Richard Holmes

With its unrivalled coastal scenery, it’d be easy to believe that Cape Town’s cocktail offering is about little more than seaside sundowners. But come nightfall, the city’s bars spring to life, with world-class mixologists tapping into a burgeoning craft spirits scene to create authentic experiences rooted in South Africa’s ‘Mother City’. If you’re exploring Cape Town and find yourself thirsty, these are the watering holes to check 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 shops in Cape Town Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts.

We all know that Cape Town does summer rather well: blue skies, bluer seas, sparkling beaches. But – and hear me out here – winter might be my favourite time of year in the city. Clouds wrap around the mountain like a shawl, and the waterfalls above Newlands form a filigree of falling water. There’s a misty rain in the air, and the mercury is barely in double figures. I mean, what more of an excuse do you need to find somewhere cosy for a plate of great food and a bottle of the Cape’s best red wine? And when the rain starts coming in sideways, the mountain vanishes behind a bank of grey and the Atlantic wind cuts through your very best outdoor gear, the best table in town is often the one closest to the fire. Happily, Cape Town has plenty of restaurants that understand the appeal of mid-winter dining: a crackling fireplace, a generous glass of something delicious, and slow-cooked meals on the plate. And no reason to rush back outside. From old-school pubs and heritage houses to wine-farm dining rooms, neighbourhood favourites and polished special-occasion restaurants, these are the Cape Town spots where you’ll be glad you called ahead to book a table by the fire. RECOMMENDED:☕️ The best cafés and coffee shops in Cape Town📍 The best things to do in Cape Town⛰ The best winter adventures in 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 writer

Cape Town’s natural beauty has long been a drawcard for tourists and a gift for locals. And while there are a handful of excellent safari escapes close to Cape Town, the best place to look for wildlife is out at sea. From orcas hunting in False Bay to the Great African Seaforest making a splash on the cover of TIME magazine, the seas offshore of the ‘Fairest Cape’ have plenty of wildlife worth discovering. And winter is far and away the best time of year to do it, especially if you want to see whales. From June until November, the seas off the Western Cape coast are the endpoint for one of the world’s most remarkable migrations, as thousands of Southern Right whales – Eubalaena australis – make their way from Antarctica (where they spend the summer months feeding on krill) to the coastal waters of the Cape. Here, they take advantage of warm waters and sheltered bays from the West Coast to the Garden Route to breed and calve, before heading back south in early summer. While centuries of whaling devastated the global population of Southern Right whales, decades of protection have allowed the numbers to recover beautifully. Today, it is estimated that there are more than 15,000 Southern Right whales in the oceans, with nearly half of them visiting South African shores. So your chances of spotting one are pretty good! Although Southern Rights are the whales you’re most likely to see in the winter, they aren't the only cetacean visitors to the Cape. Humpback whales are also fr

Cape Town is a city made to be explored on foot, but if you want to step out in style, you’d best leave those veldskoen for the bush, and the plakkies for the beach. Rather, slip your feet into something with a bit of street-cred. Happily, Cape Town has no shortage of specialist sneaker stores where you can get your kicks in more ways than one. Whether you’re a fan of a brand, looking for a 'beater' or prefer something a little more indie, these streetwise boutiques and sneaker-fan emporiums – some with streetwear, apparel and accessories too – are filled with shoes that’ll have you skipping down the street. RECOMMENDED:🛏 A guide to where to stay in Cape Town🍴 The best restaurants in Cape Town🐧 The best beaches in Cape Town🏡 The best Airbnbs in 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. 

Is there a better smell than a slice of slow-fermented sourdough layered with butter? Well, maybe only pain au chocolat, fresh from the oven. Hmm, I’m also partial to a pastéis de nata, though. Perhaps I’ll just take one of each. And happily, in Cape Town it’s not hard to indulge your carb-laden fantasies. Why would you settle for spongy, tasteless, never-go-stale supermarket loaves when you can seek out artisanal, handcrafted bread instead? Prefer pastries? You’re in luck, with the Mother City blessed with bakeries old and new, turning out flaky croissants, fine patisserie and indulgent crookies (scroll down to find out more about those!) But whatever floury fantasy is your favourite, you’ll find that Cape Town has a deep bench of bakeries worth crossing town for. From the city to the coast, here’s the Time Out Pick of the Best Bakeries in Cape Town. Bakeries where craft still counts, and you’ll find proper fermentation, real butter, local flour, and regulars who know to get there before the best stuff sells out. 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 writ

Welcome to Mother Sippy, where we shine a light on the talented winemakers, brewers, distillers and mixologists who 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. Ask anyone who loves their Sauvignon Blanc where to find the best in the Cape and chances are they’ll answer back with a single word: Durbanville. Just 30 minutes from the city centre, the valley’s cool slopes, maritime breezes and Atlantic influence have long made this scenic region prime territory for Sauvignon Blanc that offers the perfect balance of fruit and acidity, all served up in one of the Cape’s most beautiful corners. Whether you prefer the wines of Diemersdal crafted by sixth-generation cellar master Thys Louw, or the elegance of Maastricht’s Contour Sauvignon Blanc, a single-vineyard bottling from the estate’s highest block, the valley has a style for you. But the Durbanville Wine Valley is once again giving Sauvignon lovers the chance to discover how the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts, with the recent release of the 2026 Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc. See it yourself: The ultimate guide to the Durbanville Winelands! It’s the fifth vintage of the region’s collaborative flagship wine, a project that began in 2022 with the aim of showcasing the premium fruit and diverse terroir of the region. The idea is simple, but ambitious: bring together the be

Cape Town has been in the spotlight lately for serving up one of the world's best burgers, and the city's fine dining restaurants continue to clock up global acclaim, but for those with an eye on healthy eating and planet-friendly plates, the Mother City also dishes up a delicious menu of vegan and vegetarian cuisine. From inventive meat-free plates and power-packed smoothies to plant-based burgers, Cape Town is filled with vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants that celebrate healthy eating while packing a flavour-punch. These are some of our favourite places to go meat-free in the Mother City. RECOMMENDED: 🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town🛍 The best markets in Cape Town🍕 The best pizza in Cape Town This guide 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. 

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. Crystal Birch knows a thing or two about a good hat. Not that dusty one you keep in the boot of your car. Or the one with a corporate logo you got at that last conference. Nor the apologetic kind, put on without thought to quietly complete an outfit, as something like an apology. That is not a Crystal Birch hat. Rather, the hats created by this Cape Town milliner are the sort that change the whole conversation, Or perhaps start a whole new one. They come brimming (see what we did there?) with attitude and are crowned with character, creating a little piece of theatre on top of your barnet fair. Before becoming one of South Africa’s best-known milliners, Birch worked as a stylist for 13 years, building a career on making headwear relevant again. After studying fashion at the Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion, she honed her millinery skills in London under hat-industry heavyweights Piers Atkinson and Noel Stewart.  But the real turning point came back in Cape Town, at Parisian Milliners, the heritage hat manufacturer in Gardens, which was founded in 1936. “I fell in love with this factory when I was a student,’ says Birch, before acquiring the business in 2018 and transforming it into The Hat Factory. Vintage hat-blocks and heating pads – used for shap

Cape Town’s food scene has become one of the most exciting reflections of the city's multicultural, slightly chaotic approach (in the best way) to seasonal winter flavours.Across the city, chefs are drawing on Japanese ramen bars, Thai spice markets, East Asian small plates, Italian comfort food, African coastal ingredients and Cape nose-to-tail cooking - while still grounding their menus in local produce.  One minute, you could be slurping deeply savoury ramen on Bree Street at Yatai, the next you’re eating Thai-inspired winter dishes at Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia. Settle into the rich simplicity of Giorgio Nava’s silky Chicken Alfredo from Carne (winter comfort in a bowl!). The ocean flavours and African storytelling at Seebamboes and COY are inspirational. While the bottomless bubbles will fire up your Sundays at The Pot Luck Club. Equally enticing is how confidently Cape Town chefs are blurring the line between fine dining and comfort food. At Test Kitchen Fledgelings, Korean fried chicken sits comfortably alongside smoked snoek pâté and bone marrow brioche. The Belly of the Beast Group is giving East City’s ever-evolving food culture life, where menus are driven less by rigid structure and more by the seasonal intention for that particular day. The results are a winter menu offerings that take risks without losing its local food instinct or dialect! So go on, be adventurous - don't just stick to your favourites. Try something different with menu specials catering

Cape Town doesn’t just do good coffee and croissants – it’s also a city with a serious cake culture. From brightly decorated show-stoppers that steal the spotlight at parties, to elegant patisserie that wouldn’t look out of place in Paris, the Mother City’s bakers have a knack for turning simple ingredients into something memorable. This isn’t about ordinary sponge and icing. Here, cakes double as edible art; croissants are reimagined into cult pastries with queues to match; and red velvet is elevated to signature status. You’ll find family bakeries keeping traditions alive, contemporary patisseries serving glossy gateaux for the Instagram generation, and small studios where cake design leans into the world of couture. Whether you’re after a tiered centrepiece for a milestone, a slice of carrot cake with your morning cappuccino, or a box of carefully piped cupcakes that add polish to any celebration, Cape Town offers a bakery for every taste. We’ve rounded up the standouts. Here’s where to find the best cake in Cape Town, one carefully considered slice at a time. 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

Despite no shortage of golden arches or promises of a whopping great meal, the best burgers in Cape Town are not to be found in your well-known global takeaway chains. In fact, steer well clear of those – this city is scattered with countless vibrant burger bars and laid-back eateries that leave ’em all for dust. South Africans love a good braai (aka barbecue) and the allure of a juicy flame-grilled patty – served on a great bun, with an inventive array of toppings – means burger restaurants have flourished across the city. Happily, the menus typically tap into South Africa’s burgeoning craft-beer scene too. So with a beer in one hand and a brew in the other, you’re all set. Not sure where to start? From the best Deep South taprooms to stylish inner-city eateries and local gems that offer no ordinary burger, local writer Richard Holmes has done us a solid and set out in search of new spots to add to our list of the best burgers in Cape Town. RECOMMENDED: 😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🍣 The best sushi in Cape Town🍕 The best pizza 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 Planning 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.  In May 2026, the Cape winelands were hit by one of the most destructive floods in recent memory. Days of severe rain pushed rivers above their banks… and then pushed even higher. Hundred-year flood lines were breached, and farm buildings once thought to be safe were up to their eaves in floodwaters. Roads were washed away, bridges damaged, and vineyards and orchards destroyed. Farmers across the Western Cape were left counting the cost.  In the Breede River Valley, the impact was especially brutal. Vineyards – some newly planted at considerable cost – were left underwater, irrigation systems ripped away, cellars flooded, and bottled stock damaged. Estates and producers around Robertson, Bonnievale, Worcester and the Breedekloof face a long and expensive road ahead to clean up, restart and restore.  Van Loveren alone reported floodwaters nearly two metres high inside parts of the winery and the loss of an estimated 1.3 million bottles. Around 90 hectares in Springfield were underwater, while Alvi’s Drift reported the loss of 40 hectares of vines. They might have the resilience to clean up and keep trying, and some have the resources to get back up to speed quickly. But for

There’s a lot of construction going on in Claremont right now. If they’re not digging up Imam Haron Road or blocking the side streets, houses are being pulled down and apartments are going in.  But for the last month or two, it’s the shopfront of 109 Belvedere Road that’s caught my eye, not least because one of the first things to go on the wall was a new sign.   “Chingu. Authentic Korean Food.” The Backstory   This corner of the southern suburbs is a surprisingly diverse hotbed of global cuisine. Lebanese Bakery is perhaps the OG of the area, but I’m also partial to Pho House next to Coimbra Bakery. Further down the road, Edo Sushi hits the quality/price notes just right. The kitchen at Hot Stuff always looks a little dubious, but their naan breads and Pakistani plates are superb. But Chingu is the first Korean restaurant in this part of town, and long may it last. While the restaurant may be new, the energy in the kitchen comes with a Cape Korean pedigree. Chingu is the new outing from Chone-Hee Cho, who also runs the popular Korean Kitchen in Stadum on Main. At Chingu, she works hand in hand with Saburo Adaniya. “At Korean Kitchen, we found that a lot of Muslim customers would come in and ask about the food, but unfortunately, we sell pork there,” explains Saburo. “So she had the idea to open a restaurant that would be more inclusive for Muslim diners. ‘Chingu’ means ‘friend’ in Korean, and she wanted the restaurant to feel friendly and for customers to build a relations

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 music fans are in for a double-header treat this August, as British breakthrough duo Good Neighbours and New Zealand singer-songwriter TEEKS take the stage at the Grand Arena, GrandWest, for a one-night-only concert on Thursday, 27 August 2026. Expect a night of soulful songs and uplifting indie-pop tunes, in a show that brings together two hot international acts with very different sounds but a shared talent for tracks that kick with emotion. Presented by BreakOut Events, the Cape Town show promises euphoric singalongs from Good Neighbours and the velvet-voiced soul that has made TEEKS one of New Zealand’s most compelling contemporary artists. Who are Good Neighbours? If you’re not one of the hundreds of millions of people who have seen Good Neighbours on TikTok (where they broke out in 2024), it’s time to fix that. The duo comprises Oli Fox and Scott Verrill, who hail from East London (no, not KuGompo City) in the UK. Their runaway hit ‘Home’ was released in early 2024, and the track quickly became one of the year’s defining debut singles, racking up hundreds of millions of streams and propelling the band onto international stages. It’s a track built on bright hooks, stadium-sized choruses and all the feel-good nostalgia the world needs right now. Need a reference point? Imagine MGMT, Passion Pit and Bleachers walked into a bar and started jamming.  But Good Neighbours are no one-TikTok wonder (does anyone even remember Nathan Evans and ‘Wellerman’?)… the pair hav

Travellers will soon have another way to reach South Africans’ favourite Indian Ocean getaway, as Airlink is set to launch twice-weekly direct flights between Cape Town and Mauritius from October 2026. The new service takes off on 2 October 2026, marking Airlink’s first-ever route to Mauritius… sorry, Joburg, this time we beat you to it!   It is the latest boost for Cape Town travellers heading for the Indian Ocean, following Airlink’s recent announcement that it will launch the first-ever non-stop Cape Town-Zanzibar service from 3 October 2026. That weekly Saturday flight will give holidaymakers a direct link to Zanzibar’s beaches and UNESCO-listed Stone Town, without having to connect via Johannesburg. And now Mauritius is joining the Airlink map too. But it is worth remembering that Cape Town travellers already have direct access to Mauritius, with Air Mauritius operating nonstop flights between Cape Town and Mauritius. South African Airways also offers three direct flights per week. So, although Airlink’s new route isn’t the city’s first direct link to Ile Maurice, it does add fresh competition (which hopefully means lower fares) and a better choice of schedule options for leisure and business travellers. Airlink hasn’t released the exact schedule or fares as yet, but as soon as they do, we’ll update them here. It’s little wonder that Mauritius has long been a favourite with South African travellers: it’s one of the most accessible tropical islands from Mzansi and offer

Step into the Time Out Market at the V&A Waterfront just about any day of the week, and you’ll find that one of the busiest kitchens is the one tucked way back in the corner, as hungry fans flock to CARNE for a taste of chef Giorgia Nava’s meat-forward Italian plates. Now Nava is flexing that flavour profile into frutti di mare with Pesce, a new seafood-focused pop-up that has launched at Time Out Market Cape Town. The name means, simply, ‘fish’ in Italian and the menu does what it says on the tin: fish (and seafood) in all its forms, given the same level of care and attention as you’ll find at CARNE. Here you’ll find the same unfussy confidence that has long defined Nava’s cooking in Cape Town, whether it’s at the original 95 Keerom (sadly now closed), CARNE in the city, or his brand-new Temaky bar in Heritage Square. There are no overbearing sauces, no heavy-handed heat, and nothing to detract from the unfiltered flavour of quality seafood, served with a sprinkle of Mediterranean flair.  “Cape Town has such wonderful seafood that it really deserves a place at the Market,” says Nava. “So when a space became available for a pop-up kitchen, of course, I immediately said yes.” As with Nava’s other eateries, the menu here starts with top-quality produce, from the fish to the shellfish to the olive oil. It’s about seafood first and foremost, served without the need for any distraction. And, to fit the market, the plating is simple and stylish; quick enough for a Market lunch, bu

Guilty or not? That’s the decision you’ll have to make if you sign up for jury duty this winter, as The Jury Experience comes to Cape Town for the very first time.  The Jury Experience – Death by AI: Who Pays the Price? opens at the Star Theatre in District Six on 14 August and 18 September 2026.  It’s a new experience for Cape Town, one that places the audience at the centre of a fictional trial over a fatal accident caused by a driverless car. The question at the heart of the show is one that’s oh-so-2026: when artificial intelligence is involved in a death, who is ultimately responsible? The manufacturer? The programmer? The passenger? The machine? Or nobody at all? Unlike a conventional theatre production, The Jury Experience is a night at the theatre where you are expected to get involved.  “What makes The Jury Experience so unique is that the audience is no longer simply watching the story unfold, they become responsible for its outcome,” says Isabella Szpigiel, Head of the Experience at Fever, an events platform for discovering culture and live entertainment. “Every participant steps into the role of a juror, weighing evidence, testimonies, and ultimately deciding another person’s fate.” Through the 65-minute live theatre experience, you’ll also vote at key moments and help determine the outcome of the case, with audience participation using voting paddles.  That audience-led format also means each performance can shift according to who is in the room. “Because the aud

“One of the most exciting brands that never quite was.” That’s how Peter Tempelhoff, celebrated chef and FYN Group founder, describes Stickman, the yakitori brand that disappeared as fast as it arrived. Stickman first launched in 2020 as a yakitori bar, before shifting into a delivery kitchen during the pandemic and then quietly fading away like a marshmallow skewer thrown onto the braai coals. Since then, it has appeared only occasionally at pop-ups and limited events. But now the FYN Group is bringing back Stickman for a winter-long collaboration with Sushiya at Time Out Market Cape Town. Sushiya is a collaboration between Tempelhoff, Ashley Moss (FYN Group’s culinary director) and Shin Takagi of two-Michelin-starred Zeniya in Japan. It’s been a staple of the Time Out Market Cape Town since its opening in 2023 and has built a solid reputation for precise Edo-style sushi made with local fish and vegetables. Now Stickman brings the fire, with skewers cooked exclusively over binchotan, the dense Japanese charcoal prized for its clean heat and signature char. Launching on 12 June, the partnership will see Stickman take up residence alongside Sushiya's usual sushi-forward offering, adding a warmer, charcoal-fired counterpoint to one of the Market’s most popular kitchens. "Time Out Market felt like the right place to bring Stickman back, and pairing it with Sushiya for the winter just made sense," says Tempelhoff. "Sushi and yakitori sit so naturally together, and putting them si

Time Out has released its 2026 list of the World’s Best Cities for Food, and Cape Town is right up there… but falls seven places from 2025 to rank outside the top 10. This year’s top 10 is led by the Peruvian capital, Lima, at #1, followed by Bangkok, Mexico City, London, Barcelona, Ho Chi Minh City, Melbourne, Beijing, Athens, and Lisbon. Cape Town just missed the cut, coming in at #11. Time Out’s prestigious annual list is based on a worldwide survey of locals, who rated their city’s food scene across criteria including quality, affordability and attributes such as ‘family-friendly’ and ‘experimental’. Time Out’s global team of food experts also weigh in to compile the final listing of the world’s most delicious cities each year. “Cape Town's top food spots are cooking with the tide, capturing the essence of foraging along the Cape's shores and leading with simple ingredients to create bold, moreish menus,” says Selene Brophy, City Editor for Time Out Cape Town, who singles out shoreline-inspired menus at Amura, ‘fun-dining’ at Test Kitchen Fledglings and Zuney Burger's ‘farm-to-fingers’ wagyu smashburgers as highlights in the city's food scene this year. And the one dish that you simply have to eat in Cape Town this year? The seven-day-aged tuna with coconut, lime, crispy curry leaf and klipkombers seaweed at Seebamboes. That’s also a neat fit with the recent spotlight on Cape Town’s abundant shores, featured on the latest cover of TIME magazine. Also, don’t miss an ico

The most exciting new route launch of the year is almost ready for take-off. In one month LATAM Airlines will launch its new direct service between Cape Town and São Paulo, creating a non-stop link between the Mother City and Brazil. The new route is scheduled to launch on 2 July 2026 (moved forward from the initial launch date of September 2026), with three weekly flights between Cape Town International Airport and São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport. For travellers heading east, flight LA8060 will depart from São Paulo at 10.45pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, landing in Cape Town at 10.55am the following morning. In the other direction, flight LA8061 will depart from Cape Town at 3.50pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving in São Paulo at 8pm. The service will be operated using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with 30 seats in business class and 270 in economy class. Launch fares for a standard fare in Ecoomy class (including baggage) start at around R16 000 return. The new route is a major boost for Cape Town’s long-haul network, and a particularly useful one for travellers keen to explore South America without routing via Johannesburg, Luanda, Europe or the Middle East. São Paulo is not only Brazil’s biggest city, but also the main hub for LATAM, opening up easy onward connections across Brazil and South and Central America. But there are also a few good reasons to use São Paulo as more than just a stopover. Formula 1 returns to Interlagos for the São Paulo

The Melting Pot is embracing winter with a delicious new midweek special that is set to add some fire to Tuesday nights in De Waterkant. Chef John van Zyl’s acclaimed global street-food restaurant has launched ‘Thali Tuesdays’, a weekly winter deal priced at R295 per person. The special is available every Tuesday this winter, with bookings recommended.  The menu at The Melting Pot has always taken its cue from travel, tapping into the bold flavours and generous, shareable plates that Van Zyl has devoured on his many travels across the world. Alongside a sprinkling of European influences (hello, mussels with fennel and sourdough! IYKYK) Asian and Levantine flavours loom large on the menu. But given that he was once Head Chef at the acclaimed Indian restaurant Thali, this latest foray into the flavours of the subcontinent makes perfect sense.  A thali is all about variety. It’s a platter of different dishes served together, typically balancing spice, texture, richness and freshness in one generous spread. For diners who love a little taste of everything, it’s the perfect solution. “People crave curry in winter, and we’re creating these thalis to be all about an abundance of nourishing, delicious and moreish winter food,” says John. “Indian food is all about the balance of savoury, sweet, sour, astringent and bitter. The beautiful thing about a thali is that you are able to include all of those elements in a single platter.” With Thali Tuesdays at The Melting Pot, you can expec

In 2014 Dominique Ansel gave the world the Cronut, fusing a croissant and doughnut into a single pastry. In 2016 came the Crone – a croissant and ice cream cone – followed quickly by the Cruffin, Cretzel and the Croaf.  But 2024 brought us the Crookie, created in Paris but made into a global craze by TikTok. In Cape Town three (or are there more? Tell us at hello@timeout.com) city bakeries serve up their take on the world’s latest pastry sensation The story begins in October 2022, when pâtissier Stéphane Louvard was tinkering in his bakery in the Opéra district of Paris. He sold a few, mostly as a novelty, but the idea never really took off. Until TikTok caught wind of it in December 2023, and Crookie videos were soon racking up millions of views. By February 2024 Maison Louvard was – sacré bleu! – selling 2300 Crookies a day, with queues around the block as locals and tourists lined up for a taste. The Crookie soon went global, and now the world’s newest pastry trend has made its way to the Mother City. From its main bakery in Salt River, Proof Bakery supplies bread and patisserie to more than 80 restaurants, shops and delis across Cape Town, but their small store in Claremont is the exclusive outlet for Proof’s artisanal take on the Crookie (R45).  ‘We’re always looking for new ideas, and my eldest son told me about them being so popular in Paris,’ says store owner Joanne Gloak. ‘The world’s going crazy about it, so I thought OK I’ll do it.’ At Proof the Crookie starts wit

If ever there was a time to buy a copy of TIME, it’s now. This week, the Great African Seaforest – the vast underwater kelp forest that fringes the Cape Peninsula and extends north along the west coast towards Namibia – features as the cover story of TIME’s ocean-focused edition. With a spectacular photograph by Cape Town-based freediver and underwater photographer Helen Walne, the feature – titled ‘The Power Hiding in Underwater Forests’ – puts a global spotlight on one of South Africa’s most extraordinary natural wonders. Whether taking a dip in a tidal pool or wandering the coastline, most Capetonians rarely give the kelp forests a second thought. But this cold-water forest of sea bamboo plays host to – and supports – a remarkable diversity of sea life, from sharks, seals and cuttlefish to nudibranchs, limpets, rock lobster and abalone. With roots clinging to rocky reefs to withstand the pounding swells that hit the Cape Peninsula, these towering trunks and sunlight-soaking fronds create a three-dimensional habitat for thousands of marine species. Fed by cold, nutrient-rich upwellings along the Cape coast, the Great African Seaforest is considered the world’s only giant sea bamboo forest, dominated by sea bamboo – Ecklonia maxima – and split-fan kelp. It’s not the first time these kelp forests have made global headlines… this is also the underwater world made famous by the Oscar-winning documentary ‘My Octopus Teacher, which was filmed in the forests around the Cape Penins

Love wine but looking to add a little spice to your collection? The Wine Concepts Grape Escape Wine Festival brings together 40 top producers from across the Cape Winelands to pop the cork on more than 130 wines for an evening exploring the vinous road less travelled. Now in its sixth year, the festival has built its reputation on sharing wines beyond the same-old Sauvvie that you’re used to ordering. Here, the focus is on uncommon varieties, curious blends and bottles you might not find on the supermarket shelf. Think Viura and Mourvèdre. Verdelho and Sangiovese. Not heard of Nebbiolo? Now’s your chance to taste it. Barbera, Chenin Blanc and Chenin-led blends also make an appearance, as does a good selection of Rhône varieties, from Viognier and Roussanne to Syrah and Grenache. The roll call of producers doing the pouring is just as interesting, with both big-name brands and boutique trailblazers on the lineup. Jordan is pouring Assyrtiko and Riesling. Migliarina brings Albariño, Grenache Noir and a vine-dried Pinot Gris sweet wine. Morgenster is showing Vermentino, Nebbiolo and a Sangiovese blend, while Wightman and Sons adds Viura, skin-contact Chenin, Tinta Barocca and Carignan to the mix. Chenin fans are especially well looked after, and here the focus is on showcasing the sheer versatility of South Africa’s signature white grape, with styles ranging from old-vine and barrel-fermented examples to skin-contact and field-blend interpretations. Grape Escape: Need to know

Robben Island Museum has launched its NextGenHeritage Free Pass, giving South African children under the age of 15 free entry to the museum when accompanied by a paying adult. The offer runs from 1 June to 30 October 2026: that includes the winter and spring school holidays, as well as two public holidays! The aim, says Robben Island Museum, is to make heritage experiences more accessible for South African families, while encouraging younger visitors to engage with the country’s history and democratic journey. Round of applause for the Museum for that! It’s a timely reminder that Robben Island is not only one of Cape Town’s most popular visitor attractions, but also one of South Africa’s most powerful living-history sites. For many visitors, the most poignant stop is the former prison block where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison, including a visit to his small cell in Section B. But the wider island tour also gives a sense of Robben Island beyond the prison walls, from its military history and limestone quarry to the natural landscapes and views back to the city. Tours include the ferry crossing from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, a guided bus tour of the island and a visit to the former maximum-security prison, with insight from guides who help bring the island’s layered history into focus. The free pass applies to one South African child under 15 per paying adult. A South African adult ticket costs R400, while additional children are cha