Sophie Baker

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!

Some might argue that a truly well-balanced meal should include protein, vegetables, carbs, and healthy fats. If that’s the case… surely pizza qualifies as the ultimate balanced meal? Even if the dieticians don’t quite agree with our logic (please don’t come for us), we’re standing our ground on this one. Luckily, Pretoria offers no shortage of spots serving up this versatile, simple, and undeniably delicious dish. Whether you’re loyal to the classics like a Margherita, prefer a thick or thin crust, feel like indulging in a seafood medley or butter chicken topping, or stick to vegetarian favourites, pizza rarely disappoints in our eyes. Well… almost never. Not enough cheese? Now that is a serious offense. To make things easier for fellow pizza lovers, we’ve eaten our way across Pretoria and rounded up some of the very best pizzas the city has to offer. TIME OUT RECOMMENDS: 🥐 The best cafés and coffee shops in Pretoria🛍️ The best shops in Pretoria🍴 The best restaurants in Pretoria🛏️ Where to stay in Pretoria

The so-called “Jacaranda City” is sometimes seen as Johannesburg’s quieter sibling, but don’t let that fool you. There’s plenty happening in Pretoria if you know where to look.  Whether you’re in town for a business trip, a weekend break on a stopover to Kruger, or settling in for a longer visit, Pretoria has nailed the ‘small city’ charm. The capital city strikes just the right balance of feeling intimate and friendly, while retaining all the draws of a big, modern, African city.  Maybe it’s the wide, jacaranda-lined streets, the easygoing pace, or the fact that you’re never too far from a great coffee spot or a breezy terrace with a cold drink. Either way, each neighbourhood has its own quirks, from the lively student social scene in Hatfield to the quiet luxury of Brooklyn and Waterkloof.  To help you get the best out of your stay, here’s where you’ll want to stay during your visit to Pretoria. Stick around, and you’ll find out why so many people who visit Pretoria end up putting down roots and staying.  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 help us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. TIME OUT RECOMMENDS: 🥐 The best cafés and coffee shops in Pretoria🛍️ The best shops in Pretoria🍴 The best restaurants in Pretoria

Johannesburg may not be Africa’s answer to New York or Tokyo, the famous cities that never sleep. In fact, many of our restaurants shut down by 10 pm and bars by midnight. But if you’re a night owl, there are a handful of spots that keep the lights on much later. The city's late-night dining scene spans everything from greasy spoons to chic lounges. While weekday options are a bit more limited, you’ll find that on weekends the city truly comes alive after dark, with certain districts and venues buzzing well past midnight. With a bit of local knowledge, you can definitely find a place to fill your stomach or quench your thirst late into the night any day of the week. For travellers landing late, partygoers looking to continue (or start) the fun, or a local finishing a show or concert and looking for somewhere to grab a bite to eat or a beer, here are some late‑night eateries, bar lounges, cafés and hidden joints that serve food and drinks well past 10 pm and even early into the next day.   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!

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; everything you need for a bit of romance this February is right here. 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.

Let’s face it, Joburg’s dining scene can get pricey, especially in the glitzier corners of Sandton. But eating out doesn’t have to mean emptying your wallet. In fact, with a bit of savvy, you can score seriously delicious meals that are big on flavour and light on the budget. This National Savings Month, we’re spotlighting spots where great food meets great value. We’re talking sit-down gems (no drive-thrus here) where you can tuck into everything from cult-fave shawarma to hidden Italian treasures, all for under R150, and sometimes even under R100. Here’s where to eat well without breaking the bank or your appetite.   RECOMMENDED: 😋 The best restaurants in Johannesburg🍸 The best bars and pubs in Johannesburg🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Johannesburg☕️ The best cafés and coffee shops in Johannesburg

What’s Fourways known for? Fourways is Joburg’s great suburban promise: big gardens, leafy streets, school runs at dawn, and dogs everywhere. But it’s also one of the city’s busiest lifestyle hubs. You can go from pilates to a farmers' market to a theatre show at Montecasino without ever leaving a few square kilometres. It’s known for cafés, family-friendly restaurants, green spaces, entertainment, and more shopping than anyone truly needs. It’s also a touch more self-contained and secure than central Joburg, which is why many people choose to live here when they want suburban ease without sacrificing big-city convenience. It may not have Melville’s grit or Rosebank’s gloss, but it’s practical, social, lively, and full of places locals return to again and again. How do I get to Fourways? Getting here is easy: the N1, Witkoppen, and Winnie Mandela Drive all funnel neatly into the area. Fourways is a bit of a constellation of adjoining suburbs (Lonehill, Dainfern, Pineslopes), all joined into one greater Fourways area.  What’s nearby? To the south, you’ll hit Bryanston and Sandton, two of the city’s most upscale neighbourhoods with glitzy restaurants, cafés, and the Sandton CBD. Head northeast and you’ll reach Kyalami, home to the racetrack and some of the country’s top equestrian facilities. A 45-minute drive West, and countryside scenery reigns supreme in the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO Heritage Site of caves and nature reserves. If you only do one thing... Spend a whole af

There's something about eating outdoors that transforms a meal into an occasion. Truly, there's eating… and then there's eating outdoors. And though no self-respecting South African would ever turn down a good braai, there’s also something to be said about an outdoor meal which doesn’t feature a boerie roll. Al fresco dining – essentially eating outside – may have European origins, but Joburg's climate makes it feel purpose-built for long lunches on terraces and dinners under oak trees. Summer here begs for meals where the setting matters as much as what's on your plate. These Johannesburg restaurants have perfected the art of al fresco dining. 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!

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! 

Here’s hoping you like excitement because the best things to do in Johannesburg will have you on the edge of your seat. That isn’t true if you take the Red Bus tour, as you can sit back comfortably and enjoy everything this famous South African city offers.Johannesburg is one of the biggest cities in Africa and the biggest in the world not built on a water source. Joburg was actually built on a goldmine, so keep that in the back pocket of your pub quiz team for future reference. So come along with us as we take a look at the best things to do in Johannesburg, from catching a live sports match and taking in the cultural vibes to walking in the footsteps of historical figures of great importance. RECOMMENDED🛏️ 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! This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

The silly season has officially arrived! While the rest of the world bundles up in faux snow and mittens, Johannesburg leans into its sun-drenched, highveld holiday spirit. Here in the City of Gold, Christmas is all about vibrant Dezemba energy, live music under blue skies, and, most importantly, supporting the incredible wave of local artisans, designers, and food creators who make our city unique. Forget the generic mall queues; the best way to soak up the festive cheer and score truly one-of-a-kind gifts is by hitting up Joburg's legendary Christmas markets. From the intimate, charity-focused community fairs to massive evening extravaganzas sparkling with lights and gourmet treats, these events are the perfect blend of holiday tradition and local innovation. Ready to fill those stockings and treat yourself? We've rounded up the essential Johannesburg Christmas Markets and festive fairs that promise artisan crafts, gourmet goodies, and the kind of buzzing atmosphere that makes the Jozi summer festive season unforgettable. RECOMMENDED🛏️ 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!

Joburg might not have the glittering Eiffel Tower of Paris or any Maldivian-style beaches to propose in front of, but it has its own kind of romantic magic if you know where to look. From hot-air balloons to skyline cocktails and fine dining restaurants, here are the Jozi backdrops that make “Will you marry me” feel unforgettable. RECOMMENDED🛏️ 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!