Sophie Baker

If you're in search of a romantic spot that feels more like a quiet European retreat than a typical stay in South Africa, Pretoria has a few hidden gems worth exploring. We've rounded up some of the best hotels in the area – ideal for when you need a break from the pace of city life and want a peaceful place to unwind with a cocktail or mocktail in hand. RECOMMENDED: 🥐 The best cafés and coffee shops in Pretoria🛍️ The best shops in Pretoria🍴 The best restaurants in Pretoria

Joburg doesn’t do predictable, and neither should your dates. While the city is packed with vibey restaurants and familiar rooftop spots, the most electric memories usually happen when you step off the beaten path. Whether you’re trying to impress someone new or reignite a long-term spark, these offbeat Johannesburg date ideas deliver adventure, charm, and just the right amount of chaos. From heart-stopping leaps of faith to discreet, candlelit corners, these experiences move beyond the standard dinner-and-drinks formula. In 2026, the city’s dating scene is defined by movement and discovery, think immersive culture, unexpected outdoor escapes, and those "only in Jozi" moments you’ll still be laughing about weeks later. Forget the seaside views; here are a few unforgettable experiences to try in Johannesburg right now. RECOMMENDED 📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg🍺 The best pubs and bars in Johannesburg Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram! Time Out makes a small commission from the affiliate links included in this article. These links have no influence on our editorial content, but they do allow us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

If you thought a good night out was only reserved for the weekend, it’s time to think again. The Jacaranda City’s nightlife is buzzing all week long, whether you’re looking for a place to dine, drink, groove to live music, or dance the night - or the morning -away. Naturally, going out means putting on your best, and dressing up is encouraged with many of the venues enforcing a strict dress code. We recommend keeping those slippers on standby after a night on the dance floor. If you’re looking for a good time, here are our picks of the best clubs and nightlife that Pretoria has to offer. Sophie Baker is a Gauteng-based travel and food writer, covering everything from luxury Kruger safaris to Mauritius' food scene. 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. TIME OUT PRETORIA RECOMMENDS: 📍 The best things to do in Pretoria🍽 The best restaurants in Pretoria🏨 The best hotels in Pretoria🛏️ Where to stay in Pretoria Sign up to Time Out Pretoria's free newsletter for expert recommendations on new things to do, see, eat and drink in the Capital.

It’s been said before, but we’ll say it again: when it comes to high-quality meat, South Africans know their stuff. Rump, sirloin, T-bone - the options are endless, and Pretoria is home to some of the best steakhouses, with some dating back to 1985. Now, we won’t judge you if you prefer your steak so well-done you might as well be chewing on a piece of leather, if you like your steak dripping with red liquid (fun fact: it’s not blood, but a mixture of water and myoglobin, a protein found in muscle tissue), or if you’re somewhere in between. But we will judge you if you don’t check out our list of the best steakhouses in the city! We highly suggest going hungry! Sophie Baker is a Gauteng-based travel and food writer, covering everything from luxury Kruger safaris to Mauritius' food scene. 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. TIME OUT PRETORIA RECOMMENDS: 📍 The best things to do in Pretoria🍽 The best restaurants in Pretoria🏨 The best hotels in Pretoria🛏️ Where to stay in Pretoria Sign up to Time Out Pretoria's free newsletter for expert recommendations on new things to do, see, eat and drink in the Capital.

Come rain or shine, Pretoria’s pub and bar scene is always buzzing. Grabbing a pint of beer after a long day, celebrating a Bulls victory, or dressing up for a night on the town; one thing is for sure: Pretoria knows how to enjoy a drink. Pair that with great music and even better food, and it’s easy to see why these pubs and bars mean business. No matter the occasion, these are the spots to visit if you’re looking for a good time. Drink responsibly! Sophie Baker is a Gauteng-based travel and food writer, covering everything from luxury Kruger safaris to Mauritius' food scene. 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. Sign up to Time Out Pretoria's free newsletter for expert recommendations on new things to do, see, eat and drink in the Capital. TIME OUT PRETORIA RECOMMENDS: 📍 The best things to do in Pretoria🍽 The best restaurants in Pretoria🏨 The best hotels in Pretoria🛏️ Where to stay in Pretoria

A good day starts with a great breakfast, and for those oversleepers who miss the breakfast cut-off, it continues with an even better brunch. With so many delicious options to choose from, deciding where to go can quickly become overwhelming. Whether you’re craving a savoury Eggs Benedict with greasy bacon, a smoked salmon bagel, or something sweet like a stack of fluffy flapjacks, there’s no right or wrong choice. To help you plan your next breakfast or brunch outing, we've rounded up the best breakfast and brunch spots in Pretoria. Sophie Baker is a Gauteng-based travel and food writer, covering everything from luxury Kruger safaris to Mauritius' food scene. 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. TIME OUT PRETORIA RECOMMENDS: 📍 The best things to do in Pretoria🍽 The best restaurants in Pretoria🏨 The best hotels in Pretoria🛏️ Where to stay in Pretoria

Sometimes the remedy for a bad day, the perfect way to celebrate a good one or the answer to "I’m in the mood for something lekker, but I don’t know what", is a juicy patty stacked between two buns with all the right garnishes. When it comes to great burgers, Pretoria has no shortage of options. From classic beef burgers that satisfy every craving without fail, to larger-than-life creations that demand you roll up your sleeves, there’s something for every burger lover, even the veggies! We’ve done the hard work and eaten our way through Pretoria to round up the best burgers the city has to offer. Dig in! Sophie Baker is a Gauteng-based travel and food writer, covering everything from luxury Kruger safaris to Mauritius' food scene. 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. Sign up to Time Out Pretoria's free newsletter for expert recommendations on new things to do, see, eat and drink in the Capital. TIME OUT PRETORIA RECOMMENDS: 📍 The best things to do in Pretoria🍽 The best restaurants in Pretoria🏨 The best hotels in Pretoria🛏️ Where to stay in Pretoria

Whether you are a local or a visitor, immersing yourself in the food culture which Johannesburg so brilliantly brings to the fore is a must. The diversity the City of Gold's offering provides is a food adventure that you simply have to go on, with inspiration from all corners of globe a feast for the eyes, nose and tastebuds. Here we bring you a guide to the best restaurants in Johannesburg. Go on then, book a table and tuck in. RECOMMENDED 📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg🍺 The best pubs and bars in Johannesburg Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram!

When it comes to finding the perfect place to stay and relax in Johannesburg, visitors are spoiled for choice. However, it can be a tricky decision. To make your life a little easier, we've highlighted the best hotels in Johannesburg in this convenient list. From high-end luxury stays to spending a night surrounded by nature, here are Johannesburg's best places to rest your head and set up base to explore the wonders of the City of Gold. RECOMMENDED 📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg🍺 The best pubs and bars in Johannesburg Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram! This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Rounding up a large group for a weekend can be a recipe for chaos, especially if multiple generations are involved. Someone’s kid needs their own room, someone wants to braai while your Uncle wants to make a three-course dinner, and there never seems to be enough showers! Then you need enough places to sit and chill, socialise, eat dinner together, and still have space to retreat from the madness for half an hour.  The trick isn’t just finding a place that’s big enough, but also one that is actually set up for groups. Within a few hours of Johannesburg, you’ll find lodges, farmhouses and hideaways built for exactly this. We’re talking proper kitchens, long tables, outdoor fire pits, and views that keep everyone happy. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here. RECOMMENDED 📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg🍺 The best pubs and bars in Johannesburg Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram! 

Fancy a delicious burger? Well, we've got the inside scoop into where you should head next for your burger fix in Johannesburg. From juicy, cheesy deliciousness to gourmet delight, below you will find the spots you need to visit right now for a burger adventure to remember. RECOMMENDED 📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg🍺 The best pubs and bars in Johannesburg  

There’s a particular pleasure in a road trip that doesn’t require a 4 am alarm or a checked bag. As we hit the public holiday season, there’s ample opportunity for an extended weekend away. Most of Joburg is already doing the maths: where can we go, how far is it, and will there still be rooms by the time we actually commit? Reassuringly, the options are closer and more plentiful than you think. Within a six-hour radius sits an abundance of escapes: ancient mountain ranges, game-rich bushveld, highland trout streams, and valleys that will make you forget you were stuck on the N1 forty-eight hours ago. Point the car. Here’s where to aim it. Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram! While you're at it, sign up for our newsletter to receive even more of the best of your city.  RECOMMENDED: 🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg🏨 The best hotels in Johannesburg🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg🍺 The best pubs and bars in Johannesburg