An Insider’s Guide To Cape Town
STAY
Cape Town’s hotel game has massively levelled up in recent years, with more boutique properties opening alongside the iconic old-school luxury ones. There are also options for different types of visits – whether you’re looking for something beachy, rural or right in the city.
Mount Nelson A Belmond Hotel
Most people will put Mount Nelson at or near the top of this list and for good reason. My sister got married here, so it has a special place in my heart. The property is an historic institution, painted in an iconic pink, and sits right under Table Mountain and also just off of Kloof St, which is home to some of the city’s best restaurants, bars and stores. The gardens are spectacular, the spa is a dream and it’s by Belmond, which has world-class hospitality down to an art.
Visit BELMOND.COM
The Twelve Apostles
Sometimes I drive past The Twelve Apostles and wonder how on earth were they able to build a property in what feels like the middle of a national park? It’s a stones-throw from the crashing waves and with the most jaw-dropping mountain backdrop. This hotel is really about the setting – the view, the feeling of being totally alone but only 15 minutes from town. At the very least, go there to enjoy a cocktail at sunset.
Visit 12APOSTLESHOTEL.COM
The Dorp Hotel
Sitting high above the Bo‑Kaap – Cape Town’s most photographed neighbourhood, painted in bright pastels – The Dorp Hotel is one of the most unique and special places I have ever visited. Designed as a cluster of heritage houses and buildings, the interiors are cosy and quirky: vintage and modern, with the most beautiful furniture and artwork. It feels more like a super‑stylish home than a hotel. There is also nowhere that has as majestic a view of Table Mountain.
Visit DORP.CO.ZA
Tintswalo Atlantic
For something truly unique, Tintswalo Atlantic is set in an unbelievable location at the foot of Chapman’s Peak, right next to the ocean. I know this hotel as a restaurant first – we came for a milestone birthday lunch for my dad – but the hotel looks completely unreal, with individually designed suites right on the water.
Visit TINTSWALO.COM
The Cole
While I haven’t stayed here yet, I wanted to include The Cole, a new hotel that recently opened in Sea Point – a little seafront neighbourhood with Art Deco apartments lining the Atlantic. The hotel design is fresh and calming, and the rooftop restaurant has stunning ocean views.
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EAT & DRINK
Ouzeri
Last time we were here – and again this time around – the most sensational meal we had was at a very refined Greek restaurant called Ouzeri. It’s a bright, lovely little dining room in the CBD serving contemporary Greek food. I’m talking absolutely delicious small plates designed for sharing, plus ice‑cold Greek beers and a lovely cocktail menu, including some delicious non‑alcoholic options. The last time we were here, we ordered the entire menu for lunch and I would definitely do that again.
Visit OUZERI.CO.ZA
Table At De Meye
Table at De Meye is my happy place. The restaurant is in Stellenbosch and is my perfect restaurant vibe. Outdoor tables are spaced far apart under the trees and, if you’re with your family, they lay out blankets so the kids can run around or lie down. The meals are family‑style – my favourite way of eating – and the vibe and service are just perfect.
Visit THETABLERESTAURANT.CO.ZA
Custodian Pastry Bar
The best coffee we’ve had in Cape Town, hands down, is Custodian. It’s a pastry bar in Gardens, a very cute, very strollable neighbourhood full of interesting shops, cafés and restaurants. In addition to the coffee – and the best decaf I’ve ever had – they serve a range of delicious pastries, including some unbelievably good savoury meat pies. That’s not random: Custodian is owned and run by Hoghouse Brewing Co., a brewery and barbecue spot outside of town.
Visit HOGHOUSE.CO.ZA
Kiki
Keeping the Greek theme going, there’s a newish spot called Kiki in Sea Point, which is a very different vibe to Ouzeri but also really great. I think this is my favourite place in this area. Dishes are refined and abundant, and the service is excellent. The room is a vibe, especially on a Saturday night.
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Lello’s
Lello’s is a family‑run Italian food business with a couple of locations. The café serves strong Italian coffee, pastries and cakes (its orange olive‑oil cake is sublime). The trattoria in Three Anchor Bay has a really fun aperitivo hour, with Campari Spritzes in the sun, excellent pizza al taglio and a very good vitello tonnato focaccia sandwich.
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Dias Tavern
Okay, I realise all my bar choices have a huge food component, but that makes sense for me. We went as a large extended family to Dias Tavern, a Portuguese dive bar from the 1980s that feels stuck in time in the best way — right down to the red plastic chairs and retro DJ. It’s a really fun, different vibe, with delicious peri‑peri chicken, and it feels pretty unique to Cape Town.
Visit DIASTAVERNGROUP.CO.ZA
Cassette
Most mornings I try to get out for a walk, and my favourite matcha place in Sea Point turns into a tiny hole‑in‑the‑wall wine bar called Cassette in the evenings. They literally slide out the matcha menu and sign, and slide in the wine‑bar sign. On a nice evening, it’s so lovely sitting at the sidewalk countertop, watching people walk by while enjoying a nice glass of chilled red.
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Blondie
Blondie in Gardens is a really fun vibe – it felt like a heaving pub when we went on a Friday afternoon. If it’s too crowded, a nice hack is to sit next door at AJKP Studio and order food or drinks from here.
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Arthurs Mini Super
Arthurs Mini Super is the perfect local spot. By day, it’s a café with loaded‑up egg plates, sandwiches and salads, plus very good coffee and super‑friendly hospitality. As the sun sets, it becomes a bar with a really sweet neighbourhood vibe, chairs and tables on the pavement, and a really interesting natural‑wine selection.
Visit ARTHURSMINISUPER.CO.ZA
The Nines
The Nines is a great bar if you’re looking for something a bit more special. I wouldn’t usually say a rooftop hotel bar is where you’d find me but Cape Town sunsets are honestly something special – and from this viewpoint, they’re totally mesmerising. I usually order a paloma, which is often the same colour as the sky, streaked with pink and yellow as the sun goes down.
Visit KOVECOLLECTION.CO.ZA
SHOP
AKJP Studio
This is one of my favourite shops in Cape Town. Beautiful ceramics, homeware and objects that feel thoughtful and timeless. You will almost definitely find something you didn’t know you needed. Added bonus – they serve excellent coffee and at night it becomes a little wine bar.
Visit AKJPSTUDIO.COM
Porter Personal Leather
Porter is known for its leather bags but I’m especially into the colourful fabric totes. These are practical, joyful and really great everyday bags that don’t take themselves too seriously.
Visit PORTERPERSONALLEATHER.COM
Loading Bay
Part shop, part café, part bookstore, part Aesop boutique, Loading Bay is a Cape Town classic – ideal for a slow wander and a coffee.
Visit LOADINGBAY.CO.ZA
The Lobby
Clean, modern, fun and really well edited, The Lobby (tucked behind Jarryd’s restaurant) is a good one for fun fashion and accessories or gifts, especially if you like things simple but considered.
Visit THELOBBYBOUTIQUE.COM
VISIT
Oranjezicht City Farmers Market
Visit the Oranjezicht City Farmers Market for local food traders, great produce and coffee, and a really high-energy Saturday morning.
Chapman’s Peak Drive
Chapman’s Peak Drive – literally one of the world’s most spectacular drives – gives you the most insane view the whole journey.
The Rock
Sunset views at The Rock are unmatched. There’s a pretty breathtaking outlook at the end of Ocean View Drive in Fresnaye/Bantry Bay.
Kalk Bay
I love spending an afternoon perusing the shops in Kalk Bay before getting fish and chips (with a view of rambunctious seals playing) at Kalky’s.
Stellenbosch
Spend a day strolling Stellenbosch town, then head to a nearby vineyard for a wine tasting and lunch. Pro tip: Good to Gather is a ten-minute drive out of town and a really lovely spot for lunch – it’s the perfect day.
The Riding Centre
If you have young kids, a morning at The Riding Centre in Hout Bay is a must. This sweet little place does pony rides for little ones most mornings and afternoons, and they also have a kids’ farm/petting zoo, bike track, bouncy castle etc. We always talk about how special and easy this place is – a must if you’re looking for a full, fun morning with kids.
Visit THERIDINGCENTRE.COM
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