Enjoy a lazy lunch once you're done exploring the precinct's many interesting shops, or head here in the evening to grab a drink and see a movie with friends. With the welcoming atmosphere of 44 Stanley stalwarts like Salvation Café and an ever-evolving array of new places to discover, this Joburg destination is a must-visit.
Use our guide to what's well-loved and worth experiencing at this breezy indoor-outdoor space; you'll be a regular in no time.
FASHION FIX
44 Stanley has plenty of local independent fashion labels, known for high-quality production and timeless appeal.Hat-maker extraordinaire Crystal Birch sells meticulously crafted and most unusual headwear at her first stand-alone store in Joburg. (Visit the 'hat hospital' to have your old faithfuls repaired, regardless of whether they're Birch's original creations or not.)
At Guillotine by Lisa Jaffe, you'll find sensual fitted forms and luxurious fabrics, with a focus on the architecture of each clothing item. At Lunar the emphasis is on timelessly chic pieces.
A South African brand founded by mother-and-daughter team Betina Swart and Kelly Gibberd, Me&B offers a wide range of locally designed garments. They stock pieces in sizes 32–46, making fashion fun and accessible to all women.
For men, there's Thabiso Modise's MoMa, stocking a personally selected range of items from European menswear labels as well as his own designs. Additionally, men looking for a one-stop-shop consisting of sustainable skincare products, clothing items such as slim-fit linen shirts, sneakers, and fragrances can pop into Land of Kin.
At the small and quirky Ifuku, you can shop for a remarkable range of vintage denim, including jeans by cult Japanese brands. Five8ths is a shirt-maker and their beautifully tailored shirts are custom-made in-store from high-quality fabrics.
For exquisite event wear, bridal gowns, dresses, and much more, Molebatsi is the label making clothing for the feminine, classy, and confident woman.
Reefer's sneakers, sandals, and boots are locally-made, environmentally-friendly, and stylish to boot. Leather lovers will love King Cobbler, a space with a handful of skilled cobblers and designers who provide services for shoes, bags, and just about anything that you would need to be repaired, restored or custom-made. The space is also a stockist of custom handmade leather footwear and belts, apparel, socks, and leather care products.
Speaking of, Cape Town’s hip handmade leather accessories label Rowdy is a firm favourite, especially as all their items come with a lifetime guarantee.
GEARING UP
Next door to Rowdy is Gone. Outdoor Supply Co., a specialist outdoor clothing store aimed at trail runners and hikers. Gone. is an official seller of clothing and gear by Patagonia (a brand known for its dedication to sustainable and ethically sourced materials).Fans of the popular Banditz Bicycle Club will be glad to know they've got their headquarters at 44 Stanley now in the form of Cycle Boutique. It's a meeting point for their social rides and a workshop space to get your bicycle back into tip-top shape, or pop in to purchase some spiffy new wheels (Rook Cycles, Trek, Scott, and Merida are on their books) or rent a bike for the day. If you're seeking advice or a friendly chat about all things bike and Joburg related, we're sure co-founder Tebogo Galagala will be happy to oblige.
GIFTS AND SPECIALITY STORES
The Atelier is an expert framing studio and also offers a selection of limited-edition prints by South African artists, which make great gifts. The space is also a visual feast for bookworms with imported, limited edition, and collector’s item books for adults and kids.Opposite is quaint second-hand bookshop L’Elephant Terrible. Satisfy your literary needs without breaking the bank with a wide range of Africana titles, first edition classics, and beautifully illustrated botanical reference books.
Drawing on the model of a museum store, The Gift Gallery adjoining Path Nomad has a small but beautifully curated selection of handcrafted African designs from jewellery to home goods.
Other wonderful specialist boutiques include Mr Vinyl, for that hard-to-find jazz title or the latest vinyl releases, and Mungo Design which sells luxurious woven linens made according to traditional 19th-century techniques.
When it comes to gifts, the ceramics from Storm in a Teacup are hard to resist, while Lucky Fish is a friendly boutique selling exquisite clothing and homeware made from Indian cotton, and, bursting with greenery, the small house plant shop JFF has an excellent selection of plants and pots.
For a beautiful bouquet, order online from Petal & Post, a flower delivery service whose distribution point is at 44 Stanley.
Adding to the selection of homeware stores, Bed Bath Body offers finely crafted body care products. The sensory table where shoppers can explore every fragrance, pick up, interact, moisturise, spray, and get a feel for each product is an awesome feature.
Co is a bespoke furniture store that offers locally designed and crafted artisanal, functional pieces by the décor brand KusudiCo. Home and lifestyle-focused store Hers His & Home offers a curation of small collections from the owner's friends, independent artists, and designers.
EATS, TREATS, AND DRINKS
Enjoy a cup of freshly roasted coffee prepared to your liking at Bean There, South Africa's first roaster of Certified Fair Trade coffee, and buy a bag to take home with you.For a delicious breakfast or a relaxed family meal, Salvation Café is an ideal choice and by now, a Joburg institution, with one of the best selections of both savoury and sweet breakfasts and a popular courtyard terrace.
Head to La Pergola for Northern Italian-inspired fare; fill up on hearty lamb osso bucco gremolata or share the antipasto platter with cured meats, pickled veg, cheese, and other delicacies.
With a French twist, Saint Germain's menu involved light bistro meals including roast beef baguettes, Niçcoise salad, and filled croissants.
We have it on good authority that Forest Gelato homemade gelato and sorbets are very, very good. With flavours changing seasonally, you'll want to visit often.
If you've got a penchant for fine South African wines, you better hot-foot it to Vinosity. The boutique wine merchant stocks some of the greatest producers in the country alongside lesser-known labels, with a bottle to suit any budget.
You may know them from Norwood, but The Baker Brothers have a corner shop at 44 Stanley too – pick up a freshly baked sourdough loaf, scrumptious croissant, or cinnamon sugar challah. With master baker Sam Mboko at the helm, you won't be sorry. They have a few gluten-free options too.
Those with a sweet tooth, dessert shop Afters is for you – pop in for gourmet treats like apple and blackberry crumble cheesecake, choc-loaded brownies, or whatever's on offer that day.
Across from the 44 Stanley precinct look out for Little Addis Cafe, one of Joburg's most popular Ethiopian eateries. This is food that's unassuming and unfussy, but phenomenally delicious.
INDIE CINEMA
Joburg's original independent cinema, The Bioscope is devoted to bringing the latest in arthouse, indie, documentary, and African films to the South African big screen.In addition to a spacious 47-room cinema, there's The Bioscope gift shop where you can buy movie-related memorabilia such as books and posters as well cool T-shirts (many of them movie-inspired) from illustrator and The Bioscope's founder Russell Grant's Limited Edish label. It's a great venue for a birthday party, corporate event or even a marriage proposal (yes, this really happened using the big screen).
STUDIO SPACES
Acre is an interior design studio specialising in interior architecture, interior styling, and design, and doubles as a retail store that stocks stunning furniture pieces.Kate Otten also has her practice at 44 Stanley and is part of a generation of significant architects working in the South African space. Kate's works and that of her practice have been widely published and have won numerous awards locally and internationally.
44 Stanley is also the quarters of Actor Spaces, a creative space that facilitates the creation of a digital publication of the same name celebrating local film, television, and theatre.
ART AT 44
Several artists have studios here including brothers Fhatuwani Mukheli and Justice Mukheli. We also recommend a visit to the listening library upstairs belonging to Zimbabwean mixed media artist, Kudzanai Chiurai. His studio with a rich archive of vinyl records is called The Library of Things We Forgot to Remember.ArtWave's first permanent home, visit them on the first floor (opposite Salvation Café) to create your own masterpiece. Their famous paint-a-tote bag classes happen every Saturday while their textured art workshop takes place every Sunday.
New kids on the art block, Path Nomad is a multi-functional gallery and pop-up events space that's hosted the work of Joburg-based photographer Michael Meyersfeld and was used as part of Twyg's 2024 Slow Fashion Festival. Off to a strong start, best keep an eye on this interesting, community-centric space.
Artist Admin offers artists administrative support ranging from shipping and e-commerce to exhibition management and production. The services offered by Artist Admin cater to creators specialising in multiple disciplines and their clients include musicians, painters, illustrators, photographers, videographers, designers, and even coders.
Bailey’s African History Archive (BAHA) honours South Africa’s iconic Drum Magazine with its extensive collection of iconic images from the archive. Located in the central courtyard, the archive store embodies and extends the authentically South African essence of the historic publication through poster, print, greeting card, and t-shirt sales of original Drum imagery.
An extension of The Atelier, The Gallery is a collaborative, artist-run space curated by artist Chloë Reid and includes exhibitions, residencies, screenings, and other forms of creative collaboration.
GLOWED UP
Wyatt is an eco-conscious hair salon, owned by acclaimed stylist, Candice Wyatt-Minter. Get a signature adventurous Wyatt hairstyle, while sipping coffee in a salon suited to a décor magazine shoot.Glow Theory is a dedicated K-beauty (Korean beauty) retailer that was founded in 2017. The store features a curated selection of some of the most popular international skincare brands.
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