The 7 best late-night restaurants in Johannesburg

If you’re around Sandton late at night, the Hard Rock Café is a reliable bet. This American-themed restaurant and bar is open seven days a week until 2:00 AM, with the kitchen serving until midnight. That means you can even grab a late dinner or drink here on a Monday.

The vibe includes rock ’n’ roll memorabilia, hearty American fare (legendary burgers, ribs, etc.), and a full bar for cocktails or craft beer. It’s located right on Nelson Mandela Square, making it a convenient stop if you’re staying in the Sandton CBD or wrapping up a late movie or event nearby.

Being open all week, late into the night, sets Hard Rock apart from many other spots that keep shorter hours or cater only to night owls on weekends.

In the bohemian neighbourhood of Melville, Six Cocktail Bar stands out as a late-night haven. This trendy bar-restaurant is open Monday to Saturday from 11 am until 2:00 AM (closed Sundays), with the kitchen serving food until 1:00 AM.

Six is famous for its 2-for-1 happy hour, which actually lasts a whopping eight hours (from 11 am to 7 pm daily), but it keeps the party going long after other Melville eateries shutter.

The menu offers solid pub-style food like nachos and burgers, designed to soak up the cocktails. But it also has some more refined options like seafood pasta, lamb shanks, or pepper-crusted steak. There’s jazz on Wednesdays and comedy on Mondays, so there’s always something going on - perfect for a nightcap after a great date or even a spontaneous solo dinner on a weekday.

With old-school R&B and hip-hop on the sound system and a friendly, eclectic crowd, Six is the perfect spot to get a midnight cocktail and meal in a “vibey” Melville setting.

For a stylish cocktail lounge that stays open every night of the week, head to A Streetbar Named Desire. Located at Parkwood’s popular corner (Jan Smuts Ave near Rosebank), this cocktail and tapas bar is open until 2 am every night.

The first-floor terrace offers a breezy view over Rosebank, and the interior is plush with emerald-green velvet and cinematic artwork.

There’s a seriously extensive drinks list packed with creative cocktails (try the Chilli Mango Daiquiri or the whimsically named “Kindness of Strangers” for rhubarb lovers). But the food isn’t an afterthought here either. They serve Mediterranean- and Middle Eastern-inspired small plates that will leave you salivating.

Rosewater and harissa potatoes, paprika-fried squid with aioli, piping-hot falafels piled on top of chopped Israeli salad, and crispy chicken wings are just a few of the favourites.

Regular DJ sets and even occasional themed events (like drag brunches) mean there’s often something happening, but you can equally just chill with a late supper and drinks after midnight.

Hidden between the fourth and fifth floors of HYDE hotel in Rosebank, Nine Lives is Joburg’s newest speakeasy – and it’s already earned a reputation as the spot for stylish late-night drinks and eats. Calling itself a ‘supper club’ rather than just a bar, it’s clear from the moment you step in that there’s as much painstaking attention paid to delicious food as there is to the mixology.

Inspired by 1970s glamour, Tokyo’s secret bars, and Parisian jazz lounges, it oozes mystery and mood lighting, with a menu of sophisticated cocktails and moreish plates designed for after-dark indulgence. Will you be tempted by a cognac concoction with a caramel reduction and orange chocolate bitters? How about gin, lavender, and peach? Or Japanese plum wine with whiskey and a touch of bubbles? Pair your choice of tipple with something like miso and ginger wagyu tataki, aromatic oxtail pho, or almond and date lamb chops with a tamarind crust.

Open daily from 4 pm to 1 am, Nine Lives attracts a chic, well-dressed crowd looking for something a little more grown-up than the average bar. Entry is discreet, and the vibe is strictly intimate. If you’re looking to impress a date or want something a little different from your local pub, this is it.

For a more alternative/indie late-night scene, Kitchener’s in Braamfontein is iconic. This is one of Joburg’s most historic pubs turned hip bar/music venue. It’s been around since 1906, and has probably been catering to late-night revellers since… well…1907, making it the city’s second oldest bar.

After a brief closure and revamp, it’s back in action with even more to offer. Kitchener’s (and its next-door pizzeria addition, Little Kitchener’s) operates Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 AM till late, which typically means past 2 AM on busy nights. It’s essentially the place in Braamfontein for after-hours fun. Expect a diverse crowd of students, artists, and professionals all dancing or chilling together.

DJs spin an eclectic mix on many nights, and unlike many clubs, Kitchener’s also has a full kitchen via the Pizzeria, serving authentic Italian-style pizzas to keep you dancing till the early hours. You can literally grab a slice at 1 am while enjoying an ice-cold beer or speciality cocktail.

The recent revamp kept the historical charm but added a fresh layer of style, including a piano for live music nights. If you’re out in Braam and don’t want the night to end, Kitchener’s is a true late-night Joburg legend.

Fordsburg is known as Joburg’s Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern food hub, and on weekends, its restaurant district stays buzzing well past normal dinnertime.

You might find curry houses serving biryanis and breyanis until midnight, grilled kebab and shawarma spots operating into the early hours, and stalls offering sweet treats like falooda or jalebi to cap off your night.

The famous Fordsburg Square flea market runs into the evenings on weekends, adding to the street food feel. Keep in mind: while many places are open late Friday and Saturday, hours drop off earlier midweek. And as always, keep safety in mind and stick to busy areas.

When it comes to all-hour eats in Joburg, Andiccio24 is practically an institution. London has kebab shops, and South Africa has Andiccio. This local pizza chain is designed for late-night cravings, and they’re open 24 hours. It’s all in the name!

You can walk in at 8 pm, 1 am, or for a 10 am brunch and customise a pizza with a huge range of toppings, or even pick up salads, pastas, and desserts. Some of the popular branches are known for drawing night-owl crowds from clubbers to students all craving a bit of cheesy, carby goodness after a night out.

Andiccio24 also stocks late-night essentials like ice cream, cupcakes, and even beer and champagne at some branches, so it truly “saves lives” for those out past normal kitchen hours.