People are always asking me for recommendations on places to stay in Joburg, and I never know what to say because in Joburg I tend to sleep in my own house. But here’s a place I can recommend for sure: Zietsies Guest House, which is technically in Auckland Park but I call it Brixton.

View from the porch at Zietsies.

I’d been hearing about Zietsies over the years and had done a one or two pickup/drop-offs of friends who stayed there. Technically Zietsies is in the suburb of Auckland Park, but it’s on Brixton Ridge just across from the Sentech Tower. I heard Zietsies had an amazing view of Melville and the northern suburbs, and that while it’s primarily a guesthouse you can also have dinner there upon prior arrangement.

Then a few weeks ago I met Elzabé, Zietsies’ owner, while having coffee at Breezeblock, and she invited me for dinner. I asked if I could bring my mom and nice-guy-Kevin along and she said yes. Two weeks later we were there.

Dinner at Zietsies

I feel that my photos do a very poor job of conveying the atmosphere at Zietsies, especially at night. But just imagine a house perched on the edge of a cliff with a dining room enclosed in glass.

The Glass Cage, the dining room at Zietsies.

The dinner we had at Zietsies was delicious. It was three courses: salad with blue cheese and poached pears; roast lamb over vegetables and couscous, and sticky toffee pudding. Mom and nice-guy-Kevin were blown away — I think my stature increased significantly in both their eyes after this meal. Mom went so far as to say it was one of the best meals she had in South Africa, and as you will see in future posts she had a lot of very good meals during this trip.

Poached pear salad.

Main course.

By the time we got to dinner it was too dark to check out the guest rooms, so Mom and I went back the next day. The rooms are so quirky and cool and I would love to stay there myself. Most of the rooms have stunning views.

Boudoir-style guest room. This room has a beautiful bath overlooking the city.

Loft room.

The dining room during the day.

Lastly, I love Elzabé’s dogs.

Dogs in the dining room, waiting for their walk.

Dogs on the stairs, still waiting to walk.

Beautiful rooms, yummy food, dogs…I can’t imagine what more one could want from a guesthouse. Except maybe a cat. Either way, this is my next destination for a Joburg staycation.

My meal at Zietsies was complimentary. Opinions expressed are my own. Note that dinner is by reservation only and small parties can be accommodated during the week. Read more here.