Melrose

Melrose is a stylish urban precinct in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs, conveniently situated between Rosebank and Sandton. Melrose is divided by the main thoroughfare Corlett Drive, and is home to the upmarket shopping and lifestyle centre Melrose Arch. Melrose is full of apartment blocks built mostly in the 1950s and 1960s which boast high-ceilings and a low-maintenance lifestyle, this neighbourhood has become a popular place to live for young professionals, who have brought with them trendy cafes and a youthful ambience.

Sample the designer lifestyle Based around a series of pedestrianised streets and open piazzas, Melrose Arch is one of Johannesburg’s top retail and dining destinations with great cafes and exclusive fashion boutiques such as South African designer Suzaan Heyns. The large Melrose Piazza has a number of popular cafes including Tashas and Grand Central known as much for being a social hotspot as they are for their tasty mediterranean-influenced cuisine.

Nearby is the bright orange burger joint Rocomamas and for coffee drop into the hip coffee shop The Grind Coffee Company. For a fun night out with friends book tickets for a stand-up comedy show at The Goliath Comedy Club, dubbed ‘‘Joburg’s home of comedy’’. Shop for fine food and wine Based around a series of pedestrianised streets and open piazzas Melrose Arch is one of Johannesburg’s top retail and dining destinations with great cafes and exclusive fashion boutiques such as South African designer Suzaan Heyns.

The large Melrose Piazza has a number of popular cafes including Tashas and Grand Central known as much for being a social hotspot as they are for their tasty mediterranean-influenced cuisine. Nearby is the bright orange burger joint Rocomamas and for coffee drop into the hip coffee shop The Grind Coffee Company.

Take a stroll in the park The 36ha James & Ethel Gray Park is a well-maintained hilly park with an awe-inspiring panoramic view of the famous Johannesburg city skyline. Various pathways lead down to the Sandspruit river and at the bottom of the park is the Acrobranch adventure course with ziplines, monkey bridges and tarzan swings for kids and grown-ups.

End your stroll with lunch at the pet-friendly and child-friendly pavement cafe Voodoo Lily in the small Birdhaven Centre near the entrance to the park.