Joburg Awesomeness: The List

My really close friend has moved up from Cape Town and is really excited to see the sights and bright lights of Johannesburg.  We got talking and I realized that in my three short years, and despite my preference of watching series on my couch during the weekends, I had actually done many cool things in the city.  It became too much to tell her everything in one conversation, so I have decided to draw up a list of cool places that she (other émigrés) could visit.  As an introductory point, I live in Illovo and have discovered that I don't have to go further than a 10 km radius to visit many fabulous locales.  So sorry if I have left out that amazing restaurant in the south of Joburg that your cousin loves.  If you are in Joburg, Sandton is the place to be.

The Johannesburg metro website has already compiled a great list of places (complete with address and phone numbers) that you could check out.  My list is slightly different as the places that I have listed are either my favorite, and come as a personal recommendation, or are places that I really want to see.  Bring change for the car guards (if you want to tip) and your camera!  So here goes!

Useful sites:

http://www.sa-venues.com/attractionsga/johannesburg-metro.htm

http://www.places.co.za/html/gauteng.html

44 on Stanley

44 on Stanley is a little nook in Stanley road that has cool, arty, little shops, an amazing bakery, coffee shops, flower stalls, clothing shops and other interesting little things.  The place has an urban chique to it and is very relaxed.  Go there for breakfast/brunch/coffee and a browse of all the creative artwork on display.  A good morning out!

Location:

44 Stanley Road

, Braamfontein (near Johannesburg City Central)

http://www.44stanley.co.za/

Arts on Main

As one of my favourite places it has an entire post dedicated to it.  Arts on Main is an urban warehouse in the middle of the city that has been converted in art galleries and clothing stall.  On a Sunday, there is a lovely flea market with confectionary, pastries, flowers, vegan goodies, art, clothes, and other interesting things on sale.  Bring cash as very few stalls have card machines.

Location:

Fox Street, Johannesburg

Central

Open during the week during business hours.  However, the Sunday flea market opens from 9 and is super cool.

http://www.artsonmain.co.za/

Gleneagles drive, Greenside

Location:

Gleneagles Drive

, Greenside

Grant often refers to this strip as "the Bermuda Triangle" as it is a bit of a weird place to find.  I type in "

50 Gleneagles Drive

, Greenside" on my gps and then keep an eye out for the strip of cool bars and restaurants.  Greenside used to be this really cool indie place but as my friend has bemoaned has been taken over by the popped collar jock crowd and have elbowed the indie kids out.  As a personal favour, if you visit Greenside, please don't pop your collar and behave like a yob. Much appreciated.

In terms of eating out, the strip has some good restaurant chains present: Fratelli's, Adega, Capellos, Doppio Zero, and the interesting Mama's Shebeen. 

The strip also has some great bars and clubs.  For dancing you have Toyo Star (house music, sometimes light rock, free some nights, other times pay up to R50 to enter, youngish crowd, good looking people), Gin (rock, pop, a bit of an electronic mix, student type crowd, a few older people, free), and the Office (a bar essentially, the music is rock, electronic, pop and the crowd is young, professional and well polished, dress decently, free to enter).

Grant Avenue, Norwood

Location:

Grant Avenue, Norwood

Cool spots: Chapter 1 books (cool second hand bookshop); Classique Spa (had a massage there, was good. They do manis and pedis as well).

Amazing sushi!  Hokkaido (the best sushi restaurant in Joburg, a little pricey); Real Sushi (great sushi, reasonably priced); Kung Fu Kitchen (reasonable quality, great prices); Rainbow (haven't been, but have heard service is meh, food is good, a little pricey).

There are a ton of bars and restaurants in the street including some pizza, pasta, and falafel places.  I just go for the sushi.

http://www.grantavenue.co.za/

4^th Avenue

Parkhurst

Another great strip of classy eating out places.  I really liked the Attic (pricey but nice); Full Stop café and some others whose name I cannot remember… There are many and I do recommend!

The Jolly Roger is a legendary pizza place and watering hole.  I've never been (too many teenagers falling around the place).

Location:

4^th Avenue

Parkhurst, Sandton

The Johannesburg Zoo

Lions, tigers and bears, oh my!  A really fun morning out!  A must if you love animals. I hear there is a new baby giraffe!

Cost:  R50 to enter for adults and R10 to park a car.

Location:  

Jan Smuts Avenue

, Parkview.  Main public entrance on

Upper Park Drive

http://www.jhbzoo.org.za/

Zoo Lake

Cost:  Free to wander.  You can rent a boat, have no idea what this costs but the popularity of this indicates it can't be too much.  I really like going for a stroll and chat with a good friend around the place.  Families come for picnics and for their kids to run around and play.

There is a great restaurant called "Moyo" at the lake. The food is amazing, a little pricey, but there is an awesome afro-style ambience.  http://www.moyo.co.za/

Location:  corner of

Jan Smuts Avenue

and

West World Street

.

http://www.sa-venues.com/attractionsga/zoo-lake.htm

Gold reef City

I love rollercoasters! I came here for my 26^th birthday and it was so much fun!  This is a great day out, especially with a group of friends.  I can't remember how much it costs, but it was less than the price of a movie ticket.

http://www.goldreefcity.co.za/

Location:  near Johannesburg city central:  http://www.goldreefcity.co.za/directions.php

The Apartheid Museum

Have not been, but friends who have say it is amazing! Grant thinks this is too serious to be fun, but a little bit of a cultural and historical infusion can only do us good.  Also, someone told me that they went there during the world cup and bumped into Fabio Cannavaro!!! :D

Location:  the corner of

Northern Parkway

and

Gold Reef Road

in Ormonde.

Telephone:  (011) 309 4700

http://www.apartheidmuseum.org/

http://daytours.drivesouthafrica.co.za/johannesburg/soweto-and-apartheid-museum/

Nelson Mandela Civic Theatre

I love the theatre.  I have seen several ballet productions as well as some stand-up comedy.  Keep an eye out for some excellent productions!  It's a lovely evening/afternoon out.

Location:

Loveday Street

, Braamfontein

http://www.joburgtheatre.com/

The SAB World of Beer

I have not been on this tour but several of my friends have and they thought it was really cool.  This tour has also won several tourism awards and appears to be reasonable value for money (R25 last time I checked).  If you like beer it might be a fun thing to try out.

Location: 

Gerard Sekoto Street, Newtown

, Johannesburg City Central

http://worldofbeer.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32&Itemid=2

Melrose Arch

A little enclave of shops, apartments, offices and restaurants, Melrose Arch is a classy hangout.  The allure of this place is the fact that you can sit outside, surrounded by pretty, well-heeled people and have a lovely meal or drink. I love the shopping and eating out.  Favorite restaurant here: the Orient for dinner and JB's for breakfast.  Pricey but amazing food!  Tasha's is also good.  My friend has her farewell at a wine tasting place, "Wine sense" and those who indulged loved it!  The shops range from a concept Edgars store, a great Woolworths, and some nice boutiques.  Melrose Arch is well suited to fun morning having breakfast and shopping with your girlfriends, or a romantic dinner or breakfast with your special person.  Check it out!

Location: Melrose Arch Precinct, off

Atholl Oaklands Drive

and off

Corlett Drive

http://www.melrosearch.co.za/#/intro

Sandton City

I love shopping!!! Sandton City has a wonderful selection of chain stores and, the attached Nelson Mandela square has the classy boutiques and restaurants.  It can get busy during the weekend and month end.  Things to watch for: the side walk sale twice a year where you can get some fabulous bargains!

Location: 

Corner Rivonia Road

and

5th Street

,

Telephone:  011 217 6000

http://www.sandtoncity.com/libproperties/content/en/sandton-city/sandton-city-home

Rosebank Flea Market

An excellent rooftop market!  Fabulous to get some lovely antiques, vintage clothes, second hand books, food, and random curios.  It's a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Location: The Rosebank Mall, on the rooftop, Corner of Cradock Avenue and

Baker Street

, Rosebank.  There is an entrance to the mall if you get onto

Oxford Road

(

Rivonia Road

) from Sandton and head straight towards town.

The Rosebank Mall itself is also a lovely brunch place.  It has cinemas as well as a cinema nouveau. 

http://www.themallofrosebank.co.za/att_rooftop.htm

Hyde Park Mall

While we are on the subject of shopping malls, Hyde Park Mall has a great selection of restaurants and classy boutiques.  I have seen several celebrities (in the Miss SA sense) here. There is Red Chamber, a Chinese restaurant, which is great (also pricey, and difficult to get into unless you make reservations).

The Southern Sun Hotel at the Mall has a great bar that is really classy and comfy.  I met up with some friends here, and rubbed shoulders with many young professionals and businessmen.  The grapevine tells me that many business deals go down here, so if you are interested in that kind of thing.

Location:  The corner of William Nicol and

Jan Smuts Avenue

http://www.hydeparkshopping.co.za/mallmap.htm

Bruma Flea Market

Have not been, but have heard it's fun.

Location:  Corner Ernest Oppenheimer and

Marcia Ave

, Bruma

Telephone: 011 622 9648.

Open: Tuesdays to Sundays 9.30am - 5pm

http://johannesburg.mydestinationinfo.com/en/bruma-flea-market

China Town

There are two China towns in Joburg.

The cool eating out China Town:

http://www.travelchannel.com/Places_Trips/Destinations/Africa/South_Africa/Johannesburg/Attractions/Chinatown

Derrick Avenue

Cyrildene 

And,

The Official China Town:

73 Bree Street Newtown

http://www.cylex.co.za/company/china-town-15460096.html

The cool eating out China town is where you go if you are craving authentic Chinese food.  The places are grungy, and the menus aren't always in English, but the food is great and really interesting.  Bring cash as there are usually no cash machines.

Brightwater Commons

A family hangout, but with a cool outdoorsy vibe.  There are flea market stalls, cool gaming, comic book and anime shops and a few chain stores.  I love it when they have events.  The Thai festival and Chinese New year celebrations were so much fun!

Location:  Republic Road, Randburg

Telephone: +27 11 789 5052

Open:  Mondays-Fridays: 9am - 6pm, Saturdays: 8am - 6pm,

Sundays / Holidays: 9am - 3pm

http://www.brightwatercommons.co.za/

Emmerentia Dam/ Johannesburg Botanical Gardens

Have not been, but it does come highly recommended from a friend.

Location: 

Olifants Road

, Emmarentia

http://www.sa-venues.com/attractionsga/emmarentia-dam.htm

Not technically in Joburg, but still within a reasonable drive:

The Lion Park

There is a lion and big cat park on the outskirts of Johannesburg.  I have not been yet but am really keen to visit.  My friends have been and apparently you can go on a mini game drive and then actually pet the lion clubs.  On my "to do list"!

Cost: R130 per person to get in, less for kids and more for guided game drives.

Location:  Corner Malibongwe & R114 Lanseria Johannesburg South Africa

http://www.lion-park.com/

The Cradle of Human Kind

Have not been, dying to go!

Maropeng:  http://www.maropeng.co.za/index.php/maropeng/

Sterkfontein caves:  Specialised tours:  Palaeo-Tours: +27 11 726-8788

Location:  between Krugersdorp and Magaliesburg

http://www.places.co.za/html/cradle_of_humankind.html

http://www.cradleofhumankind.co.za/index.html

Sun City

Went here for my 25^th birthday.  An excellent day trip, 2 hours drive from Joburg and loads of fun.  I loved the water slides and chilling on the fake beach.

Gps Sun City, North West Province

http://www.suninternational.com/Destinations/Resorts/SunCity/Pages/default.aspx

Hartebeespoort Dam

A 40 minute drive from Joburg, it is apparently a great water sports, horse riding, fishing and camping place.  I went to a trance party here. It was cool, wet, but cool.  I recommend doing more research as to what you want to do here.

http://www.hartbeespoortonline.co.za/