Parktown North, an established residential suburb north of Johannesburg with its village feel and ancient charm, is definitely a place to see and be seen.
About the area
Deirdre Gullan, who has lived in Parktown North for 16 years, loves the beautiful homes with their enchanting gardens – many of these having been renovated to create an eclectic mix of the old and new.
The streets are lined with gorgeous plane trees and there is always a bustle of runners and residents walking their dogs. Parktown North is centrally located close to Rosebank and Sandton, both of which are serviced by the Gautrain, with a few art galleries and a number of interesting shops. It is also one of the first suburbs in Johannesburg to receive fibre optic cabling allowing residents to enjoy high-speed internet connectivity.
The suburb is home to some of the best steakhouses and restaurants in Johannesburg, with some of the area’s popular dining spots located on 7th Avenue. “The restaurant strip is certainly a highlight in Parktown North and the best steaks in town come from our small but popular Turn ‘n Tender,” says Gullan.
She says foodies are spoiled for choice in this village – you can choose to have craft beer at the Foundry, grab a quick coffee at Vida e Caffe after a morning run or, after walking the dogs, visit dog-friendly eatery and local hangout, Full Stop Cafe.
For groceries, head to Woolworths at the Parktown Quarter as well as stock up on goodies at The Market Place, Parktown North’s own home industry shop.
I love the neighbourhood because it has a village feel, yet it remains trendy and is a hip place to be seen
says resident Deirdre Gullan.
Best in food:
- The Grove Green Cafe: for healthy dining
- Foundry: for an unforgettable craft beer experience
- La Cucina di Ciro: for a taste of Italian
- Wombles Steakhouse Restaurant
- The Local Grill
Things to do:
- Visit the Gallery MOMO for all things arty
- Visit the African Craft Market of Rosebank every Sunday
- Spend a few hours at Constitution Hill
- Tour the gardens at Brenthurst Estate
- Enjoy classic and contemporary plays at the National Children’s Theatre
Top schools:
- Greenside High School
- Hyde Park High School
- Rosebank Primary School
- St Teresa’s
- Parktown High School for Girls
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
Explore the Rosebank and Parktown neighbourhoods here:
