Written by: Renate Engelbrecht
If there is one central South African city we’d say is living it up, it’s Pretoria. In fact, few South African cities offer that unique late afternoon Jacaranda glow as Pretoria does. Not to mention the various buzzing cafés popping up – whether it’s a coffee shop or a wine bar. Design pop-ups are also becoming increasingly popular and curated markets keep luring both locals and visitors to explore the city’s cultural vibe. There is therefore no doubt that Pretoria is having a lifestyle moment, since there truly is a lot to talk about!
Pretoria Is Evolving And We’re So Here For It
Say what you want, but while some trends come and go, the one trend that is here to stay, is intentional living. Pretoria may be known as the Jacaranda City, but ultimately, it is its humble culture that draws people in. That comes with intentional living – whether you’re intentional about sustainability in the culinary space and prefer farm-to-fork dining, or whether you’re intentional about a slower pace and an explorer of local markets over weekends.
It is noticeable that Pretoria is evolving into a city that caters for people who are intentional about how they approach life and we’re so here for it. In addition to the culinary and slow living spaces, people are also increasingly being drawn to arts and culture experiences – almost as if there’s been a creative awakening. Locals are turning to authentic and educational experiences, making Pretoria the perfect city for young entrepreneurs to make their mark and for curious minds to explore. The Jacaranda City is not being reinvented, but rather refined.
A Culinary Shift in the Jacaranda City
Over the last couple of years, Pretoria’s culinary scene has seen some major shifts. Although there are – interestingly enough – various local restaurants that have stood the test of time (think Kream, Pachas, La Madeleine, Blu Saffron and more) there are a number of new restaurants, coffee shops and wine bars popping up constantly.
And, whilst some local chefs are keeping to the traditional menu items they know locals have come to love, others are experimenting and bringing new flavours to the Pretoria dining scene. We’ve also seen a rise in farm-to-table cuisine, with sustainability in hospitality being an important factor to consider.
Traditional pubs are slowly, but surely being replaced by upmarket speakeasies and wine bars and the city’s cocktail culture has also matured. It’s clear that Pretoria’s foodies have become more curious and flavour-focused and that global trends have found a way into our midst. Rest assured, though, that the city’s trendsetters will still keep it local – whether it be through collabs or experimenting with the blending of international and local flavours.
Fashion and Design: A Quiet Style Capital
Pretoria’s never been one to boast, but even so, it has reason to. The city is home to many local designers and artists and if you look closely, you’ll spot boutique retail spaces, pop-ups and curated markets that speak to its local fashion and design spirit.
Big names with Pretoria attached to their brands include ERRE, The Bam Collective, Gert-Johan Coetzee, Isabel de Villiers, E_Mania, Thula Sindi, Frida Couture, Neo Mahlangu, Duma Mtimkulu, Guy du Toit, Shenaz Mahomed, Debbie Cloete and more.
It’s always been a city of understated luxury, though, and one where things like slow fashion and polished heritage take centre stage.
Wellness & Community
When it comes to wellness and community, the city has also seen a shift. At one stage, local gyms were the go-to. Now, people live for the outdoors and are joining running and cycling clubs for early morning exercise and community. That’s probably one of the reasons why trendy coffee shops are popping up everywhere, as people get together for a quick post-exercise coffee before kicking off their day.
With so many young families living in Pretoria, farmers’ markets like the iconic Boeremark, Irene Farmers’ Market are continuously growing and evolving into something that caters to not only locals, but visitors who want to experience authentic Pretorian culture and cuisine.
Even amidst the rush of life, Pretoria somehow still echoes an energy of slow living.
Entrepreneurship and Creativity
Locals aren’t afraid of taking the bull by the horns and running with entrepreneurial ventures. In fact, Plato – one of the country’s fastest growing coffee shops founded by brothers, Stephan and Petrus Bredell – started in Irene. Lucky Bread Co. was also started by a local, Alicea Malan and the brand has been going from strength to strength. Names like Albe Geldenhuys (USN), Trevor Gosling (LulaLend), Andries Levi Pretorius (WeBuyProp), Theo Baloyi (Bathu) and Thamaga Hamlet Chaane (Atlas Paints) also come to mind.
These individuals are all proof that Pretoria is a city where people are building beautiful things – often through passion projects that turn into polished brands.
Accessibility, The Ultimate Luxury in Pretoria
With Pretoria being a city where things aren’t too far out of your way, no matter where you stay, it’s a city that offers accessibility as one of its ultimate luxuries. Yes, it gets busy, but dinner reservations and parking aren’t that big of a deal. The people-factor also comes into play in Pretoria, with the community still forming a big part of the local culture. Here, chances are that you’ll know the owner of the restaurant, which adds that human element to the experience.
The City of Jacarandas has evolved into a confident, curated city, comfortable in its identity and that’s why we’re convinced that it really is having a lifestyle moment. Pretoria doesn’t shout. It blooms slowly and surprises you. That’s not a trend. That’s settling into self. It’s a city we’ve come to love dearly.
