Eight gems in Jozi

Post in Braamfontein

This is one of the City Buzz team’s favourite spots to conduct interviews or grab a coffee and one of their famous brownies. It’s a small place, but it has gorgeous full-length windows facing the bustling Juta Street, as well as a shady outdoors spot where many of the local shop owners hang out. They play music from, get this, an authentic record player, and all their food is prepared right out in the open where you can see.

Find it at 70 Juta Street, Braamfontein.

Benders Arms in Marshalltown

Apparently, this little-known spot can be deceiving from the outside because you can’t tell it houses a modern-style English pub. You’d swear you’d stumbled off the high street in London and into a local pub, thanks to the décor and forever smiling staff.

Get all the details by reading the article here.

Find it on the corner of Albert and Rissik streets.

Radium Beer Hall in Orange Grove

The Radium is the oldest surviving bar and grill in Jozi, according to its website. It really does have an interesting history to go along with its live music and great beer. It was opened as a tea room by the Khalil family back in 1929 and led a double life as a shebeen, selling liquor to black customers who were banned from drinking ‘the white man’s booze’ during that time. Now the walls are covered in fantastic pictures and memorabilia, adding to the incredible flavour of the building. It’s a great place to grab a drink and enjoy some live tunes.

Find it at 282 Louis Botha Avenue, Orange Grove.

Mammas Shebeen in Greenside

If a shebeen is what you’re after, head to Greenside and grab a cold one at Mammas. Reviews state that this place has a menu with the right mix of contemporary and exotic cuisine, with treats such as vetkoek and mince, mopani worms and African flatbreads making an appearance. If you’re looking for a truly South African foodie experience, here is where you’ll find it … and it will be tasty.

Find it at 18 Gleneagles Drive, Greenside.

Constitution Hill in Braamfontein

Now that your belly is full, head to Con Hill and have a dessert in the form of history. It used to be a prison and was once the site of many horrific acts, often committed to fellow black South Africans. However, these days it is a fantastic place to learn about South Africa. There are a number of exhibitions held there, as well as tours available during the day and evening where you can check out the old prison cells, the Fort and the incredible view of the city. It’s a must-visit.

Find it at 11 Kotze Street, Braamfontein.

Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown

Whether you’re a full-on science geek or just looking for a cool way to spend the day, a visit to Sci-Bono should be on your to-do list.

Right now, the centre is hosting an incredible Body Worlds Vital exhibition, complete with human body exhibits. There’s always something to see and learn here, as there are often scientific exhibitions and holiday programmes to take part in.

Find it on the corner of Miriam Makeba and Helen Joseph (formerly President) streets.

SAB World of Beer in Newtown

Guys are going to love this museum of beer. The World of Beer came to be in the year 1995, a historic year for South Africa, as it was our first full year as a democracy and we united as a nation to support our rugby team which won the Rugby World Cup. You can take a tour of the facility and learn all about the history and culture of beer. You’ll even get to sample the raw barley and participate in a beer tasting. It’s fun from start to finish.

Find it at 15 Helen Joseph Street (formerly President).

Carlton Centre in the Johannesburg CBD

This has been the tallest office building in Africa since 1973 at a whopping 223m and it has a seriously amazing 360° view from the 50th floor. You only have to pay R15 to see it too. We’ll bet that you didn’t know that more than 46 percent of the floor area of this building is below ground level. Although the building is predominately used as offices, there is a bustling mall, filled with trendy stores in the lower levels. It’s the perfect place to shop up a storm and then head up and watch the sun set over the City of gold.

Find it on Commissioner Street, Johannesburg.