Richard Holmes

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.

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. 

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. Cape Town-based artist Justine Mahoney has spent more than 30 years developing a body of work that delves into the age-old question of humanity, and what it means to exist within a body. Born in Johannesburg, she completed her National Diploma in Fine Art at the University of Johannesburg in 1991, and has gone on to build a multidisciplinary practice across sculpture and painting. Her work has been shown at Southern Guild, Iziko South African National Gallery and Cavalli Gallery, and internationally at fairs and exhibitions including Design Miami, PAD London and Salon Art + Design in New York. Mahoney is best known for hybrid figures that combine human, animal and mythic elements, and while her early works drew on visual references ranging from science fiction to classical art, today her art is focused inwards, shifting from images in the outside world to those arising from the psyche. It’s work that is layered and otherworldly, but also increasingly personal, and that same sensibility carries into her favourite corners of Cape Town. MORE LOCALS SHARE THEIR FAVOURITE SPOTS Musician Mandisi Dyantyis on finding inspiration in the city Stormers coach John Dobson on his favourite steakhouse Where designer Sindiso Khumalo shops for gifts Where songster Will L

It’s April, and all eyes are on the dams. City managers are warning residents of possible water shortages in the summer ahead and putting the metro on ‘Early Drought Caution’. This week, the city’s main water storage dams are just 45 percent full, about 20 percent lower than at this time last year, and the 2017 drought and threat of ‘Day Zero’ still looms large in the minds of locals. But, in fact, this is all nothing new. Cape Town: always a thirsty city Wind the clock back 150 years, and the fast-growing city of Cape Town was battling the same problem: a lack of fresh water to fill the taps of the expanding suburbs below. Locals had long relied on the spring water and streams that flow from the sandstone of Table Mountain – the Khoisan named this place Camissa, for its ‘sweet water’ – but by the late-1800s those streams were no longer enough. As demand rose and summer streams dried up, engineers were forced to think bigger. And higher. Their solution was a bold one: build reservoirs on top of Table Mountain. First came the Woodhead Tunnel, built between 1888 and 1891, which diverted water from the Disa Stream – which flows into Hout Bay – towards the city centre. However, streams ebb and flow with the rains. Dams are more reliable. In 1890, Scottish engineer Thomas Stewart was brought in to help turn that idea into stone and mortar. He built cableways up Kasteelspoort, and laid rail tracks for steam engines on the mountain top. Sandstone was plentiful, but it all had to be

Last week, while we were all kicking back on Easter holidays, the City of Cape Town quietly announced that the Battle of Muizenberg site had officially been proclaimed a Provincial Heritage Site, bringing the list of provincial sites to 20. Which, no doubt, left many Capetonians scratching their heads. Muizenberg had a battle? Seriously? Because these days Muizenberg is better known for its rainbow beach huts, beginner-friendly surf break and a breezy beachfront full of restaurants and cafés. Just over the tracks, The Happy Rooster dishes up darn fine Afro-Portuguese food, served with a great sea view. But take a short walk along the Main Road towards Kalk Bay, and you’ll find yourself at the gate to one of the unsung historic corners of the city. The site of the Battle of Muizenberg.   The site’s formal protection as a Provincial Heritage Site identifies the area as “a cultural landscape site with various layers of significance”. That includes evidence of shell middens that suggest the presence of indigenous groups well before the occupation of Muizenberg by the Dutch in the mid-17th century. More Cape History: The ‘circle of saints’ around Cape Town But there are also the remains of the stone walls and fortifications that defined the Battle of Muizenberg, a conflict between the Dutch and British in 1795. The Dutch defence fortifications were overseen by Louis Michel Thibault; a military engineer at the time, who would later become a prominent architect of 18th-century C

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

What does your dream weekend away look like? Is it all about culinary adventures through the winelands? We’ve got that covered over here. Prefer to kick back with your dearly beloved in the steamy embrace of a wood-fired hot tub? Here are some of our favourite hot tubs in the Cape. But if your perfect escape comes covered in mud, includes plenty of gravel, and offers the chance to get sweaty on the hills and stoked on the descents, you’ve come to the right place.  Because the Western Cape is nothing short of nirvana for those who love muddy tracks and two wheels to get dirty on. Within a few hours of the city – or as little as 30 minutes – you can be riding hand-built singletrack through fynbos, cranking hard through forested valleys, climbing granite slopes or cruising rugged Karoo tracks with barely another rider in sight. But not every country cottage can be called a getaway for dedicated riders. A gravel road on its own won’t cut it, right? So we’ve scoured the Cape to rustle up our favourite getaways for some proper MTB. Places where trails are well marked, the singletrack brings a smile, and there are wash bays, rental bikes and route maps to make life easy. If you want to roll straight from your room onto the dirt, look no further. RECOMMENDED:🛏 A guide to where to stay in Cape Town🍴 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 Hol

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. South African wine has no shortage of family stories; tales of ambitious farmers and hard-working wine-growers who till the soil and toil in the cellar to create magic from the vines.   But few have scaled from a family farming operation to ‘buy-them-everywhere’ quite like Van Loveren. What started as a family farm in the Robertson Valley has grown into one of the country’s biggest independent wine businesses, with wines sold in 70 countries and a portfolio that now stretches from big-name commercial brands to more premium labels. And some eye-catching recent acquisitions. Under the leadership of the four cousins – Philip, Neil, Hennie and Bussell Retief – Van Loveren is now in expansion mode, with Overhex, Survivor Wines, Landskroon and Neil Ellis Wines all forming part of the company mix. Despite the expansion, for Van Loveren’s Managing Director Philip Retief, the golden thread of family still runs through the business. “A lot of things. Our main offices and tasting room, the lush gardens and Christina’s restaurant all form part of the family story. Several of our labels, like Van Loveren, Tangled Tree, Retief Reserve and Four Cousins, also bring family stories and leg

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. 

When a fire swept through Stables Restaurant on Vergelegen Wine Estate in March, it left one of the Somerset West estate’s most popular dining spaces closed until further notice. And although the rest of the historic estate, including the Rose Terrace Tea Room, remained open to visitors, the 70-odd staff at Stables were left with the prospect of months without work. Happily, Vergelegen was quick to respond with a new restaurant concept that keeps flavour-forward Winelands cooking very much on the menu.  Firehorse opened in mid-April, taking over a space alongside the Stables site and the estate’s legacy vineyard block. And though it’s a temporary structure while Stables is renovated and upgraded (expected to re-open in late 2026), you wouldn’t know it. Step inside the airy reception area, and it’s hard to tell this hasn’t always been part of the landscape. And Stables regulars might even recognise the equine statue, Chevalier, that still takes pride of place, only now with a few fiery sparkles to boot. Wander through to the 130-seater dining area, and this upmarket marquee has a wonderful, airy feel to it. Potted trees and tall windows make you feel as if you’re dining in the gardens. And while winter sunshine means the doors can open, and the views flow in, it’d be just as charming when the rain lashes down, and you have a good excuse to indulge in the heartier plates on the menu. The menu keeps many of the Stables’ favourites in play, from breakfast dishes that run to farm

Date night. That’s what springs to mind when I think of Yatai, that deeply sexy Japanese eatery on Bree Street that brings a healthy dose of contemporary elegance and polished service to the notion of inner-city ramen in Cape Town. It’s a moody space, all dark wood and leather banquettes, where you’ll notice the cocktail bar as much as the kitchen, and a pre-dinner Negroni is all but compulsory. And while ramen and cocktails have been the calling card of Yatai since it opened in 2024, the launch of a new menu expands the repertoire to offer a wide-ranging, yet upmarket take on Japanese izakaya-style cooking. It’s a refreshed menu with more variety, more sharing plates and now sushi, delivering a wider sweep of Japanese flavours to the table. Yatai is part of the PAN Collection Hospitality Group, whose Bree Street portfolio also includes Hacienda, IRON, Scala and Burger & Lobster. Behind the refreshed menu are consultant chef Rikku O'Donnchu and PAN Collection executive chef Justin Barker, who have broadened Yatai’s original ramen-bar focus into a more wide-ranging Japanese dining experience. The biggest update is that the new Yatai menu introduces a revamped selection of small plates designed for sharing as an extended dinner (perhaps with a second Negroni?) or as a prelude to the ramen bowls. Order a few as starters, or a half-dozen for a sharing experience. It’s a natural fit for the space: this is very much a date-night destination, but equally suited to a group dinner bui

Just a few weeks after the Two Oceans Marathon got its groove back, and as the city gears up for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Cape Town’s running season laces up again this weekend with the return of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Cape Town 10K. But what’s a fun morning out for runners might be bad news for motorists, as road closures roll out across Milnerton and the CBD.  The 11th edition of this popular 10km race takes place on Sunday, 10 May, starting at 9am on Marine Drive in Milnerton before finishing at the Grand Parade in the city centre. The race starts at Woodbridge Island and finishes at the Grand Parade, with route activations and entertainment planned along the way. But that jol doesn’t come without disruption, and roads will be closed in and around the city from as soon as Friday! From Friday (8 May) at 8pm sections of Darling Street, Lower Long Street and Long Street will be closed for parking, with those restrictions remaining in place until Sunday afternoon. Further closures around Darling Street and Castle Street come into effect from Saturday, 9 May. Cape Town Marathon: watch Eliud Kipchoge in action! On race day, expect the road closures to widen further, particularly along the main artery from Milnerton to the city. Large sections of Marine Drive will close from 7am, along with closures and restrictions along Heerengracht Street, Lower Long Street, Long Street, Walter Sisulu Avenue, Adderley Street and Darling Street from 6am to 8.45am. Most roads will reopen b

Cape Town’s Boulders Beach has been named among The World’s 50 Best Beaches for 2026. Boulders, outside Simon’s Town, was placed at number 45 on the international list, which ranks beaches from around the world based on input from travel professionals, influencers, beach experts and the World’s 50 Beaches team. Raving about Boulders for both the opportunity to get up close and personal with the resident colony of African penguins, as well as the striking backdrop of large granite boulders, ‘this setting makes it distinct from other Atlantic Ocean beaches in the area,’ says The World’s 50 Best Beaches. ‘The presence of the penguins, combined with the safe, warm swimming spots, draws both tourists and locals who are looking for a unique beach experience that combines wildlife observation with leisure activities.’ At the top of the 2026 global list is Entalula Beach in the Philippines, followed by Fteri Beach in Greece and Wharton Beach in Australia. The rest of the top 10 includes Nosy Iranja in Madagascar, East Beach on Vomo Island in Fiji, Shoal Bay East in Anguilla, Dhigurah in the Maldives, Playa Balandra in Mexico, Koh Rong in Cambodia and Donald Duck Bay in Thailand. Happily, Boulders was one of several African beaches to make the cut. Madagascar’s Nosy Iranja was the highest-ranked beach on the continent, placing fourth overall, while Seychelles’ Anse Source d’Argent came in at number 24. Mauritius also featured, with Le Morne Beach ranked at number 40, and Paje Beach in

Feel the need for speed? Wings Over Winelands is bringing a full day of aviation action to Vergelegen Wine Estate on Saturday, 16 May, pairing high-flying aerobatics with food, wine and family entertainment in one of the Cape’s most scenic Winelands settings. Running from 8am to 3pm, this family-friendly event combines aerial displays with all the beautiful food, wine and estate-side hospitality you’d expect to find on one of the Cape’s most celebrated wine farms. While gates open at 8am, the flying programme is expected to run from 10am to 3pm, with a line-up that includes the Marksman Aerobatic Display Team, the Raptors RV Display Team, the Aérospatiale Gazelle and the Aero L-29 Delfín jet display. Across the day, spectators can expect a mix of precision aerobatics, formation flying and fast-jet performance, with aviation commentator Ian Fraser guiding the crowd through the aircraft, pilots and manoeuvres in the sky. Back on terra firma, the event will also offer tastings of Vergelegen’s award-winning wines, gourmet food trucks, craft stalls and family-friendly entertainment across the Vergelegen estate. If you have big plans to buzz the tower, best you get your ticket early. How to buy tickets for Wings Over Winelands: Tickets are available now, via Quicket. General admission prices start from R140 (kids 2-12) to R220. Student tickets cost R150 VIP tickets cost R1700 and include a dedicated premium viewing section, lunch and open bar. There will be comfortable seating

We’ll take almost any excuse to book a trip to Franschhoek. We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in Franschhoek and found new reasons to book a table in the valley. Even if you budget doesn’t extend to standout stays like La Residence, the ‘French Corner’ remains one of the Cape’s best weekend escapes. And this winter there’s another reason to point the car towards the Cape Winelands: Franschhoek’s Mystery Weekends are back for 2026. Designed for travellers who like the idea of a fully planned weekend away, without actually doing the planning, the Mystery Weekends offer a curated escape built around accommodation, wine, dining and surprise experiences in the Franschhoek valley. The idea is pretty simple: arrive in Franschhoek, enjoy a relaxed welcome gathering with a glass of wine, then open your Mystery Weekend box to reveal the itinerary for your days ahead. From there, the weekend unfolds across selected restaurants, wine estates and experiences, with the details kept under wraps until guests arrive. The 2026 Mystery Weekends in Franschhoek will take place across winter and early spring. Confirmed dates for 2026 are: 26-28 June 31 July-2 August 4-6 September And winter is when Franschhoek is best for this kind of fun. The valley’s a little quieter, the weather’s a little cooler, and the days are perfect for wine-tasting feasting and laxing by a crackling fire. Add in a little luxury and it’s not hard to see the appeal of a weekend away with a few surprises thro

He may be more famous for his rib-eye and ravioli, but now acclaimed restaurateur Giorgio Nava is turning his hand to Japanese cuisine too. Nava – the chef behind CARNE and much-loved 95 Keerom, which closed in 2020 – last week opened Temaky at Heritage Square, with a concise menu of Japanese bites at a price perfectly pitched to grab-and-go. Temaki (or temaky) are Japanese hand-rolls of sushi rice and fillings wrapped in a cone of nori seaweed. They’re eaten by hand rather than with chopsticks (but they have those on hand if you prefer), and unlike sliced maki or California sushi rolls, temaki are usually made and served as a single cone-shaped portion. “Every day, I see sushi,” says Nava. “At the supermarket and even at the petrol station today, we buy sushi. It’s everywhere. But temaki is something I don’t see much in town, and I think it’s an interesting thing to eat.” Temaky shares Nava’s Caffe Milano space in Heritage Square, in the same passageway that leads you to Sloppy Sam and The Drinkery (It’s a perfect pairing for a cocktail upstairs. Would love to see that happen!) Review: Nava brings Italian flair to meaty fare at CARNE Step inside, and the small menu is dedicated almost entirely to temaki, with five variations on the theme. The cone of nori and perfectly seasoned sushi rice (plump, not too soft) is the starting point, and then you can choose between tuna, salmon, line fish, vegetables, or prawns. The prawn temaki, with generous sesame and avocado, was probably

After a month in which their water was shut off and the doors had to close, much-loved Cape Town restaurant Farro will be open again from tomorrow (Wednesday 29 April)!  “We are so excited to be able to open our doors again after an excruciatingly challenging month. We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from the community, and we can't wait to welcome you back into our home,” enthused Eloise Windebank, who runs Farro with her husband, Alex. Farro’s nightmare month began in late-March, when they were caught in the middle of a dispute between the owner of the building (Farro is a tenant) in Gardens, and the City of Cape Town. Water and municipal services to the Wandel Street restaurant were disconnected due to a municipal debt linked to the property, dating back before Alex and Eloise took occupation. The debt wasn’t theirs, but the fallout certainly was. With no water, Farro had to shut the doors, losing bookings, valuable stock and weeks of revenue. For a small business, owned and operated by the couple, it was devastating. And as the closure dragged on, Farro’s survival was at risk. Enter stage left, wearing a superhero cape, the city’s foodie community, who have enthusiastically supported the restaurant’s ‘Friends of Farro Fundraiser' campaign. At the time of writing, hundreds of donors had pledged more than R315 000 to support the restaurant’s reopening. Which will happen tomorrow, Wednesday 29 April! With the debt issue resolved and the water

Cape Town is in for another busy weekend, with Ultra South Africa bringing the beats to The Ostrich as the DHL Stormers prepare for their final regular-season home game at DHL Stadium. While getting to Ultra isn’t likely to be much of an issue (get there before 5pm to avoid the peak traffic), if you’re heading into town for the game on Saturday, you’ll want to plan ahead.  Wait, what? There’s a game on? Yup, the Stormers take on Glasgow Warriors in what could be a big afternoon for the home team (we won’t mention last week, Dobbo). Not only are they looking to lock in their United Rugby Championship playoff position, but they’re also chasing the regular-season URC attendance record.  In other words: expect a crowd. They’re asking for one. Kick-off is at 1.45pm, with gates opening at 11.45am and tickets are still available through Ticketmaster, starting at just R85! Getting to the stadium To help ease traffic around Green Point, a free MyCiTi shuttle service will run for match ticket holders from the Civic Centre and Thibault Square stations. The shuttle starts running from 11.15am, and the last bus after the game will leave the Green Point precinct at 6.10pm. If you’re driving into the city, the City of Cape Town will open parking areas for ticket holders from 10.45am. These bays, accessible from Hertzog Boulevard and from Civic Road, will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The parking areas close at 8pm, so don’t stay too long at the stadium, or you’ll be w

From the far-flung Greek islands to the Cape Town Foreshore, Mamma Mia! is coming back to Artscape from 3 September to 11 October 2026, bringing with it a star-studded cast and a soundtrack of your favourite singalong hits. The new South African run is led by Amra-Faye Wright as Donna Sheridan, who returns to the local stage after a glittering international career on Broadway and in the West End, where she has become best known for her long-running turn as Velma Kelly in 'Chicago'. She’s joined by Samantha Peo as Tanya and Lindy Abromowitz as Rosie, reuniting a trio of big names from South Africa’s musical theatre scene. Also on the bill are Paul du Toit as Sam Carmichael, Tiaan Rautenbach as Bill Austin, Matt Newman as Harry Bright and Leah Mari as Sophie Sheridan. Behind the scenes, the production reunites director Janice Honeyman and choreographer Duane Alexander, with Denis Hutchinson on set and lighting design. What’s the story? Well, let’s be honest, in this theatre show the plot line is pretty much secondary to the show tunes, but as you ask... Written by Catherine Johnson and built around ABBA’s back catalogue, Mamma Mia! follows bride-to-be Sophie as she secretly invites three men from her mother’s past to a Greek island in the hope of discovering which one is her father. Expect all the favourites, including Dancing Queen, Knowing Me, Knowing You, Voulez Vous and I Have a Dream.  And there’s a reason Mamma Mia! keeps finding new audiences. The stage musical first op

Cape Town Opera is bringing one of opera’s biggest crowd-pleasers back to the stage this May, with a new production of Carmen running at Artscape from 19-31 May 2026. ‘Carmen’ is perhaps the most famous work by the French composer Georges Bizet, and if you’re new to opera, it’s a fairly easy entry point into the art form. This time around, the staging comes courtesy of theatre director Steven Stead. Set in early 1930s-era Seville, Spain, you can look forward to all the passion, jealousy and fatal attraction that have made Carmen a classic since its first performance in Paris in 1875. From the bustle of the cigarette factory to the charged spectacle of the bullring, it’s set to a score packed with instantly recognisable favourites, including the ‘Habanera’ and ‘Toreador Song’. Leading the cast is Nonhlanhla Yende in the title role, with Lukhanyo Moyake as Don José, the soldier. Vuvu Mpofu takes on the role of Micaëla, while Conroy Scott appears as the swaggering Escamillo. Brittany Smith and Khayakazi Madlala round out the principal cast as Frasquita and Mercédès. Cape Town Opera’s Vocal Ensemble and Children’s Chorus will be joined by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Tim Murray. The opening night also marks a major milestone for Artscape, with the first performance taking place as the venue celebrates its 55th anniversary. But, you’d better be quick, as there are only six performances in the run: Evening performances take place on 19, 21, 27 and 29 May at 7

Cape Town hikers planning an early-morning Lion’s Head mission will need to tweak their usual route from next week. SANParks has announced that the Jeep Track, which winds around the peak from Signal Hill Road, will close from 20 April to allow for essential maintenance work. SANParks says it hopes to reopen the trail by June 2026, but that is subject to the weather playing ball with the work that needs to be done. And we all know what a Cape winter can look like!  The closure means the Jeep Track will be off limits to hikers and runners for two months, but the summit itself will remain accessible via alternative routes. (Did you hear all those fitfluencers breathing a sigh of relief?) So with the Jeep Track closed, what are the alternate routes up Lion’s Head? SANParks: Temporary Lion's Head Jeep track closure The closest option to the usual jeep track route is the Kramat trail off Signal Hill Road, which starts near the Kramat (check out our story about Cape Town’s ‘Circle of Saints’) and heads straight up the northern flank of the peak until it joins the very end of the Jeep Track. SANParks says parking at the Lion’s Head parking area will still be available for hikers using the Kramat approach. There is also a trail from Kloof Road, but you’ll need to negotiate the roadworks there. If you’re feeling very fit, there’s also a trailhead at Upper Rhine Road from the top of Sea Point, but that leads up to the Kramat Trail anyway, so you might as well park up top and save y