Gate-side food court sit-down: Spur is the easy landmark
In the main Food Court at O. R. Tambo, Spur stands out because the sign actually signals a full sit-down restaurant instead of another takeaway counter. That alone makes it useful if you have kids in tow or a long layover and want a real table. The airport directory pins it specifically in the Food Court zone, with a listed contact number of +27 (0)11 390 3806 if you need to check hours or ask about dietary needs before you walk over.
Think classic Spur playbook: burgers, steaks, ribs and chicken with sides, at prices that sit in the mid-range for JNB rather than premium steakhouse territory. A burger and soft drink typically comes in cheaper than a full-service hotel restaurant in Johannesburg, but higher than a grab-and-go sandwich from the nearby kiosks. You’re paying for a plate, cutlery and a seat near the A/B departures side rather than eating at the gate.
The airport-wide customer-experience research for OR Tambo calls out service speed and order errors as recurring problems, and Spur is not immune. Expect that a sit-down meal may take 30–45 minutes from order to paying the bill if the Food Court is busy around the 18:00–21:00 international bank. Double-check your burger toppings or steak doneness when the food hits the table, because several surveys mention mix-ups that are only caught late.
Use Spur when you have at least an hour before boarding and want something more familiar than a takeaway pie from a stand near gates in Terminal A. If you’re tight on time, skip the full meal, grab a soft drink here, and eat something portable from another Food Court outlet while you walk back toward your gate. One last tip: call that +27 (0)11 390 3806 from the check-in hall if you want to confirm they’re open on a late arrival before you clear security.