Back in 2019, we hosted our very first Concierge Walk – also in Rosebank – and kept the adventures rolling until lockdown hit in 2020. We revived this event series in 2024 and now, for our first Concierge Experience of 2025, it seemed fitting to return to the place where it all began – not least of all because Rosebank is one of the most walkable districts in Johannesburg, and is home to so many great attractions. (Curious about our past escapades? Read about the Concierge Walk we hosted in June 2024 here.)
If you are keen to join us or be a host at future events, please contact us here.
We set off on foot, abandoning the well-worn paths of Rosebank in search of fresh surprises and unexpected delights. Amid its compact six-block grid, bustling with shopping, chic apartments, and corporate energy, we curated an experience that uncovered unexpected gems in this lively neighbourhood.
Nestled perfectly between Joburg’s City Centre and Sandton, with a Gautrain station on its doorstep, Rosebank effortlessly blends business, leisure, and creativity, proving that even in a high-rise jungle, there's always room for a little adventure and going off the beaten path. We began our walk with a brief meet-up at Keyes Art Mile, the heart of the art scene in Rosebank, ready for a day of exploration ahead.
Keep reading for a recap of our day, and the people we met along the way.
223 Jan Smuts Creative Hub
Our first stop was a short walk across Jan Smuts Ave from Keyes Art Mile to 223 Creative Hub. On the route between Rosebank and Dunkeld, 223 Creative Hub is a beautifully designed and curated space that blends art, fashion, homeware, and design. Once a conventional office block, the building underwent a remarkable transformation in late 2023 under the direction of gallerist Candice Berman and her team. Today, it houses Berman Contemporary, Candice Berman Gallery, and various other creative ventures, including a framing store, modular furniture supplier Magicode, and independent local labels such as luxury knitwear brand Romaria.
At the heart of 223 Creative Hub is Berman Contemporary, which occupies most of the top floor. Founded in 2016, the gallery exclusively represents a stable of 10 South African women artists, including DuduBloom More and Athenkosi Kwinana, supporting them with solo and group exhibitions throughout the year. During our visit, Berman took us through the gallery to highlight the artists on show – including work from Kwinana’s solo exhibition Ndijongile ('I have looked' in isiXhosa), which shines a light on the experiences of people with albinism, blending art with activism in a deeply moving way.
At the time of our visit, the artist in the spotlight at Berman Contemporary was Odette Graskie with her solo, Side Quest, an exhibition built around an interactive adventure. By cutting, sewing, and tearing drawings into sculptural masterpieces, Graskie carries her message through – exploring what lies beneath our everyday human interactions, and encouraging us to be more considerate and aware of how these moments connect to the bigger picture of life itself. We were lucky enough to have a walkabout led by the artist.
Not too far away from Graskie's exhibition, we caught a glimpse of the intriguing work by craftivist 'Stacey' AKA Curious Sleuth (read her #MyJoburg interview here), who gave us some insight about the ultra-colourful residency she is embarking on for the month of February in The Creatory space.
We then made our way back downstairs to Candice Berman Gallery on the ground floor, which boasts a spacious showroom. This gallery casts a much wider net, nurturing relationships with a diverse array of African artists. The group exhibition we saw, It’s Still Sunny in Jozi, featured works by Belinda Ross, Ingrid Uys, Sibusiso Makhunga, Fumani Walter Maluleke, Mario Soares, and more.
We were treated to coffee, highly recommended, at 223's coffee kiosk, stocked by one of our favourites Home of the Bean (find out more about their interesting origins here). The daily menu includes a perfectly brewed cortado, espresso, or red cappuccino. Whether you're popping in for an exhibition or simply to enjoy a quiet moment surrounded by inspiring design, 223 Creative Hub is a place that invites you to linger.
We Are EGG
Our next stop was We Are EGG at The Zone @ Rosebank. This is not your typical retail store – it’s a shopping experience. As soon as you walk inside, you know you're somewhere special. This flagship space brings together the best of more than 100 local and international brands, covering fashion, footwear, beauty, jewellery, and homeware under one roof.
Founded by retail heavyweights Paul Simon (the brains behind YDE clothing store franchise) and Arie Fabian (of Fabiani fame), We Are EGG is all about incubating small and local brands – a concept that’s built into its very name. With 85% local labels, it's a haven for homegrown talent, featuring fashion from Boys of Soweto and Rural Love Classics, skincare from Standard Beauty and Lelive, and fragrances from Juce Fragrances.
Dubbed 'a mall within a mall' by Tshepo Bomvu, the store's People Operations Manager and our enthusiastic guide, We Are EGG is a shopper's paradise, where it's easy to get lost in all the styles. If you need a breather, bubble tea spot Royal Tea South Africa is the perfect place to cool down with a fun drink after a serious shopping session (find out more about Joburg's best bubble tea spots).
Cracker Zac's
Next, we ventured to Cracker Zac's, tucked inside The Fun Company at The Zone @ Rosebank. This exclusive over-21's arcade and social hub features hyper bowling, interactive augmented reality darts, and a top-tier arcade setup, so it was no surprise when it won the International Arcade of the Year award in 2022.
Manager Juan Venter led us through the space before we took a break at the upscale bar, where a premium selection of drinks – including well-priced cocktails, beer on tap, and top-shelf spirits – keep the good times flowing. Hungry? There’s a solid menu of casual bites like tacos, pizza, and platters to keep you fuelled for another round of games.
With a balcony overlooking The Zone @ Rosebank's bustling courtyard, it's the perfect spot to hang out after some friendly competition. It's also a great venue to book for functions and parties that need to accommodate large crowds. Big things are on the horizon, too: come February 2025, the venue will temporarily close for renovations, expanding capacity from 150 to 250 guests and adding pool tables and even more games. Consider this your excuse to go when the new space launches.
Soul Souvlaki
After a morning of exploring, we made our way to Soul Souvlaki at 42 Bath Avenue, just a stone’s throw from the Johannesburg In Your Pocket offices at Workshop17 Firestation. A breezy terrace overlooking Bath Avenue and Baker Street set the scene for a leisurely lunch, where we were welcomed by the accommodating Travis Pottier, Retail Operations Manager at Soul Souvlaki.
Soon enough, generous meze platters landed on the table. The meat platter boasted juicy lamb and chicken skewers, while the vegetarian option wowed even the carnivores with grilled giant mushrooms and crispy zucchini fritters, accompanied by cooling tzatziki, creamy hummus, and fresh aegean slaw. Louise Heydeman, a concierge at Protea Hotel OR Tambo, even remarked, "They had better tapas than some of what I've tasted in Greece."
Between bites, we took in the views of Rosebank. Soul Souvlaki also boasts a charming courtyard, perfect for a quick coffee or a leisurely meal. An unusual space in central Rosebank with a towering tree in its cosy courtyard Soul Souvlaki also has a rooftop deck, perfect for lazy afternoons. With full bellies and satisfied tastebuds, we left knowing one thing for sure – we’ll definitely be back.
Rosebank Art and Craft Market
A quick pitstop turned into a treasure hunt at the Rosebank Art and Craft Market, a creative marketplace nestled next to the entrance to Rosebank Mall (opposite Postnet) on Cradock Avenue. From the outside, it looks small and unassuming, but step inside, and you’ll find two levels packed with more than 100 traders, each offering a slice of African artistry.
Stalls overflow with beaded flowers, intricately carved wooden giraffes, handwoven baskets, bold statement jewellery, and striking home décor – making it the great place to find a special gift or souvenir. The market hums with the sounds of friendly bargaining, and with so many unique crafts on offer, it's nearly impossible to leave empty-handed.
QLounge and QSushi
Our final stop of the day brought a touch of Cape luxury to Joburg at QLounge Wine Restaurant & Qsushi Bar in Oxford Parks. This elegant spot, an extension of Quoin Rock Wine Estate in Stellenbosch and the only Cape wine farm with a permanent presence in Joburg, offers a refined food and wine experience.
Our host, Chris Buckley Koch, sales and events manager QLounge and QSushi, guided us through a wine tasting, sharing the rich history of Quoin Rock while we sipped on their MCC, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc. The food was just as indulgent – wagyu steak, red wine-infused butter, succulent chicken thighs, and sautéed broccoli made for a flawless pairing.
QLounge isn’t just about great food and wine – they curate menus for private dinners, host food and winemakers' events, and offer a private dining space (where we had our tasting) for up to 24 guests. You can also grab a bottle of their exceptional wine to take home – no sit-down required.
Reflecting on the experience, Ntombi Ngcosane of The Saxon Hotel shared, "It was fantastic. Learning about my neighbourhood and the places around my hotel was amazing." She added, "There is so much food, culture, and art to explore. I know that by recommending or suggesting that area to my guests, I would be giving them a glimpse of South Africa and its people."
Comments