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Today, we take it for granted that garage stores are open 24/7, but this all-hours convenience is only a phenomenon of the last three decades. The first garage convenience store in South Africa is widely credited to Engen, which launched the concept in 1995 in Wynberg, Cape Town. We see these "1-Stop" convenience centres in every city and along every major route now, while other petrol stations offer their variation on the theme.
Engen led the charge again when they embarked on a partnership with popular retail chain Woolworths in the early 2000s. While garage stores traditionally offered pantry and household basics and essential supplies, the Engen-Woolies collab pushed the trend towards more bespoke goods and signalled a major turning point in redefining the 'garage shop experience' countrywide. There's no telling what you might find at a petrol station now, from smaller versions of major retailers to custom and once-off offerings.
Yet it took almost 30 years for the concept to reach its natural conclusion when Pantry by Marble opened outside the Sasol garage in Rosebank, next to Keyes Art Mile, in 2022. With its tagline "fancy, but easy", Pantry ushered in a new wave of gourmet garage shops – much to the delight of Joburgers.
With artisanal bakeries, barista-grade coffee counters, and chef-driven menus popping up next to the pumps, the city's service stations are no longer just about convenience. They’re becoming destinations in their own right, whether you're craving some late-night treats, ingredients for a harvest table lunch, a coffee to-go, or even an R800 tin of tuna (more on that later). They have the basics, too, but elevated.
Since we've been spotting more of these gourmet garage offerings of late, we've rounded up three of our favourites and what you can find there. In addition to Pantry, Deli One in Morningside and Relish in Parkwood are must-visits for a vast array of edible delights and unusual ingredients to stock up on for your kitchen.
Note: Deli One isn't open 24/7, but Pantry and Relish are.
Deli One, Morningside
Deli One, once a staple at Sandton City Mall, brings its luxe deli experience to the Engen Myciti Convenience Centre in Morningside. A pleasant surprise for a first-time visitor that's sure to become a staple stop once you've discovered the many wonders inside. And it's not only thanks to the thrill of grabbing an R800 tin of tuna, while topping up your tank.
WHY IT'S WORTH THE STOP
Step inside and you’re greeted by an eye-catching pâtisserie spread. We couldn’t resist picking up one of the famous lychee and raspberry croissants with fresh cream, which has the Johannesburg In Your Pocket team's seal of approval. (Be warned, these sell out fast. We visited at 10:00 on a Friday and got the last one left.)
Beyond this sweet haven, the buffet-style deli counter offers delicious mains and sides, with everything from tender chicken fillets to hearty lasagne, roast and marinated veggies, and fresh salads. There's also a small, stylish sit-down restaurant if it's a proper pitstop you're after. The all-day menu includes chicken vodka pasta and a “toast boutique” featuring house-baked breads with gourmet toppings. Don't leave without a scoop of gelato.
WHAT'S ON OFFER
The retail section feels like a mini Italian market. The many fridges are stocked with take-home deli goods, and the imported pantry items are sure to tempt you. You can purchase a variety of Deli One’s brand of antipasti, jams, marmalades, sauces, and relishes. Splurge on imported finds like Jack Daniels BBQ sauce, Frantoio D'Orazio olive oil, or Spanish saffron, or pick up local favourites like Bean There coffee.
Best known for: Lovely Italian take-home deli foods, and the aforementioned lychee and raspberry croissant.
183 Rivonia Road, Morningside
Pantry by Marble, Rosebank
For some, Pantry needs no introduction. Part of the group that runs Marble restaurant at Keyes Art Mile, Pantry is on the forecourt of Sasol’s flagship petrol station in Rosebank. It is undoubtedly one of Joburg’s most stylish 24-hour pitstops – a new generation grocer offering 1,000 square metres of gourmet deli and pâtisserie heaven. Pantry reinvents the classic convenience store with everything from fresh pastries to truffle salt, rooibos chai toffees, and boutique wines and Champagne. It’s “fancy, but easy,” as the slogan suggests.
WHY IT'S WORTH THE STOP
It’s so good and so easy, you could honestly rock up in your pyjamas and slippers – and chances are, you’d blend right in. Especially if you’re visiting after hours on a Friday, when the real magic happens and South Africans' love for simply hanging out shines here. Picture this: paramedics on a break, club-goers grabbing snacks, content creators filming TikTok videos under the glow of the petrol station lights – it’s like a hyper-curated fever dream of late-night Joburg life, from all corners of the city. Depending on when you visit, you're not always guaranteed a spot to sit as the space remains small, for now. But that's just about all that Pantry lacks.
WHAT'S ON OFFER
Menu-wise, we know the pizza remains a firm favourite with the crowds, but after a recent visit, we're also singing the praises of Pantry's sirloin prego roll and chips. The pantry section is great for grabbing unusual ingredients to try out in your after-work dinners, and as you scout the aisles, you'll find an international array of goodies. Aside from imported sweets the kids will love, Pantry is also stocked with your usual convenience store goods, including cleaning supplies and household staples. Stop by on Wednesdays for a new doughnut variant.
Best known for: The R18 soft-serve (generous portions in chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and butter caramel).
170 Jan Smuts Avenue, Rosebank
Relish, Parkwood
Just down Jan Smuts Avenue, the newly revamped Astron Energy Rosebank (April 2025) is home to Relish – a 24-hour halaal 'food oasis' that’s already pulling fans from the East Rand, Brits, Limpopo, and even Botswana. Prayer rooms, a future boardroom, generous restaurant seating across two floors, and a curated selection of goods make this so much more than just a pitstop.
WHY IT'S WORTH THE STOP
There's a standout bakery offering boundless delights – from pistachio croissants, tiramisu cookies to cheesecake danishes and fresh breads – and surprises in every aisle: from Charlotte Rhys goodies to Lego sets and the original Pistachio-Knafeh bar by Fix. Been on the hunt for this viral chocolate? At R700 a slab, it's either you or your fuel tank that's going home happy. With stocked fridges and freezers full of meats, ready-made meals, dairy products, and more, at Relish, you're sure to find all the essentials, plus a few other special items you didn't know you needed. The sit-down restaurant and cosy pizza oven will make you want to stick around.
WHAT'S ON OFFER
Next to the bakery, the strictly-halaal kitchen serves reimagined gourmet dishes in a fast-casual format, dreamed up by Chef Muhammad Patel and his team. The idea was to strip away the exclusivity often associated with fine dining and present high-end flavours, with Indian-inspired twists. At the moment, the Wagyu beef burger is a firm favourite, but the arrabiata pasta and prawn pizza sound just as good.
Chef 'Mo', as he is known, says, "From my perspective, this space is a classy, upmarket grab-and-go eatery where people can escape. It’s a place for everyone, a space that brings people together – and I believe food is the best way to do that." We hear that early support from the Muslim community has been strong, but the space welcomes everyone from lunch-break professionals to post-party snack seekers.
Come for milk and bread, leave with Lego, hot tamale candy floss, and a R100 tray of premium strawberries you didn’t plan on buying. The pantry’s packed with Asian staples, fancy pastas, frozen halaal meats, local desserts, and all sorts of spontaneous snack bait. And in case you forget where you are, the gum and cigarette stand at the till reminds you: it’s still a garage shop. Just elevated.
Although close to Pantry by Marble, Relish is its own thing. In a city with appetites this big, the market can accommodate multiple flavours in a similar niche. Why choose at all when you can do both?
Best known for: It's still new, so we'll be watching closely to see what the crowds are enjoying most at Relish.
136 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood
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