The market
Pretoria foodies know that the Hazel Food Market in Menlo Park is the hot spot for cool people on Saturday mornings. Food is secondary to socialising and people-watching, but if you are one of the few who have come to eat, you will not be disappointed.

The crowd
This is quite a family-oriented market, frequented by everyone from families with young, preschool-age kids to older couples, and extended families.

The best time to go
Go in winter before 10am, as it gets busy from around 11am. In summer it’s busy from 9am, so head there at 8am if you’re an early riser. When it rains, it’s business as usual even though the market is outside, because the tables are under the trees and the stalls are on the grass under gazebos. Fortunately, Pretoria normally gets rain in the afternoon – when the last cupcakes have already been sold!
 
The must-buys
Make sure you pick up goat’s milk and sheep’s milk cheeses from Belnori Cheese, artisan bread from Bread Gypsy, veggies from Frank and Arlette’s Vegetable Store, and lamb cooked on the spit and served in pitas from D.o.u.g.h & Lambicious. On the sweet side, there are old-fashioned sweet treats like toffee apples, gingerbread people and choc chip cookies from Nammie, and a crazy array of cupcakes from Minkie’s.

The kids’ stuff
The youngsters can entertain themselves with sand art, jungle gym, jumping castles and face paint.

Seating arrangements
There’s a pleasant communal sitting area for a cuppa coffee if you get tired of traipsing around, and the multi-award winning Carlton Café is just across the road if you need a break from all the see-and-be-seen stuff.

Parking
Parking is available in the Greenlyn Centre, or on the street alongside the market.

By Anelde Greeff