An ode to food markets

Foxhound5366

Foxhound5366

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Who else only goes to markets for the food and ambience, and walks past all the stalls selling inedible items just to get to the mini-donuts stand? Good. This is for you.

Markets are not for social distancing. They’re for long queues at the most popular food stalls, changing your mind a hundred times over what you want to order while you wait, and then the childlike joy of getting handed a bowl or basket of something steamy and spicy and sweet and … hey you have to try this!

My new favourite market in Johannesburg is the night market at Ferndale on Republic, only once a month on the first Friday after payday.

This was last night:
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Do you have favourite markets, and photos to share?

A big thanks to the organisers of these festivals of happiness, and every entrepreneur who invested into bringing their vision to the market … our lives would be poorer without this oldest form of capitalism.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Who else only goes to markets for the food and ambience, and walks past all the stalls selling inedible items just to get to the mini-donuts stand? Good. This is for you.

Markets are not for social distancing. They’re for long queues at the most popular food stalls, changing your mind a hundred times over what you want to order while you wait, and then the childlike joy of getting handed a bowl or basket of something steamy and spicy and sweet and … hey you have to try this!

My new favourite market in Johannesburg is the night market at Ferndale on Republic, only once a month on the first Friday after payday.

This was last night:
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Do you have favourite markets, and photos to share?

A big thanks to the organisers of these festivals of happiness, and every entrepreneur who invested into bringing their vision to the market … our lives would be poorer without this oldest form of capitalism.
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Yeah been twice so far. Kids love it cause they get food stall spoils. I love it for the beer on tap. Wife's bought one or two things from the stalls. It's a nice hour or two to unwind.
 
Ours still pale in comparison to the foreign ones... even those in small town. Although Oranjazichts in the Cape is quite nice

My all time favourite

Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse​

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Top tip for anybody in Gauteng who got a craving for a market … my second-favourite market is open TODAY in Centurion: https://www.irenemarket.co.za/

It’s a gorgeous ambience sitting under trees and with all kinds of food smells washing over the common area while musicians play and people walk their dogs.

NB: you’ll need some cash for the parking so make sure you stop by an ATM.
 
Snyper564 said:
Ours still pale in comparison to the foreign ones... even those in small town. Although Oranjazichts in the Cape is quite nice

My all time favourite

Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse​

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My man, not quite the same idea (open air food markets), but looks like it’s up there with London’s Borough Market: https://boroughmarket.org.uk/

If I had to go back to London that’s the first place I’m going, never mind Tower of London.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
My man, not quite the same idea (open air food markets), but looks like it’s up there with London’s Borough Market: https://boroughmarket.org.uk/

If I had to go back to London that’s the first place I’m going, never mind Tower of London.
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I guess in the Pretoria area Hazelfood market is pretty good, Irene you mentioned and the Boeremark likely top 3 this side.
 
Yeah been to the boeremark but damn; coming from joburg it's an early trek
 
Foxhound5366 said:
Pretoria Boeremark is a whole vibe. Only snag is you gotta get up at 05:30 on a Saturday to be there as the sun comes up for the best experience:
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abudabi said:
Yeah been to the boeremark but damn; coming from joburg it's an early trek
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WTF? What goes on there at 5:30? May as well just stay there all night at that point.
 
Snyper564 said:
No complaining you guys have enough things in JHB too! ;p
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Shout-out Field Market (same organisers as the night market in my post) and Fourways Market (not in Fourways anymore) ;P Didn’t take photos at either so definitely Tier B in my rating, but still good food to be had.
 
Just back from the boeremark in PTA. We go for well priced veggies, meat, eggs, honey etc.
But Irene Market is great for a coffee and food of some sort with live music.

Although, Bus Stop 7 is our family favourite.
 
3WA said:
WTF? What goes on there at 5:30? May as well just stay there all night at that point.
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Well it literally has a lot of farmers. By around 08:30 most of the market starts wrapping up, and by 09:30 it’s closed. They pack out meat and veg with no refrigeration so I think the theory is it will spoil if they stay later. But apparently you can get there at 04:00 if you want to have fun with the farmers setting up (never tried that myself). But that super-early start does contribute to the ambience for sure!
 
Keegan89 said:
Just back from the boeremark in PTA. We go for well priced veggies, meat, eggs, honey etc.
But Irene Market is great for a coffee and food of some sort with live music.

Although, Bus Stop 7 is our family favourite.
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I’ve heard a lot of good things about Bus Stop 7, but never been. Now that I’m in Jozi it will need to be pretty damn special to encourage me to drive there.
 
Foxhound5366 said:
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Bus Stop 7, but never been. Now that I’m in Jozi it will need to be pretty damn special to encourage me to drive there.
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Been there a few times. Worth that drive. Nah don't think so
 
Maybe a hack to go from Jozi side. Has live music, animal (bunnies, goats, pigs) feeding for the kids, our boy loves it. Small entry fee which some dislike, but this creates a well looked after market and some pretty decent live artists that perform.
Great gin stall there as well.
 
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