This is our list of the most unique and interesting food markets in Johannesburg, offering everything from hip tapas to organic fresh produce.

1 Fox – The Sheds (Newtown)

Open: Fridays noon to 8pm, Saturdays 10am to 7pm and Sundays 10am to 4pm. Open for Night Fox on the last Friday of the month.

This is one of the quieter inner-city markets. To get the best out of it, combine your adventures: Grab a beer or mini sample tasters (our preferred way to go) from Mad Giant Brewery. Eat your way through the district tapas-style, with venison takai from Urbanologi and seafood from Prawn Stars. Always finish off with a waffle from Von Pickartz Belgian Waffles before dancing the night away at Good Luck Bar.

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A post shared by 1FOX (@1foxprecinct) on Oct 25, 2018 at 1:02am PDT

Bryanston Organic and Natural Market (Bryanston)

Open: Thursdays and Saturdays 9am to 3pm. Also open for moonlit markets on Tuesday evenings from mid-November to mid-December.

When you have a market on the grounds of a Waldorf school, you better believe that they mean it when they say they’re organic. For over 30 years this market has consistently focused on everything healthy and delicious – with a bit of hand-dyed wool thrown in.

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A phyllo tart from Bryanston Organic Market. Photo supplied.

Fordsburg Night Market (Fordsburg)

Open: Saturdays from sundown

Spicy aromas fill the air as you walk the inner-city streets of Fordsburg on market nights. This market, which began in 1990, needs no introduction to locals and welcomes anyone who has a penchant for fresh sugar cane juice. It’s the best place to buy Bollywood music and DVDs while you snack on oven-fresh tikka kebabs or sweetmeats as you stroll. Or sit at the fantastic vegetarian restaurant in the centre and people-watch. Do note that the parking is fairly dire.

Fourways Farmers Market (Fourways)

Open: Sundays 9am to 4pm. Farmers Pop Up Café every Friday from 3.30pm to 10.30pm

Treat yourself to a gatsby from a Land Rover food truck called Jimmy as you relax and listen to the best in local acoustic music. Located on the original Fourways Farmstead, this outdoor market makes the best of its beautiful country garden setting. Thanks to its Pop Up Café, every Friday you can start your weekend right with sushi from The Sushi Bus, the aforementioned gatsby from El Gatsby Station, or an epic alcoholic jam jar from SumTing Fresh.

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A post shared by Fourways Farmers Market (@fourwaysfarmersmarket) on Oct 5, 2018 at 11:30pm PDT

The Linden Market (Linden)

Open: Sporadic – check their Facebook to find the next open market

Although more of an occasional market, over the last two years the Linden Market has gained worthy notoriety in the already-saturated Joburg market scene. Located in the beautiful sprawling grounds of the Emmarentia Botanical Gardens, this market is packed with fantastic food, designer cocktails, handmade goods and vintage clothing. With live music, unicorn cupcakes, handcrafted toffees by Darling Sweet, activities for kids, and even a lady who sells carnivorous plants, this market really does have something for everyone. It is also super dog-friendly, so bring your dogs along for the fun!

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A post shared by The Linden Market (@thelindenmarket) on Jun 30, 2018 at 3:36am PDT

LoCrate (Orlando West)

Open: first Sunday of the month, from mid-morning to late

What started as a Sowetan cool kids’ market celebrating food and craftsmanship has now become a much bigger brand. You can catch LoCrate markets in Newtown or picnics at Consitution Hill where, true to form, you can expect the best local designer brands; gourmet food from the likes of Cajun Joe; their signature cool vibe and low crates. They are also partners in the Makhelwane Festival, where you can camp together to celebrate all the joys associated with wine, food, cycling and music.

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A post shared by The Locrate Market (@locratemarket) on Feb 14, 2018 at 1:10am PST

Market on Main (Maboneng)

Open: Sundays 10am to 3pm. On Main Street, look out for pop-up Night Markets from 7pm

As one of the first markets to attempt bringing international market sensibilities to an inner-city space, seven years later MoM is still seen as a quintessential Joburg Sunday vibe. A firm cornerstone of weekend Maboneng life, the market’s influence has seeped into the streets of the area. Many of the restaurants in the surrounds first started at the market, like the popular Che Argentine Grill. You’ll do well to come early and make a day of it. Grab some dumplings, brownies, bunny chows or loaded hotdogs. Also enjoy a few Three Anchors locally distilled G&Ts and have a dance around the corner at the Living Room.

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A post shared by Market on Main (@marketonmain) on Aug 6, 2019 at 4:03am PDT

Neighbourgoods Market (Braamfontein)

Open: Saturdays 9am to 3pm and First Thursday evenings

This market changed the landscape of Saturdays in Braamfontein and continues to fuel the city’s hunger for outdoor partying on the weekend. And now, since the bar has been taken over by the fine people at Great Dane, you can while away your lazy Saturdays sipping from a pineapple. Make sure to gain full hipster status by buying a pot plant from Super Nature, getting a salmon poké bowl (obviously) and grabbing a slice of chocolate forest cake from Country Kitchen. Why? Because cake is always on trend.

Sushi at the Neighbourgoods Market in Joburg. Photo supplied.

Rosebank Sunday Market (Rosebank)

Open: Sundays 9am to 4pm

On offer here is a traditional market experience with a selection of gourmet food on offer, all accompanied by stunning views of the Joburg skyline. From bubble waffles to tacos, there’s a little something for everyone.

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A post shared by Rosebank Sunday Market (@rosebank.sunday.market) on Oct 4, 2019 at 7:41am PDT

Sylvia’s Market (Observatory)

Open: Sundays 10am to 4pm

Gather up your family and friends and head over to Sylvia’s Outdoor Market for the ultimate Sunday chill-out. Snack on delicious delights from churros to boerewors rolls and vegan chocolate. Sip on bespoke beverages like iced teas and on-tap craft beers as you enjoy the Sunday sunshine.

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A post shared by Sylvia’s Market (@sylviasmarket) on Jul 3, 2016 at 9:14am PDT

Yeoville Food Market (Yeoville)

Open: Daily

This market boasts the most haphazard of layouts, but half the fun of attending is finding what you’re looking for and even some things you had no idea you could want, like edible clay. As the city’s oldest market, it’s a true representation of what this continent has to offer in terms of abundance, curiosity, entrepreneurship and flavour. Be sure to brush up on your broken French – most of the vendors are Congolese – and hunt for fresh fruit from West Africa, dried crayfish and Mopani worms (they’re great with gin).

Have we missed your favourite food market in Jozi? Let us know in the comments below.