Janine Lee, also known as @jetsetjanine, was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her passion for travel and exploring new cultures and cuisines has taken her to over 100 countries across six continents, and meals at over 100 Michelin Star restaurants worldwide. During these expeditions, Lee enjoys working closely with hotels, eateries, tour guides, and local institutions to showcase bucket list opportunities and highlight small businesses.
In just over a decade, Lee has visited Johannesburg 11 times. The vibrancy of the culture, the food on offer, the city's street art, and Joburg's poignant history all play a role in keeping her coming back. "Don't skip out on this city when you come to South Africa," is her advice in a nutshell to international travellers. And we have to agree. "What makes me fall in love with South Africa every time is not just the experiences, the food, and shopping, but the people. The people are always smiling, hospitable, friendly, willing to share more about themselves and their country, and optimistic for the future," Lee says.
Lee reached out to us ahead of her trip to Joburg (March 2025) for some pointers on planning her itinerary. And, with only two days or 48 hours to explore, she certainly made the most of her time here: she joined a tour of Braamfontein, Newtown, and Maboneng with City Skate Tours, visited Embarc restaurant, spent a morning at 44 Stanley, indulged in high tea at the Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, enjoyed some market shopping at Rosebank, and more. Scroll down for her complete experience but first, get to know her in the Q&A below.
A few questions for 'Jetset' Janine Lee
You've come to Joburg numerous times in the past decade. What brought you here initially?
My first trip to Johannesburg was in 2014 as a student in the University of California (UC) Berkeley's Haas School of Business MBA programme. The course, titled Seminar in International Business (SIB) South Africa, allowed me the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture and understand the socioeconomics of doing business in a new country.
What keeps you coming back?
I absolutely fell in love with South Africa as a student, learning about the spirit of ubuntu, the country's resilience, and was filled with gratitude when I returned to the U.S. After I graduated with my MBA, I continued seeking new opportunities to grow and learn about South Africa.
A vacancy in the SIB South Africa teaching team opened up the opportunity for me to apply and return as a co-faculty. Since 2015, I have been travelling to South Africa with [groups of] 25 MBA students to teach them about the rich history, culture, and business context I've been exposed to.
This has been my 11th year coming to Joburg. I keep coming back because of the beauty of the country, the resilience of its people, the food scene, and the rich and immersive culture.
What strikes you about the culture of the city itself and the people who live here?
The city is a big melting pot of multiple cultures. You can see that in the food, clothing, and the diversity of experiences and locations. The people are incredible – positive, friendly, hospitable, and always wanting to share their love for their city.
Tell us about your latest visit to Joburg.
I continue to be impressed by what Johannesburg has to offer. Even though this is my 11th year back, I still find new hidden gems to visit. The food is always delicious, from street food vendors to World's 50 Best recommendations; you can get it all. The cocktails and wines are always so refreshing. The city is ever-changing, and different neighborhoods and areas have markets and events throughout the year. I love supporting local entrepreneurs (like Sebo Marobela) who are living their dreams and offer such unique experiences.
Are there any spots you've visited on past trips to Joburg that you didn't get to this time around, but would recommend to first-time visitors?
I would recommend the Cradle of Humankind, Satyagraha House (where Mahatma Gandhi lived), the Mandela House Museum, Soweto, and the Apartheid Museum to understand more about the history of Joburg.
I also love going to any of Luke-Dale Roberts' restaurants, they're always a favourite of mine. Victoria Yards is great for shopping and meeting local entrepreneurs. The Saxon Hotel & Spa is my favourite for a massage; it's so relaxing and elegant.
Three words you'd use to describe Joburg.
Vibrant, unforgettable, eclectic.
What's something you'd tell international travellers who are considering coming to Joburg?
Many tourists go to Cape Town when they think of South Africa, but they're missing out if they don't also stop in Joburg to view the contrast of the two cities. I've heard from some tourists in the past there are safety concerns with Joburg, but I actually find Joburg quite safe as long as you follow typical big city rules – don't go anywhere alone at night, and watch your surroundings. I think there may be a misconception about safety and how these areas are heavily populated. I would encourage tourists to do their research and not be biased when visiting South Africa, and Africa in general, because they'll be limiting themselves to the possibilities of what to explore.
48 hours in Joburg with Jetset Janine, a travel itinerary
On her trip to Johannesburg (March 2025) we helped Lee shape up her itinerary, making the most of her time in the city. Here's what she got up to – and what she loved about each stop and experience.Day 1: Saturday
LUNCH AT ETHOS
Ethos is a super trendy and beautiful restaurant in Rosebank. I started with pulled oxtail over some pita bread with chimichurri sauce. For my entree, I ordered their king prawns, which were coal-grilled, and it came with lemon butter and peri peri sauce and a side of fries. The seafood was fresh, and I loved the coal-fired flavour.
EXPLORING JOBURG WITH CITY SKATE TOURS
It was my first time joining City Skate Tours! We started in Braamfontein, then went on to Newtown, and ended in Maboneng. The graffiti art was so beautiful; I had no idea that there was so much beautiful graffiti in Joburg. My dad said it was the highlight of his trip to Joburg, and he loved the beautiful colours and creativity of the artists. Maboneng was vibrant as usual, with a lot of people walking around the streets. Guides like Ayanda Mnyandu of City Skate Tours have such a passion for their country, the rich history, and showcasing the beauty of their home.
DINNER AT EMBARC
I wanted to try Embarc in Parkhurst because it was recommended on the World's 50 Best website. My friend from Joburg also said she's been there before, and the food is really good. We ordered a lot of plates to share. The sweet corn churros were amazing, as were the lamb samosas, calamari, tuna tataki, beef tartare, bone marrow, and the seafood curry. Right when we started, we were greeted with a little bite that looked like deviled eggs, but was made of cream. The bone marrow and the seafood curry were probably my favourites. Overall, everything was delicious.
Day 2: Sunday
A MORNING AT 44 STANLEY
This was my first time at 44 Stanley in Milpark. We spent about an hour there. First we stopped at Bean There, a very cute coffee shop, for coffee. We walked around local stores and spotted an indie cinema called The Bioscope. I popped into one of the vinyl record stores, which was nostalgic for me since my dad had a vinyl record player in the house when we were growing up. I loved the outdoor space – each store was unique and beautiful. And what makes it extra special is there is nothing like this back home that I can think of. Most of the outdoor shopping areas I'm accustomed to are more like big chain malls, and not little artisan shops like this.
THE CARACI EXPERIENCE WITH SEBO MAROBELA
I found Sebo Marobela's Caraci Experience on Airbnb and what drew me in were the bright colors and prints of the fabrics. I had always wanted a custom-made garment made in South Africa, and this looked like the perfect opportunity to pick out a pattern and also learn some easy sewing techniques. Sebo is very friendly; he told me about growing up in Limpopo and his dreams of moving to Joburg, and he made it happen!
We walked to Downtown Joburg to pick out fabric from a fabric store. There were so many choices that I had a hard time choosing. Then he measured me and we did some sewing techniques. Afterwards, we went to lunch while his team crafted the jacket and a dress. I left with a beautiful bomber jacket and a floor-length dress. Both were stunning, and then Sebo did an impromptu photo shoot with me on the rooftop!
HIGH TEA AT THE FOUR SEASONS WESTCLIFF
From characterful downtown Joburg to Four Seasons The Westcliff for high tea, where I was greeted with a warm hand towel before even entering the building. The staff were so friendly and welcoming, and happy to take photos of me and my friend in the outside garden area. I loved the view first and foremost; the hotel looks out over a tree-filled city, extending as far as Joburg Zoo with some elephants [visible] outside.
The service was impeccable. Our server poured two glasses of champagne, and then we had two different food towers. The first one was small savoury bites and sandwiches, and the next one was desserts. From the savoury treats, I really liked the smoked trout poke over fried sushi rice. The hazelnut and chocolate finger for the pâtisserie was my favourite! We also had fresh scones with jam and butter. I enjoyed a rooibos tea (my favourite in South Africa), and my friend tried a Blue Dragon Phoenix Pearl tea, which was blue in colour, and so unique!
MARKET SHOPPING IN ROSEBANK
Depending on where you're traveling from, South Africa can be a great shopping destination because of the exchange rate. On Sundays, the Rosebank Art and Craft Market is so lively [and packed] with artisanal goods. I got a few souvenirs for friends: some beaded and wooden crafts. My friends love when I bring back these gifts because they're so unique and special. I then proceeded to Rosebank Mall where I went shopping at Mr Price and some other retail stores. The clothing is so affordable, I bought a beautiful sundress for about $10 USD, and a few other outfits. I even wore them during my week in South Africa and got many compliments.
DINNER AT MAMASAMBA
MAMASAMBA is a very trendy restaurant at The Zone @ Rosebank. I walked up the spiral staircase and was in awe of the large video screen showing a graffitied woman with bright colors and butterflies around her. The bar in the middle is iconic, featuring a gorilla statue. This is a fun place to go with friends or on a date night.
MAMASAMBA is unique because it has a fusion of dishes – it is largely Latin-inspired, but also has Japanese and other flavours. We had some beautiful cocktails, and each dish was crafted beautifully, from the sushi to the appetisers to the entrees. Their dessert menu is also super fun. We had some assorted samba treats with Brazilian fuge balls, Mexican wedding biscuits, and brownies. And, the chocolate taco was delicious – and gorgeous for photographing!
This feature was guest-written for Johannesburg In Your Pocket by Janine Lee, based on a visit to Joburg in March 2025. Follow her on Instagram at @jetsetjanine or visit jetsetjanine.com for more information.
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