Market on Main – For the people of Joburg by the people of Joburg

Posted by Andrea Jane Holmes on 20 August 2013

Inner city living is on the rise. Creatives, trendsetters, the visionaries, the brave, are flocking into Joburg’s high-rises to produce beauty and draw the Northern Suburb dwellers back into our truly urban landscape (photoblog: Johannesburg past and present). Johannesburg’s Maboneng Precinct is a prime example of the creative explosion that is currently booming on our city’s streets. Maboneng, meaning ‘place of light’, is an urban neighbourhood on the east side of Joburg. It is home to a handful of quirky shops, creative factory spaces, restaurants and entertainment venues. It is also home to Arts on Main, which in turn houses Market on Main.

Mini prego rolls

 

‘Market On Main is made for the people of Joburg by the people of Joburg.’ It is a thriving hub of makeshift food and design stalls, located in a converted early 1900s warehouse. The market is open on Sunday’s from 10h00 to 15h00. It is also open on the first Thursday evening of each month from 19h00 – 23h00 (find more great local markets in South Africa).

We decided to go to August’s night market – what a treat! One cannot help but be taken in by the inspired atmosphere. The hustle and bustle and sizzle of food, the medley of people in eye catching attire, the old leather jackets, and the smell – a mix of paella, cornbread, dim sum, crepes and traditional Italian food. The wide array of cookery looks incredibly authentic, and so do the stallholders. Its seems as though you have to be Chinese to sell noodles, an Italian mama to sell lasagna, or a local South African to sell Japanese sushi at The Blackanese.

 

Rooftop bar

 

If you need a break from hipster* crowds, the exhibitions and art galleries (Goodman Gallery & Seippel Gallery) stay open a little later than normal. There is also a rooftop bar and a courtyard where you can eat a proper sit down dinner at The Canteen. Alternatively, you can sip tea and eat popcorn under the stars with the tea vender at her cushion littered sit-down-stall.

All of Johannesburg should visit Market on Main (at least once). It is an inspiring space, full of good food. The next night market is happening on Thursday, 5 Septemeber. See you there!

Market on Main details

Address: Arts on Main 264 Fox St, City and Suburban Gauteng 2000

Time: Market On Main happens every Sunday from 10h00 – 15h00, and the first Thursday night of each month (besides January) from 19h00 – 23h00.

Tel: +27(0)82-868-1335

Side note: Origin Coffee – the artisan roasters of Africa – is opening a shop at Arts on Main soon. They currently have a stall in their soon-to-be venue next to the market.

 

Looking for more to do in Jozi?

Take a street art walking tour, try one of the city’s perfect picnic spots and find affordable accommodation in Johannesburg here. If you’re looking to get out of the city for a weekend check out these 10 weekend getaways close to Johannesburg.

 

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