 'Structures' 2025 - ph Jessica Hunkin (3).jpg)
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Art with heart
1. Joburg's been serving art with heart, not least of all at a favourite event on the cultural calendar, RMB Latitudes at Shepstone Gardens. This art fair turned up for 2025 with what many are calling its best edition yet. We attended on each day and loved seeing the mix of people who gave the fair an ongoing buzz. In the lead-up, we loved chatting to founders Lucy MacGarry and Roberta Coci – read our interview with these patron saints of indie art. And if you missed the chance to attend the fair in person, watch here for some of what we saw and adored. We also caught up with Adele van Heerden, whose paintings of Joburg's public pools have us swooning.
2. Strauss & Co made history meanwhile with a world record-breaking sale of Vladimir Tretchikoff's iconic portrait, Lady from the Orient. What was estimated to bring in between R5–7 million raked in a spectacular R31,110,000 (including VAT and commission) after an intense bidding war. We were on the edge of our seats in the auction room on the night. The pre-auction exhibition was also a highlight – get a glimpse of that here.
3. Joburg Contemporary Art Foundation’s (JCAF) annual exhibitions are consistently spectacular, and this year’s offering – Structures – is no different. We attended the media preview last week (Fri, May 30). Through the hands, minds, and hearts of a diverse group of artists and architects, this is a thoughtful and sensitive reflection on the built environment and the various kinds of structures that enable, accompany, and inhibit us. From Stephen Hobbs' curious love letter to scaffolding at the entrance to Kader Attia’s city made from couscous, which will dry out and crumble over time, the collection on view here is utterly unusual and fascinating. Read our review of Structures here, showing until Sat, Nov 15, 2025. Spots are flying for the free, guided walkabouts: book yours now.
4. The Sasol New Signatures art competition is one of the most prestigious in South Africa, with an inspiring track record. For the winners, runners-up, and oftentimes even the finalists, this initiative does what it says on the box: bolsters the careers of artists. On Thursday last week (Thu, May 29), we joined curator Cate Terblanche at the Sasol building in Sandton for the launch of a wonderful exhibition at the Sasol Art Gallery. Enduring Signatures brings together a collection of work by artists who have consistently participated in the Sasol New Signatures art competition. The exhibition runs until Fri, Jul 11, 2025, and is a great opportunity to go inside and marvel at the Sasol building – an architectural landmark. All visits must be booked in advance; email art@sasol.com. The Sasol Art Gallery is also the Joburg collection point for entries to this year's competition; read more about how to get involved.
Food faves
5. Our team was invited to Pink Mamas, a place we have been curious about. Pretty as a picture with a pastel pink exterior, Pink Mama's brings authentic, al fresco Italian fare to Dunkeld – located in a beautiful old house next to Joy Jozi, where the restaurant Livy’s used to be. Every bite was delicious, from the zucchini fritti – crisped to perfection, to Mama’s Meatballs, and refreshing cocktails. It’s a superb spot for a long, relaxed lunch shared with friends and family. Read our review.
6. TANG at Nelson Mandela Square launched a winter kaiseki menu (a multi-course Japanese meal). We visited for lunch with Kate Liquorish of Joburg Eats to try it out. Every time we eat at TANG, the food stands out - it's consistently excellent and full of flavour. The restaurant is chic and the atmosphere vibrant. The kaiseki menu is exceptionally good value for money in a city where you can spend huge amounts of money on culinary experiences. The miso chicken soup was so good, we believe it could cure any bout of any ailment. Even the edamame beans are not how anyone else serves them – loaded with ginger and chilli. The menu is served alongside TANG's own Mirabelle Rosé. Book here.
7. Also in May, we were invited to Cyra, the gorgeous fine dining restaurant of Chef Candice Philips at The Houghton Hotel, to sample their winter menu. It's always a treat to be in this space – the view out over the wraparound balcony, particularly as the sun is setting, is one of the most spectacular in Joburg. Our seven-course tasting menu included an amuse bouche of beef tartare with tongue and olive aioli – a savoury bomb, described by our companion as "umami velvet crunch" – and for mains, we enjoyed the duck flavoured with coffee, resting on a heavenly parsnip puree. Understated, but no less lovely, the palate cleanser of honey and lemon ice cream was a perfect little bite we'd happily repeat. Book for Cyra's winter dining experience here (pescatarian and vegetarian options are available).
8. From fine dining to "fancy, but easy", we also took a whistle-stop tour of Joburg's gourmet garage stores: Pantry by Marble in Rosebank, the newly opened Relish in Parkwood, and Deli One in Morningside. These are more than just pit stops, offering everything from Sunlight Liquid to freshly baked goods and late-night treats to R800 tins of tuna, boutique wines and the viral Dubai chocolate. Keep reading for why we love these unusual spots.
9. Our last visit to Bottega in Parkhurst was pre-Covid; imagine our delight to see this Italian restaurant has since been turned into an incredible whiskey bar, with hundreds of bottles of rare varieties that you can order per serving. You can also book a full tasting. The space itself is small, and it was packed on our visit. It's a lingering experience, not an in-and-out spot. The quality of the food is excellent: we had the delicious porcini fillet, melanzane with baby marrow, and a fantastic tuna tartar dish. For dessert, a chocolate mousse cake that was rich and loaded. A night out here is a treat.
10. While Greenhouse Bar in Sandton may be known for its late-night party energy, there’s more to it than meets the eye. The Shortmarket Club (formerly at Oxford Parks in Rosebank) has recently moved into Greenhouse’s oasis – though you wouldn’t necessarily know it from a casual visit, as there’s no visible branding to signal the collaboration. We visited for a Friday dinner and were treated like royalty by Chef Siya Mlaba, the brainchild behind a new menu that features some of the same Mediterranean, French, and bold Asian flavours that The Shortmarket Club was known for. We tucked into seared tuna, sushi, and hot honey halloumi sticks – all three are from the starters menu – while the steak prego roll and beef tacos are part of the exclusive after-hours menu that’s available until midnight. The Henny Pot, Daytime Dreaming, Paloma, and Long Island Iced Tea cocktails were delicious.
Joburg news and neighbourhood love
11. Johannesburg In Your Pocket hadn’t published a city map in five years, so when Jozi My Jozi asked us to take on the challenge, we sharpened our pencils. The brief? To create a locally-rooted mini map guide to Johannesburg for Africa's Travel Indaba (the continent’s biggest leisure tourism showcase, held in Durban in May 2025). This map guide does more than lead you to great coffee and cool galleries. It highlights close to 100 attractions, destinations, and small businesses that are shaping a more sustainable, resilient, and proudly local Joburg.
One of the city’s long-standing challenges is its “in-between” spaces: the gaps that make navigating and fully experiencing the city difficult, often leading to a sense of disconnect. This can result in unique spots suffering or even closing down. By linking vibrant pockets of the city and spotlighting the tour guides, storytellers, and community members who move between them, the map becomes not just a map of places – it’s a map of people shaping a more accessible, connected, and dynamic city. Read more about the project here.
12. A chilly Wednesday morning (28 May) brought together 22 concierges from Joburg’s top hotels for a deep dive into the city’s vibrant pulse – a jam-packed day from Rosebank to Braamfontein and back. We kicked off with refreshments at 54 on Bath Hotel in Rosebank, then hopped on a bus to Braamfontein, where Ayanda Mnyandu of City Skate Tours met us at Kitchener's for a stroll through the streets. Boys of Soweto, Untitled Basement, and Grayscale Gallery were stops along the way.
Next up: Constitution Hill for a tasty snack at Food I Love You before we made our way to Joburg Ballet, where a Swan Lake rehearsal had us all dreaming of pointe shoes. In the Play Braam district, we shot hoops at The Playground's rooftop basketball court and relaxed at The City Beach Club. Back in Rosebank, a hearty meal at Turkish Kebab House refuelled us before mind-bending fun at the Museum of Illusions. Read our recap of the day here.
13. For the Africa Day 2025 weekend in Joburg, we joined communities across the city in a celebration of cultural diversity that was creative, inclusive, and generous. Our weekend started in Hillbrow on Sat, May 24 for the Hey Hillbrow! Let's Dlala! festival, a rich celebration of culture on the streets of Joburg's most densely populated high-rise neighbourhood. Song, dance, performance, acrobatics, and a marching band were just some of the elements brought together to create a day of enjoyment for hundreds of children and adults in the neighbourhood. It was incredible to see children, on what are the harsh streets of Hillbrow, simply being children.
On Sun, May 25, across the city and under the bridges in Newtown, we joined Exotically Divine Pulse and friends to feed the people of the Bekezela informal settlement. This settlement started sometime after 2010 and has grown from nine people to more than 600, many of whom are reclaimers who need to be near the recycling depots. Healthy food was prepared for this community for an ‘African Cause Meal’ because, as they say at Exotically Divine Pulse, "people who eat together stay together". The Africa Day weekend in Joburg this year was a day on which those who have so little gave so much. See some highlights, in photos, here.
14. We joined Girls on Bikes for a ride on Sat, May 24 – and what a ride it was! Powered by the Banditz Bicycle Club, this brilliant initiative is all about creating safer, more inclusive spaces for women to cycle through the city, whether via fun social rides or cycling lessons for beginners. Our social ride route took us from Bicycle Boutique at 44 Stanley to Rosebank and back – a few ups and downs (literally), but we made it thanks to the energy and support of this amazing cycling community. Keep an eye out for our upcoming feature for more about our ride and the crew behind it.
15. Less than an hour’s drive from Rosebank, Nirox Sculpture Park, set across 30 hectares of cultivated lawns, waterways, and wetlands along the Blaauwbankspruit River, is a breathtaking blend of nature and art. Home to more than 50 installations by global artists, it’s also the site of artist residencies, the Villa-Legodi Centre for Sculpture, Natura Co-Lab, Columba Leadership Academy, and the standout restaurant, And then there was fire. We toured the grounds with founder Benji Liebmann and were struck by the park’s deep commitment to sustainability and community. It’s a thread that runs through Farmhouse58, a nearby retreat grounded in slow living, regenerative farming, and immersive nature experiences, beginning with a buggy ride from Nirox to your stay. Look out for our interview with Liebmann for more about the story behind this incredible space.
16. It's little but packs a punch; we had such fun exploring the neighbourhood of Parktown North. Easily walkable, this leafy suburb is home to many wonderful restaurants, vintage and antique shops, coffee shops, and galleries which line the main artery of 7th Avenue or are tucked along various side streets. From glorious Glory, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it South-East Asian spot, to mid-century masterpieces and rare objets d’art at Jeremy Stephen Antiques, not to mention the fashion treasure trove that is Wizards Vintage, there’s so much to love here. Get the full neighbourhood guide here.
Shopping picks
17. We paid a visit to The Firs Antique Fair in its new Rosebank home. Previously held at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, this fabulous tabletop fair takes place in the lovely, light-filled space at The Firs. Held on the first Sunday of every month, the treasures here are endless. The next edition takes place on Sun, Jul 6.
18. While their legendary annual sale has come and gone, St Leger & Viney in the Kramerville Design District remains an absolute treat for designers, makers, decor enthusiasts, and lovers of all things bright and beautiful. Take a peek inside their showroom here.
19. A hot tip for the style stars. The Playground in Braamfontein has a brand-new signature monthly thrift market where you can browse over 40 curated stalls across two levels, from rare streetwear to nostalgic finds. The next edition takes place on Sat, Jun 28.
Recent stays
20. Just an hour’s drive from Joburg, Quiet Mountain Country House at the foot of the Magaliesberg mountain range is utterly charming and an antidote to everything that city life offers. We checked in for a weekend of pure relaxation, long strolls, and lovingly homemade food. Owners Terrence and John have run this guesthouse since their late 20s, and historically it was always found by word of mouth. With only seven rooms, it’s certainly delightful enough to want to keep it a secret. Generations of Joburg’s artists, writers, and literary set have stayed here, with Beyers Naudé and Nadine Gordimer among notable past guests.
As part of the warm hospitality, there are bells to ring whenever you need anything. We loved the fresh scones with jam and cream, little trays of tea, and toasted sarmies. Everything is served on silverware so you feel extra special, while the dairy – including butter and yoghurt – comes from cows on the property. Staying here is like stepping into another age, one where there is truly time to think. Read our review.
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