Mbali Mbatha

A great meal doesn’t have to come with a hefty bill, and Johannesburg’s restaurant specials prove just that. Johannesburg’s restaurants are serving up weekly specials that make dining out more affordable, from two-for-one pizzas, half price pasta to cocktail happy hours.  So, whether you’re planning a quick lunch, after-work drinks or a date night, here’s where to find some of Johannesburg’s best food and drink deals. If you feel we’ve missed anything, please head over to our social pages and let us know - Facebook and Instagram. Let’s share the good deals with everyone. NB: Please note that these specials can change from time to time, and we have no control over if/when they do. We will do our best to keep the list as up to date as possible. Nhlalala Mthembi is a Johannesburg-based freelance journalist. He writes about culture, entertainment, and lifestyle, with a particular interest in storytelling that highlights South African experiences. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts.

Accessed through a concealed door that leads to a secret bookshelf, it’s no wonder the speakeasy establishment, Library Food Club, identifies as “more than just a restaurant.” Located in Birdhaven, the eatery is also known for its “evolving chapters,” where each new year ushers in a new era of exotic cuisine, cocktails, design and immersive storytelling. 2024 was all about Livin' la vida loca as the club opened its doors with a Modern Mexican themed menu. For this restaurant, the month of September, which is the beginning of spring in Mzansi bringing colour, bright skies and the reminder of nature’s beauty of renewal, is this “new year.” A new dawn unfolded in September 2025 as the restaurant unveiled its Modern Peruvian era. What is Peru known for apart from gorgeous and oh-so-expensive Peruvian wigs, you ask? Well, much like South Africans, the people of Peru are known for being polite, warm and relationship-driven.  While we operate on African Time which can sometimes mean delays of longer than an hour, their La Hora Peruana is a tad different, as social settings often operate on a delay where arriving 15 to 30 minutes late is common. Their professional events however, are known to start on time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Library Food Club (@thelibraryfoodclub) But since Modern Peruvian was a food menu makeover that the Library Food Club says described as a vibrant exploration of flavour, tradition and reinvention, i

I had the pleasure of being invited to Afro-house and amapiano sensation Nobuhle Khuzwayo on Wednesday 25 August. The singer whose vocals have featured on various Kabza De Small hits including Xola and Amandla drops her new album Imvula Rebirth. I was among the few guests she hosted at Jazzworx Studios for a sneak peek. Imvula Rebirth is musical storytelling With praise poetry, mbaqanga and other infusions, I struggled to place the track Isigubhu sikaGogo in any particular genre. But there was no mistaking the influence of the spiritual healer matriarchs who raised her. The song gives insight into Nobuhle’s upbringing, the music that raised her and her grandmother’s teachings about patience and forging ahead even when everything inside her granddaughter was ready to give in. “There are times when you don’t know if you should let go of a certain dream and pursue a different one. This is where I was when making this album,” Nobuhle shared. Throughout the music, elements of her faith come to the surface. But even as someone who doesn’t subscribe to religion, I’m still able to identify with her determination to remain hopeful because this is more a value system and less a belief one. B Kool MediaNobuhle's new album Imvula Rebirth drops today. On a few occasions, the singer reveals that some of the songs are about “stubbornness” and the refusal to be derailed from her dreams. In Ngibulawa Nguwe she embraces the bright red aesthetic we usually associate with romantic relationship

Shannon Esra’s versatility has blessed viewers with such characters as Samantha Hugo in Lioness who was falsely accused of a crime, undercover investigator Caz O'Donough in Snitch and lawyer Angelique Scott in Isidingo. Interestingly, she first appeared on the SABC 3 soap as a troubled young woman named Yvette in her younger years. But the trailblazing actress is most celebrated for her iconic defence attorney role Sandra Stein who goes down in history as South Africa’s first ever crossover character across multiple productions having appeared in The Queen, The River, Legacy and a few others. Sandra currently has viewers at the edge of their seats in Mzansi Magic’s Law, Love & Betrayal (Season 2). Sandra Stein: A first for South African TV South Africa's last bi-production house crossover when Kwaito, Kat and Seakamela appeared on 7de Laan for three episodes in 2021. Lindiwe Dikana  (Sindi Dlathu) and Harriet Khoza (Connie Ferguson) had crossed over between The River and The Queen three years earlier, however the telenovelas emerged from production houses with a reportedly collaborative partnership. What makes Sandra so iconic is that for the first time on Mzansi’s small screen, a record was set by her ability to navigate various soapies and telenovelas produced by unrelated creative teams. Hers is a multi-production crossover, and never in South African history has a character existed across so many TV shows. “Sandra is very utilitarian and a lot of our local stories sit und

Taboo as sex still is in 2026 South Africa, the idea that a black woman in Kempton Park would start an e–commerce business selling exotic toys is almost criminal. Well, this is exactly what Luminara Woman founder, Tumelo “Tumi” Khumalo did when she was on the verge of losing her job and had to find creative ways to make a living.  How it all started Two years before launching the business, Tumi picked her then boyfriend’s (now husband's) brain about embarking on this venture, citing the high demand for pleasure-inducing products. She remembers being nervous about keeping the products at her parents’ house as she still lived at home at the time  Tumi sources her toys from China because, as mentioned previously, products of this nature are frowned upon in many countries. Anticipating the anticlimax it would cause if people shared her social media content with her parents, Tumi says she was left with no choice but to tell her mother about her business before a nosy little birdie beat her to it.  “I just said I had started a business and I thought I should tell her before someone else did. I said I was selling toys and she assumed that it was children’s toys,” she chuckles. Luminara WomanI wonder how many of my friends would be brave enough to try out this sucking vibrator! Mom’s jaw dropped lower than the orgasm statistics among heterosexual women, questioning why her precious baby girl, so innocent and sweet, would dabble in such nasty activities. But she eventually had to ad

In April 2018, South Africans across the country and outside its borders mourned the loss of Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Affectionately known as the Mother of the Nation, Madikizela-Mandela has been immortalised through various literature, performance arts and other mediums, including a play titled Nomzamo that was staged in 2024. Director Thabang Kwebu is back with a new version of the production where the Mother of the Nation speaks to her close friend Dali Tambo. This time, he takes the show to the Market Theatre, where it will be staged from 27 to 30 August. How will this differ? The original production introduced audiences to the motherly side of the late liberation struggle hero, single-handedly raising her young children while her husband Nelson Mandela languished behind bars on Robben Island. Thabang won the respect of Madikizela-Mandela’s family members, who felt that their matriarch was not misrepresented and her story was told with a formidable level of sensitivity and authenticity. Market TheatreJoin the Nomzamo cast at the market Theatre from 27-30 August. Instead of the torture that Mama Winnie faced in prison during her own incarceration, which included being deprived of sanitary pads, this time Thabang explores the controversial relationship between the late icon and Dali Mpofu, her alleged younger lover. How would the posthumous Winnie Madikizela interact with Dali Mpofu? He probes how the conversation between the two would unfold if Dali visited M

It’s culture, visual arts and music galore in Parktown North this weekend as the BMW Art Generation returns for its 4th edition. This year’s walkabout at the BMW Art Haus, in partnership with FNB Art Joburg, is titled From Whose Waters Do We Drink? and dissects knowledge systems, references and inheritances through dialogue with some of Africa’s most impactful voices. What to expect Not only will guests indulge in exhibitions and conversations with fellow thinkers, artists and enthusiasts, but they will also dig into a variety of South African cuisine, washing it down with Mzansi’s finest Methode Cap Classique and wine.Following the 29 to 30 August opening weekend, the Art Haus remains open until 6 September. Partner FNB Art Joburg runs from 4 to 6 September, and the former crosses over to the Sandton Convention Centre on these days for a full-fledged collaboration. This year’s guests can look forward to the artistic prowess of Bronwyn Katz, Kamva Matuis, Robin Rhode and Lindokuhle Sobekwa, among others. Day one will be headlined by award-winning musician Thando Zide, and on day two, jazz maestro and academic Nduduzo Makhathini is the leading performing artist. FNB Art JoburgJoin the internationally acclaimed Nduduzo Makhathini at the BMW Arg Generation on 30 August. Previous creative brains who have been celebrated by the platform include Sir Professor Zanele Muholi, Ayana V. Jackson and William Kentridge against the backdrop of performances by Muneyi, Gregory Maqoma, Msak

A lot of Johannesburg mums and dads have a Bambanani story. I’m one such mum and it nearly felt personal when Bambanani Family Restaurant in Melville announced its closure earlier this year as I have lots of personal stories there including my daughter’s 9th birthday. But a miracle happened earlier this month and Bambanani reopened its doors and welcomed patrons once again. Founder Caryn Cohen describes herself as an entrepreneur who loves South Africa, and by the end of our interview it is clear that Johannesburg holds a special place in her heart. The essence of Bambanani It all began 18 years ago when Caryn noticed that there was nowhere that she could take her children along and have a great time. This led to the birth of this homely family restaurant which didn’t just have a regular jungle gym but also featured a “kitchen” for girls to play in, stations where children can make crafts and other activities under the watchful eye of the establishment’s resident childminders. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nadia Pereira (@nadia._pereira) Some may say Melville was not the right place for a children’s restaurant because it’s a student village, but the truth is that the area has always been a haven for creatives and is surrounded by residential communities with  numerous schools by The Parks including Emmarentia, Parkview, Greenside and a few others.  “I was an entrepreneur and I loved food but it took me a while to

Last chance to hang out with visual artist and musician Nomsa Mazwai this Tuesday For the past few weeks, Nomisupasta (Nomsa Mazwai) has been inviting friends, family, fans and everyone in between to join her casual listening sessions. This Tuesday is your last chance to chill with the visual artist and musician. Sisterly warmth Named Next Week Tuesday after her song released on 8 August 2025, Nomisupasta is wrapping up the Tuesday hang-out sessions on 25 August. The sessions are hosted by Tembo Clubhouse at 94a Sandton Drive in Parkmore. I had the good fortune of joining one of these sessions, and what unfolded was an intimate experience that felt like hanging out with a childhood friend, sharing memories, dreams, fears and aspirations over gin and tonic. NomisupastaNomisupasta hosts one final Next Week tuesday listening session in Sandton this week. I’ve been very lucky to have engaged all three Mazwai sisters, Thandiswa, Ntsiki and Nomsa. My first encounter with the latter’s visual art was at Thandiswa’s studio and Nomsa is so talented that I borderline begged her to incorporate it in her upcoming album’s artwork. Listen before you go Next Week Tuesday on Spotify Background music blasting through the speakers and impromptu performances by the woman of the moment elevate the experience, accompanied by conversations where the artist gets candid about the challenges and joys of her career, motherhood and life in general. Not to take anything away from Nomisupas

Johannesburg millennials are on cloud nine as American hip-hop legends Slum Village announce their visit to the City of Gold. In fact, millennials all over the country are pledging to “sell a kidney” for a chance to experience the duo live at the Back to the City International Festival. The annual event takes place at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown on 10 October. Slum Village originally emerged from Detroit as a trio in the 1990s, consisting of T3, Baatin and the late J Dilla, who passed away in 2006 due to cardiac arrest. Baating passed on three years later and the group has had a few members come but go with Young RJ who joined in 2012 decided to stay on READ: Grammy-award winning US superstar Miguel is coming to Mzansi! The two surviving members have managed to keep the fire burning, releasing the album Yes! in 2015, which was thoroughly enjoyed by fans as it featured J Dilla’s unreleased beats. In fact, the duo has released multiple albums since the loss of J Dilla, with their latest single, What Up Bae, having dropped in January this year. Festival director Osmic Menoe said, “Back to the City has always been about celebrating hip-hop culture in its purest form while creating a platform where local and international communities can connect.” Back To The City1990s hip-hop legends Slum Village have just been added to Back To The City International Festival's line up. “Bringing Slum Village to South Africa is a significant moment for fans who understand the influence of

Whoever started the “new music Friday is dead” rumour must have fallen and bumped their head because artists and fans alike still look forward to this tradition. In today’s edition, R&B and pop artist Rowlene’s (Rowlene Nicole Bosman) new album Some Strings Attached is the latest item to add to your playlist. Dissecting the music Listening to the track Disconnected, I caught myself wondering what an a cappella version of this song would sound like because it is not heavily instrumental. Rowlene explains later during our interview that most of the songs on this album were deliberately designed to be acoustic and string-based. Interestingly, the strings in No Strings Attached are impossible to ignore. “That’s kind of the play on the project. Not everyone is going to pick it up but I enjoy doing these interviews and talking about the project because it creates more of a community,” Rowlene says. For me, the line “you don’t call it love but you move like it’s true” is reminiscent of Luther Vandross’s If I Didn’t Know Better. Rowlene affirms this because it’s the same theme of not knowing where you stand with people.  SEE: Parklive Jozi 2026: The ultimate guide to this year’s festival ParkLiveRowlene says heartbreak doesn't always mean that the good experiences that love brings forth should be completely forgotten. I'm touched when she points out that my attention to detail means there are people who genuinely care about what musicians do. Another contrast is in the track Hurt

It’s Soweto Kota Festival time once again and the spotlight is about to fall on South African street food. The festival team switched things up this year and instead of hosting the media launch at the Ubuntu Kraal as has been the custom for the past few years, the event was held at the Soweto Theatre on Wednesday 19 August. The annual festival is entering a momentous 9th year.   The Kota evolution   This township delicacy has come a long way from its early days of mince, atchaar and potato mash stuffed in a quarter loaf of bread; hence the word Kota.    Some hilarious debates have been had by locals about whether or not the Gauteng favourite is a spin-off of Durban’s legendary bunny chow. But both dishes are delicious and more importantly, carry a cultural heritage significance for South Africans.    Cultures evolve and determined not to get left behind, the Kota gradually shifted to include new flavours. Chips (or fries depending on your geographical location), different sausage variations and even eggs entered the mix.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soweto Kota Festival (@sowetokotafestival)   Times kept changing and the Kota levelled up. Nowadays we even have “Kota that went to private school,” whose ingredients include lettuce, burger patties, toasted bread and other upgrades.    Atchaar and bread are the only two original ingredients that remain part of the Kota. But sauces have also entered the mix, attracting eaters who ar

The Joburg Zoo has been one of the biggest attractions in the City of Gold for 122 years. Those last two digits have been very symbolic this year because since March, the zoo has been running a R22 special on the 22nd of every month. The zoo is open from 08:30 to 17:30 daily, including public holidays. However, it’s nearly impossible to take advantage of this special on weekdays when people are at school or work. The good news is, 22 August falls on a Saturday, which gives Johannesburg families the perfect opportunity to create memories and picnic against the backdrop of nature. No one gets left behind The zoo introduced the "R22 on the 22nd" special in celebration of its anniversary, and it has gradually grown in popularity. On any given day, the entrance fee will knock you back R135 per adult and R81 per child or senior citizen. The R22 on the 22nd special applies to children, parents, grandparents and everyone in between, so no one gets left behind. “We want the R22 special to put quality family time within reach of more Johannesburg residents. With the 22nd falling on a Saturday, there could hardly be a better opportunity for a family reunion.”  “Bring Grandma and Grandpa, bring the children, bring the cousins and the people you have been promising to spend more time with. For R22, come and make a new family memory at the Johannesburg Zoo,” said the establishment. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Adventures_of_a_lazy_girl (@adventures_of