Richard Holmes

When the winter cold fronts hit the Mother City, many people reach for their wooly slippers. But savvy Capetonians reach for their weekend bags and puffer jackets instead. Winter is officially the Western Cape’s ‘secret season’, and without the crowds of summer, hotels and guesthouses across the Cape drop their rates to fill their rooms. Which means it’s prime time for locals to get out and explore, without breaking the budget. Besides, it’s just rain, right?  While the odd cold front may make the mercury fall, that’s just an excuse to light the fire and open a bottle of something red. Or, lace up those boots and enjoy the fynbos when its most lush and green. Whether you’re looking to soak in a wood-fired hot tub – we’ve got the best hot tubs getaways over here – while the rain patters on a canvas roof, or find a five-star fireside sanctuary in the heart of the city, we’ve tracked down the most enticing offers for the winter. Haul out your weekend bags, check the diary, and hit the road... RECOMMENDED: 🚵 The best mountain bike getaways in the Cape🍴 The best restaurants in Cape Town🐧 The best beaches in Cape Town⛰️ The best mountain getaways close to Cape Town🏨 The best hotels 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. 

Whether you’re a born-and-bred local or a tourist coming to Cape Town, you probably find that corners of the city roll off your tongue without a second thought. Shall we go for lunch in Kalk Bay?  How about a walk at Mouille Point? Yikes, the water at Bakoven is cold this week!  But have you ever stopped to think about why you’re meeting at an anchorage, lunching on the lime deposits, or taking a dip in a Dutch oven?  Probably not. Have you read: the (thirsty) story behind the Table Mountain dams And yet Cape Town’s rich history is revealed in the names of its suburbs and places. While some simply describe what early settlers saw – the wood, reeds or rocks – others carry the names of sailors, surveyors, farmers and faraway seaside towns. We’ve done our best to uncover the real story behind each name, but of course, South African history is a tangled tapestry, and not all its threads tell the truth. If you have a clue to share, drop us a DM on Instagram.  If not, use this etymological introduction to the ‘Mother City’ to annoy your partner with newfound trivia, win your next pub quiz, or simply see the names and places of Cape Town in a whole new light. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Cape Town🍝 The best restaurants in Cape Town🏖 The best beaches in Cape Town🛍 The best 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 o

When it comes to finding the perfect place to stay and relax in Johannesburg, visitors are spoiled for choice. However, it can be a tricky decision. To make your life a little easier, we've highlighted the best hotels in Johannesburg in this convenient list. From high-end luxury stays to spending a night surrounded by nature, here are Johannesburg's best places to rest your head and set up base to explore the wonders of the City of Gold. RECOMMENDED 📍 The best things to do in Johannesburg🛏️ Where to stay in Johannesburg🍽 The best restaurants in Johannesburg🍺 The best pubs and bars in Johannesburg Follow Time Out Johannesburg on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram! This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Where do you usually find yourself at 8am on a Saturday morning? Still in bed? At the shops? Enjoying a flat white and croissant at your local coffee shop? For millions of people worldwide, 8am on a Saturday means only one thing: it’s time for parkrun. Since the first-ever parkrun – in London’s Bushy Park on 2 October 2004 – parkrun has grown into a global phenomenon. And it all began with 13 friends and a stopwatch: the brainchild of South African-born Paul Sinton-Hewitt. The idea was, and remains, wonderful in its simplicity: a free, timed 5km jog/walk/run in a public park, staffed entirely by volunteers, welcoming runners and walkers of all ages and paces. parkrun explained Today, parkrun spans hundreds of cities in 22 countries, with South Africa one of the movement’s most passionate adopters and Cape Town a postcard-perfect playground for a Saturday morning outing. Did you know that there are 226 parkrun events across South Africa each weekend? That’s because parkrun strips running back to the road-running trinity of fresh air, exercise and community. There’s no entry fee and no finish-line FOMO. You can chase your PB, jog with a pram, stroll with a mate, or tail-walk in a volunteer vest and earn applause for finishing last (by design). Every parkrun is laid out on a measured 5km route, each with a Run Director and a small army of volunteer marshals, timekeepers, scanners, funnel managers and a tail walker to ensure no one is left behind. How to enter If it’s your f

What began as a few friends running together in a London park has grown into a global movement that sees hundreds of thousands of walkers and runners lace up and tackle a five-kilometre route each Saturday morning. And while Cape Town has plenty of wonderful parkrun events to join, you might want to stretch your runs a little further afield. Whether it’s a dawn mission or a weekend away with a little exercise worked in, the Overberg, West Coast and Cape Winelands offer a range of wonderful parkrun events to add a little sweat to your Saturday.  Mix and match them all, and you can create a roster that runs from a flat gravel route beneath Paarl Rock to Swartland trails and the forests of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. If you’ve done all the city circuits and feel like trading tarmac and traffic for open skies and gravel, these are the Cape country parkruns worth hitting the road for.  RECOMMENDED:⛰️ Ryan Sandes: my favourite trail runs in Cape Town📍 The best day hikes in Cape Town🏃‍♂️ The complete guide to parkrun in Cape Town This article was written by Richard Holmes, 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 and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts.

With the latest cold front bringing heavy rain, damaging winds and rough seas to the city, you might think that this week’s storm is one for the history books. And yes, while there are trees down across the city and widespread damage to homes and roads, it is certainly a week to stay off the mountain, avoid the seas and keep a hot water bottle at the ready. But perhaps be especially glad that you weren’t standing on the shores of Table Bay on 15 May 1865. Back then, Table Bay was not the protected working harbour we know today. The breakwater had only recently been started, the Alfred Basin was still years from completion, and ships arriving at the Cape often lay exposed at anchor in a bay that could turn violent when north-westerly gales came rolling in.  In the second week of May 1865, though, there was little sign of what was coming. A spell of warm, calm weather settled over Table Bay, and sailors in the bay were probably enjoying a pause before winter came rolling in. It was, literally, the calm before the storm. On 15 May 1865, the barometer began to fall. The wind shifted to the north-west. By the following day, the sea had risen, anchors were dragging and captains were signalling frantically for help. One of the first casualties was the Stag, crewed by 14 local seamen, which was swamped while running out anchors and cables. Then the storm hit. For around 18 hours, the nor’wester tore into Table Bay. Ships were driven ashore, masts fell like trees cut down and wild wav

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. As curator of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Werner Voigt has one of Cape Town’s most remarkable back gardens as his office. Appointed in 2019, Voigt is the seventh person to lead the historic garden in its 100-year history, bringing to the role a lifelong fascination with plants and more than two decades of experience within the South African National Botanical Institute (SANBI). Raised on the Cape Flats, Voigt’s early relationship with nature was shaped far from the manicured lawns and mountain slopes of Kirstenbosch. Family camping trips first sparked his interest in the natural world, while the gardens created by his mother and grandmother helped turn that curiosity into a career. After studying horticulture, Voigt began at Kirstenbosch as an intern before taking up leadership roles at other national botanical gardens around South Africa. Today, his work is about more than keeping one of the world’s great botanic gardens looking beautiful. It is about fostering conservation, encouraging public access and helping a new generation of Capetonians see themselves reflected in the city’s green spaces. But when he’s not getting his hands dirty, you’ll find him roaming far and wide to explore the best that Cape Town and the Winelands have to offer. He

With the Atlantic Ocean on its doorstep, it’s no surprise that Cape Town is awash with wonderful seafood restaurants. And while there are plenty of high-end eateries creating edible art with local seafood, sometimes all you want is a good ol' portion of fish and chips. And not just any old fish and chips – a plate where the fish is fresh, the batter is crispy and the chips come swimming in vinegar. And if it’s eaten with a sea view? So much the better. Luckily, there’s no shortage of places supplying just that in the city dubbed the ‘Tavern of the Seas’.  RECOMMENDED: 🍽 The best restaurants in the Cape Winelands🏨 The best hotels in Cape Town🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town🍷 The best wine farms in and around Cape Town🍕 The best pizza in Cape Town This article was written by Richard Holmes, 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.

The rain was beating hard against the windshield as we coasted along the R316 towards Bredasdorp. In the fields on either side of the tar, the first green shoots of wheat and canola were poking through brown earth, eagerly soaking up the welcome rainfall.  Welcome for the farmers of the Overberg, perhaps, but less so for me and my fellow hikers, who were heading south to walk a two-night hiking trail that looked set to be a soggy affair. Silently, I wondered if the Arniston Hotel still had rooms for the night. Anyone who loves a hike has probably heard of the famous Whale Trail, which runs for 55 kilometres through De Hoop Nature Reserve. It’s six days of dramatic scenery, empty beaches and plenty of whale sightings (even out of season). If you love the outdoors, it should be on your bucket list. But there’s a downside: because it’s so gorgeous, it’s incredibly popular, requiring meticulous planning and a healthy dose of luck to secure a booking. Bookings open a year in advance, and although a new online booking system makes the process a little smoother, it’s still hard to get a spot. Plus, you’ll need to be fit, with plenty of long days across those 55km. Which is why the Damara Trail is such a welcome new addition to the area. Set largely within CapeNature’s De Mond Nature Reserve, a short way west along the coast from De Hoop, the Damara Trail is shorter, less popular and more accessible than the more famous Whale Trail. And while the landscape isn’t quite as dramatic, it

Have you seen that ad for a certain car-buying/selling platform featuring comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout? The one where petrol is so valuable he uses it as eau de cologne, and gets a bunch of guys to push his kombi around? It's funny, not funny. But Schalk, we feel that way too. With the price of petrol through the roof, it’s tempting to just put the car up on bricks and accept the fact you’re never going to take a road-trip holiday ever again. But, hold up. Not so fast. One of the joys of living in Cape Town is that we have so much right on the doorstep. Whether it’s the ocean, mountains or vineyards your soul is craving, it’s never too far away. So, with a little weekend escape on our minds, and a beady eye on the fuel gauge, we scouted out a dozen destinations less than 100 kays from Cape Town. Now, I don’t know what car you drive, but with a light foot on the pedal you can probably get 10 litres per 100kms, right? 10 litres of petrol is about 240 bucks (with a tip for the attendant). Return trip, that’s less than R500 on petrol for a weekend away. Score! So from the misty cliffs of the southern Peninsula to the vineyards and olive groves of the Swartland, these gems are all under 100km from Claremont (where the Time Out office is). Time to fill up and head out... 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 sh

As much as Cape Town is a hotspot for nightlife, it’s also a city that knows how to make mornings count. Step out in the city on a Saturday and you’ll see pelotons of cyclists powering south down the peninsula. Surfers strap boards to the roof in search of the best surf breaks in Cape Town, Park Run events are packed, and runners pound the pavement on the Sea Point Prom or tackle the endless trails of Table Mountain. All of which means that by the time the sun is up, half the city has earned their breakfast. And those sleeping in after the night before? Well, they deserve a good feed. Happily, Cape Town has no shortage of sublime spots for breakfast and brunch, whether you’re in the city or the suburbs. The city’s coffee culture is as complex as the artisan hand-roasted beans being ground by bearded baristas, and bakeries turn out pastries so good they’ll make a Parisian weep. And the melting pot of the city’s kitchens comes to the fore here too, whether it’s shakshuka from the Levant or a southern-style chicken waffle. Brunch might come with bubbles (local Cap Classique, of course) and plant-leaning cafés (Cape Town’s vegetarian restaurants are sublime) pile bowls with greens and grains. All of which means you’re spoilt for choice when deciding where to go for breakfast or brunch in Cape Town. Take a seat, and check out these local favourites. RECOMMENDED: 😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🍣 The best sushi in Cape Town🍕 The best pizza in Cape Town🍷 The best wine far

South Africa’s love affair with meat means you'll find a steak featured on almost any restaurant menu across the city, from fast-food to fine-dining. But as any committed carnivore will tell you, a single option buried deep on a long menu doesn’t really count. Instead, if you’re after a fine steak and likely a good glass of red to match, you’d do well to head straight to one of the Mother City’s celebrated steakhouses. Many of Cape Town’s best steakhouses have been in business for decades; a testament to their quality and, often, personality. In recent years many have also honed in on what really matters: serving the best cuts sourced from local farmers, and grilled to perfection. Rump or sirloin, T-bone or hangar... whichever you prefer, these are the best steakhouses in Cape Town. 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 Town This article was written by Richard Holmes, 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 and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts.

There are plenty of places to find good fish and chips in Cape Town, but often they’re let down by plastic tablecloths and indifferent service, or only offer a simple takeaway menu. The food might be good, but the occasion is forgettable. The leafy suburb of Newlands might not immediately spring to mind when it comes to finding great seafood, but when you throw in a central location, lovely décor and a restaurateur with decades of experience in the business, you have a restaurant worth seeking out. Say hello to Fishmonger. The Backstory Fishmonger may be new to Cape Town, but for once those Joburg foodies are ahead of the game. This is the first Cape Town outpost for a restaurant brand already familiar to many diners in Gauteng, where you’ll find branches in Rosebank, Bryanston and Centurion. That it arrives in Newlands is thanks to owner Aki Hadjipetros, who brings 40 years of restaurant experience to this new venture, adding a much-needed seafood option to a corner of Cape Town filled with its fair share of cosy pubs, coffee shops and Italian eateries.  In fact, with Fishmonger adding to the menu of restaurants in Newlands, the suburb is turning into quite the foodie hotspot! The Vibe Let’s be clear: this might be part of a (small) chain, but it’s not the seafood-chain experience you might have had elsewhere. From the moment you step through the front door, the feeling is upmarket yet relaxed. Modern, with a bit of vintage style. It’s a restaurant of two halves, but the low

Set on the historic Blaauwklippen wine farm, founded in 1682, the rebuilt manor pairs Cape heritage inspiration with contemporary interiors. It’s all surrounded by generous gardens to offer an easy sense of winelands escape on the quieter fringes of Stellenbosch. With wine tasting and plenty of activities on the farm, it’s as much a base for exploring as it is a destination in itself.  Why stay at Blaauwklippen Manor? Start with the setting. Blaauwklippen is close enough to Stellenbosch to make it easy to explore this historic university town. It’s not quite close enough to walk, but a few minutes’ drive and you’ll soon discover the vibey streets of the Eikestad. But there’s also plenty to keep you settled in on the estate without feeling the need to venture out. Because this is not simply somewhere to sleep after a day of indulgent tastings. On Blaauwklippen you’ll find estate walks and tastings on site, as well as weekend markets and family-friendly activities (more on that in a bit). The hotel’s understated sense of luxury is another draw, and from the concierge-style service on arrival to the considered approach to hospitality, there’s a boutique charm to Blaauwklippen. What are the rooms like? Blaauwklippen Manor offers a choice of room categories, spread across the restored Manor House and the adjoining Jonkershuis. Far and away my favourite are the four expansive suites in the restored Manor House, all shaped by high ceilings, layered interiors and a modern-heritage ae

There’s certainly no shortage of great steakhouses in Cape Town, whether you prefer yours old-school in the mould of Hussar Grill, or something more contemporary like the recent addition of East City Grill. But in a crowded landscape, CARNE stands apart, and has done ever since chef Giorgio Nava first opened the doors to his Milanese-inspired steakhouse in 2007. In a city where restaurants come and go, a run of almost 20 years is pretty darn impressive, but it’s not hard to see why. The Backstory CARNE – ‘meat’ in Italian – is the work of Giorgio Nava, one of the best-known chefs in Cape Town’s Italian restaurant scene. He first made his name in the Mother City with 95 Keerom, which fast became one of the city’s favourite Italian restaurants, before the pandemic put paid to this palace of pasta (and so many other delicious dishes). But, just a few steps away, across Keerom Street, CARNE endured. In a similar vein to 95, Nava opened CARNE with a simple but powerful idea: apply Italian refinement, and a discerning approach to ingredients, to cuisines South Africans love to eat. It worked for pasta at 95, and proved a hit when it came to meat at CARNE. The Vibe Unlike the leather booths and dusty-wine-bottle aesthetic of many steakhouses, the Keerom Street setting of CARNE is elegant and contemporary without being flashy. It’s changed little since opening, and yet still feels on point. Translucent ‘ghost’ chairs, art on the walls, low ceilings. It’s intimate, sexy and modern, wi

There are plenty of polished farm stays in the Cape Winelands, but perhaps few manage to weave together quite the tapestry of luxury accommodation, rich heritage and fine food, quite so elegantly as Vergenoegd Löw, which traces its histoy back to 1696. Mix in proper eco-credentials and a flock of Insta-worthy runner ducks and it’s easy to see why this farm at the gateway to Stellenbosch has become so popular as a quietly luxurious Winelands retreat. Why stay at Vergenoegd Löw? For starters, location. It’s minutes from the N2, putting it within easy reach of the airport, Somerset West and Strand, while also being convenient for Stellenbosch and the surrounding Winelands. Then, you’ll love the breadth of experiences on offer. You can come for a romantic Winelands escape and spend your days moving between your private pool deck, a long lunch at Geuwels and an afternoon tasting in the Wine Lounge.  But you can just as easily lean into the estate’s sustainability story, with its regenerative farming, rich birdlife, working vineyards and famously eco-friendly pest control courtesy of a flock of Indian Runner ducks. There’s a delightful spa that taps into the farm’s fynbos bounty, as well as a pair of restaurants led by one of the Cape’s best-loved chefs. And that’s before we even mention the wine, which you could discover over lunch, or at a specialist tasting. What are the rooms like? This isn’t a one-size-fits-all wine-farm hotel. Depending on what kind of stay you’re after, ther

Cape Town isn’t short on steakhouses, but East City Grill certainly manages to cut through the noise. For starters, it’s more contemporary than your average grill room, with a modern aesthetic that takes the familiar language of premium beef and adds a distinctly Japanese accent. The Backstory East City Grill sits on the first floor of 84 Harrington Street and forms one half of a dual concept, alongside the more intimate sister restaurant Yakiniku. While the Yakiniku section leans into the Asian aesthetic with blonde woods and a traditional grill-it-yourself concept, East City Grill weaves some of those same flavours into a menu brimming with steakhouse classics given a lift and a twist. And with the steak coming from the owner’s family farm in the Swartland, there’s a farm-to-fork philosophy at work here too. The Vibe The setting is a big part of East City Grill’s appeal. Up a flight of stairs from Harrington Street and you’re transported into a moody space of dark timber, coppery warmth, leather banquettes and low lighting. Copper panels by Bronze Age line the walls, while timber-slatted walls and ceilings are offset by a Shou Sugi Ban timber wall. It’s polished, elegant, and the first clue that this isn’t your run-of-the-mill steakhouse. It’s perfect date night material. The Food The menu reads like a greatest-hits list for meat lovers, but with enough twists to keep things interesting. Of course there are the expected premium cuts — rib eye, sirloin, fillet, rump, plus Wa

Recently voted one of Time Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2026, Park Hyatt Johannesburg brings a low-key luxury to what is perhaps my favourite corner of the city. Set within a restored 1930s mansion in leafy Rosebank, this is the South African debut of the Park Hyatt brand, and while it may be one of the smallest outposts in Hyatt’s huge global portfolio, it makes a strong first impression with heritage architecture, beautiful interiors and warm and attentive service like only Jozi can do. There’s a sense of arrival from the outset, from the suited doormen at the entrance to the art-filled interiors within. And be sure to take a moment to admire the collection of Assouline tomes that grace the lobby! Original architectural details nod to the old manor house, while the design of this new property layers in plenty of elegant details: parquet floors, marble finishes, fluted glass and a curated arts programme inspired by South African landscapes and botanical history. It all feels indulgent without trying too hard. Why stay at Park Hyatt Johannesburg? Johannesburg has no shortage of luxury hotels, but Park Hyatt Johannesburg stands out for both its scale (small enough to feel personal) and mood (quietly upmarket). With only 31 rooms and suites, it feels far more intimate than the city’s larger five-star properties, and that smaller footprint gives it the feel of a private urban guesthouse – but with all the hotel bells and whistles – rather than a conventional business hot

Turn the clock back a century, and Muizenberg was one of the Cape’s most fashionable seaside resorts. With grand homes along the so-called Millionaire’s Mile and a lively beachfront culture, famous visitors included everyone from Cecil John Rhodes, who died at Rhodes Cottage in 1902, to Rudyard Kipling, Agatha Christie and George Bernard Shaw. And now, with Muizenberg’s massive beachfront renovation well underway, it looks like this corner of the city is about to enjoy its next heyday, as visitors flock to the warm waters, gentle surf and an ever-growing menu of cafés and restaurants. While The Happy Rooster, which opened in late-2025, might be on the ‘wrong’ side of the tracks, across the railway from the beach, it’s worth the short walk to take a seat in this laid-back Portuguese-style restaurant, where trinchado steak and peri-peri chicken are served up at great prices with a side order of knock-out sea views. The Backstory 15 December 1882 was a big day for Muizenberg. A Friday in Cape Town, and I’d like to think that the good and great of this seaside suburb turned out in numbers to watch the first train huff and chuff its way along the railway line that had finally reached False Bay. Suddenly, this corner of the city’s coastline was easy to reach for day-trippers and holidaymakers, and Muizenberg’s first heyday as a seaside resort was about to begin. But it would be another 31 years before the grand red-brick train station – that still stands today – was built. With its

Opening a restaurant days before the peak summer season in Cape Town requires a certain kind of confidence. Opening a restaurant catering for up to 300 diners, right on the tourist-packed pavements of Kalk Bay, days before the peak summer season? Well, that’s just a little bit crazy. But since opening in December 2025, The Reef has survived and thrived in the first three months of summer, so Time Out Cape Town pulled in for a taste of what’s on offer. Ocean views, succulent seafood, and a laid-back beach vibe make this a welcome new addition to the Kalk Bay strip. The Backstory The False Bay coastline is home to what is surely one of the most scenic commuter railway routes in the world. Once the line from Cape Town reaches Muizenberg, the tracks run so close to the coast that you’re liable to get spray on the windows when there’s a big swell running. Alongside the railway, you’ll find signal gear, stations (of course), and a collection of railway houses and buildings, many of which are shuttered and in various states of disrepair.  And it was one of these railway buildings, just on the outskirts of ever-popular Kalk Bay, that today houses The Reef. Renovated, reimagined, and boasting superb sea views, it’s a great example of old buildings being given a new lease of life, adding to the myriad attractions of the city. Kalk Bay has a few seaside restaurants (hello Brass Bell), and The Reef is a welcome new addition to the suburb.  The Vibe Low-key, straight from the beach, as la

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. 

After last year’s race was cancelled at the last minute due to howling winds, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon returns to the city this weekend with much more than medals and PBs on the line. The 2026 race carries extra significance for runners, organisers and the city itself, as Cape Town continues its bid to become Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major. But with 27 000 runners expected to take to the streets on Sunday (and thousands more at other weekend events!), road closures and parking restrictions are set to roll out across the city during Cape Town’s biggest running weekend.  When is the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon? The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon takes place on Sunday, 24 May, with runners starting in Green Point before following a 42.2km route through some of the city’s most recognisable suburbs and landmarks. Here is the full Cape Town Marathon route. But, race-weekend events begin on Saturday, 23 May, with the Peace Runs and trail events adding to the action around the Green Point and DHL Stadium precinct. Which roads will be closed? Throughout the race weekend, roads will be closed and traffic restrictions will be implemented along the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon route. Key affected roads in the city include: Helen Suzman Boulevard  Beach Road in Sea Point Beach Road in Mouille Point Granger Bay Boulevard Nelson Mandela Boulevard Somerset Road in Green Point Buitengracht Street As the runners head along Main Road, they (and the traffic disruption) will move into th

Great news for Cape Town travellers looking for a tropical escape exploring the beaches, spice markets and historic streets of Zanzibar. Regional airline Airlink has announced that it will launch the first-ever non-stop service between Cape Town and Zanzibar from October 2026. Even better? You can expect to fly in comfort on Airlink’s brand-new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft on the weekly route. Flights leave Cape Town at 8.15am, arriving in Zanzibar at 2.30pm (local time, which is one hour ahead of South Africa). The return flight leaves Zanzibar at 3.30pm, touching down in Cape Town at 8.50pm. And round of applause to Airlink for those departure times… routes to East Africa are often timed to arrive and depart late at night, and this schedule means you can avoid the bleary-eyed midnight departures and pre-dawn arrivals that often come with island escapes in the region. The new route is Airlink’s second service to Zanzibar, coming hot on the heels of the upcoming launch of Johannesburg-Zanzibar flights on 3 June 2026. And, here’s a gift: any Cape Town travellers already holding Airlink tickets for Cape Town-Johannesburg-Zanzibar itineraries will be able to switch to the new non-stop flight at no extra charge, provided the change is within the same cabin. Airlink will fly the route with its new Embraer E195-E2 jets, configured with 124 seats across two cabins. As with all Airlink flights, Economy-class seats are in a 2-2 configuration, meaning there are no middle seats, and passe

As the airline rebuilds its African network after months of disruption linked to the conflict in Iran, Qatar Airways is adding more flights to Cape Town. From 16 June 2026, the Doha-based airline will increase its service to Cape Town from seven flights a week to up to 10 flights per week, adding capacity between Cape Town International Airport and Hamad International Airport in Doha.  Long one of the most popular long-haul carriers from Cape Town, the additional frequencies will give travellers more choice of onward connections across Qatar Airways’ global network, particularly to Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The move forms part of a wider ramp-up across Africa, with Qatar Airways increasing frequencies, restarting routes and adding new destinations as it expands its international network to more than 150 destinations from mid-June. Cape Town is among several African routes receiving a much-needed boost from Qatar Airways. Flight frequencies will increase from three weekly flights to up to seven in Alexandria, from 28 weekly flights to up to 35 in Cairo, from three weekly flights to up to seven in Dar es Salaam, and from five weekly flights to up to seven on the Lusaka-Harare service. The Maputo-Durban service will also rise from four weekly flights to up to seven. The airline is also resuming four weekly flights to Seychelles and two weekly flights to Kigali from 16 June, with daily flights to Marrakesh starting on 1 July. A new Port Sudan service is set to launch on

While Franschhoek is mopping up after a wet and wild week, in just a few weeks the streets of the ‘French corner’ will swap winter greys for red, white and blue, as the Franschhoek Bastille Festival returns to the village for a weekend of Francophone food, wine and street celebration. This year’s festival – the 34th edition – takes place on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July, bringing a little Gallic flair to the Cape Winelands. It’s one of Franschhoek’s most talked-about winter events, rooted in the town’s French Huguenot heritage and centred on what the valley does best: wine, food and an excuse to dress up! At the heart of the weekend is Iconic Bastille, hosted on Church Street, featuring wine and cheese tastings, live entertainment and the return of the Best Dressed Competition. This year’s music line-up features Amy Jones, The Blend Theory and the ever-popular Absolutely Fabulous duo. Tickets for Iconic Bastille are priced at R450 per person, with Saturday and Sunday passes available via Webtickets. For those seeking something a little more refined, Uncorked Exclusive at Bastille returns with a more intimate tasting experience, showcasing standout wines from participating estates. But beyond the ticketed tastings and events, the village itself will be getting in on the action. Expect food stalls, local chefs, markets, and street entertainment throughout the weekend along Church Street’s Food Fair walk. A Bastille Boules Tournament is also planned for Saturday. So dig out t

After lighting up Theatre on the Bay since April, Richard O’Brien’s cult rock musical The Rocky Horror Show will return to the Camps Bay stage for a (very!) limited August season.  Presented by Pieter Toerien with the Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy, the show brings all the outrageous humour and glittery glam that made The Rocky Horror Show one of the city’s theatre favourites this year. This latest run sees Craig Urbani step back into the stilettos of Dr Frank-N-Furter, as the show follows newly engaged sweethearts Brad and Janet on a stormy night, as an unfortunate flat tyre leads them to a mysterious castle, an eccentric household and a night that spirals into temptation and transformation. With songs including ‘Time Warp’, ‘Sweet Transvestite’ and ‘Hot Patootie – Bless My Soul’, the show remains a high-voltage mix of sci-fi spoof, rock ’n’ roll musical and late-night rebellion. No surprise it’s been a theatre favourite since it was first performed in 1973! The Cape Town return follows the production’s earlier 2026 season at Theatre on the Bay, which opened in April and runs through until 21 May. This August run is a short one, so you will need to move fast if you want a seat. The Rocky Horror Show returns… Performances: Friday, 28 August at 8pm; Saturday, 29 August at 4pm and 8pm; Sunday, 30 August at 2pm. Tickets: from R295 to R495 through Webtickets. Where: Theatre on the Bay, Camps Bay Remember: The show carries a PG16 age restriction. Head over to our soci

There's sad news on the airwaves for local aviation fans. The organisers of the Wings Over Winelands Airshow have confirmed that the event, which was scheduled to take place at Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West this Saturday, 16 May, has been cancelled following severe weather damage at the venue and in the surrounding area. According to organisers, the severe weather caused significant damage at Vergelegen, making it impossible for the event to go ahead safely. The weather has also disrupted plans for aircraft to take part in the show. Several of the participating aircraft were due to fly from Gauteng to the Western Cape ahead of Saturday’s display, but that has been stopped due to damage at the venue. Wings Over Winelands had been set to bring a high-energy day of aerial displays to the historic Somerset West estate, with a programme expected to include vintage aircraft, aerobatic displays and family-friendly entertainment on the ground.  However, organisers say safety has been the deciding factor. "After careful assessment, the organisers have prioritised the safety of pilots, participants, staff and spectators," the event team confirmed in a statement. It is not yet clear whether the event will be rescheduled. Organisers say further updates regarding a possible new date will be communicated once weather conditions are favourable. All tickets purchased for the event will be refunded via Quicket. Hungry? You'll love the wintry fare at Firehorse on Vergelegen. Follow 

Cape Town is no stranger to the headlines, but usually it’s the gorgeous scenery, diverse food culture and winelands that take centre stage. But this time around it’s the city’s cultural landscape that’s grabbing the spotlight.  Time Out’s latest global culture ranking has placed Cape Town fifth in the world, recognising a city where creativity is not only waiting to be discovered in intimate galleries or bijou independent theatres, but woven through the city’s colourful neighbourhoods and public spaces. Let’s start with the art.   From the landmark Zeitz MOCAA at the V&A Waterfront to the Norval Foundation and sculpture garden in Steenberg, Cape Town’s contemporary art scene is the strongest on the continent. The city’s cultural calendar is anchored by the Investec Cape Town Art Fair each February, which draws collectors, galleries and curators from across the globe. Music? There’s plenty of that too, whether you want to get suited and booted for a night at the Opera, soak up the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra at City Hall, or dive into arthouse cinema at The Labia. Throw in independent creative spaces, music festivals, design-led events and immersive art experiences, and the only surprise is that Cape Town didn’t rank higher!   "Cape Town's culture scene is deeply layered and always evolving, and that’s exactly what makes it so exciting. You’ve got staples like  First Thursdays that draws locals out on a free, citywide art crawl at the start of each month, alongside stand

While Christmas at Artscape may bring to mind images of ‘The Nutcracker’ danced to Tchaikovsky’s classic score, this year Capetonians will be transported to Victorian London as Oliver Twist and his cast of ruffians take to the stage. Presented by Pieter Toerien and Cape Town Opera, Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Oliver! will open at Artscape Opera House on 11 December 2026, bringing one of musical theatre’s greatest crowd-pleasers to the Mother City just in time for the holidays.  Tickets are already on sale via Webtickets, priced between R220 and R620. Based on Charles Dickens’ classic tale ‘Oliver Twist’, the Lionel Bart musical follows young Oliver as he escapes the brutal workhouse and finds himself on the streets of Victorian London, where he meets Fagin, Nancy, Bill Sikes and the Artful Dodger. It’s a story with plenty of grit beneath its singalong charm, but Oliver! remains best known for its big-hearted musical numbers, including ‘Food, Glorious Food’, ‘Consider Yourself’ and ‘Reviewing the Situation’. Oliver! has serious stage pedigree, too. Lionel Bart’s musical first premiered at London’s Wimbledon Theatre in 1960 before transferring to the West End, where it ran for 2618 performances. It opened on Broadway in 1963, where it picked up three Tony Awards, while the 1968 film adaptation went on to win six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. More than six decades later, the show remains one of musical theatre’s most enduring family favourites, regularly reviv

Winter arrived in Cape Town with a vengeance this week, as gale-force winds and heavy rain battered the Western Cape. The Mother City is once again living up to its reputation as the ‘Cape of Storms’. And the impact has been massive. Roads have flooded across the metro, roofs have been blown off homes, informal settlements are underwater, and on Monday alone, three people were killed by storm damage. For Capetonians wanting to help, several organisations are calling for donations of food, blankets, clothing, hygiene items and funds. Here’s where help is needed. Gift of the Givers An organisation that is always at the forefront of disaster relief, Gift of the Givers is responding across the Cape Metropole, Drakenstein and Franschhoek, as well as across the Western and Eastern Cape. They have also been on-site leading flood-relief work in Lwandle, Mitchells Plain, Philippi and Du Noon. The organisation’s current disaster-relief work typically includes hot meals, blankets, detergent, hygiene packs, warm clothing and emergency supplies. The best way to support them is with financial donations via their website. Disaster Risk Management The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management has activated donation drop-off points to assist flood-affected victims. They are specifically looking for non-perishable foodstuffs, personal hygiene items, nappies and baby formula, as well as blankets and or bedding. These will be distributed to communities in need. The designated drop-off poin

Cape Town’s restaurant scene is an ephemeral thing, and no sooner has a new entrant become the most talked about place in town than another bright and shiny new eatery pops up to take its place.  As the saying goes, the only constant on Cape Town’s menu of restaurants is change. But this latest change is going to hurt anyone who’s fallen in love with the small plates, wood-fired pizzas and superb wine offering at ëlgr. More than five years after the doors opened at 75 Kloof Street, ëlgr will serve its final dinner on Saturday, 30 May 2026. The restaurant, led by Swedish-born chef Jesper Nilsson, opened in December 2020 in the former Janse & Co space, bringing a quietly confident, Nordic-leaning take on modern Cape Town dining to one of the city’s busiest restaurant strips. Since then, ëlgr – which means ‘moose’ in Old Norse – has become one of Kloof Street’s most distinctive dining rooms: all charcoal tones, sage green accents, forest-inspired details and a leafy courtyard that felt far removed from the traffic and bustle of Kloof Street. Over the years, Nilsson built a loyal following with his menu of globally inspired shared plates, seasonal cooking, house-made charcuterie and wood-fired pizzas. ëlgr’s bar programme was part of the appeal too, with wine and cocktails given their due. “We’re proud of everything this restaurant has been – the food, the people, the evenings that turned into late nights,” said Nilsson. “Thank you to every person who has been part of it. We’re n

Is it because we're a harbour city? or because we make such great wine? Perhaps it's the vibey nightlife. Whatever the reason, Cape Town definitely knows its way around a drink.Wine? There are plenty of inner-city wine bars to choose from. Craft beer? Take your pick of taproom experiences. Cocktail bars? But of course! Here are 14 of our favourites. But when it comes to uisge beatha – the old Gaelic term for the ‘water of life’ we now know as whisky – beyond one or two specialist bars – hello Bascule Bar! – the Mother City has never had quite the same to offer. WhiskyLive and the Wade Bales festivals were hugely popular, but haven’t run for a few years now, leaving whisky-lovers weeping into their pour of Ardbeg. That changes this month with the launch of the inaugural Mothercity Whisky Festival, taking place at The Woodstock Exchange on Friday, 29 May and Saturday, 30 May 2026. Hosted by Mothercity Liquor, the two-day festival will bring together more than 20 participating brands and over 100 whiskies to taste, from familiar favourites to rare and limited pours. “Cape Town has such a strong culture around wine, food, and discovery, but whisky has never had the same kind of dedicated platform in the city,’ says Tiana Pena, Director of Mothercity Liquor. “With the Mothercity Whisky Festival, we want to create a space where collectors, curious drinkers, and global brands can come together to taste, learn, and celebrate whisky in a way that feels premium, welcoming, and distin

After days of heavy rain and storm damage across the Garden Route, the Western Cape is bracing for another stretch of wild weather this weekend. The South African Weather Service has issued severe weather warnings for parts of the province, with disruptive rain, flooding, strong winds and thunderstorms expected in some areas. The Garden Route has already been particularly hard hit, with road closures and flood-related devastation after days of disruptive rainfall. And with more bad weather on the way, CapeNature has announced the temporary closure of a number of reserves across the Western Cape. The closures affect day visitors, accommodation, hiking trails, picnic sites and other facilities at several popular reserves. Which reserves are closed, and when: Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve: Closed to day visitors from 5–8 May 2026. Robberg and Goukamma Nature Reserve: All facilities closed from 6–11 May 2026. Gamkaberg Nature Reserve: All accommodation, hiking trails, picnic sites and 4x4 trails, including Oukraal, closed from 7–14 May 2026. De Mond Nature Reserve: The Damara Trail closed from 9–13 May 2026. Stony Point Nature Reserve: All facilities, including the boardwalk, closed from 10–11 May 2026. Jonkershoek and Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve: All hiking trails and picnic sites closed from 10–12 May 2026. Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve: All facilities and overnight huts closed from 10–12 May 2026. Cederberg Complex and Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve: All day and overnig