Experience a taste of Southern American culture right here in Johannesburg
The Story
Natasha and Jason, a dynamic duo with one part South African and one part American heritage, bring a perfect fusion of Southern American cuisine and warm South African hospitality to Sweet Tea & Chickadee. Their culinary journey began in Seattle when Natasha, missing her South African homeland dearly, decided to open Cederberg Tea House, serving classic South African baked goods. As one would expect, given the excellence of South African cuisine, the shop quickly became a massive success. However, Natasha’s yearning for her homeland persisted, leading them to sell the shop and return to South Africa.
After spending an extended period in America and realizing how much Jason missed the South, where his mom resided, and how much they both missed the delicious food and drinks that the South had to offer, they decided to bring a slice of America to South Africa. Both cultures shared a love for good food, good drinks, good friends, lots of laughter, and a few more drinks. Thus, Sweet Tea & Chickadee was born, located in the charming suburb of Linden in Johannesburg.
What's on the menu
Natasha and Jason are dedicated to collaborating with local farmers and producers to source the ingredients needed for crafting seasonal Southern American cuisine right here in Johannesburg. Their vibrant menu offers Southern-style biscuits, akin to South African scones, a light and fluffy inside and a crispy outside. These biscuits come in various flavors, from plain to savory to sweet, and can be paired with a wide variety of “fixings” that include preserves, crispy fried chicken, and a very interesting sounding, apple jalapeno coleslaw. Don’t miss their classic chicken and waffles, consisting of fried chicken served on a cornmeal waffle with homemade hot honey marmalade and whipped honey butter, yum!
Our team recently went on the hunt to explore these hidden gems and here is our short-list of the best we found in KZN.
Events at Sweet Tea & Chickadee
Sweet Tea & Chickadee often hosts buffet-style lunches and dinners, celebrating Southern American holidays and traditions. Their Beignets Day has become a cult favorite, which are in Natasha’s own words “little powdered sugar-covered puffs of gloriousness.”
Currently open for reservations is their annual Thanksgiving buffet family dinner, you can expect turkey, ham and famous green bean casserole, along with so much more. Make sure to book early, as seats tend to sell out quickly for a good reason—the food is authentic and delightfully soulful.
Before you leave, don’t forget to grab some homemade Southern treats, think, Hummingbird cake, Key lime pie, or the ever-popular S’mores.
