Maboneng: a Place of Light and Life

Just a half hour's drive away from the creature comforts of the Maslow Hotel in Sandton, lives the Maboneng Precinct. An essential item on your itinerary, the Precinct has a heart that beats to the sound of its very own urban drum. Aptly named as a "place of light", the Maboneng Precinct has quickly become the place to see and be seen. With every street peppered with urbane restaurants, the buzz of commerce and an explosion of South African culture, Maboneng is composed of developments and enterprises that collectively create an exciting regeneration of inner city Johannesburg.

While the lifeblood of Maboneng remains entrepreneurship and creativity, it's also become a haven for cuisine, as top-notch establishments open their doors and welcome in the rush of urban energy with open arms.

At the centre of Maboneng's developments, the Arts on Main complex transformed old warehouses into a thriving space that's home to a wide range of shops, restaurants, offices, galleries and art studios. Not just a cosmopolitan space, the Arts on Main complex hosts a weekly Market on Main and another regularly monthly market on the first Thursday of every month. Market on Main showcases Gauteng's very best cuisine creators and design talent, while encouraging the citizens of Jozi and visitors to the city to embrace sustainable living.

The Precinct's restaurants have become a major draw card for tourists and residents, with traditional African cuisine on offer alongside more European fare. Gourmet burgers, craft beer, Tacos and scrumptious desserts can also be found on the menu at the Precinct's restaurants but we know you'll be tempted to try everything!

And to keep you entertained, the Precinct's events calendar is brimming with parties and places, while the POPArt Theatre and Performing Arts Centre puts local talent to its stage. If you're keen on a movie, The Bioscope is the city's only independent cinema, screening unique local films and documentaries, as well as independent films from across the globe.

But perhaps the best way to explore and enjoy all the sights and sounds of the Precinct is to walk it! Guided walking tours have been created, enabling visitors to experience the inner city the way it should be – up close.