A once forgotten piece of industrial land in Eastern Johannesburg, the Maboneng Precinct was re-established in 2009 and has now become a dynamic hotspot for designers, creators and foodies across the city to express their creations.
Meaning ‘Place of Light’ in Sotho, Maboneng has an electric atmosphere that is brimming with fresh conceptual projects and conscious designs. From modern boutiques, food trucks and art galleries, Maboneng attracts a diverse crowd with a flair for the unusual and trendy.
There’s plenty to do in this renewed inner-city area that is brimming with restaurants, shops, galleries and musicians. We have compiled a list of the top things to do in Maboneng while touring Johannesburg.
The Top Things To Do In Johannesburg’s Maboneng Precinct
Eat at Market on Main
One of the biggest attractions in Maboneng Precinct is the Market on Main which happens every Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM.
The Weekend Market sells a variety of organically produced and locally designed products, ranging from exotic foods, clothing, bags, jewellery and beauty products. This market is a great place to support local artists and designers, or to indulge in the electric energy. The Weekend Food Market offers an array of international cuisine, craft beers and cocktails, cupcakes and macaroons, freshly baked bread, dim sum, sushi, churros and much more.
The Market on Main also features local art features and galleries that open out into the courtyard.
Sip Cocktails at The Living Room
Offering the best Jozi sunset view, this unique rooftop jungle in Maboneng is a blend of the natural with the urban. Surrounded by an abundance of luscious plant life, this health-conscious restaurant and bar overlooks the gorgeous Johannesburg skyline and offers guests an unmatched electric atmosphere.
Imagine sipping fruity cocktails and snacking on tasty tapas while grooving to the smooth sounds of a funky DJ. Sundays at The Living Room is the ideal space for good vibes and great music, seeing The Living Room become the ultimate Sunday Funday party! Hosted from 11 AM till 7 PM, an electric mix of DJ’s open up the dance floor and play funky music throughout the day.
Experience The Bioscope Cinema
The Bioscope is an independent movie house that screens bold and alternative local and international films and documentaries. The cinema in Maboneng hosts theme based movie nights and activities, and has become an open space for talks and discourse about topical or controversial matters.
Explore the Maboneng on a Skateboard
Discover Maboneng’s hidden gems on a skateboard. City Skate Tours was established by Ayanda Mnyandu in September in 2017 and aimed to encourage people to try skateboarding out as well as to explore different parts of the city that may have been missed while travelling in a vehicle.
The tour via skateboard includes stops that gain insight into the history of Johannesburg as well as museums and historical monuments that have shaped the city.
Indulge in Delicious Ethiopian Cuisine
Habesha restaurant and Little Addis are both traditional Ethiopian restaurants situated in the precinct and are both located in Fox Street, just a stone’s throw away from each other.
Offering authentic and delicious Ethiopian food, both restaurants welcome guests with warm hospitality and excellent service. The majority of Ethiopian food is vegetarian and is suitable for vegans. A highlight of this culinary experience is having Ethiopian coffee served to you on a traditional Jabena, a piece of clay pottery with clay cups.
Visit Africa’s First Design Museum, MOAD
Launched in Johannesburg and located in the Maboneng precinct, MOAD, the Museum of the African Diaspora, is the first African design museum on the continent.
MOAD is a pan-African cultural hub that aims to provide a safe space to promote forward-thinking and problem-solving ideas for the advancement of Africa and beyond. Visit MOAD museum and celebrate black culture through inspiring artwork, challenging conversations and conscious intentions.
Go Gin Tasting
If sipping crafted G&T’s in the vibrant area of Maboneng sounds intriguing to you, then discover the fascinating world of distilled Gins at The Tasting Room at The Time Anchor Distillery.
Only open on Saturdays and Sundays, the tour includes an introduction to the Time Anchor Distillery followed by a tasting of three craft gins. The tour includes a crafted G&T cocktail and a further discussion around craft distilleries and the fascinating world of crafted gin.
Eat at Blackanese Restaurant
The Blackanese fusion restaurant is dished up by two Zulu sushi chefs. This spot is an innovative space that has combined Japanese cuisine with African culture.
The owner, Vusi, serves unique dishes such as biltong sushi and wasabi parcels as well as California rolls, Nigiri and sashimi. This spot is a must visit for its sheer originality and fusion of divergent cultures.
Workshop 17 Co-Working Space
Workshop 17 is a co-working space for professionals and entrepreneurs. Surrounded by restaurants, bars and shops in the area, Workshop 17 encourages professionals, startups, NGO’s and freelancers to connect in the same space and grow their businesses together in a networking and prosperous environment.
Maboneng is an excellent hotspot during the weekends, but it is much quieter during the week. Another buzzing neighbourhood with trendy bars and restaurant in Braamfontein, located just one district next to Maboneng.
If you need help planning a vacation to South Africa, be sure to check out the vibrant, exciting city of Johannesburg, and be sure to check out these hotspots when visiting the Maboneng Precinct! Contact us for assistance in planning your itinerary!
Have you visited the Maboneng Precinct? If so, what was your favourite thing to do or see in the area! Share your experience in the comments section below, we love receiving your feedback!
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