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Drink with a View: Top Rooftop Restaurants in Johannesburg
Rooftop restaurants offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience! It brings together two of the best things you can ever do while on vacation in a foreign country—feast on delicious local cuisine and enjoy a great view of the area.
Fortunately, there are several options for you to choose from in Johannesburg. From gorging on sumptuous dishes to drinking the night away, here are the top rooftop restaurants in the city for you to check out!
1. The Living Room
Website: https://www.livingroomjozi.co.za/
Contact number: +27 82 370 9284
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday, 12:00 NN to 8:00 PM
- Friday, 12:00 NN to 9:00 PM
- Saturday, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday, 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Described as an urban oasis, the Living Room is a great venue to enjoy a garden-like experience and a fantastic 360-degree view of the city. The restaurant itself is filled with lush greenery at every corner and comfy minimalist furniture.
Aside from its amazing views, this establishment also serves delectable snacks. Try their hot drinks (coffee and tea) for a relaxing afternoon or go for their salads and tapas combined with their cocktails or signature mixers if you want to have a great time!
| Pro Tip: Check out the restaurant’s monthly calendar via their website. They have days that are blocked off for private events, and they have specific days when they are open (as a cafe) to the public. |
2. Elevate
Address: 58 Anderson St, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
Website: www.elevatevenue.co.za
Contact number: +27 (0) 11 689 1000
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 3:00 PM to 12:00 MN
Elevate is a trendy rooftop venue that will literally elevate your senses. With the amazing cityscape views and the elegant fixtures and furniture of this rooftop bar, we can’t blame you if you fall in love with this place while partying it up with your friends!
What we really like about this venue is that the bar is located near the edge of the roof, which means that as you’re ordering your drinks, you get a spectacular view of Johannesburg’s city lights. You can order a martini as you groove to the beat of the DJ!
| Pro Tip: Aside from its regular operating hours, the bar sometimes extends its operations for special events (e.g. Real Men Wear Pink). You can check their social media for any events you may want to attend. |
3. Marble Restaurant
Address: Trumpet on Keyes Corner 19 Keyes, Jellicoe Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
Contact number: +27 10 594 5550
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 12:00 NN to 10:00 PM
Marble Restaurant adds a unique twist to rooftop venues. Aside from the great city views, you also get to enjoy a rustic fine dining experience.
The fixtures, tables, and chairs are all made of solid wood giving the restaurant an elegant feel that you’ll love.
The wide glass windows provide a glimpse of the Johannesburg countryside, which is just breathtaking. Aside from this gorgeous view, you can feast on their sirloin steaks and grilled chicken or snack on something light with their bar menu offers!
| Pro Tip: Their bar lounge features traditional snacks (e.g., beef slider, pork sliders, and chicken wings) that perfectly pair with their drinks. We recommend that you try something local like their biltong (cured meat) bowl. |
4. Sir James Van Der Merwe
Address: 6 Desmond Rd, Kramerville, Johannesburg, 2090, South Africa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SirJamesvanderMerwe/
Contact number: +27 72 607 4235
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday, 12:00 NN to 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM to 12:00 MN
- Closed from Thursday to Tuesday
Sir James Van Der Merwe isn’t just a great rooftop restaurant with a breathtaking view. It’s a venue with a bohemian and eclectic feel thanks to the interesting trinkets and decor scattered around (purportedly coming from the collection of Sir James himself).
The restaurant is filled with wooden and leather accents and various indoor plants adding a glimpse of Mother Nature across the interior. This is certainly one of the best venues for you to enjoy foreign beers and wines along with bar snacks.
| Pro Tip: The highlight of this bar is their bar nights held every Wednesday evening. During these dates, the bar features good music for you to dance to, amazing drinks (buy 1, get 1 free), and delicious finger foods! |
5. The Island Bar
Address: Southern Sun Hyde Park Sandton, 1st Road, Hyde Park, Sandton, 2196, South Africa
Contact number: +27 11 341 8080
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM
The Island Bar is a tantalising combination of the post-modern and the traditional. On the one hand, the straight minimalistic designs exude a post-modern vibe while its plush leather chairs and solid wooden tables give off a traditional speakeasy feel.
Plus, there’s a deck pool with loungers where you can sit as you watch the sun go down on that beautiful Johannesburg suburban area. Take in the sights as you sip on their signature cocktails and drinks (such as Gintonica) as you party the night away.
| Pro Tip: We strongly recommend ordering their small plates to sample the different bar food options they have here. Some of their best sellers include chicken wings and pork ribs. |
6. San Deck
Address: Sandton Sun Hotel Corner Fifth Street and, Alice Ln, Sandhurst, Sandton, 2196, South Africa
Distance from JO: 1 hour and 8 minutes
Website: https://www.southernsun.com/sandton-sun-hotel/dining/san-deck
Contact number: +27 11 780 5000
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 12:00 NN to 11:00 PM
Located in the middle of the city, the San Deck is a visual treat for anyone who will visit! Aside from the fantastic city skyline view, the restaurant also features an impressive show kitchen where you can watch their chefs work their magic.
Pay close attention to the ingredients and spices they use, as they don’t just prepare local South African fare but also do it using fresh ingredients and locally sourced meats. You can enjoy these traditional food items with their beers, wines, and mixers!
| Pro Tip: Before you order a meal at the San Deck, make sure that you check their portion sizes first. Most of their menu items come in large portions, and one serving may be more than enough for you and your companion. |
7. E|Bar
Address: Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, Impala Rd, Kibler Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecobarsa/
Contact number: +27 11 959 0777
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday, 12:00 NN to 8:00 PM
- Friday, 12:00 NN to 9:00 PM
- Saturday, 12:00 NN to 10:00 PM
- Sunday, 12:00 NN to 6:00 PM
- Closed on Monday and Tuesday
E|Bar, located at Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, is one of the best rooftop restaurants in Johannesburg you can visit to appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature up close.
You can take in the view of the lush woods on one side and the majestic mountainside on the other!
The restaurant has comfortable sofas —ideal for friends who just want to hang out or couples keen on enjoying a romantic time together. Plus, you can do all of these while enjoying their drinks and snacks (e.g., chicken wings and burgers)!
| Pro Tip: This venue is highly sought after especially for private functions and events. As such, we recommend that you check their social media to see if they are closed during certain dates for these private parties. |
8. Copper Bar
Address: Corner Main Office Park, 2 Payne Rd, Bryanston, Sandton, 2191, South Africa
Distance from JO: 1 hour and 26 minutes
Website: http://copperbar.co.za/
Contact number: +27 71 516 4846
Operating Hours:
- Thursday and Friday, 4:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Most rooftop restaurants may be popular thanks to their elegant set-up or impressive interiors, but the Copper Bar in Bryanston decided to go for something that will make you feel at home. They did this by using classic-looking bar tables and chairs.
Take in the fantastic views of Bryanston (wooded areas and mountainsides) as you sip cocktails and other drinks! These include gin mixers, beer, and champagne, which are awesome paired with their chicken and beef burgers and Asian bao buns.
| Pro Tip: To find out which events or parties you can join or attend at the Copper Bar, visit their upcoming events page. For example, they have themed parties depending on the season (e.g., Christmas, Valentine’s, and New Year). |
9. Alto234
Address: 75 Maude St, Sandown, Sandton, 2031, South Africa
Distance from JO: 16 minutes
Website: https://www.alto234.co.za/
Contact number: +27 87 536 0051
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday, 12:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Alto234 is a rooftop bar you shouldn’t miss when visiting Sandton. It has an impressive height standing at 234 metres.
Plus, it offers fantastic views during different times of the day such as beautiful mountain ranges in the morning and monuments in the evening (due to their lighting).
The overall design of the restaurant gives an urban appeal, combining sleek wooden furniture, glass sidings, and minimalistic steel frames.
You can also order wines, champagnes, whiskeys, gin, vodkas, and cocktails. We highly recommend ordering their more unique mixers such as the slightly spicy Pepper Poppin’ and the refreshing Gin Bull!
| Pro Tip: While the food and drinks here are charged on a per-order basis, there’s a ZAR 350 cover charge. Aside from gaining entrance, you also get a complimentary glass of champagne or sparkling of your choice. |
10. Flames Restaurant
Address: 67 Jan Smuts Ave, Westcliff, Randburg, 2132, South Africa
Contact number: +27 11 481 6000
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday, 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM and 12:00 NN to 9:00 PM
- Sunday, 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM and 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
If you’re looking for someplace with a royal vibe, then Flames Restaurant is the place to be. The restaurant is located on the side of a cliff with beautiful and unobstructed views of the surrounding countryside and the beautiful rural feel of Randburg.
The interiors are elegant as well, and each corner of this establishment is designed to give you maximum comfort as you enjoy the menu items on offer. Some of their signature dishes include salmon ceviche and the always-in-demand Wagyu fillet.
| Pro Tip: If you’re vegan, then check out their vegan menu. We liked their green salad and their grilled tofu, but we highly recommend that you check out their vegan pizza! |
