The 18 best shops in Cape Town

What is it? An ode to the best of the continent, Merchants on Long opened in 2010 in a historic building on Long Street as a showcase of pan-African design. Stocking everything from clothing to shoes to homeware, it’s said to be the first concept store to shine a light on the breadth of African fashion and design under one roof. That includes Cape Town-based sustainable swimwear store Akina, Ethiopian fashion label Lemlem and Kenya-based brand Zuri, amongst many others.

Why go? To find exquisite items like Zulu-inspired sandals, distinctive MaXhosa knits by Laduma Ngxokolo and gorgeous woven baskets made to exacting standards by craftspeople, artisans and designers.

What is it? Not to be confused with Mungo & Jemima over at the V&A Waterfront, Mungo is the inner-city boutique for a family-owned textile mill on the Garden Route. Their kikois, towels and linens grace many of Africa’s leading safari lodges and hotels.

Why go? Mungo’s unique textile designs reflect Africa’s rich heritage of weaving, while incorporating early American weaving patterns and Mediterranean and Provençal hues. Mungo works exclusively with natural fibres and in 2020 became the first textile-weaving mill in South Africa to be certified organic by the stringent Global Organic Textile Standard. Their high-quality products make a perfect souvenir or gift from your time in SA.

What is it? A design emporium in the heart of the V&A Waterfront, offering an upscale (sometimes with prices to match) collection of curated contemporary African design.

Why go? If you love design and creativity with local flair, you’ll fall in love with the 450-square-metre retail space of AAFRICAA. The focus is firmly on hand-crafted, artisan creations that celebrate the creative energy of Africa. The collection of colourful clothing and hand-woven basketware is particularly lust-worthy.

What is it?  A mash-up of a museum and retail concept store by a much-loved local brand. Traditionally made of rawhide leather on a rubber sole, veldskoen –pronounced FELT-skoon – are as South African as braaivleis, biltong and the ‘Bokke'.  Veldskoen gives the classic an upmarket make-over, and at their museum-store you can learn all about the colourful history of South Africa’s most famous footwear.

Why go? Since launching their range of colourfully-soled veldskoen in 2016, the brand has gone global: Prince Harry was snapped wearing a pair and Matthew McConaughey is a fan. Today up to 150 000 pieces of Veldskoen shoes and apparel fly out of the warehouse each year. You can browse and admire the brand’s range of shoes, because if you’re going to head out and explore Cape Town, and South Africa, you might as well be doing it in a pair of vellies.

What is it?  Since Kirsty Bannerman and Marian Park-Ross first opened the doors to their inner-city boutique in 2008, Mungo & Jemima has offered a showcase of leading South African fashion designers, and in the process become something of an arbiter of style for a laid-back South African look.

Why go? To discover clothing with a voice, imagined and crafted by some of South Africa’s best-loved designers. You’ll find the shelves at their new flagship store in the V&A Waterfront filled with the likes of Missibaba, Dyad, Ora, A Bird Named Frank, Verse, Lichen & Leaf, Yellow, Lorne and more. Beyond the collection of dresses, jumpsuits and jackets, also look out for an impressive array of accessories.

What is it?  The creative home of acclaimed designer, chef and restaurateur Jacques Erasmus. Hemelhuijs is most famous as a delightful inner-city eatery – the brunch and lunch game is strong here – but there’s also a worthwhile retail component that’s worth a look.

Why go? Well, first, to eat. Erasmus is a much-loved fixture of the city’s daytime dining scene; as famous for his Eggs Benedict and fresh juices as the seasonally-inspired contemporary main courses. It’s a space where there’s enormous attention to detail, from napery to crockery and, happily, you can take much of it home with you thanks to the small retail section selling Erasmus’ bespoke range of beautiful home wares.

What is it?  The inner-city showroom for the colourful range of eye-catching fabrics created by illustrator Heather Moore. Her designs have found a home worldwide, but the heart of it all is here, on a tiny side road in the heart of Cape Town.

Why go? This charming and quirky showroom just off Bree Street offers the full range of creations from the world of Skinny laMinx. You’ll find bolts of colourful fabric along with the wonderful range of products they are fashioned into for sale, and shipping worldwide. You’ll be hard-pressed to choose between the colourful cushions, quirky aprons, offbeat bags, cute kiddies dresses and must-have book totes. It’s a must-visit for memorable souvenir shopping.

What is it? A proudly South African company creating bags, backpacks, duffels and accessories from upcycled yacht sails, kite sails, sustainable cotton and recycled nylon. Jack Johnson, with his passion for 'The 3 R's', would love this stuff.

Why go? With a focus on sustainability and ocean conservation, Sealand manufactures its high-end bags and accessories in the seaside suburb of Hout Bay, but the best place to experience the eye-catching bags, clothing and accessories is at the Sealand Experience Store in De Waterkant, close to the city centre.

What is it? A carefully curated boutique on Buitenkant Street fusing big-brand vintage and pre-owned collectable items at fair prices. The idea, say the owners, is for this tiny shop to be full of items you wish 'your mother had kept for you'. Open Monday to Saturday. 

Why go? Because Afraid of Mice isn’t stuffy, dusty or unattainable. With a little luck you can find stellar-quality items from fashion heavyweights such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Diane von Fürstenberg, Oscar de la Renta, Mulberry, Nina Ricci or Prada, to name but a few.

What is it? The V&A Waterfront – where you’ll also find the Time Out Market Cape Town – is one of Africa’s most popular destinations, with more than 24 million visitors per year. While there’s no end of dining and activities on, the V&A is also a retail haven boasting hundreds of stores. But to truly tap into Cape creativity, you’ll want to go start at The Watershed.

Why go? Unlike the global brands in other malls at the V&A, The Watershed is a proudly South African showcase of local creativity. There are more than 150 tenants here, mostly small businesses, artisans and creators showcasing unique home ware, ceramics, fashion, jewellery and accessories.

What is it? A luxury design house that focuses on fine clothes and ‘exotic’ leathers for its bespoke handbags.

Why go? The attention to detail and commitment to fairly compensating staff and artisans is admirable. Kat van Duinen is one of the few places where you can buy an ostrich-skin bag, clutch or tote and trust that both the environment and the people involved have been taken into account throughout the process.

What is it? In South African lingo a ‘chommie’ is your best mate. Your wing(wo)man. Your BFF. They’re all terms which can equally be applied to any faithful hound – a perfect fit, then, for the House of Chommies Concept Store, which offers bespoke pet accessories for the furry family member(s) in your life.  

Why go? Chommies adds a dollop of colourful luxury to the world of pet accessories, with a range of collars, harnesses, travel mats and other items. Each is handcrafted in Cape Town by local artisans, and features African-inspired bold colours, textures and patterns.

What is it?  A treasure trove of first-edition and rare books, Africana, old maps and general objects and ephemera. Whether you’re hunting for a vintage first edition, or simply browsing Kalk Bay's colourful Main Road, Quagga Rare Books & Art is a must-visit.

Why go? For more than 25 years this family-run business has traded in the historic and the arcane, the dusty, musty and mysterious. From leather-bound tomes to centuries-old sea charts, paintings and peculiarities, Quagga is a delightful ramble through the myriad oddities Africa has to offer. They’ll help you find that unicorn you’ve been searching for, or welcome you for a wander through their Aladdin’s Cave of curiosities.

What is it? An artisan jewellery boutique based in the quaint fishing village of Kalk Bay, offering the opportunity to consult directly with the jeweller on bespoke pieces. With a focus on organic, hand-finished works, Anpa is known for its sculptural statement pieces that use gold, silver, Tanzanite, African emeralds and myriad precious stones. Open Tuesday to Saturday.

Why go? For unique designs infused with African inspiration or for the great-value custom jewellery, which can also be created on short notice. Call ahead for a consultation.

What is it? The OG of South African haute couture, with local and international accolades to prove it. The flagship store in Bree Street stocks runway-inspired approachable designs for work, fun and special occasions. Open Monday to Saturday (custom designs by appointment only).

Why go? Simply because it’s a must-stop for fashionistas of all kinds. While KLûK CGDT is known for its bespoke, tailor-made gowns, the ready-to-wear racks are all about quality materials and expert craftsmanship.

What is it: A studio and retail space close to the beachside suburb of Muizenberg, where shoppers can watch the talented artists at work as they create the wide range of hand-painted textiles that have made Carole Nevin a household name in Cape Town.

Why go: For upscale textiles – from table linen and napery to cushion covers – with a unique touch, whether it’s for your own home or a souvenir from the Mother City. Carole Nevin has been in the textile business for more than 20 years, and her range of hand-painted textiles celebrates the colours of Africa.

What is it? Fun, high-end fashion by a designer who’s stood the test of time. The Kloof Street store is discreet and in-line with the designer’s ethos of creating beautiful, expertly constructed clothing without being loud or outlandish. 

Why go? While the ready-to-wear items attract the style-savvy, Stefania Morland is known for her custom-made, elegant and customary wedding dresses, tuxedos and bridal-party outfits. Look forward to a unique collection of playful and timeless high-fashion pieces.

What is it? An ethical jewellery atelier combining pan-African inspiration with a global aesthetic.

Why go? To shop for striking sculptural jewellery that’s sure to be a talking point. When über-luxurious Dubai mega-hotel Atlantis The Royal opened in 2023, with Beyoncé providing the evening’s entertainment, the security bracelets for the star-studded event were made by none other than Pichulik. That gives a measure of the brand’s cachet abroad, so it’s a treat to enjoy it on home-turf, at the elegant boutique just off Bree Street.