Norwood

Grant Avenue has good local dining with popular brunch spots. More affordable than northern suburbs but needs vigilance. Best visited by Uber for meals rather than walking around.

Norwood's Grant Avenue has established restaurants and new openings that create an energetic local scene. The Factory on Grant recently opened as a community space for food and culture. Long-standing places include 47 On Grant (Turkish fusion with sunny courtyard), Casa Nostra (classic Italian), and The Usual (brunch spot). Hokkaido does Japanese and Chinese, Fireside Bistro made TripAdvisor's top 60 Johannesburg restaurants, Vovo Telo artisanal bakery makes fresh bread daily, and Schwarma Co. is popular for Lebanese food. Young professionals and families from surrounding areas come here, creating a busy street scene especially during brunch and dinner. Security is moderate - better than Melville but not as comprehensive as Sandton or Rosebank. You can walk Grant Avenue during the day but use Uber in the evening and after dark. The crowd is mostly local South Africans, so you get authentic experiences with slightly less English than touristy areas. Eating alone is normal at brunch spots where you'll see locals on laptops.