As the city with the largest population in South Africa, Johannesburg has a wealth of possibilities for anyone looking to combine shopping with eating out while visiting the city. With over 3.2 million residents the number of shops that cater to the demanding population is vast and also being South Africa's economic hub shoppers can find designer labels and well known brands in a number of the shopping malls.
For anyone looking for authentic goods made by local artisans Joburg can also deliver. The obligatory 2ft giraffe is found everywhere and is perhaps one of the essential souvenirs for any tourist looking to take a reminder of their trip back home.
One of the unique aspects of the area is the street culture of being able to buy practically anything when pulling up at the traffic lights. This can range from food to mobile phones and all sorts of crafts to go with it. Haggling on price is common although selling for the street vendors is likely their only source of income so negotiating excessively isn't always needed.
The following list however provides a selection of the best places to browse for different items and then where to eat and replenish energy levels after some serious bouts of shopping.
1. Rosebank – Filled with all the usual everyday shops selling clothes, books and music but is also home to the African Craft Market which displays all types of designs and the bead and wire work is especially creative. On Sundays the centre hosts a flea market and artisans come from around Africa to set up and sell their wares enabling shoppers to find a diversity of goods.
2. 44 Stanley – Offers a more boutique shopping and dining experience compared to the larger shopping centres. Built up around courtyards that interconnect the area sells the latest clothing along with fashionable home décor pieces and is a popular hang out with the creative crowd. Restaurants serve a mixture of dishes including Vietnamese food, Italian or lighter meals at the cafés. It also has more of a relaxed vibe for sitting back with a coffee before continuing on with the shopping.
3. Oriental Plaza – Made up of more than 360 independents the plaza offers original items that aren't found in the chain stores and where Asian inspired goods can be found in Africa. As the shops are independently owned a little bartering is acceptable so customers can find the odd bargain or two.
4. Melville – A neighbourhood in Johannesburg that is filled with many great restaurants offering foods to cater to almost any taste bud. A stroll down Seventh Street sees antique dealers setting up next to shops selling second hand books and the cafes along the pavements offer a great vantage point to watch the people passing by. The area is popular with diners and can get extremely busy so making reservations at some restaurants is recommended especially at the weekend.
5. Johannesburg hotels – Eating at some of the four and five star hotels offers some of the finest dining in the city with the larger hotel groups providing first class catering to go with the accommodation. Trained chefs cook local delicacies using the freshest ingredients or the hotel restaurants are the place to eat to find international menus.
6. Cresta Mall – Shop like a true local at Cresta which has a more upmarket feel without being too pretentious. Families can find a good selection of well priced restaurants and cheap options at the fast food outlets. The centre is also one of the largest shopping centres in Joburg giving shopaholics a wider selection all in one place.
Lek Boonlert is an editor and content reviewer at DirectRooms and is responsible for all Johannesburg Hotels content.
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