Six of the best markets in Johannesburg

Melissa Jane Cooke tells us about six of the best craft, food and organic markets in Joburg - perfect for whiling away a wintery weekend afternoon...

Tired of sterile shopping centres, packed malls with artificial lighting, expensive clothes and packs of ‘too cool’ youths? There is an option to escape to a warm hearty environment brimming with creative individuals, inspiring trinkets, heavenly fare, gorgeous clothing and a feeling of happiness and abundance.

Do you feel like wandering around an arts and craft market on a sunny winter’s day? Eating scrumptious freshly prepared food, munching on massive muffins, pottering about at the book stalls, poking through old antiques and sitting around solid tables or cheery beanbags quaffing tasty beers and enjoying a delicious feast of breads, pastes, cheeses and jams - what could be better than that?

Places of light, love and lushness in the inner city

Absolutely essential is Market on Main

This happens every Sunday from 10am - 3pm, and the first Thursday night of each month (besides January and April) from 7pm - 11pm. Market on Main is made for the people of Joburg by the people of Joburg. Their goal is to encourage inner city lifestyle, learn lots about sustainable living, and provide a relaxed and creative space for friends to spend their leisure time.

An incredible space of poetry, design, art, vision, comfort, relaxation and the WOW factor! In the heart of the city, POP ART theatre, a cinema, bicycles to hire for a lazy ride around the city and a huge chalkboard encouraging you to let your dreams fly and pen what you want to be when you are big!

Another awesome market in the heart of Jozi is the Neighbourgoods Market

This market takes place every Saturday, come rain or shine in Johannesburg. Market-goers can expect to find an assortment of goods from local artisan producers, purveyors, gourmet merchants, specialty cooks, regional farmers and estates, as well as a selection of local designers.  A hearty market jam-packed with enticing goodies and a glorious atmosphere. Take note of the fresh display of potted plants across the walkway to the entrance!

A collection of the whole caboodle 

The rooftop market in Rosebank is a vast gathering of clothing, ceramics, arts and crafts, handcrafted items from all over Africa, furniture and jewellery, an array of mouth- watering delights in the International Food Court and Deli section - all combine to bring you a lifestyle experience like no other. 

With over 600 stalls under one roof and voted as Johannesburg's Premier Market for ten consecutive years, the Rooftop Market at the Mall of Rosebank delivers quality goods to local and international patrons alike. 

Oh so yum grub!

Blubird wholefoods market is simply edible 

They describe themselves as “The DEFINITIVE food market in Gauteng”. Amongst the carefully selected stalls are a Polish patisserie, Bulgarian yoghurt, an Albenian Cheese maker, dairy and goatsmilk, English baker wood-fired oven bread, cranberry and hazelnut rye loaf, olive bread, etc., a Chocolatier, Italian pestos and pastas and anti pasti. An amazing assortment of different tastes, sweet and savoury: Indian curries and samoosas, roti rolls, sweetmeats, Fairtrade organic coffee and tea, spices mixed to your taste, sauces and reductions and olive oils, olives cured in Gauteng by Cedric of O'live, Homemade toffee, designer cupcakes by Gawie and Raw honey. Stock up on these utterly heavenly treats and head out for a picnic! 

An organic extravaganza

For a lovely earthy vibe check out the Bryanston Organic Market. This is Johannesburg's original outdoor market. When you visit this market, you will enter an environment where the emphasis is on quality hand-crafted goods, unique art and photography, clothing made from natural fibres, a deli filled with rich, wholesome foods and, of course, fresh organic and naturally grown produce. It is a special place enveloped with warmth, goodness and purity.  

My personal favourite out of the city

Just under an hour away from Jo'burg is the Irene Market. This art market blankets the shady grounds of the Smuts House Museum. It is held on the second and last Saturday of every month and offers ample guarded parking, safe kids’ entertainment, a fully-licensed tea garden, numerous food stalls and over 300 exhibits with wares ranging from art and craft to clothing, delicacies, antiques, flowers and curios. The food is superb, the collectables beautiful, the crafts intricately made and the atmosphere absorbing. I love it!

“I always like my trailer or hotel room to have something that I find at a local flea market - anything to personalize the environment.” - Chloe Sevigny

 

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