Local Intel: Lester Kiewit

I was a regular at Dalebrook before it became trendy. Growing up in the south, our childhood adventures led us to Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, and Simonstown. I’ll always champion a False Bay swim over the icy plunge of the Atlantic Seaboard. But Dalebrook holds a special kind of magic. Especially in summer, when the sun sinks behind the mountain and bathes everything in gold. There’s a deep, calming peace that comes with remembering those carefree, sun-drenched days of youth.

Main Road, Kalk Bay

[Check out our complete list of the Best Tidal Pools in Cape Town]

I’m not usually one for sweets, but there’s something irresistible about the soft, velvety texture of a Japanese cheesecake paired with a warm flat white on a foggy Cape Town morning. Café Chiffon is the kind of place a friend introduces you to, and before long, you’re bringing others back—colleagues, old friends, new ones. I’ve even recommended it to listeners on air. It’s that kind of place: a quiet indulgence you want to share.

72 Waterkant Street, De Waterkant

Tucked beneath ancient oaks in the Montebello Design Centre, The Gardener’s Cottage is a Newlands gem. I only needed to miss out once on a Saturday morning to learn the golden rule: always book ahead. The stoep or garden tables are the best seats in the house. And the Eggs Benedict? Quite possibly the best in Cape Town.

Newlands Avenue, Newlands

The title depends on where you are. In Kalk Bay, it’s Kalky’s. In Plumstead, it’s Plumstead Fisheries. In Woodstock, Altona. In Maitland, Koeberg Fisheries. But the ultimate champion? Lusitania in De Waterkant, tucked between Bree and Loop Street. Their hake and chips is the city’s Friday anthem: served wrapped, golden, and piping hot.

49A Waterkant Street, Cape Town

Shared public spaces are where cities come alive. For families, for friends, for picnics or play – Green Point Urban Park is a well-loved sanctuary. It’s beautifully maintained, clean, safe, and open to everyone. I’d wager it’s my kids’ favourite place in Cape Town. And by extension, mine too.

1 Fritz Sonnenberg Rd, Green Point

Run by André Marais out of the Peace Centre on Rye Road, Surplus is more than a bookstore—it’s a hub for progressive thought. With shelves full of South African non-fiction, fiction, and rare reference texts, it’s also a space for talks, workshops, and community events. It’s where knowledge meets action.

Peace Centre, 3 Rye Rd, Mowbray

Many places claim to serve a good Gatsby. A few actually do. But only a handful can truly stake a claim to the best. Super Fisheries has the classic polony and atchar; Golden Dish in Gatesville does an unbeatable boerewors Gatsby. But the undisputed winner in my book? Cosy Corner’s chargrilled steak Gatsby. It's compact, well-constructed, and bursting with flavour. No mess, no fuss – just pure, delicious structural integrity.

119 Ottery Road, Wynberg

Ilse and her team have been running Mnandi for decades, selling vibrant kente and shweshwe fabrics and crafting beautiful custom clothing. They’re my go-to for dress shirts—nobody does it quite like Mnandi. Their work reflects both tradition and care, sewn into every seam.

90 Station Rd, Observatory

Cape Town soul food at its finest. There’s a full spread of options, but my go-to order is the toasted masala steak, chip, and cheese sandwich. Throw in a samoosa and a steak half-moon, and you’ve got lunch and dinner sorted. Comfort food doesn’t get more satisfying than this.

31 Heerengracht Street, Foreshore

Some childhood memories never fade. A soft serve from Majestic Café in Muizenberg is one of them—simple, sweet, and dripping down your wrist before you’ve even made it out the door. It’s an institution, passed down through generations. One I fully intend to pass on to mine.

44 Beach Rd, Muizenberg

On any given Sunday in Gugulethu, world-class jazz might erupt in someone’s backyard. I’ve found a kind of spiritual experience sitting on a plastic chair in the open air, swept up in the rhythm and soul of a backyard concert. Jazz in the Native Yards is Cape Town at its most alive—unexpected, raw, and deeply moving.

No.52, Intshinga, Gugulethu

[Did you know, Zolani Mahola is also a fan!]

The charming Museum of Childhood tells the story of childhood in South Africa – through toys, games, and exhibits that span generations. It's a gentle reminder that we’re all just kids pretending to be grown-ups. Sharing those memories with your children is a gift. And one day, they’ll pass the stories on too.

3 Milner Rd, Rondebosch