Melville Neighborhood
Melville Neighborhood
4
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Trendy coffeehouses and upscale shops dot this vibrant neighborhood.
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Top ways to experience Melville Neighborhood and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles321 reviews
Excellent
87
Very good
146
Average
51
Poor
26
Terrible
11

Lisa H
75 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Friends
I loved this place so much I ended up going twice in three days. It has the best vibe, there are places for dancing, sports pubs, amazing restaurants and more. I went to Cocktails and had the Oxtail stew - it was easily the best value meal I had in three weeks of travelling in South Africa
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

simonannitsford
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK438 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
We didn't spend a lot of time on Melville as most of our time was spent exploring Johannesburg and the surrounding areas. However, there were plenty of restaurants and cafes, with a friendly feel to the place, and it felt safe to walk around.
Written 18 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ragingpoet
Maputo, Mozambique23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2014
I do. And many others who tend to also be interesting. I'm not sure how gentrified a place needs to be to qualify as "shabby chic", (to respond to the comment made by another reviewer). Students from the two large universities, researchers, artists, film makers, domestic workers, homeless people, family owned and run bakery shops - we all live here. Take up space. And don't demand the aspirational nostalgia for the dodgy project of 'urban village'. Also a great place to live if you have small humans.
Written 12 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Contessa3
1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
We had heard that Melville was a 'trendy' up and coming place....how disappointed were we?. The area looks like it needs a tidy and makeover. It's scruffy (sorry) and not at all appealing. There are some nice cafes and eateries but the area around them lets them down.
Written 11 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tara S
Bologna, Italy3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2014 • Friends
Visited this area yesterday, and was completely charmed. Great cafes, restaurants, and bars. Very cool and fresh vibe. Also felt very safe - would disagree with the last reviewer.
Written 6 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

adz_702
Johannesburg, South Africa543 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2015 • Friends
I love Melville! Definitely worth a visit, and expect to meet amazing people and have amazing times. Bar hop and karaoke hop too, every bar has a jukebox and welcomes all types! The food here is also very good. Expect to pay VERY little too, who says fun has gotta be pricey?
Written 7 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands5 814 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022
There are not many areas in Joburg where you can sit on a terrace to have a drink or something to eat. It is possible on 7th street in Melville. In the evening people go out here and frequent the many bars and restaurants.

Melville is located just 6 km north west of Joburg's central business district and well connected to it (Rea Vaya buslines C4 and R3). It is a quiet middle class neighborhood with tree lined avenues and streets. Relatively safe, though here as well you have to be on guard. Just north of Melville is the Koppies nature reserve. The Botanical gardens with large park area is only a 30 minutes walk away.

Melville also has many different accommodation options including hostels and small guesthouses. Overall a pleasant neighborhood for international budget travellers.
Written 10 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LawrenceJohannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2014 • Couples
Melville still has that olde worlde charm with a great twist of quirky!
Great Gueshouses ...Space, Gecko, Lucky Bean upmarket laLuna and a host of others.
7th Street is where the restaurants / bars and fun is at, catering for all tastes!
Fun and cocktails @ Ratz , Buzz9 and Joanna Melts( try their mini ostrich burgers! You will be back!) Or relive old Melville at Ant Cafe with the most amazing decor and courtyard area if you are feeling laid back and in the mood for the best pizza in Johannesburg,
A new precinct is being established between 3rd and 4th ave, container concept with great new art galleries and small business enterprises.
Parking is a challenge but there is a small parking area on 3rd ave and in about 3 months the new 150 car parkade next door,
Visit Melville, enjoy the vibe, sleep in an affordable luxury guest house within strolling distance and marvell at the residential areas blanketed in purple Jacarandas and beaugainvillas in full bloom during October.Close by are the amazing Melville Koppies with guided tours, and excursions to truely South African historical sights can be arranged from your guesthouse..
Join the "I Love Melville Facebook ". Visit Melville, leave the rat race and bling behind, base yourself in the Warm heart of Joburg!
Written 11 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

S83752
New York City, NY3 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2014 • Business
Tucked away in Melville are some lovely restaurants and cafes, including Cafe de la Creme, IT Corner, Ant Cafe, Lucky Bean, La Luna, Picobella, and Leopard!
Written 12 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MochaChoca
Johannesburg70 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2010
Melville has attitude - quaint, funky and a little bohemian. Its a mishmash of funky shops, bookstores, art galleries, bars and restaurants populated by students, artists and others trying to be cool. The vibe on 7th avenue on the weekends is quite studenty with a mix of hippie arty types. Definitely the place to hang out at night if you're not into the preppiness of Johannesburg's northern suburbs. Melville is the place to enjoy the city's urban street life instead of being hidden in a Joburg mall.
Written 26 January 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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MELVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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