You may be familiar with Cape Town’s majestic Table Mountain and breathtaking beaches—a little less so with her ever-emerging culinary and cultural scene. Having been named the World Design Capital for 2014, the spotlight has suddenly fallen on South Africa’s "Mother City." From hiking up a mountain, to lazing on a beach, to exploring a vibrant inner-city area or eating a meal prepared by Luke-Dale Roberts, you’ll never fall short of finding something remarkable to do in South Africa’s most cosmopolitan city.
Checking In
A member of Relais and Chateaux, Ellerman House is a luxurious Cape Edwardian mansion perched on the slopes of Lion’s Head, boasting uninterrupted views across the ocean. (The cliffside drive along the Atlantic Ocean, from The Roundhouse to Ellerman House, is unforgettable.) The hotel has an old-school, understated glamor, and its walls lined are lined with works by famous South African artists. There are only 11 rooms, two suites, and two villas, but each has a unique character. If you didn’t grab dinner at The Roundhouse, the chef at Ellerman House will whip up whatever you desire.
You also can't go wrong spending a few nights at Babylonstoren—more on that in a bit.
DAY 1: The Atlantic Seaboard, City Bowl, and Table Mountain
There’s one thing Cape Town’s not short of: natural beauty. The cliffside drive that connects the Waterfront to Camps Bay could be mistaken for a strip of Italy's Amalfi Coast, and the stretch that runs through the City Bowl on the other side of Lion’s Head shows off Cape Town’s more vibrant, inner-city energy. Spend your first day in the city exploring Cape Town proper: its waterfront, shopping streets, and city-set mountains.
Set at the base of Signal Hill in the dynamic neighborhood of De Waterkant is Loading Bay, a hip, industrial-looking restaurant and shop that draws a very trendy crowd. Grab a croissant and a coffee off the simple menu while browsing the Aesop body products and a selection of imported menswear. Just a few doors down, you’ll find Africa Nova, a high-end store that stocks traditional African artifacts and contemporary design pieces, including textiles, accessories, and ceramics.
About a 20-minute walk from Loading Bay is Bree Street. It was only until a few years ago that local entrepreneurs started opening a host of restaurants, bars, and shops here, turning it into one of the coolest stretches in the city. Starting on the foreshore side, walk down the street in the direction of the mountain. We love Missibaba for its bold and beautifully hand-crafted bags, Kirsten Goss for locally made jewelry, Chandler House for ceramics, and SAM for a selection of locally crafted goods.
In the center of Bree Street, beneath the Cape Heritage Hotel, is the easygoing eatery Chefs Warehouse, where popular Irish chef Liam Tomlin serves some fairly inspired tapas; the best option is the "Tapas for 2," featuring dishes selected by the chef. If it’s a warm day, grab one of the the best seats in the house on the terrace out front. If you’re in the mood for an after-lunch drink, pop into Publik for a glass of local wine or Weinhaus + Biergarten for a craft beer—both are just a few doors down.
The one tourist trap to fall into: You simply can’t miss a ride up South Africa’s iconic Table Mountain. The flat-topped mountain, which is two miles long from side to side, has the best views over the city. If you have the time and are an avid hiker, it’s certainly worth climbing to the top; otherwise make your way to the cable station for an exhilarating cable car ride up. Once at the top, you’ll be astonished by the beautiful flora and fauna and sweeping views over the peninsula.
Your last stop is The Rumbullion at The Roundhouse, tucked in the glens of Table Mountain. Although scenery is not hard to come by in this city, The Roundhouse boasts some of the best. Grab a picnic table on the lawn in front of the main restaurant and sip some regional rosé while you watch the sun set over Camps Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
DAY 2: Woodstock and surrounds
Woodstock is to Cape Town what Brooklyn is to Manhattan—a slightly younger, edgier cousin. Over the past ten years, Woodstock has seen an influx of young, creative professionals taking advantage of the affordable industrial spaces and Victorian homes. While the über-cool neighborhood is now home to a host of new restaurants, shops, and gallery spaces, it’s still as gritty as it is on-trend. Word of advice: The distances from various venues in Cape Town are never very far, but the public transport system isn’t great, so use Uber or get the number of a reliable taxi service before heading out.
On the ground floor of The Woodstock Exchange, located on Woodstock's main stretch, you’ll find the bright and bustling neighborhood cafe, Superette. Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy a coffee with their famous poached eggs.
Next, spend some time perusing the shops at The Woodstock Exchange. Whether you’re scouring for ceramics, furniture, or even artisanal chocolate, you’ll find loads of crafted products at this design-orientated development. Check out the jewelry at Pichulik, the cleverly sculpted furniture at Pedersen + Lennard, and the vintage collectables at KINGDOM. If you haven’t had enough shopping, take a cab a few blocks up to The Old Biscuit Mill, a repurposed factory space that comes alive on Saturday mornings with the Neighbourgoods Market. From bakers to butchers, grocers to designers, the market features more than 100 speciality traders.
No trip to Woodstock would be complete without dining at The Pot Luck Club. Set on the top floor of the Silo Building at The Old Biscuit Mill, the restaurant has 360-degree sweeping views of Cape Town. The tapas menu, which was devised by renowned South African chef Luke-Dale Roberts, is separated into six sections: Salty, Umami, Sweet, Bitter, Sour, and Sweet Ending. The fish tacos are the most famous dish (and with good reason), but the glazed beef short rib, served with a steamed bun and pickles, and the Korean fried chicken are not to be overlooked.
For a culture break: The Company's Garden sits on the edge of Woodstock: a peaceful oasis home to numerous landmarks, including the Iziko South African Museum, South African National Gallery, Holocaust Centre, and Houses of Parliament. Take a stroll along the tree-lined avenue, stopping off at any of the museums that may take your fancy. We’d recommend the South African National Gallery, which features an outstanding collection of work by African, British, and Flemish artists.
Hallelujah is a nearby hole-in-the-wall food and champagne bar, where decor is slightly kitsch but achingly cool, with flamingo-printed wallpaper lining the interior. The menu features Asian-influenced, sharing-style food (try the lobster roll and grilled prawns on steamed buns) and a great selection of local wine and spirits. If you’re in the mood for an after-dinner drink, the city’s hippest bar, The Power And The Glory (which is run by the same owner), is just two doors down. Enjoy craft beer while you watch Cape Town’s creative crowd spill out onto the street.
DAY 3: The Winelands and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
South Africa is home to some of the most successful and picturesque wine farms in the world, most of which are conveniently located in and around Cape Town. There are many situated in the Constantia area near the the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, but a drive out to the winelands around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek should not be missed. The best way to get there is to hire a shuttle for the day so you can enjoy both the wine and the wine farms.
On your way out of Cape Town, take a quick detour to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Lying on the southern base of Table Mountain, the garden, which was founded in 1913 to preserve the country’s rare flora and fauna, has an unmatched array of plants indigenous to the Cape Floral Region.
Stop for a long, lazy al fresco lunch at The Table at De Meye in the Stellenbosch region. The restaurant is run by a husband-and-wife team on the boutique wine farm and it's a true labor of love. The menu is created according to seasonal ingredients, and features rustic and imaginative dishes. Expect homemade country-style bread, slow-roasted meat dishes, and local plates such as snoek paté and twice-baked cheese soufflé made from regional cheeses. All of this is served on a sprawling lawn under a canopy of trees.
You'll seldom find a wine farm in the Cape that doesn’t have a great view, but there is nothing quite like the one from Delaire Graff Estate. A renowned estate situated on the Helshoogte Pass in Stellenbosch, the farm is home to a hotel, restaurants, and, most importantly, award-winning wine. Find a seat on the patio and enjoy a glass of wine and a cheese platter, all while you marvel over the Stellenbosch valley.
A TRIP UNTO ITSELF
Your final stop is at one of the oldest Cape Dutch properties in the province—the working wine and fruit farm, Babylonstoren. Having undergone a revamp by local style guru Karen Roos, Babylonstoren might be the chicest wine farm you’ll ever visit. It features 12 beautifully refurbished Cape Dutch cottages, a farm stall, two exceptional restaurants, and a magnificent edible garden. Most of your time should be spent exploring the vineyards, conservatory, and garden, but be sure to book dinner at the main restaurant, Babel. The menu is focused on seasonal fruit and vegetables, with dishes that are created using ingredients gathered from the garden.
