Cape Town City Guide

Today I’m finally getting around to sharing some of the wonderful places that I discovered on my trip to Cape Town. Despite spending nearly three months there, I feel I only just scraped the surface of delicious eateries, coffee shops and cool experiences that the city has to offer. That said, I thought I would compile a sort of master list for anyone looking to visit the city soon, especially millennial solo travelers like myself. Not quite a full itinerary, but a handy guide to lots of amazing local businesses so you never have to wonder what to do or where to eat. Many of these spots are clustered in specific neighborhoods that I spent more time in, but there are bound to be so many great spots in any neighborhood that you visit. The important part is to get out there and explore all that this incredible city has to offer!

What To Do

There are lots of Cape Town travel guides that will fill you in on some of the more well-known tourist attractions (safari excursions, wine tours, national parks, etc) so that’s not going to be my focus here. Instead I offer up a running list of some of the fun activities, shopping and experiences you can have right in town.

Saturday Market at The Old Biscuit Mill

If you don’t mind a crowd, the best time to check out The Old Biscuit Mill is during the Saturday market. Located in the Woodstock neighborhood, this place is super lively, good vibes abound, and even a full on dance party thanks to the live DJ sets. There are tons of food and bev vendors so you can grab a bite and a drink while you’re there. Don’t miss the awesome small designers and vintage sellers too. If you can’t make it to the Saturday market, there are still several interesting shops to check out any day of the week, two of which I’ve included in this list; see Field’s Store & Espresso Lab Microroasters.

Fields

If you' love contemporary menswear, a visit to the Fields flagship store at The Old Biscuit Mill is a necessity. This space is beautiful, part showroom, part design studio, which I believe is quite common for local brands and a feature that I wish was more common with designers. In fact, this is possibly my favorite of all the local brands that I learned about on my trip. They carry a collection of minimal wardrobe staples, a line of knitwear and ongoing design collaborations with South African artists. If you’re looking for more local shopping recommendations check out my post, A Guide to Sustainable Fashion in Cape Town.

Vintage Shopping in Observatory

Some of the best vintage shopping can be done in the Observatory neighborhood. Within short walking distance, there are so many great vintage, upcycled and consignment shops to choose from, ranging from newer, more curated selections, to the down and dirty, bin rummaging, true vintage gems shops. Give yourself a couple hours to work your way down Lower Main Road, hitting as many spots as you can and maybe stop for a hearty plant-based snack (see The Conscious Kitchen below) or a drink at one of the many bars along the way.

Oranjezicht City Farmer’s Market

Okay so this activity does make it on many of the more touristy lists but I feel it’s also worth a mention here for those looking for a laid-back local experience. The market is the most fun and lively on the weekends but also a great option on Wednesday evenings for a mid-week outdoor dinner and drinks at sunset, overlooking the ocean. *chef’s kiss* Being a farmer’s market, there’s a wonderful selection of locally-made food and fresh produce, as well as an extensive section of local makers and restaurants offering every type of food and drink you could want.

The Labia Theater

I’m genuinely not a big moviegoer, but the charm and appeal of The Labia Theater makes it worthwhile. It’s the oldest Independent Art-Repertory Cinema in South Africa, perfectly quaint with just four screening rooms and a colorful outdoor patio for hanging out pre or post-show. They show a mixture of big blockbuster films and smaller indie flicks so there’s really something for everyone.

Silent Sunset Disco on the Beach

If you have a Saturday evening free and feel like dancing, this is definitely worth checking out. This is a recurring ticketed event put on by Silent Events SA with three DJs set up on Clifton 3rd beach for a super vibey sunset dance party. Don’t forget to bring a little picnic with you.

Seapoint Promenade

This is quite a popular spot with tourists and locals alike (lots of joggers and families) but it’s also just a nice big open space to get out and get moving without leaving town. If you enjoy biking you can grab a rental for a few hours to easily see the entire stretch in one go.

Zeitz Mocaa

If you love art museums or you just want a taste of South Africa’s contemporary art offerings, a visit to Zeit Mocaa is a must. It’s actually the largest museum of contemporary African art in the world, for which there are very few to begin with. Located in the V&A Waterfront, the museum is housed in an old Silo building, which is stunning to experience from bottom to rooftop. If you’re looking for more art in your life, there are a few smaller galleries to check out as well, especially during First Thursdays when all of the local art spots open to the public for events at the start of each month.

Tour Robben Island

Another widely-known tourist destination but I feel it’s well worth a mention here. Take a short ferry ride to visit to learn first-hand accounts of the experiences of political prisoners held on Robben Island during Apartheid. This is a sobering experience and one that puts South Africa’s troubled history into perspective in a very real and pertinent way. This tour added so much depth and context to my actual experience of the city and for that reason it’s a pilgrimage that I hope anyone visiting Cape Town will make.

Where to Eat & Drink

When people say Cape Town is a foodie haven they aren’t joking. There is no shortage of wonderfully unique restaurants, cafes, bars and coffee shops anywhere you go. Since I’m a twenty-something who works online, naturally I spent a lot of time in cafes so this list is littered with them but I also threw in some awesome spots for dinner, drinks and even a low waste, natural grocer. This list is primarily centered around two main neighborhoods: Seapoint and Gardens so you can plan your days depending on where you’ll be around town.

Seapoint

Pauline’s | A consciously sourced coffee spot with relaxing wood and natural fiber-clad interiors and a sunny patio area.

Sans Community Grocer | An organic grocer with a small but lovely selection of locally-sourced produce, sourdough loaves, dry goods and wine. It’s also home to Sans Provisions, a home goods store with a focus on conscious living.

Jarryd’s | A trendy brunch spot with a menu that’s worth the hype. I tried my first salmon rosti here and have been dreaming about it since.

Scheckter’s RAW | A 100% plant-based cafe with a few locations around town. The type of place that gives vegan food a good name.

Kanela Cafe | A newer cafe with a beautiful outdoor patio (shared with The Greek Fisherman) ideal for working in the sunshine.

Lexi’s Healthy Eatery | A popular, mostly plant-based spot with healthy lattes and juices. I highly recommend that savory waffles.

Gardens & Tamboerskloof

Clarke’s | You can grab a meal here at any time of day and it will always be a good experience. They have a nice outdoor patio for people watching, a wraparound bar and the menu is a winner. I frequented this spot during my stay.

Max Bagels & Leo’s Wine Bar | Bagel and coffee joint by day, trendy natural wine bar by night, you can quite literally start and end your day there (which I did on one occasion). The outdoor seating is a super chill place to hang out on Bree St.

Honest Chocolate & The Gin Bar | Another hybrid spot, the front part of this old building is a delicious coffee and chocolate spot by day and in the evening the back rooms and courtyard transform into a gin bar and a bubbly bar. Need I say more?

Nourish’d Cafe | A plant-based cafe and juice bar that will make you feel like you’re lunching in Maui.

Rosetta Roastery | A specialty coffee roaster with a tranquil space that’s great for working. There are a couple of locations around town.

The Power & The Glory | Another spot I frequented for its super laid back vibe. It’s a great place to work during the day and grab a drink in the evening, with crowds filtering out onto the sidewalk nearly every night.

Our Local | One of my favorite cafes to work, read or catch up with a friend. This place feels like a greenhouse on the inside and the menu is simple and delicious.

Oswald’s Bakery | The cutest little bakery on Kloof Street with delicious sweet and savory pastries, freshly baked bread loaves and a quick and convenient place to grab a coffee.

Elgr | An incredibly stylish yet laid back place to grab lunch or dinner and handcrafted cocktail. They have a lovely patio area tucked away in the back, complete with a bar and outdoor pizza oven.

The Blue Cafe | A neighborhood grocer and sidewalk cafe nestled in Tamboerskloof, with a french style breakfast menu.

Blondie | A lively spot for drinks on Kloof Street. There is food on the menu but I’m not convinced anyone actually eats there.

Tamboers Winkel | A cute little lunch spot and wine bar with a variety of natural wines, craft gins and locally-made products.

Yours Truly | The beautiful, plant-filled patio is a great place to do some work. In the daytime it’s a chill cafe and at night, the upstairs area turns into a bar and dance party.

NOAH Cafe | Located on the sunny outdoor patio of the NOAH House boutique hotel in Tamboerskloof, this is a great space to grab a healthy breakfast and coffee. And if you’re curious about the hotel itself, check out my post, Where to Stay in Cape Town: NOAH House.

Grumpy & Runt | A female-owned and run vegan donut shop, located in the very chilled Dunkley Square.

Maria’s Greek Cafe |Also located in Dunkley Square, Maria’s has an absolutely delicious menu and a very laid back and enjoyable atmosphere. The outdoor patio is often packed so it may help to make a reservation in advance.

Kloof Street House | One of the more well-known spots in Gardens, this eclectic Victorian house with lush outdoor patios create quite the dining experience. The menu is excellent and you can catch live jazz there weekly.

The Mount Nelson Hotel | The afternoon tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel is one of those touristy activities actually worth doing. The food is delicious (there’s a plant-based option too), the tea menu is extensive and it gives you an excuse to check out the historic hotel and gorgeous garden area.

Other Spots Around Town

Nude Foods | A plastic-free and low-waste grocer in Zonnebloem with a large selection of ethically-sourced and non-GMO products.

Espresso Lab Microroasters | This place makes it on the list because they made one of the best lattes I’ve ever tried. It’s also conveniently located in The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock. While it’s not actually a local spot, but a chain retailer (mostly based in Turkey), I feel it’s worth a mention because the coffee really was that good.