If you’re visiting Johannesburg, you’ll want to go shopping at the greatest stores. Looking for the top shopping centres in town? I’ve hand-picked the top shopping malls in Johannesburg so you can relax and enjoy your city trip in one of Africa’s most beautiful cities.
Johannesburg, as one of Africa’s most visited cities, is an ideal shopping and fashion destination. Johannesburg is one of Africa’s top shopping destinations, with designer stores, secondhand stores, malls, and outlets providing pure shopping experiences for locals and tourists alike. Every month, new shops open their doors. If you’ve already booked a flight to Johannesburg, bring an empty suitcase and look about the city for some interesting shopping opportunities.
In this article, Mrpocu.com will list top shopping malls in Johannesburg you should consider visiting during your trip.
Malls In Johannesburg
Mall of Africa
This mall hasn’t been around as long as the others (it opened in 2016), but it has quickly established itself as one of the city’s top shopping attractions. The Mall of Africa is the country’s largest single-phase shopping mall, with over 130 000m2 of retail space and over 300 businesses, many of which are flagship stores. When visiting this retail hub, one of the aspects that sticks out is how easy it is to navigate through the centre thanks to its distinct court areas – Food Court, Town Square, Woolworths Court, Crystal Court, and Edgars Court. From Ted Baker, Replay Jeans, Nando’s, Hoops by Shesha, and Pringle of Scotland to Versace, Starbucks, Bobbi Brown, Carrol Boyes, and Cipria, there’s something for everyone.
Mall of Africa will also increase its shopping hours from the first weekend of January 2022. Monday through Sunday, as well as on holidays, the new extended hours are 09:00 – 20:00. That means you’ll have more time to shop for whatever you need while also taking advantage of the fascinating retail experience this world-class mall has to offer.
Sandton City Shopping Centre
This one is self-evident! If you’re seeking for a world-class shopping experience like no other, head to Sandton City Shopping Centre. There’s something for everyone, from international and exclusive brands on the Diamond Walk for the fashionista to Hamley’s delights for the little ones (sliding into the store is only the beginning! ), to some of the best coffee, sweet treats, and food in the city (think Krispy Kreme, Starbuck, Belle’s Patisserie, JB’s Corner, Walnut Grove, and the list goes on). And, best of all, they regularly offer entertaining and exciting activations around the mall, making it ideal for the entire family. The mall is one of the biggest malls in Johannesburg.
Eastgate Shopping Centre
Fashion, food, family, and fun are the four Fs at Eastgate Shopping Centre. This mall has undergone some renovations and is now bigger and better than before. Eastgate has a lot in store, no pun intended, because they focus on providing a fun day out for the whole family. There are a plethora of stores to explore and enjoy, as well as a plethora of eateries to keep you fueled for your shopping binge. If you need to relax and put your feet up for a little, the spectacular IMAX Theatre is a fantastic spot to do so while watching one of the recent blockbusters.
Cresta Shopping Centre
If you’re in Randburg and want to enjoy an all-encompassing shopping experience that includes fantastic entertainment, good cuisine, all of the latest fashions and technology under one roof, as well as family-friendly fun, make a point of visiting Cresta Shopping Centre. The complex has recently undergone an extensive renovation to create a three-level food and entertainment court that includes a game arcade, a Ster-Kinekor Cinema Prestige, and Gold Rush Bingo, as well as a variety of local and international eateries. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for the most up-to-date information on upcoming events and activations.
Nelson Mandela Square
Nelson Mandela Square is a landmark in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, as well as a shopping centre. The mall boasts a diverse range of shopping malls, including all of the usual retail suspects as well as a few surprises. A popular shopping destination in the city that provides tourists with the ideal photo opportunity with a large sculpture of Nelson Mandela. The square is one of the popular malls in Johannesburg.
Melrose Arch
Melrose Arch is the place to go if you want a truly unique shopping experience that avoids the usual “mall” vibe, prioritises social interaction, and exudes a bright youthful spirit. The mall’s design gives it a unique in-door/outdoor atmosphere, giving pedestrians priority. This means you’ll have all the time in the world to explore and buy as you stroll through cobblestone pathways, open-air cafés, restaurants, and a high-street shopping mix.
With residential apartments, award-winning restaurants like Mr George and cafés, a gym, two luxury hotels, boutique retail with a mix of local and international stores, an events venue, nearby art galleries, hot and trendy nightspots like the Kilimanjaro, and commercial spaces, it is the perfect mix of shop, play, live, and work.
Fourways Mall
This award-winning newly renovated mall in Sandton, home to 400 stores and officially the largest mall in Southern Africa at 178,000 square metres, offers a convenient shopping experience where you will be surrounded by major attractions such as Montecasino, a premier entertainment destination with international theatre productions, dinning, hotels, casino, the Montecasino Bird Gardens, and so much more, as well as Fourways Crossing, a chic lifestylish lifestyle destination.
The mall’s attractive and eye-catching ceilings, large corridors, and colourful and modern storefronts give it a first-class and magical shopping experience for shoppers, making it one of Johannesburg’s greatest malls. It boasts a new football-sized market square in the mall’s centre, which hosts events, product launches, and activities. It’s also the finest site to view the architectural design’s stunning beauty.
Northgate Shopping Centre
The Northgate shopping centre is conveniently positioned in North Riding, Randburg, near the N1 freeway, making it accessible from all directions. It’s your one-stop shop for everything and gives you a taste of classic South African shopping. The mall offers free parking and is extremely popular, with a high volume of visitors. Walking around the mall can be exhausting at 90,000 square metres with so many shops to choose from, but don’t worry, there are plenty of places to relax and refuel. The food court and the indoor play area are two of these venues where you can enjoy a refreshing meal from one of the many food outlets while the kids burn off some of their pent-up energy on the play area.
Mall of the South
Mall of the South is a far cry from the glitz and glam of Johannesburg’s north and north-west malls. But don’t let its location deceive you; it’s in Aspen Hills, one of Johannesburg’s most affluent neighbourhoods, and it’s close to Gold Reef City, a popular theme park, and the Kliprivier Municipal Nature Reserve.
This 72,000-square-foot mall has over 160 stores, free Wi-Fi, and is easily accessible from major highways. The mall’s design is attractive to the eye, with amenities like as fountains and indoor vegetation creating a relaxing retail environment. This mall is ideal for the shopper who wants no significant interruptions or traffic and simply wants to enjoy the experience. It has plenty of parking and a diverse range of coffee shops and interesting restaurants, such as Life Grand Cafe.
Southgate Mall, which offers a more typical retail experience, also gets an honourable mention. The mall, along with the neighbouring convenience market, the Southgate Value Market, is located near the well-known SOWETO Township and boasts a very wide line of retailers. If you find yourself in the south of Johannesburg, you will not be disappointed.
Clearwater Mall
Clearwater Mall, located in Roodepoort, is a one-stop shop. This three-legged triangle shaped mall offers a comfortable food section with an outdoor environment, with 221 businesses, 26 dining facilities, and over 5,200 parking places. The retractable roof may open and close depending on the weather, and the centre piazza has a glass ceiling that provides an uninterrupted view of the sky.
The mall, which dominates as the entertainment centre of the North-West suburbs, is home to the Nu Metro 3D theatre, an indoor go-karting race track in the basement, and two large jungle gyms for the kids to play on. The mall is one of the instagrammable malls in Johannesburg.
Its upscale restaurants, such as Rare Steakhouse and Café Rousse, provide a one-of-a-kind dining experience, with a retractable roof and lush foliage around the area providing a blend of indoor/outdoor relaxation. If you just want a quick bite to eat as you stroll, there are plenty of fast food options.
Cradlestone Mall
The Cradlestone Mall in Mogale City is also located on the Westrand. The outside architectural design of Cradlestone is its wow factor. The mall is near the R28 highway and the Pinehaven Interchange, and is named by its proximity to the World Heritage Site. The Silverstar Casino is a kilometre distant, while the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens is 3 kilometres away.
The 76,000 square metre mall features 160 high-end stores and 4,300 parking spaces, all of which are free. This mall offers a unique shopping experience. The environment is lively, with retailers such as Animal Junxion, Dealz, Oriental Express, Value Co., and Store & More presenting a distinct and rare mix of retail establishments.
The mall has a unique style and a formidable line-up of top retail establishments and brands, which gives it a refreshing allure. Doppio Zero, for example, offers affordable Italian cuisine starting at R44 for a medium wood-fired pizza. The mall is rarely crowded, so if you want to shop in a cutting-edge facility while avoiding gridlock, this is the place to go.
Dragon City
Dragon City is a wholesale mall that specialises in Chinese products. Is for individuals looking for simple elegance, with a wide range of contemporary products and general merchandise, including trendy clothing and accessories, electronic hardware, home building supplies, electrical appliances, and more.
Hyde Park Corner
Hyde Park Corner, one of Johannesburg’s many shopping malls, provides clients with a real South African experience, from food and snacks to apparel and home items. Hyde Park Corner has a well-deserved reputation in South Africa, with over 500 of the world’s most prestigious worldwide brands and 130 renowned specialty stores.
Bedford Centre
Bedford is one of Johannesburg’s best fashion and shopping destinations, proudly standing in the heart of Bedfordview. Bedford Centre is the place to go for shoppers and fashionistas who appreciate exploring luxury brands, with over 170 elegant stores and various tasty cafes. Two immaculate cinemas, a complete banking court, and an entertainment area are also available at the mall. You must be here to experience the unrivalled ambiance of one of Johannesburg’s most sought-after lifestyle hotspots.
Oriental Plaza
At Oriental Plaza, there are usually great bargains to be had. The Oriental Plaza is located on the outskirts of Johannesburg’s central business district. It is one of the top shopping locations in Johannesburg because of its unique open-air environment and non-fixed prices. People from Gauteng province and adjacent areas, as well as visitors from all around Africa, flock to the mall. Oriental Plaza is proud of its mall’s prices, which are 30 to 40% lower than elsewhere, including branded brands. This is the place to go if you enjoy negotiating and bartering for a good deal.