The Best Tasting Spots in Johannesburg Right Now
Johannesburg might not have wine farms on its doorstep, but that hasn’t stopped us from building our own tasting culture. From wine bars and urban wineries to whisky lounges and craft breweries, the city offers plenty of ways to sip, taste, and explore.
Serge Ngoyi Tshienda
April 30, 2026
We love a good drink, simple. And while the Western Cape gets the luxury of vineyards and full estate experiences, we’ve learnt how to make the most of what we have. In Joburg, tasting isn’t about sprawling views and countryside escapes; it’s about discovering pockets of experience hidden in the city. It’s more social, more accessible, and honestly, easier to fit into your everyday life.
At Mr Pants Wine Bar, wine tasting feels less like a formal activity and more like a night out that just happens to include really good wine. It’s relaxed, curated, and perfect whether you know your way around a wine list or you’re just figuring it out.
Then there’s Gerakaris Family Wines, an urban winery that brings the wine-making process into the city. This is where you slow things down a bit — learning about the craft, the stories behind each bottle, and getting closer to what you’re actually drinking.
If whisky is more your speed, NPF Tasting Room offers an easy, no-pressure introduction to different whisky profiles. It’s casual, approachable, and perfect for figuring out what you like without overthinking it.
For something a bit more refined, Bottega Whisky Club elevates the experience with curated tastings in a more polished setting. This is where you go when you want to take things a step further or at least look like you know what you’re doing.
Beer lovers aren’t left out either. Jozi Gold Brewing Company brings the brewery experience into the city with tasting flights that let you explore different styles in a laid-back, social environment.
And if you’re after something that feels closest to a traditional wine estate, The Tasting Room at Indaba Hotel offers a more classic tasting setup, complete with an extensive wine collection and a structured, polished experience.
So no, we don’t have wine farms but we’ve built something that works for us. A tasting culture that’s flexible, social, and woven into the city itself. And if anything, that just means more reasons to explore.
