Neighbourhood Diaries: Fourways

Start at Old Ducky French Café, Fourways’ most delightful curveball. It’s a Paris-style brasserie with tiled floors, bentwood chairs, and a steak tartare mixed at your table with great ceremony. The honey pepper duck breast is a standout, and it almost channels 7th arrondissement vibes, until someone calls you “bru” on the way out.

Over at Montecasino, dinner becomes theatre. Fireroom is the showstopper, sending its Springbok sushi roll to the table in flames and leaning into smoke and sear at every turn. Walk a little further, and you’ll find Verdicchio and its famous basement wine cellar. Their delicious signature dish is linguine, mushrooms, truffle, and pancetta, all tossed through a giant Parmigiano wheel.

For something calmer, Buitengeluk trades the Tuscan sky for Cape Dutch gables, rose gardens, and long brunches under the oaks. Families gravitate to Smoke Daddy’s in Cedar Square for its giant supervised play area, but the adults stay for slow-cooked ribs, stacked burgers, and a satisfying hit of hickory.

And when you want polished comfort, Café del Sol Steyn City delivers some of the area’s best Italian food on a sunlit piazza. The pastas, pizzas, and tiramisu all hit the mark. In truth, you can order almost anything and be happy.

If you want to see Fourways in its natural habitat, arrive at Tiger’s Milk on a Friday when the suburbs loosen their shoulders a little. Tables spill onto the pavement, a DJ warms up the crowd, and at least one group of rugby fans will be yelling at the ref. Order a drink, grab a chair, and accept that you’re probably not leaving after “just one”.

Just down the road is another stalwart of the Fourways drinking scene: Molly Malone’s. The quintessential Irish neighbourhood pub, Molly’s has seen more friendships forged over pints of Guinness than most people have had hot dinners, and on quiz nights it fills with teams who take general knowledge veerrrry seriously. If there’s any sport, expect a crowd; prepare for the most passionate rendition of 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika' you’ve ever heard. 

For something a little more sleek, Rita’s is the ticket. A rooftop bar with pink neon accents and a tequila collection that could make a mezcal sommelier weep with joy, Rita’s is where Fourways comes to feel a little fabulous.

The crowd is younger, sharper, and more dressed up, and the margaritas (especially the clarified one) go down far more easily than they should. 

There’s an unspoken rule in Fourways: if the cyclists go there, the coffee’s legit, which is why Brewtown Coffee Lab fills up early with lycra and laptop bags alike. The baristas take their craft seriously, the house roast has a loyal following, and the flat white is top-notch. Grab a seat outside and enjoy the steady parade of people passing through.

At Carmella’s on the Square, the welcome feels almost old-fashioned in the best way. Your coffee arrives with a homemade date ball or biscuit, intended (in my opinion) to derail your healthy eating efforts with their display of cakes at the till.

For something with bona fide credentials, head ten minutes out to State 5 Coffee Roastery in Kyalami. Their beans have taken top honours at national roasting awards, and you’ll taste it immediately. Expect single-origin African coffees, lighter roasts done properly, and baristas who’ll happily talk you through the flavour profile without ever being pretentious. 

And then there’s Jozi Java, a local startup that aims to be totally family-friendly. After all, you might want your black Americano, but your kid probably doesn’t. Outside of the extensive espresso-based menu, there’s also coffee freezos, protein shakes, and an assortment of tasty light lunches. 

Fourways Mall is the heart of the retail universe here. It’s huge, bright, and filled with every major brand under the sun. If you need to tick off errands or distract children for an hour, this is your ground zero. It’s never quiet, which is part of the experience.

Fourways Crossing, on the other hand, is the bargain hunter’s playground. The factory stores attract a steady stream of optimists hoping to score a deal, and more often than not, they do. Half the suburb has walked out of the Adidas store with a pair of sneakers they didn’t plan to buy.

Design Quarter is a more curated and considered space, anchored by homeware, decor, and design stores. For anyone who is even slightly houseproud, it makes a great spot for browsing and daydreaming about your ideal home.

Just Cruizin at Lonehill Mall is worth a stop if you like clothing that feels like a West Coast holiday. It’s packed with nautical style: loose linen, easy and unstructured shapes, and uncomplicated shades of neutrals, blues, and greens. 

Start at Prison Break Market, just on the border of Kyalami. Built around a cluster of themed sheds that turn browsing into a full outing. Wander from fresh bread and cheese stalls to handmade ceramics activities, settle for a street food lunch on the deck, and let kids vanish into MiJump or the playground.

If you just want green space, Lonehill Park has a large dam and plenty of parks and servitudes for walking and sitting. There are usually dogs everywhere, families picnicking, and runners doing loops around the water. On weekends, there is a parkrun that draws an impressive crowd. 

The Montecasino Bird Gardens is another outdoor option. You walk along raised paths while flamingos, parrots, pelicans, and hundreds of other birds do their thing. Every now and then, a lemur watches you pass by. It’s strangely charming, and a good antidote to the casino’s flashing lights.

For something indoors, the Golf Bar at Cedar Square gives you virtual golf. You swing a club into a simulator while your friends heckle you over a beer, and nobody has to walk anywhere. It’s surprisingly addictive. 

And, of course, Montecasino itself is always an option. Even if you’re not gambling, catching a show at the Teatro or wandering through its fake Italian streets still feels like a night out.