Melville

With some of the best bars and restaurants in town, Melville basically caters to the student population of Johannesburg and exudes this funky, hipster vibe. This western suburb is located around the two main universities of the city (University of Johannesburg and University of the Witwatersrand) and has an excellent conservation park to boast of in the form of Melville Koppies Nature Reserve. The glutton in you could go for an elaborate meal at the Great Eastern Food Bar, Lucky Bean or even the extremely fancy Hell’s Kitchen which surprisingly has nothing to do with Gordon Ramsay. You can dance the night away at Roxy’s Rhythm Bar and head over to Catz Pyjamas for an after-party snack. In terms of shopping, there is this interesting mall called 27 Boxes, which is made entirely out of shipping containers. Budget hotels can be found in plenty and the most popular names include Mi Pi Chi, Saffron and Melville Manor.
Melville will make you feel young and alive. After all, it is the refuge of artists and poets. What was once a 19th century old-fashioned district, Melville has morphed into a bohemian cluster with tattoo parlours, minimalist cafes and quirky book stores. Unlike popular perception, this neighbourhood is very safe and is perfect for those travelling on a shoestring budget.