Eastgate Shopping Mall
Eastgate first opened in 1979. Since then it has undergone renovation, reconstruction and expansion to bring you an even better retail experience. This mega mall now houses
over 300 stores, many of which are branded fashion emporiums. Eastgate is known for having something for every kind of shopper - from the kiddies to busy moms and dads, teens, young adults and even grandma. They pride themselves on being a lifestyle hub in Bedfordview, offering an
array of restaurants, clothing stores, homeware and boutique shops.
Eating at Eastgate
Eastgate boasts an impressive food court. Whether you are in the mood for
fast food, oven-fired vegan pizza or gourmet tjips, the food court is sure to have something to curb your cravings. While it's almost impossible to pick a favourite, we have to give a special nod to
Primi. Their outdoor deck overlooks the Bedfordview suburb, making it the perfect place to chill out with friends or for a Friday night date. Plus, Primi's pizzas are made to perfection - a thin base, just the right amount of Napoletana sauce and the freshest toppings. Their cocktails are pretty good, too.
For kiddie-friendly options, pop into
Mantovani's or Mozambik. Mantovani's is the ideal place to take the family out to dinner. Their
Half-Price Pizza Tuesdays are famous for being crowd pleasers, as are their steaks and selection of wines. Mozambik offers something a little different - an
Afro-Porto fusion of flavours with a dedicated kiddies menu and play area. What more could you ask for?
Click here to read our full article on dining out at Eastgate.
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Shopping
You could well and truly get lost at Eastgate Shopping Mall. Next time you feel the shopping spree itch, head on over to check out their variety of department stores, fashion boutiques and homeware emporiums. Our
must-visit fashion store at the centre is H&M. This store stretches on for what feels like forever, displaying aisle upon aisle of trendy fashion staples for work and play.
When it comes to home and interior, you are spoiled for choice. Shop around at
Coricraft, House & Home, Carrol Boyes and Mr Price Home for all your decorating needs.
Lastly, for good old grocery shopping, roll your trolley into
Checkers Hyperama, Woolworths or Game. These supermarkets are great for Christmas shopping or month end grocery dashes. The queues can be quite hectic, but you can always pop into the
Lindt chocolate shop for a special treat afterwards.
Entertainment
Eastgate knows the meaning of
bigger is better and
more is more. This is more than just a shopping mall, it's a hive of entertainment for all ages. The kids can have their fill of fun at
The Fun Company arcade. With tons of games, bowling and snooker, this is a paradise for kids.
Right opposite the arcade, you will find
Hamley's toy store. Let the kids be entertained by the princesses, clowns and giant teddy bears. The Hamley's train also makes its way through the mall every half an hour. Never again will a child cry crocodile tears over having to go shopping with mom or dad!
Older kids can catch the latest movies at
Ster-Kinekor's IMAX Theatres. Featuring 10 cinemas, this is one of Ster-Kinekor's largest movie houses. Luxury cinema seating and a Pizza Hut menu to order adds to the experience.
Click here to see Ster-Kinekor's latest blockbuster offerings at Eastgate.
Bedford Centre
Believe it or not,
Bedford Centre is even older than Eastgate! Originally developed in the early 1970s, Bedford Centre underwent massive reconstruction in 2006. Bringing shoppers the
ultra-chic, European-inspired Bedford Piazza, this expansion saw the mall become a premium retail and restaurant destination. Featuring 62 000 square meters of retail space with 170 stores, numerous delectable eateries, a Planet Fitness Mega Club and two pristine cinema houses, Bedford Centre is a fine choice for local shoppers and visitors.
Fine Dining at Bedford Centre
Bedford Centre puts a classy spin on the idea of a mall food court. Surrounding the open air piazza, these restaurants offer cuisines ranging from
Greek and Italian to Mexican and Portuguese. So, whether you are looking for a decadent slice of cake, a tequila party or a classic date-night restaurant,
Bedford Centre should have something right up your alley.
On the east side of the mall there are also a number of takeaway and family-oriented eateries. If you visit only one, we recommend
Chevy Lane. A retro-inspired diner, complete with chequered tiles, Chevy replicas and pinball machines. This
milkshake and burger joint provides good food, entertainment and a vibe unlike any other. Grown ups can take some time out at the adjoining Hollywood Detour Bar which has an incredible view of the suburb, while kids are sure to be delighted by the props, costumes and colourful treats on offer.
Retail Therapy
The greatest thing about Bedford Centre is that you can shop in
relative peace for most of the year. While it does tend to get a little mad around the holidays, off-peak time is a shopaholics dream. You can easily have an entire shopping trip at the centre without becoming overwhelmed by crowds or noise.
Bedford Centre is home to all the good oldies when it comes to clothing and fashion.
Edgars, Pick n Pay Clothing, Mr Price, Cotton On and Foschini are all located on the ground level. Hop from one store to the next to find that perfect outfit or accessory. Plus, these stores often have seasonal sales, so you can score a number of bargains in one shopping trip.
For interesting curio stores and geeky havens, visit
Heroes of Games and Comics. This quirky store greets you with Harry Potter memorabilia displays, Marvel figurines and DC branded hoodies. It's the perfect place to pick up a gift for a fanatic friend. Just across it, you will find
Planes, Trains and Automobiles - a specialised hobby store, offering repairs to radio controlled planes, cars and boats. All your comic, craft and curio need are sorted!
Click here for a full rundown of the exciting retail options at Bedford Centre.
Family Fun
Bedford Centre makes up for its seemingly small stature with tons of fun entertainment for the whole family. With
two prestige cinema complexes, ArtJamming, VR Gaming and a Gravity Jump Centre, you and the kids will never be bored here. That's why during school holidays, this is a kiddies playground.
However, adults haven't been forgotten. Bedford Centre's
Exclusive Books caters to the bookworms and scribes, while the outdoor piazza often hosts fun runs and Halloween dress up parties for the whole family. Additionally, there is a
baby grand piano just outside Foschini which often sees musicians perform impromptu concerts.
The Verdict
Eastgate Shopping Mall and Bedford Centre each offer their own special retail and entertainment experiences. Visit them both to pick your favourite, or hop between the two to make the most of the Bedfordview retail mile.
Happy Shopping! 
