The 12 best date ideas in Johannesburg

Sin + Tax in Rosebank remains one of Johannesburg’s most intimate and carefully considered cocktail bars. Accessed via a discreet alley off Bolton Road, the space is low-lit and deliberately understated, designed to have you focus on each other rather than be distracted by the surroundings.

The cocktail menu moves away from the regular stuff and favours proper mixology, aiming for the perfect balance of flavours in each sip. If you want to stray from your usual mojito but don’t know where to start, bartenders are happy to guide without dominating the experience.

If you want even more brownie points with your favourite person, try out Nine Lives. It’s one of the newest additions to Joburg’s cocktail scene, a speakeasy-styled bar hidden between the fourth and fifth floors of HYDE hotel in Rosebank.

Expect moody lighting, polished brass interiors, touches of dark green velvet, and a glowing floor-to-ceiling bar packed with every type of whiskey imaginable. Pair it with their clean, grown-up ‘supper club’ menu, and you have a memorable night guaranteed.

Going out to eat is great, but doing something together can make a date feel genuinely memorable. At The Cookery in Craighall Park, couples can take part in social cooking classes - but not in the boring classroom sense. Think of them as more like a fun, interactive event.

The space was founded by long-time Jozi chef Paul Maciel, known locally as The Secret Jozi Chef. It’s set up so that participants work through themed menus together, from Mediterranean feasts to tacos and tequila evenings, with wine and instruction woven through the experience.

Reviews consistently highlight the fun, lively atmosphere and expert guidance, noting that even inexperienced cooks walk away with dishes they’re proud to share and stories to tell.

This kind of collaborative date is less about perfection (so yes, that means you can leave the competitive spirit at home) and more about shared effort, and a great meal at the end.

Address: 345 Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall

Located on a quiet residential street in Parktown North, Glory has built a reputation (if you’re in the know, that is!) as one of Johannesburg’s most distinctive dining experiences.

There’s no obvious sign above the door, and guests are encouraged to WhatsApp the restaurant to receive the current set menu and book a table, making it feel like an insider’s secret rather than a traditional eat-and-leave venue.

The restaurant is the creative project of chef Nick Scott and stylist/designer Caroline Olavarrieta, who transformed the space with bamboo, greenery, fairy lights, and curated, intimate styling that makes it feel both warm and special.

Dinner is served as a six-course set menu based on Southeast Asian-inspired flavours and seasonal ingredients, and limited seating ensures the evening is slow and intimate. It’s perfect for couples who want a date that feels thoughtful, immersive, and a little bit unusual.

Address: 17 4th Ave, Parktown North

Tucked into the surrounds of 44 Stanley, The Bioscope has quietly cemented itself as one of Johannesburg’s best low-key date spots. Its programme leans heavily toward independent films, documentaries, cult classics, and themed screenings, which immediately gives you something to talk about before and after the movie.

The space itself is intimate without feeling cramped, and far removed from the noise and distraction of a mall cinema. Add to that the on-site pizza, wine, and local beer, and it’s easy to turn a film into a whole evening rather than a quick in-and-out.

It’s especially good for early dates, where you want to impress but still have plenty to talk about.

One of Johannesburg’s most unexpectedly romantic venues sits right on the Wits campus. Reopened in 2025 after an extensive upgrade, the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome has transformed the old planetarium into a state-of-the-art immersive space, with 360-degree projections and live night-sky presentations.

Friday evening shows are particularly well-suited to date night: you’re sharing something quietly awe-inspiring, without the pressure to perform or fill every silence.

It’s different enough to feel special, but relaxed enough that it doesn’t tip into “over planned”. A coffee or drink nearby afterwards rounds it off perfectly.

Address: East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein

Korean barbecue might be known as a group favourite, but that’s exactly what makes it such a good date option when you want something relaxed and interactive.

Cooking together at the table breaks the ice naturally, and the steady arrival of banchan keeps things moving without the formality of a traditional three-course meal.

The undisputed kings of Korean BBQ in Joburg are Banchan in Parkmore, where you can grill your own meat or have the waiters help you out, depending on how confident you are in the kitchen (or at the braai!).

It works especially well for couples who want a social, hands-on meal that feels fun rather than overly romantic, and it’s forgiving if conversation ebbs and flows because there’s always something to focus on or comment on.

Address: 108 Victoria Ave, Parkmore

Not every date needs to be a long dinner or a serious conversation. Sometimes the easiest way to relax together is to do something a little silly. Joburg has quietly become very good at this.

Old-school favourites like arcade games still hold their own as a playful date option, especially if you lean into it properly: a few games, some low-stakes competition, and food that doesn’t require much thought. It’s an easy win for couples who want something active without committing to a full night out.

With spots like Shooters and Cracker Zac’s popping up, you can enjoy a space that sits somewhere between a bar, a restaurant, and a grown-up playground.

It’s fun to reminisce about your younger days, and the fun format keeps things light and enjoyable. It’s not the white tablecloths and rose petals kind of romance, but it’s tons of fun and so good for bonding.

Address: The Zone@Rosebank, Oxford Rd, Rosebank

Why dine inside one of Johannesburg’s many restaurants sprinkled throughout our malls or conventional settings when you can have dinner strapped into a chair attached to a table suspended from a crane? Dinner in the Sky is part fine dining, part adrenaline spike, and part “Are we really doing this?”

I first did it when it was based at the Indaba Hotel on the city’s edge; the views were spectacular even then. Now that it’s moved to St. Stithians, the lights of Sandton spill out beneath you, turning a simple meal into a cinematic moment.

A crane lifts you 50 metres above ground while chefs prepare a three-course meal at the centre of the table. Expect wind, laughter, strong hand-holding, and an unexpected wave of romance the moment you look out over the skyline.

Time Out Tip: The best time to go is sunset or after dark for the full city-light effect. You’ll have to book ahead, online bookings only.

Address: Higher Ground Restaurant, on the Premises of St Stithians College, 40 Peter Place, Bryanston 

If your idea of bonding involves shouting each other’s names mid-air, this is the ultimate date. The iconic Soweto Towers offer one of the most visually striking bungee jumps in the world, a 100m drop between two massive cooling towers painted in bold, unmistakably Joburg colours.

What makes it special? It’s dramatic. It’s unforgettable. And it definitely counts as a relationship milestone. There’s nothing quite like standing on the edge together, being hyped up by the jump crew, and then free-falling into Soweto’s skyline.

To add an extra layer of awesome, start your date with lunch at one of Vilakazi Street’s restaurants before heading to the towers. Adrenaline pairs surprisingly well with kota and conversation.

Time Out Tip: Walk-ins are accepted, but weekends get busy, so arrive early.

Address: Chris Hani Rd, Klipspruit 318-Iq, Johannesburg

For a date that feels plucked straight out of a romantic film, nothing beats a hot air balloon flight over the Magaliesberg at sunrise. It’s peaceful, cinematic, and impossibly beautiful, the kind of experience that makes ordinary breakfasts seem disrespectful.

You float above misty landscapes as the sun rises, watching farms, rivers, and mountains unfold below. The silence is surreal, broken only by the burners firing and the occasional gasp of “Wow, look at that!”

Time Out Tip: Most flights include tea, coffee, pre-flight snacks, and a post-flight sparkling breakfast. You’ll need to wake up early (very early), but the payoff is huge. Advance booking is essential, and sunrise slots fill up quickly.

Location: Magalies River Valley 

If you want something romantic but grounded (literally), try a horseback trail through the scenic Hekpoort Valley at Saddle Creek Adventures. It’s peaceful, outdoorsy, and perfect for couples who want a slower-paced adventure.

You ride through open fields with the Magaliesberg mountains as your backdrop, with guides tailoring the trail to your comfort level, whether you’ve never touched a horse or you secretly think you’re in a Western movie.

Time Out Tip: Book the morning ride for cooler temperatures and softer light for photos. Pair it with a countryside brunch afterwards. Booking is recommended; you can do so online or by phone.

Address: Farm HH24, Hartebeesfontein Road, Hekpoort

If your love language is movies (and not sharing the popcorn with strangers), Egrek Cinema offers something rare in Joburg: a boutique cinema you can book entirely for yourselves. Yes, a full, private theatre, just for two.

What makes it special? You choose the film, sink into plush seating, and enjoy your own uninterrupted movie night. It’s cosy, intimate, and effortlessly cool, a definite upgrade from the usual “Netflix and chill” scenario.

Bring your own snacks if you want to go all out; Parkhurst’s cafés and delis offer plenty of date-worthy treats. Advance booking is essential.

Address: First Floor, Parkhurst Square, 38 4th Ave, Parkhurst