Lunch al fresco in ...
4th Ave, Melville: A delightful little chill zone has been quietly evolving on Melville's 4th Avenue, away from the madding crowd on 7th Street. Lunch al fresco at Picobella's Italian restaurant, then wander over to Ruth's Antiques next door, Tom's Art across the road and Fashion Icon, a clothing boutique next to it.
Go to market at ...
- Friday Food Market, 44 Stanley Street, Milpark: On Fridays from 4.30pm to 8pm, a fabulous food market in the courtyard sells a variety of breads, cheeses and other delectables. A live jazz band plays in the background while you shop. Visit www.44stanleyave.co.za
- French market, Morningside: A new weekly French market opens on June 14 at the Morningside Shopping Centre, selling a fabulous array of French products from bread and cheeses to linen and books. It's on every Sunday from 9am to 2pm. Visit www.morningsideshops.co.za
Go east for lunch in ...
Chinatown in Cyrildene: Chinese restaurants once proliferated in downtown Commissioner Street, but now Cyrildene to the east of the city is where you'll find them. These eateries are humble, but you can't go wrong for taste and value. Try Fisherman's Plate for lunch, then browse around for silk purses and kimonos in the surrounding shops.
Get hot at the ...
- curry dens in Fordsburg: Just a stone's throw from the Oriental Plaza is Mint Street, where you find authentic Indian curry at very palatable prices. Try the Taj Palace restaurant, Curry Express, Kashif's Fusion Foods Restaurant and Deli or Al Tayif restaurant.
Take a tour with ...
- Spear of the Nation Tours: Experience Joburg through the eyes of one of its most passionate and entertaining citizens, Robin Binckes. Binckes is a walking encyclopedia and a storyteller of note, infusing many of his own anecdotes into a rich experiential journey. You can custom-make a tour to suit your interests, but recommended is his six-hour tour of Alexandra Township, Liliesleaf Farm (scene of the Rivonia raid), the Voortrekker Monument and the notorious Vlakplaas (training ground for the apartheid police), which is designed to give you an understanding of our turbulent history. It has been acclaimed by locals and international visitors alike. Or you can "Follow Mandela's footsteps" to Alexandra, Soweto, Johannesburg Fort and the Apartheid Museum. Phone Robin on 011-463-9905 to book.
- Spotted Chameleon Tours: Rose Preston specialises in "weird and wonderful" tours of the city, or "urban discoveries", as she calls them. Knowledgeable about the more unusual aspects of the city, she can take you on a tour of Joburg's temples, high-heeled Sandton shopping or 4km "takkie trek" to the accompaniment of her potted history of this affluent suburb. Or you might find yourself as far afield as Midrand to see the Russian Orthodox Church, the only one in the southern hemisphere. A lover of Joburg's geology, she infuses her tours with interesting facts about the city's rock features, and you often find yourself looking from a height over Joburg's "forest", as she also loves the millions of trees that make Johannesburg special. To book, phone Brendan on 073-384-2704.
Cruise for culture ...
- Weekend Culture Club: This vibey little Facebook group, brainchild of culture vulture Mark Straw, kicked off recently with an "art walk" through Rosebank's galleries, including Artspace, Gordart Gallery (which moved from Melville recently) and the Goodman Gallery, with some of the folks lunching in the delightful Twigs restaurant at GardenShop nursery.
Mark plans monthly get-togethers themed around local theatre, dance, music, heritage and fine art. To join the group, find the club on Facebook groups, or e-mail Mark on [email protected]
Book an experience ...
- Collectors Treasury, CBD: This understated but fascinating collectors' trove at 244 Commissioner Street, housed in a Dickensian eight-storey building, boasts a stock of more than a million used, out-of-print and rare books and 250 000 vinyl records. It started as a family business 30 years ago and still trades as such.
Call 011-334-6556.
Dine out at ...
- Fino: A Spanish restaurant on the corner of 4th and 7th Avenue in Parktown North, it specialises in tapas. Food critic Victor Strugo, who commended its "memorable tapas", says it is "as Spanish as Joburg gets". It has also gleaned raves on www.tripadvisor.com. Call 011-477-7867
Sip a sundowner at ...
- Emoyeni: This graceful old Randlord house next to Joburg General hospital in Parktown has been turned into a conference centre. It's been tastefully decorated and successfully mixed old with new, but its piece de resistance is its views of the leafy northern suburbs, and you're welcome to feast your eyes while having a tipple. Call 011-544-6900.
Have a jol at ...
House of Nsako, High Street, Brixton: Don't be put off by the grimy surroundings. House of Nsako attracts an interesting crowd, reflected in its unusual decor. Nsako is not only a bar and eatery, it showcases documentaries and acoustic unplugged music on Tuesdays while Wednesdays are jam-packed with mainly rock and hip hop music. Reggae and jazz are weekend fare. Visit www.nsako.co.za.
Take a Sunday walk at ...
Alberts Farm: The only artesian spring in Gauteng is tucked away under Northcliff ridge in Alberts Farm, the second-biggest green lung in Joburg after Delta Park. This 90ha piece of gently slanted land up against Northcliff ridge is also a lovely place to take a walk or have a picnic.
Appreciate music at ...
TJ's Acoustic Music Club, Mark's Park Sports Club, Mark's Park, Judith Road, Emmarentia: This venue hosts a folk music night every second Thursday. It's a treat for music lovers, and inexpensive at only R20 admission. You'll be amazed at the musical talent existing among amateurs - business people, students, doctors, lawyers and the like. There are also professional musicians in the mix, like the brilliant gypsy guitarist Keira Witherkay. To book, phone Cilia on 011-616-2832.