From sun-soaked afternoons to golden-hour rituals and sultry nights, Ocaso is the new Mexican-inspired dining and cocktail destination in Oxford Parks, Johannesburg.
As Corona’s first dedicated flagship venue in South Africa, the restaurant embodies the brand’s love of golden hour moments, inviting guests to linger longer.
A team of seasoned restaurateurs, including Heinz Rynners (Boulder Group) and the Monseca Hospitality Group, developed the concept in partnership with SAB and Corona. This collaboration combines thoughtful design, vibrant food, and atmospheric rituals in a space that brings the brand to life.
The Day-to-Night Rhythm at Ocaso Johannesburg
Every day at sunset, a special gong ritual signals the start of the evening. From Monday to Wednesday, the venue leans into food and comfort, offering long lunches, mezcal tastings and after-work drinks, while from Thursday to Sunday, the mood shifts into a lounge atmosphere, with DJs playing R’n’B, Hip-Hop, Afrohouse and Amapiano beats.
‘It’s a space that transforms with you. You can ease into it or arrive ready to celebrate.’
~ Luke Dakers, Monseca Hospitality Group
Ocaso Johannesburg: A Corona Flagship with a Purpose
Ocaso occupies the former Shortmarket Club space, joining a growing lifestyle cluster in Oxford Parks. This mixed-use precinct features premium restaurants, bars, and pop-up events, making it the perfect backdrop for a venue that the team designed to be both a local favourite and a destination for visitors.
The team behind Ocaso Johannesburg is helping drive a new wave of experiential hospitality in the city, with several more venues set to launch in the coming months. Ocaso also represents a strategic first for Corona in South Africa. As a flagship store, it functions as a central platform for brand engagement – from product launches and collaborations to daily activations and curated events.
‘This isn’t just a high-performing outlet. It’s the brand’s spiritual home; a place where Corona can show up fully, every single day.’
~ Ben Stanger, Monseca Hospitality Group
The Ocaso Johannesburg Menu: Mexican Food and Crafted Cocktails
The menu blends classic Mexican staples with a contemporary South African touch. The team prepares guacamole tableside with generous lime and chilli, while a mini taco tasting board lets guests mix and match flavours, from slow-braised beef birria to fresh seared tuna.
The menu also includes fried mozzarella sticks with chipotle dipping sauce and crispy empanadas stuffed with braised pulled chicken, garlic and onions, served alongside bright, fresh salads and ceviches, the latter cut through with a burst of acidity.
Corn ribs dusted in smoked paprika have already become a signature order, while juicy wagyu burgers, marinated pan-seared panko pork chops, and sharing platters of steak, chicken thighs, wings, and lamb chops cater to heartier appetites.
For dessert, golden-fried churros dusted with cinnamon sugar and drizzled with chocolate, along with the signature Bananas Foster, round out the experience.
‘We just love food. We’ve tried every Mexican place in Joburg and Cape Town, and we pull inspiration from everywhere – street food, travel, even TikTok. It’s about making something that’s both comforting and exciting to look at when it lands on your table.’
~ Luke Dakers, Monseca Hospitality Group
This passion for flavour extends to the drinks list, which the team considered just as carefully. It features a tequila and mezcal programme that ranges from the classic Margarita to more adventurous serves for sharing. Highlights, for example, include the Flor de Sol, the Sol Bravio, and the Berry Basil Coronita.
Design That Tells the Corona Story
Local firm Bourne Kreative conceptualised the interiors for Ocaso Johannesburg with the Corona brand in mind from the outset. Instead of layering branding onto an existing space, the design team, led by creative lead designer Reinhardt Schmidt and project manager Lebeau Strydom, built the brand values into the architecture, finishes, and flow.
‘The whole room was designed to feel transportive. It’s urban, yes, but the minute you walk in, you feel like you’re somewhere else entirely. With Ocaso, the space is the brand.’
~ Reinhardt Schmidt, Creative Lead Designer at Bourne Kreative
The bar, a woven wicker-fronted, softly lit focal point, is the theatrical heart of the venue. Its mandala-inspired motif draws directly from one of Corona’s global icons, while the glowing golden tones signal the shift from afternoon to evening.
For the seating, the design team arranged low-slung leather banquettes, round communal tables, and a tucked-away VIP booth to allow for both intimacy and connection.
Above, oversized bohemian beaded lanterns hang from layered plaster ceilings, casting patterned shadows that change as the night deepens. Similarly, macramé pillows, textured walls, and an ocean-blue floor create a tactile richness, while warm-toned lighting shifts subtly to match the mood.
Finally, the team custom-built nearly every detail. Local artisans hand-beaded the lanterns, specialist makers provided the woven elements, and the team sourced the majority of finishes from within South Africa, highlighting a commitment to sustainability.
Rooftop Deck and Booking Information
The team will unveil a second phase in time for summer, with a rooftop deck that offers guests a beachy experience in the heart of the city. With its mood-forward concept and brand-first design, Ocaso is fast becoming a new kind of flagship – one where guests don’t just consume a brand, but live it.
Ready to experience Ocaso Johannesburg? Here’s what you need to know:
- Location: 1 Oxford Parks, 199 Oxford Road, Johannesburg
- Hours: Open Monday to Sunday, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
- Bookings: To view menus and to book, visit www.ocaso.co.za or WhatsApp +27 78 762 5532. Walk-ins are also welcome.
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