Carolee Pacak, the marketing coordinator of Singapore Airlines’ Johannesburg office offers her recommendations for seeing the city
EAT
Meat lovers should stop by the Butcher Shop & Grill. Located in Sandton, it dishes up delicious meat-based fare and has a great selection of wine. You can choose your desired cut of steak from the butchery and watch as it is grilled right in front of you. Another nice place is Salsa Mexican Grill. They serve great food and drinks in a fun and festive atmosphere. Finally, Moyo Zoo Lake is an upmarket – yet relaxed – spot that serves African cuisine. It’s an ideal retreat to escape the hustle of the city.
DRINK
At The Orbit, a jazz club and bistro in Braamfontein, you can sip on delicious cocktails as you take in live jazz acts. If relaxing by the pool is more your style, Island Bar at Southern Sun is a great spot for sundowners with a view. You also can’t go wrong with sampling the nightlife options along 4th Avenue in Parkhurst – the vibe is lively and fun, and you can spend the evening ducking in and out of different establishments.
EXPLORE
For a day of fun with the entire family, head to the Gold Reef City Theme Park, which is one of the largest amusement parks in the country. Thrill seekers will have a field day with over 30 rides. Meanwhile, the Apartheid Museum – the first of its kind in South Africa that documents the rise and fall of apartheid in the country – is a sombre but educational and highly recommended place to visit. To experience the city by bike, join a bicycle tour of Soweto.
SHOP
Neighbourgoods Market is a bustling food market that makes for a wonderful way to spend a Saturday. Market on Main, which is open on Sundays, is the beating heart of Maboneng district and offers plenty of design products, gourmet foods, vintage items, flowers and organic produce.
TIPS
English is widely spoken throughout the city, and it’s customary to tip roughly 10% of the bill at restaurants. People are generally friendly, helpful and approachable. Uber is available here, and there’s also a City Sightseeing bus that takes you to 20 of Johannesburg’s top tourist attractions.
Illustration by Studio Muti – Folio Art
Singapore Airlines flies to Johannesburg daily. To book a flight, visit singaporeairlines.com
SEE ALSO: The ultimate South African safari guide
This article was originally published in the January 2019 issue of SilverKris magazine
