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Johannesburg Travel List

Johannesburg Travel List

"Welcome to our curated list of recommendations for traveling and dining in Johannesburg, South Africa. Please feel free to add your own favourite spots or share any updates in the comments section below. If you come across any information that may have changed, such as closures or updated details, we would greatly appreciate your feedback." Marco van Embden, Cape Town

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The city has a rich and varied cultural heritage

Johannesburg is a sprawling metropolis that encompasses a historic city centre, world-class commercial districts, colourful townships and upmarket residential areas. It’s the financial and industrial capital of the country and was established during one of the world’s biggest and richest gold rushes, earning it the name Egoli, meaning ‘place of gold’.

The ideal starting point for holidays and tours in South Africa, this accommodating city is the gateway to the rest of the country, with most international flights touching down at Johannesburg’s International O.R. Tambo Airport.

The upmarket residential and commercial centre of Sandton, with its designer malls and boutiques, is only 30 minutes away from the airport, as is the bustling township of Soweto, the largest in the country, composed of 26 individual townships with living accommodation ranging from shacks, or informal settlements, to mansions.

1. Tour Operators Recommendations

Marco van Embden owns a great tour operator based in Cape Town South Africa, Timeless Africa Safaris with expertise in 15 African countries: South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, Uganda, Republic of Congo, Mauritius and Seychelles. 

Timeless Africa Safaris is a family business with Marco’s eldest daughter, Casey, being involved in the business for the past twelve years. The team truly understands the YPO philosophy – many of the travel managers have fostered relationships with local and international YPO’ers through the personal and/or family trips curated for them, their friends and their Forums as well as Intl YPO Chapter visits to South Africa.

These YPO’ers have become ambassadors for the work that Timeless Africa Safaris does in Africa, spreading their positive – and often life-changing – experiences with future YPO travellers.

There are a lot of good people out there, doing great work in bringing travellers to Africa. The most important thing is that you come to our magnificent continent which greatly relies on foreign travellers to support the communities and the wildlife.

Index

2. Dining Recommendations

 

FINE DINING


ASIAN RESTAURANTS

  • Japa Express Sushi Bar
    First Floor, Rivonia Village, 9th Avenue,
    Rivonia Boulevard, Rivonia
  • Momo Soko
    Cuisine: Asian Street Food
    193 Oxford Street, Illovo, Sandton
  • People's Republic of Noodles
    Cuisine: Authentic Northern Chinese
    69 7th Street, Linden, Randburg
    Owned by Emma Chen, who also runs Red Chamber. Offers a healthier alternative.
  • Red Chamber
    Cuisine: Asian
    Hyde Park Corner Shopping Centre, corner Jan Smuts Ave & 6th Road, Jan Smuts Ave, Hyde Park, Sandton
  • Tang
    Cuisine: Contemporary Japanese
    Shop No 120 | Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton


GREEK

  • Kolonaki Greek Kouzina
    Cuisine; Greek & Mediteranean
    18, 4th Ave, Corner 9th Street, Parkhurst
  • Mezepoli Restaurant
    Shop SL26, The Piazza, Whiteley Road,  Melrose Arch
  • Olives & Plates
    WITS West Campus, Empire Road, North Gate Entrance 7 (Yale Road)
  • Pappas on the Square
    Nelson Mandela Square, Shop 120B, Level 1, Corner of 5th & Maude Street, Sandton
  • Plaka
    Menlyn Shopping Centre,  Atterbury Gate 1. Atterbury Road
  • Zioux
    Cuisine: South America & Asian Fusion
    Upper Retail Shop, The Marc, Corner Rivonia Road & Maude Street, Sandton

 

LOCAL IS LEKKER

  • Quills Restaurant
    Cuisine: Contemporary South African & European
    OR Tambo Airport, 68.7 metres from International Arrivals Hall


GASTRO PUB

  • Churchills
    Cuisine: English Gastro Pub
    Upper Level, Galleria Piazza, Melrose Arch
  • Social on Main
    Cuisine: English Gastro Pub
    Posthouse Centre, Corner Posthouse Street & Main Road, Bryanston
  • The Foundry
    Parktown Quarter, 3rd Avenue, Parktown North
  • Farro
    Cuisine: Casual Fine Dining
    Thrupps Illovo Centre, 204 Oxford Road, Illovo, Sandton

BISTRO-STYLE DINING

  • Tasha’s
    Cuisine: Contemporary fare
    Shop 22, Nelson Mandela Square,
    Corner Maude and 5th Street, Sandton
  • Kream Restaurant Brooklyn
    Cuisine: Contemporary South African dishes
    283 Dey Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria
  • Winehouse Restaurant
    Cuisine: Modern
    Ten Bompas Hotel, 10 Bompas Road, Dunkeld West


INDIAN RESTAURANTS

AFRICAN STYLED DINING

SEAFOOD

ITALIAN RESTAURANTS 

FUSION

LOCAL GRILLS

 

3. Bar Recommendations

info to follow

4. Activities Recommendations

The city has a rich and varied cultural heritage, and visitors can explore South Africa’s tumultuous history by visiting fascinating sites like the Apartheid museum and Constitution Hill. Learn how South Africa’s painful past has shaped the land and its people during the remarkable transition to democracy, a remarkable tale of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.

With several world famous African safaris, including the Kruger National Park, only a few hours’ drive from the city centre, Johannesburg is undeniably an all encompassing gateway to travel in Africa. From nightlife and theatre to wining and dining, outdoor adventure, extreme sports and some serious shopping, Johannesburg is loud, bold and vibrant with something for everyone.

5. Accommodation Recommendations

Contact Us

Please feel free to get in touch to add your favourite spots or if you come across any information that may have changed, such as closures or updated details, we would greatly appreciate your feedback.

Get In Touch

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*Disclaimer

Please note that not all these recommendations have been personally checked. Use of this website is taken as your agreement that the onus is on you, the website user, to verify that these fine dining locations, tour operators, bars and sightseeing spots, and all other content are still relevant and operational when including them in your travel itineraries. Marco van Embden and Timeless Africa Safaris accept no responsibility or liability for recommendations that are obsolete or experiences that do not match the recommendations listed on this website. Use of these recommendations is at the website user’s own risk.

*Disclaimer

Please note that not all these recommendations have been thoroughly checked. Use of this website is taken as your agreement that the onus is on you, the website user, to verify that these fine dining locations, tour operators, bars and sightseeing spots and all other content are still relevant and operational when including them in your travel itineraries. Marco van Embden, YPO and Timeless Africa Safaris accept no responsibility or liability for recommendations that are obsolete or experiences that do not match the recommendations listed on this website. Use of these recommendations is at the website user’s own risk.

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