Guidebook for Johannesburg
Food Scene
Good restaurants and cafés come and go, and Melville seems to be going through quite a renaissance of new spots at the moment. We can't possibly include all of them, but here are a few of our favourites, as well as some other gems in surrounding areas.
Ant Cafe
Best thin-base pizza in Jozi - if not South Africa.
La Santa Muerte
7th StreetTrendy Mexican restaurant.
Our local Italian spot with all the usual dishes. We usually have fantastic meals there, but a recent guest was disappointed with the seafood, though. Best to stick to the pizza/pasta/antipasta, then.
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Cafe Picobella Trattoria
66 4th AveOur local Italian spot with all the usual dishes. We usually have fantastic meals there, but a recent guest was disappointed with the seafood, though. Best to stick to the pizza/pasta/antipasta, then.
We love 27 Boxes and with The Countess being the only proper, fully licenced restaurant there, it's a nice way to experience the best of both worlds. Great food and service too.
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The Countess
4th AvenueWe love 27 Boxes and with The Countess being the only proper, fully licenced restaurant there, it's a nice way to experience the best of both worlds. Great food and service too.
Amazing food truck cuisine, beers and wines. Try the paella stand - it's our favourite!
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Neighbourgoods Market
73 Juta StAmazing food truck cuisine, beers and wines. Try the paella stand - it's our favourite!
Light and airy coffee shop, with the most delicious lunch buffet with a wide selection of fresh salads and quiches. Breakfasts are good too, and they have a good wine list.
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Service Station
24 9th StLight and airy coffee shop, with the most delicious lunch buffet with a wide selection of fresh salads and quiches. Breakfasts are good too, and they have a good wine list.
One of the top restaurants in Johannesburg. It's expensive, but definitely recommended for special occasions.
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Marble Restaurant
Jellicoe AvenueOne of the top restaurants in Johannesburg. It's expensive, but definitely recommended for special occasions.
Relatively new, upmarket restaurant in Parktown-North with a very nice menu and vibe - a nice variety of nibbles, bruschetta, ceviches, fried street food, skillets, soul bowls, live-fire barbequed dishes, kebabs and paellas – it’s a culinary journey that stretches from Japan to Mexico, from Italy to Argentina (as accurately described by EatOut).
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La Boqueria
17 3rd AveRelatively new, upmarket restaurant in Parktown-North with a very nice menu and vibe - a nice variety of nibbles, bruschetta, ceviches, fried street food, skillets, soul bowls, live-fire barbequed dishes, kebabs and paellas – it’s a culinary journey that stretches from Japan to Mexico, from Italy to Argentina (as accurately described by EatOut).
A legendary, local hangout with a delicious selection of Portuguese meals. Not at all touristy and a good opportunity to hang out with some locals.
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Troyeville Hotel
1403 Albertina Sisulu RdA legendary, local hangout with a delicious selection of Portuguese meals. Not at all touristy and a good opportunity to hang out with some locals.
If you want to stay in and enjoy food from some of the best eateries and restaurants in our vicinity, download the UberEats app. Excellent, user-friendly food delivery service.
UBER EATS DELIVERY
578 Plummer StIf you want to stay in and enjoy food from some of the best eateries and restaurants in our vicinity, download the UberEats app. Excellent, user-friendly food delivery service.
We love this Asian eatery, which is just around the block from our home, right next to Perron and across Picobella - another two of our local favourites. Try the steamed fish or some of the smaller, tapas styled meals. It's yum.
Love Me So
63 4th AveWe love this Asian eatery, which is just around the block from our home, right next to Perron and across Picobella - another two of our local favourites. Try the steamed fish or some of the smaller, tapas styled meals. It's yum.
The brainchild of the owners of Hells Kitchen and La Santa Muerte, The Lonely Hearts Club is another one of their success stories. Great tapas-styled meals, and very reasonably priced.
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Lonely Hearts Club
9 7th StThe brainchild of the owners of Hells Kitchen and La Santa Muerte, The Lonely Hearts Club is another one of their success stories. Great tapas-styled meals, and very reasonably priced.
A new addition to our neighbourhood. Great spot for people-watching and a variety of smoothies, teas, drinks and meals for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They share a lovely courtyard with the neighbouring cafes.
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Spilt Milk
1 7th StA new addition to our neighbourhood. Great spot for people-watching and a variety of smoothies, teas, drinks and meals for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They share a lovely courtyard with the neighbouring cafes.
A restaurant specialising in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods. Absolutely delicious. Brunch, lunch, dinner, sharing the charming courtyard with their neighbouring eateries.
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Ba-Pita
70 Grant AvenueA restaurant specialising in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods. Absolutely delicious. Brunch, lunch, dinner, sharing the charming courtyard with their neighbouring eateries.
This one is a must for the vegans, vegetarians, and health aficionados. A niche health store and cafe, with a variety of baked goods (low carb/gluten free etc) and a wholesome menu. Their coffee and breakfasts are particularly nice.
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Fresh Earth Food Store
103 Komatie StThis one is a must for the vegans, vegetarians, and health aficionados. A niche health store and cafe, with a variety of baked goods (low carb/gluten free etc) and a wholesome menu. Their coffee and breakfasts are particularly nice.
Also tried and tested, with a nice variety of traditional, game, vegetarian and vegan meals.
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Lucky Bean Restaurant
16 7th StAlso tried and tested, with a nice variety of traditional, game, vegetarian and vegan meals.
A nice, laid-back coffee shop with good wifi and light meals. Slightly seperate from the Melville strip so it tends to be quieter if you would like to be away from the buzz.
The Richmond
14 Menton RdA nice, laid-back coffee shop with good wifi and light meals. Slightly seperate from the Melville strip so it tends to be quieter if you would like to be away from the buzz.
Good for coffee, breakfasts and light meals and nice to combine with supermarket shopping at Rand Steam Mall.
Bootlegger Rand Steam
Napier RoadGood for coffee, breakfasts and light meals and nice to combine with supermarket shopping at Rand Steam Mall.
A welcome new addition to our restaurant strip - good coffee, breakfasts and light meals. Also licensed so you can choose from a good selection of wines. Their original shop is in Linden, but this one is better.
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The Whippet Melville
3rd AvenueA welcome new addition to our restaurant strip - good coffee, breakfasts and light meals. Also licensed so you can choose from a good selection of wines. Their original shop is in Linden, but this one is better.
Pablo Eggs-Go-Bar
2 7th StDesigner breakfasts in a very lively, trendy venue.
Good spot for breakfasts and light lunches. Nice, breezy athmosphere on an iconic corner of Melville.
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Bread & Roses
7th StreetGood spot for breakfasts and light lunches. Nice, breezy athmosphere on an iconic corner of Melville.
Drinks & Nightlife
Somewhat crummy, but a great spot for some beers and Mozambican-styled food to go along with it.
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Xai Xai
7th StreetSomewhat crummy, but a great spot for some beers and Mozambican-styled food to go along with it.
Gay-friendly, nice music, nice crowd, perfect place to round off a night out in Melville if you're the party-type.
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Ratz Bar Melville
9 7th StGay-friendly, nice music, nice crowd, perfect place to round off a night out in Melville if you're the party-type.
If you're young or young at heart and the kind of person who's into two cocktails for the price of one, this will be your spot. Haven't been there in ages though :)
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Six Cocktail Bar
90 3rd AveIf you're young or young at heart and the kind of person who's into two cocktails for the price of one, this will be your spot. Haven't been there in ages though :)
Nice alternative edge, good craft beers, okay food. Cool spot for after work or end-of-the-day drinks.
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Hell's Kitchen
4 7th StNice alternative edge, good craft beers, okay food. Cool spot for after work or end-of-the-day drinks.
Known as one of the oldest - if not THE oldest - pubs in Johannesburg. Situated in a somewhat challenging area but more than worth visiting, with very nice live performances by local musicians. They also have a great Portuguese menu.
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The Radium Beerhall
282 Louis Botha AveKnown as one of the oldest - if not THE oldest - pubs in Johannesburg. Situated in a somewhat challenging area but more than worth visiting, with very nice live performances by local musicians. They also have a great Portuguese menu.
Parks & Nature
Johannesburg Botanical Garden
Olifants RoadNice spot for a stroll.
The closest national park to see some of our wildlife in their natural habitat. There are some good day trips available if you're an early bird.
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Εθνικό Πάρκο Pilanesberg
The closest national park to see some of our wildlife in their natural habitat. There are some good day trips available if you're an early bird.
Essentials
The closest supermarket to our home. All the basics. Wouldn’t recommend it for fresh produce. Rather go to Rand Steam or Impala for this.
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Superspar - Melville
Main RoadThe closest supermarket to our home. All the basics. Wouldn’t recommend it for fresh produce. Rather go to Rand Steam or Impala for this.
Efficient medical practice. Ask for dr. Nazeera Kathrada if it's not an emergency - she's Marthinus' GP.
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Meldene Medical Centre
28 4th AveEfficient medical practice. Ask for dr. Nazeera Kathrada if it's not an emergency - she's Marthinus' GP.
De Necker Dentistry Melville
23 4th AveBest dentists in Johannesburg, although quite expensive.
Netcare Milpark Hospital
9 Guild RdBest place to go to with medical emergencies.
The best place to do grocery shopping close to our home, with a choice of two supermarkets: Pick n Pay (mid-level) and Woolworths (more upmarket) to buy goods from. The centre also have a liquor store, and variety of chain-food restaurants.
Please don't got to Campus Square - this is a safer alternative.
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Rand Steam Shopping Centre
Napier RoadThe best place to do grocery shopping close to our home, with a choice of two supermarkets: Pick n Pay (mid-level) and Woolworths (more upmarket) to buy goods from. The centre also have a liquor store, and variety of chain-food restaurants.
Please don't got to Campus Square - this is a safer alternative.
Dr Michael H Gray
91 2nd AveOur dentist of choice.
If you’re addicted to cheese (like we are), this cheese deli is a must-visit. They have a wide variety and will find you whatever cheese you are looking for.
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Cheese Gourmet
71A 7th StIf you’re addicted to cheese (like we are), this cheese deli is a must-visit. They have a wide variety and will find you whatever cheese you are looking for.
Shopping
An interesting, community-focused shopping development built out of shipping containers. A nice spot to buy some souvenirs, clothing and street food. And The Countess restaurant is a great place to eat.
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27Boxes
76a 4th AveAn interesting, community-focused shopping development built out of shipping containers. A nice spot to buy some souvenirs, clothing and street food. And The Countess restaurant is a great place to eat.
Pretty much anything you can get, with some nice restaurants, coffee shops, cinemas, book shops - any shopaholic's dream. It also has a nice African Rooftop Market on Sundays.
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Εμπορικό Κέντρο Rosebank
15A Cradock AvePretty much anything you can get, with some nice restaurants, coffee shops, cinemas, book shops - any shopaholic's dream. It also has a nice African Rooftop Market on Sundays.
Upmarket shopping centre with a selection of eateries. And of course the iconic square with the somewhat unrealistic statue of Madiba.
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Nelson Mandela Square
130 Rivonia RoadUpmarket shopping centre with a selection of eateries. And of course the iconic square with the somewhat unrealistic statue of Madiba.
Best fruit and veg store in Jozi, nice coffee shop, florist and butchery next door as well.
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Impala Fruiterers
177 Beyers Naude DriveBest fruit and veg store in Jozi, nice coffee shop, florist and butchery next door as well.
Arts & Culture
The best in local, progressive theatre productions, surrounded by some nice restaurants and shops in Newtown.
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The Market Theatre
56 Margaret Mcingana StThe best in local, progressive theatre productions, surrounded by some nice restaurants and shops in Newtown.
The backbone of the South African judicial system, with an interesting history.
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Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct
11 Kotze StThe backbone of the South African judicial system, with an interesting history.
No need to explain why this is an important place to visit. Allocate at least three hours for this.
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Μουσείο Απαρτχάιντ
No need to explain why this is an important place to visit. Allocate at least three hours for this.
You'll also be able to catch a good show here. The pantomimes are particularly entertaining.
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Θέατρο του Τζόχανεσμπουργκ
163 Civic BlvdYou'll also be able to catch a good show here. The pantomimes are particularly entertaining.
This one is for the history buffs! This large museum contains mostly military-related records, journals, weapons and photographs that depict South Africa’s participation in large-scale conflicts.
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Νοτιοαφρικανικό Εθνικό Μουσείο Στρατιωτικής Ιστορίας
22 Erlswold WayThis one is for the history buffs! This large museum contains mostly military-related records, journals, weapons and photographs that depict South Africa’s participation in large-scale conflicts.
Sightseeing
One of the best examples of urban rejuvenation in Johannesburg. Some nice hipster spots, as well as shops, galleries and bars. Also check out the independent movie theatre known as The Bioscope if you're a film fundi.
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Maboneng Precinct
Kruger StreetOne of the best examples of urban rejuvenation in Johannesburg. Some nice hipster spots, as well as shops, galleries and bars. Also check out the independent movie theatre known as The Bioscope if you're a film fundi.
One of the most iconic streets in South Africa, having been the street both Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived in. Lot's of authentic, South African spots to visit around Vilakazi Street as well. We've got a good contact for private tours through Soweto - please ask us if you're interested.
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Vilakazi Street
Vilakazi StreetOne of the most iconic streets in South Africa, having been the street both Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived in. Lot's of authentic, South African spots to visit around Vilakazi Street as well. We've got a good contact for private tours through Soweto - please ask us if you're interested.
Lots of coffee shops, galleries, bars and funky shops in this up-and-coming neighbourhood. You'll also be able to combine this with a walk over the iconic Nelson Mandela bridge.
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Braamfontein
Lots of coffee shops, galleries, bars and funky shops in this up-and-coming neighbourhood. You'll also be able to combine this with a walk over the iconic Nelson Mandela bridge.