Richard Holmes

For years Merlot had something of an image problem. Too often dismissed as the soft, easy-drinking alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon, its reputation wasn't helped by the 2004 film Sideways, in which wine snob Miles famously – with some colourful language – refused to drink the stuff. But this classic Bordeaux grape is capable of far greater complexity. In the right hands, it delivers beautifully layered wines with ripe plum and cherry fruit, savoury notes, elegant tannins and impressive ageing potential. And South African winemakers are increasingly showing just how versatile Merlot can be. From the maritime vineyards of Durbanville to the mountain slopes of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, producers are crafting wines that challenge the variety's reputation. And there's no better excuse to explore than International Merlot Day, celebrated each year on 7 November. Whether you're after a serious comparative tasting or a relaxed afternoon in the vineyards, these are the Cape wine estates to visit.

The champagne corks popped in Lima, Peru, this week as The World’s 50 Best Restaurants were announced. Launched in 2002, the annual World’s 50 Best Awards have become one of the most influential barometers of global fine dining, with the rankings decided by more than 1100 international food experts. For local diners, the big winner of the night was La Colombe, which rose 20 places to the top 50 at #35 and was named Africa's best restaurant. Two more Cape Town favourites – Salsify at The Roundhouse and FYN – also cracked the global top 100. And while these three rank among the most expensive restaurants in Cape Town, perhaps the more interesting question is how their prices compare with their international rivals. If you think Cape Town's best restaurants are expensive, just wait until you see what you'll pay when dining overseas! A multi-course tasting menu at one of the Mother City's top restaurants might set you back a few thousand bucks, but you'll often pay twice as much for a similar experience overseas. So while some diners may grumble – or fall over in shock – at the price of fine dining in Cape Town, Time Out crunched the numbers to see just how much they charge compared with the restaurants immediately above and below them in the global rankings. We compared the price of a flagship tasting menu at each restaurant, excluding drinks, service and optional wine pairings, and converted international prices into South African rands.  Are they expensive? Yes. Are Cape Town

For the longest time, Cape Town International Airport was your gateway to, well, Joburg mostly. Durbs, if you’re lucky. Back in the 80s, the ‘Friday night jumbo’ was worth stepping outside to watch, such was the novelty of the British Airways service to London. Today, it’s a different story, and Cape Town is increasingly becoming an international gateway in its own right, with travellers no longer needing to connect through Johannesburg. In 2025, Cape Town International handled a record 11.1 million passengers and this summer season will see 26 carriers operating 255 flights a week to 33 destinations around the world. OPINION: Why is parking at Cape Town Airport so expensive? Cape Town-Joburg remains one of the busiest ‘city pair’ routes in the world, but beyond the usual suspects – Gauteng for business, London for family, Dubai for a cheap long-haul connection – a quick look at the departures board reveals a tantalising choice of destinations waiting for you. And they’re all direct, meaning no tedious layover at OR Tambo. From remote Atlantic islands to the wildest corners of southern Africa, it’s never been easier to connect Cape Town with the world. Some flights only operate on certain days, and some are seasonal. But if you're looking for your next adventure, why not book a ticket to one of the unusual, intriguing and downright wonderful places you can now reach direct from Cape Town. RECOMMENDED:  😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spot

From elegant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to bold Cabernet Sauvignon, spicy Shiraz and world-class Chenin Blanc, the Cape has become one of the planet's most exciting wine-producing regions. But did you know that South Africa's wine story began more than 350 years ago, in 1659, when the first grapes were pressed at the Cape by Dutch colonialists under the command of Jan van Riebeeck? It was a modest beginning for an industry that would, over the next three centuries, become one of the country's great success stories and a major draw for travellers from across the globe. By the late 17th century, vineyards were flourishing on the slopes of Table Mountain, and Constantia's sweet wines eventually gained favour in the royal courts of Europe. The arrival of French Huguenots in 1688 brought new winemaking skills to the Cape, while the valleys of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl gradually developed into some of the Southern Hemisphere's most celebrated wine regions. Today, South African wines compete comfortably with the world's best. From internationally acclaimed Chardonnay and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon to the proudly homegrown Pinotage, the diversity of wines produced across the Cape is extraordinary. Chenin Blanc, once largely destined for inexpensive everyday drinking, has emerged as one of the country's signature varieties, while Cap Classique sparkling wines regularly give their Champagne counterparts serious competition. It's a success story shaped as much by the landscape

With global accolades for menus rooted in African flavours and international inspiration, you’ll never go hungry in the Mother City. But at what cost? Although there's no shortage of cheap eats, dining out at the sharp end of the city’s dining scene has become an increasingly serious investment. At Cape Town’s most acclaimed eateries, tasting menus now push well beyond R2000 per person. And that’s before you’ve even looked at the wine list. Go for the chef’s degustation menu with the best wine pairings, and dinner for two can comfortably stretch into five figures. Of course, value for money is subjective, so we’re not saying any one restaurant below is better or worse than the others – or whether it's money well-spent, that's up to you – just how much the priciest menu will set you back. Time Out guide: The 45 best restaurants in Cape Town So which are the most expensive restaurants in Cape Town? To keep the comparison as fair as possible, we’ve ranked restaurants by the price of their most expensive tasting or set menu, excluding drinks where these are separately priced.  Seasonal specials and one-off collaborations aren't included. However, where there’s an especially extravagant wine pairing or supplement available, we’ve included that too. So if you've got an appetite for fine dining, and a lottery win or year-end bonus burning a hole in your pocket, here's where to book... RECOMMENDED:  🏨 The best hotels in Cape Town🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town🍷

If you thought private aviation was strictly the preserve of billionaires, business tycoons and celebrities who'd rather not queue at airport security, think again. Well, sort of. Chartering your own plane from Cape Town certainly doesn't come cheap, but with a range of aircraft and operators to choose from, flying private is no longer simply about champagne and plush leather seats. It's also about convenience, flexibility and reaching the places where commercial airlines simply can't take you. From business travellers visiting remote work sites to well-heeled tourists heading for exclusive safari lodges, private charter flights are carving out a niche in South African aviation. And it's a booming business worldwide. According to aviation analysts WINGX, global business jet departures reached a record 3.9 million last year. Africa recorded particularly strong growth of 15 percent, even if it was from a small base. Because the South African market is different to the busy private aviation corridors of Europe and North America. Here, it's less about making the short hop between glamorous cities and more about covering long distances quickly, and reaching remote destinations without days on the road. How do I book? The good news is that booking a private flight is considerably simpler than you might imagine. There's no need for a membership card, or an aviation broker on speed dial. All you really need is a destination, a date and – here’s the biggie – a budget. At Cape Town-bas

Cape Town is – let’s not be coy – the culinary capital of Africa. Whether you’re throwing on a jacket for an evening of world-class fine dining in landmark settings, or hanging with the locals in a neighbourhood mezcaleria where the queue is out the door, the Mother City is one place where you’re always spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out. What makes the city so special? Diversity. You’ll find menus that celebrate Cape ingredients and heritage, others that riff on global trends, and plenty that do both at the same time. It’s a city where casual ramen bars share the spotlight with world-class fine-dining destinations that crack global awards lists. And all at a fraction of what you’d pay overseas But with a city jam-packed with fine food, where do you start? Right here, of course, with the Time Out guide to the best restaurants in Cape Town. And no, it’s not all about expensive multi-course menus and tweezered micro-herbs. On this list you’ll find the best pizza joints, unforgettable sushi bars and – of course – the creative chefs that make Cape Town one of the world’s gourmet heavyweights. It’s a list that evolves as quickly as the city’s restaurant scene, so check back often to see what’s hot this month. Come hungry, explore widely and – our advice? – always leave space for dessert. RECOMMENDED:  🏨 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📍 The best

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

With local government elections looming on 4 November, the Democratic Alliance is apparently taking its campaign to new heights. Literally. Alongside the usual posters and billboards, the party has been flying giant advertising banners above Cape Town, hoping to catch the attention of voters below. But political campaigning is just the latest reason to look skywards in the Mother City. Gaze up on any sunny day – especially in summer, or when there's a game on at DHL Stadium – and chances are you'll hear the distant drone of a Piper Super Cub making its way slowly across the skies. And following not far behind: an advertising banner. The banner could be touting business for an (in)famous gentleman's club or a sports betting brand, estate agent or online retailer. Whoever might be hoping for your eyeballs, one thing’s almost certain: you looked.   View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Cape Town (@timeout.capetown) Because in a world awash with transitory advertising, social media messaging and ceaseless input, there remains something nostalgic, arresting somehow, in spotting a plane that has slipped the surly bonds of Earth. Chances are, you’ll look up and remember the brand. And while the announcement of new dancers may generate the most consideration (or condemnation) in Cape Town, it’s certainly not the only brand buying into the world of high-flying advertising. It’s a bright winter’s morning when I pull into Cape Wineland

It began with 13 runners, a handful of volunteers and a stopwatch. On 2 October 2004, a small group of friends gathered in London's Bushy Park for a free, timed 5km run. The idea came from South African-born Paul Sinton-Hewitt, who wanted to create a simple, sociable way for people to get together and enjoy running. There were no medals, no entry fees and no elaborate race infrastructure. Just a marked course, a finish line and the promise of doing it all again the following Saturday. More than two decades later, that modest gathering has become a global phenomenon. Today, parkrun brings together runners and walkers in thousands of parks and public spaces across the world, united by the same simple concept: a free, weekly 5km event where everyone is welcome. And few cities offer a better backdrop for a Saturday morning parkrun than Cape Town. parkrun explained Forget the pressure of race day. There's no starting gun, no entry fee and no need to be particularly fit or fast. From serious runners chasing personal bests to families pushing prams and friends catching up over a leisurely walk, parkrun is as much about community as it is about exercise. Every event follows a measured 5km course, with a team of volunteers handling everything from marshalling and timekeeping to barcode scanning at the finish line. There's even a volunteer tail walker whose job is to finish last, ensuring nobody gets left behind. And of course, in Cape Town the scenery is an added bonus. Depending on w

There is no shortage of spectacular beaches in Cape Town. Whether you're chasing waves, planning a family day out, seeking a quiet stretch of sand, or simply hunting for the perfect sunset, there's a beach in the Mother City with your name on it. But not all beaches are created equal. While a beautiful setting is certainly a good start, there's more to choosing the perfect spot for a summer swim. That's where the international Blue Flag programme comes in. First introduced in Europe in 1987, the Blue Flag programme recognises beaches that meet strict international standards for water quality, environmental management, safety, accessibility and visitor facilities. It's not simply a beauty contest either: beaches are assessed against a strict set of criteria and must maintain those standards to keep their coveted Blue Flag flying. South Africa joined the programme in 2001, with the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) overseeing its local implementation. For the 2026/27 summer season, eight Cape Town beaches have once again earned full Blue Flag status. Even more impressive, it’s the fifth consecutive year the city has achieved this milestone! Get salty! The Best Tidal Pools in Cape Town And there's more good news for Cape Town's beach-goers. Alongside the eight fully accredited beaches, four additional stretches of sand – Chapman's Peak in Hout Bay, Big Bay, Strand and Strandfontein – have been designated Blue Flag pilot sites for the 2026/27 season. While

It seems the tide might be finally turning when it comes to where – and how – we travel. In some of the world’s most visited cities and destinations, overtourism has become such a pressing issue that travellers are finally starting to look elsewhere, keen to avoid adding to the problem and eager to discover what else the world has to offer. Trends like the ‘quiet-cation’ and the ‘coolcation’ are on the rise, while popular destinations like Japan and Italy continue to come up with ways to redistribute tourism from densely crowded hotspots to lesser-visited regions. If you’re trying to be a more responsible traveller in 2027 – or if you’re simply craving quieter, cheaper alternatives to the overcrowded hotspots – read on. Time Out’s newly updated list of the world’s most underrated travel destinations features empty national parks and tiny time-warp towns; placid jungle stretches and deserted beaches; wild mountain regions and overlooked cities.  Why trust us? Because we’ve been to them all. Every spot on this list was picked by one of our expert editors and globetrotting travel writers, recommended because they offer great (or quiet) alternatives to the classics – and in many cases, because they’re places that are actively seeking tourism. In other words, travelling to any of these 41 destinations is a win-win situation. RECOMMENDED:🏰 The most underrated travel destinations in Europe🚞 13 ways to be a better tourist right now🌎 The countries that actually want travellers rig

The cherry-blossom petals falling like candy-coloured snow in Ueno Park. Sipping a frighteningly expensive martini in the Park Hyatt’s New York Bar (the one made famous by Bill Murray and Scarlet Johansson in ‘Lost in Translation’). Early mornings at the Tsukiji Market. Global fashion on Takeshita-dori in Harajuku. My first trip to Tokyo made quite the impression. But if there’s one thing seared into my memory, it’s the noise and bustle of Andy’s Shin Hinomoto. One of Tokyo's most famous izakayas, tucked under the railway arches of Yūrakuchō Station, it’s where I found myself on my last night in town, nursing a bottle of Asahi Super Dry and marvelling at the plate of whole salt-grilled squid that had landed in front of me. Those Tokyo memories came rushing back this week as I took a table at Ramenhead Izakaya on Kloof Street and the waitress slid a bowl of whole ‘chokka’ onto the table with a smile. It’s one of many good reasons to visit Ramenhead’s new home. The backstory Ramenhead first opened on Parliament Street in 2022, when chef Peter Tempelhoff and his FYN team set out to up Cape Town’s Japanese ramen game. They imported Africa's first Yamato noodle-making machine, allowing them to produce fresh noodles with precisely controlled hydration and texture, tailored to the different broths. Four years later, the move to Kloof Street – taking over the space once home to ëlgr – marks an ambitious new chapter. Tempelhoff and culinary director Ashley Moss have expanded the offer

There are hotel renovations, and then there are total reinventions. The last time I stayed at The Table Bay Hotel, it was pretty dire. The rooms were tired, the furniture in poor condition, and the carpets made you think twice about walking barefoot in your own room. Opened by Nelson Mandela in 1997, it had once set the benchmark for five-star hospitality in Cape Town, but nearly three decades later the heavy wooden furniture and floral chintz were showing their age. So I was more than a little relieved when The Table Bay closed in February 2025. There was little doubt that the grand old dame of the V&A Waterfront needed a nip-and-tuck. What emerged instead was more like an episode of Ultimate Makeover. Enter a R1-billion refurbishment, 45 additional rooms and suites, an entirely new food and beverage offering, a destination spa, and a change of flag. Reopening as the InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town, it became the first InterContinental hotel in the city, even though Sun International still runs operations behind the scenes.  Likewise, the bones of the original hotel are still here. That enviable location on the edge of the working harbour, to start with, as well as the soaring lobby and mountain-facing terrace. And with a celebrity chef in residence and a very swish new spa open to the public, it’s a space for locals and residents alike.   Why stay at InterContinental Table Bay? Location, for starters. You’re quite literally attached to the V&A Waterfront, with direct a

When Hesheng changed hands in 2023, regulars had reason to worry. For years, the unassuming little restaurant on Sea Point Main Road had built a fiercely loyal following around the cooking of Zeng Meie – known simply as ‘Ma’ – who was as famous for her taciturn (to put it kindly) service as for her handmade dumplings. The new owners, who had worked alongside Ma before taking over, did the smartest thing possible: they changed very little. The service is a little warmer than before, but the dining room is little changed – still no-frills to speak of – and the menu remains as extensive as it is delicious. And, most importantly, the xiao long bao are still good enough to justify a journey across town. The backstory Hesheng has been part of Cape Town’s Chinese restaurant scene for more than a decade. Ma became something of a local legend, not least for the dumplings and noodles made from scratch in the kitchen. Although the restaurant was sold, little has changed, and Hesheng remains one of the most dependable places in Cape Town for handmade dumplings, noodles and Chinese dishes that are a welcome change from your typical ‘sweet-and-sour ' fare. The vibe  Hesheng is not about to win any décor awards. And regulars love it that way. Step inside from the busy Main Road strip and the dining room is much as you’d find in a backstreet of Hong Kong or Beijing: bright lighting, tables crammed in and a waving golden cat on the counter. It’s not the space for fine napery (here it’s a bo

Forget sitting on the couch doom-scrolling on your phone. If you’re going to be looking at a screen, Cape Town’s newest virtual-reality attraction wants you on your feet, ducking, dodging and working up a sweat. What is The Park? The Park Cape Town opened in August 2026 on Kloof Street, bringing a fully immersive VR experience to the City Bowl. VR isn’t exactly new, but what sets The Park apart is that it is Cape Town’s first ‘free-roam’ VR experience. That means players move around a large physical arena, rather than standing in one spot while exploring a virtual world, with wireless headsets and controllers translating their movements into the game. So how do you not run into a wall? I hear you ask. Good question. At The Park, the digital world is mapped onto the real world, with digital ‘walls’ and no-go zones showing you where you can and can’t move.  It’s all colourfully, wonderfully disorientating. The empty room you walked into suddenly becomes a futuristic saloon, an interplanetary battlefield or a decidedly creepy horror show. Those humanoid friends you walked in with? Suddenly they have become carnival entertainers, intergalactic soldiers or offbeat robots. And you’ll want to bring your friends, because this virtual experience is made all the more fun by real-life connection. I took my teenage son and some friends for a trial, and they alternated between howling with laughter at those who couldn’t ‘walk the plank’ high above London (OK OK, it was me who couldn’t s

Michael Broughton is smiling again. The chef who spent nearly two decades turning Terroir – on De Zalze estate in Stellenbosch – into one of the Cape Winelands’ best-known restaurants has swapped the vineyards for Hermanus, and fine-dining flourish for a tiny cottage kitchen and fish fresh off the boats. And it looks like he couldn’t be happier. This new chapter for Broughton is certainly not Terroir-by-the-sea, though. At Fisherman’s Cottage, Broughton is deliberately keeping things simple with a compact menu, blackboard specials (where the real magic lies), superb seafood and a wine list that takes its cue from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. As he puts it, he doesn’t want anything ‘poncy’. He says it’s fine to arrive in your shorts and plakkies, as long as you eat well surrounded by friends and family and leave thinking: “That was flipping lekker. I’ll be back.” Now what’s not to love about that? The Backstory Fisherman’s Cottage is in the heart of town and is certainly not new to Hermanus. The building itself dates to the late-1800s and was built first as a home, then became a coffee shop and, eventually, a seafood restaurant. Most recently it was run for 11 years by the late Anton Verhoogt, who died tragically in an accident in 2025. Broughton’s journey to Hermanus was unintended. After Terroir closed during Covid, he spent several years consulting and developing plant-based products. When Verhoogt passed away Broughton offered to help keep Fisherman’s Cottage running for a f

Cape Town has no end of fancy fine-dining restaurants: all starched white tablecloths, hefty wine lists and plates covered with gels, foams and purées where you can spend hours playing ‘spot the food’.  BURI is not that. Rather, at this brand-new eatery in the city’s ever-buzzy East City precinct, two of the city’s most energetic chefs have given the humble boerewors roll – hence the name ‘BURI’ – a little lift without getting too fancy. It’s like that boerie roll you remember from the family camping holiday or the school fête. Only... better. The backstory BURI, which opened on Harrington Street in August 2026, is the newest concept from chef-restaurateurs Neil Swart and Anouchka Horn, co-founders of the Belly Restaurant Group. But while their other restaurants – Belly of the Beast, Galjoen and Seebamboes – are all about smart multi-course menus and long evenings at the table, BURI is more of a hit-and-run kind of spot. Their premise is simple: make a proper boerewors roll, pay proper attention to every component and resist the temptation to turn it into something unnecessarily fancy... and unrecognisable. The vibe Set on up-and-coming Harrington Street, BURI is a walk-in, spur-of-the-moment kind of place, not destination dining that requires a deposit and months of planning. Hungry now? Let’s go get a ‘BURI’, is more the vibe.  From the BURI-master to the merch on sale, it all feels proudly South African, with a hint of nostalgia. There’s even a photo of chef Neil on a lino

Before you decide where to stay for that weekend break in Hermanus, it’s best to decide why you’re there. Is it to tee up at the golf course? Book a B&B on that side of town. It’s a 27-hole layout, so there’s plenty to keep you busy. Or is it to head up the valley in search of the fine wines of the Hemel-en-Aarde? You might want to look at a farm stay instead. But if you want easy access to the Cliff Path for whale-watching, as well as the ease of walking to the shops and restaurants of the town centre, then One Marine Drive ticks all the right boxes. Set on the western edge of the centre – a 10-minute walk at a leisurely pace – it sits directly opposite the ocean and the famous Cliff Path, with Fick’s Pool, the tidal pool and seaside restaurant, just about on the doorstep. Turn right for a coastal walk to New Harbour. Turn left for Hermanus’s restaurants, galleries and Old Harbour. In season, guests in the front-facing sea-view rooms can pretty much watch for whales in Walker Bay without leaving their rooms.   Why stay at One Marine Drive? Well, apart from the chance to watch cetaceans from your couch, there’s plenty more. Let’s start with the location. One Marine Drive sits right on the seafront, with just Marine Drive and a patch of grass separating you from the Cliff Path. From here, the Overberg’s your oyster. During my stay, I walked the entire length of the path, from Klein River Mouth at Grotto Beach to New Harbour, so you can pretty much leave your car in the free un

Cape Town has never been short of neighbourhood cafés and coffee shops, but when it comes to the kind of experience that would give NYC’s famous Katz’s Deli a run for its money? Well, those are harder to find. For more than a decade, Kleinsky’s in Sea Point has perhaps been the city’s most reliable answer to that particular hunger pang, with a loyal following flocking to their Regent Road store for hand-rolled bagels, proper pastrami and perhaps the best rugelach in town. It’s a formula that worked so well that they expanded to Johannesburg and London. And now they have come around the mountain, opening a brand-new branch at the High Constantia Centre, bringing bagels, breakfasts, ‘noshes’ and New York-style deli classics to one of Cape Town’s leafiest suburbs. The Backstory Kleinsky’s started out in 2014 as a small Sea Point eatery, with brothers Adam and Joel Klein drawing inspiration from the Jewish delis of New York. But this was no cut-and-paste; instead, the plan was to create a Cape Town version of a classic Manhattan deli: old-school recipes and cultural memory, served with a contemporary twist and local attitude. Despite the expansion, Kleinsky’s holds firmly to its founding principles of getting the basics right before letting loose with a little menu creativity. The bagels are still hand-rolled, slow-fermented, boiled in malted water and baked. The pastrami is still made just the way it was at the start. The Russian dressing is made in-house. And yes, the Reuben ba

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

One of South Africa's most acclaimed restaurants is swapping Durban for Cape Town this summer, as award-winning chef Johannes Richter brings The LivingRoom to Bantry Bay for an exclusive four-month residency. Running from December 2026 to March 2027, Curate by The LivingRoom will see Richter and his team take over Curate, the intimate fine-dining restaurant at luxury boutique hotel Ellerman House. For Cape Town foodies, it's a rare opportunity to experience one of the country's most exciting kitchens without booking a flight to Durban. Located at Summerhill Guest Estate, The LivingRoom has built a formidable reputation for its inventive approach to South African cuisine, particularly its celebration of indigenous ingredients and KwaZulu-Natal's culinary diversity. The restaurant was named Eat Out Restaurant of the Year in 2022, holds three Eat Out stars, while Richter was named Eat Out Chef of the Year in both 2025 and 2026. Sustainability is central to Richter's cooking philosophy. The LivingRoom sources around 95 percent of its ingredients from suppliers within 100 kilometres, avoids wild-caught seafood and has operated off-grid since 2024. It's an approach that has earned the restaurant multiple sustainability awards. For the Cape Town residency, Richter will turn his attention to the Cape's small-scale farmers, growers and producers, creating a multi-course dining experience that celebrates the country's diverse culinary traditions. Photograph: Curate by The LivingRoomRe

Spend a few minutes scrolling through a Southern Suburbs neighbourhood Whatsapp group and chances are you'll find someone grumbling about the M3. Tailbacks at Newlands. Crawling traffic over Wynberg Hill. Another morning spent staring at brake lights on your way into the city. And it's not your imagination. The M3 is one of Cape Town's busiest arterial routes, carrying thousands of motorists between the Southern Peninsula and the city centre every day. Congestion is nothing new, but ongoing roadworks are adding another headache to an already frustrating commute. Now for the bad news: it's about to get worse. In plans dating back to 2023 (when residents had the opportunity to comment) the City of Cape Town has begun a major upgrade of the M3 through Newlands, and from Monday 16 November, construction moves to the busy Newlands Avenue and Rhodes Avenue intersection. Oh, the joys! Motorists can expect a partial lane closure on the approach to the intersection, affecting approximately 80 metres of roadway. To minimise disruption, the City has promised to restrict construction at this intersection to between 10am and 3pm on working days. That's in addition to work already underway to widen the road shoulder and footway on the outbound M3 between Upper Sidmouth Avenue and Struben Road. Construction here takes place from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. But there is some good news on the horizon. The initial works are scheduled to be finished by 18 January 2027, with the intersection

From the painted walls of a rural homestead in Mpumalanga to the world's most prestigious art galleries, Dr Esther Mahlangu has spent eight decades bringing the art of the Ndebele people to a global audience. Now, to mark the celebrated South African artist's 91st birthday today (11 November), a remarkable new digital retrospective offers an unprecedented opportunity to explore her life, art and legacy. Launched on Google Arts & Culture, the retrospective brings together more than 100 high-resolution artworks, 700 digitised archival records and over 45 curated online exhibitions, offering a fascinating journey through the career of one of South Africa's most influential contemporary artists. Born in Mpumalanga in 1935, Mahlangu began painting at the age of 10, learning the traditions of Ndebele mural painting – known as umgwalo – from her mother and grandmother. Over the decades, her distinctive geometric patterns and vibrant colours have moved far beyond the walls of traditional homesteads, appearing on canvases, ceramics, sculptures and monumental public installations. Her international breakthrough came at the landmark Magiciens de la Terre exhibition in Paris in 1989, followed two years later by her commission to paint a BMW Art Car, becoming the first African artist and first woman to do so. Photograph: Google Arts & CultureEsther Mahlangu But there's far more to this retrospective than famous milestones. One of its most exciting features is the opportunity to explore

Sunny skies, white sands and crystal-clear waters. There's plenty to love about Cape Town's beaches, and with eight of them awarded Blue Flag status for the 2026/27 summer season, the Mother City's coastline is looking better than ever. Add in the city's wonderful tidal pools, and there's no shortage of places to cool off this summer. But before you dive into those sparkling waters, here's a question worth asking: do you know what might be floating around out there? Because Cape Town's coastline harbours a dirty (not-so-little) secret: three marine outfalls that discharge wastewater directly into the Atlantic Ocean. And when we say wastewater, we mean sewage. Located offshore at Camps Bay, Green Point and Hout Bay, these underwater pipelines pump millions of litres of partially treated sewage into the Atlantic Ocean every day. The sewage is screened to remove larger solids and debris, but doesn't undergo the conventional treatment processes used at the City's wastewater treatment plants. Instead, the system relies on ocean currents to dilute and disperse the effluent. Not exactly the postcard-perfect picture of a Cape Town summer, is it? Is the water safe? Have your say... Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean Cape Town's beaches are unsafe for swimming. The outfalls discharge well offshore, and the City maintains that its monitoring shows no significant impact on recreational water quality. In May 2026, it reported that more than 98 per cent of seawater samples collected

There's good news for Capetonians planning a trip Down Under, with Australian airline Qantas announcing the first-ever non-stop flights between Cape Town and Sydney. The new seasonal service will launch on 19 October 2027, offering three flights a week until March 2028. Operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the new route will cut hours off the journey between the two cities, removing the need to connect via Johannesburg or international hubs in the Middle East and Asia. Flights will operate three times a week, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with the Cape Town departure scheduled for 4.40pm, arriving in Sydney at 1.45pm the following day. The flight from Sydney to Cape Town will take approximately 14 hours and 25 minutes. READ MORE: Weird and wonderful places you can fly to from Cape Town The new service is already on sale, with return economy fares starting from R20 499. That's not necessarily the cheapest way to reach Sydney – connecting flights via Johannesburg or the Middle East can be found for around R18 000 – but the appeal here is convenience. The new direct service will take around 12 hours, shaving several hours off the journey and removing the hassle of changing planes en route. Qantas says the route will add almost 30 000 seats between South Africa and Australia over the inaugural summer season. “Cape Town is one of the world's great cities and Australia's appetite to visit has never been stronger,” said Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace. “Our new direct f

It’s almost time to haul that inflatable flamingo out from the back of the cupboard. Up The Creek is on the horizon, and has just dropped another impressive batch of artists for its 2027 festival. KONGOS, GoodLuck and Boo! are now confirmed among the latest names heading for the banks of the Breede River. The long-running Western Cape music festival returns from 11-14 February, 2027, promising four stages and more than 50 acts over four days. And with attendance capped at just 2500 people, Up The Creek remains a considerably more intimate affair than most big South African music festivals.  The biggest new addition is KONGOS, the South African-born band of brothers now based in the United States. Best known internationally for the stomping accordion-driven hit ‘Come With Me Now’, the group will return to home soil for a run of South African shows in February, including Up The Creek on 12 February. They'll also be joined by GoodLuck, the Cape Town electronic duo of Jules Harding and Ben Peters. Since forming in 2011, GoodLuck have become festival regulars both at home and abroad – they shared their favourite Cape Town places with us too! – blending pop songwriting and a live show designed with the dancefloor in mind. You can also catch them at the Get Lucky Summer festival this festive season. Another new addition is Boo!, the cult South African alternative outfit fronted by Chris Chameleon. Known for an eccentric collision of rock, pop, funk and theatrical performance, the g

Summer in Cape Town wouldn't be quite the same without a little live music by the sea. And this December, local favourite Jeremy Loops is heading back to his home turf as Cape Open Air returns to Muizenberg Park on Saturday, 12 December 2026. The annual outdoor concert has become something of a fixture on the Deep South's summer calendar, bringing together some of South Africa's best musical talent for an afternoon of sunshine, picnic blankets and live performances just a short stroll from Muizenberg Beach. For Loops, who calls Muizenberg home, Cape Open Air is more than just another gig on the summer circuit. “Cape Open Air has turned into this little gem of the Deep South. Every year it grows a little more, but it’s still got that local heart,” says Loops. “There’s nothing quite like getting to play a big show in Muizenberg, just above the ocean, surrounded by friends, family and familiar faces. It’s my home turf, and honestly one of my favourite shows of the year.” Bongeziwe Mabandla joins the lineup And there's already a big name on the bill. Joining Loops this year is acclaimed singer-songwriter Bongeziwe Mabandla. Known for his soulful vocals and deeply personal songwriting, Bongeziwe Mabandla has built an international following with a distinctive sound that blends traditional African folk influences with contemporary soul and alternative music.   Photograph: Chris SaundersBongeziwe Mabandla   A three-time South African Music Award winner, Mabandla is also famous for

If you've ever struggled with pull-ups at the gym, or dreaded the monkey bars in the school playground, look away now. South African athlete Thomas van Tonder is preparing to take the humble monkey bars to new heights when – on 26 or 27 October, weather permitting – the Red Bull athlete will attempt to become the first person to swing their way along 600 monkey bars suspended beneath the famous Bloukrans Bridge on the Garden Route. Yes, it’s that Bloukrans. The one where adrenaline-seekers strap into a bungy cord and take a leap of faith. The bridge that flies 216 metres above the Bloukrans. Those 600 bars will mean can Tonder has to tackle 280 metres of swinging and climbing, all while dangling high above the Bloukrans River. And as if that weren't difficult enough, those bars don’t go in a straight line. Rather, the specially engineered track follows the curved arch of the bridge, meaning van Tonder must first climb a steep incline – 45-degrees! – swing across the highest point and then carefully control his descent towards the opposite end. "The initial incline is so steep that I can't do it facing forward, in what we call the forward swinging position," explains van Tonder. "I literally have to turn my body around facing backwards, pull myself up, and then reach for the next bar." Photograph: Craig Kolesky / Red Bull Content PoolThomas Van Tonder gets ready for Red Bull Bridge Bars. But van Tonder is no stranger to crazy feats of endurance. He was crowned 100-metre obst

South Africa’s summer concert calendar just got a little louder. Icelandic blues-rock outfit KALEO are heading to South Africa for the first time, with concerts at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on Thursday, 4 February 2027, and at Marks Park in Johannesburg’s Emmarentia on Saturday, 6 February. The Grammy-nominated quartet will bring their Way Down We Go Tour to the Mother City as part of a two-date South African tour presented by BreakOut Events. Tickets are now on sale via Webtickets. Who are KALEO? If the name doesn't immediately ring a bell, the music almost certainly will. Formed in the Icelandic town of Mosfellsbær – loosely translated from Icelandic as ‘Moss Mountain Town’ – in 2012, KALEO have built an international following for their distinctive blend of bluesy guitar riffs, folk-inspired melodies and the powerful vocals of frontman Jökull Júlíusson. Photograph: KALEOKALEO frontman Jökull Júlíusson Their big break came with the release of A/B in 2016, an album that produced a string of international hits, including ‘All The Pretty Girls’, ‘No Good’ and, most famously, ‘Way Down We Go’. That final track has become something of a modern rock anthem, with its brooding vocals and slow-burning blues riff appearing in countless film soundtracks, television series and advertising campaigns. KALEO's music has featured in shows including Yellowstone, Grey's Anatomy, Suits and The Morning Show. It's been quite a journey for four musicians from a small town outside

The sign on the wall says it all: 'Sandwiches & Coffee'. While The Melting Pot is known for its globetrotting menu of inventive small plates, the bright orange street hatch that is Pappa's Deli is pleasingly low-key. Tucked away on Waterkant Street in De Waterkant, this new takeaway sandwich shop is the latest venture by chef John van Zyl, whose children call him 'Pappa'. It opened at the end of September, but if my visit this week is anything to go by, it's already keeping curious tourists and local office workers well fed. Van Zyl is the chef behind The Melting Pot, which began as a tiny Loop Street pop-up in 2019 before finding a home on Oak Valley Estate in Elgin. A seafood-focused outpost at Time Out Market Cape Town followed, and the restaurant returned to the city in late 2025, settling into new premises in De Waterkant. Along the way, Van Zyl – who previously worked alongside Liam Tomlin at Chefs Warehouse and Thali – has built a loyal following for his inventive take on global street food, drawing on his travels across Asia, Europe and beyond. Photograph: Pappa's Deli, Cape TownHot Fried Chicken from Pappa's Deli, Cape Town And at Pappa's Deli, he's simply packing all that flavour into the sandwich of your dreams. “The menu is very much inspired by the same concept as The Melting Pot: globally inspired food, drawing on ideas from around the world,” explains Van Zyl. “It's basically The Melting Pot between two pieces of bread.” While The Melting Pot encourages diner

As locals, we often curse the summer south-easters. But before the endless gales of February set in, that ‘Cape Doctor’ is the reason the highlights of the world’s kite-surfing calendar roll into Cape Town. And there are few sporting events in the city that offer quite the spectacle of Red Bull King of the Air. Forget queuing up for Cape Town Stadium. Here, the white-capped Atlantic Ocean is the arena, with Table Mountain as the backdrop. And yes, the (Cape) Doctor will see you now. It all combines to create the conditions for some of the most extraordinary aerial acrobatics you'll ever witness. This summer, the world's best kiteboarders are heading back to Bloubergstrand as Red Bull King of the Air returns to Cape Town from 21 November to 6 December 2026. Firmly established as one of the most prestigious competitions in international kiteboarding, the event sees the world's leading Big Air specialists launch themselves high above the waves, performing gravity-defying tricks, high-speed kite loops and spectacular rotations before, hopefully landing safely back on the water. The best part? It's completely free to watch from the beach. Why Cape Town is home to King of the Air The competition began in 2000 at Ho'okipa Beach in Maui, Hawaii, but found its permanent home in Cape Town in 2013. Since then, King of the Air has grown into an annual highlight of the kiteboarding calendar, drawing elite athletes and thousands of spectators to the city's Atlantic coastline. Cape Town's f

That tropical escape just got a whole lot easier, and local travellers suddenly have two very good reasons to start thinking about an island break. This weekend, Airlink launched not one but two new non-stop Indian Ocean routes from Cape Town, with its inaugural flight to Mauritius taking off on Friday (2 October), followed by the first-ever direct Cape Town-Zanzibar service on Saturday. That means fewer hours spent schlepping through Johannesburg and more time on the sun lounger, or dipping your toes into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. A flying visit to Île Maurice First up was Mauritius, with Airlink launching its new twice-weekly non-stop service on 2 October. Flights operate on Tuesdays and Fridays, departing Cape Town at 10.05am and arriving in Mauritius at 5.15pm local time. The return flight leaves Mauritius at 6.15pm and lands back in Cape Town at 10.35pm. It’s Airlink’s first-ever route to Mauritius, operated with the airline’s new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, which carry 124 passengers across Business and Economy cabins. Better still, it’s a 2-2 seating configuration, so nobody gets stuck with the dreaded middle seat. While Mauritius may be best known for its white-sand beaches, warm lagoons and sprawling resorts, the new route also provides a useful direct connection for business travellers between the Western Cape and one of the Indian Ocean’s major commercial centres. Expect to pay from around R12 000 return, depending on dates and availability. Or choose Tanz