Fordsburg Saturday Special
This is not a standard food tour, and it’s not a traditional history walk. It’s a layered journey through one of Johannesburg’s most complex and flavour-packed neighbourhoods — where every stop tells a different part of the city’s story.
We start at 59 Lilian Road (parking available)
From here, we step straight into the heart of Fordsburg.
Our first stop is Shalimar Delights, where the journey begins with traditional Indian sweetmeats — rich, nostalgic confections that immediately set the tone for the cultural depth of the area.
Next door, we visit Delight Spice Shop, where the air is thick with the scents that built entire communities. This is where trade, migration and food culture meet in a single space.
We then head to Archie’s, a true old-school Joburg dive bar. Cold beers, simple snacks, and a glimpse into the everyday social life of the neighbourhood that most visitors never get to see.
From there, we move deeper into the story of Fordsburg — how food, trade and migration shaped Johannesburg during the mining boom, and how this small pocket of the city became a hub of survival, adaptation and enterprise.
At the iconic Oriental Plaza, we unpack a powerful chapter of Johannesburg’s history: apartheid-era forced removals, and how displaced traders rebuilt their lives to create one of the city’s most enduring commercial centres. We also swing by Harry's authentic bunny chow!
We continue to the historic Hamidia Masjid, one of Johannesburg’s oldest mosques, where we explore the lesser-known story of Mahatma Gandhi’s time in South Africa and the origins of passive resistance movements on the Rand.
From here, the tour shifts from history into full sensory experience.
We stop at the legendary Kentucky Milk Bar, a Johannesburg institution frozen in time — a reminder of the city’s evolving but deeply rooted food culture.
Then we enter the market heart of Fordsburg, where the streets become the kitchen.
Here you’ll find samosas, spring rolls, rotis, pies, grilled meats and freshly prepared snacks from across multiple cultures, all within a single block.
We continue to Syrian Rose and House of Baklava, where Middle Eastern sweets and flavours tell another layer of the neighbourhood’s immigrant story.
At Dosa Hut, we explore the bold flavours of South Indian cuisine, including freshly made dosas and takeaway favourites that locals swear by.
Finally, we end at The Juice Den, where freshly squeezed juices bring a refreshing close to a rich and immersive walk through one of Johannesburg’s most diverse food landscapes.
By the end of the experience, you won’t just have tasted Fordsburg — you’ll understand how it was built, who built it, and why it remains one of the most important cultural crossroads in Johannesburg.
🚶 This is a walking tour
⏰ Start: 11:00
📍 Start point: 59 Lilian Road (parking available)
📞 Bookings & enquiries: Janet – 083 206 2262
R300 per person (guided walk) exc. food & drink
Bring comfortable shoes and an empty stomach — you’ll need both.
25 July 2026
lAll bookings are subject to our cancellation and liability policy. Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled tour time. While refunds are not provided, guests may request to transfer their booking to an alternative date, subject to availability and existing bookings. Failure to arrive for a scheduled tour (no-show) will result in forfeiture of the full booking amount. By confirming this booking, guests acknowledge that they participate in the tour at their own risk, and the operator accepts no liability for any loss, injury, damage, or delay arising from participation, except where required by law