Johannesburg has a new ritual. As the sun slips below the city skyline, a gong reverberates through Oxford Parks, signalling the start of the evening at Ocaso – the Mexican-inspired dining and cocktail destination redefining golden hour in the city.
The first dedicated Corona flagship venue in South Africa, Ocaso was created to capture the brand’s love of sun-soaked afternoons, lingering twilight, and nights that stretch late into the city’s rhythm. The result? A space that feels equal parts restaurant, cocktail lounge, and immersive brand experience.
A Place That Shifts With You
By day, Ocaso invites long, leisurely lunches, mezcal tastings, and after-work catchups. As the week unfolds, it transforms. From Thursday to Sunday, DJs bring sultry energy with a line-up that spans R’n’B, Hip-Hop, Afrohouse, and Amapiano, shifting the mood from laid-back to celebratory.
“It’s a space that transforms with you,” says co-founder Luke Dakers of Monseca Hospitality Group. “You can ease into it or arrive ready to celebrate.”
Eating With the Eyes First
The menu is a vibrant mix of Mexican classics with a South African twist, designed for both grazing and feasting. Tableside guacamole arrives bright with lime and chilli, while a taco tasting board lets guests mix slow-braised beef birria with fresh seared tuna. Corn ribs, dusted with smoked paprika, have already claimed cult status.
There are comforting indulgences too: fried mozzarella sticks with chipotle dip, empanadas stuffed with pulled chicken, wagyu burgers, and sharing platters of flame-grilled meat. And then there’s dessert – golden-fried churros and a decadent Bananas Foster that guarantee a sweet finish.
Drinks get just as much attention, with a tequila and mezcal programme that plays with both tradition and theatre. Expect riffs on Margaritas, large-format cocktails for sharing, and signature serves like the Flor de Sol (a sunny blend of gin, passionfruit, coconut and ginger beer) or the playful Berry Basil Coronita, finished with a mini Corona.
Design That Tells a Story
Ocaso is as much about atmosphere as it is about food and drink. Designed by Johannesburg’s Bourne Kreative, the space doesn’t just house the Corona brand – it embodies it. Think wicker-fronted bars glowing golden, bohemian beaded lanterns casting shifting shadows, and an ocean-blue floor mixed exclusively for Ocaso.
The design is tactile and transportive, blending local craftsmanship with global inspiration. Nearly every element – from macramé pillows to curved plasterwork – was made bespoke, with sustainability and artisanal production at its heart.
Phase two promises a rooftop deck in time for summer, giving Joburg its own urban beach escape.
More Than a Restaurant
While Ocaso delivers on food, drink, and design, it also signals something bigger – a new wave of experiential hospitality in Johannesburg. As a flagship, it acts as Corona’s spiritual home in South Africa, a venue where product launches, collaborations, and curated events live alongside everyday dining.
“This isn’t just a restaurant,” says co-founder Ben Stanger. “It’s a place where Corona shows up fully, every single day.”
📍 Ocaso, 1 Oxford Parks, 199 Oxford Road, Johannesburg
⏰ Open daily from 12 p.m. – 12 a.m.
👉 Bookings via www.ocaso.co.za or WhatsApp +27 78 762 5532