Hangout Jozi is located at Joziburg Lane, which opened in 2016 as a multi-purpose complex, often hosting events, exhibitions and more. The restaurant itself has become quite popular with tourists looking for authentic Jozi experiences, as it is operated by the same team behind the JoburgPlaces inner-city tours.

The Hangout Jozi space. Photo supplied.

Fast facts

Serves: Tapas, Contemporary African
Cost: Average meal is R150
Parking: Take an Uber, as getting to the parking lot upstairs after your meal could prove to be a rather laborious climb
Best for: Bringing visitors to the city
Star rating: Food and drinks 3, service 4, ambience 4

Beach braai, joburg beach lol

A post shared by peter phillip (@scripta55) on Jan 1, 2018 at 4:11am PST

Food

An ideal dish to share would be the braai meat platter, which offers a taste of township-style shisa nyama: traditional boerewors with chakalaka, tender beef ribs, chicken wings and coleslaw, served with either pap or bread rolls, with a green salad. The spicy chicken wings, fresh off the braai, are served with a delicious blue-cheese sauce, which is a rather inventive and delightful combination.

The menu also offers two stew bowl options – one beef and one lamb – with baby marrow, coriander, thyme, and mint, giving a nod to Indian cuisine. There are also bunny chows on offer, served on hollowed out rolls rather than the traditional loaf.

Top tip: order several dishes to share, or one of the OTT platters. Photo supplied.

For vegetarians, Hangout Jozi offers several platters including one with a selection of South African cheeses, danya chutney, olive dipping oil, fresh herbs and fruit. Sweetcorn fritters are another good meat-free bet, as are the feta-and-olive pita parcels.

For those with a sweet tooth, several desserts on offer include malva pudding with custard, honeycomb cake, pancakes with a toffee spread, and a sweet cheese mini platter of brie, camembert, figs and drizzle.

Drinks

Hangout Jozi has a fully stocked bar, specialising in South African craft spirits like Westcliff Gin, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky, and Esparanza Agave. Five cocktails are offered on the menu, including a Jozi Orange, which is a mix of Oros and Smirnoff Vodka. The Green & Gold is a mix of Bain’s, ginger ale and lime cordial.

MOZAMJOZI New Year Beach Picnic #newyear #newyearsday #party #partytime #johannesburg #joburg #jozi #jozivibes #southafrica #africa #hangoutjozi #joziburglane #drinks #drink #gin #gintonic #ginifer #city #bigcity #bigcitylife #urban #holiday #goodtimes #timeout #bar

A post shared by travel machine (@tickettoafrica) on Jan 1, 2018 at 9:06pm PST

Service

Waiters are very warm and welcoming, and quite knowledgeable about the menu, and they are always more than happy to make suggestions.

Ambience

Hangout Jozi has a cool contemporary vibe, and while the location is in a rather busy part of the city, the restaurant is nestled inside the building on an alley, which means you can sit outside without having to contend with the traffic and noise.

When y’all are having such a great time that y’all forget to take pictures Thank you for an amazing double date yesterday Skepu’s @viwemdange #joziburglane #hangoutjozi #doubledate #lunch #drinks #turnedtodinner #nightout #outwiththehubs

A post shared by Nolwazi DabskaThala noAkhela (@mrs.b.mona) on Feb 26, 2017 at 5:59am PST

And…

Even though the food is not particularly spectacular, the presentation is great, and the spot has a cool vibe that could make it an ideal after-work drinks spot. It does, however, close at 6pm (except on Fridays and Saturdays, when it closes at 10pm) and is rather far from other establishments.

Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay their way in full. Read our editorial policy here. 

Have you been to Hangout Jozi recently? Write a review and Eat Out will pledge a meal for a hungry child through Rise Against Hunger SA. Get writing now.