Founded in 1904 by the African Realty Trust and the 67th suburb in the city, Parkhurst is a Joburg stalwart. It is bordered by Craighall Park and Greenside (check out our Gleneagles Road neighbourhood guide for another fun hangout), and is just a few minutes' drive from the ever-buzzing Rosebank where you can find Rosebank Mall, The Firs, The Zone @ Rosebank, Keyes Art Mile, and a slew of other galleries, restaurants, markets, shops, and the Gautrain station (check out our neighbourhood guide for a great place to explore). It is also close to several green spaces such as Delta Park, Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam, and Zoo Lake.
Life in Parkhurst life revolves predominantly around 4th Avenue, and its loads of offerings stretch from 6th Street to 14th Street. Known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, it has a village-like feel to it, with shops, cafes, and restaurants, spilling onto the pavement. Jokingly referred to as 'Barkhurst', it is also popular with pet owners, and is for the most part pet-friendly. It is popular with the coffee crowd, shoppers, foodies, and families, and can be seen buzzing from morning to late at night. But don't let 4th Avenue enchant you entirely, because there are also several places to explore within walking distance of the main street.
Breakfast, brunch, or lunch
4TH AVENUE COFFEE ROASTERS
NICE ON 4TH
For a relaxed breakfast, a scrumptious brunch, or a low-key lunch meeting, Nice on 4th is popular with lovers of baked goods, coffee, and a new twist on traditional breakfast dishes. From quiche to cake, they are famous for their egg basket and decadent flapjack stacks. They also have a few vegan and vegetarian offerings on the menu, and your furry friend is welcome to join you.
You can take your fur baby all around Joburg with our guide to dog-friendly cafes and coffee shops in Joburg.
Snack on something sweet
FAB & CO
Fab & Co is exactly as their name promises: fabulous. A quaint boutique eatery, they specialise in breakfast, light lunches, wood-fired pizza, and a mouthwatering selection of gelato and sorbet. They are known for specialising in funky flavours such as gorgonzola and caramelised fig, and also have a deli on the premises. Kid-friendly and pet-friendly, this is one everyone can enjoy.
GELATO MANIA
Hailing all the way from Cape Town, Gelato Mania has taken Joburg by storm since they first opened their doors in Joburg in December 2023. Their Parkhurst branch features velvety gelato (we recommend the wildly popular Pino Pinguino) in more than 30 flavours, as well as pancakes and waffles, all with a scoop of ice cold goodness. They also have a range of vegan sorbets on offer that are so creamy, you'll never know they're dairy-free!
PAUL'S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM
A Joburg favourite, Paul's Homemade Ice Cream offers ice cream, milkshakes, and ice cream cakes in a delightful variety of delectable flavours. "Some paint, others sculpt", and they churn – and we love them for it.
WEDGEWOOD GIFTING & HAMPER EMPORIUM
For an emporium of sensory delights, visit Wedgewood Gifting & Hamper Emporium. Here, you can sample their new nougat flavours, buy a gift hamper for a special someone, treat yourself to something sweet, or delight in their handmade honey nougat ice cream. All playing out under a floral ceiling, you'll feel as if you've entered an entirely new world.
If Parkhurst is not enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, check out our guide to the best ice cream in Joburg.
Dinner time in Parkhurst
HUDSONS – THE BURGER JOINT
Another trendy favourite, Hudsons – The Burger Joint has cemented its spot on the Parkhurst strip. This lively burger bar serves excellent burgers (including a range of vegan options), homemade ginger beer and iced tea, and craft beers, as well as pizza, salads, and goodies such as BBQ beef ribs, and cajun grilled chicken nachos. And if none of this is enough to tantalise your tastebuds, their peanut butter milkshake will definitely do the trick. Open later than many of the other restaurants on the street, they are where the party's at.
KOLONAKI GREEK KOUZINA
Kolonaki Greek Kouzina brings you a breezy slice of the Mediterranean lifestyle right in the heart of a Joburg suburb. Presided over by restaurateur Theo Holiasmenos and his son, chef Vassilios there is a real sense of welcome as you enter the doors of the restaurant with its buzzing wraparound balconies and fashionable crowd.
MODENA ITALIAN EATERY
One of Parkhurst's most popular dinner hotspots, Modena Italian Eatery has a fantastic covered outdoor area with lots of greenery that seamlessly connects with the small and super pretty indoor dining area. Their dishes can generally be described as 'contemporary Italian' with their arrabbiata con burrata being among the best in town.
HIGH STREET STALWARTS
BOTTEGA CAFE
Bottega Cafe is a cosy, pocket-sized Italian bistro with just a handful of tables and one of the most impressive whisky selections to be found anywhere in Joburg. Lined with towering shelves that touch the ceilings, this is a stalwart worthy of a visit.
ESPRESSO CAFFE & BISTRO
Bang in the middle of the street, Espresso Caffe & Bistro is a Parkhurst staple, and one of the longest-standing businesses on 4th Avenue. The large and widely varied menu pleases all tastes, the service is great, and there's a lively atmosphere as the restaurant spills out onto the sidewalk. Here, you can people-watch to your heart's content while enjoying breakfast, pasta, salad, pizza, focaccia, coffee (as the name suggests), and much, much more.
THE JOLLY ROGER
Among Parkhurst's most prominent businesses – and those that have stood the test of time – are the hardware store, the pharmacy, and the somewhat scruffy pub, The Jolly Roger. Fondly known as 'The Jolly', it's in stark contrast to the predominantly upmarket feel of the rest of 4th Avenue; but thanks to its jukebox, boozy pub atmosphere, good pizzas, and late trading hours, this smokey dive bar endures.
WHERE TO GO SHOPPING
ASHA ELEVEN
Founded in 2018 by Olivia Kennaway, Asha Eleven is South African slow fashion at its most beautiful. Their Parkhurst store is a chic space stocked with clothes that feature a kaleidoscope of colours, textures, and patterns, all made with sustainable, earth-friendly materials that are a testimony to craftsmanship.
HANNAH LAVERY
Hannah Lavery is a women's lifestyle brand that was originally founded in Cape Town. They make clothing and accessories that celebrate the female form, and their focus is on durability and quality. Inspired by classic shapes and tailoring, their pieces feature neutral tones and natural fibres that will flatter any shape.
JANE VALKEN
With their slogan, "colours in the sun", Jane Valken brings clothes, quilts, and cushions to life with a wide variety of colours, patterns, and textures. Known for their bohemian approach, they hand spin, hand weave, and hand stitch all their pieces into wearable art.
PALLADIUM
For more than 70 years, Palladium has been the go-to boot brand for athletes, explorers, and activists. Today, they cater for all people and all activities. From the scientist to the artist, from dancing in the club to sweating it up in the gym – they've got you covered.
PARTISAN AND CO
Home to men's clothing and shoes, Partisan and Co stocks brands such as Ben Sherman, Palladium, K-Swiis, Novesta, Cuba Libre, Chapman & Moore, and Goorin Bros. Here, they can dress you from head to toe in the most up-to-date threads of the season.
TSHIRT TERRORIST
Their name says it all: Tshirt Terrorist is your go-to for the quirkiest, cheekiest, and funniest graphic t-shirts, hoodies, and posters in town. "Locally made, original design" is their slogan and their passion, and they live this philosophy by supporting local artists in the design and distribution process. Clothes with attitude that will keep you and your friends entertained as long as you want.
Art in the suburbs
THE ART ROOM
A friendly art gallery that hosts predominantly group exhibitions, The Art Room is known for supporting young, local, and up-and-coming artists. In addition to beautiful pieces, you will also find specialist fine art framers who can help you preserve the art you love most with their custom-made frames.
THE COW ARTWORKS
Transform your walls with fine art photography and quirky graffiti collages from The Cow Artworks. Established in 2004, their mission is to promote affordable, high-quality art. They also offer a custom framing service with a wide selection of frames to choose from.
NO END CONTEMPORARY
On 6th Street (within walking distance of 4th Avenue), you will find No End Contemporary Art Space, a double-storey art gallery run by the artists themselves. Upstairs, they show the work of emerging artists who blur the line between art and design, and downstairs, they feature art that interrogates dominant discourses in an experimental and conceptually innovative way.
STEVENSON GALLERY
Located within walking distance of 4th Avenue on 7th Avenue, Stevenson Gallery has branches in Cape Town, Joburg, and Amsterdam. Here, you will find art that is experimental, unusual, and relevant to the regions in which the individual galleries are located.
Beauty, health, and wellness
THE AESTHETICS ROOM
The Aesthetics Room on 11th Street has everything you need to feel pampered and groomed. Nails, brows, lashes, and skin – they take care of it all. From face mapping, facials, and hair removal to threading, tinting, manicures, and pedicures, this is your one-stop beauty shop.
AFRICOLOGY
In the hustle and bustle of 4th Avenue is Africology, winner of the Best of Joburg's 'Best Beauty Mecca Spa' in 2023. Here, they offer a selection of Africology treatments – including full body massages and manicures – as well as a range of Africology products.
BLACK BETTY DESIGN
Home of 'huggie culture', Black Betty Design on 4th Avenue offers a wide selection of bespoke jewellery, as well as a piercing service. Also for sale are 'forever bracelets' that are welded to your wrist, their accompanying 'zapping charms', and travel organisers for your jewellery.
MISS SALON LONDON
For the perfect mani-pedi, Miss Salon London is the place to be. They also offer a range of accessories, hair removal, facials, all things lashes and brows, their award-winning mineral make-up, and the occasional glass of wine with their exciting pop-up events.
THE PIERCERY
Specialists in "piercings.. but fancy", The Piercery on 4th Avenue is both a piercing studio and a jewellery store. They offer 'piercesonalisation' – personalised piercings – and a promise of "pain-free piercings" with numbing by a certified doctor. They also host First Thursday events and specials, and can guarantee their products and services will turn you into the coolest kid on the block.
THE SOUTHERN REBELLION
A popular tattoo and piercing shop, The Southern Rebellion on 4th Avenue brings you experienced tattoo artists in a clean, professional, and beautiful studio. They welcome a variety of tattoo styles, promise to use only the best products, and will provide you with all the necessary aftercare instructions to make sure your tattoo heals beautifully. They also offer free consultations with any of their artists – so book your spot today!
NAILS & HAIR BAR
RUTH'S NAILS
SORBET SALON
Get bookish in Parkhurst
HARDCOPY BOOKS
RICK'S BOOKSHOP
Homeware and furniture
CABBAGES AND ROSES
GARDEN BLUE PARKHURST
RE-TREND
Unexpected treasures
EGREK CINEMA
Above the boutiques, cafés and restaurants, one of Parkhurst's loveliest hidden treasures is its small independent cinema, Egrek. Hidden away on the first floor of the Parkhurst Square building (next to Hudson's The Burger Joint), the small cinema has its own bar and screens a mix of family-friendly films, new blockbusters, and the occasional foreign language film. The venue can also be rented by private individuals or companies looking for a unique party idea or employee get-together.
Streetside sellers
Sprinkled in among the boutiques and cafes, Parkhurst has a handful of super talented crafters who sell their wares on the streets, supported by the occasional passing tourist and more regularly by Parkhurst locals. Always popular are hand-woven baskets from Swaziland sold along the street. For something unique, ask for Wellington who makes statement wall art from recycled cans and can create custom designs and also look out for Samuel, a wood-carver from Mozambique who makes the most intricate, colourful vignettes of streetside scenes that are fantastic little works of art. Most craft sellers can usually be found between 14th and 11th Streets.[street sellers more general--no names; remove pic; types of things--plants, wire animals, baskets. paintings]
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