Fourways Farmers' Market — Attraction in Johannesburg Ward 91

We were about a group of 9 and a half people. Mixed ethnicity/ race, religion and age wise.

Depending on the size of your group, how much you want to eat or if you come across a store or two that you'd like to purchase from I'd say budget atleast R1000.

A vibe but not really. There's two sections to the market. The main side (R20 entry fee) is nice walking (super cute plant stores in the front and reasonably priced) in but then it gets like empty but overcrowded at the same time. There are seating spots that are on each ends of the market and on the side. The foods do and don't look appetizing depending on the day I guess, it was super hot when we went and we didn't enjoy it. Prices range from reasonable to absolutely insane for no quality and quality it's kinda weird. The food stalls somewhat seem hygienic and unhygienic at the same time. I'm not sure how to explain that but you'd have to experience it and see it to understand. There's a decent Paella place that seemed clean, there's also a dinky donuts or something like that that served somewhat decent food according to one of the people in our group that ordered from them. Most of the places selling drinks, shakes, ice cream are good and worth it. There's a dj but you can't hear them through the market only by the one seating area right at the end. Not much kids seen on this side of the market. Another thing to mention is that some stalls kind of like try and pull you in with a tasting and try and scam you to buy or give you a higher price especially when prices are not listed our group tested this out in different ways by means of caps and drinks. They'll have random prices listed but not specified per item. We also experienced irritated I guess servers perhaps because it was hot? We don't know however two members of our group went to test taste some nuts and wanted to buy some. For the one the lady just started dishing and when told to stop because the guy couldn't afford to spend more than R300 on nuts she scoffed, clicked her tongue angrily threw out some of the nuts and then kept on checking the weight she basically didn't want to go under R300 and kept on asking the guy is this fine at like R400, R350 eventually he just gave in at about R320 something. Similar situation with the other person a lady and her toddler (the half person) she specifically stated she wanted I think R50 or R100 because her toddler was snacking on a corn dog already (super oily and apparently not recommended). So it's really weird you could have good time or a weirdly in-between time.

Then there's the other section of the market - the "halaal" section. It has a separate entrance R10 (however if you went to the main market first entry to this entrance is free because you'll have a band or stamp) on entry you get a few stalls selling some miscellaneous items and then it's just food and drinks. Not a very big area, however super spaced out, not much of a seating area or shade. So be prepared to burn in the sun. People serving you are kind of friendly (they don't stare or hassle you to buy anything). Everything price wise also ranges from reasonable to expensive. We haven't experienced a let down food wise, however waiting time for food and the lines at some stores are insane! Definitely a lot more kids on this side than the other, but no play facilities were seen.

Some lovely nature to look at and bike or hike/running trails that I think are free. We saw a lot of mountain /general bikers (bicycles) families, individuals and kids. So the markets may be a good idea before or after that...

Johannesburg is the capital city of Gauteng and is the springboard for millions of international tourists every year to explore South Africa. It is the epicentre of commerce and business, and is constantly abuzz with things to do and see.

Immerse yourself in the most beautiful outdoor market in Johannesburg. Located on the original Fourways @fourwaysfarmersmarket Farmstead, you’ll enter under our pine tree canopy, down the flower-lined path and through to our haybale picnic lawn. A wooden signpost greets you where the only decision you’ll be forced to make is “Coffee to the right?” or “Eats to the left?” Saunter past the bees buzzing in the rose and lavender garden and you’ll enter our vibrant market aisles. Deliciousness awaits! This market is designed to expose visitors to fresh, local foodstuffs with plenty of innovative twists and tweaks. Situated within the serene scenes of a nursery, this market is all about celebrating the wonderful flavours and, often, the health benefits of artisanal goods, without ever relying on imported or mass produced items and brands.

You have a lot of cross cultural people and diverse group of visitors; ranging from students enjoying a cold beer and families languishing on hay bales on the lawn to food critics searching for the best quality ingredients and those with dietary requirements turning to speciality stalls in this market, i like to see it as home away from home as you can get to eat local food from diferrent clans, nations and communities. You have signages at every point telling you what awaits you! The vendors are very professional yet friendly. I got to try lots of cuisines but I couldn't have enough of the different cakes I ate and I also had soul food. A perfect place for a great and hangout spot with friends and family.

Some of the produce you can get ranges from; organic cheeses, artisanal breads, a range of homemade preserves and sauces, Mauritian pâtés, smoothies, superfoods, organic coffee and tea, seasonal fruit, deli meats, raw honey, propolis products, fresh flowers, organic beauty products, organic cleaning products, pet treats, arts and crafts, fresh coconuts and coconut products, biscuits and rusks, homemade ice-creams and frozen yoghurts, and a range of bake goods. Craft beers are also on offer, as is wine, which is especially popular as South Africa is one of the world’s top wine-making regions. There are also plenty of things for little ones to see and do.

This market is quieter and less bustling than many others; providing a comfortable, relaxed ambience in which to shop and browse local produce.

If you are looking for a shopping experience other than walking around a shopping mall, then be sure to head down to the Fourways Farmers Marketevery Sunday! This outdoor market has something for everyone to make it the perfect fun-filled day out with the family.

There are about 50 stalls for you to browse and shop through, stocked with a selection of produce and products from fresh organically grown vegetables to loads of tempting baked goods. In between shopping you can picnic under the beautiful Jacaranda trees or the Maypole Ribbon Marquee while the kids play. There is no better way to relax on a lazy Sunday afternoon than a lazy Sunday afternoon than at this family friendly country market.

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We visited this market on a Saturday afternoon with 2 kids aged 5, after walking the Taroko trail. We did not have to pay entry due to us having walked the trail.

I would not recommend that families, those with kids or the elderly visit this Market after 4pm, as the extremely large bar area attracts the wrong kind of crowd. The market was noisy and loud, crowded, dirty and just chaotic. This is not a venue for families with small kids in the late afternoon because there is no safe area, large enough to ensure that children can be safely monitored whilst at play. A number of the patrons were drunk and at one point a man accosted us wanting to spray our shoes with some liquid. Our group felt harassed by this behaviour and decided to leave at this point. I suggest that the bar area be removed from the market altogether as having our kids witness drunk, intoxicated patrons is not our idea of a good time out.

There are more stalls selling alcohol here, than fruit juices, water or cool drinks. We found no place to sit and having walked the trail for close to 3 hours, this is all we wanted to do.

The music is obnoxiously loud and it would be more welcoming if it were turned off or even down.

The queue to the bathrooms was also ridiculously long, however thw bathrooms themselves are maintained well.

The Fourways Farmers Market is not the same as what it was at the previous location. Long time patrons of the market should not expect...