Guidebook for Cape Town
Food Scene
All-day breakfast, good coffee - this should be your first stop on your first morning in my apartment! Also good for platters and wine, and it's 5 mins away!
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Tamboers Winkel
3 De Lorentz StAll-day breakfast, good coffee - this should be your first stop on your first morning in my apartment! Also good for platters and wine, and it's 5 mins away!
The Power & The Glory
13d Kloof Nek RdVibey hipster bar and easy food.
EL Burro Taqueria Kloof Nek
Great Mexican food and cocktails
Tapas Asian-fusion style, great for dinner and lunch. Reservations are a must! 079 8392505
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Hallelujah
11D Kloof Nek RoadTapas Asian-fusion style, great for dinner and lunch. Reservations are a must! 079 8392505
Tiny, trendy little spot in town - you can walk there from the flat if you're feeling energetic, it will take you 20 – 30 minutes. Great for breakfast!
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Skinny Legs Luxury Café
70 Loop StTiny, trendy little spot in town - you can walk there from the flat if you're feeling energetic, it will take you 20 – 30 minutes. Great for breakfast!
Beautifully decorated restaurant serving the most exquisite breakfast in town – try the poached eggs on the crispiest, lightest rösti you've ever had, with créme fraîche and blanched spinach. Reservations are essential. 021 418 2042
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Hemelhuijs
71 Waterkant StBeautifully decorated restaurant serving the most exquisite breakfast in town – try the poached eggs on the crispiest, lightest rösti you've ever had, with créme fraîche and blanched spinach. Reservations are essential. 021 418 2042
Jason Bakery
185 Bree StBest pastries in town, also good for lunch.
Authentic Italian, with homemade pasta and great atmosphere. The huge wheel from which they scrape melted cheese onto your pasta is magnificent...
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The Cousins Trattoria
3b Barrack StAuthentic Italian, with homemade pasta and great atmosphere. The huge wheel from which they scrape melted cheese onto your pasta is magnificent...
Nelson's Eye
9 Hof StGood old steakhouse that the locals love.
For Asian fusion, Japanese grills, sushi and dim sum; if you’re in a fancier mood
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Haiku Cape Town CBD
58 Burg StFor Asian fusion, Japanese grills, sushi and dim sum; if you’re in a fancier mood
For local style Indian, Chinese and Turkish street food in a bustling, canteen-like atmosphere. Authentic flavours of Cape Town.
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Eastern Food Bazaar
96 Longmarket StFor local style Indian, Chinese and Turkish street food in a bustling, canteen-like atmosphere. Authentic flavours of Cape Town.
Near the top of Long Street this tiny eatery serves only dim sum... delicious!
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South China Dim Sum Bar
289 Long StNear the top of Long Street this tiny eatery serves only dim sum... delicious!
Bocca
Wale StreetFor great pizza… and cut in any shape you like, down with round!
This little neighbourhood gem a couple of blocks up the hill from the apartment has been trading since a café and a deli since 1904. It even buys fresh produce grown by residents of our hood, so if you want an authentic organic experience, do stop by for breakfast or takeaways. Go early as the space is limited.
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The Blue Cafe
13 Brownlow RdThis little neighbourhood gem a couple of blocks up the hill from the apartment has been trading since a café and a deli since 1904. It even buys fresh produce grown by residents of our hood, so if you want an authentic organic experience, do stop by for breakfast or takeaways. Go early as the space is limited.
Great sea views, across the road from the beach in Camps Bay, mixed menu with seafood, meat, salads.
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Paranga Restaurant
Victoria RoadGreat sea views, across the road from the beach in Camps Bay, mixed menu with seafood, meat, salads.
Arguably the best sushi in town, also other seafood... in the V&A Waterfront mall.
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Willoughby & Co
19 Dock RdArguably the best sushi in town, also other seafood... in the V&A Waterfront mall.
Let your stroll along the Sea Point Promenade takes you past the historic lighthouse towards the Waterfront, and stop here for breakfast overlooking the bay.
la Belle Bistro & Bakery
Green StreetLet your stroll along the Sea Point Promenade takes you past the historic lighthouse towards the Waterfront, and stop here for breakfast overlooking the bay.
Small and noisy but totally authentic and the locals love it. Pop in for breakfast on a day that you're doing the other side of the coastline
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Olympia Cafe
134 Main RdSmall and noisy but totally authentic and the locals love it. Pop in for breakfast on a day that you're doing the other side of the coastline
Seafood with a spectacular view – you are literally on the water and on a stormy day it is like sitting in the middle of the waves!
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Harbour House Kalk Bay
Main RoadSeafood with a spectacular view – you are literally on the water and on a stormy day it is like sitting in the middle of the waves!
Quirky steampunk vibes and I have a friend who says they make the best coffee in town, if not the world... :)
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Truth Coffee Roasting
36 Buitenkant StQuirky steampunk vibes and I have a friend who says they make the best coffee in town, if not the world... :)
This restaurant at the V&A Waterfront is said to have the largest wine-by-the-glass menu in the world! For winetasting with breathtaking postcard views without having to schlep to the winelands, this is a great option.
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Belthazar Restaurant and Wine Bar
19 Breakwater BoulevardThis restaurant at the V&A Waterfront is said to have the largest wine-by-the-glass menu in the world! For winetasting with breathtaking postcard views without having to schlep to the winelands, this is a great option.
Gelato Mania Green Point
65 Main RdBecause Ice Cream!
This has been one of my favourite Cape Town hangouts for 20 years, and it's still going strong. Mediterranean vibe, you can sit outside under umbrellas and look up at the glorious mountain right there behind you. Great food, and you can walk there.
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Cafè Paradiso
110 Kloof StThis has been one of my favourite Cape Town hangouts for 20 years, and it's still going strong. Mediterranean vibe, you can sit outside under umbrellas and look up at the glorious mountain right there behind you. Great food, and you can walk there.
This is the classic South African steakhouse, dating back to 1964 and has all the old menu favourites from my childhood on here. A variety of meat cuts, on the bone and off, that absolutely melt in the mouth; there's also seafood and a good wine list. It has lovely sea views, near the putt putt course and the tiny park where the little choo choo train that I used to go on as a kid is still running! Go seriously old-school with a Carpetbagger steak stuffed with oysters, or order a Monkeygland Sauce with your steak (relax, this bizarrely named, true South African invention, contains neither monkey parts nor any glands, but a mixture of tomato sauce, Worcester sauce, and other delights!)
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The Hussar Grill Mouille Point
163 Beach RoadThis is the classic South African steakhouse, dating back to 1964 and has all the old menu favourites from my childhood on here. A variety of meat cuts, on the bone and off, that absolutely melt in the mouth; there's also seafood and a good wine list. It has lovely sea views, near the putt putt course and the tiny park where the little choo choo train that I used to go on as a kid is still running! Go seriously old-school with a Carpetbagger steak stuffed with oysters, or order a Monkeygland Sauce with your steak (relax, this bizarrely named, true South African invention, contains neither monkey parts nor any glands, but a mixture of tomato sauce, Worcester sauce, and other delights!)
Drinks & Nightlife
Good for coffee, lunch or drinks - beautifully decorated spot with wood, steel, subway tiles and lots of plants.
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YOURS TRULY
175 Long StGood for coffee, lunch or drinks - beautifully decorated spot with wood, steel, subway tiles and lots of plants.
Owned by a French couple, the menu changes daily and you have 3 meal choices at most that are paired with wines. It's a magical joint!
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Openwine
72 Wale StOwned by a French couple, the menu changes daily and you have 3 meal choices at most that are paired with wines. It's a magical joint!
Tjing Tjing
165 Longmarket StA cocktail bar in a 200yr-old house, heavy on atmosphere!
Here you can try out interesting, lesser-known wines, in a space shared by a popular butchery, Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants, where you can also get excellent biltong, the tasty SA version of beef jerky.
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Publik Wine Bar
11d Kloof Nek RdHere you can try out interesting, lesser-known wines, in a space shared by a popular butchery, Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants, where you can also get excellent biltong, the tasty SA version of beef jerky.
For the love of bikes and local music, come have a sundowner and stay for the live music.
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The House of Machines
84 Shortmarket StFor the love of bikes and local music, come have a sundowner and stay for the live music.
Sightseeing
The red hop-on hop-off buses are a great way to see Cape Town without having to drive – they also stop at wine estates along the Constantia wine route, so you can taste wine without a worry about getting home safely. A good place to start is in the V&A Waterfront, but there are discounts if you book online https://www.citysightseeing.co.za/cape-to
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City Sightseeing Cape Town
81 Long StThe red hop-on hop-off buses are a great way to see Cape Town without having to drive – they also stop at wine estates along the Constantia wine route, so you can taste wine without a worry about getting home safely. A good place to start is in the V&A Waterfront, but there are discounts if you book online https://www.citysightseeing.co.za/cape-to
Parks & Nature
There's a new tree-top bridge at the historical Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens +27 21 799 8783 that is quite a novelty, and shows you a different view of the gardens and the backside of Table Mountain against which they’re nestled. Get there by joining a Red City Tour – the red hop-on hop-off buses... see my entry about that elsewhere in the guidebook!
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Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Rhodes DriveThere's a new tree-top bridge at the historical Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens +27 21 799 8783 that is quite a novelty, and shows you a different view of the gardens and the backside of Table Mountain against which they’re nestled. Get there by joining a Red City Tour – the red hop-on hop-off buses... see my entry about that elsewhere in the guidebook!
Where the beautiful people come to sun themselves. Pure white sand, freezing water, the ultimate Cape Town beach - actually four interleading beaches in front of some of the most coveted luxury apartments in the world, clinging to the steep cliffside. Also the one place that is usually guaranteed wind-free even if it's howling in town.
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Clifton
Where the beautiful people come to sun themselves. Pure white sand, freezing water, the ultimate Cape Town beach - actually four interleading beaches in front of some of the most coveted luxury apartments in the world, clinging to the steep cliffside. Also the one place that is usually guaranteed wind-free even if it's howling in town.
Llandudno is a small contained beach reached by driving down a steep windy road. Its from here that you also access the world-famous nudie beach Sandy Bay via a longish traipse along a sandy footpath.
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Llandudno
Llandudno is a small contained beach reached by driving down a steep windy road. Its from here that you also access the world-famous nudie beach Sandy Bay via a longish traipse along a sandy footpath.
An early morning walk or job along Tafelberg Road (the one in which the Cableway's bottom station is situated) provides one of the best views of Cape Town - right from the lap of the mountain.
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Table Mountain Aerial Cableway station
Pipe TrackAn early morning walk or job along Tafelberg Road (the one in which the Cableway's bottom station is situated) provides one of the best views of Cape Town - right from the lap of the mountain.
A tiny beach with huge boulders, which you share with the famous penguins from the adjoining penguin colony. It's a small bay so there are no waves, and it's flat as a pool, nice to get your swimsuit wet. Get there early as it really has very little space, but lying on a beach while a penquin toddles along the water right there is quite something!
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Boulders Beach
Kleintuin RoadA tiny beach with huge boulders, which you share with the famous penguins from the adjoining penguin colony. It's a small bay so there are no waves, and it's flat as a pool, nice to get your swimsuit wet. Get there early as it really has very little space, but lying on a beach while a penquin toddles along the water right there is quite something!
If you're feeling energetic and you are not afraid of heights, the Lion's Head hiking trail takes you right to the top of the lion's head that you can see from the second bedroom's window. It can get very crowded when it's full moon, as the views from up there are out of this world. You do need hiking shoes though.
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Lion's Head Hike
Signal Hill RoadIf you're feeling energetic and you are not afraid of heights, the Lion's Head hiking trail takes you right to the top of the lion's head that you can see from the second bedroom's window. It can get very crowded when it's full moon, as the views from up there are out of this world. You do need hiking shoes though.
If you've seen those postcards of the brightly coloured beach cabanas, this is the best beach to go and sea them. St James beach is small and scenic, and the sea on this side of the coast is warmer than along the Atlantic Seaboard. Good for a day trip that also takes in Kalk Bay, Boulders and Cape Point.
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Saint James
If you've seen those postcards of the brightly coloured beach cabanas, this is the best beach to go and sea them. St James beach is small and scenic, and the sea on this side of the coast is warmer than along the Atlantic Seaboard. Good for a day trip that also takes in Kalk Bay, Boulders and Cape Point.
This was the original vegetable garden of the Dutch East India Company that Jan van Riebeeck planted to provide fresh food for the ships that stopped by at this halfway stop between Europe and the East Indies where they traded. Today it is a very pleasant garden where you can sit and relax on the grass, feed the squirrels, or have a meal under the trees at the lovely restaurant. The SA Museum and National Art Gallery are situated along the edges of the Gardens, as is the Planetarium.
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Company's Gardens
This was the original vegetable garden of the Dutch East India Company that Jan van Riebeeck planted to provide fresh food for the ships that stopped by at this halfway stop between Europe and the East Indies where they traded. Today it is a very pleasant garden where you can sit and relax on the grass, feed the squirrels, or have a meal under the trees at the lovely restaurant. The SA Museum and National Art Gallery are situated along the edges of the Gardens, as is the Planetarium.
Most of the wild animal action in South Africa happens to the north (reasons to also visit Joburg!) but a two-hour drive takes you to this private game reserve in Touws River, where you can view the famous Big Five - elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo - on a game-drive day trip. Drive yourself or join a tour right here in Cape Town that will take you and bring you back on the same day. It really is quite something to see these majestic beasts in the wild.
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Aquila Safari Private Game Reserve
Most of the wild animal action in South Africa happens to the north (reasons to also visit Joburg!) but a two-hour drive takes you to this private game reserve in Touws River, where you can view the famous Big Five - elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo - on a game-drive day trip. Drive yourself or join a tour right here in Cape Town that will take you and bring you back on the same day. It really is quite something to see these majestic beasts in the wild.
Entertainment & Activities
Where the locals go for morning walks and jogs, best for bracing sea air and checking out the locals (and their dogs). There is also a free open-air gym where you can flex your muscles.
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Sea Point Promenade
Beach RoadWhere the locals go for morning walks and jogs, best for bracing sea air and checking out the locals (and their dogs). There is also a free open-air gym where you can flex your muscles.
During the summer months a series of Sunday sunset concerts take place in the scenic surroundings of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. People picnic on the lawns and enjoy live music against the beautiful views of the back of the mountain. http://insideguide.co.za/kirstenbosch-summer-sunset-concerts/
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Kirstenbosch Gardens Concert Stage
Rhodes DriveDuring the summer months a series of Sunday sunset concerts take place in the scenic surroundings of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. People picnic on the lawns and enjoy live music against the beautiful views of the back of the mountain. http://insideguide.co.za/kirstenbosch-summer-sunset-concerts/
The Shala Yoga Studio
15 Wandel StWhere to go for yoga.
http://theshala.co.za/
AmaZink is a township dinner/theatre experience that happens every Friday evening from October to March, in Kayamandi, on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, Check it out on your day trip to the winelands!
AmaZink Live
Masitandane RoadAmaZink is a township dinner/theatre experience that happens every Friday evening from October to March, in Kayamandi, on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, Check it out on your day trip to the winelands!
Essentials
Your closest store for all household requirements, easy walking distance. There's also a pharmacy next door.
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Checkers Kloof Street
Weltevreden StreetYour closest store for all household requirements, easy walking distance. There's also a pharmacy next door.
Liquor store down the hill, there is also a grocer and a laundromat next door.
Kloof Nek BLUE BOTTLE LIQUORS
15 Kloof Nek RdLiquor store down the hill, there is also a grocer and a laundromat next door.
A lovely shop for all your health products, also with a dispensary, health foods and organic cosmetics.
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Wellness Warehouse Lifestyle on Kloof
50 Kloof StA lovely shop for all your health products, also with a dispensary, health foods and organic cosmetics.
Walking distance from the apartment - down the hill and to the right at the intersection and you'll walk straight into it. They offer a variety of medical services. Operating hours are 8:00 - 17:30 Weekdays and 8:30 - 13:00 Saturdays
Dr Serena Cardoso
22 Kloof Nek RdWalking distance from the apartment - down the hill and to the right at the intersection and you'll walk straight into it. They offer a variety of medical services. Operating hours are 8:00 - 17:30 Weekdays and 8:30 - 13:00 Saturdays
Getting Around
If you want to drive yourself. There is also a branch at the airport (and the other major car rental companies are all dotted around there if you have a preference)
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AVIS Rent a Car - Cape Town Downtown
46 Strand StIf you want to drive yourself. There is also a branch at the airport (and the other major car rental companies are all dotted around there if you have a preference)