What to expect at the Halaal Goods Market

more than a year ago

The Halaal Goods Market is back for another instalment from 30 Sep – 1 Oct. Photo: The Halaal Goods Market.

The Halaal Goods Market has everything from Korean food to Greek seafood, and it's all halaal. Photo: The Halaal Goods Market.

Expect a family-friendly affair at The Halaal Goods Market at 1 Fox in Maboneng. Photo: The Halaal Goods Market.

Prepare your taste buds and shopping bags! Joburg's original artisanal Halaal Goods Market makes its much-anticipated return to the Fox Street Precinct in Ferreirasdorp from Sat, 30 Sep – Sun, 1 Oct. This pop-up market is a must for food enthusiasts, fashionistas, craft aficionados, and anyone looking for a unique shopping and dining experience. It's also one of Joburg's prettiest markets and we'll vouch that it offers the widest variety of sweet treats.

With more than 70 stalls, food trucks and mocktail bars, the Halaal Goods Market promises a memorable day filled with gourmet delights and creative treasures.

Inspired by her frustration with the limited halaal food options at local markets, the founder of the market, Fehmida Jordaan, better known as @Fehmz, created the first artisanal halaal food and design market in southern Africa. With a curated selection of locally sourced halaal offerings, the Halaal Goods Market has quickly become a beloved institution in Joburg. Here's what you can expect when you visit.

Stalls and shopping

Find unique additions to your wardrobe at the Halaal Goods Market. Photo: Ayesha Mayet.

The market offers an opportunity to meet, chat with, and support more than 70 small businesses and artisans offering everything from food and drink to clothing, jewellery and art. What's particularly noteworthy is that 42 of the vendors are women-owned small businesses showcasing founder Jordaan's commitment to supporting and empowering women entrepreneurs. Some of the vendors that will be at the market include Ottoman-inspired stationery by From My Soul (@from.my.soul.23), fine jewellery by Silverdotcom (@silverdotcom_), interior décor by Abdul Ghalik (@abdul_ghalik) and gorgeous modest wear by Betul_fit Boutique (@betul_fit_boutique).

Gourmet delights

Tasty halaal treats and other delights await. Photo: Ayesha Mayet.

One of the highlights of the Halaal Goods Market is the wide variety of halaal-certified food stalls, where you can build your own feast. From mouthwatering tacos to pasta by Pasta La'Vista (@theonly_pasta_la_vista_baby); Greek seafood to fluffy pancakes and creamy ice-cream by Creme Cartel (@creme_cartel), the culinary options are endless. Meat lovers can savour the aroma of smoked meats, while fans of South African street food can indulge in bunny chows and boerie rolls. For those with a sweet tooth, there are delectable koeksisters, deep-fried ice-cream by WTFried Ice Cream (@wtfried_icecream) and Indian sweetmeats to satisfy your cravings. Middle Eastern dips and other international flavours like traditional Kenyan food and Korean cuisine presented by BoraBox (@borabox.sa) are also on the menu, ensuring there's something for every palate. When we visited the last edition we left with bags of goodies, as there are plenty of items to take home, from homemade relishes and condiments to chocolates and nougat. Top tip: order your food, then go browse as there's just so much on offer. And did we mention that everything is halaal?

Entertainment and activities

A fun day out for the family at Halaal Goods Market. Photo: Ayesha Mayet.

This is a family-friendly market (no alcohol is served) and there's plenty on offer to entertain kids of all ages.

Bigger kids can dive into their creative side for Paint Nite where they can express themselves on canvas, while the Goliath brothers comedy performance will have you in stitches on Sat, Sep 30 at 19:30. If you're up for some friendly competition, try your hand at some arcade games and foosball matches. Or take in live art drawing where talented artists bring their creations to life right before your eyes. The market has also set up novelty photo spaces to ensure you catch everything for the 'gram.

We love the setting of 1 Fox Precinct, a collection of historic warehouses constructed in the early 1890s to manufacture mining equipment. It's also a secure complex with plenty of guarded parking, and once inside the market has been beautifully designed in the space giving you freedom to explore.

Tickets for both days can be bought here.