Top 5 Coolest Neighbourhoods in Johannesburg
Johannesburg, or just simply, Joburg. South Africa’s biggest city is a fascinating and bustling place, and there’s truly no place else on earth like it. It’s multicultural, vibrant and buzzing with creative energy. Take a walk through the coolest neighbourhoods in Johannesburg and you’ll see this energy reflected everywhere you look.
But first, let’s address the elephant in the room: Johannesburg has crime, but even more so, people love to talk about Joburg’s crime. But don’t let Joburg’s scary reputation put you off, because this is one city where its bark is bigger than its bite.
Related: Is Johannesburg safe to visit?
Yes, Cape Town is beautiful, but Joburg is real. If you want an example of modern South Africa, come to Joburg. We promise you won’t be disappointed.
Have we convinced you yet? We hope so. Explore Johannesburg’s coolest neighbourhoods with us.
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Johannesburg’s Coolest Neighbourhoods #1: Melville – The Bohemian
We love Melville, and it’s our first pick for the coolest neighbourhoods in Johannesburg. And it’s not just us that think so: in 2019, it was named one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world.
Melville is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Joburg and it’s a multicultural, leafy and vibrant suburb located west of Johannesburg’s CBD. The main drag, and where most of the action is, is centred on 7th Street, but you’ll also find plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes along 4th Avenue as well. The vibe is non-pretentious and down to earth, making Melville a great area to walk around and explore – yes, you can walk around here!
You won’t find big chains in Melville, just small, locally-owned businesses. Admittedly, there have been a number of closures after COVID, but speaking with locals, they’re optimistic things will pick up again.
Read next: 15 Awesome Things to Do in Johannesburg
Tilt Coffee, a tiny women-run cafe is a popular spot for alfresco dining – be sure to have one of their smoothies, they’re excellent.
Just across the street is the 27 Boxes retail centre. Made from re-purposed shipping containers, 27 Boxes features small-scale local producers. If you’re after a great haircut at an even better price, check out P4 Infinity Hair & Beauty on the top level. After months on the road, Melissa did wonders on my hair here!
One of our favourite shops in all of Joburg is ZA Etc. Located on 7th Street, this is a wonderful shop filled with incredible jewellery and other accessories. (The leggings are particularly great). Sonia, the owner, is incredibly friendly and loves to provide local recommendations. The shop supports over 30 local designers and most pieces are one-offs, meaning they’re completely unique and will never be made again.
Up the road is Six Cocktail Bar, with incredible live jazz every Wednesday. A few metres further is Spilt Milk, another excellent cafe where you can get your caffeine fix. The Hallo Halloumi is to die for!
And finally, Piz e Vino is a bit further afield, but trust us, you’ll be glad you made the effort.
Where to stay in Melville
Budget
This little cottage overlooking the Melville Koppies is an amazing find. Plus, Laura and Walter are super lovely and will probably adopt you and become your second parents.
Mid-range
With a beautiful garden and pool, this is a tranquil oasis in bustling Jozi. Conway is super passionate about Joburg and will ensure you experience the best this city has to offer. And if it’s jazz you’re after, he’s the man to talk to.
High-end
Johannesburg’s Coolest Neighbourhoods #2: Parkhurst – The Sophisticat
Next on our list of the coolest neighbourhoods in Johannesburg is Parkhurst, a small suburb in Joburg’s affluent northern reaches. Measuring about 2.5 square kilometres, Parkhurst may be small, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring: there’s plenty here to keep you entertained and your bellies full for the duration of your visit.
Parkhurst is very nice and pleasant: think leafy and sophisticated. Less street art, more chic boutiques and trendy, upscale restaurants. This is a place to walk around and eat.
The action here is centred on 4th Avenue, which is filled with restaurants, cafes and ice cream joints. Some of Joburg’s best restaurants are located here: Kolonaki Greek Kuisina easily takes the cake. Serving exquisite Mediterranean food, be sure to book a table here. If you’re like us and hate planning, you can always try your hand on the spot – we were successful this way!
Other notable places include Bottega, Hudson’s Burger Joint and the infamous Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream.
Up for some hiking in South Africa? Check out the Wolfberg Arch and Wolberg Cracks in the Cederberg Mountains
Where to stay in Parkhurst
Budget
Mid-range
High-end
Johannesburg’s Coolest Neighbourhoods #3: Maboneng – The Friend Who Stays Up Late
No list of the coolest neighbourhoods in Johannesburg would be complete without Maboneng. Maboneng, formerly known as the hipster area of Johannesburg, used to be one of the most popular areas in the city, with a popular weekend market, good restaurants and pop-up shops dotting the busy Fox Street.
The neighbourhood has most definitely changed in recent years and Maboneng has transformed itself from the artsy hipster to the rowdy friend who likes to party all the time. It’s still worth a visit, but expect a lot of clubs pumping loud music at all hours of the night, especially on the weekends.
The Sunday market has unfortunately closed up shop, as have many of the popular restaurants, but there are still a few gems to be found.
Home of the Bean is a great cafe, serving up delicious coffee in a calming and chill atmosphere. You can get your Ethiopian fix at Little Addis Cafe, or for more traditional South African fare, visit Pata Pata. The Living Room is a great rooftop bar with great music and is a fantastic spot to unwind after a busy day in Johannesburg.
Not too far away is the incredible Marabi Club in the Hallmar kHouse, but you will absolutely need to take an Uber to get there.
When cruising around Maboneng, you need to pay attention – there are a lot of people walking around and the city is bordered by some of the most dangerous areas in the city. Stay alert and well within the Maboneng precinct, rather than exploring too far afield.
Read about more of South Africa’s Hidden Gems
Where to stay in Maboneng
Budget
CURIOCITY Backpackers Johannesburg
The backpacker’s favourite in Maboneng, it’s located right on the main strip, within walking distance to bumping (but very loud!) clubs. If you want to party, stay here. If you want to sleep, give it a second thought.
One of many studio apartments in the Craftmanship Building. A couple of blocks away from the bumping main drag, things will be a little bit quieter here.
Mid-range
Johannesburg’s Coolest Neighbourhoods #4: Soweto – The Chill Dude
Okay, okay, Soweto technically isn’t Joburg and technically it’s not even a neighbourhood – with over 1 million people and 32 different neighbourhoods, it’s its own freakin city! But the vibe is so great and Soweto is such a cool place, it has to be included on the list of the coolest neighbourhoods in Johannesburg.
Soweto is most famous for being the home of two Nobel Peace Prize Winners: yep, that’s Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Not only that, they lived on the same street, Vilakazi Street which has been transformed into the most touristy street in Johannesburg. Think plenty of street stalls, tourist kitsch and performers happy to entertain for a tip.
Step a little bit away from the hustle and bustle though, and you’ll find a distinctly neighbourly charm. The streets are filled with people passing time and children playing. There’s a calmness to the place that you won’t find in many other parts of Johannesburg.
Most people visit Soweto as part of a tour (which is highly recommended), but we encourage you to dig a bit deeper – there’s a lot going on here. Spending a few nights at Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers will allow you to see more of this fascinating place.
Vilakazi Espresso serves up good coffee and be sure to try to find kota, a Joburg township favourite. It’s essentially a big chunk of bread, hollowed out, and filled with a mixture of fries, salad, sauces, a fried egg and some sort of fried meat (vegetarians can be catered for on request). Ntsitsis FUN foods in Deipkoof is the best place to dig in.
Soweto is also home to our favourite Joburg bar: Native Rebels. You can expect great tunes and an amazing vibe. Some weekends they have live music and on Wednesday is their Peanut Butter and Jam open mic session.
And finally, for a bit of culture, check what’s on at the Soweto Theatre.
Read: A Complete Guide to Visiting Golden Gate National Park
Where to stay in Soweto
Budget
Mid-range
Johannesburg’s Coolest Neighbourhoods #5: Rosebank: The Bon Vivant
There’s posh and sophisticated, and then there’s Rosebank. This northern suburb is the place to see and be seen in Johannesburg and is amongst the coolest neighbourhoods in Johannesburg for those looking for some luxury.
Rosebank is infamous for being home to a massive mall (yawn), but there are other things going on here too that make it one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Johannesburg.
Rosebank is home to the Keyes Art Mile, another Johannesburg urban development. This one has transformed a once-sleepy street into an art and design hub.
Rosebank makes it onto our list of the coolest neighbourhoods in Johannesburg as it has a great selection of restaurants and cafes, is home to some of the best places to stay in Johannesburg and is close to some of Joburg’s best parks and reserves.
Rosebank’s top-notch dining and cafe options include Father Coffee, Chef Mickey’s Thai Dining and Modern Tailors.
Read: Is South Africa Safe to Visit in 2024?
Where to stay in Rosebank
Mid-range
Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Wanderers
High-end
Johannesburg’s Coolest Neighbourhoods: Honourable Mentions
Braamfontein: The Fun Student
Braamfontein, or as it’s affectionately known, ‘Braam’, is home to the main campus of the University of Witwatersrand. As a result, this area is flooded with students, which gives it the most youthful vibe of all the coolest neighbourhoods in Johannesburg.
Braam is also home to some of the best things to do in Johannesburg, including the Playground Market, the Joburg Theatre, Constitution Hill and the Wits Art Museum. If that wasn’t enough to get you interested, Johannesburg’s best jazz club, the Artivist/Untitled Basement, is also located in Braam and 44 Stanley is just around the corner.
For an authentic Braam experience, go to Kitchener’s. It’s one of the oldest bars in the area and hosts a regular lineup of awesome DJs, live musicians and even poetry!
Braam has a lively and bustling energy, but do note that it borders Hillbrow and some other tough areas of town, so attention must be paid when walking around here. Be sure to not wander too far away from Braam’s main precinct, centred around Juta Street.
There is an okay collection of places to stay in Braamfontein, but in all honesty, this wouldn’t be our first pick as a place to book a room. Braam is a great place to hang out during the day and take in the attractions, but you’re best off staying elsewhere.
Looking for more funky cities around the world? Discover New Orleans Top 5 Coolest Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Braamfontein
Mid-range
ANEW Hotel Parktonian Johannesburg
The Franklin Luxury Apartments, Unit 1604
Craighall: The Next-Door Neighbour
Craighall is a place we discovered by accident and have happily included in our list of the coolest neighbourhoods in Johannesburg.
It’s a bit residential but has enough going on to make it interesting. It’s a great place to base yourself, as there are some great-value accommodation options, leafy streets and enough cafes, restaurants and bars around to keep you entertained.
Spending time in Craighall makes you feel like a local, rather than a visitor, which is always a great thing.
Craighall is home to the Mad Giant Brewery taphouse, Johannesburg’s own craft brewery. Just on the corner is the Fresh Earth Food Store, where you can literally find anything organic and whole foods under the sun.
A few steps away is Coalition Pizza (some of the best pizza in Joburg), Mr Pants Wine Bar and a branch of Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream. They also sell Killer Coffee by the bag, which is delicious, good value and beats anything you can buy at the supermarket. It’s also locally roasted just down the road in Orange Grove.
The Wildside Restaurant is delicious and there are two excellent Indian options as well: Mother-in-Law Curry and Cocktails and Namak (you’re best off at the Craighall Park branch rather than the Blairgowrie one).
Where to stay in Craighall
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Mid-range
Linden: The One to Watch Out For
Linden is one of Johannesburg’s biggest up-and-coming neighbourhoods. It’s well on its way to becoming one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Johannesburg!
Linden’s action is centred around 4th Avenue. Here you’ll find a mix of local stores and cafes, both new and old.
Not to be thought of as a one-horse town, there’s also stuff happening along 7th Street – notably a range of delicious places to eat (Linden is becoming a Joburg foodie hotspot). One of our favourites is the People’s Republic of Noodles. If you’re into spicy and sour flavours, you must try the Rainy Day Noodle Soup!
The Whippet is Linden’s longtime neighbourhood favourite cafe. The name says it all at the Craft Beer Library, where you can get your local brewski fix. Joon’s Coffee Bar Gallery is another great spot to load up on your caffeine for the day.
Where to stay in Linden
Budget
Mid-range
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