Guidebook for Johannesburg
Food Scene
A lovely area for inexpensive yet delicious dining whether breakfast, lunch or dinner where you can also do a bit of shopping and experience some of Jozi life
39 locals recommend
44 Stanley
44 Stanley AveA lovely area for inexpensive yet delicious dining whether breakfast, lunch or dinner where you can also do a bit of shopping and experience some of Jozi life
A sweet spot for breakfast & brunch with always on power, free wifi and prices that will keep you coming back (brekkie bun & coffee special R60 before 9am is a winner!)
8 locals recommend
Breezeblock
29 Chiswick StA sweet spot for breakfast & brunch with always on power, free wifi and prices that will keep you coming back (brekkie bun & coffee special R60 before 9am is a winner!)
For those who need a quality heat & eat option this is your go-to spot. There are plenty of options for vegetarians as well and you can get hot take-away or home-baked desert. A bit on the pricey side but well worth it in flavour & quality.
15 locals recommend
The Leopard
127 GreenwayFor those who need a quality heat & eat option this is your go-to spot. There are plenty of options for vegetarians as well and you can get hot take-away or home-baked desert. A bit on the pricey side but well worth it in flavour & quality.
Authentic Ethiopian food in a beautiful party of Joburg at affordable prices - go hungry! Within walking distance; we recommend walking along Napier Rd past the schools, through the park & across Empire Rd (there is a path easily accessible to pedestrians). Walking recommended during daylight only.
18 locals recommend
Little Addis Cafe
41 Stanley AvenueAuthentic Ethiopian food in a beautiful party of Joburg at affordable prices - go hungry! Within walking distance; we recommend walking along Napier Rd past the schools, through the park & across Empire Rd (there is a path easily accessible to pedestrians). Walking recommended during daylight only.
This beautiful new Mexican-themed restaurant in the heart of 7th Street, Melville has excellent service, and the food is delicious & well priced.
They often offer live music on weekends and there is a taco Tuesday special amongst other with new options being added to the menu as well.
Artüro Restaurant
This beautiful new Mexican-themed restaurant in the heart of 7th Street, Melville has excellent service, and the food is delicious & well priced.
They often offer live music on weekends and there is a taco Tuesday special amongst other with new options being added to the menu as well.
You'll be spoiled for choice with eateries, bars and desert parlours on this popular road in the trendy suburb of Parkhurst.
4th Avenue, Parkhurst
You'll be spoiled for choice with eateries, bars and desert parlours on this popular road in the trendy suburb of Parkhurst.
Sightseeing
Emmarentia Dam
Great for a cycle, jog or even a picnic on a beautiful day
Constitution Hill, also a stone's throw away, holds& showcases an important part of South Africa's history. It is 'a living museum that tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy. The site is a former prison and military fort that bears testament to South Africa’s turbulent past and, today, is home to the country’s Constitutional Court, which endorses the rights of all citizens.'
193 locals recommend
Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct
11 Kotze StConstitution Hill, also a stone's throw away, holds& showcases an important part of South Africa's history. It is 'a living museum that tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy. The site is a former prison and military fort that bears testament to South Africa’s turbulent past and, today, is home to the country’s Constitutional Court, which endorses the rights of all citizens.'
If you're a thrill-seeker the Soweto Towers is the spot for you. Bungie jumping & freefalling are available from the highest point in the South(so) Western (we) Township (to).
Once you've worked up an appetite after adventuring, grab a plate of authentic shisa nyama (hot meat - BBQ style) to share with friends.
It's a great spot to see the more authentic side of South Afirca as well.
62 locals recommend
SOWETO TOWERS
Chris Hani RoadIf you're a thrill-seeker the Soweto Towers is the spot for you. Bungie jumping & freefalling are available from the highest point in the South(so) Western (we) Township (to).
Once you've worked up an appetite after adventuring, grab a plate of authentic shisa nyama (hot meat - BBQ style) to share with friends.
It's a great spot to see the more authentic side of South Afirca as well.
The famous Vilakazi Street in Soweto is iconic in that it was once home to 2 Nobel Prize winners - former president Nelson Mandela, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Both were iconic members in the fight for freedom in South Africa and this street houses many tourist shops and restaurants in the authentic setting of the SOuth-WEstern-TOwnship - largest township in South Africa.
Vilakazi Street
The famous Vilakazi Street in Soweto is iconic in that it was once home to 2 Nobel Prize winners - former president Nelson Mandela, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Both were iconic members in the fight for freedom in South Africa and this street houses many tourist shops and restaurants in the authentic setting of the SOuth-WEstern-TOwnship - largest township in South Africa.
Arts & Culture
Highlights of the Joburg art scene and exciting places hosting various cultural experiences - sometimes off the beaten path of the usual tourist scene
A quaint strip of galleries & eateries will leave your day full &, potentially, your pockets empty! First Thursday events happen each first Thursday of the month & make for a vibrant evening out in an uber-cool part of the city.
Ubering there and back is recommended.
35 locals recommend
Keyes Art Mile
21 Keyes AveA quaint strip of galleries & eateries will leave your day full &, potentially, your pockets empty! First Thursday events happen each first Thursday of the month & make for a vibrant evening out in an uber-cool part of the city.
Ubering there and back is recommended.
This beautiful, vibrant yet tranquil inner-city space can be considered an ‘ethically’ gentrified creative hub a stone throw away from the popular Maboneng district. They host a first Sunday of the month market & open studio which is particularly charming and unique, and often host events published on their social media pages.
It’s a gem of a spot in Joburg suitable for all ages and recently hit the no7 spot on Trip Advisor’s global flea market list. We recommend using an Uber to get there and back.
20 locals recommend
Victoria Yards
16 Viljoen StThis beautiful, vibrant yet tranquil inner-city space can be considered an ‘ethically’ gentrified creative hub a stone throw away from the popular Maboneng district. They host a first Sunday of the month market & open studio which is particularly charming and unique, and often host events published on their social media pages.
It’s a gem of a spot in Joburg suitable for all ages and recently hit the no7 spot on Trip Advisor’s global flea market list. We recommend using an Uber to get there and back.
Every first Wednesday of the month Atlas Studios hosts a free film screening including popcorn; arrive early for a great seat and get to hear from the filmmakers after the screening
Atlas Studios
Every first Wednesday of the month Atlas Studios hosts a free film screening including popcorn; arrive early for a great seat and get to hear from the filmmakers after the screening
A quaint, independent bookshop within walking distance of CasaNyumbani. Love Books is sure to capture your imagination and often hosts book launches and events; check their social media pages for details.
8 locals recommend
Love Books
53 Rustenburg RdA quaint, independent bookshop within walking distance of CasaNyumbani. Love Books is sure to capture your imagination and often hosts book launches and events; check their social media pages for details.
Fun times
Where to go with friends with a great vibe to hang out, create memories and even hit the dancefloor
A market for the foodies just a tuk-tuk ride away, The Playground is best visited as early as opening time. Naturally the most delicious food sells out fast, & this is Jozi's way of gastronomically transporting you around the world.
You can also pick up a cute souvenir here with local vendors showcasing their beautiful wares.
Live bands &/ or djs add to the vibe, and the Joburg crowd really gets into the swing of things around lunchtime. I recommend those with young children exit for naptime as the youthful crowd (often many students from nearby campuses) gets very festive with cocktails & beers flowing freely.
For those who are the youthful crowd - once the market closes shop around evening time the festivities, drinking & dancing continue at bars & clubs across the road, up & down Juta St.
The Playground
A market for the foodies just a tuk-tuk ride away, The Playground is best visited as early as opening time. Naturally the most delicious food sells out fast, & this is Jozi's way of gastronomically transporting you around the world.
You can also pick up a cute souvenir here with local vendors showcasing their beautiful wares.
Live bands &/ or djs add to the vibe, and the Joburg crowd really gets into the swing of things around lunchtime. I recommend those with young children exit for naptime as the youthful crowd (often many students from nearby campuses) gets very festive with cocktails & beers flowing freely.
For those who are the youthful crowd - once the market closes shop around evening time the festivities, drinking & dancing continue at bars & clubs across the road, up & down Juta St.
Kids Entertainment/ Restaurant
Close to home in the heart of Melville is a cute, kid-focused restaurant that also serves their grown-ups well. It has safe playzones with child minders, daily varied activities for the kiddies, & security to ensure the little ones leave with exactly who they came in with.
The food & drinks are good value, they cater for parties as well, & opening and closing hours leave you with plenty of time to try to drag the little ones back home.
19 locals recommend
Bambanani
85 4th AveClose to home in the heart of Melville is a cute, kid-focused restaurant that also serves their grown-ups well. It has safe playzones with child minders, daily varied activities for the kiddies, & security to ensure the little ones leave with exactly who they came in with.
The food & drinks are good value, they cater for parties as well, & opening and closing hours leave you with plenty of time to try to drag the little ones back home.
Book tickets online in advance to Jozi's theme park for all ages. There is a casino for the grownups who are that way inclined as well as rides for the whole family.
Joburg - the city of gold - can be understood from it's mining history here as well where tours of an old mine shaft take place.
294 locals recommend
Gold Reef City Theme Park
Book tickets online in advance to Jozi's theme park for all ages. There is a casino for the grownups who are that way inclined as well as rides for the whole family.
Joburg - the city of gold - can be understood from it's mining history here as well where tours of an old mine shaft take place.
The National Children's Theatre in Parktown is a short drive away and hosts plays and puppet shows on weekends for little ones. Fun for the whole family, the outdoor theatre allows for picnics and snacks while also hosting a small kiosk with snacks on sale.
If attending a show at the outdoor theatre arrive early for a spot in the shade, otherwise hats, sunscreen and sunglasses are a must!
Check their social media pages for current shows and book tickets online before attending.
National Children's Theatre
3 Junction AveThe National Children's Theatre in Parktown is a short drive away and hosts plays and puppet shows on weekends for little ones. Fun for the whole family, the outdoor theatre allows for picnics and snacks while also hosting a small kiosk with snacks on sale.
If attending a show at the outdoor theatre arrive early for a spot in the shade, otherwise hats, sunscreen and sunglasses are a must!
Check their social media pages for current shows and book tickets online before attending.
Out of the City
Awesome space for all ages, makes for a great day out - usually in the sunshine. Ground Cafe feels like you've escaped Joburg completely, & even on a winter's day it feels like bliss in Africa. Hiking trails also available on site.
Great service, delicious food & beautiful setting. Check their social media pages for special events
Ground Café
Awesome space for all ages, makes for a great day out - usually in the sunshine. Ground Cafe feels like you've escaped Joburg completely, & even on a winter's day it feels like bliss in Africa. Hiking trails also available on site.
Great service, delicious food & beautiful setting. Check their social media pages for special events
The Pilanesberg National Park is close enough to the city to afford the pleasure of viewing African wildlife. It is home to giraffe, rhino, zebra, hippo, several wild buck, lion, cheetah, buffalo, elephant, money, as well as several bird species.
Pilanesberg
The Pilanesberg National Park is close enough to the city to afford the pleasure of viewing African wildlife. It is home to giraffe, rhino, zebra, hippo, several wild buck, lion, cheetah, buffalo, elephant, money, as well as several bird species.
Fitness
For fitness freaks looking to stay in shape the Westcliff Stairs will allow you to get your steps in - with a phenomenal view from the top.
10 locals recommend
Westcliff Stairs
32 Crescent DrFor fitness freaks looking to stay in shape the Westcliff Stairs will allow you to get your steps in - with a phenomenal view from the top.