Maboneng

The creation of a single property-development company, the inner-city district of Maboneng (located in City and Suburban) has been converted from rundown industrial warehouses and factories to a happening lifestyle playground that now stretches across several regenerated city blocks, characterised by exciting street art, hip cafés and restaurants, galleries and vibrant street life. The district is continually expanding and future development plans include a luxury apartment block designed by British ‘starchitect’ David Adjaye, pedestrianised throughways and parks.

For food you are spoilt for choice with Afro-fusion sushi, traditional Ethiopian platters, Middle Eastern cuisine, Argentine steaks and typical South African braai fare all on offer. For drinks take your pick from rooftop bars, poolside hangouts, art gallery bars like SoMa and the fantastic Lenin’s Vodka Bar. For art and culture hang out at Arts on Main. Full of galleries and artist studios Arts On Main is Maboneng’s art hub. Stop in at David Krut Projects and Bookstore to see the impressive print workshop, and Goethe on Main for contemporary exhibitions. Visit on a Sunday to shop for food, fashion and local design at the fashionable Market on Main.

Other must-dos on a visit to Maboneng include paying a visit to the latest exhibition at Museum of African Design which focuses on contemporary African art, fashion and culture and catching a play at the independent POPArt Theatre or an arthouse movie at The Bioscope Cinema.To discover more of Maboneng's hidden treasures, particularly the impressive street art, and to get a feel for what life is like in the different neighbourhoods which surround Maboneng, take a guided walking tour with MainStreetWalks. Based in the super-friendly backpackers Curiocity, MainStreetWalks is an innovative tour company offering history and street art walking tours, visits to the traditional healer’s market, cycling tours and a City Sightseeing bus link.