to book DW Eleven-13?

Booking is essential but not brutal. The dining room is small, opens Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, and closes Sunday and Monday, so weekend dinner slots fill first. Reserve by phone or the website a week ahead for Friday and Saturday, sooner for landmark birthdays and anniversaries. Note the kitchen's set hours when you plan, and confirm any dietary needs so the tasting can be adjusted.

What is the dress code at DW Eleven-13?

Smart-casual. DW Eleven-13 is a fine-dining room but an unpretentious one, so a collared shirt or a dress is plenty; there is no jacket requirement. Most guests dress up a little for a tasting-menu night. The room is intimate and the service is relaxed, so aim for polished rather than formal and you will match the tone.

What should I order at DW Eleven-13?

Start with the fried gnocchi, the dish regulars will not let Ferreira retire. Build the meal around the six-course tasting and add the wine pairing for the full experience, or choose the four-course at R650 for a shorter night. Vegetarians should take the dedicated vegetarian tasting, which is one of the best in the city rather than an afterthought.