.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
While "sandos" (aka sandwiches for the uninitiated) are trending hard and making meals on the go a delight, grocery lovers have reason to celebrate too. With Checkers rolling out its smart self-checkout trolleys and Walmart making its South African debut, the retail space is getting more exciting. Plus, we’ve got the inside scoop on cool food events, sweet sips, tasty spots we’ve tried, and plenty of pizza. And for a real treat: ditch the kitchen and win a delicious dinner for two at Café del Sol Botanico in Bryanston.
1. WIN! Dinner for two at Café del Sol Botanico
Looking for the perfect date night? We're giving away a dinner experience for two at the gorgeous Café del Sol Botanico, valued at R1,500. Nestled in Bryanston, this elegant "greenhouse" is known for its exquisite Italian fare. You'll be able to choose from a selection of signature dishes, including their famous handmade pastas and delicate risottos. We loved the crème brûlée with nougat gelato and caramel popcorn. An utterly irresistible combination. Keen? Check out our Instagram @johannesburginyourpocket for the competition details.
2. A new era for South African retail
TROLLEY TECH ON TRAIL AT CHECKERS
Checkers is giving its new "Xpress Trolley" smart self-checkout system a test run at two Western Cape stores – Hyper Brackenfell and Constantia. Think of it as shopping with a turbo-charged trolley that skips the cashier queues. The pilot is a clever way to iron out the glitches and see how shoppers take to it before going big. It promises speed and convenience, but the real test will be whether people actually use it, whether the tech plays nice, and how Checkers balances innovation with the jobs and livelihoods tied to its tills.
WALMART'S ON THE WAY
American retail giant, Walmart, is finally planting its flag in South Africa, with its first branded stores opening by year’s end. Already entrenched through its 2022 takeover of Massmart – owner of Makro, Game, and Builders Warehouse – the retail giant now brings its own name to the market. Shoppers may welcome wider choice and lower prices, but smaller retailers are likely to feel the pinch. The key question is whether Walmart will elevate local suppliers or simply overshadow them. More on this once we get to do a grocery run!
3. Spotted and on our radar
There's just something about the freshness of spring that makes showing up for plans easy. We've got a few suggestions for a great weekday (or whenever) catch-up.FLAMING GOOD AT FLAMES RESTAURANT
We had a fiery good time at the Flames restaurant media lunch at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff (Wed, Aug 27). Flames welcomed its new culinary team – led by Avuyile Fumba, Nathan Jacobs, and Rudi Liebenberg – with a menu that pays homage to fire, full of smoky, fire-kissed flavours. We loved the perfectly charred, baby gem, crayfish Caesar salad with creamy cashew sauce, as well as the peri-peri chicken and coal-roasted kingklip with chimichurri. Our meal concluded with a trio of desserts: malva pudding, dark chocolate and hazelnut gateau, and a blackcurrant vacherin with white chocolate whip. While you wait to hear what we thought, try it out yourself. Book now.
PARKHURST WELCOMES SLAPS SANDOS
SLAPS is the newest and trendiest takeaway spot in Parkhurst, serving up food that actually slaps. Quick and satisfying, it’s where you want to get your next meal.
PANTRY X MALL OF AFRICA POP-UP
The Pantry is popping up at the Mall of Africa from Oct 2025 – Feb 2026, bringing its signature simple luxury to Waterfall. The same tasty treats, just a different setting.
THE TASTE SPACE PROGRAM AT MAMAKSHAKA AND FRIENDS
A pop-up sandwich bar by Lady Day Food and Zulu Astronauts Eatery will be serving stellar sandwiches every Friday, from 09:00 – 17:00, for the rest of September at Mamakashaka and Friends. The Vryheid Cheesteak (a medley of steak, melted cheese, sweet peppers relish, caramelised onions, and wild rocket on sourdough focaccia) sounds sensational. Every order supports the Zulu Astronauts Eatery's dream to open a food truck.
BURGERS, BOWLS AND BEERS AT CROFT AND CO
Friday nights in Parkview just got better – the café is now open and offering burgers, bowls, and beers until just before 20:00. Pop in, bring the kids, and kick off the weekend at Croft and Co.
4. Jozi My Jozi Eats: Four food tours to book for
You may have spotted the full lineup for this year's series of Jozi My Jozi Walks, a weekend of community-led walking tours that hero different Joburg neighbourhoods. Amongst the 15 tours on the programme, four stand out for their focus on food in the city.
SAT, SEP 27, 2025
10:30 – 13:30: Hillbrewed Walking Tour – MasterChef’s Tebogo Mabye leads a Hillbrow adventure packed with bites, art, and untold stories. Book here.
10:30 – 12:30 and 14:00 – 16:00: A Taste of Africa – Taste yams, explore Mozambican and Ethiopian markets, and uncover Joburg’s rich African food heritage with Exotically Divine Pulse. Book here.
14:30 – 17:00: Keeper of Fordsburg’s Secrets – From the iconic Oriental Plaza to Solly’s Corner, sweet koeksisters, Syrian feasts, and buzzing artist studios, discover Fordsburg like never before with Lehlomela Khumalo. Book here.
SUN, SEP 28, 2025
10:30 – 12:30: The Moving Garden Studio – Get your hands dirty, your taste buds tingling, and your creativity flowing at the Wits’ Food Sovereignty Hub with Nkululeko Motloung. Book here.
5. Shaken at Frog, stirred at Sir James
NEW COCKTAILS AT THE FROG BOOT BAR
The Frog Boot Bar’s new cocktail menu introduces three standouts: the crisp and refreshing Hugo Spritz with elderflower and mint, the Casa Cocorita bringing a bright tequila kick with citrus, and the 'George Clooney', a suave tequila-forward serve. Fuss-free and refined, the trio adds a touch of style to the bar’s drinks list.
WEDNESDAY BAR NIGHTS AT SIR JAMES VAN DER MERWE
A mid-week refresh is essential at Sir James van der Merwe at Katy's Palace Bar. Every Wednesday from 19:00 – 20:00, buy one Aperol Spritz and get one free. Or hit happy hour from 18:00 – 20:00 for buy-one-get-one-free on selected beers and wines. Planning a birthday, bachelor, or bachelorette with eight friends? You'll score a free bottle of tequila with your booking.
6. Food faves at local markets
ICED TEA AT ROSEBANK SUNDAY MARKET
We recently visited the Rosebank Sunday Market and left raving about Afya Hibiscus' refreshing homemade hibiscus iced teas. Flavour-wise, settle for the classic hibiscus, hibiscus with zesty lemon and lime, hibiscus with ginger, or cool mint. Or go bold and mix them all for the ultimate summer cooler, like we did. You can also take the goodness home with syrups or dried petals to brew your own cup. Catch them every Sunday from 09:00 – 16:00.
MACAROONS, SMOKEY BITES, AND BAOS AT LINDEN MARKET
We asked Stachia Conradie, founder of The Linden Market (TLM), for her top five food vendors, to which she replied "There are so many good ones, it's really hard to choose", and we can't argue. But we've only heard good things about Gourmet Gimba's bao buns, and Che Argentine's grilled selection of bites are simply delightful. Add in one of Nicole’s Macaroons as your sweet treat and you're set. The spring edition of TLM takes place on Sat, Sep 27 – Sun, Sep 28 from 09:00 – 16:30. Here's what to expect.
7. Get a pizza this
NY SLICE PIZZA IN PARKHUST
NY Slice Pizza has opened a new pizzeria in Parkhurst, on the corner of 6th Street and 4th Avenue, offering authentic New York-style pizza with oversized, foldable slices. The new location features a retro diner atmosphere and a simple menu with classic and specialty options, including a super-sized 50cm pizza and a cashew nut-based vegan cheese option.
NAPZ PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA
Napz Pizzeria Napoletana is an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria that was founded in 2020 as a pop-up at 44 Stanley. The brand later expanded online with offerings such as DIY pizza kits before finding its permanent home in Rosebank Quarter in 2025. Owner Enrico, we hear, trained at the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) in Naples, Italy – an organisation dedicated to preserving traditional Neapolitan pizza. That expertise now shapes the menu, which features classics like margherita, marinara, and pizza fritta (a deep-fried calzone-style pizza), alongside variations on the traditional recipes. The menu also includes desserts made with the same pizza dough.
8. Stir the pot this Heritage Day
THE FACTORY'S POTJIE COMPETITION
Fire up your heritage spirit at The Factory on Grant’s Heritage Day potjie competition, with simmering pots, big prizes, and flavours worth fighting for in Norwood. Get your tickets here.
HEARTSPACE'S HERITAGE DAY MARKET
Get ready for a lekker Heritage Day with tasty treats, craft stalls, and live tunes at HeartSpace’s Heritage Day Market at the Edenvale German Club. Plus, it's pet-friendly.
9. Fairlawns celebrates women
Put on your pink ribbon and head to Fairlawns Boutique Hotel on Fri, Oct 3 from 11:45 for a Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon that includes a surprise live performance, a refined three-course lunch paired with Bon Courage wines, gifting from Estée Lauder and Wedgewood, and lastly, a raffle in support of breast cancer awareness. Tickets are R1,180 p.p. Book now.
Comments