Curated by your host · Wynand

Menlo Park &
Pretoria Guide

Everything worth knowing about the neighbourhood — the best restaurants, cafés, bars and things to do, handpicked from 9 years of living and hosting in Menlo Park.

🍽 Restaurants ☕ Cafés 🍷 Bars & Sundowners 🗺 Things to Do 💡 Local Tips
Places to Eat

The best restaurants
on your doorstep

All within walking distance or a short drive from your apartment. Hazelwood Village has an outstanding concentration of great restaurants for such a small area.

SMOKE Pretoria
★ 4.7
16 Firwood Ave, Hazelwood · 5 min walk
One of Hazelwood's most celebrated restaurants — exceptional cocktails, outstanding food and a buzzing atmosphere. The deboned chicken is a standout. Book ahead on weekends, it fills up fast.
Tue–Thu: 12:00–23:30 · Fri: 11:00–23:30 · Sat: 09:00–23:30 · Sun: 09:00–22:00 · Mon: Closed
DinnerCocktailsBook Ahead
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Upper East Side
★ 4.7
27 Maroelana St, Hazelwood · 5 min walk
Generous portions, excellent atmosphere and live music on Sundays. The lamb shank is legendary and the blackcurrant bubbly cocktail is a 10/10. Great for a long, relaxed lunch or dinner.
Mon–Sat: 11:00–22:00 · Sun: 11:00–20:00
LunchDinnerLive Music Sun
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Doppio Zero Hazelwood
★ 4.7
24 Oaktree Ave, Hazelwood · 5 min walk
A Pretoria institution. Perfect for breakfast, brunch or a relaxed lunch. Great pasta, pizza and salads in a warm, buzzy setting. One of the most consistently excellent spots in Hazelwood.
Mon–Sun: 07:00–21:00 (Fri–Sat until 22:30)
BreakfastBrunchItalian
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Fireroom Hazelwood
★ 4.3
Village Walk, 18 Oaktree Ave · 5 min walk
Sophisticated, upmarket and worth the occasion. Chic interior, superb steaks and a well-curated wine list. Perfect for a special evening — the Irish Sour cocktail is a must-try.
Mon–Sun: 11:30–22:00 (Fri–Sat until 23:00)
Fine DiningSteaksSpecial Occasion
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RAYA Hazelwood
★ 4.4
11 Hazelwood Rd, Hazelwood · 5 min walk
The closest you'll get to authentic Asian food in Pretoria. Outstanding ramen, sushi and bao buns with a vibrant, stylish setting. A firm local favourite — book ahead.
Mon–Sat: 11:30–21:00 · Sun: 11:30–17:00
AsianSushiRamen
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Kapstadt Brauhaus
★ 4.1
Greenlyn Village, Menlo Park · Walk
A relaxed neighbourhood restaurant with great outdoor seating and arguably the best chicken wings in Pretoria. Good for a casual dinner or Sunday afternoon. Live DJ on weekends.
Mon–Thu: 11:00–23:00 · Fri–Sat: 11:00–00:00 · Sun: 11:00–23:00
CasualOutdoorWeekend Vibes
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Cafés & Coffee

Morning coffee,
done right

Menlo Park has a surprisingly excellent coffee scene. These are the spots worth walking to from your apartment.

Ulu Café
★ 4.6
69 Thomas Edison St, Menlo Park · Short walk
A hidden gem with outstanding smoothie bowls, iced coffees and a beautifully relaxed outdoor setting. Perfect for a slow morning. The CANGGU smoothie bowl is exceptional and the fresh juice is some of the best in Pretoria.
Mon–Fri: 06:00–17:00 · Sat–Sun: 07:00–14:00
BreakfastSmoothie BowlsHealthy
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Hooked Coffee Co
★ 4.6
81 13th St, Menlo Park · Short walk
A favourite with locals for consistently excellent coffee. Friendly staff, clean space and one of the earliest opening times in the area — ideal if you have an early start or morning meeting.
Mon–Fri: 06:00–18:00 · Sat–Sun: 06:00–15:00
Specialty CoffeeEarly Open
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Crave & Co
★ 5.0
77 Thomas Edison St, Menlo Park · Short walk
A newer addition to the neighbourhood with an exceptional atmosphere, homemade produce and a warm, welcoming team. Wonderful for a birthday breakfast or a relaxed morning with friends.
Check Google for current hours
HomemadeBreakfastNeighbourhood Gem
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The Village
★ 4.7
16th St, Hazelwood · 5 min walk
A food court concept unlike anything else in Pretoria — multiple vendors, great energy and a unique atmosphere that feels completely different from the rest of the city. A must-visit on weekends.
Weekends are best — check their social media for current times
Food CourtWeekend VibeMultiple Options
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Bars & Sundowners

Evening drinks,
the best spots

Hazelwood Village and Menlo Park have a great bar scene within walking distance. Here are the standouts for evening drinks and sundowners.

The Goat & Co.
★ 4.8
16th St, Hazelwood · 5 min walk
One of Pretoria's best bars — a cool, intimate space with an excellent cocktail menu, great music and a dog-friendly policy. You can bring food in from a nearby restaurant. Lively but not overcrowded. A genuine local favourite.
Tue–Sun: 10:00–00:00 · Mon: Closed
CocktailsDog FriendlyUnder 50 Crowd
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The View Rooftop Bar
★ 4.2
17 Dely Rd, Hazelwood · 5 min drive
A rooftop bar with a great view over Hazelwood. Perfect for sundowners on a clear evening. Bottomless mimosas, fresh sushi and a fun, social atmosphere. The stair challenge for a free drink is worth it.
Wed: 16:00–22:00 · Thu–Fri: 12:00–23:30 · Sat: 12:00–23:30 · Sun: 12:00–20:00 · Mon–Tue: Closed
RooftopSundownersSushi
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SMOKE Pretoria
★ 4.7
16 Firwood Ave, Hazelwood · 5 min walk
Also worth mentioning for cocktails specifically — SMOKE's bar programme is exceptional, and the cocktail menu rivals anything in Johannesburg. If you're a cocktail enthusiast, this is your spot.
Tue–Sun from 11:00 · Mon: Closed
CocktailsBar Dining
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Things to Do

Explore Pretoria
like a local

Pretoria is full of things to discover beyond the city centre. These are the experiences worth making time for.

🌿
Faerie Glen Nature Reserve
10 min drive
Pretoria's best-kept local secret. Easy walking and hiking trails with good birdlife and beautiful koppie views. Perfect for an early morning run or sunset walk. Free entry — just show up.
🦒
Rietvlei Nature Reserve
20 min drive
A proper game reserve within the city limits — white rhino, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, zebra and hundreds of bird species. One of Pretoria's most underrated attractions. Affordable entry and excellent birdlife.
🏛
Union Buildings & Gardens
15 min drive
Pretoria's most iconic landmark and one of Herbert Baker's finest works. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the amphitheatre views over the city are worth the short drive. Free to visit.
🐘
National Zoological Gardens
20 min drive
One of the largest zoos in the world by land area. A full day out with a wide variety of animals, clean facilities and well-maintained pathways. Good for families and interesting for adults too.
🌸
Pretoria Botanical Garden
15 min drive
Beautiful formal gardens with a waterfall and excellent bird diversity. A peaceful morning walk or picnic spot. The rose garden in summer is spectacular. Small entry fee applies.
💜
Jacaranda City Walk
October only
Pretoria earns its "Jacaranda City" title in October when the streets turn purple. Herbert Baker Street and the Union Buildings gardens are the best spots. One of the most beautiful natural spectacles in South Africa.
🛍
Menlyn Maine
5 min drive
One of Africa's largest mixed-use developments. World-class shopping, restaurants, a cinema and entertainment — all in one precinct. Worth an afternoon or evening if you need anything.
💥
Smash That
20 min drive
A rage room experience — put on protective gear and smash things. Genuinely excellent fun and a brilliant way to decompress. Book online in advance. Highly rated and unlike anything else in Pretoria.
❤️
Intiem Love Bridge
15 min drive
A romantic Pretoria tradition — attach a padlock to the bridge in Magnolia Dell and throw the key into the river below. The surrounding park is beautiful and Huckleberry's nearby is great for refreshments.
From Your Host

Wynand's local tips

Nine years of hosting in Menlo Park — here's what guests always wish they'd known earlier.

🚗
Getting Around
Uber and Bolt are both readily available in Menlo Park at all hours. Download both apps — they're the easiest way to get to dinner and back without worrying about parking or driving. Hazelwood Village itself is easily walkable from your apartment.
📅
Book Restaurants Ahead
SMOKE, Fireroom and Upper East Side get fully booked on Friday and Saturday evenings with sometimes just a few days' notice. If you're planning a special dinner, book as soon as you know the date — Dineplan.co.za is the easiest way to reserve online.
☀️
Best Time to Visit
Pretoria is beautiful year-round but October is exceptional — the Jacaranda trees transform the city into something truly unforgettable. Summer (Nov–Feb) brings afternoon thunderstorms that clear quickly, and winter days (May–Aug) are crisp and clear with brilliant sunshine.
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