The hidden Jozi wellness farm where "pasture meets plate"

In the bustling heart of Johannesburg, it’s rare to find a place that forces you to slow down and breathe, and if you do, it’s usually not a farm. But out in the west of Johannesburg (not that far west, it’s still very much in the city), you’ll find Pasture & Plate, a space for healing body, mind and soul.

For Adi Abrahams, the founder of Pasture & Plate, the farm's inception wasn't a calculated corporate move; it was a series of crazy enough moments that turned a dilapidated property into a thriving wellness ecosystem.

I sat down with Adi under the shade of a bustling tree to talk about horses, healing, and why you won't find a Coca-Cola on her menu.

The dilapidated dream

The origin story sounds like a movie script: Adi was simply taking a different route home from the school run when she spotted a run-down property. At the time, she was finishing her Pilates qualification and needed a space for events.

"I thought to myself, this place looks like it needs help, but it could work. I was thinking about outdoor events and leaning into a healing-nature vibe. When I saw the old stables, I thought perhaps I could stable a horse here as well because I would love to get back into riding."

What started as a search for a Pilates studio evolved into a full-scale farm restoration. When the previous horse stable tenants moved out, the landlord gave Adi the keys. “She said to me, ‘ If you think you can do all of that and still pay rent, here’s the keys and good luck to you.”

Today, those stables are full, the farmyard is thriving (complete with bunnies, chickens, goats, donkeys and horses), the gardens are growing, and the "delulu" (as Adi jokingly calls her ambitious streak) has become a reality.

Core strength: Pilates and ponies

While Pilates and horse riding might seem worlds apart, Adi sees them as two sides of the same coin. Both require core stability, mental agility, and a deep connection between mind and body.

"With riding, you need confidence to work with your partner (the horse). “That horse can kill you, she explains. “It’s 800 kilograms between your legs.”

“With Pilates, it requires an insane amount of hand and eye coordination and alignment with your mind and your body,” she adds.

This philosophy of connection extends to everyone on the farm, from the "lightworkers" hosting reiki and yoga sessions and events to the animals themselves, who Adi describes as having an incredibly high EQ (Emotional Quotient).

The "no-coke" philosophy

Adi knew that for the stables to be successful in the area, she needed to serve food, and so she built a kitchen that now serves healthy meals to her patrons. Perhaps the boldest move she has made is her stance on nutrition. Influenced by a deep dive into permaculture and food sustainability during the COVID-19 lockdowns, she decided her farm would be a "free-from" sanctuary.

With a focus on clean eating, Adi has decided not to serve cold drinks or sodas, a stance that seems extreme to many, but her reasoning adds up.

"I don't serve my children cold drinks... there's no way in hell I'm going to serve it to other people's children when I want them to come to the farm to be grounded in nature and feel wholesome," Adi says firmly.

The kitchen is also into creative substitutions; her famous pancakes are made with chia seed "eggs" and fruit-based toppings, and most importantly, it leans into the zero-waste philosophy by using seasonal ingredients in its dishes, repurposing leftover ingredients into new meals, and ensuring scraps go straight to the compost pile to feed the next harvest.

The reality of the hustle

It hasn't all been sunshine and rainbows. Adi is refreshingly candid about the struggles of being a brown woman in a "shark-infested" business world, navigating cultural barriers with labourers, and the exhaustion of balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship.

"I've been forced to learn how to heal through things," she admits. "It’s very difficult to lose your cool when you sit under this beautiful tree, and you listen to it bustle."

Whether you’re there for a personalised Pilates session, a Sunday buffet (where she might, just maybe, let you have a Coke as a treat), or to have a spiritual moment with a ginger cat named Miles, Adi’s farm is a testament to what happens when you follow a "different route" home.

What to expect at the farm 

• The Eatery: A wellness-focused menu that changes with the seasons to ensure zero waste.
• Pilates Studio: An intimate, bespoke experience focused on equipment-based training and personal intention.
• The Farmyard: A sanctuary for rescued donkeys, horses, bunnies, chickens and goats where visitors can experience the "softening" effect of animal connection.
• The Art Studio: A space for creative expression, currently hosting a tenant focused on fabrics and colour.
• Community Garden: A future project where locals can learn the 12-week cycle of growing, pruning, and harvesting their own food.