The Playground
The Playground
4.5
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Braamfontein’s famed Neighbourgoods Market venue is back! Now called 'The Playground' by Play Braamfontein. The Playground is a considered space, playing host to a regular artisan Market every Saturday with a menu of gourmet street food, cocktails, and live music performances and DJ’s. Coming soon, Sunday will play host to live music performances and events. This is not just a market space – it is as focused on the visitor experience as it is on creating a platform for exceptional young talent in Joburg.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles336 reviews
Excellent
210
Very good
104
Average
18
Poor
4
Terrible
0

Frith T
1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
It's become a bit boring. Food was absolutely lovely and stallholders so warm and friendly but far fewer stalls than there used to be. The vibe is gone and even stallholders mentioned it's much quieter now. Such a pity Jhb has lost what was a very cool market to come to on a Saturday morning. Credit to sparkling clean bathrooms, but they also now charge a entry fee, and a guy who took our empty plates (we would have thrown them away ourselves) wanted a tip. It's got a serious touristy vibe, whereas I always felt it was a local market loved and visited by Joburgers themselves.
Written August 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Clint Hill
Johannesburg, South Africa4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022 • Family
Mix of urban culture with food and drinks in downtown Johannesburg, safe with security.
Best lemonade by Life plus Lemons, you have to try......
Children and art play spaces and upcoming local designers showcase every weekend.
Written September 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marcus W
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates147 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2016 • Solo
This was the highlight of my stop in Johannesburg! Hopefully you are able to be in Joburg on a Saturday and experience this awesome place. The food here is amazing, diverse, and there is a lot to pick from from the various food stalls. The food also includes desserts and all types of drinks and other seasoning souveniers you can buy.

I kept it simple and got a pizza (The Spaniard) from this stall called Pionieri Pizzeria. I've been to Naples, Italy and have had some of the best pizza in the world and this pizza was definitely right up there with the best! I also had a steak sandwich which was great. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough space to eat anything else, but there were plenty other amazing options to choose from. Bring your appetite!

A few important tips:
1. GET THERE EARLY! I arrived at 11am and it was already pretty packed. I would say go around 10am, no later than 10:30am. Seating is fairly limited.
2. People watching here is amazing. Bring your shades and enjoy the show.
3. Only open on Saturdays unfortunately.

Enjoy!!
Written April 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

zahnb
Simon's Town, South Africa57 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019 • Friends
The inside is much better than the outside which looks and feels a tad grey. Once inside head for the many places to eat and drink. I had a coconut with vodka Zar 65 which was different and delishh. The music was great and the whole place very vibey. We spent 3hrs and would do it again. There's also some clothing and goods to buy upstairs. Thank you guys. Keep going ang changing the face of SA one day at a time.
Written November 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Adam T
Petersham, Australia71 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019 • Friends
Can’t speak more highly enough of the Neighbourgoods Markets in Braamfontein J’Burg. Grab an Uber and spend Saturday-day enjoying hanging out with awesome local food, cocktails, some nick-nack shopping and enjoying the music from DJ. Car park that is transformed into this venue each Saturday and pulls in a vibrant crowd young, old, all sorts. Take some cash for food (they do have ATMs), the bar and shops accept credit card.
Written November 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Christophe C
119 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Solo
Really nice indeed. Any type of food you may want, plus quality artwork. Artisanal beer and organic wine, chill out music.
Clearly a symbol of gentrificarion, but also one of the rare place where mixity is obvious and natural
A pity it opens only once a week.
Written December 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anne
Germany13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019 • Friends
I absolutely loved the neighborhoods market, I really liked that it was not only about the food, which was obviously also great, but there was also a rooftop chill out area where a band was playing and an area where you would find hand crafted jewelry, souvenirs & art!

The atmosphere, the music, the food, everything was just really authentic and nice
Written November 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

adventuressCA
Turin, Italy109 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2019 • Friends
If you want to see people either looking to be seen and unnaturally festooned to be trendy, or people looking to see these people, go. Our group bought from several vendors and while food looked appetizing none of us were happy and ate little. Market was not a natural place rather pretentious. Area is flat out dangerous with locals running around trying to get a tip, food, your phone. Not a cool place imo.
Written September 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ritu
Bangalore District, India341 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019 • Couples
When I visit a place for the first time, going to a local market is usually in the plan. And found the perfect place to blend with the culture, art and food...everything that South Africa is about! I visited around 10am and spent till noon here. There are a large number of shops selling apparels made by rural people and ethnic African dresses. Found them to be on the expensive side. But what's worth the money are the arts and crafts, from woodwork to Canvas painting to goodies with animal prints.. Unlimited choice. Also great gift items like beaded jewelleries, fridge magnets, a riot of colours in the scarves and bags, etc. There was a stage with live performance, though not local music. And then starts the food stalls... There's everything from mushrooms to ostrich to mussels and seafood, there's Ethiopian and indian and traditional shakshuka! And desserts!! In my opinion, if you have a couple of hours, must do before you head out to the more touristy places. What's more, there are large community tables where you get your food and chat with people from all over the world.
Written June 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eric C
Sydney, Australia76 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2019 • Couples
A great melting pot of young South Africans and the hopeful future of this country could be. As for the market. Food is great. Love the Durban Curry Deli, organic lemonade, great cake shop.
Written May 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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The Playground - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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