WHAT TO DRINK: Wine at the Lucky Bean.
The Lucky Bean in Melville is a bar, restaurant, and guesthouse all in one large, brown, box-like building. Its stark exterior might not prepare you for the eclectic, verdant interior. The bar features spidery crystal chandeliers, red, plant-like wall decals, and wooden furniture with metal accents. It’s also one of the few places in Johannesburg with an extensive wine selection that showcases local producers. Its soundtrack of classic Afro beats make it a welcoming place to spend an evening with a bottle of wine and maybe some friends or family. When it’s cold, you can cuddle up by the fireplace in the bar. When it’s warm, head out to the outdoor garden to bask in its green glow.
If you venture into the restaurant (which you should), you’ll be greeted by a sprawling, illuminated mural of a tree on the back wall. The compact menu offers novelties such as ostrich as well as creative takes on local classics such as pies, snoeks (snake mackerel), and boerewors (a spiced sausage). Whether or not you dine at the Lucky Bean, we recommend that you try a bottle of their wine. One of our favorites is the Beyerskloof Pinotage Rose, which is a light, fruity, and crisp dive into a warm summer evening.
