Award-winning superstar, Doja Cat, will be headlining the Move Afrika concert on Friday, 20 March at the SunBet Arena in Time Square, Pretoria. If you’re anything like me and you would like to curate a whole day’s experience around the concert, then I have you covered with the best breakfast, lunch, dinner and pre-drinks spots in and around the Menlyn Maine and Times Square precinct. So here’s your ultimate guide to eating your way to the concert.
Breakfast
EL&N London – Menlyn Maine
EL&N London is the best place to start the day; it opens at 7:00, it is very beautiful, so it delivers on aesthetics, and the food is amazing. Their breakfast offerings are also really good. Starting here makes sense because it sets the tempo for the whole day. The team is very friendly and attentive, and the experience is a bit more elevated for a breakfast spot.
Tashas – Menlyn Maine
Tashas is one of those classic breakfast and brunch restaurants in the city. They offer generous portions and the menu has vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. It also opens at 7:00, and the service is pretty fast for a place as refined as it is.
Lunch
Baobab Café & Grill – Menlyn Park Shopping Centre
Located in the main mall just a stone’s throw away from the Time Square precinct, Baobab is a great place for a sit-down meal, especially as a group. The interior is very spacious, and there’s also outside seating for those warmer days. The quality of food at that price point is fantastic, and they also have a very reasonable drinks menu.
Rockets – Time Square
Located on the upper level of the Time Square Casino, Rockets has great outdoor seating with views of the surrounding areas and the horizon. Their menu is pretty diverse, and their beverage list even more so. It gets quite busy, especially on days when something is happening in the arena, so it is best to book in advance.
Dinner
Beina Alta – Menlyn Maine
A Portuguese-inspired restaurant that serves the freshest produce available. The décor takes you on a journey, and the service is very detail-oriented. It is definitely worth the visit to keep the vibes going leading up to the concert.
Forti Grill & Bar – Time Square
A fine dining restaurant within view of the venue, it has a very Italian menu with great pasta and very premium cuts of meat. It is a bit on the expensive end, but it is definitely worth it. It is also the most practical choice as it is right by the arena.
Pre-Drinks
The Globe Bar – Time Square
Sitting at the epicentre of the Time Square casino under a glass dome, this is a very premium location. It offers a choice selection of cocktails and spirits, so budget accordingly. Passing by here sets the standard of your night pretty high, and Doja Cat, being the amazing performer she is, will certainly match it.
Moonshine – Time Square
A very relaxed venue just outside the arena, Moonshine is a great place to start if you do not want to be overstimulated just before the main event. The cocktail and wine menus are not that vast, but they are adequate. They also offer a really good New York-style pizza if you want to quickly grab something before the concert.
The whole precinct is basically centred around the arena, so the options are there if you want to do a full day warm-up to the concert. Just remember to plan and make bookings in advance, and most importantly, enjoy the show.
