Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa, and it’s full of amazing sights and activities. It can be hard to pack them all in.
If you’re planning to visit, one thing you’ll want to be sure your to-do list includes is a visit to a few of the best markets in Johannesburg. Local markets are great events for travelers to seek out!
In addition to the basic shopping angle, markets give us a chance to chat and interact with locals. We get the opportunity to explore different neighborhoods, and to taste local foods that we otherwise might never come across.
Markets in Johannesburg cover all of these bases, and there are enough of them to choose from that you’re sure to find a few that are easy to get to from where you’re staying.
They’re also just a lot of fun!
Once you’ve explored a few of them, you’ll want to also check out the museums, botanic gardens, and of course go for a hot air balloon ride. Jo’burg really is a spectacular place to visit.
But for now – let’s check out Jozi’s best markets!
Best Markets in Johannesburg
Rosebank Sunday Market
- Sundays: 9am to 4pm
- 50 Bath Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg
Rosebank Sunday Market is one of the best, most well-known weekly markets in Johannesburg. It’s full of upbeat vibes, gourmet food and African crafts.
Held on a roof top parking lot on Bath Avenue, the views of the city skyline are sublime.
You can find a wide variety of items at the Rosebank market, including fresh produce, baked goods, clothing, jewelry, art, and crafts.
There are also a number of food stalls selling everything from traditional South African cuisine to international fare. There is live music on the last Sunday of every month – if you can, try to make it to this one!
Visitors can even apply to sell their own wares from the trunk of their cars.
The Rosebank market is a great place to shop for gifts and souvenirs. It’s also ideal just to browse, people watch, and enjoy the atmosphere.
The Good Stuff Market
- Every first Saturday of the month: 11am to 3pm
- Northgate Shopping Centre, 21 Northumberland Ave, Roodepoort, Johannesburg
Along with art and crafts, you’ll be able to satisfy any craving for fashion with the selection of new and used clothing at the Good Stuff Market. You can also find original designer jewelry and cute stuff for the kids.
This laidback market has a seating area, too, for shoppers to sit and enjoy a beverage. Relax, listen to music, and have a snack!
Jozi Real Food Market
- Saturdays: 8:30 to 1:30pm
Pirate’s Club, 25 Braeside Road, Greenside, Johannesburg- This market is now mobile! Check their FaceBook page for their next location in Johannesburg!
You may have heard of the Jozi Real Food Market, and be excited to check it out. The old address is still floating around, so let your friends know they’re now a mobile venture!
Not only will foodies and crafters love the Jozi Market, but animal lovers will want to stop by as well. Pet rescues and animal adoption facilities set up here, too.
Plus you’ll find stalls with artists and photographers, clothing and accessories, and face painters for the kids. The organic coffee is worth the trip all by itself.
The Jozi Real Food Market gravitates towards pet-friendly spots with shade trees and lots of room. Be sure to look for them!
Fourways Farmers Market
- Saturdays and Sundays 8am to 5pm; Live music 12:30-4:30pm
- Taroko Farm on Modderfontein Reserve, Johannesburg (click here for a map!)
Popular with the locals, Fourways is a large, well-established market. It’s not only a fun shopping experience, it’s also a nice break from the pace of the city.
In between browsing the selection of locally made preserves, cured meats, and cheeses, check out the gardens. The roses and lavender will make you want to sit down and just breathe them in.
The Fourways Market leans heavily towards food, but you can find some beautiful arts and crafts here, too.
Between the live music, the wide picnic lawn, and the craft beer – not to mention the decadent offerings of the award winning chefs – this might become your favorite market in Jozi!
Bryanston Organic Market
- Thursdays & Saturdays: 9am to 3pm, plus each public holiday, & Moonlight Markets on the last Friday of each month, 5 to 9pm
- 40 Culross road, Bryanston, Sandton, Johannesburg
Bryanston Market is billed as the “first and finest outdoor market” in Johannesburg. It features crafts and organic foods, along with live music starting at noon.
Come prepared to take home your week’s supply of organic milk and eggs. As well, if you have glass or crystal that needs repairing bring it along, there is often someone here who can fix it.
Enjoy taking part in activities like stone crafting and candle dipping. Bring the kids, too – they’ll love the dollhouse and the trains at the Toy Lady’s booth.
Shop for top-notch arts and crafts and delicious organic food. You’ll also find health and wellness products, knick-knacks, and clothing. There are diners and cafes as well, so you can take a breather and then keep on shopping.
Keep in mind that parking can be a bit limited at the Bryanston Market.
Linden Market
- Winter (early June), Spring (early September), and Christmas markets (about one month before Christmas. Check their website for dates and tickets.
- Located at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, on Malcolm Road, Poortview, Roodepoort, Johannesburg
The Linden Market is definitely worth looking for. Begin your visit by stopping off and getting a glass of wine or craft beer to sip on as you wander through the stalls.
You’ll find some of the best artisans in the area represented, as well as loads of activities for the kids. They can try their hands at ceramics painting, learn tie-dye printing, and a lot more.
Just the location at the beautifully scenic Botanic Gardens makes this market worth the time.
The Sheds@1Fox
- Friday: 12pm to around 5pm, Saturday: 10am to 4pm
- 1 Fox Street, Johannesburg
The Sheds@1Fox is a newer artisanal food market that offers an assortment of food stalls under one roof. Vendors include the likes of Dee Oyster Bar & Champagne Bar, Mmojo Five Star Street Chef Food Truck, and Baha Taco, to name just a few.
You can also expect to find a produce market, fashions, and art, plus live music on occasion. All take out containers are environmentally friendly!
Wander from stall to stall, or head upstairs for a glass or bottle of wine, beer, artisanal coffee or cold-pressed juice. Stop on your way back down and get a bird’s eye view of the field of tables and listen to the happy chatter that fills the large building.
African Art & Craft Market of Rosebank
- Opens daily at 9am; Closes Mon-Thurs at 6:30pm; Fri at 7pm; Weekends at 5pm
- Cradock Avenue next to Europa, Rosebank, Johannesburg
If you’re looking for souvenirs of your trip to Africa, or gifts for friends and family abroad, this is the place to go. Their selection of African items is excellent.
A lot of what you’ll find here is the same as what you’ll see all over the country. But of the many stalls at this indoor market, several sell unique, handmade items. You can make some extraordinary finds at this market!
The vendors sell everything from jewelry and paintings to sculptures and artifacts.
Market On Main
- Sundays: 10am to 3pm
- In Arts on Main at 264 Fox Street & Barea Road, Maboneng, Johannesburg
Market On Main is a trendy, upscale urban food and design market held in the Maboneng Precinct.
Here you can sample a great variety of international cuisines, from Ethiopian and Italian to Moroccan and Chinese. Of course, there are also some amazing South Africa dishes being served!
It’s not just about what you can buy at Market on Main. There is also a focus on the social and lifestyle aspect of the market-going. Mingle and observe the inner-city way of life!
With an emphasis on creativity, you can find unique items for your home, your wardrobe, and your jewelry collection.
Neighbourgoods Market aka. The Playground
- Saturdays: 10am to 6pm
- 73 Juta St, Braamfontein (corner of De Beer & Juta St) Johannesburg
Neighbourgoods has a new name! Now known as The Playgrounds, the market is located in Braamfontein.
This popular market features local and gourmet foods, international dishes, baked treats, and artisanal products.
Bring sunscreen and relax on the rooftop patio area, and check out the local crafts on your way up the stairs.
The atmosphere is energetic, showcasing young Jo’burg talent. For many people this market is a highlight of their week!
The Playground is free until noon. After that you’ll be asked to pay R20, or just over US $1. The market is cash-free, so be sure to bring your plastic.
Riversands Farm Village
- Friday to Sunday from noon until sunset, including public holidays
- Riversands Commercial Park, Rose Road, Knopjeslaagte, Midrand, Johannesburg
Riversands Farm Village has stalls selling a wide variety of products, including handmade crafts and food. The handmade chicken farm pies are a big draw – make sure you try one!
The Tractor Bar is an ideal spot to relax and enjoy a pint of craft beer. There is also entertainment for everybody, with activities like Playscapes, ziplining and paintball.
As well, Riversands Farm Village is known for its family days, held every Sunday. You’ll be treated to live music and a festive atmosphere.
Bring your dog too! Just clear it with him that he’ll need to stay on a leash.
The Yard Eatery
- Thursday – Sunday: 10am to 9pm
- 10 MacMillan Road, Glenferness, Midrand, Johannesburg
Created especially for the foodies, The Yard offers a range of decadent culinary options, with 10 different vendors serving up incredible dishes.
They also have a full bar stocked with craft beers and all your favorite cocktails. You can enjoy it all on a large deck overlooking the Sandton skyline – perfect for visitors and locals.
Bring the kids and let them go nuts on the playground. A warning – it’s equipped with a Grand-Prix style race track that they may never want to leave.
Irene Village Market
- First and last Saturday of the month: 8am to 1:30pm
- 7 Nelson Road, Olifantsfontein, about 45 minutes from the center of Jo’burg
The Irene Village Market is an arts and crafts market held in a Big Red Barn. It’s located on an estate whose beautiful grounds overlook the Kaal River.
This market is known for its family entertainment and original, handmade South African arts and crafts. These include fashions as well as unique items for your home.
Plus there is the recent addition of a thrift section. This is a great way to treat yourself, stay on budget, and remain earth-friendly.
There are a lot of things for the kids to do while you’re here, such as Segway and Acrobranch, and even your dogs are welcome!
In addition, there is a lengthy mountain bike trail and a couple of trail runs if you need some exercise. There’s a cafe and deli in the Barn, too, if you’d rather have a snack instead.
Final Words: Best Markets in Johannesburg
Once you think you’ve seen everything you need to see in Johannesburg, visit the markets. They’re a fantastic way to experience everything that it has to offer.
Whether you’re looking for fresh produce, delicious food, unique gifts, or just a chance to people-watch, you’re sure to enjoy exploring the city’s markets.
In addition to being great places to shop, markets are also a terrific way to get to know Johannesburg and its people. You’ll have the chance to meet locals from all walks of life, and you’ll get a glimpse of the different cultures that make up the city.
Plus you’ll get to explore different neighborhoods and see some of the city’s hidden gems. Next time you’re in Johannesburg, be sure to check out one or two of its markets. You won’t be disappointed!
For more related articles, check my recommendations below:
- The best books about South Africa you must read before embarking on the trip
- A perfect 2 weeks South Africa itinerary
- Cities to Visit Along the Garden Route
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Would love to visit all of them! I agree with you that it’s not just about shopping but it’s actually a good place to chat and interact among the locals. I am particularly interested with the Bryanston Organic Market — would love to watch how they repair glass or crystals. It would be nice to join stone crafting and candle dipping as well.
I’m from Cape Town although now I live in Wales but of course South Africa is my home country so it’s always nice to read blog posts about it and I’ve visited Jo’burg many many times of the years and yes so many great markets and you can find anything there especially amazing food
Laura x
I love to browse through a local market if I have the chance so this is interesting for me. The Rosebank market interests me the most to try the local – international cuisine and especially held on a rooftop with views, that’s a bonus! All the others all have interesting features I would pop in to see, especially those with handicrafts.
I didn’t realise that Johanesburg had so many markets.The choice is vast and I wish I had seen just one when I visited years ago. I’d most like to see the Fouraways Farmers Market, the Market on Main and the Sheds at Fox. I think you see the connection here, I want to try as much of the food as possible!
Never thought that there are so many markets in Johannesburg one could visit. The food markets like “The Sheds@1Fox” would be my top of choice for sure. But I might be also interested in the markets selling African handicrafts and textiles – as long as they are not too touristy.