Cape Etc 1-2021 - Test

Best walks in and around the city OVEN FRESH: FOUR MUSTVISIT BAKERIES

Take a holiday on a working farm DE HOOP: RESERVE OF PEACE AND SOLITUDE

MUIZENBERG

ISSUE 1-2021 R39.90 (INCL VAT)

Cape Town’s quirky suburb by the seaside

THE ULTIMATE IN CAPE WINING, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT, ADVENTURE, ARTS AND MORE

ISSUE 1/2021

features 8 MU IZ E NB E RG M U S ING S Head here for sun, sand, surf, and a dollop of the unconventional 1 6 TAKE A WAL K Amble, stroll or hike these top ten routes in and around the city 1 8 ON THE RIS E If freshly baked bread is your vice, don’t miss these bakeries 24 P EOP L E OF THE M IL NE RTON M ARKET Meet the personalities behind the stalls 3 6 J OU RNE Y TO T HE ED G E OF T HE EART H Soak up some unfiltered seclusion at De Hoop Nature Reserve

T H I R TY MA KE HAY W H I LE TH E SUN SH I NE S A farm stay beyond the city is the perfect salve for the soul

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F O RT Y-T H REE YOU R GUI DE TO THE CAPE

Dine

87

Getaways

94

Jewellery

103 Cape Town

64

Wine

88

Museums

97

Shopping

104 Cape Winelands

78

Nightlife

89

Entertainment

98

Well-being

106 Cape Peninsula

82

Beaches

90

Art

100 Kids

84

Table Mountain

91

Subscriptions

102 Services

on the cover AN AERIAL VIEW OF MUIZENBERG’S SURFER’S CORNER photography SUPPLIED

Disclaimer: Information was correct at the time of going to print, but is subject to change due to the global health crisis Editor Mark Samuel Art Director Sherizaan Bassier Junior Designer Aslam Ebrahim Chief Copy Editor Roshaan Bouwer Deputy Chief Copy Editor Nicole van der Scholtz Senior Copy Editors Shaneen Noble, Geraldine Amoko Copy Editor Chenai Nyakunengwa Repro Adri Papakonstantinou, Morné Steenekamp

Production Manager Rushaan Holliday Deputy Production Manager Maggie Wasserfall Ad Traffic Controller Chanelle Adonis Ad Design Manager Brümilda Fredericks Ad Designer Abduraouf Bessick Project Manager Kayla Petermann Sales Executives Lamis Abrahams, Letitia De Lange, Caleb Musabayane Debtors Manager Sharon Maneveld PA to CEO Kovi Naidoo

HR Director Rizqah Jakoet Financial Director Lindsey Makrygiannis Production Director Bilqees Allie Operations Director Rashied Rahbeeni MD Tony Walker CEO Kevin Ferguson

ISSN 1681 4487. All material is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. Reproduction without permission is forbidden. Every care is taken in compiling the contents of this magazine but we assume no responsibility in the effect arising therefrom. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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musings

MUIZENBERG AS HARD AS YOU MIGHT TRY, IT’S DIFFICULT NOT TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE NEW DEEP SOUTH

BY SUSAN HAYDEN

NEIGHBOURHOOD

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A MAGICAL DINING EXPERIENCE UNLIKE ANY OTHER Tucked away on a little side street in Cape Town’s city-centre culinary hub and set in the heart of the Dorrance Winery – the only winery in the City – Bouchon Wine Bar & Bistro has become a firm favourite among locals and international guests alike, and is a must for anyone visiting the Mother City. The intimate interior and exclusive cellar table allow Bouchon’s patrons to enjoy dinner in a setting unlike anything else in town.

Bouchon’s menu is concise, yet sophisticated, and seasonal, so it changes regularly according to what is available.

You’ll find mouthwatering tapas and sumptuous desserts, and a finely balanced menu of homely classics such as the popular wild-mushroom gnocchi and pea-and-artichoke risotto, as well as carefully curated delicacies such as seared scallops, pig’s head, duck liver, and ox tongue. The menu is complemented by a wine list of local and international gems, many of which are available by the glass. Pop past by day for a wine tasting and view of Dorrance Winery’s urban cellar and by night to experience the best of Bouchon.

If you don’t take life too seriously, you’ll fit right in.

95 Hout Street, Cape Town City Centre, Tel: 021 422 0695 | Web: www.bouchon.co.za Email: info@bouchon.co.za Open Monday to Saturday, 6 pm – 11 pm

NEIGHBOURHOOD

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here’s something wonderfully worn-in about Surfer’s Corner in Muizenberg. Like an old Billabong hoodie, it’s slightly frayed at the edges, but soft and easy on the skin. There’s none of the hard, flashy sparkle of the Atlantic Seaboard and there isn’t a sequin in sight. This is a lived-on beach. When you stroll along the meandering sidewalk of Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro after sundown, you get a sense that this stretch of beach is just an extension of people’s homes. It’s where locals go to meet their trainer, do their yoga, play volleyball, or catch up with friends. Muizenberg beach has the same kind of feel. You’ll find women in their 70s heading out for a surf, young men on yoga mats, families, joggers, and dogs. People are there to live their lives, not to be seen. And it’s not just the soft sand and warm waters that make it a friendly place to visit. In the last few years, Muizenberg has become seriously cool.

But nobody has cottoned on yet.

This seaside suburb blossomed in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s as a holiday Mecca for the mega wealthy. Millionaires and randlords bought sprawling second homes with endless views of the ocean. People travelled from all over the country to spend the summer bodysurfing, flashing their tanned legs at the Pavilion’s afternoon dances, and dining on sole and veal noisette in smart hotels. But the tide turned, as tides do, and by the 1960s, international travel and developments on the Garden Route and the Atlantic Seaboard had fast begun to lure holidaymakers away. Grand houses decayed and lost value, paint faded and chipped, and people went abroad and spent their money in foreign locations. Muizenberg fell out of fashion, and its hotels grew staid. The southeaster blew across a deserted beach and whipped at empty waves. But fashion, as we know, is perennial, and the tide has turned again.

You’ll find women in their 70s heading out for a surf, young men on yoga mats, families, joggers, and dogs.

People are there to live their lives, not to be seen As the city becomes more congested and information sources more overwhelming, a hearkening for a simpler life with more thoughts and fewer distractions has people migrating back to the deep south. Surfer’s Corner and its surrounding neighbourhood is basking in the love it has received over the past few years, and an ordinary Tuesday morning finds it far from empty. On York Road, over the railway line where graffitied yellow trains rumble clumsily along, we are drawn into a clothing store by the spectacle of a squid chandelier hanging happily from a high ceiling.

Fashion designer Jacqueline Partridge, owner of Mystic Muiz (and Mystic Rose in Kalk Bay), tells us that she fashioned it out of plastic water bottles.

‘It nearly drove me mad,’ she admits. ‘I lay awake at night thinking about it.’ The store was supposed to stock her own clothing range, but somehow ended up becoming half hers, half vintage. ‘It’s a bit all over the place,’ she apologises. ‘I’m not sure it works.’ It does. We buy two of her designs, each sewn from a pale grey fabric as light and feathery as a cloud.

We stroll past the well-known Striped Horse Bar and the lesser-known Black Cat Café, both owned by Jurie Blomerus. We are tempted to go in to the former for a drink but, even for us, 11 am feels early for that sort of 11

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A life-size painting of Madiba, Haile Selassie, Albert Einstein and Jesus standing in front of their surfboards adorns a wall, and the big windows frame the sight of perfect sets of slate-coloured waves thing. I’m told they play good live music and that their Striped Horse beer is excellent, and I make a mental note to come back at a more festive time of day. Instead we opt for coffee at the cafe, which Jurie bravely opened in June last year, smack in the middle of lockdown. Boere kitch, skull lamps and a large selection of tequila give it a layered, Mexico-meets-Karoo-dorpie feel. The effect is mesmerising. Across the way is a tiny Mozambican restaurant called Carla’s.

I read the chalkboard menu through the closed window: Mozambican prawns, mussels and piri piri chicken. Some of everyone’s favourite things.

Another mental note to return. The owner – Carla – is not around at that time of day, but I’m told she is quite a character.

Whether you’re a fan of the show or not, it’s difficult to walk past an eatery called Dr Phil-Afel without going in for a look.

And it’s something of a surprise, being a Tuesday morning and all, to find a DJ called Kolawole Gbolahan spinning the vinyls. A life-size painting of Madiba, Haile Selassie, Albert Einstein and Jesus standing in front of their surfboards adorns a wall, and the big windows frame the sight of perfect sets of slate-coloured waves. My friend gazes at them longingly, wondering aloud whether she should go home and fetch her board. One of the founders of this shared space, Chad Cupido, has the hair we all wanted but didn’t get when we went for perms back in the ’80s.

The building used to house a backpackers, but COVID-19 changed all that. Now it’s a vegan restaurant, a rare vinyl- and bookshop and a centre for healing. Chad shows us the adjoining yoga studio and invites us for a free hatha session that evening at 6 pm. The second-hand books have been picked out by someone with impeccable taste. For R50, I take home Peter Godwin’s Mukiwa, the only one of his I haven’t yet read.

Behind Surfer’s Corner, in Muizenberg village, is a minuscule bakery called The Real Bread Company, which specialises in artisanal sourdough, ciabatta and rye. Their bread is so good that everything sells out within a couple of hours. Across the road in his studio, artist

Riaan Chambers constructs large, elaborate chandeliers inspired by walks on the beach. He uses shells, tumbled pieces of glass, leather and silks, and his creations are breathtaking. A guitarist sits in the doorway of an instrument repair shop, strumming away. ‘Do you always sit there playing?’ I ask. Everything about this place is surprising. A woman hunches over a pavement table, sewing. Gina’s Studio, owned by Austrian Gina Niederhumer, is a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind pieces of textile art.

Her needlework, she explains, is an attempt to repair the broken bits of her childhood. The shop is whimsical and delightful. I buy a pair of turquoise earrings crocheted in Irish lace.

A Rastafarian called Judah lounges in a low chair in his shop, Roots Bar, the air thick with the aroma of incense. He grudgingly turns the pumping reggae music down to tell us about David Icke, and shows us his range of healing lotions made by Rastafarian women. He’s disgruntled that we are not investigative journalists, and wants us to use the word ‘emporium’ when we describe his shop. I ask him to speak a bit of the Khoikhoi, which he is currently studying, and he obliges. Slowly he warms to us, and smiles

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NEIGHBOURHOOD

Surfer’s Corner and its surrounding neighbourhood is basking in the love it has received over the past few years

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PHOTOGRAPHY: DESMOND LOUW/DNAPHOTOGRAPHERS.COM

NEIGHBOURHOOD

and poses for the camera. We ask him where else we should go and he sends us to Dimples Dumpling House. This is the new kid on the block. ‘We’re not actually open yet,’ Egyptian owner Moses Tadros informs us, in between serving customers. It’s hard to focus on anything that he’s saying because I’m distracted by the whiteness of his ridiculously perfect teeth, but I concentrate hard enough to learn that he’s part of an NGO called Exodus Youth, which helps kids from Capricorn and Lavender Hill obtain their matric certificates.

A diminutive barefoot woman who’s been talking to her friend in the road asks us what we’re doing. She shows us inside her house, which has had all its inner walls removed to make space for a dance studio, and she tells us how similar human beings are to jellyfish.

In the window of a bookshop called Paper Moon, I spot a book called Girl on the Edge by author Ruth Carneson. It narrates the traumatic childhood of a little girl growing up with communist parents perpetually on the run from the apartheid police. I remember that she, too, lives in Muizenberg, a few blocks away from the beach. After reading her memoir some years

In Muizenberg, people aren’t as guarded; they’re more willing to let you into their lives

ago, I was captivated by her story. I messaged her on Facebook and she was generous enough to invite me to her home for tea. This sort of unlikely event seems less unlikely here. People aren’t as guarded; they’re more willing to let you into their lives.

Perched all alone on the windy dunes between the vlei mouth and Sunrise Beach is a beautiful old Herbert Baker house with dark windows that gaze wistfully out to sea. Called Vergenoeg, it was built in 1915 for Alpheus Williams, then General Manager of De Beers Consolidated Mines. It was on the market in the early 1980s for a cool R1 million, and is rumoured to be owned by Mary Slack, Harry Oppenheimer’s daughter. This house that watches the shifting sands, bears witness to the many changes that have happened over the past century: the money that flowed in and out, the people, the politics, the power. It has a closed-off look about it, its secrets safely locked within.

It’s living to see another day, withstanding the weather, just like the neighbourhood in which it resides.

SCAN HERE FOR A VIRTUAL TOUR OF THIS EXTRAORDINARY SUBURB IN THE DEEP SOUTH

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3. GO FULL TOURIST IN THE BO-KAAP Cobblestones, steep uphills, brightly coloured houses, the country’s oldest mosque, early morning calls to prayer and shops shuttered on Friday afternoons… This neighbourhood – now a mix of descendants of freed slaves and latter-day arrivals keen to own a piece of history – is the most photogenic in Cape Town, and no matter how often you walk through, across or around it, there’s always something new to see.

2. BOUNCE ALONG THE BOOMSLANG WALKWAY Although named for one of our most venomous reptiles, this particular ‘tree snake’ is perfectly harmless. It’s an architecturally imaginative way of strolling through the air, walking between the branches with a gentle bounce as you survey the tree canopy at Kirstenbosch Gardens. Stare down at the curious blooms, try to identify indigenous trees, and make up your own Latin names for plants you spy from this elevated angle. sanbi.org

1. REACH THE TOP The most direct walking route up Table Mountain is via Platteklip Gorge. It can be tough on your calves, like climbing an endless stairway built for giants, but at the end you’ll feel as though you’ve conquered Everest. Once at the top, take the path left that leads to Maclear’s Beacon (the mountain’s highest point). City, sea and mountain views change with every step. It’s a 45-minute walk back in the opposite direction to the upper cableway station for the easier, quicker trip down by cable car. tablemountain.net

TAKE A WALK WITH MOUNTAINS, FORESTS AND HIKING ROUTES CRISS-CROSSING HER, CAPE TOWN IS A WONDERFUL CITY TO EXPLORE ON FOOT

4. SURVEY SQUIRRELS IN A PARK Since Capetonians of every stripe walk through here at some point, strolling through the Company’s Garden is a soulful way to get a sense of the city’s rhythm.

Bordered by historic buildings and inundated by brave squirrels, it might be considered the equivalent of making a turn through New York’s Central Park or Hyde Park in London, although a walk through Cape Town’s original fruit and veggie garden is on a much tinier scale and takes just a few minutes.

5. HEAD EAST AND TRAVEL ACROSS TIME Within a fairly compact area, you can stroll through hundreds of years of history. Start at the Castle of Good Hope – not a castle in the royal-dwelling sense, but rather a star fort, with battlements and dungeons, and the oldest surviving built structure in the country (completed 1679).

Then make your way past City Hall (with its balcony from which Nelson Mandela gave his first speech after being released from prison), and ramble up Parliament Street, to have a gander at the buildings where so much mayhem unfolds today.

TOP 10 7. CITY TO SEA WITH A NOSTALGIC TWIST While it’s not possible to relive all the magic of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, there’s something fantastic about walking from the city centre, along the purpose-built ‘Fan Walk’, observing the changes in architecture as you move from the high-rise landscape, through Green Point’s squatter Victorian-era tracts, to Cape Town’s monolithic Stadium rising up like a huge white elephant. Continue through Green Point Park to the lighthouse at Mouille Point, and you’re suddenly at the sea.

6. A MILE OF MILLIONAIRE MANSIONS It’s an easy walk along a varying mix of pathways, along a patch of beach, adjacent train tracks, and under a bridge or two. The great thing about hoofing it from Muizenberg to Kalk Bay is that when you arrive, there are plenty of tasty treats to tuck into, from a full-blown brekkie at Olympia Café, to fish ’n’ chips at Kalky’s. En route, don’t forget to look up at the mansions on the mountain slopes – many are attributable to so-called randlords who acquired vast fortunes during South Africa’s gold-mining heyday.

SCAN HERE TO GET A PREVIEW OF SOME OF THESE SPECIAL WALKS ON YOUR PHONE

TEXT: KATIE BIGELOW; PHOTOGRAPHY: CRAIG HOWES, LISA BURNELL, GALLO/GETTYIMAGES, COURTESY IMAGES

8. LACE UP FOR THE FULL ATLANTIC SEABOARD Most locals have some relationship with the Sea Point Promenade (if you’ve never walked along it, have you even been to Cape Town?). For a fuller half-day experience, start at the V&A Waterfront and follow the entire convoluted coastline all the way to Camps Bay. You’ll get a truer sense of the coastline’s contours, and of the architectural idiosyncrasies of building on the slopes of mountains that plunge sharply into boulder-strewn coves.

10. PLOT A PATH TO THE POINT

9. FOLLOW A ROUTE THROUGH A FOREST A walk through Cecilia Forest in Constantia is an easily accessible opportunity to dip into the vast woodland that gives the Southern Suburbs their distinctive charm. There’s a dedicated parking area where Rhodes Drive and Hohenhort Avenue meet, and a choice of routes marked with signs so you can pick your poison, long or short. A real treat is to follow the contour path to Cecilia Ravine and picnic in view of Cecilia Waterfall, one of Table Mountain’s many gems.

Aside from baboons and crashing waves, another thrilling thing at Cape Point is the dramatic pathway known as the Lighthouse Keeper’s Trail. It’s overlooked by most tourists rushing to get to their next stop, but at less than 3 km, it’s an easy walk along a narrow path with historical bunkers, plentiful fynbos and phenomenal views. capepoint.co.za

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ON THE risE BAKERS ARE THE ROCK STARS OF ARTISANAL BREAD, THEIR CRUSTY LOAVES AND SWEET TEMPTATIONS TRAILING LONG QUEUES OF ARDENT FANS. HERE ARE FOUR BAKERIES – INSIDE AND OUTSIDE CAPE TOWN – THAT EVERYONE SHOULD VISIT

BY LES AUPIAIS

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RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT

Bob Marley. The track: ‘Is This Love’. It’s midnight and Talent Musatyira is bobbing and weaving to the reggae riffs while his hands stretch and pound life into the dough that he kneads on a broad table. He is lit like a Renaissance painting caught in a single pool of light cast from vintage factory spotlights overhead, and when he flings down a handful of flour to dust the surface, the particles remain suspended in the beams. He takes centre stage for the four-hour choreography of precise measurement, heat, and the alchemy of natural yeasts.

Assistant baker Panashe Mushore keeps to a steady rhythm of measure, chop and prep while the ovens soar to 230°C. By 4 am, the air is heady with the bake – artisanal baguettes, brioche, rye. The raisins in the krentenbollen add a touch of sweetness on the nose, the woody tang of freshly chopped rosemary lingers with the herb now buried in the soft heart and crust of potato bread, and there’s just a trace in the air of the piquant spices used in the Spanish loaves.

By 7 am, the queue is building, and restaurants will serve still-warm bread for breakfast.

Talent is a big man. Wide grin. ‘This is my passion,’ he says. If he’d followed his head for accountancy when he’d completed O-levels in Zimbabwe and had not run short of funding at university in South Africa, his life would have taken a different turn. But he has since found his passion for baking and learnt that precision is essential when you bake for a profession. From the Woodstock Bakery to the Cape Grace Hotel, SA Chefs Academy and finally to Daan’s Bakery in Hermanus, Talent was offered profit shares by the Gonggrijp family. Now he fuses the business of baking with a flair for the craft.

Daan’s Bakery, 16 Dirkie Uys St, Hermanus, 071 115 1205 info@daansbakery.co.za

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John Williams composes bread. He tugs at your desire by the nose, then by taste and texture BREAKING BODACIOUS

John Williams – not the musician and composer of famous movie scores and the man who captures the emotional pull of a scene with music, but close. This John Williams composes bread. He tugs at your desire by the nose, then by taste and texture. He bakes big-booty bread. None of that skinny machine-sliced stuff that freakily lasts for weeks. You purposefully break John’s bread, drizzle the springy heart of it with olive oil and chew into the crust, eyes closed.

It all happens in a 10 m² home bakery with re-engineered pizza ovens. No magic in the basics – just sea salt, spring water and two types of stone-ground flour – but it’s the spores in the air that kick-start the process and the baker who adds the quirk. ‘There’s something profound about bread,’ he says. ‘Sourdough in San Francisco is not sourdough in New York.’

John, who once ran a below-the-line ad agency and went deep-sea fishing for five years, says he ‘doesn’t do the science’. He’s a self-taught maven and over 15 years has learnt the art by talking to people who shared what they saw, what worked, and what didn’t – like an African oral tradition of storytelling.

You add your chapter of the tale and then it’s down to nature: The temperature for the leaven starter, the fermentation that follows, the hydration and a fierce heat finale.

John, The Village Baker, delivers batches of bread minutes before the market opens.

Customers stand at the stall and point. ‘That one. No, perhaps the slightly wider one with the split crust?’ Much deliberation. Somewhere in a small mountain of sourdough, ciabatta, and a few large French-style miche (in homage to the famous French baker Lionel Poilâne, whom John credits as the sourdough maestro), is your loaf.

In your car, the smell of warm bread is a molecular tease, and you can think of nothing but what to have with it … fresh cheese, butter, maybe honey … and you step on the gas.

Greyton Village Market, Saturdays 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.

John Williams, 076 782 7076

HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE

Stella is a 2.8 tonne Spanish matriarch with fire in her belly. Jeremiah’s her muscly sidekick.

The two massive wood-fired ovens, characters in the Woodstock Bakery bread pageant, are coaxed into life every night, fed raw loaves by the night-shift baking team, and by 5:30 am, many hundreds of crisp, browned ciabatta, brioche, sourdough, croissants and other temptations pop up on the menus at hotels, restaurants and coffee shops all over the city.

‘It was originally Paul Cremer, Paola D’Oliveira, Siya Getye and me, with an outlet at the Biscuit Mill market back in 2013,’ says Paul Hartmann, who now owns the Woodstock Bakery and the adjacent South African Chefs Academy in Salt River.

Two years later, success meant bigger space and Stella was reverently disassembled and rebuilt at the new premises. ‘That was fine until most of her roof collapsed and we had to fly out a Spanish expert to rebuild her from scratch,’ says Paul. The Spaniard couldn’t speak a word of English but made it quite clear in translation that he had no idea how they had baked anything before Stella threw her toys.

Jeremiah was shipped in as indirect oven number two, and yes, the two ovens result in a slightly different character of bread. ‘Ours is more German style, hard-crusted, robust, firm and with colour,’ says Paul, products that now have something of a cult following in Cape Town. If the fans are not hunkered over their brioche or ciabatta at a coffee shop, they head to the Oranjezicht Farm City Market at the V&A Waterfront and stock up for home consumption. No one skips a fix.

The Woodstock Bakery, 13 Brickfield Rd, Salt River, Cape Town woodstockbakery.co.za, 074 797 7324

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THE SOURDOUGH SAFARI

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‘We’re Dutch and we love good bread, and the only way we could get what we wanted was to bake it ourselves’

PHOTOGRAPHY: CHRIS AUPIAIS , COURTESY IMAGES

Mo Lewis lifts a slim and tanned arm and shows off a sculptured bicep. No weights. No personal trainer. Bread is to blame, she says, and so the story begins. Steve – her husband – is an architect and she’s a fashion designer. They decided life in the Netherlands was too structured, predictable, and it was time for an adventure, a safari in Africa. Kenya or perhaps South Africa?

The couple, with no plan, no set compass point or sight-seeing agenda kitted out a sturdy Nissan Patrol. For a year they spent nights in remote sites, exploring, meeting people and finally, in 2016, they crossed the Swartberg. There, spread out beneath them was the valley and Calitzdorp, their journey’s end. They found and bought an organic farm, which had come on to the market days before their arrival – in the height of the worst drought in decades.

The bread-baking began in defence of bland, mass-produced loaves on sale. ‘We’re Dutch and we love good bread, and the only way we could get what we wanted was to bake it ourselves the old-school way.’ In cast-iron pots, basic flour and water took time to bubble and rise in the coal-fired stove… The first sourdough loaves were a little ‘funky’ she admits, with no shelf-appeal, but they were delicious, and moreish. Friends loved them. Could Mo just bake a few loaves for a party? Friends told friends. At one point, she was producing 25 loaves a day. Fridges were bursting with raw ingredients. ‘There’s no space for Steve’s beer to chill,’ she admits.

The business grew, an expansion as natural as the proving itself. The secret, in part, was the Bio-Wheat organic flour from Golden Reef Milling.

The precision of the fashion designer – with an eye for texture, and the integrity and form of a garment – translated into The Accidental Baker’s ciabatta, baguette, focaccia, ‘Very Berry’ bread, and a jalapeño and chilli savoury loaf. Steve designed self-catering studios, sleek, minimalist spaces for guests, and Mo has launched a fashion range in denim, an honest, no-frills fabric with authentic roots – organic bread’s doppelgänger.

IN PERSON

People of the MILNERTON MARKET

THIS MARKET HAS SOME OF THE QUIRKIEST, MOST UNIQUE ITEMS TO BE FOUND ANYWHERE IN CAPE TOWN, AND BROWSING ITS BRIC-A-BRAC, ARTEFACTS AND ANTIQUES IS A FAVOURITE WAY TO SPEND A WEEKEND MORNING. BUT EVEN MORE INTERESTING THAN THE STALLS ARE THE PEOPLE WHO OWN THEM. BY SUSAN HAYDEN

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TONY CHATTY

Tall, reticent and softly spoken Tony Chatty sits amid a veritable treasure trove of old and interesting things. His sprawling ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of unusual antique items that he has collected over the years contains old brass artefacts, knives in ornate casings, antique dolls and submarine portholes, to name a few. When asked how he came across such unusual items, he says that the trick is to have a good eye for the things that are unique and of value when you shop in second-hand stores. He took many of the items off a collector who couldn’t take his precious cargo with him overseas, and plenty of his buyers are people who shop for items for movie sets. It’s a fascinating stall, and definitely worth a browse.

RICHARD MILLER

Using pine off-cuts from the saw mill, Richard Miller has been making hand-painted wooden signs and selling them on the market for 25 years.

‘It started with just a handful, and it grew from there,’ he says. He sits at a table at the market and paints them by hand: ‘Friends are welcome, family by appointment’ and ‘The more I meet people, the more I love my dog’ are among his more popular signs.

IN PERSON

JOHAN DE MEYER

After working for De Beers mining company for 44 years, retired Johan got involved in charity work, travelling to the Northern Cape where unemployment rates in some regions are as high as 99% and people, as Johan says, ‘have nothing’. He would go to places such as Britstown, Upington and Augrabies distributing shoes, clothes and food.

‘But the people there don’t like getting something without giving back,’ explains Johan. ‘When they realised I’m interested in crystals and precious stones, they would repay me in stones. If you walk around in the area between the Orange River and Upington, you’ll find amazing stones.’

Once, on his travels in Burma with De Beers, he found a ruby the size of a golf ball, but he couldn’t get it out so he dug a hole in the ground and buried it. He says maybe one day he’ll go back and get it.

MARIO WROBLEWSKI

Pretty much everyone knows 85-year-old Mario, or ‘Papa’ as he is fondly called. Mario has been trading on the Milnerton market for 20 years, and you can tell this master smoker nothing about mackerel, snoek, kabiljou, red roman, angelfish or hake. Originally from Poland, Papa spent many years of his life working as a ship’s engineer on the northern seas, basing himself in Sweden in the late 1950s. He knows the ocean like the back of his hand, and he knows fish. He married an ‘English rose’, as he calls her, and lived in the United Kingdom before eventually relocating to South Africa for the sunshine. His expertly smoked angel fish, snoek and mackerel are inexpensive, healthy and delicious. If you’re

too hungry to take it home, R20 buys you a delicious fresh bread roll with smoked snoek and mayonnaise.

BRUCE TAIT

Nobody passes by Bruce Tait’s sizeable jar of false teeth without stopping in horror and amusement. ‘One day an old lady came to me and said, “I’ve got a whole bag of false teeth SCAN – would you like them?” Now, my teeth have HERE become legendary, and are known far and wide,’ FOR A WHISTLEBruce, who’s also an antique specialist, explains.

STOP TOUR ‘There was an old lady, Aunty Joan, who visited OF THE MILNERTON a stall opposite me every Sunday and who was FLEA MARKET fascinated by the teeth – so much so that she left me her false teeth in her will.’ Bruce goes on to tell the story of a handsome, toothless surfer who showed up one day at his stall and asked if his teeth had been found out back, on the beach. He lost them while surfing and had been looking for them ever since. Everyone wants to know if people actually try the teeth on. The answer, says Bruce, is yes! When he’s not at the market, Bruce is running his shop, Antiques On Kloof, at the top of Kloof Street in the CBD.

Everyone wants to know if people actually try the teeth on. The answer, says Bruce, is yes!

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SALIOS TIGERE

You can’t help smiling when you see the gorgeous garden art that Salios from Zimbabwe has fashioned from old pots. There are egrets, flamingos, pelicans, ducks, owls, cats and sunbirds as water feeders. Salios’ grandfather was a talented woodcarver, and his grandson has clearly inherited his skills.

Salios was working as a welder when he decided to start making garden art as a hobby. His creations gained in popularity and sold well, and today he has a degree in marketing and a workshop in Lansdowne where he employs six people. ‘I have a talent for making other people happy,’ he says, ‘and, I like birds.’

ANNALISE DU TOIT*

Life hasn’t been easy for 56 year-old Annalise du Toit*. Her little stall consists of toys she has beautifully knitted herself and odd items that have been donated by friends and family. She has had no income since 2007 and is currently homeless. She lives, washes and sleeps in the confines of her small car, which is packed to the rafters with everything she owns.

There isn’t much extra room. She parks it outside an old-age home at night where, she says, she is less likely to be harassed by the cops. But, they still come. Her blue eyes fill with tears when she tells of her partner who died in August of kidney failure. He was only 48 years old. He had the same model of car in a different colour, and they would park side by side, putting their stuff in one car and sleeping in the other. The money she makes at the market is just enough for food for the week. She is waiting for something to happen, for her luck to turn. In the meantime, she says, ‘The people at the market are my friends and family.’ (*Not her real name. She asked not to be photographed or identified.)

DESMOND AND VALERIE ENGELBRECHT

With a twinkle in his eye, Desmond will tell you that his wife invented the ‘Flip and Braai, but the Heavenly Father was the main engineer’. At the age of 60, Desmond found himself out of work, so he decided to make something he could sell. The ‘Flip and Braai’ is clever, indeed. No tongs required, it’s big enough for a snoek and it’s light enough that anyone can flip it. It comes in three sizes (‘like the three little bears’) and you can choose between mild steel and stainless steel.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: CHANELLE MANUEL & K-LEIGH SIEBRITZ/HMIMAGES.CO.ZA

IN PERSON

Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve is situated under 2.5 hours from Cape Town, in the vastness of the majestic Tankwa Karoo. With thick wooded Acacia river beds and magnificent golden mountains on the horizon, Inverdoorn provides the ultimate tranquil Big 5 safari experience.

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INVERDOORN

MAKE hAY WhILE ThE sUn shInEs COCK-A-DOODLE-DOOOO! A BATTLE CRY, TELLING US HE’S ALIVE AND READY FOR THE DAY, AND THAT THE REST OF US MUST GET MOVING, TOO, BECAUSE THERE’S WORK TO BE DONE. THOUGH, IF YOU STAY AT ONE OF THESE FIVE WORKING FARMS, YOU WON’T HAVE TO LIFT A FINGER. ETHAN PITT HEADS TO THE FARM FOR A HAYCATION

WEEKEND BREAK

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WEEKEND BREAK

COUNT SHEEP AT WOLWEKRAAL

‘Farming isn’t a soft life,’ says Berlinda Nel, who left the city 20 years ago with her husband to start a new life at Wolwekraal, a sheep farm in the Karoo. Although just 10 km from Prince Albert, once you head down the last 2 km of dirt road into the 4 000 ha farm, you feel as if you’re in the middle of nowhere.

It hasn’t been easy, but the Nels have never looked back.

‘We didn’t have a clue. Along with the farm, we got 300 merino sheep, but we knew nothing about wool and had nowhere to shear them. So we sold them and got dorpers, which we raise for their meat, instead.’ Not that farming ever gets any easier.

‘A really tough day,’ Berlinda says, ‘is when you go out into the veld and see that four, five, maybe six lambs have been half eaten by jackals and are still alive. So you have to slaughter them.

That is not nice. And the drought has been terrible; we haven’t had rain for six years. But we go on because the rewards are many.’

Despite the harsh summer heat and the dry earth, Berlinda says her life here is privileged.

‘It’s so tranquil. And so wonderful not having to be at work at a certain time; rather, I get up early to watch the sunrise from a koppie. That’s something priceless. This place lets you know that you are free.’

To share this freedom with folks in need of some wide-open space, the Nels built four 32

guest cottages. Echoing the Karoo’s unfettered simplicity, they’re decorated with unpretentious antiques and vintage pieces that Berlinda picked up in Prince Albert. They’re equipped for selfcatering, and there’s a shop on the farm where you can buy lamb chops, wors and braaibroodjies.

There’s a swimming pool, chickens foraging in the earth, and trails for you to ride your mountain bike.

On long walks, you’ll bump into the small herd of sheep that graze on the herbaceous

Anker karoo (Pentzia incana) that gives their meat its characteristic flavour. If there are lambs, you can help with bottle feeding, too.

Mostly, though, coming here is about finding solitude. ‘It’s a place of healing,’ says Berlinda.

‘If you’re stressed, burnt out, or just sick of being cooped up, this is a place to unwind. You can find yourself here. You can talk to yourself, too, or to the rocks and stones. Nothing and nobody will disturb you.’ wolvekraal.co.za

DO NOTHING AT HALFAAMPIESKRAAL

While there are interactive ‘touch farms’ where guests have the opportunity to get involved with farming activities, ride horses, or milk cows, a healthy respect for the realities of agriculture is one of the reasons most farm stays don’t invite guests to get too actively involved in farming activity. Tending animals, harvesting crops and shearing sheep aren’t in fact recreational activities.

Most of those jobs need to be left to people who know what they’re doing.

‘There’s no entertainment, and guests mustn’t expect to “help out”,’ says Jan-Georg Solms, owner of Halfaampieskraal, a guest farm in the Overberg.

For city folk, though, merely being in this environment has a way of affecting you quite deeply… Whether it’s because of JanGeorg’s excellent eye for detail evident in the outbuildings renovated into quirkily styled accommodations, or because of the legendary meals that enable you to taste the goodness of the land. Or maybe it’s simply thanks to the restfulness you savour here, whether lounging on the veranda or walking across the land. No one can be sure. Perhaps it’s just the realisation that your eggs were collected shortly before breakfast, or that your duvet inners were supplied by the squabbling ducks roaming the farmyard.

Whatever it is, with more than a thousand merino sheep and arable land planted with wheat, canola, and barley, Halfaampieskraal is the real deal, stacking up all sorts of opportunities to cultivate stillness. ‘People mainly come here to relax and do nothing at all,’ says Jan-Georg.

‘What people see taking place will depend on

the seasons. There’s sheep shearing every eight months, and during planting season, there are big planters working through the night, and you will be aware of them. During lambing season, there will be lambs skipping about.

But we don’t let guests sit on the harvesters or go traipsing through the shearing shed.

No. Things carry on as usual – as they have for a few hundred years.’ kraal.biz

For city folk, merely being in this environment has a way of affecting you quite deeply

TIME TRAVEL AT BARTHOLOMEUS KLIP

There’s a tremendous sense of stepping back in time at Bartholomeus Klip, part of a wheat and sheep farm attached to a 4 000 ha nature reserve where you might spot bat-eared foxes, blue cranes, a variety of antelope, or one of the super-rare geometric tortoises.

Situated near the tiny hamlet of Hermon in a valley known for its grapes, olives and wheat, just 25 minutes from Riebeek Kasteel, the farm has two family-sized self-catering cottages plus five bedrooms in its original 1906 farmstead, now restored and furnished in mood-evoking period style. While many of the enticements of another age exist in physical form, it’s not just the bricksand-mortar nostalgia that takes you back in time.

It’s the atmosphere, the way staffers treat guests, the way the food tastes, the ritual of high tea.

And of course much of the spirit of the place is linked with the seasonality of life represented by the clichéd images of farm life that keep cropping up: chickens pecking the ground, sheepdogs rounding on large herds, tractors trekking back and forth, barn owls nesting in the silo, the harvest, sheep being shorn and the lambs frolicking when their time comes.

There are around 2 000 newborn merinos each lambing season.

There’s plenty to do beyond the farmyard, including spending time at the dam and

exploring the nature reserve. And, if you want to delve into a different sort of time travel, this was also one of the locations for the long-running Quagga Project, which has been attempting to re-establish a quagga population using selective breeding of zebras. A few years back it achieved its first goal of breeding 12 animals that exhibited the same aesthetic features as the extinct quagga – striping that stops on the mid-body and very brown in colour. bartholomeusklip.com

The best moments though, are when you catch the cows when they are full of grass, content and suddenly deeply interested in humans WATCH THE GRASS GROW AT OAKHURST

‘I love what I do,’ says Jake Crowther. ‘I love working outdoors. I love farm life. I love improving the land in a sustainable way.

My children are also the sixth generation on the farm.’

Jake’s family’s dairy farm is surrounded by the Outeniqua Mountains and indigenous forest. It is in one of the more remote bits of the Garden Route – in the vicinity of Hoekwil along the Seven Passes Road, which runs inland between George and Knysna. In other words, pure bliss.

By ‘improving the land’, Jake means regenerative farming, an approach that involves sequestering carbon in the soil by letting his pastured-raised

cows fertilise and replenish the earth using their own manure and their hooves.

Jake says the thing he does best though is growing grass. ‘It’s what we do. Our business is completely dependent on healthy, happy cows who need lush, fresh grass 24/7. It sounds easy but each cow grazes about 13 kg of grass a day. So we need to produce at least 16 tons of grass daily.’

Which kind of makes your head spin, even if it doesn’t sound especially thrilling. But it does put you in awe of farmers such as Jake who get up each morning to help make the world a better place.

‘Most fulfilling,’ Jake says, ‘is when you see the cows sleek and healthy and producing lots

PHOTOGRAPHY: GALLO/GETTYIMGAES, COURTESY IMAGES,

WEEKEND BREAK

of fresh, creamy milk and all the calves are happy and growing up in open fields with space and living completely free range.’

The sight of these happy cows alone is reason enough to hit the Garden Route to help Jake watch the grass grow. Fortunately, there are self-catering cottages and glampingstyle tents to put you right in the middle of this wondrous grass-growing project. The three-bedroom cottages are along the edge of the forest and very private – and if they are chic, cosy and comfy inside, the world beyond their walls is a blissful slice of oldfashioned country living.

Visits to the dairy are a treat: Aside from seeing cows being milked, you witness their personalities in full flight. ‘Like humans, you get naughty cows, bullies, quiet cows, and mostly easy-going happy-go-lucky cows,’ says Jake. ‘Every day they surprise you with some drama or unique behaviour.’

The best moments though, Jake says, are when you catch the cows when they are full of grass, content and suddenly deeply interested in humans. ‘In these moments, in a shady field, away from the world, you can sit still and have a bunch of cows come up to you and sniff you and lick you.’ oakhurst.co.za

UNPLUG AT DANIELSKRAAL

It’s remarkable just how quickly a cellphone becomes an annoyance when you’re in a place with a life and energy all of its own. Besides, there’s precious little you can do about ‘urgent’ calls when you’re dodging cowpats or running the gauntlet of furious geese.

Not that you need to worry about such farmyard obstacles at Danielskraal, which – despite being just 10 minutes from the Port-producing town of Calitzdorp – is also bereft of humans.

‘Swim in the dam naked,’ recommends Rosheen Kriegler, Danielskraal’s owner who, having lived in Johannesburg and London her whole life, moved here a couple of years ago. ‘There’s not another soul around and the beauty of the moment will let you know there has to be a God.’ Swimming kaalgat is just one benefit of the farm’s next-level isolation. There’s an utterly uncommercial aura about the place that enables total, unconstrained freedom.

The four-bedroom house – with its thick walls, deep veranda and thatch roof – dates back to the mid 1830s. A chic renovation has imbued it with a quintessential parallel-universe personality (original fireplaces, plush sofas, old books, rich fabrics, found trinkets, bric-a-brac, vintage this and that) and it has everything

you and your family (or skinny-dipping friends) could need to stay for a weekend or a week. It’s surrounded by what Rosheen refers to as ‘undulating views of velvet hills that stretch to eternity’, plus there’s 25 ha of carrots, onion seeds, lucerne … and 350 mohair goats roaming around the rest of the 2 300-hectare wilderness.

Venture away from the farm to set off on long walks through abundant nature, taking stock, cherishing the oxygen, recuperating from life’s niggles, listening to twittering birdlife. It’s a subtle landscape where you learn to appreciate the tiniest wonders, from rare succulents to scattered fossils.

The other pleasure of being in this rural oasis is of course the readily available fresh produce. ‘We find the tastiest things to eat and drink here,’ says Rosheen. ‘Fresh milk, free-range eggs, the local sourdough bread, home-made rusks and apricot jams, olive oils and tapenade…’

Tuck in, drink a toast and then be sure to gaze upwards and be awed by the kaleidoscopic starscape in a sky unblemished by light pollution. You won’t for a moment regret the lack of a cellphone signal (although you might want to turn off your WiFi, because the farm is now connected). danielskraalfarm.co.za

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E X P LO R E

JOURNEY TO THE EDGE OF THE EARTH

STARK BEAUTY, SHAPE-SHIFTING DUNES, DISCREET CARNAGE BELOW THE SHIMMERING SURFACE OF ROCK POOLS… KEITH BAIN ENCOUNTERS A MIX OF SAVAGERY AND SOLACE AT DE HOOP NATURE RESERVE

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T

he last stretch of road was a straight stripe through sublime emptiness. It was as if we were driving to the end of the world.

Beyond Bredasdorp – our last pit stop – there was precious little. It was a 60 km stretch of bumpy gravel between vast tracts of wheat and canola fields. The odd trundling tractor was the only clue we were still on an inhabited planet, huddles of bewildered sheep the only signs of life.

If quiet was what we were searching for, we had found it before we’d even arrived.

JOURNEY’S END

It turns out that when you reach the end of the world, what awaits is an unblemished kingdom where a grey-green haze softens across vast plains of scraggly fynbos.

Dirt roads cut through the scrubland and over hills and disappeared towards distant pearl-white dunes. Ostriches pecked at the ground, blesbok and eland sauntered by unperturbed. An impeccable peace prevailed.

De Hoop, our destination, is a resolute and exhilarating nothingness covering some 36 000 ha, concealing within it a huge vlei, tall mountains to the east, and, on the other side of those ghostly dunes, a wild coastline unscathed by humanity.

It’s this remote, unblemished stretch of shoreline and unbounded ocean for which this pristine nature reserve is best known. For it’s here that you can witness whales from the land, in staggering numbers, perhaps better than anywhere else on the planet.

The vastness of its protected marine area where there’s not so much as a boat in sight means that the raw beaches, rich reefs and life-filled intertidal

rock-zone have been perfectly preserved. Nonetheless, it’s something of an acquired taste – neither rich in predators, nor teeming with big game, its remoteness makes it ideal for seekers of isolation, solitude and respite rather than anyone looking for obvious thrills.

We were staying in one of the self-catering houses that forms part of the De Hoop Collection – centred on its Opstal, the repurposed former farmstead now a reception, shop, suites, pool and restaurant. The chef, apparently, sleeps up in one of the old grain silo towers.

Outside there are ancient figs, giant milkwoods and lawns trimmed

by Cape mountain zebra and bontebok that barely batted their eyelids as we drove in.

We unloaded the contents of the car into our thatched cottage overlooking the vlei, which, depending on the time of year, teems with pelicans, and attracts up to 150 000 flamingos in summer. We had barely slunk into a lazy stupor on the stoop when the cry of a fish eagle led us off on an impromptu hike. Thing is, though, once you start walking, and exploring, you just want to go on and on and on. The raw, elemental beauty of the place is staggering.

When we did finally return to our nest, we sat on the veranda in the diminishing light of evening, absorbed the clean scent, listened to the birds, and watched as ducks sailed in perfect V-shaped formations across a sunset-washed sky. A few moments later, a straggler followed in their wake, quacking like a drunk uncle left behind at the pub.

That first night was an unfurling, a sloughing off of the city, a sinking into silence. We listened to the hoots of an owl, discerned the inky silhouettes of animals in the night, mistook a huge hare for a fox and stared up at a sky bulging with stars.

E X P LO R E

Depending on the time of year, the vlei teems with pelicans, and attracts up to 150 000 flamingos in summer ROCK POOLS SAVAGES

Morning. The ocean’s hypnotic rumbling.

Sloshing waves, a lugubrious chorus.

Scuttling crabs, the distinct smell of salt and herbaceous fynbos. And like colourful explosions against the ghostly white sand and grey-green bushes, luminescent blooms in purple, pink, red and yellow.

The morning was still fresh, dew frosting the ground, the beach sand icy cold. We were with Dalfrenzo, who is, contrary to what you’d expect, not an Italian opera singer. Dalfrenzo Laing is Napier-born and bred. In fact, his name is an homage to his aunt and uncle Debby and Franz.

He – with his Overberg accent punctuated by colourful Afrikaans that can’t be translated – has been guiding at De Hoop since he was still wet behind the ears, and many years later still conducts each marine walk as though he’s exploring an alien planet for the first time.

He cherishes the shoreline and its secrets like a treasured heirloom, and as we traipsed gingerly over the intertidal rocks peering into the pools, he talked about anemones, periwinkles and barnacles. In proportion to their size, the latter have the longest reproductive organ of any animal.

‘Once they’ve adhered to a surface as an adult, they never move, so they need a long one,’ Dalfrenzo explained, politely.

He showed us a sea urchin that uses it arms to grab shells, which it then uses as a shield against the sun. And he told us about limpets that are thought to practise agriculture, farming algae by urinating and defecating on them to propagate food. Limpet teeth, meanwhile, are the hardest biological material on Earth, used to scrape food off the rocks in a kind of conveyor belt action.

The rock pools were apparently full of unmitigated gore. There were gruesome killer urchins and predatory starfish that stalk the rock pools looking for fellow invertebrates to feast on. Spiny starfish turn their stomachs inside out, producing enzymes that break down their prey before ingesting them.

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E X P LO R E

We’d been there just two days and in that compressed vacation managed to detox from the madness, the noise, the news Once we had extricated ourselves from this alternative universe of curious creatures and hellish table manners, we stood on the shore for a long while, spellbound by the rolling breakers. The ocean twitched and roiled, while on the beach you could virtually hear the dunes shifting.

And then, right on cue, a whale breached and sent its tail high out of the water as if to wave at us. If all that wasn’t enough, Dalfrenzo then pointed to a pod of humpback dolphins serenely surfing the backline.

CIRCLING VULTURES

In the Potberg Mountains to the east of the reserve, a unique microhabitat sustains the Western Cape’s last surviving colony of Cape vultures – or griffons. Also known as Kolbe’s vultures, they’re South Africa’s largest raptor, and truly something to behold.

‘It’s rugged where they are,’ said Calvin du Plessis, who manages one of the reserve’s lodges. ‘You have to travel a really bad and bumpy road, do an intensive hike across the river and then climb up to reach the little viewing deck. When you eventually get up there, though … whew! Wrap-around views of unimaginably wild, unspoiled fynbos wilderness.’

With this in mind, we set off in the mid-afternoon; about half an hour on a road that detours out of the reserve and back along the public road to reach De Hoop’s separate Potberg entrance. I was determined to glimpse the vultures and so set off on a trail I assumed would lead me to them. It was the most beautiful run, first through a bit of forest and then up and up and up until I was a bit unsure of where I was.

But soon, just as a wide mountain plateau sprawled out ahead of me, I became aware of being watched. Or rather, stalked. From above. Shadows moved imperceptibly around me and, gazing up, I saw three or four largewinged creatures skulking ominously on the thermals.

‘Often you’ll have vultures soaring directly above you,’ Calvin had said.

‘They’re prehistoric-looking – really grisly creatures, not at all pretty, with gruesome beaks and an oversized wingspan out of proportion to their body.

And their eyes kind of penetrate the soul. They’re especially hideous when they’ve just devoured a carcass – their heads are featherless and they get full of blood.’

E X P LO R E

FIND REFUGE AT DE HOOP De Hoop Collection A 10-minute drive from the beach, these accommodations in the vicinity of the vlei range from campsites with electric points to cottages provisioned with kitchens and braai areas, and there are suites in the ‘Opstal’, or farmstead, too. Also in the converted opstal are its restaurant and bar with indoor and outdoor seating, a pool, and shop. You can sign up for a variety of guided activities – from marine walks to vulture visits – or simply settle into the kind of silent escapism you came for, hiking or lazing on your stoop. dehoopcollection.com

PHOTOGRAPHY: PEET MOCKE/HMIMAGES.CO.ZA

Morukuru Beach Lodge Facing the sea at Koppie Alleen, the top bar area of this five-bedroom beach house affords a 360° view of the surroundings including unimpeded views of the roiling ocean. The spacious, open-plan living area is designed to let the outside in so you can open all the doors and windows. It’s powered by solar panels, has hot water produced by pellet burners, and stocks snorkelling equipment, water shoes and wetsuits, sandboarding paraphernalia and mountain bikes – plus ponchos, gumboots, beach umbrellas, and a telescope for stargazing. morukuru.com Lekkerwater A class act on the far side of the reserve, this seven-room lodge occupies the site once used as a holiday home by the last president of apartheid-era South Africa.

Remote and isolated, it has the atmosphere of a big seaside family farmhouse with white wooden-walled, glass-fronted box-shaped rooms arranged along a cliff to ensure gorgeous ocean views. It’s entirely off-grid, so electricity is generated by the sun, grey water is treated, there’s no singleuse plastic in sight, and most supplies are locally sourced. naturalselection.travel

The bloody faces and sinister eyes I could only imagine, but I couldn’t help but admire their masterful use of the thermals upon which their bulky bodies floated so effortlessly.

It was thrilling running with them, although I wondered how vulnerable I appeared to a hungry vulture. I’d heard from Dalfrenzo that these scavengers are known to pluck the eyes from live sheep. Now, I decided, was not the time to trip and hit my head, especially since – even more sinister still – there were also squawking crows circling, darkening the sky in a way that put me in mind of something almost medieval.

TRUE ROMANCE

On our last day at De Hoop, I arose early to watch the last of the stars twinkle through the ruddy blackness as a chorus of birds got into the rhythm of a new day, like cheerleaders on the sidelines for a big game. I watched as the sky turned from bruised plum to pale blue, as a sliver of pastel light pierced the horizon.

We had been there just two days and in that compressed vacation managed to detox from the madness, the noise, the news. We didn’t tick every box on the activities list, nor did we even try. We didn’t fuss, we didn’t look for things to do, or distract us. We ate when we were hungry, dozed wherever felt comfortable. We walked, we talked, we owned the stoop, stared at the stars, we felt the squishy milk-white sea sand between our toes. We pottered, we acted out our fascination with infinitesimally small and inconspicuous life forms we’d otherwise never have known existed.

We behaved in ways people are meant to with each other – appreciatively.

I felt in those two days my atoms being rearranged, put right, like my heart was made whole again. I breathed deeper, inhaling longer and exhaling with greater satisfaction than usual.

This, then, was what peace felt like.

And when we left, we were refreshed, recharged, renewed. Alive as only a trip to the end of the world could make you feel.

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KUGANHA TENTED CAMP SAFARI

LUXURIOUS CAPE TOWN BIG 5 SAFARI EXPERIENCE The luxurious Kuganha Tented Camp and Spa is a tranquil safari dreamscape situated just 2.5 hours’ drive from Cape Town, where guests will feel a sense of exclusivity and serenity. The beautifully appointed tents are arranged amongst the thick wooded Acacia Karoo trees, with an inviting pool overlooking the Karoo veld with golden mountains on the horizon.

Each tent offers a personal dining experience on the patio or the private dining veranda - creating the most perfect setting for leisurely breakfasts as the sun rises over the Ceres Karoo. Evenings are spent listening to the sounds of nature, surrounded by the warmth of lanterns that light up the camp at night - while the Karoo skies open to a magical display of the Milky Way. Itineraries offer guests the freedom to unwind as they make use of the private pool, the exclusive spa bungalow and go on traditional safaris that whisk guests onto the 10 000 hectare wildlife conservancy to view the main attraction: Africa’s exquisite wildlife.

2.5 hours from cape town • www.kuganha.com

YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST FOOD, WINE, SHOPPING, ART AND SIGHTS ACROSS THE CAPE PENINSULA AND BEYOND Times and prices listed are subject to change. Booking at restaurants is recommended, especially during peak season Please note that, while every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the details in the listings, some information might have changed due to the effects of the global health crisis. Please call ahead to make sure.

DINE

WINE

NIGHTLIFE

BEACHES

TABLE MOUNTAIN

KIRSTENBOSCH

GETAWAYS

MUSEUMS

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ART

MARKETS

JEWELLERY

SHOPPING

WELL-BEING

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PHOTOGRAPHY: UNSPLASH

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DINE A SELECTION OF FOODIE HOT SPOTS

CITY BOWL

THE BLACK SHEEP RESTAURANT 104 KLOOF STREET, GARDENS

BURGER & LOBSTER

021 426 2661, blacksheeprestaurant.co.za

105 BREE STREET, HERITAGE SQUARE, CBD

COL’CACCHIO

Jonny Japha is the man with the plan in the kitchen, plating up the likes of crispy pig tail to start and grilled impala with green bean salad for mains. The menu changes often, so check their website for the daily offering… Not that you will be disappointed with whatever is served up.

021 422 4297, burgerandlobster.co.za

42 HANS STRIJDOM AVENUE, FORESHORE

This eatery is so popular that it’s been given its very own nickname by locals: Kreef (Afrikaans for ‘lobster’). Sample the B&L Burger served with streaky bacon and cheese, or satisfy your seafood fetish with a Lobster Roll dressed in Japanese mayo.

021 419 4848, colcacchio.co.za

BOCCA THE AFRICA CAFÉ

CNR BREE AND WALE STREETS, CBD

CAFE PARADISO

108 SHORTMARKET STREET, CBD

021 422 0188, bocca.co.za

110 KLOOF STREET, GARDENS

021 422 0221, africacafe.co.za

There’s no excuse to skip indulging in a pizza at this homage to the very best of Neapolitan cuisine – but bring your friends along and start by ordering a couple of smaller plates to share. Try the Italian chicken salad, the roasted veg couscous or the ragu pasta. A bottle of Prosecco is all but mandatory.

021 422 0403, cafeparadiso.co.za Combining the feel of a neighbourhood eatery with a gourmet menu, Cafe Paradiso offers the chance to do some serious eating (and drinking, with an extensive list of local wines). All bread and freshly churned butter comes straight from the kitchen to your table, and the kids will adore the make-your-own menu, which will keep their little hands busy.

Take your place in the buffet line, where you will be tempted by mouth-watering specialities from across the continent, such as Botswanan seswaa masala (a delicious medium-strength springbok curry) and magwinya (lightly sweetened fried dough balls). Lively music and an adjoining artsand-crafts shop ensure an all-round sensory feast.

THE BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB 158 KLOOF STREET, GARDENS

AUBERGINE 39 BARNET STREET, GARDENS 021 465 0000, aubergine.co.za

Combining classic European cuisine with South African and Eastern twists, the fine-dining Aubergine has secured itself a spot on many a list of top local restaurants. The menu changes frequently, and the resident sommelier guarantees a memorable evening of wining and dining.

021 423 6805, thebombay.co.za A Bohemian den of merriment, The Bombay Bicycle Club is from the team that brought Cape Town the legendary Madame Zingara. Closely packed tables buzz daily with the eclectic city set, and the menu tempts with wonderful varied delights – from ‘Drunken’ Camembert for starters, to Bombay ribs, peppered sirloin, or a butternut, sage butter, walnut and rocket risotto for mains.

For the best fresh Italian – think pizza, pasta, wholesome salads and decadent desserts – Col’Cacchio wins hands down.

Although a franchise, each eatery feels intimate, whether located in busy malls such as Cavendish Square, Canal Walk and the V&A Waterfront, or overlooking the strip at Camps Bay beach.

THE COUSINS TRATTORIA 3B BARRACK STREET, CBD 083 273 9604, thecousinsrestaurant.com Hailing from Romagna in northern Italy, cousins Luca, Simone and Andrea have joined forces to offer their traditional cuisine with zeal in the Mother City.

Andrea has mastered the art of crafting fresh pasta every morning, and Luca’s mixology skills mean you’ll always have something delicious to sip with your meal.

CARNE SA 153 KLOOF STREET, GARDENS

THE CRYPT JAZZ RESTAURANT

021 426 5566, carne-sa.com

ST GEORGE’S CATHEDRAL, 1 WALE STREET, CBD

The meatiest of well-known Chef Giorgio Nava’s offerings, Carne SA is a carnivore’s dream. From antipasti through to secondi, it’s carpaccio, grass-fed beef, Karoo lamb and game as far as the eye can see at this city favourite. The decor here is inspired by the original Carne SA that opened up on Keerom Street.

062 614 8731, cryptjazz.co.za

Located in the crypt below St George’s Cathedral (the oldest in Southern Africa), The Crypt has a perfectly moody setting for live jazz. The menu features fusion food, but the emphasis is on the music, with a line-up of both established musos and young talent.

BAO DOWN 3 VREDEHOEK AVENUE, ORANJEZICHT

BOMBAY BRASSERIE 1 WALE STREET, TAJ CAPE TOWN, CBD

CHEFS WAREHOUSE & CANTEEN

DIAS TAVERN

066 022 1165, baodowncapetown.com

Bao Down is the brainchild of husbandand-wife team Philippa and Graham Oldfield, both trained chefs. Phillipa’s experience running her own catering company combined with Graham’s CV, which includes being head chef at Chefs Warehouse, make for a winning combination at this joint. While bao are the speciality, beautifully prepared Korean, Japanese and Chinese dishes are also on the menu.

021 819 2000, tajcapetown.co.za

92 BREE STREET, CBD

Bombay Brasserie is an homage to traditional Indian cuisine in the rich, historical setting of the Taj Cape Town hotel. Flavours are delicately balanced and aromatic rather than scorching hot, though you can choose to increase the heat if you’re feeling up to it. The carefully considered set menus allow you to sample a variety of the best dishes the chefs have to offer.

021 422 0128, chefswarehouse.co.za

021 465 7547, diastavern.co.za A cosy, jovial atmosphere awaits at this Zonnebloem institution, celebrating all things Portuguese. Tuck into a satisfying seafood dish, prego steaks, peri-peri chicken straight off the charcoal grill, and, of course, succulent espetada. Struggling to decide?

Ask about their daily specials.

Liam Tomlin’s Chefs Warehouse consists of a small canteen-style eatery that most will tell you is home to the best tapas in the city. A changing daily menu (and no bookings) mean you will want to stop here frequently to try the latest dishes from Liam’s kitchen.

15 CALEDON STREET, ZONNEBLOEM

DOWNTOWN RAMEN 103 HARRINGTON STREET, ZONNEBLOEM

BOUCHON

CLARKE’S BAR & DINING ROOM

BELLY OF THE BEAST

95 HOUT STREET, CBD

133 BREE STREET, CBD

110 HARRINGTON STREET, CBD

021 422 0695, bouchon.co.za

087 470 0165, clarkesdining.co.za

076 220 5458, bellyofthebeast.co.za Entrust your dining experience to Chefs Anouchka Horn and Neil Swart at this inviting spot in the up-and-coming East City precinct – you won’t be disappointed.

Sustainable culinary practices drive the menu here, so expect the satisfaction of enjoying a delicious dish that has little impact on the environment.

Love wine and down-to-earth food? Then this charming little spot, situated in an urban winery, is just the place to get your fill of sophisticated, yet relaxed, fare and a selection of local and international wines. Pop in for their weekly Travel Through Your Glass selection from around the world, or book an intimate soirée with your friends at the exclusive cellar table.

A serious contender for the ‘best burger in the city’ award, Clarke’s Bar & Dining Room has a horde of regulars who come for the all-day breakfasts (try the French toast croissant stuffed with honey, Nutella and bourbon bananas), gourmet sarmies (we loved the pulled pork with kimchi and mozzarella) and, yes, those incredible burgers.

An oldie but a goodie, Downtown Ramen has cemented its position as a go-to for Capetonians and visitors to the Cape who are after a little Japanese flavour in the form of the popular noodle-and-broth dish. Also on the menu are bao stuffed with, among other options, charsu pork belly with citrus pickle, and Japanese beer and wine to wash it all down. While the spot’s decor is basic, to say the least, your culinary experience certainly won’t be.

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021 461 0407

THE COMPANY’S GARDEN RESTAURANT 15 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, COMPANY’S GARDEN, CBD 021 423 2919, thecompanysgarden.com

The long-standing Company’s Garden tea room has given way to this eatery from the Madame Zingara group as part of a revitalisation project by the City of Cape Town. The space is light and quirky, with elements such as oversized animal statues, a giant chess set, hanging ‘bird’s nest’ seating and a kids’ play area enticing diners to enter the garden. Expect light meals and traditional South African dishes.

FIND OUT MORE: FOOD REVIEWS AND NEWS

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5TH FLOOR, SPEAKERS CORNER

HAIKU

37 PARLIAMENT STREET, CBD

58 BURG STREET, CBD

021 286 2733, fynrestaurant.com

021 424 7000, bukhara.com

Brace yourself for a ‘journey of flavour discovery’ at this offering from esteemed Chef Peter Tempelhoff. Bespoke design has been implemented in everything from the plates to the serving trays, and the space blurs the lines between kitchen and restaurant. Two plant-based menus, a standard lunch menu and signature Fyn menu bring inspiration from the East.

The open-plan kitchen at this chic Asian eatery will have you hankering for the meticulously prepared tapas, such as dim sum and Japanese robata. It’s best to go in a group, so you can order copious amounts of delicious bite-sized treats to share. Booking is recommended.

HEMELHUIJS 71 WATERKANT STREET, CBD

THE DOG’S BOLLOCKS YARD, 6 ROODEHEK STREET, GARDENS 021 461 8134

The battle of Cape Town burger joints continues, and The Dog’s Bollocks is one of the strongest contenders. The bare-bones driveway venue with its wire patio furniture certainly doesn’t scream ‘fine dining’, but it doesn’t have to: The burgers here speak for themselves.

GRUB & VINE

021 418 2042, hemelhuijs.co.za

103 BREE STREET, CBD

Aesthetics and culinary expertise combine at this breakfast and lunchtime gem. The menu offers a line-up of comforting, nostalgic dishes conceptualised with genuine flair. Try the double cream citrus yoghurt panna cotta with slowroasted orange and toasted ginger granola from the all-day breakfast menu or, for lunch, opt for the seared scallops with quince brown butter.

087 153 5244, grubandvine.co.za

Chef Patron Matt Manning’s debut restaurant follows stints under the wings of stalwarts such as Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, and a solo career as a private chef. Expect bistro-style food with an added element of refinement, served in a relaxed, contemporary space.

HOKEY POKE 1 CHURCH STREET, CBD 021 422 4382

Hokey Poke is the first stand-alone restaurant to specialise in this dish, and it gives patrons the option of building their own bowls alongside its classic Hawaiianstyle poke of raw tuna, shredded kombu and sticky rice.

I LOVE THE DOUGH 101 BREE STREET, CBD 072 145 9988

A feast for the senses awaits all who dare chance the lush pink millennial dreamscape caught between the walls of this pizza joint du jour. Dealing in Italian fare, expect a menu of Neapolitan-style pizzas with a 21st century twist. Here, old flavours give way to newer creations, such as the Nutella Chocolate Pizza served with ice cream. Some scintillating tipples and a soundtrack of old-school hip-hop round it all up.

IRON STEAK AND BAR 114 BREE ST, CBD 021 422 1175, ironsteak.co.za

‘Good food, good drinks and good vibes’ – that’s the motto of the new kid on the butcher’s block. And the ambience of its prime location, its extensively stocked bar and its burgeoning status as a hotspot all agree. And they are serious about meat: Every order of prime-cut steak is served on a chopping board, steak knife substituted for cleaver, ensuring that Head Chef Roche Rossouw’s vision is brought to life with every meal served.

JASON BAKERY 83 MAIN ROAD, GREENPOINT 021 433 0538, jasonbakery.co.za Capetonians set their alarms extra early just to snag one of Captain Bread’s (aka Jason Lilley’s) delicious bacon croissants.

From its hole-in-the-wall origins, Jason Bakery has grown into one of the city’s most popular brunch and lunch spots.

KLOOF STREET HOUSE 30 KLOOF STREET, GARDENS 021 423 4413, kloofstreethouse.co.za

Step off bustling Kloof Street into a lush garden, then into the eclectic interior of this grand old Victorian house. The menu sates all kinds of food cravings (think grilled ostrich or baked aubergine Parmigiana), but it’s the Moroccanspiced lamb that will give fellow diners food envy.

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MARCO’S AFRICAN PLACE 15 ROSE LANE, BO-KAAP 021 423 5412, marcosafricanplace.com

KYOTO GARDEN SUSHI

For your fix of African and Cape Malay cuisine, live marimba bands and other African entertainment, look no further than this lively spot that seats up to 220 people. Order the Chakalaka Salad to start, and a Pan-African Platter with samp and beans for mains, followed by Mama’s Brandy Tart – a South African favourite.

11 LOWER KLOOF NEK ROAD, TAMBOERSKLOOF 021 422 2001, kyotogarden.co.za

MINK & TROUT

At this tranquil spot with its Zen-inspired decor, the chef takes pride in sourcing unique ingredients, including sea urchin, farmed abalone, Mozambican conch and even fresh wasabi, flown in from Japan. As authentic as it gets, Kyoto is a respite from the sushi mainstream.

127 BREE STREET, CBD

LA PARADA 107 BREE STREET, CBD 021 426 0330 1 HOUT BAY ROAD, CONSTANTIA 021 795 0620

021 426 2534

Named for its Chefs Leigh Trout and Kevin Mink, this wine bar and bistro offers delicious, beautifully plated fare in a cosy, comfortable atmosphere. In keeping with the prevailing foodie ethics of our city, Mink & Trout’s menu changes regularly and is centred on seasonal, local produce. You can’t go wrong with the free-range chicken pie or gnocchi.

MANNA EPICURE

ALFRED MALL, V&A WATERFRONT 021 418 3003

laparada.co.za Pull up one of the mismatched chairs at the long communal tables of La Parada to feast on Spanish tapas. Everything is as authentic as it gets, with award-winning Chef Brad Ball at the helm. Order plates of paella, ham croquettes and Spanish omelette to share. Book a table at the branch at Constantia Nek for a meal or drinks in a lovely, forested setting.

MULBERRY & PRINCE

LEFTY’S

NELSON’S EYE RESTAURANT

105 HARRINGTON STREET, CBD

9 HOF STREET, GARDENS

021 461 0407

021 423 2601, nelsons-eye.co.za

Gaining instant street cred from its grungy Harrington Street location, Lefty’s turns out to be so much more than the sum of its hipster parts. A dressed-down interior of interleading rooms and dark walls sets the scene for tucking into what the owners have dubbed ‘drunk food’: sticky baby-back pork ribs; waffles with fried chicken, maple syrup and bacon; and heavyweight burgers.

Tucked behind a blink-and-you’ll-missit timber doorway just around the corner from the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is this excellent steakhouse that’s been around since the ’60s. So don’t be fooled by its somewhat lacklustre interior – the steaks here are some of the best to be had in the city.

151 KLOOF STREET, GARDENS 021 426 2413, mannaepicure.com

12 PEPPER STREET, CBD 021 422 3301, mulberryandprince.co.za

If you’re looking for a dining experience that offers delicate gourmet tapas in an Instagram-worthy setting, this is the spot.

Mulberry & Prince has won all kinds of design accolades since it opened, thanks to its pink-and-charcoal palette, mid-century furniture and collection of local art.

OBI 14 LONG STREET, CBD 021 418 4040, obirestaurant.co.za

Got a hankering for sushi? Maybe tempura?

Or even ramen? You can have all three at Obi. Pull up a seat at one of the tables dotted around the restaurant space, or slide on to the bench along the wall and place your order. Framed Japanese artwork and kimonos complete the decor, and friendly service makes for a memorable experience.

PLANET BAR BELMOND MOUNT NELSON HOTEL, 76 ORANGE STREET, GARDENS

NONNA LINA

021 483 1000, belmond.com/hotels/africa/

MAMA AFRICA

64 ORANGE STREET, GARDENS

178 LONG STREET, CBD

021 424 4966, nonnalina.co.za

021 426 1017, mamaafricarestaurant.co.za

Nonna Lina has established itself as the go-to for a little taste of Italy (dishes the way Mama makes them) in the heart of Gardens. Now branching out to the Waterfront Food Market at the V&A, they are spreading all that basil-infused, Parmesan-sprinkled goodness with a pizzeria. Bonus? The new spot offers pasta and salads. Buon appetito!

south-africa/cape-town/belmond-mountnelson-hotel/dining The crystal-studded floor and chandeliers mimic the galaxies, while the menu takes you on an exploration of the gastronomic variety. Executive Chef Rudi Liebenberg is revered for his fusion of innovation and tradition, and you won’t want to miss out on his chef ’s-table experience. If it’s a quiet lunch spot you’re looking for, head over to Planet’s little sister Oasis Bistro for a bite.

An interior of bamboo walls and bright artwork makes for a laid-back dining environment. The menu will keep meatlovers happy, from Karoo lamb chops to Mama’s Wild Game Mixed Grill.

There is also a sizeable seafood- and vegetarian selection, and a live marimba band nightly.

This eatery at the top of Kloof Street is a tranquil oasis.

The all-day breakfasts are perennially perfect and classic with a modern edge (there’s even coconut bread for the gluten-free), while the lunch and dinner menus combine French flair with a rustic, South African approach to experimental food.

PLANT 8 BUITEN STREET, CNR LOOP STREET, CBD 072 521 9252, plantcafe.co.za Plant has been dishing up some lipsmackingly good vegan grub in the heart of the city since 2013, and has become a staple for CBD foodies. The commitment to offering ethically conscious produce without ditching flavour means all foodies get in on the green goodness.

THE POT LUCK CLUB THE OLD BISCUIT MILL, 375 ALBERT ROAD, WOODSTOCK 021 447 0804, thepotluckclub.co.za The sister restaurant of – and only a few steps from – the multi-award-winning The Test Kitchen, The Pot Luck Club is Chef Luke Dale-Roberts’ more laid-back spot. Tapas made to share occupy the bulk of the menu, which is handy, because you’ll really want to try, well, everything.

UTOPIA – DINING ELEVATED FLOOR 15, 40 CHIAPPINI STREET, CBD

SWAN CAFÉ

021 418 3065, utopiacapetown.co.za

CNR BUITENKANT & BARRACK STREETS,

Take in the 360° views from this trendy spot, furnished with contemporary decor infused with local flair. Order a classic or a creative cocktail from the bar’s menu, and snack on some beautifully presented tapas inspired by international flavours.

ZONNEBLOEM

RAW AND ROXY 38 HOUT STREET, CBD 079 599 6277,

rawrawandroxy.wixsite.com/rawandroxy Dubbed one of Cape Town’s ‘sexiest food spots’, Danish-born Beatrice Holst’s vegan foodie wonderland is a go-to for Capetonians after their plant-power fix.

Superfoods such as chia seeds, maca and spirulina are just some of the ingredients that go into her tasty creations. To learn how to bring these into your own kitchen, book a place in one of the raw-food cooking classes she hosts.

079 454 4758, swancafe.co.za Proudly flying its flag as Cape Town’s first authentic Parisian crêperie, this is one stop in the East City you need to jot down on your bucket list. French-born-and-raised Jessica Rushmere has channelled her chic creativity into this beautifully styled spot, where you can tuck into the finest sweet- and savoury crêpes this side of the equator.

THE TEST KITCHEN ORIGINS THE OLD BISCUIT MILL, 375 ALBERT ROAD, WOODSTOCK 021 447 2337, thetestkitchen.co.za

RICK’S CAFÉ AMÉRICAIN 103 KLOOF STREET, GARDENS 021 822 1100, rickscafe.co.za

This cosy restaurant, tucked away in a Victorian building on Kloof Street, is a favourite of locals. A replica of the famous sign from Casablanca invites guests into the eclectic interior, complete with bar, loft lounge and roof deck. The menu offers everything from French bouillabaisse to Moroccan tapas, and is augmented by a pretty decent selection of Cape wines.

SEABREEZE FISH & SHELL 213 BREE STREET, CBD 074 793 9349, seabreezecapetown.co.za This easy-breezy restaurant sticks to the sound philosophy of doing one thing and doing it well. ‘Fish and shell’ is exactly what you’ll find here, from a tapas menu that includes wild langoustines and hake ceviche, to mains such as squid-ink pasta, and the best fish and chips you’ll find on Bree. Summer oyster specials are the cherry on top.

SCARPETTA 85 ROODEBLOEM ROAD, WOODSTOCK 083 251 0730

Food and family go hand in hand at this little taste of Italy in Woodstock, where restaurateur Ricky Turilli ensures every dish that comes out of the kitchen has a sprinkling of his family’s style of dining. His ultimate goal: to bring people together around a table to enjoy humble, honest, feel-good food that tastes magnifico.

This well-known restaurant has undergone a rebrand. The focus is now on making fine dining more accessible. The dining and atmosphere is more relaxed and pared down, but the food as luxurious and delectable as ever.

THALI 3 PARK ROAD, GARDENS 021 286 2110, thalitapas.co.za

Savour an authentic taste of India at Thali, which translates from Hindi as a metal plate or platter on which food is served. Chef Liam Tomlin, of Chefs Warehouse fame, opened this cosy spot in Gardens, perfect for dinner with friends or a romantic night out. The decor is in tune with what is on the menu, with colourful, intricate prints adorning tabletops and collections of thalis fixed to the walls.

TJING TJING TORII 165 LONGMARKET STREET, CBD 021 422 4920, tjingtjing.co.za This Japanese-inspired food joint offers the best cuisine paired with delicious wines. At Tjing Tjing Torii on the ground floor, table service, no dress code, and easy indie- and electronic playlists will make this your new favourite haunt. Go upstairs, and Momiji brings an air of sophistication to your experience with its kaiseki-inspired menu.

The Momiji Lounge (reservations only) provides the perfect space to unwind with a drink in hand, and the original rooftop bar is as popular as ever.

TOMO 86 LOOP STREET, CBD

SOCIETI BISTRO

021 422 0635

50 ORANGE STREET, GARDENS

Have a love of flavours from the East, but also want a taste of Cape Town? Well, you no longer have to choose between the two.

Japanese braai (or robata) is a relatively new concept to the Cape, brought to locals and visitors by Tomo. Besides this fusion style, diners can pick from a menu that includes sushi, tempura, noodles and bento boxes.

021 424 2100, societi.co.za

Situated in a restored Georgian home, Societi Bistro features primarily Italian fare. Try unusual pasta flavour combinations such as trout, vodka cream and baby marrow; or peas, goat’s-milk cheese, mint and Grana Padano.

VAN HUNKS CNR UPPER UNION AND KLOOF STREETS, GARDENS 021 422 5422, vanhunks.co.za Taking its name from a Cape legend (ask your waiter), this Kloof Street eatery pays tribute to local cuisine, with offerings such as peri-peri chicken livers, traditional Cape Malay bobotie and home-made fishcakes.

The large, covered wooden deck is a good place to relax with a drink and enjoy the view on warmer days.

THE WOODLANDS EATERY 8 BREDA STREET, GARDENS 063 710 4742,

thewoodlandseatery.com Since opening in 2011, The Woodlands Eatery has served delicious, unpretentious food in a fun and relaxed environment. Offering wood-fired pizza among the best in Cape Town, along with a seasonal bistro menu, craft beer and a noteworthy wine list, this is a trendy neighbourhood spot serving consistently excellent food that you’ll return for time and again.

BALDUCCI VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT

DINE

021 421 6002/3, balduccis.co.za

ATLANTIC SEABOARD ANATOLI 24 NAPIER STREET, GREEN POINT

Housed in a revamped contemporary space originally designed by esteemed architect Stefan Antoni after his travels to Italy, Balducci’s menu boasts an assortment of fare ranging from pasta and pizza to Asian noodles and sushi.

BUKHARA

021 419 2501, anatoli.co.za

Step through the imposing carved doors into a Turkish lair where traditional music, lantern-lit interiors and staff carrying laden platters set the scene for a memorable shared meze feast with freshly baked flatbread. The traditional beef doner kebab with all the trimmings is delightful, while the spice-infused lamb is sure to tempt those looking for something hot.

BELTHAZAR RESTAURANT & WINE BAR

BILBOA

021 418 5600, bukhara.com

VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT

THE PROMENADE, VICTORIA ROAD, CAMPS BAY

021 421 3753/6, belthazar.co.za

021 286 5155, bilboa.co.za

This steakhouse overlooking Table Bay harbour is as well known for its wine list as it is for its selection of meaty meals.

The vinicultural delights are paired with game, perfectly done steaks, flame-grilled lamb and truly sublime seafood.

Bilboa is everything you could want in a seaside restaurant: A light, bright setting, a view of the beach and contemporary cuisine. While the menu does offer meatier dishes, it’s the seafood that wins the day, including specialities such as sea bass with clams, or kingklip with pine nuts.

If you’re on the hunt for truly excellent North Indian cuisine, Bukhara has it in spades. Dark, heavy wood furnishings and flickering lamps create a sense of old India, while the menu tempts you with mild butter chicken, succulent lamb chops and tandoori kebabs, curries galore, and warm, buttery naan.

BAÍA

VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT

VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT

BELUGA

021 421 0935, baiarestaurant.co.za

THE FOUNDRY, 74 PRESTWICH STREET,

BOBO’S

THE BUTCHER MAN 105 MAIN ROAD, GREEN POINT

As far as seafood restaurants go, it’s hard to beat Baía, inspired by the Portuguese tradition of serving only fresh-out-thewater fish. Think West Coast oysters and mussels, Cape rock lobster, Mozambican shellfish, traditional cataplana and only the freshest linefish. There is also an excellent red-meat selection to keep the serious carnivores happy.

GREEN POINT

1 TWO OCEANS BEACH, BEACH ROAD,

061 434 0813, beluga.co.za

MOUILLE POINT

Beluga’s outdoor section buzzes with after-work sushi addicts, there for the long-running cocktail- and sushi specials on offer every day of the week. The main menu features everything from a baby calamari starter to Norwegian salmon for mains, and the wine attic is well worth a look.

021 439 9027, bobos.co.za Colour, colour and more colour! The bright, fresh palette at this seafront spot is bound to put you in good spirits while you tuck into the light, yet filling, dishes served here. The French inspiration is evident throughout the menu.

021 434 1111, thebutcherman.co.za The place to go if you take your meat seriously. Master butchers Peter Lees and Mick Donnelly ensure everything from the fresh-meat section is just that.

There’s also a deli, biltong bar, speciality meat fridge and sit-down or takeaway grill area offering meaty feasts, from Chalmar beef steak to a Wagyu burger.

SOUTH CHINA DIM SUM BAR 289 LONG STREET, CBD 078 846 3656

With crates for seats and vintage kung fu movie posters on the walls, this local fave is as trendy as its food is tasty. Build your meal from the array of bite-sized South East Asian dishes. The food from the tiny kitchen is served in eco-friendly boxes and can be washed down with a cold Chang or Singha beer. Have a sweet tooth? Finish off with black sesame-seed ice cream.

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THE HUSSAR GRILL 108 CAMPS BAY DRIVE, CAMPS BAY 021 438 0151, hussargrill.co.za

CHEYNE’S

GIBSON’S GOURMET BURGERS AND RIBS

35 MAIN ROAD, SCOTT ESTATE, HOUT BAY

VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT

066 412 3289, cheynesrestaurant.co.za

087 357 3465, gibsonsburgers.co.za Stepping into Gibson’s is almost like stepping into a slick and sophisticated version of an all-American diner. The wide and unique selection of burgers, in addition to their whopping list of at least 207 milkshakes, makes it a crowd-pleasing spot that’s perfect for a family jaunt.

Cheyne’s serves up the enticing flavours of the Pacific – think miso, coconut cream, sake, rice vinegar and star anise.

Combining Asian cooking techniques, Pacific Island food, local freshness and a host of cultural and culinary influences, any meal here is sure to be a truly unique dining experience.

CITY GRILL STEAKHOUSE

GOLD RESTAURANT

VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT

15 BENNETT STREET, GREEN POINT

021 421 9820, citygrill.co.za

021 421 4653, goldrestaurant.co.za

If you like your meat substantial and South African, City Grill should be on your must-try list. On offer is a rather large game selection including ostrich, warthog, springbok and crocodile, and favourites such as Karoo lamb chops and beautifully basted spare ribs.

Promising its diners a ‘taste safari’ that incorporates flavours from Cape Town to Timbuktu, Gold Restaurant is the perfect place to experience cuisine from across the continent. An evening here usually begins with a djembe-drumming session, followed by a hand-washing ceremony. Afterwards, tuck into a delectable 14-course meal

COCO SAFAR ARTEM CENTRE, 277 MAIN ROAD, SEA POINT 021 433 1336, cocosafar.com

‘Attention to detail’ accurately describes the experience at this couture espresso bar and patisserie. Everything from the waitrons’ uniforms to the decor embodies the pure sophistication synonymous with a classic French patisserie. Sit down for a cup of espresso, loose-leaf tea, the classics or some fresh juice as you enjoy every morsel of the beautiful treats on offer.

FIREFISH

EL BURRO 81 MAIN ROAD, GREEN POINT 021 433 2364, elburro.co.za Rumours of the fresh linefish ceviche, chocolatey chicken mole (a traditional Mexican dish), excellent smoked chillies and Cape Town’s very best tacos have made El Burro the city’s long-standing favourite Mexican haunt. Or it could be the selection of imported tequilas and the murderous margaritas that did it.

El Burro Taqueria on Kloof Street in Gardens offers a first-rate Mexican experience in lighter portions.

IL LEONE MASTRANTONIO CNR PRESTWICH AND COBERN STREETS,

KARIBU

GREEN POINT

VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT

021 421 0071, mastrantonio.com

021 421 7005/6, kariburestaurant.co.za The chefs here know just how to bring the organic flavours of the veld to your plate.

Expect all of the local favourites, including bobotie, denningsvleis, game meat, snoek, putu and chakalaka – with koeksisters to finish. Karibu also does a traditional braai, where you take your pick from prime cuts of meat, grilled to perfection.

Wooden furnishings and warm hospitality combine to create a welcoming atmosphere.

Old Italian favourites are the order of the day: Start with mouth-watering bruschetta and carpaccio, then move on to perfectly al dente pasta with robust sauces – and, of course, tiramisu or panna cotta to end your dining experience.

HUDSONS CNR MAIN AND UPPER PORTSWOOD ROADS, GREEN POINT

GRAND AFRICA CAFÉ & BEACH HAUL ROAD, V&A WATERFRONT 021 425 0551, grandafrica.com

Tables spilling on to a man-made beach are the star attraction at the Grand over summer. In cooler weather, the interior has a warehouse aesthetic that has been made welcoming and cosy with candlelit tables, chandeliers and antique Indian rugs. The menu is just as inviting – from yummy seafood pasta to massive, made-to-share pizzas served on wooden boards.

VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT 021 286 4933, firefishrestaurant.co.za Overlooking the Waterfront’s quays, Firefish offers a menu of seafood, sushi and shellfish, with a sizeable steak section and a small(er) menu for vegetarians too.

If you are feeling decadent, start with the Seafood Feast, with prawns, white fish, calamari and mussels.

If you’re after a hearty meal, look no further than this award-winning establishment that has been treating meat lovers to premium beef, game and venison for 57 years. You can also enjoy a decadent dessert or a glass of something from the extensive wine list – bonus: Bring your own at no extra charge.

THE GREEK FISHERMAN VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT 021 418 5411, greekfisherman.co.za

Expect classic Greek and Mediterranean dishes with a modern twist at this al fresco eatery. Tuck into a meze starter followed by a seafood feast platter of crayfish, prawns, calamari, mussels and linefish, grilled to perfection over open coals.

The menu extends past the fruits of the sea to delicious lamb and steak too.

HARVEYS RESTAURANT 221 BEACH ROAD, SEA POINT 021 434 2351, winchester.co.za

In prime position right on the Sea Point Promenade, Harveys is a fond favourite.

Enjoy sundowners and the Atlantic Ocean views from its terrace, then head inside to its colonnaded courtyard for an escape from the persistent buzz of the city. Lunchand dinner menus combine nostalgic food with local flavour.

021 433 1496, theburgerjoint.co.za

This well-loved burger spot offers a large selection of beef-, chicken-, ostrich- and vegetarian burgers on your choice of bun. Pair your meal with sweet-potato fries and a cocktail or one of their killer milkshakes (in flavours such as Oreo, peanut butter or salted caramel, to name a few).

A number of other branches have opened in Gardens, Claremont and Stellenbosch.

DINE

NOBU LA PERLA

ONE&ONLY CAPE TOWN, DOCK ROAD,

CNR BEACH AND CHURCH ROADS, SEA POINT

V&A WATERFRONT

021 439 9538, laperla.co.za

021 431 5261, noburestaurants.com

A local favourite that dates back to the 1960s, this Italian great is the place for top-notch marinara and an array of fresh seafood. Sit on the terrace protected from the blustery southeaster and watch the sun set over the Atlantic.

Master Chef Nobuyuki ‘Nobu’ Matsuhisa opened this incarnation of his acclaimed chain at the luxurious One&Only Hotel in 2009. Classic Japanese cuisine gets a contemporary update here – think lobster hobayaki, kingklip tempura amazu, Wagyu gyoza and a chocolate bento box for dessert.

THE LAWNS AT THE ROUNDHOUSE

NV-80 THE POINT, 76 REGENT ROAD, SEA POINT

KLEINSKY’S DELICATESSEN 95 REGENT ROAD, SEA POINT 021 433 2871, kleinskys.co.za

Reminiscent of a New York deli, Kleinsky’s offers bagels, schmears, latke Benedict and some of the best pastrami we’ve found in Cape Town. Owners and brothers Adam and Joel prepare everything fresh daily, and you can taste it in the food.

021 439 7112/4, nv-80.co.za We’re giving New Yorkers a run for their money when it comes to steak, and a favourite spot for one with all the trimmings is NV-80. Owners Naldo and Victor Gonçalves envisioned the spot as a tribute to the ’80s, which is when this brother act first went into business with their stylish Pigalle restaurants in Joburg and Cape Town. Prime cuts from the grill and a tempting seafood selection are the main reasons to book.

LA BOHEME WINE BAR & BISTRO

78 REGENT ROAD, SEA POINT

341 MAIN ROAD, SEA POINT

‘The Seagull’ combines MediterraneanFrench flavours with a carefully sourced list of complimentary wines. Take full advantage of this by ordering the popular tasting menu and wine pairing, but do try the mango parfait with coconut sorbet, coconut crumb and citrus madeleines.

La Boheme has cemented itself as one of the city’s favourite bistros, serving up fresh gourmet food at a very reasonable price. The menu varies slightly day to day, as the chefs get creative with whichever ingredients are freshest.

OCEAN BLUE

021 438 4347, thelawnsct.com

THE PROMENADE, VICTORIA ROAD, CAMPS BAY

Already established as an institution in Mother City dwellers’ hearts and palates, The Lawns has seen a revamp to level up to one of the best al fresco dining spots this side of Miami. The views out over Camps Bay and the Twelve Apostles aren’t shabby at all, and the menu satisfies a range of tastes, with gourmet sandwiches, burgers, cheese and charcuterie platters, and classics such as fish and chips and even a whole roasted chicken.

MELONCINO VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT

021 433 0856, lamouette-restaurant.co.za

021 438 9838

If you’re soaking up the sun on Camps Bay beach and find yourself a little peckish, direct your steps to Ocean Blue, one of this golden mile’s longest-standing establishments. Mediterranean-themed decor and ocean views set the scene for a seafood feast. Platters are the order of the day, and you’re encouraged to build your own from the restaurant’s selection of crayfish, giant prawns, live oysters, calamari and linefish brought in daily.

There’s also a selection of steak and pizza for the non-seafood-eaters.

021 419 5558, meloncino.co.za

Meloncino is the place to stop for Italian fare after a spot of shopping at the V&A. The menu offers home-made pasta, steak and seafood, plus great wood-fired pizza.

To ensure your meal is as authentic as possible, most ingredients are sourced and imported from Italy.

MOZAMBIK SHOP 8, QUAY 5, V & A WATERFRONT, DOCK ROAD

LA MOUETTE

021 434 8797, labohemebistro.co.za

ROUND HOUSE ROAD, CAMPS BAY

021 023 0345, mozambik.co.za For a no-frills, no-fuss culinary journey sure to please even the fussiest palate, this excursion into the comforts of Afro-Porto cuisine, in a setting that holds hygge most dear, is a great bet for a night out with family or friends. With views stretching across the waterfront harbour, dig into mains such as the delicious beef espetada, classic trinchado or some ribs and prawns, topped off with a Cape Malva Pudding worth writing home about.

PARANGA THE PROMENADE, VICTORIA ROAD, CAMPS BAY 021 438 0404, paranga.co.za Blessed with stunning sea views from its enviable location on Camps Bay’s sunset strip, Paranga is a choice spot for intimate fine dining or a sundowner rendezvous with friends. Food here is taken seriously, with bold flavours and lovely presentation, and the seafood platters are always a hit.

PIGALLE 51A SOMERSET ROAD, GREEN POINT 021 421 4848, pigallerestaurants.co.za

If you’re in the mood for live music on the dance floor between courses, Pigalle is the perfect venue for a stylish evening out. Best known for fresh seafood and Chalmar steak, it offers classic dishes with Portuguese flair. A selection of Champagne, local bubbly and South African wines sets the tone for an elegant, exuberant occasion.

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DINE

SIGNAL RESTAURANT CAPE GRACE, WEST QUAY ROAD, V&A WATERFRONT 021 410 7080, signalrestaurant.co.za

QUAY FOUR

Named for its superb views of Signal Hill from across the yacht marina, this stylishly nautical restaurant draws on the multicultural diversity of the Cape.

Chef Malika van Reenen plates a menu featuring the likes of melanzane with Parmesan arancini and bobotie spiced springbok with sweet potato.

QUAY 4, V&A WATERFRONT 021 419 2008, quay4.co.za

With a boisterous downstairs tavern and a classy upstairs dining area, you’re sure to find something to suit your taste at this established waterside restaurant.

End your day by digging into Quay Four’s famous fish and chips, and look out for the occasional live bands in the evenings.

SALSIFY AT THE ROUNDHOUSE ROUND HOUSE ROAD, CAMPS BAY 021 010 6444, salsify.co.za

‘Fine dining without the snobbery’ is what you can expect at this Camps Bay addition to the famed Luke Dale-Roberts empire. Occupying the upper storey of the historically famous Roundhouse, the restaurant’s interiors are eclectic – think Persian rugs on the old oak floors and antique pieces reupholstered in jewel-toned velvet. On the menu, expect dishes such as seared game fish, apricot mebos, curry emulsion, peanut and lime, and lamb rib and loin, toasted Parmesan, and kapokbos and tomato extraction.

STROLLA RESTAURANT & BAR

UBON

313 BEACH ROAD, SEA POINT

021 434 5000, ubon.co.za Contemporary decor forms the backdrop to your dining experience at this central spot, popular for serving authentic Thai dishes. Be careful not to let your meal get cold while you’re snapping pics of it for your Instagram post – each dish is so artfully presented, it’ll demand all the fuss.

021 430 7778, strolla.co.za

With a fitting name for its prime location, this is the perfect spot to park off at after a stroll on the iconic promenade. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee or cocktails you’re in the mood for, Strolla has you sorted. Strolla Kiosk caters to the visitor on the go, offering Bootlegger coffee for your post-jog morning fix.

SUNDOO 77 REGENT ROAD, SEA POINT 021 433 0542, sundoo.co.za For the best Indian cuisine this side of Table Mountain, Seelan Sundoo’s tapas bar is the go-to spot. With flavour profiles inspired by South India, the famously hot curries dished up at this popular spot will warm you right up in cold weather. Feeling a little more adventurous? Try the chicken dhal or cutta kingklip.

SAN MARCO

VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT

VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT

CANAL WALK

021 418 5434, sanmarco.capetown

CONSTANTIA VILLAGE

Feast on classic dishes such as tomatoey arrabbiata or, if you’re in the mood for a super-luxe meal, indulge in one of their specialities, such as the San Marco burger, dressed with Italian ragu sauce and fried mushrooms. This restaurant leaves you with no choice but to let go of your worries and live la dolce vita.

021 421 4350, tashascafe.com

The boutique cafe experience that knocks the socks off almost every other franchise.

Light, airy decor sets the tone for a relaxed meal, and the menu has all tastes covered, with a particular Mediterranean bent for fresh, flavourful ingredients. A selection of sweet treats and custom menus for each of its locations makes this a worthwhile mid-shopping stop.

SILO 5, SILO DISTRICT, V&A WATERFRONT 087 470 0124, sicantinasociale.co.za

THREE WISE MONKEYS

Si aims to position itself as the Silo District’s go-to eatery, and it’s got the goods to make that a reality. First off, the interior is a cosy mixture of rustic chic and Waterfront glam, with comfortable leather booths, giant murals, warm wood and lofty ceilings. The menu covers everything from smoothies, juice, matcha oats and salmon protein bowls for breakfast, to tapas, flatbreads and heartier mains.

77 REGENT ROAD, SEA POINT

52

021 433 1837, threewisemonkeys.co.za

Having received a nod in the 2017 Mercedes-Benz Eat Out Best Everyday Eateries list, it’s safe to say the folks at Three Wise Monkeys have nailed the formula for a modern Asian-inspired eatery in the Cape. Ramen is their forte (try the duck), but they also offer sushi and dumplings, so all tastes are satisfied.

SOUTHERN & NORTHERN SUBURBS 95 AT PARKS 114 CONSTANTIA MAIN ROAD, CONSTANTIA

VOVO TELO DOCK ROAD, V&A WATERFRONT

TASHAS

SI CANTINA SOCIALE

395 MAIN ROAD, SEA POINT

063 688 2745, vovotelo.co.za The team is passionate about bread, and that’s not lip service. Here you’ll find simple food made with the best possible ingredients. Fellow bread lovers can indulge to their hearts’ content, and then choose something from the freshly baked stacks to take home.

021 761 0247, 95atparks.co.za Take fine Italian classics, combine them with the highest quality local and imported ingredients, and you have yourself the culinary dream that awaits at 95 at Parks.

It forms part of the 95 family, which already includes popular 95 Keerom in the CBD and 95 at Morgenster in Somerset West.

WILLOUGHBY & CO

THE BISTRO @ KLEIN CONSTANTIA

VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT

37 KLEIN CONSTANTIA ROAD, CONSTANTIA

021 418 6115, willoughbyandco.co.za

021 794 5188

If it’s delicious sushi and seafood you’re after, then head to this buzzing V&A institution. The menu’s offering is as tasty as it is extensive, with inventive rolls and dishes all prepared and presented to perfection (try the oyster shooter, salmon grenades and 4×4 rolls).

kleinconstantia.com/the-bistro Towering jacaranda trees create the natural backdrop to your sophisticated dining experience at The Bistro. Feast on dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with a farm-to-table, headto-toe approach dictating the menu items.

Chef Graham Davies skilfully combines South Africa’s rich culinary history with a strong European influence, gleaned from many years of travel.

THE YARD SILO 4, SILO DISTRICT, V&A WATERFRONT 021 879 1157, theyardatsilo.co.za

We have all heard the ‘tradition with a twist’ line before, but The Yard actually delivers on this promise. The restaurant is the brainchild of Abigail Bisogno – the creative force behind Paarl’s beloved Spice Route – and restaurateur GP Singh, who hails from Punjab. Together with their diverse team of chefs, they have created a dining experience in which superb Indian cuisine is presented alongside MiddleEastern, Mediterranean and Asian dishes.

Tapas platters and starters to share make for a convivial evening, then move on to mains the likes of dry-aged 250 g rib-eye, tandoori chicken and lamb rogan josh.

BISTRO SIXTEEN82 AT STEENBERG STEENBERG ESTATE, STEENBERG ROAD, TOKAI 021 713 2211,

steenbergfarm.com/bistro1682 Executive Chef Kerry Kilpin runs a tight kitchen at the esteemed Bistro Sixteen82, an institution of Steenberg, where tapas and bistro-style dining are the focus. You can also pop in for breakfast or lunch, where you are guaranteed a culinary experience that prizes inventiveness and seasonal produce.

UPPER BLOEM WINSTON PLACE, 65 MAIN ROAD, GREEN POINT 021 433 0291, upperbloemrestaurant.co.za

With colourful interiors inspired by the warming curry flavours characteristic of Bo-Kaap cuisine, this addition to the Green Point dining scene brings something refreshing, yet familiar to local palates. The menu includes mushroom dumplings, Boerenkaas croquettes with curry aioli, and beef fillet with denningvleis sauce, miso aubergine, lentil and sago crisp.

LA COLOMBE SILVERMIST WINE ESTATE,

MOYO

BLANKO.

CONSTANTIA NEK, CONSTANTIA

KIRSTENBOSCH NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN,

ALPHEN DRIVE, CONSTANTIA

021 794 2390, lacolombe.co.za

99 RHODES DRIVE, NEWLANDS

021 795 6313, blanko.co.za

If you prefer your meal to be an experience, La Colombe’s offering will not disappoint.

Each dish on the establishment’s 10-course lunch- and dinner menus is served in a unique way – even down to the bread and palate cleanser! Think Kerala-style quail with prawn and coriander; and Tuna ‘La Colombe’, the restaurant’s very own canned tuna with a twist.

021 762 9585, moyo.co.za Prepare for a memorable experience from start to finish. Have your face painted in traditional patterns and be mesmerised

by African song and dance, then dig into an impressive feast of flavours inspired by the continent, including Moroccan lamb shanks and seasonal veggies, all in the beautiful surrounds of this sprawling garden.

Old meets new at this lovely fine-dining spot nestled under towering trees in the heart of leafy Constantia. Situated on the ground floor of the Alphen Boutique Hotel, historic interiors are given a fresh update with modern, neutral decor and lighting. The menu follows suit, with beautiful contemporary-style dishes presented with a strong emphasis on natural elements.

GREENHOUSE THE CELLARS-HOHENORT HOTEL, 93 BROMMERSVLEI ROAD, CONSTANTIA 021 795 6226, greenhouserestaurant.co.za The design of the 45-seater Greenhouse carries the airy feel of the conservatory into the restaurant proper. Acclaimed for a conceptual approach to food, Chef Farrel Hirsch merges local ingredients with international trends.

FOXCROFT HIGH CONSTANTIA CENTRE, CNR OF GROOT CONSTANTIA AND CONSTANTIA MAIN ROADS 021 202 3304, foxcroft.co.za Now established on the Cape dining scene, Foxcroft was voted New Restaurant of the Year in South Africa at the Mercedes-Benz Eat Out Restaurant Awards in 2016.

And it’s not difficult to see why: Patrons gush about the blesbok tataki served with spiced fig, liver parfait, pickled mushroom and brioche, and the wine list features a selection of the very best from across the Cape wine region.

DINE

TOWERS RESTAURANT @ CAPE TOWN MARRIOTT HOTEL CRYSTAL TOWERS CNR CENTURY BOULEVARD AND RIALTO ROAD, CENTURY CITY 021 525 3888, marriott.com Designed to make every dining experience your most enjoyable, the open-display kitchen allows you to watch the chefs in action while you wait for your meal. Take in the warm ambience and enjoy wonderful city- and seascapes before heading to your room or the spa for some R & R.

TRYN STEENBERG RD, TOKAI 021 713 7178, steenbergfarm.com/tryn

After a decade, Catharina’s at Steenberg Farm has closed its doors to make room for an updated version of itself. Meet Tryn, still named for the near-mythical original owner of the farm, an eatery that prides itself on the bold flavours it puts on the plate. By combining Asian and MiddleEastern flavours with endemic charm, and familiar combinations with exciting twists, Head Chef Kerry Kilpin takes the gold.

STARLINGS 94 BELVEDERE ROAD, CLAREMONT 079 473 3554, starlings.co.za This little coffee shop tucked away behind a hedge on Belvedere Road in Claremont promises uncomplicated yet delicious food. Complete your brekkieor lunch with a steaming flat white in the cosy and inviting setting, where you’ll be tempted to stay for hours on end.

REVERIE SOCIAL TABLE 226A LOWER MAIN ROAD, OBSERVATORY 021 447 3219, reverie.capetown

Eating at Reverie Social Table, in the eclectic suburb of Observatory, is like going to a superb dinner party. Seated at a long table, diners tuck into the daily creations – no fewer than five courses, paired with great wines – of Chef Patron Julia Hattingh, while engaging with fellow guests.

ROYALE EATERY 20 VINEYARD ROAD, CLAREMONT 021 206 6336, royaleeatery.com The Long Street veteran has moved locations. They still serve their famous gourmet burgers and sweet-potato fries.

Come hungry and see if you can squeeze in one of their epic milkshakes too.

WEST COAST SIMON’S

BLOWFISH

GROOT CONSTANTIA,

1 MARINE DRIVE, TABLE VIEW

GROOT CONSTANTIA ROAD, CONSTANTIA

In the perfect setting of South Africa’s oldest wine estate, a leisurely lunch at Simon’s means you’re treated to sweeping views of the vineyards while you linger over a carefully selected wine list. The menu is gourmet, yet unfussy. Case in point: The chargrilled chicken fillet burger topped with fried Camembert rocket, and cranberry jelly.

021 556 5464, blowfishrestaurant.co.za Blowfish has made a name for itself as a fine seafood restaurant in the Cape.

With executive Chef Neil Wolfaardt at the helm, dishes are prepared to the highest standards, with many featuring a distinctly Asian influence. Come for the meal and stay for the unbeatable view of Table Bay, which is a popular backdrop for weddings hosted at the venue.

SKOTNES RESTAURANT

DIE STRANDLOPER

4 STEENBERG ROAD, STEENBERG ESTATE

LEENTJIESKLIP, LANGEBAAN

087 654 5902,

022 772 2490, strandloper.com Few seaside experiences quite match the one you can enjoy at Die Strandloper, which has garnered major popularity among visitors to the West Coast thanks to its relaxed environment and delicious fresh-off-the-coals seafood fare. Arrive hungry to enjoy everything the 10-course menu has to offer, including curry, mussels, fish curry, kreef (crayfish) and roosterkoek, among others. Bring your guitar and beach games along – it’s a casual, fun affair.

021 794 1143, simons.co.za

norvalfoundation.org/skotnes-restaurant Situated at Norval Foundation, a centre for art and cultural expression, Skotnes promises a union of nature and architecture before you’ve even looked at the menu. Options including the Cape Malay chicken ‘tacos’ with curry sauce, roti, cucumber raita and fresh sambal; and braised lamb shoulder bobotie, butternut fritters, mebos chutney and aromatic rice make for a menu that celebrates the Cape’s heritage in style.

THE INDIAN CHAPTER CARNABY CENTRE, 9 MARINE CIRCLE, BLOUBERGSTRAND 021 557 5524, the-indian-chapterrestaurant.business.site The restaurant offering from culinary TV personality Prim Reddy, The Indian Chapter continues to receive rave reviews from diners. Prim is often there to greet guests, and knowledgeable waitrons ensure you’re well taken care of as you journey through a well-balanced menu featuring Indian classics such as chicken tikka masala and lamb saagwala.

ON THE ROCKS 45 STADLER ROAD, BLOUBERGSTRAND 021 554 1988, ontherocks.co.za

Magnificent views of Table Mountain and Robben Island accompany your meal here. The menu is diverse and fresh – try the roasted pork belly or the beef fillet, or tuck into a decadent seafood platter. The game fish brings something different to the seafood selection, and the wine list is proudly local.

RUSSELLS ON THE PORT 1 BRONWEN AVENUE, PORT OWEN, VELDDRIF 022 783 0158, russellsontheport.co.za Old-world elegance meets beachside charm at this 90-seater fine-dining restaurant on the Cape West Coast.

On a sunny day, book a table outside overlooking the water, and tuck into one of the fresh, contemporary dishes, which take cues from global flavours.

WOLFGAT 10 SAMPSON STREET, PATERNOSTER

wolfgat.co.za Book well in advance for this fine-dining experience in beautiful Paternoster. The seven-course seasonal tasting menu is inspired by the climate and coastline, show-casing a variety of indigenous ingredients. Seafood features heavily, accompanied by veldkos (ingredients foraged from nature), venison local seaweed, and produce from the kitchen garden.

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DINE

SOUTH PENINSULA THE BRASS BELL MAIN ROAD, KALK BAY 021 788 5455, brassbell.co.za

A Kalk Bay favourite, the Brass Bell sits on the water’s edge, so you can enjoy its simple, delicious food with the waves practically lapping at your table. From good old fish and chips to hefty burgers and pizza, you simply cannot go wrong with a leisurely lunch at the Bell.

CAFÉ ROUX NOORDHOEK FARM VILLAGE, CNR MAIN ROAD AND VILLAGE LANE, NOORDHOEK 021 789 2538, caferoux.co.za For the ultimate laid-back affair, nothing beats the chilled vibes and uncomplicated food at Café Roux. Popular with families, this Noordhoek Farm Village favourite has a walled-off play zone within sight of the outdoor tables, so the kids can burn off some energy while you sit back and enjoy a Cape Malay roti or steak sandwich.

THE FOODBARN NOORDHOEK FARM VILLAGE, CNR MAIN ROAD AND VILLAGE LANE, NOORDHOEK 021 789 1390, thefoodbarn.co.za

Dinner in this characterful old barn is a foodie experience you’re unlikely to forget, as Cannes-born Chef Franck Dangereux is known for providing excellent fine dining in a casual locale.

The adjoining Foodbarn Deli is a great coffee stop during the day, but pop in one evening for tapas made to share, paired with wine and beer.

HARBOUR HOUSE KALK BAY HARBOUR, KALK BAY 021 788 4136, harbourhouse.co.za

This seafood restaurant overlooking Kalk Bay Harbour is a real treat. Tuck into your choice of perfectly prepared fresh oysters, Cape crayfish, tiger prawns, mussels and calamari, or a satisfying steak if you’re after something a little meatier. There’s also another Harbour House venue open at the V&A Waterfront.

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JAKES ON THE COMMON 1 CHAPMANS PEAK DRIVE, NOORDHOEK 021 789 0445, jakes.co.za One word that epitomises the look and feel of Jakes is ‘vibrant’. From the pops of lush green woven throughout the interiors, to the blue velvet chairs and exposed brick walls (not to mention the uber-trendy bold blue subway-style tiles covering the bar), this spot is a stylish hang-out. Pay a visit for drinks, canapés, breakfast, lunch or dinner. Expect bistro fare, including some enticing flavour combinations in the meats category.

OLYMPIA CAFÉ & DELI 134 MAIN ROAD, KALK BAY 021 788 6396, olympiacafe.co.za Something of an institution in these parts, Olympia is an arty spot humming with local regulars and curious visitors who’ve heard rave reviews. The on-site bakery makes it a choice spot for a cappuccino and croissant, or take your pick from the blackboard menu. Its doors open at 7 am daily, so you can grab a little something before your early-morning stroll.

BABUSHKA DELI BOTTELARY ROAD, STELLENBOSCH 021 903 5034,

hazendal.co.za/babushka-deli With a name that means grandmother in Russian, this bistro-style deli offers a well-rounded menu of dishes that exemplify the care and love of its namesake. The deli also sells a range of home-made pastries, cakes and breads alongside Russian souvenirs. And don’t miss the unique Russian tea ceremony, an experience you’ll get nowhere else in Africa.

QUENTIN AT OAKHURST OAKHURST FARM, MAIN ROAD, HOUT BAY 021 790 4888, oakhurstbarn.com The brainchild of esteemed Chef Quentin Spickernell, this restaurant has proved itself worthy of being on the bucket list of every serious foodie visiting this lush part of the peninsula.

Situated on Oakhurst estate, Quentin offers farm-fresh produce cooked to perfection, along with the best seafood the bay has to offer. Other picks include springbok loin and Franschhoek trout, with some beautifully balanced vegetarian options in the mix too.

TIGER’S MILK RESTAURANT & BAR

CAPE WINELANDS

CNR BEACH AND

FOLIAGE 11 HUGUENOT ROAD, FRANSCHHOEK 021 876 2328, foliage.co.za Attached to the IS Art gallery, Foliage is so named for its focus on farm-and-forest-to-table cuisine (and Chef Chris Erasmus’ early-morning foraging skills). Expect the likes of smoked Muscovy duck dumplings, braised kudu-shank boudin, crayfish and octopus butter curry, and charcoal-roasted beetroot. It’s all about sustainable comfort food in a casual setting.

BLACKSMITH’S KITCHEN AT PEARL MOUNTAIN

SIDMOUTH ROADS, MUIZENBERG

BABEL

BO LANG STREET, PAARL

021 788 1860, tigersmilk.co.za

BABYLONSTOREN WINE FARM,

021 870 1550, pearlmountain.co.za

This playground in the ‘deep south’ is yet another winner from the vaunted Harbour House group. The menu offers pizza, burgers and steak done with care and flair. Try some spicy chicken wings, then settle in with one of the many craft beers to make a night of it. More branches can be found on Long Street and Kloof Street, as well as in Century City, Camps Bay, Stellenbosch and Claremont.

R45 (KLAPMUTS-SIMONDIUM ROAD)

Housed in what used to be the property’s old blacksmiths’ cottages, dating back to 1747, this relaxed bistro-style restaurant offers unbeatable views of the beautiful natural surrounds. To accompany your meal of, say, crispy pork belly or wild mushroom risotto, are two ranges of wine produced on the family farm under the Pearl Mountain label – namely Retief and Stubborn Man.

021 863 3852, babylonstoren.com

With a ‘pick, clean, serve’ philosophy, the ethos in the kitchen at Babel is not to tamper unduly with ingredients, so you know what’s arriving on your plate is fresh and flavourful. After an excellent meal, enjoy a stroll around the celebrated gardens, or join one of the interactive tours at 10 am daily.

DINE

COSECHA NOBLE HILL WINE ESTATE, R45 (KLAPMUTS-SIMONDIUM ROAD)

BOSJES KOMBUIS BOSJES WINE FARM, R43, WORCESTER 023 004 0496, bosjes.co.za Here, beneath the high ceilings of the Kombuis (Afrikaans for ‘kitchen’), you’ll be treated to bistro fare with farm-style flair. Start with the farm platter for two to share, then move on to pan-fried sea bass Niçoise, sticky Asian pork belly or Karoo lamb cutlets – all accompanied by something from the fiercely local wine list.

BOVINE 42 HUGUENOT ROAD, FRANSCHHOEK 021 205 3053, bovinerestaurant.co.za ‘Local is lekker’ is the approach at this popular spot in the Cape’s French corner.

Burgers, steak, pulled pork and nachos are just some of the dishes you can get stuck into in the restaurant’s relaxed setting. And with a wide selection of wines and craft beers to complement your meal, is there any reason not to pay a visit?

CHEFS WAREHOUSE AT MAISON R45, FRANSCHHOEK 021 876 2116,

maisonestate.co.za/restaurant There’s beautiful food, and then there are culinary artworks that look almost too good to eat. Chefs Warehouse has nailed the latter, with a contemporary neutral decor palette designed to let the dishes steal the show. Chef David Schneider runs the kitchen, ensuring it delivers the finest tapas dishes from its concise menu.

CLOS MALVERNE RESTAURANT CLOS MALVERNE WINE ESTATE, DEVON VALLEY ROAD, STELLENBOSCH 021 865 2022, closmalverne.co.za This restaurant is one that ticks all the boxes. Unfussy decor means you can sit back, relax and enjoy the jaw-dropping view. Of course, you may be distracted by what’s on your plate. Expect robust flavours, from sage-and-pine-nut pork fillet to rich duck-liver mousse.

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021 874 3844, cosecharestaurant.com The veranda at Cosecha looks out on a picnic area and dam, so you can sip on a Sauvignon Blanc sangria while watching ducks skim across the water. Take your time with the menu, as selecting just one plate out of the many mouth-watering options will not be easy. Start with guac and tortilla chips, then move on to the tacos with shredded pork and apple salsa.

CUCINA DI GIOVANNI LABORIE ESTATE, TAILLEFER STREET, PAARL 021 807 3390, giovannicapetown.co.za The newest addition to this group of Italian restaurants, Cucina di Giovanni hits the spot when it comes to food, wine and overall cosiness at Laborie Estate at the foot of Paarl Rock. There’s something tantalising for the taste buds and the eyes here, accommodating diners perfectly, come rain or shine.

DELAIRE GRAFF RESTAURANT DELAIRE GRAAFF ESTATE, HELSHOOGTE PASS, STELLENBOSCH

delaire.co.za Everything at the Delaire Graaff Estate is undertaken with the finest attention to detail, and its dining experiences are no exception. At the eponymous estate restaurant, a seasonal menu of bistro favourites is put together based on the philosophy that the best cuisine begins with the best ingredients. There is a strong focus on sourcing locally – even the bespoke olive oil is made from olives grown and pressed just across the valley – and every plate is a visual masterpiece as well as a triumph of flavour.

021 885 8160,

THE FAT BUTCHER 1 VAN RIEBEECK ST, STELLENBOSCH 021 883 3857, fatbutcher.co.za Seated in the heart of the frozen-in-time town of Stellenbosch, and situated next door to one of its oldest museums, this eatery presents artwork of its own – in the form of myriad prime cuts and its calling card: the perfect steak. By virtue of an extensive menu, there’s all sorts to be had here. But try the The Huguenot on your first visit – this scrumptious steak bordelaise marries a fillet to port wine, roasted garlic, blistered grapes and bone marrow jus, a combination sure to have you craving a second portion before your first is finished.

MAKARON MAJEKA HOUSE, 26–32 HOUTKAPPER STREET, STELLENBOSCH

GÅTE AT QUOIN ROCK

021 880 1549, majekahouse.co.za

QUOIN ROCK WINE ESTATE,

Makaron is known for its flawless style, but beautiful interiors are not all that’s on offer. The kitchen team has plenty up their sleeves – how does beef with veal sweetbreads and brinjal sound? And maybe sesame panna cotta for dessert?

For a culinary experience par excellence, book the kitchen table for two.

KNORHOEK ROAD, STELLENBOSCH 021 888 4750, quoinrock.co.za Described as a ‘dialogue between art, culinary tradition and technical craft’, Gåte pushes every boundary there is when it comes to creating delicious works of art. The contemporary, theatrical approach to food makes this an experience worth adding to any foodie’s bucket list.

MIKO AND THE COUNTRY KITCHEN

GRANDE ROCHE RESTAURANT

MONT ROCHELLE,

GRANDE ROCHE HOTEL,

DASSENBERG ROAD, FRANSCHHOEK

1 PLANTASIE STREET, PAARL

021 876 2770, virginlimitededition.com/en/ mont-rochelle/dining The Mont Rochelle estate was acquired by Sir Richard Branson in 2014, so you know what you have here will be the cream of the crop. Miko, the estate’s fine-dining venue, blends international and South African flavours, and dishes are paired with local wines. The Country Kitchen is Mont Rochelle’s less formal eatery, and a lovely spot to grab a light lunch.

021 863 5100, granderoche.com

The renovated Manor House at one of Paarl’s most luxurious wine estates is the home of the hotel’s restaurant. It’s now under the management of Chef Kevin Grobler and his wife Inemari. Chef Kevin has a wealth of experience having been the head chef at Delaire Graff in Stellenbosch and JAN in Nice, France. Expect finedining but in a relaxed atmosphere.

HAUTE CABRIÈRE RESTAURANT & TERRACE

NOOP

HAUTE CABRIÉRE,

021 863 3925, noop.co.za The first goal of the team at NOOP is to make you feel at ease and at home.

Situated in a lovingly restored heritage building on Main Road, NOOP offers simple, fresh, locally sourced food that is ‘unpretentious, often spontaneous and always delicious’ – from Namibian venison and 32-day-aged Karan beef to wild-mushroom ravioli.

LAMBRECHTS ROAD, FRANSCHHOEK 021 876 8500, cabriere.co.za On a sunny day, take your place on the terrace with sprawling views of bucolic Franschhoek and sample a wide array of mouth-watering dishes. The bistro menu is designed to complement the range of Haute Cabrière wines and Pierre Jourdan Cap Classiques, which are conveniently available by the glass or bottle.

127 MAIN ROAD, PAARL

ORANGERIE RESTAURANT LAMBRECHTS ROAD, FRANSCHHOEK

LE VENUE

021 876 2961, lelude.co.za

J.C. LE ROUX ESTATE, DEVON VALLEY ROAD,

French cuisine with a contemporary twist is what you can expect at Orangerie, a fine-dining restaurant headed up by Chef Nicolene Barrow at Le Lude in Franschhoek. Barrow brings her experience working at Le Gavroche in London to the kitchen, blending the disciplined approach of European masters with modern creativity – resulting in something pleasing for the eye as well as the palate.

DEVON VALLEY, STELLENBOSCH 021 865 8222, levenue.co.za For a taste of J.C. Le Roux’s signature ‘le good life’, head to this Winelands venue.

Lunch here is a gourmet affair, with the likes of ponzu-glazed linefish with grilled lemon, spinach, mash, feta and a ponzu sauce. You can’t go wrong with oysters and bubbly in the sun on the deck either.

INDOCHINE DELAIRE GRAFF ESTATE, HELSHOOGTE ROAD, STELLENBOSCH 021 885 8160, delaire.co.za

On the highest crest of the Helshoogte Pass, Delaire’s Asian-inspired restaurant boasts spectacular views of picturesque Stellenbosch. Expect a menu of Eastern flavours that are enticingly aromatic and paired with a local wine list. Delaire is also well known for its splendid collection of sculpture and art, including an original Tretchikoff work, his iconic Chinese Girl, housed in the main building.

DINE

OVERTURE HIDDEN VALLEY WINES, OFF ANNANDALE ROAD, STELLENBOSCH 021 880 2721, bertusbasson.com

Contemporary interiors and breathtaking views are the perfect accompaniment to dishes that feature trademark seasonal flavour innovations, though with a proudly South African bent. The daily menu offers well-conceptualised creations from Chef Bertus Basson, one of SA’s premier chefs and a leader when it comes to embracing heritage cuisine.

PIERNEEF À LA MOTTE LA MOTTE, R45 (MAIN ROAD), FRANSCHHOEK 021 876 8000, la-motte.com

Inspired by artist JH Pierneef ’s prowess at interpreting SA’s natural beauty into art, Pierneef à La Motte offers you a taste journey into what has become known as Cape Winelands cuisine – traditional boerekos with creative twists inspired by international flavours. The restaurant is an extension of this concept, with the old Cape Dutch architecture reinvented with light colours and modern elements.

THE RED LEAF BISTRO BEYERSKLOOF, KOELENHOF STREET, R304, STELLENBOSCH 021 865 2685, beyerskloof.co.za Beyerskloof is best known for producing award-winning Pinotage – a very proudly South African cultivar. The relaxed vibe here is highly conducive to kicking back and indulging in their signature Pinotage burger with chips and onion marmalade – yes, it’s as good as it sounds.

RESTAURANT AT GLEN CARLOU GLEN CARLOU ESTATE, SIMONDIUM ROAD, KLAPMUTS 021 875 5528, glencarlou.co.za A culinary feast is what you’re in for when visiting this architecturally imposing food haven. Take in the landscape while you enjoy innovative dishes, served with a glass (or bottle) of Glen Carlou wine, of course.

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Pink buoys are found next to rivers, dams and oceans.

Anyone can save a life – with a pink rescue buoy.

A water safety initiative by the NSRI. Do you need or know of somewhere that needs a pink rescue buoy?

Email pinkrescuebouys@searescue.org.za #pinkrescuebuoy.

WIJNHUIS DINE

THE RESTAURANT AT GRANDE PROVENCE

TERROIR

8 CHURCH ST, STELLENBOSCH

REUBEN’S RESTAURANT & BAR

KLEINE ZALZE WINE ESTATE,

2 DANIEL HUGO STREET, FRANSCHHOEK

R44 (STRAND ROAD), STELLENBOSCH

021 876 3772, reubens.co.za Taking celebrity Chef Reuben Riffel’s vision to the Winelands, this branch of his famous franchise brings diners fine, uncomplicated cuisine in an elegant, yet laid-back setting for a memorable experience. Anticipate a menu of classics, with an accompanying range of fine wines to complete your meal.

021 880 8167, kleinezalze.co.za

021 887 5844, wijnhuis.co.za Welcome to the paragon of Winelands hospitality – think soft light, leather and spectacular wines. With either the street-side cafe or the classy restaurant upstairs to choose from, a hearty meal and good conversation are almost mandatory here. Famous for its pasta, steaks and perfectly cooked veal, this spot also boasts an impressive list of more than 500 wines and a showroom of 60 historical bottles from the region.

Terroir epitomises refined dining in a relaxed setting, a combination that works incredibly well in the Cape Winelands.

Chef Michael Broughton’s ‘less is more’ philosophy is about intensifying all of the individual flavours without complicating a dish unnecessarily.

TOKARA

GRANDE PROVENCE HERITAGE WINE ESTATE,

RUST EN VREDE

R310 (HELSHOOGTE ROAD), BETWEEN

R45 (MAIN ROAD), FRANSCHHOEK

RUST EN VREDE WINE ESTATE,

STELLENBOSCH AND FRANSCHHOEK

021 876 8600, grandeprovence.co.za

ANNANDALE ROAD, STELLENBOSCH

With an industrial-chic interior, The Restaurant nonetheless meshes seamlessly with the 18th-century French Huguenot manor house in which it is situated. Chef Guy Bennett puts together menus based on ‘uncomplicated, accessible, varied and tasty’ ingredients, presented beautifully, and with attentive service to match.

021 881 3757, rustenvrede.com

021 885 2550, tokararestaurant.co.za Inspired by her small-town roots, Head Chef Carolize Coetzee has infused plaaskos (farm food) into Tokara’s seasonal menu.

The result is beautiful and packed with flavour. If you are after something lighter, head over to the Tokara Delicatessen for a cheese- or charcuterie board, or a relaxed gourmet brekkie.

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Residing in the original cellar of the wine estate from which it takes its name, this award-winning restaurant boasts an ambience that is both relaxed and vibey.

First-class table appointments, including Riedel glassware, match a menu that is a contemporary take on classic cuisine.

MOGG’S COUNTRY COOKHOUSE NUWE-POS FARM, R320 ROAD, HEMEL-EN-AARDE VALLEY 076 314 0671, moggscookhouse.co.za

Colour, flavour and creativity characterise the sensational dishes that come out of the kitchen at Mogg’s Country Cookhouse.

No detail is spared in putting beautiful meals together, and without compromise only the best, freshest ingredients are used, often from the venue’s own garden.

THE WERF RESTAURANT BOSCHENDAL, R310 (HELSHOOGTE ROAD),

OVERBERG

BETWEEN STELLENBOSCH

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANDREAS EISELEN & SAMANTHA PINTO/HMIMAGES.CO.ZA, CLAIRE GUNN, COURTESY IMAGES

AND FRANSCHHOEK, 021 870 4273, boschendal.com Acclaimed Chef Christiaan Campbell produces a menu of seasonally inspired, ethically sourced and playfully prepared dishes inside the restored original cellar of the Manor House. All the dishes remain true to his farm-to-table philosophy, and they are as sensational and comforting as the restaurant’s gorgeous surroundings.

HELDERBERG 95 AT MORGENSTER

FISHERMANS COTTAGE RESTAURANT SEVEN

3A HARBOUR ROAD, HERMANUS

CAMPHORS AT VERGELEGEN

SHOP 7, THE AVENUES, 1 DRAMA STREET,

VERGELEGEN ESTATE, LOURENSFORD ROAD,

SOMERSET WEST

SOMERSET WEST

021 851 3146, restaurantseven.co.za

021 847 2131, vergelegen.co.za

Accomplished Chef George Jardine brings dishes packed with hearty flavour to the Winelands with this, his seventh restaurant project. A regularly changing menu will excite diners, but those familiar with the chef ’s signature beef Béarnaise and souffle won’t be disappointed…

028 312 3642, fishermanscottage.co.za Housed in a historic building that dates back to the late 1800s, Fishermans Cottage promises an experience of honest food served with energy and dedication. The items on the menu reflect the coastline’s rich range of seafood, with some vegetarianand meat options scattered through too, to accommodate pretty much all diets and preferences.

The kitchen team at Camphors describes its culinary style as ‘simple restraint with complex precision’: Think expertly executed flavours presented beautifully, but without any unnecessary pretence. This same team firmly believes in supporting local suppliers, who are named and celebrated on the menu.

SOMERSET WEST

THE MILLHOUSE KITCHEN

SCHOON 3 BRIGHT STREET, SOMERSET WEST

THE RESTAURANT AT NEWTON JOHNSON

021 204 7048, 95atmorgenster.com

LOURENSFORD WINE ESTATE,

010 446 9883, schoon.co.za

NEWTON JOHNSON,

95 at Morgenster offers the same highquality Italian dining we’ve come to expect from Giorgio Nava, and even some faves from his city bowl restaurant 95 Keerom’s menu. Combine this with Morgenster’s excellent wines and olive oil, and the vineyard views from the restaurant’s terrace, and you have a perfect Winelands dining experience followed by tea in The Greenhouse.

LOURENSFORD AVENUE,

Here, baker Fritz Schoon focuses on what it means to eat ethically and sustainably, and has partnered with local farmers who grow older varietals of South African grains, without pesticides. All grains are milled and turned into bread on-site in a woodfired oven using natural-fermentation baking methods. In short, it’s a guilt-free bread-and-pastry experience, so tuck in.

R320 (HEMEL-EN-AARDE ROAD), HERMANUS

MORGENSTER, VERGELEGEN AVENUE,

SOMERSET WEST 079 717 3799, lourensford.co.za

This light and airy space has the comfy feel of your neighbourhood eatery, with simple, wholesome dishes to match. The rustic offerings, such as wood-fired pizza topped with pear, Gorgonzola and honey, are inspired by French and Italian country cooking. Children are most welcome.

083 667 5283, newtonjohnson.com The Restaurant at Newton Johnson offers a satisfying combination of new and classic ingredients that provide a fresh outlook on fine dining. Think pork croquettes with sauerkraut and mustard, pan-seared hake with baby marrow, tamarind dressing and beach herbs, and sweet potato custard with burnt meringue and blackberries.

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CAPE PENINSULA

WINE THE PICK OF THE CROP FROM THE CAPE WINELANDS

AMBELOUI

DORRANCE WINES

HOUT BAY VINEYARDS

4075 VALLEY ROAD, HOUT BAY

HERITAGE SQUARE,

1 HIGH MEADOW ESTATE, GROTTO WAY,

ambeloui.co.za The MCCs that start their journey in the Ambeloui vineyards are certainly worth a toast. The small family-run boutique cellar has been producing bubbly for more than two decades, with each vintage named after a family member. Ann Christodoulou, the family matriarch, shares her love of Greek delicacies, and sells spanakopita, bougatsa and baklava from the farm too.

95 HOUT STREET, CBD

HOUT BAY

021 422 0695, dorrancewines.com

Winemaker Christophe Durand moved from Calvados, France, to Cape Town in 1995. He has since established a premium brand that expresses both South African terroir and French traditions. Visit this atmospheric urban wine cellar with its narrow doorways and exposed-granite walls, then head over to Bouchon Wine Bar & Bistro, which Durand co-owns.

083 790 3303, houtbayvineyards.co.za Owners Cathy and Peter Roeloffze excavated the site that is now Hout Bay Vineyards in 2001, and planted their first vines two years later. Today, they produce small releases of MCC, rosé and full-bodied reds, as well as port-style wine, farm honey and cold-pressed olive oil. The focus is on family here, and the couple welcome visitors to join in at harvest time.

Tastings: Weekdays 10:30 am – 2:30 pm

Tastings and sales: By appointment only

Tastings: Only on the estate’s two annual sale days

HOp On, hOp Off City Sightseeing’s Constantia Valley Wine Tour bus takes visitors to three award-winning wine estates – Groot Constantia, Eagles’ Nest and Beau Constantia.

021 511 6000, citysightseeing.co.za

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CONSTANTIA WINELANDS BEAU CONSTANTIA CONSTANTIA MAIN ROAD, CONSTANTIA NEK

BUITENVERWACHTING

021 794 8632, beauconstantia.com

37 KLEIN CONSTANTIA ROAD, CONSTANTIA

In a ‘turning lemons into lemonade’ story, vines were planted on these slopes after a devastating fire destroyed the fynbos and forests that had previously grown here. The vines themselves are very fortunate: At 350 m above sea level, they enjoy enviable views of False Bay … and they reciprocate with a number of award-winning wines.

021 794 5190, buitenverwachting.com Once part of Governor Simon van der Stel’s original Constantia Estate, the first vines were planted on this farm’s east-facing slopes in 1825. The wines produced here enjoy local and international favour for their unique aromatic profiles and complexity.

While you’re here, be sure to take a walk around this historic vineyard.

Tastings: By reservation, Tuesday to Sunday 11 am – 5 pm

Tastings: Monday to Saturday 10 am – 4 pm

CONSTANTIA GLEN CONSTANTIA MAIN ROAD, CONSTANTIA 021 795 5639, constantiaglen.com The estate this superb boutique winery calls home has had various incarnations during its long history, from a forest to an Angus cattle stud farm, joining its neighbours in wine production in 2000.

The former stables have been converted into chic tasting rooms.

Tastings: Monday to Thursday 10 am – 5 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am – 8 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 6 pm

EAGLES’ NEST CONSTANTIA MAIN ROAD, CONSTANTIA 021 794 4095, eaglesnestwines.com A secluded valley high on the slopes of the Constantiaberg is the home of Eagles’ Nest wines, whose vineyards are planted to Shiraz, Merlot and Viognier. Order a charcuterie-and-cheese platter to enjoy along with your wine tasting in the idyllic garden setting.

Tastings: Daily 10 am – 4:30 pm

CONSTANTIA UITSIG SPAANSCHEMAT RIVER ROAD, CONSTANTIA 021 794 6500, uitsig.co.za This picturesque estate forms part of the historic Constantia Valley and has something for both wine- and food lovers.

Visit Blockhouse Kitchen restaurant to sample the menu or, for the more intrepid, head to the Bike Park.

DE GRENDEL PLATTEKLOOF ROAD, PANORAMA 021 558 6280, degrendel.co.za

Just 20 minutes from the city, you can taste a wide selection of varietals while admiring Table Mountain in the distance. The farm prides itself on being carbon negative, and is part of the Renosterveld Conservancy.

Stay for dinner at De Grendel Restaurant, which offers diners a five-course tasting menu.

Tastings: Monday to Saturday 9 am – 5 pm, Sundays 10 am – 4 pm

Tastings: By appointment, Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 7 pm

HIGH CONSTANTIA GROOT CONSTANTIA ROAD, CONSTANTIA 021 794 7171, highconstantia.co.za

On a small corner of this historic winemaking land, David van Niekerk has restored this farm to its former glory (there were no harvests here for more than 60 years), now making wines that exquisitely express the Constantia Valley’s climate and terroir. Relax on the patio for an intimate wine tasting.

021 558 1300, durbanvillehills.co.za

KLEIN CONSTANTIA ROAD, CONSTANTIA

Tastings: Tuesday to Saturday 10 am – 5 pm

021 794 5188, kleinconstantia.com

European aristocracy just couldn’t get enough of sweet Constantia wine during the 1800s – so much so that it was immortalised in the writing of both Charles Dickens and Jane Austen, and Napoleon himself ordered it while he was in exile on St Helena. Pay a visit to purchase Vin de Constance, the modern revival of this dessert wine.

Tastings: Weekdays 10 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 5 pm, Sundays 10 am – 4 pm

SILVERMIST ORGANIC VINEYARDS

HILLCREST WINE FARM M13 (TYGERBERG VALLEY ROAD), DURBANVILLE 021 970 5800, hillcrestfarm.co.za Thanks in part to fertile soils and the Atlantic Ocean’s cooling breeze, the vineyards at Hillcrest have some of the highest yields in the Cape. This boutique winery, with its numerous varietals, is one of several attractions boasted by Hillcrest Estate. It also has a restaurant, olive orchards, and the Hillcrest Quarry, a popular setting for music concerts.

Tastings: Tuesday to Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sundays 11 am – 4 pm

HOUT BAY ROAD, CONSTANTIA 021 794 7601, silvermistvineyards.co.za Silvermist Vineyards is certified organic, with natural fynbos encouraged to grow among the vines, and ducks providing the pest control and fertiliser. The result of all this harmony? A darn good Sauvignon Blanc! While you’re there, enjoy a meal at The Green Vine eatery with its emphasis on locally grown organic ingredients.

Tastings: Friday to Sunday 11 am – 4 pm

STEENBERG

MEERENDAL VISSERSHOK ROAD, DURBANVILLE 021 975 1655, meerendal.co.za

Established in 1702, Meerendal has a long and proud winemaking history, and was one of the first farms to cultivate Pinotage vines. Mostly planted to noble cultivars, the estate produces some award-winning wines. The cellar-door deli and casual bistro make it a great stop for the whole family.

Tastings: Tuesday to Sunday 10 am – 5 pm

STEENBERG ESTATE, STEENBERG ROAD

Tastings: Daily 9 am – 6 pm

Tastings: Daily 9 am – 5 pm

021 794 5128, grootconstantia.co.za

M13 (TYGERBERG VALLEY ROAD), DURBANVILLE

KLEIN CONSTANTIA

Open Monday to Friday 8 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 2:30 pm

Established in 1685, this was the first of the Constantia Valley farms to begin producing wine, and features some of the finest surviving examples of the local Cape Dutch architecture. The Jonkershuis and Simon’s restaurants are two of the estate’s many attractions, and offer diverse dining experiences.

GROOT CONSTANTIA ROAD, CONSTANTIA

DURBANVILLE HILLS

The Durbanville wine route’s proximity to Cape Town and its small-town feel make it an attractive alternative to the busier locales of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.

Durbanville Hills, in particular, is known for its excellent Sauvignon Blanc. Visit the cellar before your tasting to learn about the winemaking process.

021 713 2211, steenbergfarm.com An exquisite tasting lounge sets the tone for an indulgent experience at the oldest farm in the Constantia Valley. When you have sampled your fill of the iconic wines on offer, head to Bistro Sixteen82 – named after the year the farm was first established – for an unforgettable meal overlooking the breathtaking grounds. Popular Catharina’s has undergone a major revamp and has reopened as Tryn, where you will find dishes with bold flavours and vibrant ingredients.

GROOT CONSTANTIA

DURBANVILLE WINELANDS

NITÍDA M13 (TYGERBERG VALLEY ROAD), DURBANVILLE 021 976 1467, nitida.co.za

When Bernhard and Peta Veller bought ‘a piece of beautiful soil in Durbanville just to live on’ in 1990, they couldn’t have had any idea that their future held winemaking accolades and awards by the barrelful.

Today, the family-run farm is one of SA’s favourite boutique cellars and an industry leading Sémillon producer.

Tastings: Weekdays 9:30 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 11 am – 4 pm

STELLENBOSCH WINELANDS BACKSBERG WINE

SOMERSET WEST WINELANDS

VERGELEGEN

ANURA

KLAPMUTS-SIMONDIUM ROAD

VERGELEGEN AVENUE, SOMERSET WEST

OFF SIMONDIUM ROAD, KLAPMUTS

(OFF R45), PAARL

021 847 2100, vergelegen.co.za

021 875 5360, anura.co.za

021 875 5141, backsberg.co.za

This well-established estate is a must on any Winelands itinerary. Steeped in Cape colonial grandeur, the historic homestead is open for public viewing. After a garden tour, enjoy a meal at the fine-dining Camphors restaurant or lunch at its family-friendly sister Stables.

Between Paarl and Stellenbosch, in the foothills of the Simonsberg, Anura has 150 ha under vine. Their passion is for red wine, in particular Shiraz, but they produce a selection of other varietals too, all of them reflecting the unique terroir. Sample the range in the tasting room, which overlooks beautiful vineyards and fynbos.

Backsberg produces fine wines that are highly drinkable. The selection extends to kosher and fortified wines, as well as brandy. The estate has received various green accolades for pioneering the use of lightweight bottles as part of its Tread Lightly range.

Tastings: Monday to Friday 9 am – 4:30 pm

CAVALLI

Tastings: Monday to Saturday 9 am – 5 pm, Sundays 10 am – 4 pm

R44 (STRAND ROAD), SOMERSET WEST

WATERKLOOF

021 855 3218, cavalliestate.com

SIR LOWRY’S PASS ROAD,

Horses are the dominant theme at Cavalli, from the stables you pass on the way into the estate, to the labels on the wine bottles. With vineyards planted on the slopes of the Helderberg, the estate benefits from the meeting of mountain and maritime climates. It is also home to an art gallery, tasting lounge and designer boutique.

SOMERSET WEST

AVONTUUR

HELSHOOGTE PASS, STELLENBOSCH

021 858 1292, waterkloofwines.co.za

R44 (STRAND ROAD), STELLENBOSCH

021 885 1013, bartinney.co.za

This biodynamically operated wine farm is making measurable strides in a world in which ‘going green’ is too often nothing but a catchphrase.

The vineyards are kept in shape by a hard-working group of cows, sheep and chickens (with assistance from the human vineyard team). Their range of ‘honest’ wines is proof of the efficacy of this environmentally friendly approach.

021 855 3450, avontuurestate.co.za

Rose and Michael Jordaan take great care in producing Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and a red blend in the form of their vintage Élevage from their 28 ha farm overlooking the picturesque Banhoek Valley. Park off on the upstairs terrace for stunning views of the valley and the Simonsberg.

Tastings: Wednesday to Sunday 10 am – 6 pm

Tastings: Tuesday to Sunday 10 am – 4:30 pm

Tastings: Monday to Sunday 9 am – 3 pm,

BARTINNEY

Don’t miss out on a visit to this home of ‘fine wines and fast horses’. Avontuur has been producing top-quality wine grapes for more than 140 years. Today, Jan van Rooyen makes the best of this superb viticulture with a range of wines that score highly in Platter’s wine guide.

Tastings: Weekdays 8:30 am – 5 pm, weekends 8:30 am – 4 pm

Tastings: Tuesday to Thursday 10 am – 5 pm, Friday 10 am – 8 pm, Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sundays 11 am – 4 pm

IDIOM SIR LOWRY’S PASS, SOMERSET WEST 021 858 1088, idiom.co.za

Produced at the beautiful Da Capo (‘from the Cape’) vineyards, Idiom offers one of the largest selections of Italian varietals in South Africa. Visit for a tasting and to explore its other offerings, including a fine-dining restaurant and a pizzeria.

Tastings: Tuesday to Sunday 10 am – 5 pm

LOURENSFORD LOURENSFORD ROAD, SOMERSET WEST 021 847 2333, lourensford.co.za Covering some 4 000 ha of forest, fynbos, vineyards and fruit orchards, and offering a diverse selection of excellent wines, Lourensford is one of the Cape’s most popular estates. Enjoy a relaxed lunch at the Millhouse Kitchen and browse the collection of South African Masters and contemporary work at the Art Curator gallery.

Tastings: Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm;

MORGENSTER WINE AND OLIVE ESTATE VERGELEGEN AVENUE, SOMERSET WEST 021 852 1738, morgenster.co.za

This estate dates back to 1711, so you can be assured the Bordeaux-style wine and extra-virgin olive oil produced here have a long and proud history.

The tasting room overlooks a lovely reed-lined dam, the perfect setting in which to become acquainted with the wine range.

Tastings: Monday to Sunday 9 am – 5 pm

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BEYERSKLOOF R304 (KOELENHOF ROAD), STELLENBOSCH 021 865 2135, beyerskloof.co.za Winemakers Beyers Truter and his son Anri are both committed to producing world-class wines. Judging by the awards garnered by Beyerskloof, they’re getting it right. The estate is most famous for its Pinotage, but the shallow, gravelly soil is similar to that of Bordeaux, lending itself to Cabernet Sauvignon too.

Tastings: Weekdays and Saturdays 10 am – 4:30 pm, Sundays 10 am – 3 pm

HARTENBERG BOTTELARY ROAD, STELLENBOSCH

LANZERAC HOTEL & SPA

021 865 2541, hartenbergestate.com

BLAAUWKLIPPEN R44 (STRAND ROAD), STELLENBOSCH 021 880 0133, blaauwklippen.com

Founded in 1682, Blaauwklippen has an extensive winemaking heritage. With the philosophy that a fine wine is created in the vineyard, there’s minimal intervention in the cellar – a practice that appears to be working, if their many awards are anything to go by. The eco-conscious will be pleased to know that the wine-tasting centre is powered by a bank of solar panels.

Tastings: Monday to Saturday 10 am – 6 pm, Sundays 10 am – 5 pm

The vision at Hartenberg is to create ‘the good stuff ’ – wines of quality by anyone’s standards. One of the oldest producers of Shiraz in South Africa, the estate is also often lauded for its Rieslings.

Tastings: Monday to Saturday 9 am – 4 pm, Sundays 10 am – 4 pm

JC LE ROUX DEVON VALLEY ROAD, STELLENBOSCH 021 865 8200, jcleroux.co.za The place to experience ‘le good life’, the JC Le Roux brand is well known for its selection of premium yet attractively priced sparkling wines and MCCs. Pay a visit for a fun nougat-andbubbly tasting.

Tastings: Monday to Thursday 10 am – 4 pm, Friday to Sunday 10 am – 5 pm,

BRAMPTON WINES 11 CHURCH STREET, STELLENBOSCH

KANONKOP

021 883 9097, brampton.co.za

R44 (ADAM TAS STREET), BETWEEN

In the heart of Stellenbosch, you’ll find the ultimate haven of relaxation at Brampton Wine Studio – a stylish, chic and intimate venue. Guests will appreciate the trendy, quirky ambience, with chalkboards on the tables and text in colourful typefaces dotting the walls. Though the menu is pared down, it’s big enough to complement the array of delicious wines and ice-cold brews on offer.

KLAPMUTS AND STELLENBOSCH

Tastings: Monday to Thursday 9 am – 9 pm, Fridays 10 am – 9 pm, Saturdays 11 am – 9 pm, Sundays 10 am – 6 pm

DELHEIM KNORHOEK ROAD (OFF R44), STELLENBOSCH 021 888 4600, delheim.com Delheim is a family-run estate that produces a range of white-, red- and rosé wines. If you are interested in a tasting experience from left field, try out the decadent Wine & Fynbos Cupcake Pairing – flavour combinations such as rooibos-and-vanilla cake topped with icing of cream cheese and cinnamon, paired with Delheim Pinotage, will be more than enough to tempt you.

021 884 4656, kanonkop.co.za A fourth-generation estate, Kanonkop resides in the ‘red-wine bowl’ between Stellenbosch and Paarl. It’s no surprise, then, that it’s well known for its reds.

The estate consistently appears on lists of SA’s top Pinotage producers.

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 2 pm

KANU R304, STELLENBOSCH 021 865 2488, kanu.co.za Known globally for their Chenin Blanc, and locally for the interactive and laidback feel of the estate, this farm has produced vintages that consistently earn top-dog status since 1997.

Named for a local folk tale about a ‘bird of promise’ that brings with it good harvests, the vintners here take it to heart, setting aside a quarter of the estate for conservancy. Open for hiking, fishing and birdwatching, this farm makes for a great day out.

Tastings: Daily 9 am – 5 pm

Tastings: Weekdays 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, Weekends 9 am – 4 pm

GLENELLY

KLEINE ZALZE

LELIE STREET, IDAS VALLEY, STELLENBOSCH

R44 (STRAND ROAD), STELLENBOSCH

021 809 6440, glenellyestate.com

021 880 0717, kleinezalze.co.za

When May de Lencquesaing, owner of a profitable vineyard in Bordeaux, decided to put down roots in Idas Valley in South Africa, it was because she believed in the area’s potential for producing incredible wines. Her Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot have silenced any naysayers.

Each of the vineyard blocks at Kleine Zalze is vinified individually, giving every wine a real sense of place. The result is a range that is distinctly South African in style, but with a classic structure. A visit to the estate isn’t complete without a meal at the Klein Zalze Restaurant.

Tastings: Tuesday to Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sundays 10 am – 3 pm

Tastings: Monday to Thursday 9 am – 6 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am – 6 pm

1 LANZERAC ROAD, STELLENBOSCH

KOELENHOF WINERY

021 887 1132, lanzerac.co.za

KLIPHEUWEL ROAD, STELLENBOSCH

Nestled in the lush Jonkershoek Valley, Lanzerac is proud to be the home of the world’s first bottled Pinotage. The estate produces a premium range of single-varietal award-winning wines, a heritage range as well as limited-release artisanal wines.

021 865 2020, koelenhof.co.za

Two ranges are produced here: Easydrinking Koelenhof, which includes both sparkling and dessert wines; and premium label Koelenbosch, which offers more classic varietals made in a drier style (and features an MCC).

With a cosy tasting room, and picnics offered on the grounds, it’s a great spot for a family day out.

Tastings: Monday to Thursday 9 am – 5 pm, Fridays 9 am – 4 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 2 pm

Tastings: Monday to Sunday 8 am – 6 pm

DELAIRE GRAFF R310 (HELSHOOGTE PASS), STELLENBOSCH 021 885 8160, delaire.co.za

The aptly named Delaire (‘from the sky’) is positioned at the very highest crest of the Helshoogte Pass, combining incredible vistas with its award-winning wines. The ultra-modern lounge is the perfect spot for tastings, or you could take a turn about the gardens to view the impressive collection of contemporary sculpture.

Tastings: Daily 10 am – 5:30 pm

WINE

LONGRIDGE

MARIANNE

HELDERBERGPAD (OFF R44), BETWEEN

VALLEY ROAD (OFF R44), STELLENBOSCH

SOMERSET WEST AND STELLENBOSCH

021 875 5040, mariannewines.com ‘South African terroir, French savoir faire’ – that’s the ethos at Marianne wine estate. With a limited production of between only 80 000 and 100 000 bottles a vintage, this boutique winery produces subtly nuanced food wines with great ageing potential. Try a biltong-and-wine pairing with views of Table Mountain in the distance.

021 855 2005, longridge.co.za

In striving to minimise its impact on the environment, Longridge sticks to organic and biodynamic principles. The estate offers a selection of easy-drinking reds and whites that continue to rack up Platter’s stars. The cosy restaurant is surrounded by herb- and vegetable gardens.

Tastings: Monday to Saturday 11 am – 5 pm, Sundays noon – 2:30 pm

Tastings: Daily 10 am – 5 pm

MEERLUST R310 (BADEN POWELL DRIVE), STELLENBOSCH 021 843 3587, meerlust.co.za Now overseen by the eighth generation of the Myburgh family, this estate has been producing wine since 1756. Most South Africans know Meerlust for its Rubicon, first bottled in 1980 after Nico Myburgh returned from France bent on creating a wine to rival the Bordeaux blends he had been so impressed by on his visit there.

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 2 pm

MIDDELVLEI FLAMINGO STREET, STELLENBOSCH 021 883 2565, middelvlei.co.za Middelvlei has been a working wine farm since its first vintage was pressed in 1919, and the estate has now evolved to produce many premium red varietals. Wine-tasting tours include a little tipple directly from the barrels (booking for this is essential).

Tastings: Daily 10 am – 4:30 pm

NEETHLINGSHOF POLKADRAAI ROAD, STELLENBOSCH 021 883 8988, neethlingshof.co.za The estate’s tag line may be ‘history in the making’, but it already lays claim to a long and proud heritage. Wine has been made here since 1788, when Maria Marais, the wife of the owner, decided to extend the existing vineyards and build a cellar, blazing a trail and becoming one of the country’s first female winemakers.

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, Weekends 10 am – 4 pm

PETER FALKE WINES GROENVLEI FARM, ANNANDALE ROAD, STELLENBOSCH 021 881 3677, peterfalkewines.com

The traditional Cape Dutch buildings of this wine estate hide an ultra-modern interior that has become a hot sundowner spot. The Sauvignon Blancs mix enticing fruity flavours (think passion fruit and pineapple), but do try the Blanc de Noir, with notes of red fruits and honeycomb.

Tastings: Tuesday to Sunday 11 am – 6:30 pm

THELEMA R310 (HELSHOOGTE PASS), BETWEEN STELLENBOSCH AND FRANSCHHOEK 021 885 1924, thelema.co.za Taking its name from an abbey in a 16thcentury story (entry to which was denied to all but those who were ‘well featur’d and of sweet disposition’), Thelema has 45 hectares under vine on the slopes of the Simonsberg. The estate produces excellent Chardonnay, Shiraz and Pinot Noir.

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5 pm

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RUSTENBERG WINES RUSTENBERG FARM, RUSTENBERG ROAD,

WATERFORD

OFF LELIE STREET, IDA’S VALLEY 021 809 1200, rustenberg.co.za

VILLIERA WINES

BLAAUWKLIPPEN ROAD,

On an estate founded in 1682, this 880 ha wine farm of the Simonsberg valley has for centuries been working to perfect the terroir, variety and unique style of its bottles – producing 19 variations in total. High up on the list to try is their site-specific range – two bottles, the Peter Barlow and Five Soldiers, which because of their quality and scarcity have both become sought-after collectables.

CNR R101 AND R304, KOELENHOF

HELDERBERG, STELLENBOSCH

021 865 2002, villiera.com

021 880 5300, waterfordestate.co.za

Waterford’s picturesque setting is defined by citrus groves, rolling green lawns and a magnificent courtyard fountain, combined with the natural beauty of the surrounds.

Hop on a wine drive for a three-hour tour around the estate. Then enjoy the a few tastings, featuring Waterford’s experimental wines including their flagship: The Jem.

Tastings: Monday to Friday 9 am – 4:30 pm

Best known for its MCC, this familyrun winery was established as recently as 1983, when cousins Jeff and Simon Grier began an extensive replanting project to cultivate more classic and local varieties on the estate. Today, Villiera is one of the Cape’s largest private wineries and offers visitors a unique game drive alongside regular tastings.

RUST EN VREDE

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 3 pm

ANNANDALE ROAD, STELLENBOSCH

WARWICK

Established in 1694, Rust en Vrede needs little introduction, though wine has only been produced here consistently in the past 40 years or so. They specialise in red wines, with an emphasis on Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot – a strategy that has netted the farm a steady stream of awards. For a real treat, book a table at the estate restaurant.

R44 (ADAM TAS STREET), BETWEEN

SPIER

ZEVENWACHT LANGVERWACHT ROAD, KUILS RIVER

021 881 3881, rustenvrede.com

Tastings: Monday to Saturday 9 am – 5 pm, Sundays 10 am – 4 pm

Tastings: Monday to Saturday 9 am – 5 pm

STELLENBOSCH AND KLAPMUTS 021 884 4410, warwickwine.com

For something a little different, sign up for their vineyard safari, where you’ll be taken around the grounds to get to the root of the tasty Warwick wines, such as the Bordeaux-style Trilogy blend, one of the flagships of the South African wine industry. Afterwards, tuck into a gourmet picnic on the banks of a lovely dam.

Tastings: Daily 9 am – 5 pm

R310 (BADEN POWELL DRIVE), STELLENBOSCH 021 809 1100, spier.co.za

One of SA’s premier responsible-tourism destinations, Spier produces several ranges of delicious, easy-drinking wines. Set aside a day to visit the estate, as you’ll want to take advantage of all there is to do.

Have lunch at their farm-to-table hotel restaurant, enjoy a wine tasting as well as Segway tour of the grounds, and take the kids to Eagle Encounters for an educational show.

Tastings: Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm

TOKARA R310 (HELSHOOGTE PASS), BETWEEN STELLENBOSCH AND FRANSCHHOEK 021 808 5900, tokara.com Not only are the wines here premium award winners, but the views of the vineyards from the tasting room are superb, as is the estate restaurant. There are 22 ha of olive groves planted on the farm, and olive-oil tastings are done on weekdays at The Olive Shed.

Tastings: Daily 10 am – 5:30 pm

VERGENOEGD LÖW WINE ESTATE R310 (BADEN POWELL DRIVE), STELLENBOSCH 021 843 3248, vergenoegd.co.za Spend a lazy afternoon on the lawn while digging in to a scrumptious meal and superb wines. Vergenoegd Wine Estate is nothing if not family friendly, so bring the little ones along for an enjoyable day out.

Tastings: Monday to Saturday 9 am – 4 pm

FRANSCHHOEK WINELANDS ALLÉE BLEUE INTERSECTION OF R45 AND R310, GROOT DRAKENSTEIN, FRANSCHHOEK 021 874 1021, alleebleue.co.za Allée Bleue is an incredibly versatile estate, producing not only wine, but also fruit and a large herb offering (stop by the Marché for some fresh produce). Allée Bleue prides itself on warm hospitality and has a varied range of dining and tasting offerings, with options to suit casual connoisseurs and quaffers alike.

021 900 5700, zevenwacht.co.za Zevenwacht has an impressive claim to fame, having been one of the first wine estates to include a restaurant, hotel, conference facility and spa on the estate. This is less a route stop and more a full-day experience, promising delights for all the senses. Have a tasting from a range of collections, including the flagship range, 7even, The Tin Mine and Z Collection.

021 874 9074, rupertwines.com Whether you visit the more relaxed Terra Del Capo tasting room or the Anthonij Rupert section housed in the historic manor house, a stop at this prestigious estate is not complete without a food-and-wine pairing.

Tastings: Weekdays 8:30 am – 5 pm, Weekends 9 am – 5 pm

Tastings: Monday to Saturday 10 am – 4:30 pm

Tastings: Daily 9 am – 5 pm

ANTHONIJ RUPERT R45, FRANSCHHOEK

BELLINGHAM

GLENWOOD

R45, FRANSCHHOEK

ROBERTSVLEI ROAD, FRANSCHHOEK

021 876 2086, bellinghamwines.com

021 876 2044, glenwoodvineyards.co.za It may be slightly out of the way in the Robertsvlei Valley, but GlenWood is worth a wander off the beaten path. The mantra ‘simple, natural, quality’ applies to all aspects of their farm, from the winemaking process to the architecture. Stay for the Fine Wine and Food Experience, where guests choose a lunch main course and accompanying wine.

Although the tasting room is situated a stone’s throw away at Franschhoek Cellar, a visit to Bellingham manor house, nestled on the slopes of the Groot Drakenstein mountains of the Franschhoek Valley, is a must. Founded in 1693, it has been the home of many fascinating wines, each with its own special and charming character.

Tastings: Monday to Saturday 10 am – 6 pm, Sundays 10 am – 5 pm

Tastings: Tuesday to Sunday 11 am – 4 pm

HOLDEN MANZ GREEN VALLEY ROAD, FRANSCHHOEK

WINE

021 876 2738, holdenmanz.com Situated between the Franschhoek and Stony Brook rivers, the dark, loamy soil of the boutique Holden Manz vineyard gives rise to a number of premium reds.

Choose to overnight at Country House for a luxury escape, or book a table at the delightful Franschhoek Kitchen.

Tastings: Daily 10 am – 5 pm

GRANDE PROVENCE BLACK ELEPHANT

R45 (MAIN ROAD), FRANSCHHOEK

LA MOTTE

LE LUDE WINE ESTATE

40A UITKYK STREET, FRANSCHHOEK

021 876 8600, grandeprovence.co.za

R45, FRANSCHHOEK

LAMBRECHTS ROAD, FRANSCHHOEK

021 876 2903, bevintners.co.za

021 876 8000, la-motte.com

021 876 2961, lelude.co.za

This independent wine producer launched in 2013. Aiming to demystify wine for the masses, the core ethos here is one of enjoyment. To that end, Black Elephant proudly produces a wide range of varietals, made solely from grapes that have been grown in this beautiful corner of the Cape.

Rows of vineyards border the approach to this elegant 325-year-old estate. Its excellent whites and Shiraz frequently scoop prestigious awards. Lunch at The Restaurant, with its exceptional tasting menu, or stay in The Owner’s Cottage, the perfect base from which to explore the Franschhoek Valley.

Tastings: By appointment only

Tastings: Daily 9 am – 4 pm

Owner Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg is one of South Africa’s leading mezzosopranos, so music is the keynote at La Motte, with monthly concerts held in the restored cellar. Art is the inspiration behind the Pierneef à La Motte restaurant too. The estate makes premium wines that have proved consistent award-winners.

With vineyards planted on a selection of diverse terroirs, and grapes selected from sites that best showcase the fruit’s character, Le Lude has a winning formula for its MCCs. In fact, it was the first cellar to make an Agrafe Cap Classique, produced using cork fermentation, not crown caps.

HAUTE CABRIÈRE

Tastings: Tuesday to Saturday 9 am – 5 pm, Sundays 11 am – 5 pm

Tastings: Tuesday to Saturday 10 am – 5 pm

BOSCHENDAL PNIEL ROAD, GROOT DRAKENSTEIN,

R45, LAMBRECHTS ROAD, FRANSCHHOEK

FRANSCHHOEK

021 876 8500, cabriere.co.za

LA PETITE FERME

R45 (MAIN ROAD), FRANSCHHOEK

021 870 4200, boschendalwines.com

One of the oldest working farms in the Franschhoek Valley (it was established in 1694), the estate produces premium Pierre Jourdan Méthode Cap Classique and Haute Cabrière still wines. You can count yourself lucky to enjoy a cellar tour led by cellar master Takuan von Arnim.

The estate restaurant, located in the cellar, is a winner too.

FRANSCHHOEK PASS ROAD, FRANSCHHOEK

This boutique winery has a distinctly intimate feel, and the cellar team takes pride in delicately handcrafting all the wines on offer. After your tasting, linger and dine at the restaurant, or elect to stay the weekend in one of the gorgeously appointed vineyard suites.

021 876 8002, leopardsleap.co.za For a fun-filled day out, head to this popular family-orientated destination, where you can indulge in wine tastings and food offerings or try your hand at a cooking class. Be sure to pick up a bottle or two, and try out one of the yummy Leopard’s Leap wine-cocktail recipes, which are available online.

Tastings: Monday to Saturday 9 am – 5 pm, Sundays 9 am – 3 pm

Tastings: Daily 10:30 am, 12 noon, 1:30 pm, 3:15 pm (booking required)

Tastings: Tuesday to Saturday 9 am – 5 pm, Sundays 11 am – 5 pm

Part of the present winery was originally the cellar for Rhone Manor House, built in 1795. These historic vineyards cover more than 200 ha between the Simonsig and Groot Drakenstein mountains, and the estate’s wines and Cap Classiques are familiar favourites. The sprawling gardens are perfect for a walk on warmer days, and cellar and vineyard tours can be arranged by appointment.

LEOPARD’S LEAP

021 876 3016, lapetiteferme.co.za

Tastings: Daily 10 am – 5 pm

CHAMONIX UITKYK STREET, FRANSCHHOEK 021 876 8400, chamonix.co.za Chamonix was originally part of La Cotte, the first farm granted to the Huguenots in 1688. A blacksmith’s cottage in its day, the tasting room is now a homely spot complete with antique saddles, horsey accoutrements and salt-of-the-earth staff. On sunny days, take a seat at a table outside, beneath the ancient oaks, for a tasting.

LA BRI EXCELSIOR ROAD, FRANSCHHOEK 021 876 2593, labri.co.za La Bri entered a bright new phase in its history in 2008, the first year the harvest was crushed in the new 120-ton cellar. Their focus is now on creating limited quantities of superior-quality wine from the estate’s varied soil types. The proof of their method is definitely in the drinking.

Tastings: Weekdays 10 am – 5 pm, weekends 10 am – 4 pm

Tastings: Daily 10 am – 5 pm

THE FRANSCHHOEK CELLAR R45 (MAIN ROAD), FRANSCHHOEK 021 876 2086, thefranschhoekcellar.co.za Pack the car and take a lovely drive to the stunning Franschhoek Cellar vineyards.

Here, you can also taste wines from the neighbouring winefarm Bellingham and Stellenbosch’s Brampton Wines. Round it all off with a hearty lunch.

Tastings: Monday to Thursday 9 am – 6 pm, Fridays & Saturdays 10 am – 6 pm, Sundays 10 am – 5 pm

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WINE

WELLINGTON & PAARL WINELANDS DIEMERSFONTEIN WINE & COUNTRY ESTATE MÔRESON

R301 (JAN VAN RIEBEECK DRIVE), WELLINGTON

HAPPY VALLEY ROAD, FRANSCHHOEK

You’ll find a selection of charmingly named, well-balanced, award-winning wines at this small, family-run farm. Enjoy a meal at the Four Square Club restaurant, stock up on wholesome fare at The Farm Grocer, or get to grips with the epicurean way of life with a bread-baking, wine-blending or charcuterie-making course.

021 864 5050, diemersfontein.co.za Though Diemersfontein is a relatively new producer, it has made up for lost time and gained huge standing with its delicious Pinotage. This local fave has notes of dark chocolate, with a hint of mint and baked plums on the nose, pairing well with roast venison or a dark-chocolate mousse.

Vineyard walking tours, cellar tours and horse-riding outings are also on offer.

Tastings: By appointment only

Tastings: Daily 10 am – 4:30 pm

MULLINEUX & LEEU FAMILY WINES

DOOLHOF

LEEU ESTATES, DASSENBERG ROAD,

021 864 2805, doolhof.com Visit Doolhof ’s tasting room to sample the estate’s three ranges: Signatures of Doolhof, Legends of the Labyrinth and The Cape Series. Pack your sensible shoes to enjoy the River Walk, a meandering trail following the Kromme River, with lovely picnic spots along the route. For a shorter stroll, wander through the labyrinth.

021 876 3055, moreson.co.za

FRANSCHHOEK 021 492 2455, mlfwines.com This family winery produces superb, awardwinning wines from the granite and shale soils of the Swartland Valley. Its flagship Mullineux range includes a Syrah, Chenin blend and Chenin dessert wine, while its Kloof Street label offers more accessible, easy-drinking wines. A natural approach is followed in the vineyards and cellar, which means minimal intervention and no weed killers or insecticides.

Tastings: Thursday to Sunday 10 am – 5 pm

BOVLEI ROAD, WELLINGTON

Tastings: Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 4 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm Sundays 10 am – 3 pm

GLEN CARLOU KLAPMUTS-SIMONDIUM ROAD

SOLMS-DELTA

(OFF R44), PAARL

DELTA ROAD (OFF R45), GROOT DRAKENSTEIN

021 875 5528, glencarlou.co.za The winemaking team at Glen Carlou has joined forces with nature in order to create three distinctive wine ranges: Classic, Prestige and The Collection.

Enjoy lunch and a wine tasting under the high wooden beams of the Glen Carlou restaurant, then take a stroll in the Zen Fynbos Garden and visit the excellent estate gallery.

087 701 9734, solms-delta.co.za

Solms-Delta wines derive their character as much from the quality of life of the people who work the farm (historically disadvantaged workers have a partnership in the estate) as from the climate and land.

Special-interest farm tours, the Museum van de Caab and the Dik Delta fynbos Culinary Gardens make this a particularly interesting stop.

Tastings: Monday to Thursday 10 am –5 pm, Friday to Sunday 9 am – 5 pm,

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, weekends 10 am – 4 pm

AVONDALE LUSTIGAN ROAD, KLEIN DRAKENSTEIN, PAARL 021 863 1976, avondalewine.co.za

The motto at Avondale is terra est vita, which means ‘soil is life’, and the estate is well known for its all-natural winemaking process. Here, you’ll also be introduced to lunar tasting, based on the theory that the lunar cycle affects the palate, with wines tasting different on various days.

Tastings: Daily 10 am – 4 pm

NEDERBURG SONSTRAAL ROAD, DAL JOSAFAT, PAARL 021 862 3104, nederburg.com Nederburg produces some of SA’s best-loved wines – from the premium-award-winning to the everyday-drinking. Book at The Manor for a gourmet lunch in the Manor House, which is a national heritage site.

Nederburg’s annual wine auction is a highlight on the local industry’s calendar.

RIDGEBACK OFF R44, WINDMEUL, PAARL 021 869 8068, ridgebackwines.co.za Surrounded by granite hills and abundant fynbos, Ridgeback produces a number of full-bodied red varietals that the owners say have the same individuality and spirit as the Rhodesian ridgeback dog from which the winery takes its name. Here you will also find The Deck Restaurant, which overlooks a tranquil dam.

Tastings: Monday to Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sundays 10 am – 4 pm

BREEDEKLOOF WINELANDS

Tastings: Daily (except Tuesday) 10 am –4 pm

KWV WINE EMPORIUM

BERGSIG ESTATE

STONY BROOK

KOHLER STREET, PAARL

PERDEBERG WINERY

R43, WORCESTER

GREEN VALLEY ROAD, FRANSCHHOEK

021 807 3007/8, kwvwineemporium.co.za

VRYGUNS FARM, WINDMEUL, PAARL

021 876 2182, stonybrook.co.za

021 869 8244, perdeberg.co.za

A family-run boutique wine farm in the southernmost corner of Franschhoek, Stony Brook produces small volumes to ensure the winemaking process is kept eco-friendly. Their flagship wine Ghost Gum Cabernet Sauvignon is named for a 150-year-old tree growing on the property.

One of the country’s leading large-scale wine- and spirits producers, KWV is the name behind popular labels Laborie and Roodeberg (among others), but it is best known for its award-winning brandies.

A selection of tastings can be done at the KWV Wine Emporium, in addition to cellar tours.

Situated at the foot of the Paardeberg (‘Horse Mountain’), the estate is named for the wild zebras and quaggas that once populated the region. Spanning 2 000 ha, with five different microclimates, the farm produces wines that are as diverse as they are quaffable.

023 355 1603, bergsig.co.za With the benefit of varied soils, aspects and climates, cool summer winds and plenty of winter rainfall, the vineyards at Bergsig (‘mountain view’) are naturally primed to produce high-quality grapes and wine. Bergsig is a family-run estate and committed to preserving its natural heritage for future generations.

Tastings: Monday to Thursday 10 am – 4:30 pm, Fridays 10 am – 4 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 1 pm

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 4:30 pm, weekends 9 am – 2 pm

Tastings: Monday to Saturday 9 am – 5 pm, Sundays 10 am – 5 pm

Tastings: Weekdays 8 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 4 pm

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SWARTLAND WINELANDS WINE

TULBAGH WINELANDS

ALLESVERLOREN

PULPIT ROCK WINERY

R311 (OFF THE R46), BETWEEN RIEBEEK WEST

R311, RIEBEEK WEST 022 461 2025, pulpitrock.co.za Pulpit Rock is situated in the foothills of the Kasteelberg. The beautiful views and personalised service contribute to a unique experience in the wine-tasting centre. The winery offers curious visitors informal tours of the cellars, which have an overall production capacity of 5 000 tons, with two barrel-maturing chambers.

DU TOITSKLOOF WINES

SARONSBERG CELLAR

AND RIEBEEK KASTEEL

R101 (OLD N1 ROAD), RAWSONVILLE

WAVEREN ROAD, TULBAGH

022 461 2320, allesverloren.co.za

023 349 1601, dutoitskloof.co.za

023 230 0707, saronsberg.com For a relatively young estate, Saronsberg has achieved great success since its maiden vintage in 2004: It is considered the ‘home of Shiraz’ in Tulbagh. The elegant tasting room houses an impressive collection of contemporary South African art, tastefully juxtaposed by a view of the high-tech fermentation cellar.

With vineyards that reach up the slopes of the Kasteelberg in the Riebeek Valley, this estate creates the big, robust reds the area is known for. Visit the farm for a tasting paired with sweeping Swartland views, sample something from the deli, or enjoy lunch at the estate’s Pleasant Pheasant restaurant.

Today, Du Toitskloof has 22 member farms and offers an extensive range of red, white and fortified wines. The cellar is one of the largest Fairtrade social-responsibility projects in the world. The winery itself and each of its member farms is Fairtrade accredited, and together they have helped empower more than 2 000 people in the area through upliftment projects.

Tastings: Weekdays 8 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 2 pm, Sundays 10 am – 1 pm

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 11 am – 3 pm

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 2 pm

RIEBEEK CELLARS ANNEX KLOOF WINES

3 PLEIN ST, RIEBEEK KASTEEL

R45, BETWEEN MALMESBURY AND PAARL

022 448 1171, riebeekcellars.com

TWEE JONGE GEZELLEN

022 487 3870, annexkloofwines.co.za

OPSTAL

TWEE JONGE GEZELLEN ESTATE ROAD,

SLANGHOEK ROAD, RAWSONVILLE

TULBAGH

023 344 3001, opstal.co.za

At the foot of the Slanghoek Mountains, this seventh-generation family-run estate offers a warm welcome. A mixture of clay-, sandy-, alluvial- and stony soils allows them to produce a wide selection of wine, which is bottled under three labels: Sixpence, Estate and Heritage. Opstal restaurant (open Wednesday to Sunday) has a menu of gourmet cuisine to pair with the wine.

023 230 0680, kronemcc.com This more-than-300-year-old farm is the home of Krone, one of South Africa’s best-loved bubblies. Pioneers in the wine industry, Twee Jonge Gezellen had the very first underground wine cellar in Africa, and invented the process of cold fermentation in the 1950s, to compensate for South Africa’s heat while producing their MCCs.

Annex Kloof winemaker Hugo Basson has been dubbed the Malbec King of South Africa. A trip to this farm, where you can do a tasting right from the barrels, will reveal why. The estate is committed to the preservation of natural biodiversity and the removal of alien vegetation from the farm.

Riebeek Cellars has been producing wine since 1941, managing to perfectly balance the valley’s mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Their various offerings range from the fun Montino Pétillant label and the highly drinkable Riebeek Cellars red-, white- and rosé wines, to their own bubbly.

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 11 am – 3 pm

Tastings: Weekdays 10 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm

Tastings: Weekdays 8 am – 5 pm, weekends 9 am – 4 pm

KLOOVENBURG R46, RIEBEEK KASTEEL 022 448 1635, kloovenburg.com

This wine-and-olive estate just outside of Riebeek Kasteel enjoys a balanced climate and terroir, and produces a number of impressive reds as a result. Savour a tasting of wine and olive oil on the big veranda, then leave with a few bottles of both.

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 4:30 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 2 pm

Tastings: By appointment only

CLOOF WINE ESTATE R315, BETWEEN DARLING AND MALMESBURY 022 492 2839, cloof.co.za

SWARTLAND WINERY

Off the beaten track lies the little gem of Cloof Wine Estate. Come for the wines, but stay for the charming, tranquil atmosphere. Vines were planted here in the mid 1960s, before Darling was really known for wine, and Cloof finally saw wine released under its own label in 1999.

R45, DOORNKUIL, TRUNK ROAD, MALMESBURY

Tastings: Tuesday to Saturday 10 am – 4 pm

GROOTE POST DARLING HILLS ROAD, DARLING

022 482 1134, swartlandwinery.co.za

Originally operating under the auspices of wine-and-spirit giant KWV, it was one of the first wineries in the Cape to become independent, more than 70 years ago. The farm has a unique style of winemaking, using the dry soil and bush-vine growth of the region. Its wines are made from smaller berries for a bolder, more concentrated fruit aroma and flavour.

022 492 2825, grootepost.co.za Best known among locals for its highly drinkable The Old Man’s Blend, Groote Post is doing incredibly well in the awards stakes. Join the fun of the country market held on the last Sunday of every month.

Tastings: Monday to Thursday 9 am – 5 pm, Fridays 9 am – 4 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 2 pm

Tastings: Weekdays 10 am – 5 pm, weekends 10 am – 4 pm

ATARAXIA

LAMMERSHOEK R45, APRILSKLOOF, PAARDEBERG, MALMESBURY 022 482 2835, lammershoek.co.za

Lammershoek’s vineyards are treated to a lovely Mediterranean climate and sandy soils, giving wine produced here a sophisticated acidity, texture and perfume.

Lammershoek wines are bottled unfiltered with minimal amounts of sulphur dioxide, the better to reflect their place of origin.

Tastings: By appointment only

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Tastings: Monday to Thursday 9 am – 5 pm, Fridays 10 am – 6 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 5 pm, Sundays 10 am – 3 pm (at the Square in Riebeek Kasteel)

OVERBERG WINELANDS

R320 (HEMEL-EN-AARDE ROAD), HERMANUS 028 212 2007, ataraxiawines.co.za The vineyards of Ataraxia, founded in 2004 by Kevin and Hanli Grant, grow on The Skyfields Farm of the Hemel-enAarde Valley. The name of the estate is a Greek word that means ‘freedom from stress’, and Ataraxia is just the place to experience this. Gorgeous views from the wine lounge will accompany your tasting of the small, yet immensely satisfying selection of wines.

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 4 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm

ALMENKERK WINE ESTATE

DOMAINE DES DIEUX

GABRIËLSKLOOF

50 VILJOENSHOOP ROAD, ELGIN

R320 (HEMEL-EN-AARDE ROAD), HERMANUS

R43 (BETWEEN BOT RIVER AND CALEDON)

021 848 9844, almenkerk.co.za

028 313 2126, domainedesdieux.co.za

028 284 9865, gabrielskloof.co.za

You will be shown around this beautiful Elgin farm by a member of the exuberant Van Almenkerk family before retiring to the tasting room, which resembles a cosy living room. In case you hadn’t yet picked up on it, the idea at the estate is that this family enjoys making as many friends as possible through the sharing of its wine.

Domaine des Dieux was bought in 2002 by ‘two wine lovers with a dream’, who released their first MCC in 2010. Today, the estate produces a range of premium wines, including Pinot Noir, the varietal this lovely wine ward is famous for.

This relatively young farm already stands out as one of the gems of the Bot River wine region. The estate is named for a certain Gabriël le Roux, who first produced wine and brandy here more than 150 years ago. The estate also produces olive oil.

Tastings: Monday to Saturday 11 am – 5 pm, Sundays 11 am – 4 pm

Tastings: Tuesday to Saturday 10 am – 4 pm

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 11 am – 3 pm

ELGIN VINTNERS CHARLES FOX

ELGIN ORCHARDS FARM,

89 VALLEY ROAD, ELGIN

APPLETISER ROAD, ELGIN

082 569 2965, charlesfox.co.za

021 848 9587, elginvintners.co.za

After an extensive search for the perfect MCC terroir, Charles and Zelda Fox purchased this former fruit farm in 2005, and got to work on their cellar and vineyards.

These days, the team produces complex Méthode Cap Classiques from its Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay vine blocks to rival France’s best efforts.

A sense of partnership is the driving force behind this operation. Six grape growers pooled their resources to form a 101 ha estate that sprawls over 12 km of the Elgin Valley. Here they make the most of their varied soils, aspects, altitudes and climates to produce diverse, and delicious, wines.

Tastings: Daily 10 am – 4 pm

CREATION R320 (HEMEL-EN-AARDE ROAD), HERMANUS 028 212 1107, creationwines.com

Terroir-driven wines are the order of the day at Creation, where the fruits of the vine are carefully crafted in a state-of-theart cellar. Activities include chocolateand-wine or food-and-wine pairings, blind- and barrel tastings, and walking tours of the farm to explore its vineyards and fynbos, and to see its birdlife.

Tastings: Daily 10 am – 5 pm (booking essential)

Tastings: Wednesday to Sunday 10 am – 4 pm

BOUCHARD FINLAYSON R320 (VALLEY ROAD), HERMANUS 028 312 3515, bouchardfinlayson.co.za

A boutique winery in the lovely Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Bouchard Finlayson has only 22 ha under vine, but produces several Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs of outstanding quality. The rest of the 125 ha estate comprises an indigenous fynbos conservancy, part of Bouchard Finlayson’s involvement in the WWF’s Conservation Champions programme.

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 1 pm

HAMILTON RUSSELL R320 (HEMEL-EN-AARDE ROAD), HEMELEN-AARDE VALLEY 028 312 3595, hamiltonrussellvineyards.com Established in 1975, Hamilton Russell is widely regarded as the estate that pioneered viticulture and winemaking in the cool-climate Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Its 52 hectares of stony, clay-rich, shale-derived soils give rise to some of the country’s best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A word to the wise: Hamilton Russell wine is produced in very small quantities and is in high demand internationally, so stock up when you have the opportunity.

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 2pm

HERMANUSPIETERSFONTEIN 17 VILLAGE LANE, HEMEL-EN-AARDE VILLAGE, HERMANUS 028 316 1875, hpf1855.co.za

To commemorate Hermanus Pieters, a teacher who instructed the children of the Afrikaans Hemel-en-Aarde Valley farmers in the 1800s, all the names and labels of Hermanuspietersfontein’s quite exceptional wines are in Afrikaans. Join for a tasting on Saturdays, when you can appreciate the lively outdoor market.

Tastings: Weekdays 10 am – 4 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 1 pm

LA VIERGE R320 (12 HEMEL-EN-AARDE ROAD), HERMANUS 028 313 0130, lavierge.co.za La Vierge, French for ‘The Virgin’, is set in the breathtaking Hemel-en-Aarde Valley close to Hermanus. These lovingly tended vineyards are characterised by long, cool summers influenced by the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. The vision started in the 2000s, when Babylon Farm was bought.

Since then, careful progress has seen this farm transformed into a vineyard to rival the best. The fertile clay-based soils are the perfect foundations from which to create masterpieces that tease the tongue.

Tastings: Monday to Sunday 10 am – 6 pm

NEWTON JOHNSON R320 (HEMEL-EN-AARDE ROAD), HERMANUS 028 312 3862, newtonjohnson.com Owned by the Newton Johnson family, this estate focuses on creating wines with a sense of place. As such, winemaker Gordon Newton Johnson refrains from interfering too much and allows the individual qualities of each vineyard to shine through. The result? Some of the best Pinot Noir outside of Burgundy.

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 4 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 2 pm

ROBERTSON WINE VALLEY STRANDVELD

ASHTON WINERY

ONEIRIC

BLOMFONTEIN FARM, R317, DE DAM/

ROUTE 62, MAIN ROAD, ASHTON

76 HIGHLANDS ROAD, ELGIN

WOLVENGAT ROAD, ELIM

023 615 1135, ashtonwinery.com

071 481 9560, oneiric.co.za

028 482 1902, strandveld.co.za

Oneiric is in the Elgin Valley, about 70 km east of Cape Town. Nestled in the lovely Kogelberg Biosphere, the farm sits in one of the coolest wine-growing areas along SA’s south coast. Due to the high altitude, proximity to the Atlantic and good winter rainfall, the grapes ripen slowly, resulting in naturally fresh, graceful wines.

The vines at Africa’s southernmost winery get their distinct character from the sea winds and the stony, mineral-rich soil of the area. Make a day of it and stop at this historic cellar on your way to Cape Agulhas. Sample the Strandveld and First Sighting ranges, including the Navigator blend.

Lovers of white-, red- and sparkling wines are spoilt for choice at this Robertson Wine Valley gem. Besides the Ashton Winery Range, visitors can select from the Joy, Reserve and non-alcoholic ranges. The farm’s prime location means it has exposure to a unique climate, soil varieties and specialised viticulture practices.

Tastings: Thursday to Sunday 10 am – 4 pm, Monday to Wednesday by appointment only

Tastings: Monday to Thursday 9 am – 5 pm, Fridays 9 am – 4 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 3pm

Tastings: Monday to Friday 8 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 2 pm

R317 (BONNIEVALE ROAD),

BONNIEVALE WINES

BETWEEN ROBERTSON AND ASHTON

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm

023 615 1980, excelsior.co.za The fifth generation of the De Wet family now cultivates this picturesque farm, with the philosophy that good wine is made in the vineyard. Enjoy a tasting on the deck overlooking the estate’s dam, then become part of more than a century of winemaking by blending, bottling and labelling your own.

CLOVERFIELD

Tastings: Weekdays 10 am – 4 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 3 pm

PAUL CLUVER

SUMARIDGE

R317 (BONNIEVALE ROAD), BONNIEVALE

DE RUST ESTATE, N2, GRABOUW

R320 (HEMEL-EN-AARDE ROAD), HERMANUS

023 616 2795, bonnievalewines.co.za

021 844 0605, cluver.com

028 312 1097, sumaridge.co.za

The Cluver family have been running this farm since 1896 and are recognised as pioneers of winemaking in the area.

Here you will find elegant wines that are an expression of the terroir. The concerts staged on the farm are another favourite local drawcard.

Its prime position in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley makes Sumaridge a must-visit. Each cultivar has its own site, washed over by the cool maritime breezes that give Overberg wines a distinct elegance. If you’re feeling peckish after your tasting, enjoy a moreish platter in the dining room (offered from 12 noon to 3 pm every day).

Despite being one of the largest wine farms in the country, this estate prides itself on its warmth and hospitality. Taste its awardwinning wines while floating aboard the Breede River Goose (by appointment only).

Tastings: Weekdays 8 am – 5 pm, weekends 9 am – 4 pm

Tastings: Daily 11 am – 5 pm

SPOOKFONTEIN R320 (HEMEL-EN-AARDE ROAD), HEMEL-EN-AARDE VALLEY 028 125 0128, spookfontein.co.za This boutique wine estate gets its name from purported sightings of a spirit lingering at its pretty spring (‘spook’ translates to ‘ghost’ in Dutch and Afrikaans).

At its mountaintop cellar, taste wines that are a perfect expression of this rocky-soil, seaside terroir, from an elegant Pinot Noir and a complex Bordeaux-style blend, to a ‘cheeky’ Merlot rosé.

Tastings: Monday to Saturday 10 am – 4:30 pm, Sundays 10 am – 4 pm

EXCELSIOR WINE ESTATE & MANOR GUESTHOUSE

R317 (BONNIEVALE ROAD), ROBERTSON 023 626 4118, cloverfield.co.za

ESONA

The Marais family has been farming in the valley for more than 100 years, and producing wine here since 1945. Drop by for a taste of their well-known and well-rated Chardonnay.

R317 BETWEEN ROBERTSON

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 4 pm

AND BONNIEVALE 076 343 5833, esona.co.za The diverse soils fed by the Breede River make for a stunning range of wines at Esona, including their showstopper Sauvignon Blanc. Other notable varietals produced here are the estate’s premium Shiraz, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The focus is on quality, with a maximum of 2 000 bottles produced of each cultivar.

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm

GRAHAM BECK ESTATE R60, ROBERTSON 023 626 1214, grahambeck.com

Graham Beck Estate, the Robertson home of Graham Beck Wines, is one of the simply unmissable stops along Route 60. The estate is renowned for producing excellent still wines as well as MCCs of distinction.

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, weekends 10 am – 4 pm

JHG WINES R60 DISTRICT BONNIEVALE / DREW 087 012 5356, janharmsgat.com At the southern tip of the Robertson Valley, Jan Harmsgat produces single-block wines, limiting ground to six hectares per handpicked cultivar. Pop by for a tasting, enjoy a picnic under the pecan nut trees, and go home with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz.

Tastings: Monday to Sunday 9 am – 5 pm

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANDREAS EISELEN/HMIMAGES.CO.ZA, CLAIRE GUNN, COURTESY IMAGES

KLEINHOEKKLOOF

MIMOSA

ROOIBERG

WILDE PAARDE KLOOF, ASHTON

CHURCH STREET, MONTAGU

R60, ROBERTSON

064 678 8804, kleinhoekkloof.co.za

023 614 2351, mimosa.co.za

This award-winning family-run boutique wine and olive farm in the Langeberg offers a prime example of wine produced using a unique symbiotic relationship between terroir and cultivar. Choose from classics such as Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Shiraz and Pinot Noir, or try Kailagh (a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Nouvelle) and Petit Verdot.

This boutique winery, guest lodge and restaurant is a lovely spot to overnight at along Route 62. Take in the gorgeous mountain views from the little oasis of a garden while you sip on a lovely glass of Mimosa Chardonnay, described as ‘Seduction for the tongue. Sunshine for the soul’.

Tastings: By appointment only

023 626 1663, rooiberg.co.za Natural, sparkling and dessert wines are what you can expect to taste at this farm, where vineyards are nourished by the Vink, Noree and Breede rivers, lending an exceptional quality to the terroir. For a novel experience, sign up for the ‘Wine High Tea’, an unconventional take on a high tea, where wines are accompanied by pastries, fruits and cakes.

RIETVALLEI WINE ESTATE

Tastings: Monday to Friday 9 am – 5:30 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 5 pm

Tastings and sales: Weekdays 10 am – 4 pm, weekends by appointment only

R60, BETWEEN ROBERTSON AND ASHTON

KRANSKOP KLAASVOOGDS EAST, ROBERTSON 023 626 3200, kranskopwines.co.za

Newald Marais takes great care in putting his many years of training and experience into producing the fine wines that leave Kranskop, one of the newer estates in the increasingly popular Robertson wine valley. The reds produced here are particularly noteworthy, undergoing a pulping process with a traditional basket press.

Tastings: Weekdays 10 am – 4:30 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 2 pm

DE WETSHOF ESTATE R317 (BONNIEVALE ROAD), ROBERTSON 023 615 1853, dewetshof.com This premier wine farm has a reputation for producing a wellbalanced portfolio of award-winning wines with a wide array of complex flavours and styles. It’s best known for its delicious Chardonnay.

Tastings: Weekdays 8 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 9:30 am – 1 pm

023 626 3596, rietvallei.co.za One of the oldest farms in the Robertson Wine Valley, Rietvallei is run by the sixth generation of the Burger family. Its 119 ha vineyards have been planted primarily with noble white cultivars. It also produces a smooth grappa and a semi-sweet bubbly.

Tastings: Weekdays 8 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 2 pm

ROBERTSON WINERY 17 VOORTREKKER ROAD, ROBERTSON 023 626 3059, robertsonwinery.co.za

Bordered by the Breede River to the south and the spectacular Langeberg to the north, Robertson Winery’s scenery typifies this region. Its rich and charming Number One Constitution Road Shiraz was created to celebrate 10 years of democracy in 2004, and is still pulling in awards.

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5:30 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 3 pm, Sundays 9 am – 1 pm

VAN LOVEREN R317 (BONNIEVALE ROAD), BETWEEN ROBERTSON AND BONNIEVALE 023 615 1505, vanloveren.co.za

Van Loveren is well known for its consistent quality. The tasting room offers various food-and-wine pairings, there are garden and cellar tours, and more energetic visitors can hit the hiking and mountainbiking trails.

Tastings: Weekdays 8 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 9:30 am – 4 pm, Sundays 11 am – 3 pm

SPRINGFIELD ESTATE R317 (BONNIEVALE ROAD), ROBERTSON 023 626 3661, springfieldestate.com The family-run Springfield Estate is owned by the Bruwer family, who are fourth-generation farmers in the area, and aim to bring a personal touch to their wines. Winemaker Abrie has also taken a hands-on, traditional approach to creating a unique range. Look out for springbok on the grounds when you visit.

WINE

VILJOENSDRIFT R317 (BONNIEVALE ROAD), BETWEEN ROBERTSON AND BONNIEVALE 023 615 1901, viljoensdrift.co.za

Thanks to this farm’s location right on the banks of the Breede River, you can enjoy a relaxing cruise down the water with your tasting, floating past the wild olive trees and yellow-woods.

Tastings: Tuesday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am –4 pm, Sundays 10 am – 3 pm

WEST COAST KLAWER CELLARS WINE CELLARS, BIRDFIELD FARM, N7, KLAWER 027 216 1530, klawerwine.co.za

Standing as sentinel at the gateway to the Olifants River Valley, a warm welcome is to be had when you visit Klawer Wine Cellars – a geographically unlikely, yet formidable wine farm held up by a team of professional oenophiles who have committed themselves to the fine-tuned expression of this unique terroir. Here, limited production of cultivars such as Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage win out, supported by a catalogue of various others, including Late Harvest and dessert wines.

Tastings: Weekdays 8 am – 5 pm, Saturday 9 am – 1 pm

Tastings: Weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 3 pm

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NIGHTLIFE TOAST THE WEEKEND, LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC, SAMPLE FINE WINE OR HIT THE DANCE FLOOR AT ONE OF THESE HOTSPOTS

ARCADE 152 BREE STREET, CBD 060 861 0511, arcadecafe.co.za

Arcade bridges the gap between bar culture, restaurant dining and club life.

The succinct menu offers tasty burgers (we’re sinking our teeth into the Happy – mozzarella, Cheddar, streaky bacon, greens, pickled red onion, roasted-garlic olive oil and herbs), pizza and cafe-style fare. Ease into the relaxed bar vibe as you prepare for a fun night out on the city’s hipster strip.

THE ART OF DUPLICITY 170120.co.za This highly secretive Mother City speakeasy is a throwback to Prohibitionera modus operandi. Expect no bathtub gin here, however, instead high-concept cocktails, mixed by the famed Brent Perremore, are the main pull. As for getting there, a booking made through their bare-bones website conjures up a hint that will set you off on the innercity odyssey of trying to find it. Once you do, though, a cavalcade of sensory pleasures is said to be your reward.

THE ATHLETIC CLUB & SOCIAL 35 BUITENGRACHT STREET, CBD 021 012 5331, theathletic.co.za

Step into another era when you arrive at this watering hole in the city centre.

The folks at The Athletic have outdone themselves when it comes to the full experience – from the 1920s speakeasystyle decor to the delectable Mediterranean eats and, of course, the generous range of tipples on offer.

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CAFÉ MANHATTAN 74 WATERKANT STREET, GREEN POINT 021 421 6666, manhattan.co.za

BEERHOUSE 223 LONG STREET, CBD 079 369 8990, beerhouse.co.za

Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall, ninety-nine bottles of beer… Few bars can trot out this old chestnut truthfully, but Beerhouse can, with no fewer than 99 different local and international bottled beers, plus a range of 20 more brews on tap and the finest of South Africa’s craft crop. Pair your tankard with delicious bar snacks, including Dutch bitterballen.

One of the longest-lived De Waterkant venues, Café Manhattan has both a cosy restaurant and a bar with a touch of the Wild West to it. Between mouth-watering burgers and classy drinks, you’ll be spoilt for choice, no matter which way your evening takes you.

CAPE TO CUBA 165 MAIN ROAD, KALK BAY

120 MAIN ROAD, SEA POINT 021 854 1117, decodance.co.za

There are zero pretensions at this weekend party spot. Let down your hair and boogie the night away to the best of the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and even the 2000s – from rock to pop.

021 788 1566, capetocuba.com

It’s definitely worth the trip out of the city to visit this tribute to Old Havana. Order one of their famed mojitos or caipirinhas, then soak up the vibe with a view of the waves just beyond the windows.

BOARD HOUSE BEACH BAR SHOP 12, BEACH BOULEVARD, TABLE VIEW

CAUSE EFFECT

083 330 4473, board-house.business.site

THE ROCKET SHED, 280 DOCK ROAD,

After a good swell or swim, walk straight from the beach into this bar. No matter the season, Board House’s doors are always open. With bring-and-braai facilities and a terrific sea view, it offers the perfect place for a party with your mates.

V&A WATERFRONT

CABRITO TEQUILA BAR

DECODANCE

021 422 0266, causeandeffect.co.za The multitude of weird and wonderful concoctions at this Mother City bar are probably the best for getting a taste of our beautiful natural environment in liquor form. Nibble on gourmet bar snacks while you’re there and enjoy the show.

GIGI ROOFTOP RESTAURANT & BAR 118 ST GEORGES MALL, CBD 087 898 6000, gigirooftop.com On the sixth floor of the Gorgeous George boutique hotel, this rooftop experience sprawls out in simultaneously lighthearted and sophisticated splendour. Relax with a drink by the pool or enjoy dinner with friends as the sun sets just beyond the huge glass panes that frame the sparkling inner city. An extensive, all-day menu boasts everything from hearty breakfasts to cocktails and oysters, making this the perfect spot for any occasion – a touch of class guaranteed.

81 MAIN ROAD, GREEN POINT 021 433 2364, elburro.co.za

Cabrito Tequila Bar is just downstairs from one of Cape Town’s fave Mexican-themed haunts, sister establishment El Burro. At Cabrito, patrons are offered an impressive selection of local and imported tequilas and mescals – and, of course, margaritas. You can also indulge in the cocktail- and snack menus, which echo old favourites from El Burro.

CAFÉ CAPRICE

CHINCHILLA ROOFTOP CAFÉ & BAR

THE GIN BAR

2ND FLOOR, THE PROMENADE,

071 241 2277, theginbar.co.za

VICTORIA ROAD, CAMPS BAY

‘Elixirs, tinctures and potions’ are what you can look forward to sipping on at this bar positioned behind and above Honest Chocolate. The Mediterranean-style courtyard is perfect for beating the heat with a potent cocktail in hand – select from the staples Head, Heart, Ambition and Soul, among other creative concoctions.

021 286 5075, chinchillarooftop.co.za

One of the more recent additions to the Camps Bay sunset strip, Chinchilla is a triple hitter: Great food, great vibe, great views. Enjoy some chic bistro bites and a signature cocktail (the Yuzu Jasmine Sours is divine) as the resident international DJs spin you into the sunset.

64A WALE STREET, CBD

021 438 8315, cafecaprice.co.za

COCO

HARRINGTONS COCKTAIL LOUNGE

A busy squad of barmen churn out quality cocktails from two bar areas at this Camps Bay beachfront darling. Join the locals heading to Caprice on weekend evenings for sundowners.

70 LOOP STREET, CBD

61 HARRINGTON STREET, ZONNEBLOEM

072 673 6869, cococpt.co.za

078 916 7903, thefirmct.co.za/harringtons Another hit from The Firm (who also brought you District, SurfaRosa and The Village Idiot), Harringtons is the spot to see and be seen at in Cape Town. A plush, sophisticated cocktail lounge with velvet bottle-service booths is what you can expect on your visit. The dedicated smoking room and boutique DJ booth complete the space.

37 VICTORIA ROAD, CAMPS BAY

DARK HORSE 145 KLOOF STREET, CBD 021 422 0825, darkhorsebar.co.za With doors leading from the heart of the city into a space tattooed with eclectic decor, this moody Kloof Street eatery is one to visit when a hearty dose of atmosphere is just what the doctor ordered. Expect comfort food, served as tapas perfect for sharing, and a menu that employs ethically sourced ingredients and nose-to-tail recipes. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available.

A collaboration between four of the city’s hottest club innovators, COCO is Cape Town’s sexiest watering hole.

Bottle service and a banging party are the hallmarks of your experience here, with a music line-up of commercial hits, house and hip-hop.

CUBAÑA DE WATERKANT CENTRE, 9 SOMERSET ROAD, GREEN POINT

THE HOUSE OF MACHINES

021 421 1109, cubana.co.za

84 SHORTMARKET STREET, CBD

An established franchise with three venues in the Cape, Cubaña provides an authentic Latin experience with a combination of social cafe, cocktail bar and cigar lounge.

Go for the delicious jalapeño poppers and unique cocktails, and stay for the vibe.

Head to the dance floor later on.

021 426 1400, thehouseofmachines.com

Housed in a historic warehouse, this bike-workshop-cafe-bar was designed as a place ‘to honour both man and machine’ and offers craft beer and tasty pub food.

Pay a visit Monday to Friday from 7 am and Saturdays from 9 am, till late.

NIGHTLIFE

JAGGER LOUNGE 74 SHORTMARKET ST, CBD

thejaggerlounge.com A spot for the avid muso in search of both the hottest new bands and the best in Cape Town nightlife, where a full-stock bar comes standard, and whiskey and tequila are the go-tos. An easy, laid-back atmosphere coupled with its Shortmarket Street location finish off this perfect blend of ingredients, which will surely leave you craving a return visit the second you polish off that Manhattan.

KONG 10–12 COBERN ST, GREEN POINT 021 286 2730, kongcapetown.co.za This vibrant and stylish venue has taken on a life of its own since opening its doors to the Green Point set – who, despite already being spoiled for choice, have taken to it like moths to a flame.

Expect a fresh and colourful vibe, brilliant jungle-themed decor and a fantastic night out no matter which of its bars you choose to hover around. Serving up a menu of bistro-style cuisine inspired by the East as much as the West, this gastropub is the perfect mix of class and comfort.

LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR 110 BREE STREET, CBD 021 422 2770

One of Bree Street’s longest-standing venues, Love Thy Neighbour is great for a pint and a bite. Think Mediterranean-style food such as pregos and sausages, plus their signature pulled pork paired with a glass of the artisanal Brewers & Union beer range, or something from the wine list. It’s also a good place to catch local musos live.

NASDAK 40 HEERENGRACHT STREET, FORESHORE 021 406 3254, nasdak.media24.com Head to the top of the renovated Media24 Centre to sip on sundowners or party up a storm with 360° views of Cape Town.

THE TAPROOM 150 CECIL ROAD, SALT RIVER 021 201 1401

The Taproom is one of the Cape’s best spots for sampling craft beer. Choose from the large selection of beers on tap, such as King’s Blockhouse IPA or First Light Golden Ale. Flavourful pub grub is on offer too.

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SOUK 163 LONG STREET, CBD

THE PIANO BAR

060 682 6894, soukcpt.com Not quite a busy marketplace, this offering overlooking Long Street is a real oasis. A tapas- and cocktail bar, SOUK is the perfect spot to kick off a fun evening by lining your stomach before heading out to explore the rest of this busy thoroughfare.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANDREAS EISELEN /HMIMAGES.CO.ZA, COURTESY IMAGE

47 NAPIER STREET, DE WATERKANT

TOBAGO’S RESTAURANT RADISSON BLU HOTEL WATERFRONT,

THE WAITING ROOM

021 007 5212, thepianobar.co.za

SURFAROSA

BEACH ROAD, GRANGER BAY

273 LONG STREET, CBD

In the tradition of old New York, but with a decidedly South African flavour, The Piano Bar is one of the Mother City’s foremost revue spaces. The terrace offers splendid views of Table Bay and the mountain to accompany your cocktails.

61 HARRINGTON STREET, ZONNEBLOEM

021 441 3000, radissonhotels.com

061 642 2132

079 128 5289, thefirmct.co.za/surfarosa

Comfy loungers and a seriously enviable view make Tobago’s one of the very best places to watch the sunset while sipping a decadent drink or two. It’s a popular spot for an after-work tipple too.

Positioned above what was the burger joint Royale Eatery, The Waiting Room is where you’ll find the cool kids hanging out. At this trendy night spot, you can catch live bands Tuesday to Thursday, while DJs keep the place pumping on weekends.

THE POWER & THE GLORY 13D KLOOF NEK ROAD, TAMBOERSKLOOF

Punk meets surf vibes at this dive bar situated on the increasingly popular Harrington Street. Described as a ‘little bar with a big personality’, it’s sure not to disappoint if you’re looking for a laid-back evening mingling with locals and enjoying good (loud) tunes over a slice of pizza.

067 672 2109

Some may describe The Power & The Glory as ‘hipster central’, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that this bar has made it through more than a few seasons in fickle Cape Town. Lay claim to one of the coveted window seats and sip your craft beer while you watch the world go by on Kloof Nek.

TJING TJING ROOFTOP BAR 165 LONGMARKET STREET, CBD 021 422 4920, tjingtjing.co.za

Tjing Tjing manages to be classy, but without any airs or pretences. The loft-style interior is a lovely place to pair a glass of wine with a generous charcuterie board.

THE VILLAGE IDIOT 32 LOOP STREET, CBD

YOURS TRULY

021 418 1548

73 KLOOF STREET, CBD

thefirmct.co.za/the-village-idiot Braai culture is the main influence at this Loop Street institution, bringing locals together over lamb chops, seafood sosaties, and pap and wors. The balcony is a big attraction for Friday after-work drinks, and come sundown, some of the city’s best DJs get the dance floor going.

021 426 2587

Popular coffee shop by day, even more popular bar once the sun sets… This double-storey spot includes a buzzing restaurant downstairs and a spacious first-floor deck. Other, equally popular branches are open on Long and Loop Streets, so you’re spoilt for choice.

BEACHES SUN, SAND AND SURF BESIDE CAPE TOWN’S TWO OCEANS

DIAZ

MUIZENBERG

Given its location in the Cape Point Nature Reserve, Diaz is slightly more difficult to visit than most of the Cape’s beaches, but its secluded beauty and breathtaking views more than make up for this. Far from the madding crowd, you can relax on its protected sands before exploring the rest of the reserve.

Driving into Muizenberg, you can’t miss the colourful beach huts along this stretch of white sand. With waves on the gentle side, the family-friendly beach is good for swimming and surfing. If you tire of soaking up the sun, there are two 18-hole putt-putt courses and the Muizenberg water slide to keep you occupied. For the nautically inclined, nearby Zandvlei estuary is home to the Peninsula Canoe Club and Imperial Yacht Club.

FISH HOEK

BAKOVEN If you’re in the Camps Bay area and looking for a more private day on the beach, sans waves of bronzing bodies, head a bit further along the road (away from the city centre) to Bakoven. It may be tiny in comparison, but it’s a lovely boulder-strewn beach and is usually quiet enough to sunbathe with a book.

BLOUBERGSTRAND Blouberg offers the iconic postcard view of Table Mountain, so have your camera at the ready. Kids will love exploring the rock pools, but this is also the place for water sports – when the wind is blowing, while away the afternoon watching the aerobatic skills of wind- and kitesurfers.

CAMPS BAY Camps Bay is one of Cape Town’s most iconic beaches, and summer sees it packed to capacity with overseas visitors and holidaymakers from upcountry, as well as local families and the city’s trendy set.

Upmarket cafes, restaurants and bars jostle for space on the palm-lined promenade against the dramatic backdrop of Lion’s Head and the Twelve Apostles. The water is chilly, but the shallow waves are generally tame enough for the little ones to swim in too.

With several kilometres of pristine beach, it’s no wonder Fish Hoek draws so many local sunbathers, joggers and families out for a day in the sun. Warm shallows invite swimmers for a dip, while surfers are well accommodated (the left-corner Clovelly Beach break is good for beginners). Rock pools keep the kids occupied searching for hermit crabs and anemones.

GLENCAIRN Between Fish Hoek and Simon’s Town, this pretty little beach may be small, but it has the benefit of being far less crowded than its larger neighbours. Gentle waves, a tidal pool and warmer water make it perfect for a swim, or you could sit on the beach and watch yachts sailing by from Simon’s Town. It’s also popular for windsurfing.

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Beautiful in its isolation, the lonely expanse of Noordhoek is a haven for horse riders and surfers (with good waves out at the Hoek and Dunes). Also known as Long Beach thanks to its eight-kilometre length, this stretch of sand can be followed all the way to the seaside town of Kommetjie, passing the Kakapo shipwreck of 1900 en route.

SANDY BAY For an all-over tan, head to Cape Town’s nudist beach (swimwear is, of course, an option if you’re not yet ready for the full monty). The beautiful patch of coastline is usually uncrowded (for obvious reasons, as well as the 15-minute walk from the car park) and is sheltered from most winds by the mountains.

HOUT BAY This stretch of powdery sand is divided almost down the middle by the estuary where the Hout Bay River flows from iconic Table Mountain to meet the sea.

Equestrian access from nearby stables makes this a popular spot for horse riders, plus the views of the Hottentots Holland Mountains in the distance are nothing short of spectacular. After a relaxing walk along the beach, head down to the pier for some good ol’ fish and chips.

KOMMETJIE Kommetjie is best known for its prime surf: A clean-breaking, long-riding wave means that the bay is often dotted with boards.

With one of the biggest drops in the world, it’s great windsurfing territory too. Don’t miss a chance to check out the view from Slangkop Lighthouse around the corner.

CLIFTON Divided by colossal granite boulders into four somewhat unimaginatively named beaches (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th), Clifton as a whole is hugely popular with locals, thanks in equal part to its convenient location and general splendour. The blue waters may look inviting, but they’re icy: Clifton is really more the spot to see and be seen at – preferably in the latest swimwear. Surfers and bodyboarders can enjoy the waves over at Clifton 1st.

NOORDHOEK

SMITSWINKELBAAI This quiet beach on the edge of the Cape Point Nature Reserve can only be reached via a short hike. It’s worth the effort, though, if you’re a fishing, diving or snorkelling enthusiast. Watched over

by Cape Point’s mountains and barely a handful of beach houses, the cove is sheltered enough for a leisurely swim.

ST JAMES The St James tidal pool offers a warmer, calmer sea-swimming experience, and the natural rock pools are great for kids to explore and discover sea creatures.

You can also enjoy a walk along the 1.5 km boardwalk connecting St James to Muizenberg.

BOULDERS LLANDUDNO One of the most beautiful beaches in the Cape, Llandudno is bookended by rocky outcrops on either side (clamber over those on the city side for some outstanding views across the beach). During daylight hours, this beach is perfect for sunbathing, and popular with surfers too, but linger a little longer and you can catch one of the gorgeous sunsets that Llandudno is famous for.

Just outside of Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach is home to a 3 000-strong colony of African or ‘jackass’ penguins (named for their distinctive braying call). Often seen wandering over the white sand, these endangered tuxedoed birds are quite at ease with humans, so you can interact and even swim with them – but do not touch them. It’s a good spot for children too, who will love these charming residents. Plus, the massive boulders that give the beach its name shelter the cove from wind and strong currents, so it’s relatively safe for young swimmers.

PHOTOGRAPHY: UNSPLASH

CABLEWAY 021 424 0015, tablemountain.net

DRAPED IN ITS CLOTH OF CLOUD, THIS IS THE CITY’S MOST FAMOUS NATURAL ICON

MARGARET CURRAN, 082 920 4679

tablemountainwalks.co.za From R750 pp (excluding transport cableway fare and Kirstenbosch entrance fee)

Looking to take a markedly less tiring route to the top? The rotating cable car promises a spectacular bird’s-eye view of Cape Town, and has attracted more than 27 million visitors since it first opened in 1929.

FYI

Natural wonder

Table Mountain is the Mother City’s most iconic landmark. It is also one of the New7Wonders of Nature, having shouldered its way into the finals from a list of 440 natural sites across the globe. As custodians of the mountaintop, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway team is passionate about the environment and has various conservation measures in place (such as compostable crockery in all its eateries) to ensure the area’s biodiversity is protected for future generations. Do your part by not littering or picking plants, and by smoking in designated areas only.

GUIDED HIKES Book a walk with one of the following accredited guides. They will be able to advise on how much water to take, and which other mountain essentials you should bring along:

HIKE TABLE MOUNTAIN RIAAN VORSTER, 060 539 9340

hiketablemountain.co.za From R950 pp (excluding transport, cableway fare and Kirstenbosch entrance fee)

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Head for the top

It takes between four and eight hours to hike up and down Table Mountain, depending on your level of fitness, the route you take, and how long you spend at the top. Once at the top, there are free 30-minute guided walks to various viewpoints, leaving hourly (from 9 am to 3 pm) from the Twelve Apostles Terrace below the Shop at the Top and Table Mountain Café.

Safety tips

It’s best to walk in groups of at least four, preferably with someone who has climbed before. Pack the bare minimum (enough water, light snacks and warm clothing) and leave wallets and jewellery at home. Ensure you take a cellphone in case of an emergency – save the contact number for Search and Rescue (021 937 0300).

Many first-time visitors to Cape Town don’t realise that climbing Table Mountain is not for the faint-hearted. Wear proper hiking shoes and always pack warm gear, regardless of how nice the day is when you set out, as the Cape is notorious for sudden changes in weather conditions, and Table Mountain is usually colder than you’d expect.

Once you’re at the top, you can walk to various lookout points, spot dassies (the rock hyrax) or simply sit and marvel at the 360° views. Enjoy a light meal at the Table Mountain Café, relax in the WiFi Lounge, or pack your own picnic.

Adult fares cost R380 return (R200 one way), kids (under 18) fares cost R190 return (R100 one way) and kids under four travel free. Tickets are available at the Lower and Upper Cable Stations, or you can buy them online at webtickets.co.za.

The Lower Cable Station is on Tafelberg Road, a 10-minute drive from the CBD. Operating times vary seasonally and depend on the weather, so it’s best to consult the online schedule when planning your visit.

ABSEILING There are few things as exhilarating as stepping backwards off the mountain into empty space at more than 1 000 m above sea level.

ABSEIL AFRICA 072 065 1520, abseilafrica.co.za

From R990 pp (R1 195 pp including the hike up; excluding cableway fare)

PHOTOGRAPHY: GALLO/GETTYIMAGES

TA B L E M O U N TA I N

TABLE MOUNTAIN WALKS

KIRSTENBOSCH

A WALK OR PICNIC IN THIS FLORAL PARADISE IS A MUST ON ANY CAPE ITINERARY

WHY VISIT?

WHAT TO SEE AND DO Marvel at South Africa’s national flower in the Protea Garden, wander along the self-guided Braille Trail, or take a stroll across the impressive 130 m Boomslang – a wheelchair-friendly canopy walkway with jaw-dropping views – that wends its way through the arboretum, right above visitors’ heads.

WALKS AND TALKS Maps can be downloaded from the website. Otherwise, free guided garden walks* take place from Monday to Friday at 10 am, 11 am and 2 pm (and at 10 am on Saturdays), starting at the Visitors’ Centre. At the Garden Centre, Gate 2, free tours* are available at 10:45 am Monday to Saturday (there are no tours on Sundays). Once you’ve explored the garden, there’s a gentle trail that starts on the periphery and leads to Cecilia Forest and Constantia Nek via a contour path.

You can also climb Table Mountain from here, although this is much more strenuous. The routes via Skeleton Gorge and Nursery Ravine range from threeand-a-half to seven hours. Book a hike with a registered guide (see page 84 for details).

The less energetically inclined can hop on a shuttle car for a garden tour.

Tours depart hourly from 9 am to 3 pm, at R80 pp.

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*Please note that, due to the global pandemic, all guided tours have been suspended until further notice. However, it’s recommended that you call ahead of time to find out if this arrangement has changed.

WHERE TO EAT For a hearty meal with traditional fare and flair, head to moyo near the Visitors’ Centre. The Kirstenbosch Tea Room at Gate 2 offers scrumptious breakfasts and light meals in a relaxed space. There’s also a Vida e Caffè at the Visitors’ Centre.

GETTING THERE RHODES DRIVE, NEWLANDS

Kirstenbosch is a 20-minute drive from the city centre. Take the M3 towards Muizenberg, turning right at the traffic lights on to Rhodes Drive, Newlands, and follow the signs to Kirstenbosch.

Entrance is R75 for adults, R40 for students (with student ID), R20 for children aged six to 17 years, and free for kids younger than six.

WHEN TO GO The garden is open 365 days a year, 8 am to 7 pm (September to March) and 8 am to 6 pm (April to August). However, these times might have changed, due to COVID-19 regulations. Please call ahead to make sure.

For more information, call 021 799 8783 or visit sanbi.org

PHOTOGRAPHY: GALLO/GETTYIMAGES

Few gardens in the world can compare to the majestic setting of Kirstenbosch.

Established in 1913, the 36 ha garden is part of a larger 528 ha estate bordering the Table Mountain National Park. It forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site known for its endemism. More than 7 000 species of Cape flora, alongside other plant life from the diverse regions of Southern Africa, are cultivated here.

The garden is also home to a wide variety of birds and small animals.

AQUILA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

GARDEN ROUTE GAME LODGE

INVERDOORN

R46, TOUWS RIVER

N2, ALBERTINIA

021 422 0013, inverdoorn.com

021 430 7260, aquilasafari.com

028 735 1200, grgamelodge.co.za

This southern Karoo conservancy has been described as ‘a blend of dirty-boot adventure, luxury accommodation and wildlife education’. The cherry on top is the horseback safari, which can be combined with a game drive for a full day spent out in the bush.

This award-winning lodge conveniently situated on the picturesque Garden Route offers all the trimmings that family safari holidays are made of. A stay here is bound to be memorable, with a great chance of spotting the big five and other wildlife including zebra, impala, wildebeest and eland. Whether you book a suite, room or chalet, an impeccable experience is guaranteed.

If you’re short on time, Inverdoorn is a great place to see the big five just a few hours from Cape Town. It’s also home to the Western Cape Cheetah Conservation programme, which protects and ensures the longevity of these swift cats. Naturally, cheetah encounters are at the top of the agenda here.

DE HOOP NATURE RESERVE OVERBERG 021 422 4522, dehoopcollection.com

Just three hours’ drive away from Cape Town, De Hoop Nature Reserve is one of the world’s most biologically diverse sanctuaries. Covering some 35 000 ha, the reserve remains a favourite destination for hikers, birders and botanists. Book one of the self-catering cottages (the Opstal Manor House or the newer Lekkerwater Beach Lodge) and enjoy guided marine and fynbos walks, stargazing trips and birdwatching excursions.

R356, BREEDE RIVER

R327, HERBERTSDALE, NEAR MOSSEL BAY 021 555 0807, gondwanagr.co.za

Set within 11 000 ha of untouched fynbos, Gondwana is home to the big five and endangered species such as the Cape mountain zebra and black rhino. Since there are no internal fences (save for conservation purposes), there’s a good chance of spotting game from your suite.

PRINCE ALBERT

Nestled in the heart of the Great Karoo, a five-hour drive from the city, this 5 000 ha ecotourism hotspot offers not only the chance of ethical interaction with the throngs of wildlife on the reserve, but also the promise of endless horizons and starstudded night skies. Spend your nights in one of the three accommodation options available – the Explorer Camp for the rough and the rugged, the Manor House for the mod-con savvy, or the Safari Lodge for a mishmash of the two.

ROVOS RAIL

PHOTOGRAPHY: GALLO/GETTYIMAGES

PLACES TO EXPLORE NEAR CAPE TOWN AND BEYOND

ROAM PRIVATE GAME RESERVE 015 793 0259, roam-karoo.co.za

GONDWANA GAME RESERVE

G E T AW AY S

SANBONA WILDLIFE RESERVE R62, MONTAGU 021 010 0028, sanbona.com

Covering 58 000 ha of wilderness at the foot of the Warmwaterberg, between Montagu and Barrydale, Sanbona is home to a group of rare white lions.

Once you have had your fill of game viewing, you can retreat to the privacy and grandeur of accommodation in the reserve’s luxury tents or lodges, fitted with every creature comfort.

CAPE POINT

1 ADDERLEY STREET, CBD

021 780 9010, capepoint.co.za

021 421 4020, rovos.com

Situated within the southern section of Table Mountain National Park, Cape Point is a firm fixture on any Mother City itinerary. Sheer cliffs towering more than 200 m above sea level provide a breathtaking perspective of the park’s biodiversity.

Relish a meal at the Two Oceans Restaurant after you’ve enjoyed a day of exploration.

For a hotel experience with a difference, Rovos Rail is just the ticket. Step into reconditioned wood-panelled cabins and indulge in five-star cuisine as you travel cross-country, with packages offering between three- and 15-day journeys.

Unwind in a Royal, Deluxe or Pullman Suite, then dress up for the evenings to embrace the romantic old-world luxury the train brings back to life.

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DELVE INTO THE CITY’S MULTIFACETED HISTORY AND CULTURE

THE AFRIKAANS LANGUAGE MUSEUM AND MONUMENT MUSEUM: 11 PASTORIE AVENUE, PAARL MONUMENT: GABBEMA DOORDRIFT STREET, PAARL MOUNTAIN, PAARL 021 863 0543, taalmuseum.co.za

Erected in 1975, the Taalmonument was designed by architect Jan van Wijk to commemorate 50 years of Afrikaans as an official language separate from Dutch.

The museum offers a look into the origins of the language.

R40 (monument) and R20 (museum) for adults, R5 for children. Museum open weekdays 8:30 am – 4:45 pm; monument open daily 8 am – 4:45 pm BO-KAAP MUSEUM* 71 WALE STREET, BO-KAAP 021 481 3938

Restored to represent a 19th-century Muslim household, the museum displays photographic exhibitions documenting the history of the Bo-Kaap community.

Take note of the moulded parapet roof, a typical feature of Cape Dutch architecture.

R20 for adults, R10 for children. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10 am – 2:30 pm

DISTRICT SIX MUSEUM 25A BUITENKANT STREET, CBD 021 466 7200, districtsix.co.za

District Six was a vibrant community of descendants of freed slaves, merchants, artisans and immigrants. During apartheid, 60 000 people were forcibly removed from the area and their businesses and houses demolished. The District Six Museum pays tribute to the memory of this shattered community.

THE CLOCK TOWER, V&A WATERFRONT 021 421 2488, capetowndiamondmuseum.org

021 467 7229

R100 per tour (includes a tasting and two drinks) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 am, noon and 2 pm (extra tours on Wednesdays at 6 pm) and Fridays at 10 am, noon, 2 pm and 4 pm, Saturdays at 10 am and noon. Booking is essential

021 874 9002, fmm.co.za Witness more than 100 years of automotive history with an amazing exhibition of cars, motorbikes and an assortment of motoring memorabilia. The collection rotates, so at the time of your visit, you could see the likes of a 1903 Ford Model A, the latest Ferraris and Alfas, and pretty much everything in between.

R80 for adults, R40 for kids. Open weekdays 10 am – 4 pm, weekends 10 am – 3 pm HEART OF CAPE TOWN MUSEUM GROOTE SCHUUR HOSPITAL, MAIN ROAD, OBSERVATORY

In a world medical first, South African Dr Christiaan Barnard performed a heart transplant at Groote Schuur Hospital on 3 December 1967. This museum takes you back to that historic night, with a restored operating room and interactive tour.

R100 for adults, free for children under 14.

Open daily 9 am – 9 pm

KOOPMANS-DE WET HOUSE* 35 STRAND STREET, CBD

CASTLE OF GOOD HOPE

021 481 3935

CNR CASTLE AND DARLING STREETS, CBD

This is the former headquarters of the Dutch East India Company, now home to the Cape Military Museum. Arrive in time for the firing of the signal cannon, Monday to Saturday at 10 am, 11 am and noon. This is subject to change.

The oldest house museum in SA, this classic 18th-century residence has some of the best pieces of Cape furniture and silver in the country. Marie Koopmansde Wet, the last owner of the house, was known for the good work she did for Boer orphans and widows during the Anglo-Boer War.

R50 for adults, R25 for children aged five to 16. Open daily 9 am – 5 pm

R20 for adults, R10 for children. Open Thursdays and Fridays 10 am – 2:30 pm

R30 for adults, R15 for children. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10 am – 2:30 pm SOUTH AFRICAN NAVAL MUSEUM NAVAL DOCKYARD, SIMON’S TOWN (ACCESS VIA ST GEORGE’S STREET)

NELSON MANDELA GATEWAY,

021 787 4686/4635, sanavymuseum.co.za

V&A WATERFRONT

A delight for anyone interested in ships, submarines and the naval history of the Cape, Simon’s Town is a quintessential maritime destination in the Mother City.

You can’t miss a stop at Boulders Beach penguin colony before you head home.

R400 for adults, R210 for children (South African residents); R600 for adults, R310 for children (international visitors). Tours depart daily at 9 am, 11 am and 1 pm

L’ORMARINS WINE FARM, R45, FRANSCHHOEK

You’ll find this former slave lodge of the Dutch East India Company at the lower end of the Company’s Garden.

Exhibitions focus on the Cape’s varied heritage in one of the oldest buildings in Cape Town, and pay tribute to the estimated 9 000 slaves who lived here between 1679 and 1811.

ROBBEN ISLAND MUSEUM

FRANSCHHOEK MOTOR MUSEUM

R180 (South African residents), R350 (international visitors), R140 (South African pensioners). Tours daily at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm

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021 658 7440, newlandsbrewery.co.za We Saffas love our beer – SAB reports that we consume about 3.1 billion litres of the stuff annually. Explore South Africa’s oldest commercial brewery, in Newlands, which still produces our best-loved brews.

021 413 4200, robben-island.org.za

Fall in love with diamonds here as you learn about the origins of South Africa’s diamond industry and are introduced to some of the names in this gem’s history.

The museum pays homage to the most famous stones while showcasing fine specimens of kimberlite rock that date back billions of years.

021 461 4673, castleofgoodhope.co.za

CNR ADDERLEY AND WALE STREETS, CBD

R45 for adults, R15 for children (international visitors), R5 for children (local or from the African continent), R60 for guided tours.

Open Tuesday to Thursday 9 am – 2 pm, Fridays 9 am – 1 pm

021 404 1967, heartofcapetown.co.za

CAPE TOWN DIAMOND MUSEUM

SLAVE LODGE*

3 MAIN ROAD, NEWLANDS

Take a ferry from the V&A to the island that was home to Nelson Mandela for almost 20 years. Tours are guided by former inmates who relay tales of being political prisoners during apartheid.

SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM* 25 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, CBD 021 481 3800/3900

The museum’s extensive collection of fossils, artefacts and zoological specimens provides a record of social and natural history. The adjoining planetarium offers visitors fascinating audiovisual voyages of exploration into outer space.

Museum entrance: R30 for adults, R15 for children. Planetarium entrance (includes museum): R60 for adults, R30 for children. Museum and planetarium open Tuesday to Sunday 10 am – 2:30 pm

Free entry. Open daily 9:30 am – 3:30 pm

*Children’s prices for Iziko museums are for ages six to 17. For more info, visit iziko.org.za

PHOTOGRAPHY: K-LEIGH SIEBRITZ/HMIMAGES.CO.ZA

MUSEUMS

NEWLANDS BREWERY

ARTSCAPE* DF MALAN STREET, FORESHORE 021 410 9800, artscape.co.za

Established back in 1971, Artscape is a multifunctional creative centre dedicated to bringing the arts to a wider audience.

The opera house seats close to 1 500 people and plays host to large-scale productions such as ballets and classic shows, while smaller performances are staged in the 500-seat Arena theatre.

THE BAXTER THEATRE* MAIN ROAD, RONDEBOSCH

ENTERTAINMENT CAPE TOWN CITY BALLET* 021 492 5950, capetowncityballet.org.za Staging the classics and original pieces, the CTCB is a treat for anyone with a love of dance.

PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY IMAGE

021 685 7880, baxter.co.za

The Baxter is an institution in the Cape – throughout the apartheid era, its doors remained open to everyone, drawing on and nurturing local talent. Today, it is still at the forefront of the arts, with a line-up that has something for everyone – from drama, ballet and live music to comedy, children’s theatre and even hypnotism.

CAPE TOWN COMEDY CLUB THE PUMPHOUSE, 6 DOCK ROAD, V&A WATERFRONT 021 418 8880, capetowncomedy.com

The brainchild of local funny man Kurt Schoonraad, the Cape Town Comedy Club is the city’s ‘first and favourite’ stand-up club. Catch local up-and-comers sharing the stage with more established names on the SA comedy scene.

BARNYARD THEATRE TYGER VALLEY SHOPPING CENTRE

CALLING ALL MUSIC, THEATRE AND CINEMA BUFFS

ERIN AND LOWER BURG RD, RONDEBOSCH

CAPE TOWN OPERA

021 914 8898, barnyardtheatre.co.za

021 001 9880, capetownopera.co.za

Capetonians love a good party, and live performances and theatre productions rate equally high on the agenda. Since opening in 1996, the Barnyard Theatre has staged show after show to sold-out crowds. With a full menu and drinks list at your disposal, sit back and partake in the variety of productions on offer – from ’80s rock retrospectives and children’s theatre to intimate concerts, comedies and so much more.

With an eye on being the best company of its kind in the world, the Cape Town Opera offers a full and varied programme of first-class operatic productions staged at various venues around the city.

CAPE TOWN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA 021 410 9809, cpo.org.za

This ‘orchestra for all seasons’ contributes greatly to Cape Town’s status as a cultural capital. In addition to regular symphonic concerts, it also provides accompaniment to the Cape Town City Ballet.

EVITA SE PERRON OLD DARLING STATION, 8 ARCADIA STREET, DARLING 022 492 2101, evita.co.za

‘I’ve opened a theatre in Darling, darling,’ Pieter-Dirk Uys told his friends in 1996.

The old station building has come a long way from its derelict roots, and is now the home of Uys’s hilarious alter ego Tannie Evita Bezuidenhout. Here, he performs his acclaimed satirical shows with their cast of local political characters. A restaurant, art gallery and museum complete the scene.

THE FUGARD THEATRE* CNR CALEDON AND BUITENKANT STREETS 021 461 4554, thefugard.com

Named in honour of master playwright Athol Fugard, The Fugard Theatre opened its doors in 2010 in the Fringe District, the city’s edgy hub of arts and culture. Watch highly acclaimed localand international productions in this industrial-chic space that is usually packed to capacity.

LABIA THEATRE 68 ORANGE STREET, GARDENS 021 424 5927, thelabia.co.za Locals are nothing short of in love with this charmingly ageing cinema complex.

Originally the Italian embassy’s ballroom, it was opened in 1949 by Princess Labia.

You can catch art-house and mainstream films here, with popcorn, home-made treats and alcoholic drinks available.

THEATRE ON THE BAY* 1A LINK ROAS, CAMPS BAY 021 438 3301, pietertoerien.co.za

A stone’s throw from one of Cape Town’s most popular beaches, this theatre hosts local and international productions, from comedy and drama to Broadway musicals.

Enjoy a pre-show dinner at SideDish Theatre Bistro.

*Book tickets for these theatres via Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or at computicket.com

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THE AVA GALLERY 35 CHURCH STREET, CBD 021 424 7436, ava.co.za

ART A COLLECTION OF GALLERIES SHOWCASING LEADING LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL TALENT

The non-profit Association for Visual Arts Gallery focuses on emerging artists.

It deals in a diverse array of work, from mixed-media installations to ceramics and photography.

Open weekdays 10 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 1 pm

BLANK PROJECTS 10 LEWIN STREET, WOODSTOCK

34 FINE ART BUCHANAN SQUARE, 160 SIR LOWRY ROAD, WOODSTOCK 082 354 1500, 34fineart.com

This gallery was started with the owner’s personal collection of work, but now rotates solo exhibitions by prestigious local and international contemporary artists.

021 462 4276, blankprojects.com Browse through diverse pieces by artists such as Billie Zangewa, Donna Kukama, Kyle Morland and Cinga Samson, among others, at this contemporary space geared towards showcasing both emerging and established local talent, at no cost.

DONALD GREIG GALLERY AND FOUNDRY 1 COODE CRESCENT, V&A WATERFRONT 021 418 0003, donaldgreig.com

At Donald Greig, you’ll find a wide variety of bronze works combining a love for the African bush with an undeniable talent for sculpture – from bookends and paperweights to life-size sculptures.

Open weekdays 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, Saturdays 9:30 am – 1 pm

EVERARD READ 3 PORTSWOOD ROAD, V&A WATERFRONT

Open weekdays 10 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 1 pm, and by appointment

021 418 4527, everard-read-capetown.co.za Everard Read deals in fine contemporary paintings and sculpture from an exquisite building in the Waterfront precinct. The elegant sculpture courtyard is an inspired alternative to the usual gallery setting.

THE CAPE GALLERY

Open weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm

Open by appointment only

ABÉ OPPERMAN GALLERY

60 CHURCH STREET, CBD

2ND FLOOR, 5 HUDSON STREET,

021 423 5309, capegallery.co.za

GERART

DE WATERKANT

The Cape Gallery seeks to give exposure to fine art rooted in African tradition, exhibiting work that carries the cultural stamp of our continent, yet can touch the imaginations of all who view it. Rotating exhibitions add to the diverse and eclectic mix of work on show.

19 A HUGUENOT ROAD, FRANSCHHOEK

11 HUGUENOT STREET, FRANSCHHOEK 082 551 9708, abeopperman.co.za

The pieces at the Abé Opperman Gallery are an invitation to reconsider modern life’s preoccupation with consumerism, violence, power and other societal ills.

De Waterkant: By appointment only Franschhoek: Open daily 10 am – 5 pm

Open weekdays 9:30 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 2 pm

GOODMAN GALLERY 37A SOMERSET ROAD, GREENPOINT 072 324 5321, goodman-gallery.com Established in Joburg in 1966, the Goodman Gallery has been a force of nature on the art scene for more than five decades. Step into its Cape Town locale and allow yourself to escape into mixed-media exhibitions

by South African stalwarts and emerging talent. Works on display include those

by Willem Boshoff, David Goldblatt and William Kentridge.

Open Tuesday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 4 pm

IZIKO SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL GALLERY GOVERNMENT AVENUE, COMPANY’S GARDEN 021 481 3970, iziko.org.za

083 356 9898, gerart.co.za Gerhard Snyman is a South African wildlife and portrait artist, best known for his arresting illustrations paired with vibrant acrylic colour on canvas. His gallery in Franschhoek is a treasure trove of this unique style.

Open daily 9 am – 5 pm

The South African National Gallery in the Company’s Garden offers rotating exhibitions featuring works by prominent contemporary local artists. Rather than a commercial gallery, it functions as an archive of South African art through the ages, and is a must-visit for an insight into the country’s art and culture.

R30 for adults, R15 for kids.

Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 am – 2:30 pm

WHATIFTHEWORLD GALLERY 16 BUITEN STREET, CBD 021 596 0680, whatiftheworld.com

A platform for a new generation of South Africa’s contemporary artists, this gallery has become a destination for curators and collectors to experience fresh, innovative work and become acquainted with the up-and-coming names on the local art scene.

Open weekdays 9 am – 4 pm or by appointment

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STEVENSON BUCHANAN BUILDING, 160 SIR LOWRY ROAD, WOODSTOCK 021 462 1500, stevenson.info

KALK BAY MODERN OLYMPIA BUILDING, 136 MAIN ROAD, KALK BAY 021 788 6571, kalkbaymodern.co.za

ROBERTSON ART GALLERY

This vibrant seaside gallery houses textiles, contemporary modern art, ceramics and jewellery. It actively promotes local artists and crafters, as well as the use of recycled materials. Pick up potato-printed textiles or fine-art prints.

3 VOORTREKKER ROAD, ROBERTSON

Open daily 9:30 am – 5 pm

PALETTE FINE ART GALLERY CAPE QUARTER SQUARE, 27 SOMERSET ROAD, GREEN POINT

023 626 5364, robertsonartgallery.co.za

Should you find yourself in the beautiful Robertson Wine Valley on Route 62, be sure to take a break at this gallery, where you can browse a carefully curated selection of top South African artists’ work and an extensive range of sterlingsilver jewellery. They also ship worldwide.

Open weekdays 9 am – 5:30 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 3 pm

PHOTOGRAPHY: UNSPLASH, COURTESY IMAGE

41 CHURCH STREET, STELLENBOSCH

The Stevenson gallery has been dealing in South African art since 2003. It is housed in a custom-designed space in Woodstock’s burgeoning creative hub and focuses on contemporary South African and African art. You can also expect to see work from a stable of established artists in a range of widely acclaimed exhibitions.

Open by appointment weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am – 1 pm

YOUNGBLOOD 70–74 BREE STREET, CBD 021 424 0074, youngblood-africa.com The Youngblood Arts & Culture Development Foundation is based in an airy, light-filled space on vibey Bree Street. This centre for creativity provides a platform to launch and support young and emerging artists. Enjoy a bite from The Hot Skillet while you take in the art.

Open weekdays 9 am – 5 pm

STRAUSS & CO THE OVAL, 1ST FLOOR, COLINTON HOUSE,

ZEITZ MOCAA

1 OAKDALE ROAD, NEWLANDS

SILO DISTRICT, V&A WATERFRONT

021 855 0908,

SA PRINT GALLERY

021 683 6560, straussart.co.za

087 350 4777, zeitzmocaa.museum

palettesculpturegallery.co.za Showcasing amazing bronze sculptures and paintings by local artists, Palette Art Gallery offers audiences an array of works ranging from abstracts to landscapes.

109 SIR LOWRY ROAD, WOODSTOCK

Established by artist and printmaker Gabriel Clark-Brown, the SA Print Gallery focuses on displaying South African printmaking and prioritising quality and unusual prints. Here you can take your pick from master and contemporary fine-art prints.

Established in 2008, Strauss & Co is South Africa’s leading fine-art auction house, with biannual auctions held in Cape Town, Joburg and online. Having sold nine of the 10 most expensive paintings ever to have come under the hammer in this country, it is considered the global leader in the South African art market.

The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art is a non-profit institution focused on the collection, preservation, research and exhibition of cutting-edge contemporary art from Africa and the diaspora. The museum is housed in the Waterfront’s historic 9 500 m² grain silo and makes a thrilling addition to Cape Town’s ever-growing art scene.

Open by appointment only

Open by appointment only

Open Thursday – Sunday 10 am – 6 pm

Cape Quarter open weekdays 9 am – 6 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 4 pm, Sundays 10 am – 2 pm; Stellenbosch open weekdays 9 am – 5 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 6 pm, Sundays 9 am – 5 pm

072 182 0234, printgallery.co.za

sUbscRIbE TOdAy and get two years of cape {town} etc for R144*

H OW TO SUBSCRIBE 021 530 3300

subscriptions@hsm.co.za

capetownetc.com

*cape {town} etc is published three times a year in February, July and October. This subscription offer consists of six consecutive issues over two years. The price of R144 is applicable to South Africa only. A subscription sent to a neighbouring country costs R379; an international subscription costs R679 (including shipping fees).

MARKETS

31 HARBOUR ROAD, HOUT BAY 084 370 5715, bayharbour.co.za

EAT, DRINK, SHOP AND BE MERRY

Housed in an old factory at the working harbour in Hout Bay, this vibey market is a winner. More than 100 stalls offer arts and crafts, and fashion, plus pastries, ice cream, fruit and a host of other gourmet goods. It has a serious green ethos too, aiming to become entirely waste-free.

Open Fridays 5–9 pm, weekends 9:30 am – 4 pm

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CENTURY CITY NATURAL GOODS MARKET

BAY HARBOUR MARKET BLUE BIRD GARAGE FOOD & GOODS MARKET 39 ALBERTYN ROAD, MUIZENBERG 084 405 3544, bluebirdgarage.co.za This unpretentious market housed in an old postal-plane hangar brings ‘the butcher, the baker and the T-shirt maker’ together.

Fill up on tasty bites, fresh produce, vegan curries and home-made treats, then browse the beautiful jewellery and fashion.

Open Thursday & Friday 4–9 pm

PARK LANE, CENTRAL PARK, CENTURY CITY 021 552 6889, events.centurycity.co.za Support local creative-arts-, crafts- and clothing designers at this market. Patrons can enjoy boat trips from Intaka Island to Canal Walk Shopping Centre, or take in one of the live music acts. Dog lovers and kids will also delight in the adoption days hosted by African Tails. Keep an

eye on the Century City events website for upcoming market days

PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY IMAGE

CHILLED MARKET AT THE RANGE

ELGIN RAILWAY MARKET

ORPEN ROAD, TOKAI

021 204 1158,

021 713 2340, therange.co.za

elginrailwaymarket.co.za Described as a gateway to the Overberg region, this market, housed in a converted old apple warehouse, is something locals and international visitors can get equally excited about. Art deco meets Victorian style in the venue’s interiors and, true to its name, a steam train makes a stop at the market a couple of times a month, promising a moment of excitement for kids. There’s plenty on offer to satisfy your hunger cravings, as well as stalls selling crafts, leather goods and jewellery.

OAK AVENUE, ELGIN

Tired of your usual Friday-night family takeaways? Abandon the drive-through for this evening market. Under the fairylight-lit marquee, you will find some of the Cape market scene’s top traders, with a selection ranging from hearty mains to lighter fare, wine and craft beer, sweet treats, and plenty to take home too.

Open Fridays 4:30–9:30 pm, Sundays 10 am – 4 pm

Open weekends 9 am – 5 pm

FAMILY MARKET AT BLAAUWKLIPPEN BLAAUWKLIPPEN VINEYARDS, R44, STELLENBOSCH 021 880 0133, blaauwklippen.com

It’s a child’s paradise at the Blaauwklippen Family Market in Stellenbosch, where rides and activities can keep little ones occupied for hours. While the kids enjoy their fun, parents can park off under the wild fig trees and munch on anything from German flammkuchen to Chinese dumplings, paired with Blaauwklippen wines, of course. Groove the afternoon away to live music and browse the arts, crafts, clothes and gadgets on sale too.

Open weekends 10 am – 3 pm

LOURENSFORD MARKET LOURENSFORD WINE ESTATE, LOURENSFORD ROAD, SOMERSET WEST 072 284 1654, lfhm.co.za

Ease into the weekend at the Twilight Market on Friday evenings (September to May). Invite some friends and dig into the selection of artisanal food on offer – everything from burgers to brownies.

Wash it down with local craft cider or one of the estate’s popular wines. Dogs (on leads) welcome.

Open Fridays 5–9 pm and Sundays 10 am – 3 pm

MOJO MARKET 30 REGENT ROAD, SEA POINT 021 422 2747, mojomarket.co.za Mojo Market is an exciting seven-daysa-week food- and lifestyle market based in the heart of Sea Point. Head down to enjoy an eclectic mix of more than 30 retail stalls, food vendors and bars, plus a daily fresh-goods section.

Open daily 11 am – 11 pm

GREENMARKET SQUARE TOP OF BURG STREET, BETWEEN LONGMARKET AND SHORTMARKET STREETS, CBD

This popular street market features crafts, art, jewellery and curios from South Africa and the rest of the continent, and is well worth a visit for its historical value alone.

Have a cappuccino at one of the cafes or restaurants adjoining the square, which was among the first sites of commercial activity in colonial Cape Town and is now a beloved pedestrian-friendly zone.

Open Monday to Saturday 9 am – 5 pm

EARTH FAIR FOOD MARKET 333 MAIN ROAD, SOUTH PALMS CENTRE, TOKAI

earthfairmarket.co.za Home-made meals and tasty treats, plus goodies for your pantry, are all available here. Wednesday evenings see the market packed with families enjoying a midweek night off from cooking, and the weekend market provides the perfect opportunity to kick back on a hay bale with a glass of something cold while the kids enjoy their own dedicated play area.

Open Wednesdays 4–9 pm and Saturdays 9 am – 3 pm

THE MARKET @ PEARL MOUNTAIN PEARL MOUNTAIN, BO LANG STREET, PAARL 072 391 8936, winefarm.wedding Local craftsmen and purveyors of fine produce gather once a year on the first Sunday of August to showcase their wares at this multifaceted estate. Expect to browse everything from watches and carefully carved wooden ornaments to wine, cheese, artisanal preserves and bread. Kids can go wild on the jumping castle while you enjoy the live band.

ORANJEZICHT CITY FARM (OZCF) MARKET DAY GRANGER BAY BOULEVARD, V&A WATERFRONT 083 628 3426, ozcf.co.za Run by a small group of city residents, OZCF is a non-profit project celebrating local food and sustainable farming. Shop for all kinds of veg, fruit, bread and organic dairy at the weekly market, or sample the yummy prepared food.

Open Saturdays 8:15 am – 2 pm and Sundays 9 am – 2 pm

SLOW MARKET OUDE LIBERTAS ESTATE, CORNER ADAM TAS AND OUDE LIBERTAS ROADS, STELLENBOSCH 081 831 3011, slowmarket.co.za

For tasty eats with a story, head to this winelands market surrounded by oak trees. Promoting food and refreshments that are ‘good, clean and fair’, it’s a haven of fresh produce, home-made meals, street food and Stellenbosch wine and beer.

Open Saturdays 9 am – 2 pm

V&A FOOD MARKET DOCK ROAD, ADJACENT TO NOBEL SQUARE, V&A WATERFRONT 021 418 1605, waterfrontfoodmarket.com

NEIGHBOURGOODS MARKET

The V&A Food Market offers gourmet street food (from home-made ice cream and pastries to curry and pizza) at one of Cape Town’s premier tourist spots, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Live music completes the festive atmosphere.

373 ALBERT ROAD, THE OLD BISCUIT MILL,

Open Thursday to Sunday 10 am – 6 pm

WOODSTOCK

WATERSHED

neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za What started out as a platform for small produce suppliers has become one of the most popular markets in the city. Traders offer a diverse selection of home-made meals and treats, and there are sections dedicated to locally produced designer clothing and jewellery, as well as plenty of goodies for kids.

021 408 7600, waterfront.co.za The Watershed is the Mother City’s design hub, with more than 150 traders selling fashion and jewellery, ceramics and textiles, arts and crafts, gifts, children’s products, and even furniture. Carefully curated to showcase the best of local craftsmanship, this is one stop you won’t want to miss.

Open Saturdays 9 am – 3 pm

Open Thursday to Sunday 10 am – 5 pm

17 DOCK ROAD, V&A WATERFRONT

JE WE LLE RY

CHARLES GREIG

FREERANGE JEWELS

VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT

SOMERSET SQUARE, 2 HIGHFIELD ROAD,

021 418 4515, charlesgreig.co.za

GREEN POINT

These fifth-generation jewellers combine tradition with contemporary design.

021 418 3607, freerangejewels.co.za

CHRISTOFF

If luxury creative pieces are your thing, then this is definitely the shop to find true inspiration.

BELMOND MOUNT NELSON HOTEL,

DIAMONDS, TANZANITE, PRECIOUS STONES, GOLD, PLATINUM AND ALL THINGS BLING

76 ORANGE STREET, GARDENS

IDA ELSJE

021 483 1765, christoff.co.za

76 CHURCH STREET, CBD

STERNS

The tag line ‘pure luxury’ perfectly sums up Christoff’s elegant jewellery range.

021 424 1101, idaelsje.com

CANAL WALK, CENTURY CITY

Handcrafted platinum and diamond engagement rings are their speciality.

021 529 3080, sterns.co.za Although this is a franchise, Sterns has specialised in beautiful diamonds and designs since 1896.

THE DIAMOND GALLERY AFROGEM

15 JORDAAN STREET, BO-KAAP

IMAGENIUS

181 BUITENGRACHT STREET, CBD

021 424 3000, thediamondgallery.co.za

SHOP B7, WATERSHED, V&A WATERFRONT

021 424 0848, afrogem.co.za

Whether you are looking for a special gift, an investment piece or the ultimate souvenir, you are bound to fall in love with the exquisite jewellery or exceptional loose stones at The Diamond Gallery.

060 962 2870, imageniusonline.co.za Find a mix of old and new, traditional and quirky, from a range of designers.

The production tour offers a glimpse of what goes into each stunning creation.

BOUTIQUE HAUTE HORLOGERIE VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT

KAMALDIEN JEWELLERS VICTORIA WHARF,

021 418 1889, bhhboutique.co.za

DIAMONDS 27

V&A WATERFRONT, 021 425 5530

Expect a luxury line-up of timepieces, with the likes of Richard Mille, Piguet, Parmigiani, Zenith, Hermès, Dior and Ebel timepieces.

VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT

Each collection from Kamaldien is a labour of love by father-and-son team Yusuf and Abdul Kamaldien, who use the highest-quality metals and gemstones to create jewellery with longevity.

BROWNS CANAL WALK, CENTURY CITY 021 555 2196, brownsjewellers.com With outlets across South Africa, this family-owned diamond store epitomises exceptional quality, enduring designs and outstanding customer service.

CAPE DIAMOND EXCHANGE 73 ST GEORGES MALL, CBD

021 421 0588, diamonds27.com

Feast your eyes on the best loose diamonds for sale in the country, or browse jewellery including bracelets, earrings, necklaces and other pieces. All diamonds are certified by the Gemological Institute of America.

KIMBERLEY HOUSE THE DIAMOND WORKS

VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT

GROUND FLOOR,

021 425 4045, kimberleyhouse.co.za This is a nod to the heyday of the diamond rush, with a focus on rare-coloured stones.

10 CHRISTIAAN BARNARD STREET, CBD 021 425 1970, thediamondworks.co.za

Enjoy a ‘sparkling tour’, complete with bubbly, then commission a piece that will be ready within 24 hours.

021 422 2350, capediamondexchange.com

Industry authority and current Cape Diamond Exchange owner Mr Poldy puts his expertise to work at this boutique.

It offers a range of jewellery and handcrafted pieces, set and unset certified diamonds and tanzanite, and a soughtafter selection of stones.

FAMKE 13 PARK ROAD, CBD 079 978 5078, famke.co.za For contemporary-chic minimalist pieces and gorgeous custom designs (plus a great flat white and pastry), head to the Famke concept store.

TANUR COLLECTION VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT 021 418 5524, tanur.co.za

A wide range of international brands, South African designs and loose stones can be found here.

TAG HEUER BOUTIQUE CAPE TOWN VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT 021 421 8539, tagheuer.com

Nothing says prestige, performance and reliability quite like a Tag, with 160 years of Swiss watchmaking history behind the brand. Whether you’re looking for something sporty, a classic look, or a cutting-edge design, you’ll find it here.

TANZANITE INTERNATIONAL GROUND FLOOR, CLOCK TOWER,

MURDOCKS

V&A WATERFRONT

VICTORIA WHARF, V&A WATERFRONT

021 421 5488, tanzanite-int.com

021 419 0302, murdocks.co.za

Stocking top-quality, certified tanzanite direct from the mines, this is the only store in the world dedicated to this gem, which is a thousand times rarer than diamonds.

Traditional and contemporary jewellery collections, plus timepieces, are on offer.

PHILIPPA GREEN 76 CHURCH STREET, CBD

UWE KOETTER

082 466 8571, philippagreen.com

CAPE QUARTER SQUARE,

Green is a celebrated local designer from Durban, best known for her detailed cuffs.

27 SOMERSET ROAD, GREENPOINT 021 425 7770 ALFRED MALL, V&A WATERFRONT

PHILIP WULFSOHN

021 421 1052, uwekoetter.com

CAPE QUARTER SQUARE ,

With previous clients that include the likes of Nicolas Cage, Kate Moss, Joan Collins and Queen Elizabeth II, you know you’re in good hands here.

021 421 2628, philipwulfsohn.com

Browse collections including leather and macramé bracelets, Omni Presents (pieces featuring the ‘om’ symbol, supporting the Earthchild Project) and Lovebites (resin-inlaid necklace pendants), or commission something special of your own.

KIRSTEN GOSS 229 BREE STREET, CBD 021 424 3453, kirstengoss.com

Playful yet luxurious, it’s no surprise that Sarah Jessica Parker is a fan of this global brand.

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VAN DEIJL TYGER VALLEY CENTRE, BELLVILLE 021 914 2192, vandeijl.co.za

Sit down with the team of award-winning designers, highly qualified gemmologists and expert goldsmiths to design your own unique piece.

WINHALL & DE STADLER CONSTANTIA EMPORIUM, CONSTANTIA 021 712 5116, winhall-destadler.co.za

Expect uncompromising standards here, thanks to more than 40 years of experience.

PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY IMAGE

27 SOMERSET ROAD, GREEN POINT

ASHANTI DESIGN

KAT VAN DUINEN

77 KLOOF STREET, GARDENS

SHOP 5A2, SILO 5 BUILDING,

021 461 0367, ashantidesign.com

SOUTH ARM ROAD, V&A WATERFRONT

Add a pop of vibrant colour to your home with the handmade crafts produced from upcycled materials at Ashanti. Furniture, baskets, bags, lampshades and cushions are just some of the items you can buy, with the peace of mind that you’ve supported job creation and also ethical sourcing of materials. The brand’s signature fabric is handwoven from the fibres of good-quality material that would otherwise end up in landfills. This also means that no two products are the same, making your pick unique.

021 427 9008, katvanduinen.com Luxurious leathers, bold shapes and rich fabrics come together to create the feel and aesthetic of this Polish-born designer’s renowned fashion house. Every garment is made on home soil, from their ethically produced leather to using locally sourced materials where possible. For a classic bag that’ll last you a lifetime, or a flattering swimsuit, Van Duinen’s quality designs set the standard.

CANAL WALK

Shop like a Capetonian – take a stroll up Long Street in the CBD for clothing brands such as Mungo & Jemima and MeMeMe, or browse vintage items at the Long Street Antique Arcade. Then wander up a little further to Kloof Street, where you’ll find quirky interiors stores Klooftique and LIM, funky threads at The Lot, a plethora of local art and fashion at Opulent Living, and a range of boutiques in the Lifestyle On Kloof centre.

CENTURY BOULEVARD, CENTURY CITY 021 529 9699, canalwalk.co.za

Many retailers’ flagship stores can be found in this sprawling mall, so you can expect an incredible selection of everything from mainstream fashion and homeware shops to African curios and designer jewellery.

More than 400 outlets, a food court and a cinema complex make this a popular spot for a family outing. Arrive early to beat the crowds.

LONG AND KLOOF STREETS

TABLE BAY MALL CNR R27 AND BERKSHIRE BOULEVARD, SUNNINGDALE

SHOPPING

021 140 1044, tablebaymall.co.za

Table Bay Mall opened only a couple of years ago and boasts more than 150 shops and ample parking. It’s the perfect spot for breakfast before a West Coast road trip and for stocking up the grocery cupboard, or finding that ideal outfit.

There’s something for everyone at this sleek mall.

IT’S JUST NOT A HOLIDAY WITHOUT SOME RETAIL THERAPY

TYGER VALLEY CNR BILL BEZUIDENHOUT AVENUE AND

WHALE COAST MALL

WILLIE VAN SCHOOR DRIVE, BELLVILLE

MAIN ROAD, R43, SANDBAAI, HERMANUS

021 914 1822, tygervalley.co.za

At 90 000 m2, Tyger Valley is one of the Cape’s largest malls. Three levels offer a mix of department stores, fashion outlets, speciality shops and beauty salons. Leave the teens at the cinema while you browse, then gather the troops for lunch at one of the many restaurants or cafes.

021 476 0994, shopwhalecoastmall.co.za Located at the entrance to the picturesque Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, this mall offers a wide range of stores (everything from food to fashion) and a good selection of restaurants for your Overberg trip. It also boasts the only multipurpose cinema theatre in the area, Whale Coast Theatre.

SOMERSET MALL

V&A WATERFRONT

THE WOODSTOCK EXCHANGE

CAVENDISH SQUARE

CENTENARY DRIVE, INTERSECTION

021 408 7600, waterfront.co.za

66 ALBERT ROAD, WOODSTOCK

1 DREYER STREET, CLAREMONT

OF N2 & R44, SOMERSET WEST

021 657 5600, cavendish.co.za

021 852 7114, somersetmall.co.za

Cross-shop for homeware, clothing and cosmetics at the big retail stores or, for more boutique buys (think beautiful home smalls and locally designed fashion), head over to Poetry or The Space. Teens will find a variety of shops that cater to their tastes, and also in the mix are bookshops, jewellery stores, a cinema, restaurants, and anything else you could possibly need.

Somerset West may be best known for its golf estates and wine farms, but if you need anything from homeware and fashion to diamonds and tech, this family-friendly shopping haven has you covered. A roster of events and plenty of entertainment and dining options mean it’s a great spot for a rainy day, too.

The V&A (Victoria & Alfred) is the crème de la crème of shopping malls. Here, you’ll find local clothing brands alongside luxury international names such as Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Gucci, specialist interiors stores and world-class restaurants for any occasion. Pleasure cruises leave from the busy quays if you’re in the mood for a sail, or hop into one of the pods of the Cape Wheel for a bird’s-eye view.

021 486 5999, woodstockexchange.co.za Cape Town’s creative set has transitioned from mere hipster affectation to a more grounded entrepreneurial spirit. Described as ‘an incubator for fledgling businesses’, the WEX is home to some of the city’s most talented designers and youth-culture leaders – as well as Rosetta Roastery, the coffee specialist that keeps them all going with its unique blends.

CONSTANTIA VILLAGE CNR CONSTANTIA MAIN AND SPAANSCHEMAT RIVER ROADS, CONSTANTIA 021 794 5065, constantiavillage.co.za The folk of this well-heeled neighbourhood do their grocery shopping here, but you will also find some tasteful interiors stores and various clothing boutiques. A choice of restaurants and coffee shops makes it the perfect spot for a quiet cappuccino or post-shopping lunch with your friends.

THE WOODSTOCK FOUNDRY PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY IMAGE

170 ALBERT ROAD, WOODSTOCK 021 422 0466, woodstockfoundry.co.za

Eateries, studios and a coffee roastery are just some of the spaces you can pop into at this collection of businesses. Open Monday to Saturday, The Foundry could be the place you find your new favourite piece of jewellery, ceramics, artwork, clothing or furniture. There’s even a hair salon if you’re looking to freshen up your style.

97

GLASSHOUSE REJUVENATION SILO 5, SILO DISTRICT, V&A WATERFRONT, 021 419 9599

CAMELOT SPA PEARL VALLEY CLUBHOUSE, PAARL

RELAX AND UNWIND AT ONE OF THESE FINE SPAS

ARABELLA HOTEL & SPA ARABELLA COUNTRY ESTATE, R44 TO KLEINMOND, HERMANUS 028 284 0000,

arabellacountryestate.co.za Sometimes, all you need is a weekend filled with rest, relaxation … and a spot of golf.

At Arabella Hotel & Spa, the luxurious facilities and world-class service ensure your every whim is catered to – whether that’s indulging in a treatment or teeing off.

BANKSIA SPA BANKSIA BOUTIQUE, 14 BANKSIA ROAD, ROSEBANK 021 685 9878, banksia.co.za

Tucked away in the landscaped gardens of the elegant Banksia Boutique hotel, this suburban spa ticks all the boxes a top-drawer beauty treatment ought to. Opt to invigorate your skin with a salt-mousse exfoliation or enjoy a mud ritual in the rasul chamber.

021 867 8001, camelotspa.co.za

Six luxury treatment rooms, including three specialised couples’ suites, await visitors of the spa at the Val de Vie polo and lifestyle estate in picturesque Paarl. Enjoy top-to-toe pampering with treatments such as hydrotherapy, manis and pedis, and skincare therapy. Take some time out in the relaxation area to contemplate your memorable experience. Find other Camelot branches at The Table Bay Hotel, Lagoon Beach Hotel and Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa.

GINKGO SPA ARNISTON, 028 445 9000 CLAREMONT, 021 761 7291

ginkgospa.com Take some time to relax and unwind in style at one of this group’s two luxury spas.

They’re located at the Arniston Spa Hotel, in the fishing village of Arniston as well as the The Andros Deluxe Boutique Hotel, in the leafy southern suburb of Claremont.

Indulge in a streamlined treatment that has been created with a busy schedule in mind, or go ahead and slack off for an entire day. You are sure to come away feeling relaxed, rested and rejuvenated either way.

HEAVENLY SPA THE WESTIN CAPE TOWN, LOWER LONG STREET, FORESHORE 021 412 8200, heavenlyspa.co.za

Found atop the glittering Westin hotel, this spa offers panoramic ocean- and city views to complement your pamper session. Try the signature Heavenly Massage, complete with essence of marula, then take time out in the calming sleep room to ease your way back into the real world.

THE LASER BEAUTIQUE SWEAT 1000, THE POINT MALL, 76 REGENT ROAD, SEA POINT 064 881 1333, thelaserbeautique.co.za

With The Laser Beautique’s largesse of treatments for men and women, you and your partner can enjoy a full day of pampering. Whether you want to fix a pressing skin concern, fit in a permanent make-up session or indulge in non-invasive aesthetic treatments, every need will be met.

LIFE DAY SPA CENTURY CITY, 021 525 3883 V&A WATERFRONT, 021 180 4772

lifedayspa.co.za Situated at the Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers in Century City and The Pavilion in the V&A, Life Day Spa provides a peaceful sanctuary in a five-star setting.

Relaxation facilities include rasul chambers and saltwater flotation baths, but it’s really the range of indulgent treatments (including La Prairie facials) that make you feel on top of the world. We love their luxury pedicure, which includes a paraffin wrap and hot-stone leg massage.

THE SILO SPA THE SILO HOTEL, SILO DISTRICT, V&A WATERFRONT 021 670 0510, theroyalportfolio.com

The Silo Spa has everything you would expect from a high-end wellness offering: exclusivity (there are only five treatment rooms), world-class products (it’s the only spa in Africa that uses New York skincare brand Ling) and excellent service.

98

MAJEKA HOUSE SPA MAJEKA HOUSE, 26–32 HOUTKAPPER STREET, PARADYSKLOOF, STELLENBOSCH 021 880 1549, majekahouse.co.za

Good taste and indulgence are revered at Majeka House, making this Stellenbosch spa a real must-visit. Try the Absolute Aroma Stone Ritual to ease any tense, aching muscles or book the Gentleman’s Bliss package – a facial, herbal massage and manicure or pedicure, ending with lunch.

ONE&ONLY SPA ONE&ONLY CAPE TOWN, DOCK ROAD, V&A WATERFRONT 021 431 5810, oneandonlyresorts.com

The ultimate spa destination, set on its own private island, One&Only Spa offers a menu of holistic experiences tailored to your needs and preferences, ranging from total relaxation and wellness journeys to grooming. Arrive early to use the vitality pools and sauna.

SANTÉ WELLNESS RETREAT & SPA LA BELLA VITA WINE ESTATE SIMONSVLEI ROAD, PAARL 021 879 1500, santeretreat.co.za

For a little R & R in the Winelands, book a day’s pampering and rejuvenation at Santé.

Wellness packages include those geared towards de-stressing, detoxing, rejuvenation, healthy ageing and longevity. The retreat has various facilities including a Day Spa, Health Optimising Clinic, Bio-Energy Centre and Fitness Centre.

SKIN RENEWAL CAPE QUARTER, CLAREMONT, CONSTANTIA, PAARL, STELLENBOSCH, WILLOWBRIDGE 086 175 4672, skinrenewal.co.za Skin Renewal is more than just a spa, with its team of doctors and therapists specialising in integrative and cosmetic medicine providing a full range of antiageing treatments.

THE SPA AT THE 12 APOSTLES THE 12 APOSTLES, VICTORIA ROAD, CAMPS BAY 021 437 9060, 12apostleshotel.com The 12 Apostles hotel is situated on a pristine stretch of coast. Take it all in while indulging in The Mountain Serenade or The Apostles Touch treatment in a glass gazebo on the slopes of Table Mountain.

PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY IMAGE

WELL-BEING

glasshouserejuvenation.com Previously catering to a male clientele only, Glasshouse Rejuvenation now offers treatments ranging from facials, massages, waxing and mani-pedis, to lash extensions, microblading, Botox, fillers as well as permanent hair removal.

Devotees and new clients of Glasshouse will be pleased to hear the pedi-spa station’s big-screen TV has made the move too, so you can catch the game while you’re being buffed and polished.

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CAPE TOWN SCIENCE CENTRE 370B MAIN ROAD, OBSERVATORY

KIDS FUN FOR THE YOUNG, AND THE YOUNG AT HEART

021 300 3200, ctsc.org.za The Cape Town Science Centre is a world of discovery under one roof. Young minds can challenge themselves with more than 250 exhibits, puzzles and fun science games, including the human gyroscope and an inflatable planetarium. Each month, the centre offers a roster packed with activities, and weary parents can grab a coffee in the iCafe while their kids explore.

GRANDWEST 1 JAKES GERWEL DRIVE, GOODWOOD 021 505 7777

CAVE GOLF

suninternational.com/grandwest ‘I’m bored’ is unlikely to cross any child’s lips when they take in all that GrandWest has to offer – whether it’s hours spent gliding across the ice rink, beating opponents at laser tag or getting lost in the fun of arcade games. It offers fun for the whole family too: Buy tickets to see a movie at the CineCentre cinema on site, or hire a lane at the tenpin bowling alley.

DOCK ROAD, V&A WATERFRONT

Activities are individually priced

R75 for kids and adults

021 419 9429, scratchpatch.co.za

ACROBRANCH 1 HOUT BAY MAIN ROAD, CONSTANTIA NEK 086 999 0369, acrobranch.co.za Take to the trees with fun activities for the whole family. There are two courses for the little ones, while adults and teens can tackle a slightly more thrilling elevated experience. All three courses combine the adventure of zip lines, moving planks, Tarzan swings, rope bridges and more.

The park caters for kids’ birthday parties and corporate team building too.

From R150–R280

ALPACA LOOM SUID-AGTER PAARL ROAD, SOUTHERN PAARL 084 793 3666, alpacas.co.za Kids are in for an interactive experience at the alpaca petting zoo, where they have the chance to get up close to these animals.

If they still have some energy left after, they can let loose on the jungle gym while parents park off for a cuppa at the on-site coffee shop and browse the woven scarves, shawls, blankets and rugs made from the alpacas’ wool. Barn tours, where you can learn about the alpaca and the processing its fibres undergo to become yarn, take place daily every hour on the hour.

This indoor 18-hole mini-golf course is deceptively difficult, and challenges players with steep ramps, sharp corners and other obstacles. Since the course takes around 30 minutes to complete, it also serves as the perfect activity to do before you head off for lunch at one of the many eateries at the V&A Waterfront.

R30 pp, discounts apply for groups of 10 or more

021 444 4258

Entrance is free

Ahoy, me hearties! If you think you have what it takes to sail the seven seas, then climb aboard the Jolly Roger. Cruises depart from the V&A Waterfront quay and include face-painting, a treasure hunt and other themed activities.

THE ICE STATION GRANDWEST CASINO & ENTERTAINMENT

076 810 5120, claycafe.co.za

WORLD, 1 JAKES GERWEL DRIVE, GOODWOOD

Arty kids (and even arty grown-ups) will love Clay Cafe. Let the children choose a blank piece of pottery as their canvas, grab some paint and unleash their creativity, after which it will be fired and glazed, and ready for collection in a few weeks. Parents can relax with a cappuccino, knowing all the mess will be taken care of.

021 535 2260, icerink.co.za

Spend a fun afternoon at GrandWest’s Ice Station: Rent a pair of skates, go whizzing around the rink, then catch an ice-hockey match or a figure-skating show. Wear thick socks, and dress in layers.

R60 for the main rink (R50 with own skates) and R30 for the mini rink

IMHOFF FARM KOMMETJIE ROAD, KOMMETJIE

COOL RUNNINGS TOBOGGAN FAMILY PARK CARL CRONJE DRIVE, TYGER VALLEY

BE.UP PARK

Rides from R60 each. The park is closed when it’s raining

GARDENER PLACE, ROSE INNES STREET,

021 481 3800/3900, iziko.org.za With regular astronomy shows on offer year-round, you can explore outer space and learn about the stars in our southern-hemisphere skies from the comfort of your seat beneath the domed ceiling of the planetarium.

Then, explore natural and cultural history at the adjoining South African Museum and see 700-million-yearold fossils.

Planetarium: R30 for kids, R60 for adults (includes museum). Museum only: R15 for kids, R30 for adults

177 MAIN ROAD, HOUT BAY

R40 studio fee (includes three paints, firing and glazing); pottery is individually priced

25 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, CBD

This 60 ha green oasis in the shadow of Cape Town Stadium is a splendid place for kids to work out their energy in the play areas, while parents enjoy a picnic on the lawns. Various indigenous plant zones and educational signboards make this a learning space as much as a playground.

OPPOSITE BOKKEMANSKLOOF ESTATE,

Entry is free; tours are R70 for kids, R100 for adults

087 057 1400, beuppark.co.za

1 FRITZ SONNENBERG ROAD, GREEN POINT

CLAY CAFE

021 949 4439, coolrunnings.capetown Whoosh down the slope at up to 40 km/h in a custom-made toboggan.

The 1.25 km ride on a special steel track is hair-raising fun for the whole family.

PINELANDS

GREEN POINT PARK

IZIKO PLANETARIUM AND SA MUSEUM

021 783 4545, imhofffarm.co.za This charming farm-stall-turned-fun-dayout has something for everyone. Visit the Higgeldy Piggeldy farmyard to meet the friendly animals, and check out the reptiles at the snake park before enjoying a meal at one of the many restaurants. You will also find a maze, an equestrian centre, a paintball area, and a range of arty shops and lifestyle stores. There’s even a yoga studio for the fitness inclined.

THE GIRAFFE HOUSE WILDLIFE AWARENESS CENTRE

Activities are individually priced

CNR R304 (TOWARDS STELLENBOSCH)

INTAKA ISLAND

AND R101 (TOWARDS PAARL)

2 PARK LANE, CENTURY CITY

021 884 4506, giraffehouse.co.za

JOLLY ROGER PIRATE BOAT QUAY 5, V&A WATERFRONT 021 421 0909, yacoobyachts.co.za

From R100 per child

LE BONHEUR CROCODILE FARM R45 (BABYLONSTOREN ROAD), SIMONDIUM 021 863 1142, lebonheuradventures.co.za

So, you reckon you’re not afraid of big, scaly reptiles? Then Le Bonheur in the Winelands is the place to test your mettle, with more than 1 000 crocs of all sizes. Join one of the guided interactive tours every 45 minutes or, to get even closer to these toothy predators, book a crocodile cage dive with African Croc Dive.

Tours: R42 for kids, R68 for adults.

Cage dives: R1 000 for kids over 9 and adults

MOUILLE POINT PUTT-PUTT BEACH ROAD, MOUILLE POINT

The ultimate fun stop for kids and adults alike, be.UP Park offers a number of activities and a cafe for some nibbles.

Let the younger ones explore the kids’ maze and have fun in the trampoline zone, while older children and adults can enjoy the climbing walls and an obstacle course inside a netted cage, suspended five metres above the ground.

This wildlife education centre runs daily interactive encounters (at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm), with its residents including giraffes, warthogs, antelope, jackals, foxes, snakes and blue cranes (South Africa’s national bird). R45 for children 2–15 years

021 552 6889, intaka.co.za Enjoy nature and birding at this 16 ha wetland reserve in the centre of Century City. From fun boat trips and guided trails to educational activities and picnic spots in the indigenous garden, Intaka provides an ideal family-friendly day outdoors.

021 434 6805, puttputtcapetown.co.za Two 18-hole courses of different difficulties will keep everyone entertained. Once you have sunk your ball, get lost in the hedge maze, hop aboard the Mini Blue Train or explore the iconic Green Point Lighthouse, built in 1824, for a bird’s-eye view of the glistening Table Bay.

R85–R130, depending on height

old, R65 for adults

R15 for kids 0–12 years, R25 for adults

R32 pp for a round of putt-putt

100

PHOTOGRAPHY: GALLO/GETTYIMAGES

SCRATCH PATCH

TWO OCEANS AQUARIUM

WARRIOR TOY MUSEUM

DOCK ROAD, V&A WATERFRONT

DOCK ROAD, V&A WATERFRONT

ST GEORGE’S STREET (ATTACHED

021 419 9429

021 418 3823, aquarium.co.za

TO THE TOWN HALL), SIMON’S TOWN

WORLD OF BIRDS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY AND MONKEY PARK

DIDO VALLEY ROAD, SIMON’S TOWN

This underwater nature reserve is home to an enchanting kelp forest and world-class displays. Small kids will love the interactive touch pools for a hands-on experience of shells, anemones and urchins. Stop by at noon and 2 pm for the Ocean Exhibit feeding, or at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm daily to watch the African penguins being fed.

021 786 1395

VALLEY ROAD, HOUT BAY

An impressive collection comprising more than 4 000 model cars, and lead soldiers, trucks, aeroplanes and boats – as well as a functioning train set – will have kids of all ages in their element. There is also a hefty (500-strong) display of dolls, including an impressive collection of vintage Barbies.

021 790 2730, worldofbirds.org.za There are more than 3 000 birds and small animals in this tropical-landscaped wildlife sanctuary with its walk-through labyrinth of cages. You can also make friends with inquisitive little squirrel monkeys in the Monkey Jungle.

R95 for kids 4–13 years old, R150 for kids 14–17 years old, R200 for adults

Entry is free

R50 for kids, R130 for adults

021 786 2020, scratchpatch.co.za

A must-visit for tots who like to explore and discover things with their hands. Buy containers of various sizes and let your kids fill them with tumble-polished gemstones that are theirs to take home at the end of the day.

From R25

BUTTERFLY WORLD ZOO R44, KLAPMUTS 021 879 4044, butterflyworld.co.za

Be transported to a magical garden where a vast assortment of pearlescent-winged butterflies flit around you. The 1 000 m2 greenhouse is also home to blue duikers, parrots, guinea pigs, iguanas and exotic spiders, so there’s lots to see! Visit the tortoises and meerkats outside before heading home.

R49 for kids, R88 for adults

CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 021 937 1200 airports.co.za CAPE TOWN TOURISM 0861 322 223 capetown.travel KIRSTENBOSCH NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN 021 799 8783 sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch TABLE MOUNTAIN AERIAL CABLEWAY 021 424 0015 tablemountain.net V&A WATERFRONT INFORMATION CENTRE 021 408 7600 waterfront.co.za

EMERGENCY SERVICES

MEDICLINIC STELLENBOSCH STELLENBOSCH (Private) 021 861 2000 NETCARE CHRISTIAAN BARNARD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL CBD (Private), 021 441 0000 NETCARE TRAVEL CLINIC CBD (Private), 021 419 3172 (Contact the clinic if you plan to travel to a malaria area in South Africa or a neighbouring country, such as Mozambique) NEW SOMERSET HOSPITAL GREEN POINT (Government) 021 402 6911

LOST/STOLEN CREDIT CARDS AMERICAN EXPRESS 0800 110 929 DINERS CLUB 0860 346 377 MASTERCARD 0800 990 418 VISA 0800 990 475

ALL EMERGENCIES 112 (Toll free) AMBULANCE 10177 MOUNTAIN RESCUE 021 948 9900 NATIONAL SEA RESCUE INSTITUTE 112 NETCARE (Private emergency medical service) 082 911 POLICE 10111 (Emergencies) 021 480 7700 (City of Cape Town)

ATMs and foreign-exchange bureaux are available at banks and malls.

AMERICAN EXPRESS 021 419 3917 (V&A), waterfront.co.za/ stores/american-express-foreign-exchange MASTER CURRENCY 021 418 4935, mastercurrency.co.za

MEDICAL SERVICES

CONSULATES

GROOTE SCHUUR HOSPITAL OBSERVATORY (Government) 021 404 9111 MEDICLINIC CAPE TOWN ORANJEZICHT (Private) 021 464 5500 MEDICLINIC CONSTANTIABERG PLUMSTEAD (Private) 021 799 2911

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

BRITISH CONSULATE-GENERAL 15TH FLOOR, NORTON ROSE HOUSE, 8 RIEBEEK STREET, CBD Open Monday to Thursday 8:30 am – 12:30 pm 021 421 7500 FRENCH CONSULATE-GENERAL 78 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, GARDENS Open Monday to Thursday 9 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 5 pm, Friday 9 am – 1 pm 021 423 1575

AT YOUR SERVICE 102

GERMAN CONSULATE-GENERAL ROELAND PARK, 4 STIRLING STREET, ZONNEBLOEM Open weekdays 8 am – 4:30 pm, Fridays 8 am – 1 pm 021 405 3000 (General enquiries) 078 608 0950 (Emergencies) NETHERLANDS CONSULATE-GENERAL 100 STRAND STREET (CNR BUITENGRACHT), CBD Open Monday to Thursday 8 am – 5 pm, Fridays 8 am – 1 pm 021 421 5660 US CONSULATE-GENERAL 2 REDDAM AVENUE, WESTLAKE Open Monday to Thursday 8 am – 5 pm, Fridays 8 am – noon 021 702 7300 (General enquiries) 079 111 0391 (Emergencies)

CAR RENTAL AVIS 0861 021 111, avis.co.za BUDGET 0861 016 622, budget.co.za EUROPCAR 0861 131 000, europcar.co.za STATUS LUXURY VEHICLES 0861 100 108, slv.co.za

TAXIS, AIRPORT TRANSFERS AND CHAUFFEUR SERVICES CITI HOPPER 021 936 3460/1, citihopper.co.za EXCITE TAXIS 021 448 4444, excitetaxis.co.za JARAT PREMIER (Chauffeur service) 082 643 2133, jaratpremier.co.za MARINE TAXIS 0861 434 0434 MYCITI (Public transport bus service with dedicated airport route) 0800 65 64 63, myciti.org.za

TOUR OPERATORS AWOL TOURS V&A WATERFRONT INFORMATION CENTRE, DOCK ROAD 083 234 6428, awoltours.co.za CITY SIGHTSEEING CAPE EXPLORER 81 LONG STREET, CBD 021 511 6000, citysightseeing.co.za KIFF KOMBI TOURS BUITENKLOOF STUDIOS, 8 KLOOF STREET, CBD 072 213 3888, kiffkombitours.co.za

WINELANDS INFORMATION AND TOURS Maps are available from the wine desk at Cape Town Tourism.

CONSTANTIA 021 794 5065, constantiavalley.com DURBANVILLE 083 310 1228, durbanvillewine.co.za FRANSCHHOEK 021 876 2861, franschhoek.org.za PAARL 021 872 4842, paarlonline.com ROBERTSON 023 626 3167, robertsonwinevalley.com STELLENBOSCH 021 886 4310, wineroute.co.za SWARTLAND 022 487 1133, swartlandwineandolives.co.za

INFORMATION SERVICES DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES 1023 (Telkom) SOUTH AFRICAN WEATHER SERVICE 021 367 6000, weathersa.co.za YELLOW PAGES 0860 935 569, yellowpages.co.za

GOOD TO KNOW CAPE TOWN DIALLING CODE 021 SA DIALLING CODE +27 TIME GMT+2

PHOTOGRAPHY: UNSPLASH

CAPE TOWN TOURISM INFORMATION

M 6

Sea Point public swimming pool

ES N

FR

P

Station

Beach

Wine farm

Theatre

Shopping

Museum

Police

Lion’s Head 669 m

Fresnaye

Piazza St John

N

AI

M

RD

Sea Point M 6

ES

M 61

RH

M 62

RD RD

F OO KL

To cable car and Table Mountain

INE

M 6

Putt-Putt

P

Signal Hill 350 m

D KR

RD

L DA

UP

R PE

EN

IT

BU

T CH RA

ST

RD

WA LE

HE LE AN

ZM

SU

Belmond Mount Nelson

Labia Theatre

De Waal Park

MONTRO SE AVE

Molteno Reservoir

Mediclinic Cape Town

M 3

De Waterkant

MILL ST Gardens Centre

SA Museum Jewish & Planetarium Museum

Booth Memorial Hospital

Duncan Dock

The Castle of Good Hope

D LAN JUT

AVE

V DE

D R RS ILLIE

District Six

Vredehoek

M 3

CBD

NE

M 3

Devil’s Peak

PHILIP KGOSANA DR

To Southern Suburbs

SIR LOWRY RD LS ON MA ND EL AB LV D

Zonnebloem

Good Hope Centre

N 2

N 1

To Northern Suburbs

STRAND ST

Cape Town International Convention Centre WA BL N LTE VD 1 RS ISU Netcare Christiaan Barnard LU Memorial Hospital AV E RIE BE EK ST Artscape ST RA ND ST MyCiti Civic ST Centre terminus HE NG RT LO ZO T R S Cape Town E GB Y W E LV railway & LO D RL bus stations DE Greenmarket P AD Square

N

Zeitz MOCAA

ST ST T St George’s Flower ST CH Cathedral Market D E A E R AR ST P BR T LIN NG S O E GS T O I G L N T Slave Lodge BU O L BU City Hall Tuynhuys ITE NS Parliament Company’s IN Garden GE RO LS P PA EL T District Six RK AN RD Museum SA National D S T Gallery Little Theatre

Bo-Kaap Museum

Heritage Square

Cape Quarter

M 6

Table Bay Harbour V&A Waterfront Marina

Nelson Mandela Gateway (ferries to Robben Island)

Victoria Wharf (V&A Waterfront mall)

D DR OO Watershed SW T R Clock Tower PO Two Oceans Aquarium

New Somerset Hospital

Bo-Kaap

Noon Gun

Cape Town Stadium

Gardens

MP

CA

ST

ER

LN

MI

Oranjezicht

VE EA

M 62

EL S

HA

IC

M

FIR

ST

M 6

G

HIGH LEVEL RD

MAIN RD

Green Point Park

H RD

BEAC

Tamboerskloof

NE

Mouille Point

Granger Bay

ST

Hospital

Tourist info

Place of interest

MAP KEY

AY To Bantry E Bay, Clifton & Camps Bay

AV E

D TR

EN

REG

D

FR

ST JA M

Three Anchor Bay

Sea Point Promenade

O

RD

AC H

BE

Green Point Lighthouse

ST ANT ENK

KL O

E

ER

Green Point

FS T

O KL O

T

S

RD

RA CH

NG

E

GE

BUIT

ST

N

EI

PL

ST

W

AN OR

M OL TE NO

M

DF

TE

HE

ST

N

AL A

NN

R CH ST

N

BA

AA

S D

IS TI

TR

E RS

RD

E OM

AN T

RN A

N

MAPS: CAPE TOWN

103

MAPS: CAPE WINELANDS N

W

Ambeloui

Wellington N 7

E

Cape Town M 3

N 2

Meerendal M 48

Cecilia Forest

VI

To Hout Bay

SS E

N 1

RS H

O

Franschhoek

R45

N 1

Silvermist Organic Vineyards

Paarl

R304

Durbanville

S

To Robertson

Beau Constantia

Stellenbosch

R300

Eagles’ Nest

Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve

Somerset West

Hillcrest Wine Farm

ST AN

TIA

TIA

N TA NS

Nitída

M 13

MA

IN

RD

RD

O TC OO GR

Hermanus

Durbanville Hills

Constantia

M 41 C ON

Hout Bay Vineyards

N 2

False Bay

TYGE

M 41

RBER G VAL

LEY R

High Constantia

M 31

KLEIN CONSTANTIA RD

Klein Constantia Paul Cluver

Buitenverwachting

VE

HE

C NS

I TR MA

AA SP

N 2

Almenkerk Wine Estate

R

RD

Durbanville Winelands

To Cape Town

FIRGRO VE WAY

Constantia Uitsig

N 2

N 1

PE

OR

Gabriëlskloof

NR

M 3

D

Bot River

Charles Fox

M 42

Oneiric Tokai Forest Reserve Domaine des Dieux

Kogelberg Nature Reserve

TO K

Creation

R44

R43

R320

Sumaridge

D

N 1

Bouchard Finlayson

Hermanuspietersfontein

Hermanus Hamilton Russell

Rooiberg

Kleinhoekkloof Wines

Robertson

Graham Beck Estate

Villiera Wines

R101

Spookfontein

Newton Johnson

La Vierge

R60

AI R

Ataraxia Botriver Lagoon

M 23

R318

To Montagu

Kranskop

Zevenwacht

Robertson Winery

Ashton Mimosa Breede River

Rietvallei Wine Estate

Springfield Estate Cloverfield

R62

Ashton

R306

R317

Viljoensdrift

Van Loveren

Excelsior Wine Estate & Manor Guesthouse

R102

De Wetshof Estate

Stellenbosch Vineyards

JHG

R310 Vergenoegd Wine Estate

Esona

Bonnievale ede Bre

McGregor

R317

er Riv Bonnievale Wines

104

D

De Grendel

Groot Constantia

Elgin Vintners

RD

Constantia Glen

Constantia

Grabouw

K

Meerlust N 2

R45

Wellington

Perdeberg Winery

R44

Doolhof

To Durbanville

R301

Diemersfontein Wine & Country Estate

R301 Ridgeback

Pearl Mountain

R312

Nederburg

Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve

Paarl

N 1

Huguenot Toll Tunnel

M 302 Avondale

R44 KWV Wine Emporium

R101

Marianne Anura

Glen Carlou

R301

Wemmershoek Dam

Backsberg

Koelenhof

R44 R304

Vrede en Lust Kanonkop

Allée Bleue

Delheim Hartenberg Boschendal

Rustenberg Wines

R310

Beyerskloof Glenelly

Stellenbosch Jordan Wines

Middelvlei

R310

Solms-Delta

Brampton Wines

Neethlingshof

Tokara

Franschhoek

La Motte

R45

Leopard’s Leap

Black Elephant

Anthonij Rupert

Warwick J.C. Le Roux

Chamonix

R45

Bellingham

Grande Provence

Môreson

The Franschhoek Cellar

Thelema

Franschhoek Wine Tram Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines

Delaire Graff Lanzerac Hotel & Spa

R45 Le Lude

La Bri

Haute Cabrière

La Petite Ferme

GlenWood Stony Brook

Bartinney Wine Estate

Holden Manz

Berg River Dam

Boekenhoutskloof

Kleine Zalze Blaauwklippen

Spier Peter Falke Wines

R44 Cavalli

Jonkershoek Nature Reserve

Waterford Ernie Els Wines

Rust en Vrede

Longridge Avontuur

Helderberg Nature Reserve

Somerset West

Somerset West Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve M 9

R44

Lourensford M 168

Vergelegen

Radloff Park

Morgenster Wine Estate

N 2 Waterkloof

Idiom

MAPS: CAPE PENINSULA To West Coast

To Malmesbury

Atlantis

R44

R45 R302

R27

R304

Wellington

N Philadelphia

W

Melkbosstrand

E

N 7

S

R44

Paarl

R312

To Worcester Bloubergstrand

Robben Island

Table View

R101

Northern Suburbs

R45

N 1

Durbanville

To Franschhoek

Table Bay

R101 Bellville

N 1

V&A Waterfront Green Point

R304

Parow

R310

Stellenbosch

Sea Point Clifton Camps Bay

Cape Town

Cape Town International Airport

N 2

Table Mountain

Bakoven

Kuils River

R310 R102

Table Mountain National Park

Llandudno

R44

M 3

Sandy Bay

Southern Suburbs Hout Bay

Noordhoek

R300

N 2

Mitchells Plain

Constantia

Somerset West

Khayelitsha

Boland Mountain Complex Park

R310 Silvermine Nature Reserve

Kommetjie

Muizenberg

Strand

St James Kalk Bay Fish Hoek

Long

Gordon’s Bay

Glencairn

Simon’s Town Scarborough

To Hermanus via Sir Lowry’s Pass

Boulders

False Bay Cape Peninsula National Park

Smitswinkel Bay

Rooi-Els

Cape Point Nature Reserve

Kogelberg Nature Reserve

Cape Point

Pringle Bay

R44

To Hermanus

ATLANTIC OCEAN 106

ALL MAPS: ROBYN-LEE PRETORIUS:

Diaz

BUY THE BOOK NOW! ONLY

R149 ‘My Chosen 23 is a selection of those players whose performances I won’t ever forget and, in each position, I discuss the merits of the very many outstanding players in that position.’

Available to purchase online at www.hmshop.co.za For more information: info@hsm.co.za