[category]
[title]
Let’s get one thing straight. The idea that vegan markets are all earnest oat milk and lectures about lentils is an insult to vegans.
Cape Town’s Vegan Goods Market is the ideal mythbuster to put that hypothesis to bed.
Held on the first Sunday of every month at The Range in Tokai, the community-focused market brings together food, drinks, local makers, live music, sustainable shopping and plenty of reasons to linger.
Even better? You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy it. Radio personality Jamie-Lee Domburg, who describes herself as not vegan, counts it among her favourite Cape Town spots.
Still on the fence? I’ll give you five more reasons to make a Sunday date of it.
#1. Come hungry. Obviously
The market features more than 50 vendors, serving up an impressively broad spread of vegan food and beverages, from sweet treats to savoury bites.
And because everything is plant-based, you can browse without the usual mental gymnastics of asking what contains dairy, eggs or other animal products.
#2. Stay for the vibes
The clue is in the name, but don’t let “Vegan Goods” fool you into thinking this is strictly a foodie affair.
Alongside edible goodies, you’ll find cruelty-free home and body products, clothing, accessories and locally made goods. The market also collaborates with Thrift Fest, adding second-hand, vintage and handmade finds to the mix.
#3. Bring the whole gang
This is very much a family affair. Supervised play stations and games for kids. Plenty of shade and seating. Outdoor space and live performances from local musicians.
Your four-legged fury friends are welcome too, although they need to stay leashed and out of the main market area.
#4. The setting is half the fun
The market is held at The Range on Orpen Road, tucked into the Tokai landscape with mountain and vineyard views. A world away from the frantic Saturday-morning supermarket dash.
Think leisurely browsing, something delicious in hand and no reason to rush home.
Time Out tip: The venue also hosts Chilled Market at The Range every Friday evening, from 4:30pm to 9:30pm.
#5. Community, not perfection
Perhaps the market’s biggest draw is its ethos. The organisers describe it as an inclusive space designed to support local businesses while challenging the idea that vegan living has to be expensive, exclusive or inaccessible.
That makes the Vegan Goods Market feel less like a niche shopping expedition and more like what a good Sunday market should be. Somewhere to eat, browse, discover something new, meet people and hang out for a while.
And if you leave with a bag full of vegan goodies? Well, that’s good planning.
The next Vegan Goods Market is on Sunday, 4 October, from 10am to 3pm. R20 get your through the gates. Kids under 12 are free.
Sign up to Time Out Cape Town's free newsletter for expert recommendations on new things to do, see, eat and drink in the Mother City. You can also follow Time Out Cape Town on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!