It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

1. You can almost smell the ground as it heaves a sigh of relief with the first droplets. The spring rains wash away all of the dust that’s kicking about after winter and everything gets a wash. The city is back to its bright, most beautiful self.

A photo posted by Louise de Waal (@greengirlsinafrica) on Aug 12, 2015 at 10:14am PDT

2. In September, the jasmine starts flowering so you get the most gorgeous fragrance wafting your way at dusk while walking to your local or lighting up that braai.

3. It’s time to begin hosting those boozy outdoor lunches that last the entire afternoon.

4. Although brunch is actually the official meal of the season. 

A photo posted by Nicole V (@nicolio_v) on Jul 25, 2015 at 9:27am PDT

 

5. Heck, even this vegan brunch looks fantastic.

A photo posted by African Food Travels (@africanbite) on Aug 15, 2015 at 5:45am PDT

6. There’s the daily drama and excitement of thunderstorms. At 4pm, gusts of wind roar through the city as a warning. It’s best to remain under cover, preferably with your favourite tipple, until 5.30 when the skies are clear again. Just beware the hailstones – it’s not much fun when the sky flings golf balls at you, especially as it usually neglects to shout ‘Fore!’.

A photo posted by HelloJoburgMag (@hellojoburgmag) on Sep 7, 2015 at 1:52am PDT

 

7. The festivals! Taste of Joburg is coming (24-27 September); there’s the Huddle Park Beer Festival (31 October); and if you’re detoxing from all that, the Organic Life Fair is on from 9-11 October.

8. There’s even a festival dedicated to spring: the Festa di Primavera at Casalinga Restaurant. Prime Circle, Rubber Duc and Matthew Mole are on the music menu, amongst others, and there will be artisanal food and pop-up restaurants to keep you fuelled.

9. The sunsets are spectacular.

A photo posted by Yusuf Dajee (@yusufdajee) on Aug 30, 2015 at 12:13am PDT

10. No longer can you expect a temperature variance of 25 degrees in one day. Which means there’s no need to keep a change of clothing in your car any more – and dining alfresco just got that little bit more special.

A photo posted by DominiqueInTheCity (@dominiqueinthecity) on Aug 24, 2015 at 1:36pm PDT

 

11. There are pop-up wine bars. (Wine Not pops up inside Level Three Restaurant in Kramerville on Thursday night, where you can head up the fire escape for a stunning view of Jozi by night.

12. There are spring specials everywhere. At Corner Café, try the herbed chicken breast on tempura sweet-potato cakes with fresh rocket, tomato salsa and feta drizzle for R95.

13. The days are getting longer, so you no longer have to watch the sun go down while stuck in traffic.

14. Braaiing is magnificent at this time of year. Not too hot; not too cold. Pro-tip: award-winning butchery Braeside Meat Market has a special on burgers this week. You can get them as sliders, regular or thick for R55/kg.

14. Alternatively, you could eat this burger for lunch. (At Bistro Michel, the Parisienne-style restaurant located in the Blubird Shopping Centre, just off Corlett Drive). It’s a new addition to the menu and comes with homemade ketchup, chips, Emmentaler cheese, pickles and homemade barbecue sauce.

Bistro Michel’s new lunch menu item

15. As the grass changes from brown to green, outdoor markets suddenly take on a new appeal. We recommend heading to Fourways Farmer’s Market. Get 20 or so of your nearest and dearest together, claim a spot and send off emissaries to purchase food.

16. There are new beverage options

17. These Malawian shandies would also go down rather well.

A photo posted by The Saltbox (@thesaltboxsa) on Aug 30, 2015 at 7:25am PDT

18. You can eat gnocchi for dessert. This baby is from That’s Amore in Parktown North.

That’s Amore’s deep-fried gnocchi rolled in cinnamon and sugar, covered in warm Nutella and orange zest

19. And then in October, this happens:

Why now is the time to Visit Johannesburg. #lovejozi #TIA http://t.co/DZHC0fBzt0 — Juicy Button (@juicybutton) August 30, 2015