Time Out Cape Town

Cape Town is set to see an influx of visitors from 9 to 12 February 2026 as the 2026 edition of the Mining Indaba takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). If you are one of those visitors, well, you've come to the right place, as our team of city experts have put together the ultimate guide to the things you need to do, see, eat, and drink in the Mother City while you network, strike deals, and work towards the betterment of the industry. From the best restaurants Cape Town and surrounds has to offer to the activities you cannot leave the city without trying and the watering holes you must frequent, there is something for all tastes. It's not only the Indaba that Cape Town will be hosting in the week, as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will be delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, 12 February 2026 at 19h00 in the city. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Cape Town😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🏄‍♀️ The best beaches in Cape Town🛍 The best markets in Cape Town🖼 The best museums and galleries in Cape Town Sign up to Time Out's free newsletter for expert recommendations on new things to do, see, eat and drink in the Mother City. You can also follow Time Out Cape Town on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!

Chef Giorgio Nava, of CARNE, is bringing his signature approach to the ocean with Pesce – a seafood-focused pop-up at Time Out Market Cape Town. Meaning simply “fish” in Italian, Pesce celebrates the treasures of the sea with the same unfussy confidence that has defined Nava’s cooking for years. The focus is firmly on exceptional produce, letting the freshness of the seafood shine through with Mediterranean-inspired flavours, quality olive oil and a less-is-more approach. Whether you’re after a quick market bite or a leisurely seafood feast, there’s something for every appetite. Start with crispy fish bites or golden fried baby calamari, tuck into comforting seafood pasta, or gather friends around a spectacular whole grilled line fish. The steamed black mussels served with crispy fries are another must-order, while the fish burger offers a more casual take on the catch of the day. Simple, generous and packed with flavour, Pesce is a celebration of Cape Town’s incredible seafood heritage. Pesce Menu:  Fish sticks R85Crispy fish, tartar sauceFish bite R70moist and soft, tartare sauceFried baby calamari R140 / R250tube and tentacle salt and pepperGrilled baby calamari R140 / R250 tube and tentacle, olive oil garlic, chiliAvocado Ritz R140prawn meat, tangy pink cocktails sauceSpaghetti prawn R235creamy and delicateSpaghetti with  Frutti di mare R195olive oil garlic chiliSteamed  black mussel R220A mountain of mussel, verjuice, garlic, parsley, crispy friesFritto misto 240g R21

📍 Time Out Market  📅 Various special deals running until the end of August.  Happy Hour gives you half-price drinks - Mon–Thurs 16:00–19:00. App Nights offers 50% off hero dishes - Mon–Thurs 19:00–21:00 only via the Time Out app 📱 Download the Time Out Market Cape Town app - Android | Apple - to unlock all the deals coming up over the next few months.   Time Out Market Cape Town's Neighbourhood Feels Good is a "locals-first campaign built around creating a sense of routine, belonging, and everyday reward, where the neighbourhood becomes your go-to from after-work through to the weekend." "These are all designed to make great food and drink more accessible while encouraging a consistent rhythm of visit. It’s not just about deals - it’s about creating a space that feels familiar, rewarding, and proudly local, where showing up is easy, valued, and always worth it."  

For eleven days every winter, the quiet Eastern Cape university town of Makhanda transforms into South Africa's biggest arts and culture hub.   From June 25 to July 5, the National Arts Festival returns for its 52nd edition, bringing together more than 2,000 artists across over 250 productions spanning theatre, music, dance, comedy, visual art and film.  Since 1974, the Festival has been the place where South African artists premiere bold new work, where careers are launched and where audiences stumble across the unexpected. First-timers should know one thing: you will never see everything! But there is a way to navigate the country's biggest arts gathering to tap as much of the creative magic as you can. This year's theme Come Together, Create New Worlds is embedded in a programme that tackles everything from artificial intelligence and cultural memory to identity and indigenous knowledge.   These are the productions generating the most buzz - click here to see the full programme. Kraal | Theatre Created by 2026 Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre Jason Jacobs, this ambitious two-part work unfolds across two spaces: a conventional theatre and a traditional matjieshut. It's one of the Festival's most anticipated premieres.   Standard Bank National Arts FestivalKraal More about the Standard Bank Young Artist premieres One of the most anticipated highlights of the arts festival programme, these are often the productions that push the boundaries of contemporary art. This

From 25 June to 5 July 2026, all eyes will be on Makhanda (also known as Grahamstown) as the National Arts Festival showcases South Africa's plethora of creativity. The hugely popular annual event, which is proudly sponsored by Standard Bank, has been providing a platform for artistic greatness and cultural connection for over five decades - and the 2026 edition is expected to be a bumper festival of all things art, music, theatre, comedy, and expression once again. For those who have already booked their tickets to the live showcases, we applaud you for your continued support of the arts in the country. For those still thinking about attending, we have one message for you: Do it! How to get to the National Arts Festival from Cape Town The easiest way to get to the festival from Cape Town is by flying into Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and hiring a car to complete the remaining 124km of your journey. Most of the airlines have daily flights from Cape Town International Airport to Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, but please be aware that some are not direct - so ensure you check that when booking. A return trip will cost in the region of R2,000. If you are keen on a road trip, the N2 from Cape Town will take you all the way to Makhanda. This route takes travellers through the gorgeous Garden Route, so we wouldn't blame you if you extended your journey up or down to include a few nights within this stunning part of our country. The drive is roughly 10 hours in to

The World Cup is here, folks! The excitement is palpable - and the gees is bubbling over. Feel it, it is here! To celebrate all things football and the world's greatest sporting event, Virgin Bet South Africa is hosting VIP Watch Parties - and you have the chance to win tickets to be there! Taking place on 18 June, 10 July, and 19 July 2026 at the Time Out Market Cape Town, these VIP Watch Parties promise a night of exciting football action, ice-cold drinks, delicious bites, surprise giveaways, special guests, and enough gees to hopefully power South Africa far into the tournament (we'll ignore the opening match for now)! The first Watch Party was hosted for the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. While the result did not go our way, the evening was packed with fun, amazing food and drinks, and great times. You don't want to miss out on these! Virgin Bet South AfricaBet Builder This article is sponsored by Virgin Bet | Click here for the Bet Builder promotion | 18+ | T&Cs Apply | Play Responsibly For a chance to win a pair of VIP tickets to one of the Watch Parties, all you need to do is complete the form below, which will sign you up for Virgin Bet South Africa and Time Out Cape Town's newsletters. If you have already entered, your entry carries forward into the next draw, but it wouldn't hurt to get your partner, friends, and family to enter to maximise your chances. "But, wait, what if I am already a subscriber?" Don't stress, you can still enter by filling i

The 2026 World Cup is in full swing - and we are loving every moment of it... even though Bafana Bafana to Mexico on Thursday night! To keep the fun and games going between matches, Time Out Cape Town and Virgin Bet South Africa are diving headfirst into the action off the pitch with the Food-Ball World Cup - a content series dedicated to the tastes of Cape Town. If you missed the first instalment, you can read that here. Virgin Bet South AfricaBet Builder This article is sponsored by Virgin Bet | Click here for the Bet Builder promotion | 18+ | T&Cs Apply | Play Responsibly In this instalment of the Food-Ball World Cup, we answer the question: Where would the world's best footballers eat in Cape Town? From the cafe vibes of Kalk Bay to the hustle and bustle of the Atlantic Seaboard, we take a look at where Messi, Ronaldo, Kane, Mbappe and company might like to enjoy some Cape Town flavours. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami & Argentina) Where would you find him? Hiding away in a Kalk Bay cafe While he may be the most famous footballer in the world, he's not really one for the spotlight. He'd much rather hang out in the peace and quiet of Kalk Bay, enjoying brunch with his family away from the craziness of the crowds. We'd also bet he loves a bit of antique shopping - so he's found his place in this corner of the Mother City. READ: 13 reasons why Kalk Bay is kiff Pedri (Barcelona & Spain) Where would you find him? Chilling under the trees in the Winelands. We imagine Pedri is a

Feel it, it is here! Our warriors from South Africa are all set (visas pending!) to take the world stage by storm and do us proud. For the first time since we hosted the tournament in 2010, South Africa will be competing at the 2026 World Cup in North America, with our opening match against Mexico a repeat of that goosebump-inducing 2010 curtain raiser... "Tshabalalaaaaaaa!" Head coach Hugo Broos has assembled an interesting squad, but the mix of experience and raw talent is just right to hopefully see us through to the knockout stages. From there? Who knows... While tough World Cup fixtures against the Mexicans, Son Heung-Min's South Korea, and Adam Hložek's Czechia await our boys, we all know that when it comes to competing on the world stage, there is no DNA, just RSA! Virgin Bet South AfricaBet Builder This article is sponsored by Virgin Bet | Click here for the Bet Builder promotion | 18+ | T&Cs Apply | Play Responsibly To celebrate the start of the World Cup, Time Out Cape Town and Virgin Bet South Africa have donned the same jersey to bring you the very cleverly named 'Food-Ball World Cup', where we will bring you fun content right here and on our socials, as well as the chance to win some epic prizes (check out the Virgin Bet SA VIP Watch Party competition here). To kick things off, we have compiled a list of some of the best places to enjoy South African and Mexican food in Cape Town below. Only question now is... boerewors rolls and tshisanyama or burritos an

Eighteen months after a wildfire devastated one of the Cape’s oldest wine estates, boutique hotel Blaauwklippen Manor – which includes the historic Manor House and Jonkershuis — has reopened to guests.  Let’s turn back the clock to April 2024, though, when a massive fire caused extensive damage to two of the oldest buildings on what is one of the oldest wine farms in the Stellenbosch Winelands. Time Out Trivia: Blaauwklippen was established in 1682, just three decades after Jan van Riebeeck sailed into Table Bay. While many of the original gables were damaged beyond repair, an extensive rejuvenation project led by heritage specialists and conservation architects has restored this graceful Cape estate to its former glory, and Blaawuklippen Manor is once again welcoming guests to this scenic corner of Stellenbosch. Photograph: Time Out The new offering, run by Newmark Hotels, features 11 luxury rooms and suites across a variety of categories.  The Manor House now offers eight en-suite rooms across three categories, with two of those rooms opening onto charming private terraces. The revamped Jonkershuis is positioned as the more suite-style option, with three suites that each include a bedroom, lounge and bathroom. Gas fireplaces in each suite make for a seriously cosy winter stay! Photograph: Time Out But before winter arrives, those lucky enough to book in for the night will also love the expansive swimming pool, stylish pool lounge and bar. The pool area, like the accom

You'll remember earlier in the year that Cape Town came out on top in the Best Cities in the World for 2025 list. That result was confirmed after more than 18,500 city-dwellers took part in Time Out's survey of all the elements which make a city great. One of the elements of the survey had to do with culture - which Cape Town scored highly on. So high, in fact, that it is now officially the 10th best city in the world for culture! Now that's lekker! Time Out Travel explains: 'Each city was given a score for both the quality and affordability of its cultural offering (following the survey), and only the highest-scoring cities for each country made the longlist. We then turned to Time Out’s culture experts – our global network of city editors and art and culture writers – to vote for their favourite destinations. 'The result? The 20 most exciting, dynamic cultural hubs on the planet right now, where experiencing art in all its forms is affordable and accessible – both to those who live there and to those who visit.' Photograph: DEAR EVAN HANSEN How Cape Town ranked highly A huge 89% of Capetonians rate the city’s cultural offering, pointing to events like First Thursdays, Cape Town Jazz Fest and a thriving theatre scene - both big and small productions, as well as what's on offer at the V&A Waterfront, home to our very own Time Out Market Cape Town. You can check out the full list and read Time Out South Africa Content Director Andrew Hallett's thoughts on the Cape Town