Richard Holmes

South Africa’s wine-making may fall into the ‘New World’ category but in fact its vinous heritage dates back more than 300 years! Many of the Cape’s greatest wine farms are less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town, so it’s not hard to justify a day trip. But if you do need one more reason, here it is: scattered amid the vineyards you’ll find many of South Africa’s top restaurants, dishing up inspired bistro fare and elegant fine dining. Check your appetite (and the depth of your pockets) and tuck in.  RECOMMENDED: 😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town☕️ The best cafés and coffee shops in Cape Town📍 The best things to do in Cape TownPlanning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts.

Welcome to Mother Sippy, where we shine a light on the talented winemakers, brewers, distillers and mixologists that make sure the Mother City never goes thirsty! From new wine releases to taprooms pouring perfect pints, Mother Sippy is your guide to all that’s good and great in Cape Town’s world of drinks. There’s little we don’t love about Chenin Blanc, and although its real home is in the Loire Valley in France, it’s happy news that South Africa is famous for producing some of the best Chenin in the world. It’s safe to say that the grape has become the flagship white varietal for South African wine.   In South Africa, Chenin Blanc has serious history: it was first planted here in the 17th century (locally it is also known as ‘Steen’), and today it’s not just the country’s most planted white grape; it’s the most planted grape of all, making up about 18 percent of the national vineyard. That’s why you’ll see it everywhere from crisp, stainless-steel ‘summer Chenin’ to barrel-fermented, age-worthy bottles from old vines. It’s also the base grape for the brandy industry!  South African Chenin’s premium reputation is partly thanks to Johan Jordaan, cellar master at Spier Wines, whose collection of Chenin Blancs from his Stellenbosch cellar has been pleasing palates across the globe. That diversity of flavour and deft touch in the cellar saw him named Master Chenin Blanc Winemaker for the second consecutive year at the Master Winemaker 100 announcement in Paris this week. Master

South Africa celebrates National Beer Day on the first Saturday in February, and to help locals and visitors find their way to the best pints in town we expanded and updated our guide to our favourite craft beer taprooms in Cape Town. Cheers! It wasn’t all that long ago that beer in Cape Town was thoroughly mainstream, with your options limited to little more than mass-produced lager. But in step with the rise in artisan coffee and a taste for Neopolitan pizza came the slow but unstoppable spread of craft beers, as local beer-lovers discovered you could do so much more with hops and malted barley. Today across Cape Town’s bars and restaurants you’ll find hundreds of delicious craft beers, from dozens of local breweries, on tap and in the bottle. But nothing beats sinking a pint at the source, pulling up a barstool in one of the city’s cosy taprooms. At many, the food is as good as what’s in the glass, and you’ll always find a buzzy atmosphere and a knowledgeable bartender happy to talk you through the taps on offer. Thirsty yet? Take a seat and have a look through Time Out's expanded and updated guide to the best craft beer taprooms to visit in and around Cape Town. RECOMMENDED: 🍷 The best rooftop bars in Cape Town😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🛏 The best Airbnbs in Cape Town🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town☕️ The best cafés and coffee shops in Cape Town Born and raised in the city, Richard Holmes is a travel writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, a

I won’t lie: Cape Town has a lot of bad pizza. Bland pizza. Doughy pizza. Cold pizza. Undercooked pizza. Overpriced pizza. Pizza that would make a nonna weep. But there’s absolutely no reason to spend good money on bad pizza here. Not when the city’s chefs are embracing slow ferments and authentic fior di latte. When you can choose between Neapolitan puff and Roman crisp. Where wood-fired ovens are lovingly tended and the dough is given the respect it deserves; where seasonality is celebrated, and local produce – and producers – are championed. So when that pizza craving hits in the 'Mama City' (and it will), look no further than these talented pizzaioli spread from the city to the suburbs. The pizza scene in the Mother City is on fire right now, so we’ve expanded and updated our guide to make sure you’ve got the inside slice on the best pizza in Cape Town. RECOMMENDED:  😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🍣 The best sushi in Cape Town🍷 The best wine farms in and around Cape Town📍 The best things to do in Cape Town🛏 Where to stay in Cape Town  

From shopping to fine dining to art galleries, the V&A Waterfront is one of Cape Town’s most reliable tourist destinations, drawing millions of visitors each year. But it’s also a place built on reinvention. What began as a hard-working harbour precinct of coal stores, cranes and warehouses has, over the past century, been repeatedly re-shaped to match Cape Town’s evolving relationship with the sea. While once the harbour was a rough-and-tumble space, over decades of development stone quarries have been transformed into luxury resorts, and old warehouses now house well-heeled tourists. Through the years, the bones of the neighbourhood have shifted, as buildings designed for industry are repurposed for culture, hospitality and city life. V&A Waterfront: The 20 best things to do For a glimpse at how the precinct has changed, we rustled up this album of photographs, showing the Waterfront both as it was and how you’ll find it today. Keep reading to see the Waterfront’s maritime and industrial past preserved, reimagined and stitched back into the fabric of a contemporary city experience. Richard Holmes is a writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Cape Town🍽️ The best restaurants in Cape Town🍸 The best bars in Cape Town🛏 Where to

‘Overtourism’. It’s more than a buzzword – in the world’s most popular destinations, it’s a problem that affects almost every aspect of local life, from the environment to the cost of renting, transport and eating out. And when a place is overwhelmed by people, it’s not only locals’ quality of life that suffers; the quality of your trip does, too. But it’s not all bad. Destinations are coming up with ways to redistribute tourism from densely crowded hotspots to lesser-visited regions. Travellers are seeking cooler climes and embracing slow travel, allowing space to discover somewhere new. And they’re still riding the ‘destination dupes’ trend, where overrun holiday destinations are swapped out for less crowded, less expensive, but just-as-good alternatives. On our newly updated list of the world’s most underrated travel destinations, you won’t find your Bangkoks or your Balis, your Amalfis or your Amsterdams. What you will find is the hidden side of Yosemite, the French Riviera’s overlooked twin, a place where penguins outnumber people, and plenty more travel inspo where that came from.Why trust us? Because we’ve been to them all. Every spot on this list was picked by one of our expert editors and globetrotting travel writers, recommended because they offer great (or quiet) alternatives to the classics – and in many cases, because they’re places that actually want tourism. In other words, travelling to any of these 33 criminally overlooked destinations is a win-win situation.

JANUARY 2026 UPDATE: My birthday falls in early February, and even though Janu-worry is behind us, I could still do with a few extra coins in my pocket. So I went out and scoured Cape Town for even more free things to enjoy on my (and you on your) birthday. We've updated and expanded this guide so much you'll need some careful planning to fit them all in! Some are for kids. Others are best for adults. Either way, you'll find so many offers are valid for the whole month, so you can space them out. Enjoy! They say the best things in life are free. But that’s not entirely true... what’s even better than free stuff is free stuff on your birthday! Whether you’re riding the cableway to a rocky mountain (birthday) high or soaking up silver-screen magic beneath the stars, make the most of a little me-time with the best birthday freebies Cape Town has to offer. RECOMMENDED: 🍷 The best wine farms in and around Cape Town 😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🛏 The best Airbnbs in Cape Town🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town☕️ The best cafés and coffee shops in Cape Town Born and raised in the city, Richard Holmes is a travel writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.   

Want to know where the locals love to go? In this exclusive series on Time Out Cape Town, ‘Local Intel’ taps into some of the city’s best-connected characters to unearth the corners you simply can’t miss in the Mother City. It is hot in Cape Town this week! While the heat of a Mother City summer might keep us awake at night, one man in the city has his own reasons to stay up worrying about how hot the city is getting. And his name is Albert Ferreira. Now Albert’s official title is a mouthful. City of Cape Town’s Manager: Resilience and Climate Change. Put more simply, he is the city’s Chief Heat Officer (CHO), and the first public official in South Africa to hold the title. If his title is complicated, his job description is fairly straightforward: help Capetonians beat the heat. He does that by coordinating ‘Beat the Heat’ campaigns, managing municipal responses to extreme heat across city departments, and championing simple and scalable interventions to protect vulnerable communities. That means, in particular, outdoor workers, seniors, young children, and residents in hot, densely built neighbourhoods such as informal settlements. Ferreira also connects Cape Town to a global network of CHOs through the City Champions for Heat Action, sharing know‑how and funding for cooling solutions. And who better for the role! His background spans policy development and urban planning, backed up by a master’s degree in urban resilience, and a postgraduate degree in public health. So as

After nearly a decade in Constantia, executive chef Glen Williams is finally doing what he’s wanted to achieve for years: giving Foxcroft a view. Foxcroft has long been popular for its more relaxed approach to fine dining. Its new home – in the heritage building on Constantia Nek that once housed Harbour House and, most recently, La Parada – has been gently renovated to fit in with Williams’ plan to evolve the restaurant, tweaking both menu and service to offer a more refined dining experience. While we love the heritage charm and the views across the Constantia Valley from the new space, perhaps the bigger news is that the building is large enough to create an entirely new offshoot: the more casual small-plates sibling, dubbed Little Fox.  Little Fox will be led by Keanen Jaftha, previously at La Colombe just up the road, and one of the Cape’s most talented chefs. With a menu leaning towards more global produce-driven small plates, Little Fox is sure to attract a crowd. But before the doors officially open for both restaurants on 1 February, 2026, Time Out Cape Town took a tour of the space to hear from Williams what’s in store… Foxcroft opened in 2016… why the decision to move? We’re closing in on 10 years in business. 2020 was meant to be our year for expansion, and then everything changed. Since then, we’ve had a bunch of proposals, but this is the first one that really felt like what we wanted. When we saw the space, we realised it had to be two restaurants, it’s too big

The Cape Winelands may be famous for its world-class wines (don’t miss a taste of Pinotage, South Africa’s signature red varietal) and fabulous food (start with our guide to the best restaurants in the winelands), but it’s also becoming recognised as one of the world’s premier golf destinations. Whether you have a morning free or an entire week, there’s a course ready and waiting. From Cape Town, you can be on the first tee amid the vines in under an hour (and rarely more than two), and from Constantia to the Breede River spectacular scenery comes standard. From championship tracks to laid-back country courses, the variety in the Cape can keep you swinging for days.  But what truly makes the Cape Winelands a great golf destination is everything surrounding the course. Immerse yourself in Stellenbosch's history. Savour exquisite food in Franschhoek. Explore estate gardens in the Helderberg. The list continues.  What that means is that your day doesn’t end at the 18th green (or the 19th hole), but it also allows you – or non-golfers – to turn a golf trip into a deeper exploration of all that the Cape has to offer.  Don't miss: The Best Golf Courses in Cape Town And of course, that means you can play more than one. Maybe anchor a trip with a round at a premium championship layout, then take it easy on a friendlier country course for the second day. This list even has a top-tier mashie course if you're really short on time. So, the choice is yours. Clean your clubs, stock up on

Show me a city on earth with better sunsets. No hurry, I’ll wait. Because, let’s be honest, it’s impossible to beat what Cape Town has to offer when the sun sinks below the horizon. Sure, we’re sorry that another day in the Mother City has slipped by, but my-oh-my, what a show we get to enjoy! With the mountain rising from the city, and the ocean almost everywhere else, you’re never far from a dramatic vantage point to enjoy the sunset. And perhaps the best part is that you don’t need a special occasion – or much effort – to catch the show. Sure, you could hike up a mountain peak, but you can also drive to a picture-perfect vantage point, or simply throw your picnic mat down on powder-soft sands. Your call. Just remember, this is Cape Town, right, and that ever-present wind brings a sneaky chill the moment the light fades. No matter how warm the day is, pack a layer and thank me later. Ready to go? Here’s the Time Out pick of the 13 (it’s lucky for some) best sunset spots in Cape Town. RECOMMENDED: 🍷 The best wine farms in and around Cape Town 😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🛏 The best Airbnbs in Cape Town🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town☕️ The best cafés and coffee shops in Cape Town Born and raised in the city, Richard Holmes is a travel writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.   

There’s no shortage of choice when it comes to finding a bed in Cape Town, and that perfect trinity of comfort, charm and location can be dialled up or down according to the depth of your pockets. If you’re watching your budget, you’ll want to start with our guide to the Best Affordable Hotels in Cape Town, which is filled with pocket-friendly picks. But if you’re splurging a little? Well then, you’ve come to the right place. From glorious urban hideaways that could have been plucked from the streets of Paris or Amsterdam, to seaside escapes with the most unforgettable views, you’ll be spoilt for choice for luxury hotels in Cape Town. There are historic charmers and contemporary creations, and if you’ve been dreaming of a room with a view, you’ve come to the right city. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Cape Town😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🏄‍♀️ The best beaches in Cape Town🛍 The best markets in Cape Town🖼 The best museums and galleries in Cape Town Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts. Time Out makes a small commission from the affiliate links included in this article. These links have no influence on our editorial content, but they do allow us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Arum is a modern Winelands restaurant with a clear brief: cook from the farm and add flavour with flame. “Farm to fire” is how they frame it here, and whether you’re gazing out at the vegetable gardens from your table or admiring the dry-ageing fridge near the kitchens, there’s a very real sense of being close to your food. It’s elevated cooking, but without pretence or fuss. It’s the smartest table on Boschendal Farm, but also low-key in its approach to polished service and authentic hospitality, which is always on point. Though it’s only been open a few months, it’s sure to become a dining destination in the region. The Backstory Arum is the latest outing from chef Peter Tempelhoff — he of FYN fame — and his team, with chef Travis Finch guiding the menu and handling the day-to-day running of the kitchen. It’s a kitchen that works closely with the estate’s farmers, with much of what you see on the menu coming from the farm. The Vibe Arum sits in Boschendal’s original werf building, and the design leans into contemporary aesthetics rather than historic farm vibes. That’s thanks to a crack design team: Rotem Shachar and Megan Bond of MR. Design Studio, working alongside architect Jacques Mouton, and under the guidance of acclaimed designer Tristan du Plessis. There’s a comfortable flow through different spaces, from the heritage room (a delight in winter) through to the garden-facing section. The views here across the Food Garden are superb, with a large terrace if the weather

At DUSK, in the heart of Stellenbosch, executive chef Callan Austin has made a name for himself with a bold menu of refined cuisine, conceptual plates, and adventurous tasting menus. But Plenitude is not that. Instead, although it is located inside Majeka House boutique hotel, Plenitude leans firmly into the realm of a neighbourhood restaurant. The kind of place where you’ll return every other week, and the staff will know exactly how you like your martini. It’s still early days, but Plenitude is starting to find its feet out on the floor and in the kitchen. The Backstory Plenitude – which means ‘abundance’ – is part of a broader refresh at Majeka House, which was recently taken over by The Living Journey Collection, a group that runs hotels across the Cape. Austin oversees creative direction, but it’s chef Orlando Reid who leads the kitchen day-to-day and is most likely cooking your dinner.  His goal is straightforward: a restaurant with the style of a small hotel but the welcoming feel of your local eatery. And on the menu? A choice of approachable plates, elevated just enough to make it feel like a treat. The Vibe There are two spaces at Plenitude, and where you dine will depend on your mood and perhaps the weather. The small terrace is a delight, especially at lunchtime when you’ll want to be out in the warm Winelands air looking over the small gardens. Come evening, head indoors for a more refined dinner setting, with white tablecloths, fine stemware, and a rather-grand

There’s plenty of new energy on the streets of Sea Point, and where there aren’t new stores and eateries opening up, there are cranes laying the foundations for them. Sea Point’s hotel scene has been quietly levelling up over the past few years, with The Cole easily the most exciting new addition to this corner of the Atlantic Seaboard. This five-star boutique hotel is part of the Kove Collection, which also runs The Marly in Camps Bay and The Alphen in Constantia, and brings their signature sense of understated style across both the rooms and public areas.  Set just off Beach Road, it’s close enough to the Promenade to slip out for a morning jog, or to join the swimmers doing laps at the Sea Point Pavilion swimming pool. Location aside, the building itself – by acclaimed local architect Robert Silke –  is also a looker. With its ocean-facing aspect, sinuous curves and a muted palette, the design narrative is a nod to mid-century Tropical Modernism. Why stay at The Cole? Let’s start with the location. Half a block down? The Sea Point Promenade. One kilometre stroll along? The Saunders Rock tidal pool and some of the best sunsets in town. Half-a-block uphill? Sea Point Main Road buzzes with restaurants, bars and boutiques. Beach day? Hop an Uber or the MyCiti public bus service to Clifton or Camps Bay. Want urban vibes? Do the same in the other direction to the city centre and V&A Waterfront.   What are the rooms like? The Cole offers four categories of rooms, across Class

Cape Town is widely recognised as the culinary capital of Africa; a city full of restaurants – here's the Time Out pick of the best restaurants in Cape Town – serving up refined dining, stylish décor, and menus that draw on both local and international culinary influences. But there are not many places in Cape Town where the lunchtime crowd includes a couple of curious locals (myself included), a handful of prison warders grabbing a quick bite, and kitchen staff dressed in bright orange overalls stamped with “Corrections”.  Then again, few places aim to offer convicted criminals a way back into the workforce while providing hungry diners with an affordable meal. But that’s what you’ll find at Idlanathi – isiZulu for "eat with us" – the staff canteen at Cape Town’s notorious Pollsmoor Prison.  The watchtowers of Pollsmoor brood above the leafy streets of Tokai, an upmarket corner of the city’s southern suburbs. It is a place of expensive homes, private golf clubs, and – strangely – one of South Africa’s most notorious prisons. A maximum security facility packed to the rafters with gangsters, murderers, and those convicted of myriad heinous crimes.  Happily, you won’t meet a single one of them at Idlanathi. Working here is a privilege offered only to low-risk prisoners convicted of non-violent crimes who have shown good behaviour. For them, it’s both a chance to escape the monotony of prison life and learn a few skills that will help them integrate back into the outside world. 

Ah, Franschhoek, that bastion of fine living in the Cape Winelands, where the tricolore flutters in the summer breeze and the main street is bustling with wealthy, well-dressed folk sipping rosé in the South African sunshine. Little wonder that Franschhoek – or ‘French Corner’ – valley is one of the most popular destinations in the Cape Winelands.  From the Wine Tram to wine tasting to a menu of fine restaurants to discover, you’ll need a few days here to see it all. There’s no shortage of luxurious hotels and guesthouses offering the last word in Winelands luxury, but what if you’re looking for a taste of this champagne lifestyle on a box-wine budget? Finding an affordable bed isn’t easy, but it’s also not impossible, thanks to spots like Neighbourgood Gables. While the Neighbourgood brand started out offering co-working space in and around Cape Town (check out our comprehensive co-working guide over here), they have since expanded to offer a fantastic range of accommodation in the city and Winelands. Why stay at Neighbourgood Gables? If you want the character of a homestay with the ease of a guesthouse, Neighbourgood Gables is a winner. There’s a laid-back charm to the space, which is filled with like-minded travellers that you might bump into at the pool or in the breakfast room. It’s also just a few blocks up from the main road, which is lined with excellent restaurants and shops, meaning you can park your car and explore town on foot. Last, but definitely not least, is p

If you made me choose, I’d have to say it was the duck liver parfait. No, no, it was the chocolate cream. Or perhaps the lamb scrumpet.  Truth is, it was always hard to pin down my favourite dish at Farro when it was the destination restaurant on Gabrielskloof wine estate. But, as much as I love Alex Windebank’s cooking, 90 minutes was always a bit of a trek for lunch. So, sing hallelujah, foodies were delighted to hear that in October 2025, Farro packed up its country home to set up shop in a charming Victorian building in Gardens.  The Backstory Windebank – and his wife, Eloise, who runs Farro front-of-house – honed their skills at Polpo in London, turning out upscale Venetian plates amid the buzz of Soho. When they relocated to Johannesburg and opened Farro, it became a cult destination in Illovo, as loved for its cocktails as its cuisine. And, the space was a vibe! Covid forced the restaurant to close, and a brief period in corporate life wasn’t to their taste, leading them to relaunch Farro at Gabriëlskloof wine estate in 2022. There, it developed into a popular destination restaurant, drawing regulars willing to travel to the Overberg. But in October 2025, the couple returned Farro to its urban roots by opening in a cosy Victorian terrace in Gardens. And my, oh my, you should book.  The Vibe In a word, sophisticated. Unlike the country-casual vibe of Gabrielskloof, their new city address is a place where you’ll want to dress up just a little. It’s an elegant space – art

Perched on the dunes of Kommetjie’s famed Long Beach in Cape Town’s southern peninsula, Last Word Long Beach feels like it might be Cape Town’s best-kept secret. Once the seaside home of the founder of the Last Word hotel collection – which includes boutique properties in Franschhoek, Constantia and upcountry – Last Word Long Beach brings all the laid-back charm of a private beach house, with the service and facilities of a boutique hotel. And with every suite gazing straight onto rolling Atlantic swells and the white sands of Long Beach right on the doorstep, this intimate hideaway offers an effortless seaside escape in the ‘Deep South’. Why stay at The Last Word Long Beach? In a word? Location. If you’ve been to Cape Town before and want to discover a different side of the city, or are looking to bookend your Cape exploring with a few days of R&R, look no further. And for locals looking for a staycation close to the city, it’s perfect. Although the hotel was just 35 minutes from my own front door in the suburbs, it felt like a complete escape. The setting is certainly what will first hit home, with the sands of Long Beach stretching out right in front of the hotel. The view is framed by superb vistas of Table Mountain National Park, and if you look closely, you can see clear across to the Upper Cableway station. If you’re active, the (chilly) waters here are home to some of the city’s best surf breaks, so you can fit in a sesh before breakfast. Step indoors, and that homely

A sixth-generation family estate just outside Cape Town, Diemersdal produces cool-climate wines in the heart of the Durbanville winelands. Its charming tasting room offers curated flights and flexible options. Tasting options Standard and premium flights, plus build-your-own options. What else can I do? Visit during seasonal farm events or enjoy a casual meal at the Diemersdal Eatery.

Renowned for world-class Pinotage and Bordeaux-style blends, Kanonkop offers tastings in a modern facility enriched with heritage. Established by the Sauer family, this estate blends tradition with artistry. Tasting options Standard and premium flights featuring flagship wines; platters available. Private tastings on arrangement. What else can I do? Browse art and historical displays in the tasting space. Collect rare releases from their cellar shop.

This Simonsberg estate is celebrated for its hospitality, sustainability, and creative wine-and food experiences. Tasting options Reserve (R95), Premium, and Wine & Fynbos Cupcake pairing (daily). What else can I do? Enjoy cheese platters or seasonal culinary events. Browse the garden restaurant menu for lunch or casual meals. Stay overnight in charming vineyard cottages available on-site.

One of South Africa’s oldest wine estates, dating back to 1685, Groot Constantia blends rich history with wine tasting, heritage attractions, and a choice of dining experiences. Tasting options Standard tasting (5 wines + glass), Chocolate & Wine pairing; premium tastings occasionally available. What else can I do? Follow the Visitor’s Route through historic Manor, cellars, and museum. Lunch at Jonkershuis or Simon’s.

One of the oldest estates in the Stellenbosch winelands, established in 1692, Lanzerac blends winemaking with luxury hospitality in the gorgeous Jonkershoek Valley. Visitors can enjoy a modern tasting room, guided cellar tours, and a choice of restaurants. The estate also features a five-star hotel and full-service spa, perfect for guests seeking a genuinely immersive and comfortable Winelands experience. Tasting options Jonkershoek Tasting, Heritage Tasting, Wine & Chocolate pairing; daily guided cellar tours. What else can I do? Dine at Manor Kitchen, Taphuis or Craven Lounge. Unwind in the Lanzerac Spa. Stay the night in one of the elegant rooms or suites at the Lanzerac Hotel.

In the world of luxury travel, the Forbes name carries plenty of weight. So when the Forbes Travel Guide’s Star Awards are announced, those with a nose for the good life and pockets deep enough to indulge it tend to sit up and take notice. And in the 2026 edition, Cape Town (and the Winelands) has once again landed a constellation of star-rated properties on the list. Globally, the guide’s latest awards cover 2400 hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruises across more than 100 countries. This year’s guide includes new destinations like Bhutan, Croatia, Georgia, Grenada, Laos, Poland, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Uzbekistan.  It’s all judged and vetted by a team of anonymous inspectors, and if you’re wondering where the three-star properties are… well, there aren’t any. The Forbes Travel Guide star ratings are shorthand for considered luxury.   “While the quality and condition of the facilities remain vital, exceptional service accounts for 70% of a property’s rating, reflecting the human element at the heart of luxury,” says Forbes. Five-Star is the top tier, reserved for properties delivering the most exceptional overall experience. Four-Star signals a high-end stay with consistently strong service and facilities. Recommended is the Guide’s quality stamp for places that still meet the standards but don’t fall into the two ‘star’ bands. Below that? Perhaps don’t bother is what they’re trying to say. So, who made the cut in Cape Town?   Five-Star hotels Mount Nelson, A Belmond H

Cape Town City Ballet will present David Nixon’s full-length adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula at Artscape from 13–29 March 2026, promising a big Gothic night out, with no shortage of high drama, dark intrigue and impressive choreography performed by Cape Town’s leading dance company. Nixon originally created Dracula in 1999 for BalletMet, and the work has since become one of his most celebrated narrative ballets. For Cape Town, Nixon will direct a new production created specifically for Cape Town City Ballet, and he’s also behind the set, stage and costume design, so almost every element of what you see on stage is thanks to his unique creative lens. He’s joined by a strong creative team, including lighting designer Faheem Bardien.  The ballet is set to a score featuring music by Alfred Schnittke, Arvo Pärt, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Michael Daugherty, with orchestration that’s described as both modern and intensely Gothic. But if you find yourself asking “Count Who?”, here’s a quick refresher: first published in 1897, Stoker’s novel introduced the notional villain of Count Dracula, which becamse the start of a century of vampire spin-offs. The story (and the ballet) follows Jonathan Harker, a young solicitor who is sent to Transylvania to assist Count Dracula with real estate dealings in England. From there, the story spirals into horror and the supernatural as Dracula brings all the gory horror and a dramatic battle between good and evil. Nixon, who stepped in as interim A

Ah, February. It’s that time of the year again. No, I don’t mean the easing of summer’s heat, or the tail-end of the tourist season. Rather, it’s that most wonderful time of the year… when our elected public servants clog up the traffic in the city centre and beyond, for the sake of a speech. Lucky us.  On Thursday, 12 February, President Ramaphosa will deliver his State of the Nation Address in the Cape Town City Hall. While we love that Cape Town is the seat of legislative power in South Africa, I do wonder whether the whole city really needs to crawl to a standstill in the height of rush hour just so that a few hundred public (ahem) servants can get together for a chat? Anyway, what’s done is done. The SONA fun is almost upon us, and the City of Cape Town has published its official road-closure schedule for SONA 2026. And wait, this isn’t just a one-day affair. Rather, there will be road closures for almost two weeks while politicians make speeches about the main speech and then have more speeches about each other’s speeches. What a time to be alive.   But, if you’re wondering just what’s in store for Cape Town traffic this week, here’s the low-down on the go-slow. Road Closures: Monday to Wednesday From Monday to Wednesday (9-11 February), several CBD roads are scheduled to close from 3pm to midnight. These include: Darling Street (Buitenkant Street to Tenant Street) Buitenkant Street (Roeland Street to Darling Street)  State of the Nation Day The State of the Nation

After a sold-out festive season – and her 100th performance under the mirrored canopy in Century City – The Royal Countess Zingara is extending her Cape Town reign. While the season was originally meant to wrap up in January 2026, the runaway success of this unforgettable night out – read the full Time Out review of La Dolce Royal over here – means that bookings for this dinner and entertainment extravaganza are now open until May 2026. And if you loved it the first time and just have to go again, there’s more good news, with brand-new acts added to the La Dolce Royal lineup. The headline addition is a new international aerial duo, with Jonny Grundy (England) and Manuel Artino (Sicily) joining the cast. Their backgrounds in professional dance and high-level circus performance mean you’re in for a treat of high-flying strength, precision and elegant, dance-rooted musicality. The Royal Countess Zingara: need to know When: Tuesdays to Sundays, now running until 14 May 2026 in Cape Town, before heading to Johannesburg in June 2026. Where: The Spiegeltent in Century City. Times: Tues–Sat. Doors open 6pm. Show starts at 8pm. Except Sunday, when those times move 30 minutes earlier. Tickets: From R1260 per person, including a welcome drink and a four-course feast with the show. Book online over here.  Age guidance: No age limit, but the show leans into adult themes and cheeky innuendo, so parental guidance advised.    

There’s definitely no shortage of great pizza in Cape Town, and whether you like yours puffed up and Neapolitan, or thin and crisp like the Roman nonnas make it, you’re sure to find a slice you’ll like. And now Cape Town’s pizza scene has scored more global recognition, with one much-loved pizzeria joining Time Out’s freshly updated roundup of the 18 best pizzas in the world. This time around it’s Pizza Connection in Woodstock flying the flag, claiming #11 on the list, as the only Cape Town entry for 2026.   So what’s the slice that’s doing the talking? Perhaps fittingly, it’s ‘The Capetonian’: a proudly local-leaning pizza built on San Marzano tomato, fior di latte, pancetta, red onion, avocado and EVOO. That’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil, by the way. While toppings count for plenty, it’s the pizza base that separates the great from the rest. And here, owner Enrico Di Giambattista spares no effort to get it right. “They use organic, chemical-free imported flour and natural yeast in a multi-stage, 48-hour fermentation process that borders on science and passion in equal parts,” explains Time Out Cape Town City Editor Selene Brophy. “The Napoli-style bases are baked hot and fast to produce a crust that’s flavourful, airy, and blistered.” Hold the phone, we’re on our way over!  ICYMI: Johannesburg pizza ranked 6th best in the world While we raise a glass to Pizza Connection, let’s not forget that Cape Town has been quietly stacking up those pizza awards like boxes at the oven. La

Cape Town, listen up. If you’ve always wanted to belt out “Don’t you want me, baby” with a few thousand strangers in a giant arena, this is your moment. So, set your hair to ‘Fascination’ levels and get ready to dance the night away as pop icons The Human League bring their neon-lit, hit-heavy live show to South Africa. And it’s with fellow UK electronic stalwarts Blancmange along for the ride. This is a night that will be anything but vanilla.  The Sheffield pioneers of electronic-forward earworms will first land in Joburg on Saturday, 9 May 2026 as part of the inaugural Now Now Festival at Marks Park. Then they head to Cape Town for a big indoor party on Tuesday, 12 May 2026 at Grand Arena, GrandWest.  Who are The Human League? If your birthday was in this century, you might not be up to speed with just how influential The Human League has been on the world of music. Moby called them his favourite group, and even David Bowie was a fan. In short: few acts have left fingerprints all over modern pop quite like The Human League.   Formed in the late ’70s, they helped define synth-pop’s glossy future sound, and their 1981 album Dare remains a cornerstone of the era. Expect a setlist built for singalongs, with classics including ‘Don’t You Want Me’, ‘Love Action (I Believe in Love)’, and ‘Open Your Heart’. Check out their biggest hit below:  And then there’s Blancmange: born out of post-punk experimentation in 1979 they evolved into one of the UK’s defining electronic p

Whether you’re a Gen-Xer who can’t imagine staying up close to midnight anymore, or a Millennial looking for a party that won’t mess with your morning mindfulness practice, there’s a club night (well, evening really) with your name on it. If your ideal jol involves dancing like it’s a time when the iPhone hasn’t been invented, and TikTok is just the sound of your morning alarm, this one’s for you: the Bed By 10pm party is coming back to Cape Town. The concept does exactly what it says on the box. It’s a club night pitched at the 30+ crowd (although friends 25+ are welcome, we’re told) and built for anyone who wants a proper rave without writing off doing anything productive the next day. Beyond the usual club entertainment, there’s a roster of DJs playing a nostalgia-heavy soundtrack spanning the 80s, 90s and early 2000s. I gotta feeling that you’ll love the vibe and still be in bed early. It’s all happening at District in District Six, running from 4pm (quit laughing, Gen Z) to 9pm (a few hours before the real clubbers start to arrive), with last entry at 5pm.  And, it’s obviously struck a nerve! The early-phase tickets have long since sold out, and if you were hoping to secure a VIP booth for you and seven friends, I have more bad news: they’re gone too. But the last few tickets (R450pp) are still available if you get there quickly.   Get ready to get down on it and get to bed at a reasonable time, too. Sounds like my idea of a great (not late) night out. Need to know

One of the world’s most iconic music festivals is landing in the Cape Winelands this year, with the African debut of the Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek lighting up the Winelands from 27–29 March 2026. And now the first batch of artists on the line-up has been revealed! The festival isn’t intended as a carbon copy of Switzerland’s famous lakeside music fest, but rather takes its cue from a sense of place and a spirit of creativity. That’s evident in the early line-up that features legacy acts, contemporary South African jazz stars, and one-off collaborations. “This first announcement reflects the spirit of Montreux at its best – where 60 years of legacy meets Africa’s artistic flair on the continent for the first time, and where African voices are central to the global musical conversation,” says founder Mark Goedvolk. The Golden Voice at The Arches The festival’s main outdoor stage, The Arches, will be headlined in this first phase by Salif Keita, the Malian legend widely known as The Golden Voice of Africa. It’s a rare opportunity to see him in South Africa and is sure to spark immediate attention.  Also confirmed is Mandisi Dyantyis, one of South Africa’s most compelling contemporary composers and bandleaders, whose genre-fluid trumpet work has made him a defining voice in modern African jazz. We featured him in 2025 as part of our Local Intel series too! Photograph: Mandisi DyantyisMandisi Dyantyis For something you won’t see elsewhere, there’s Billy Monama’s Guitar Co

F45 is so last year. Boot Camp? Even older. Crossfit? Fuhgeddaboutit! If you really want to feel the sweat squeezed out of each and every pore, there’s only one fitness craze on the block this year, and it’s HYROX, which returns to Cape Town in April. Now branded as Virgin Active HYROX Cape Town, the latest edition of this pain-party warms up at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from Friday, 3 – Sunday, 5 April 2026. What’s more, it’s also South Africa’s first three-day HYROX event! Let’s be clear: this is no Parkrun. If you want one of those, we’ve got the guide to Parkrun in Cape Town over here, so move right along in a gentle shuffle. Instead, HYROX is an indoor fitness race; the sweaty love-child of a running race and a hectic workout routine. It’s all done against other competitors and the clock. And in front of spectators. So your humiliation will be complete if you flame out. Just kidding: we’re told it’s all done in the spirit of healthy competition. Especially if you win.  And what’s cool about HYROX is that the race is standardised worldwide, so you can compare your time against athletes racing in London, Singapore or Miami. So… what is HYROX, exactly? In plain (or pain) terms, HYROX is 'fitness racing', with an 8km run broken up into bite-sized chunks. After each one-kilometre loop of the course, you have to tackle a workout station. The eight stations are always completed in the same sequence: SkiErg, Sled Push, Sled Pull, Burpee Broad Jumps, RowErg

Weather forecast for the week? Sunny skies and high temperatures. So here's some good news: the City of Cape Town is extending weekday hours at 31 outdoor community swimming pools, bringing back midweek dips from Wednesday (28 January 2026) through to the end of the season in early April 2026.  Cape Town’s public pools are a joy, providing residents (and tourists) with easy access to a refreshing swim across the city. There are 36 public pools across Cape Town, with entry costing as little as R9 for a full day of splish-splashing. What’s not to love?  After the peak festive season – when the pools are usually crowded – the City’s outdoor community swimming pools generally switch to weekend-only hours from Monday, 19 January. Once schools reopen, demand drops, and keeping staff and lifeguards on-site when it’s quiet isn’t financially practical.  But Cape communities have long pushed for at least some weekday access, especially for residents who rely on local pools as an affordable way to stay active and cool off. So kudos to the City for listening. It will now be testing whether that demand is strong enough to justify opening in the week. “This pilot is made possible by the extensive repairs and upgrades to pools in recent years, which means many more pools can open for extended periods,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham. “The usage results of this pilot will inform what happens in years to come, and whether it is fea

ULTRA South Africa has dropped its final lineup for the hotly-aniticipated 2026 event, which is set to fire up the Freedom Day weekend this April. This year marks the 11th edition of South Africa’s leading EDM festival, which pulls into Johannesburg (Expo Centre, Nasrec) on Saturday, 25 April 2026, before heading to Cape Town (The Ostrich) on Sunday, 26 April 2026.  Who’s playing ULTRA South Africa in 2026? For the Main Stage this year, ULTRA is going heavy on crowd-pleasers: John Summit brings tech-house heat, DJ Snake promises big-room hits, and Axwell adds progressive-house pedigree. A special back-to-back from Afrojack and R3hab is going to be the show to watch, though. Support acts round out the bill, and there’s plenty to keep local fans on their feet: Kyle Watson, DJ Kent, TiMO ODV b2b Kyle Cassim, plus Apashe, Indigo, and more.  RESISTANCE Stage For fans who like to dig into the underground, ULTRA’s RESISTANCE Stage pulls in New York house legend Dennis Ferrer and South African powerhouse Shimza as the anchors on the decks. Also on the roster is Major League DJz, Caiiro b3b De Capo b3b Enco Napa b3b, Kitty Amor, Kid Fonque and others to serve up a strong mix of Afro-house, house and club-focused artists. Want to know why you should go? Look back at 2025… Time Out Tip: Did you know you can get 10 days off straight, for only 3 days leave at the end of April. Check out 2026 Public Holidays: How to stretch your annual leave. Need to know When (Cape Town): Sunday, 26

Since opening in 2016, Foxcroft has quietly gone about establishing itself as one of the city’s best small plate dining experiences. It’s been a decade of fine food from chef-proprietor Glen (whose middle name is Foxcroft) Williams, so perhaps it’s fitting that it’s now time for a change.  That comes in mid-January 2026, when the Foxcroft crew will close up the kitchen at High Constantia to move to a new venue in a heritage landmark in the southern suburbs.  And hungry locals will be pleased to know that they won’t have to travel far, with Foxcroft reopening in the historic Constantia Nek buildings on Constantia Nek Circle. The heritage building first opened as a tearoom in 1929 and was, until recently, home to La Parada and Harbour House.  With La Colombe just up the hill and Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia nearby, Constantia Nek is poised to become a hotbed of fine dining! “While we have enjoyed our time at High Constantia, I have always wanted to get Foxcroft into a space with a view, whether it be on a farm or freestanding,” Williams told EatOut. “Our lease was coming up for renewal, and it just lined up perfectly with this opportunity at Constantia Nek. The building is a southern suburbs landmark, and it lends itself perfectly to the direction we are headed in.” That direction will see Foxcroft up the ante in refinement. Previously, Foxcroft has been the more relaxed sibling within the La Colombe restaurant family, recognised for its seasonal small-plate menus, polish