Thing to do
Rosebank Sunday Market
Rosebank Sunday Market fills the rooftop of Rosebank Mall every Sunday with stalls selling crafts, local design, vintage finds, books, vinyl and street food.
44 Stanley
44 Stanley is a precinct of independent design shops, cafés, restaurants and an art-house cinema set in converted 1930s industrial buildings on the edge of downtown Johannesburg.
At a glance
- Type
- Design, shopping and dining precinct
- Area
- Milpark, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Official site
- 44stanley.co.za
Good to know
- Independent shops
- Restaurants and cafés
- Independent cinema
- Galleries
- Courtyards
Why we recommend it
44 Stanley occupies a cluster of 1930s industrial buildings on Stanley Avenue, in the area known as Milpark or Braamfontein Werf, just west of Braamfontein and the University of the Witwatersrand. The buildings have been turned into a mixed-use precinct of small shops, studios, restaurants and offices arranged around courtyards with outdoor tables. It describes itself as the most established precinct on the edge of downtown Joburg, and it is one of the easiest places in the city to spend a relaxed few hours browsing.
The shops lean towards local design and makers. You will find South African fashion labels and menswear, handmade jewellery, locally made leather bags, ceramics, textiles from Mungo, bookbinding and notebooks, a collectible bookshop and a record shop selling new and second-hand vinyl. The Drum Archive Shop draws on the archive of Drum, the magazine that chronicled black urban life in the 1950s, and there is a wine shop that also runs tastings and wine education.
Food and coffee are a big part of the appeal. Salvation Café serves breakfast and lunch at outdoor tables, Bean There Coffee Company roasts fair-trade African coffee, and the precinct also has Italian cooking at La Pergola, Asian-inspired dishes at Glory, Japanese-inspired coffee and matcha, French-style pastries and gelato. The Bioscope, an independent cinema, shows art-house and local films, and there are gallery and project spaces as well as art and craft workshops.
It suits couples, solo travellers and anyone who enjoys independent shopping, and it works well on a weekday as well as at weekends. Saturday mornings are lively, with locals meeting for breakfast. Shops and restaurants set their own hours, so check individual listings on the precinct's website, and note that many shops close earlier on Sundays or do not open at all.
There is parking at the precinct, and most visitors arrive by car or ride-hailing app, as the surrounding streets are not ideal for long walks. It is a short drive from Braamfontein, Constitution Hill and the Origins Centre, so it fits neatly into a day exploring the inner city, and Melville's restaurants and bars are a few minutes further west.
44 Stanley FAQs
What is 44 Stanley?
A precinct of independent shops, restaurants, cafés, studios and offices in converted 1930s industrial buildings.
Where is it?
At 44 Stanley Avenue in Braamfontein Werf, also known as Milpark, near Wits University.
What kind of shops are there?
Mostly local design: fashion, menswear, jewellery, leather goods, ceramics, books, vinyl and wine.
Where can I eat?
Choices include Salvation Café for breakfast and lunch, La Pergola for Italian food, Glory for Asian-inspired dishes and Bean There for coffee.
Is there a cinema?
Yes. The Bioscope is an independent cinema in the precinct.
Do shops have the same hours?
No. Each business sets its own hours, so check the directory on the precinct's website.
How do I get there?
Most visitors come by car or ride-hailing app; there is parking at the precinct.
What is nearby?
Braamfontein, Constitution Hill, the Origins Centre and Melville are all a short drive away.