For our family and friends from out of town, we want you to enjoy the city as locals. Here are some of our favorite spots (not tourist traps) to eat, drink, and explore!
Activities
March is late summer in Cape Town — warm, dry, and one of the best months to visit.
Book fine dining (FYN especially) and popular vineyards well in advance given wedding-week crowds!
Sightseeing + Hikes
Chapman’s Peak Drive — one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world; get a free day pass at the toll gate and do the short hike partway along for a picnic spot with epic views over Hout Bay and Noordhoek.
Kayaking — Experience the best views of Cape Town and get up close and personal with ocean life during these guided kayak trips.
Lion’s Head — the classic Cape Town hike ~1.5 hrs, 360° views.
Kloof Corner — short hike (20–40 min), easy, best sunset spot in the city.
Pipe Track — flat, easy walking trail below Table Mountain with views over Camps Bay and the Twelve Apostles — go as far as you like.
Table Mountain (cableway or hike) — go early to beat the crowds/wind closures. Also check the weather for fog - not worth going up when it’s overcast!
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens — great for a relaxed morning, also check out what concerts happen there.
Kalk Bay Day Trip (~45 min from the city) — a quirky little fishing harbour town on the False Bay coast — cobbled Main Road lined with antique shops, art galleries, and a working harbour where you can buy fish straight off the boats. Slow, salty, bohemian, and full of locals.
Olympia Café & Deli (134 Main Road) — the star of Kalk Bay and one of Cape Town’s most loved restaurants. Open breakfast through dinner, no bookings, daily blackboard menu built around the freshest catch. Get there early, especially for dinner!
Other good picks in the same village worth considering: Harbour House (fresh seafood right over the water), The Brass Bell (pub on the rocks, waves crash right against the windows), and browsing the antique shops along Main Road.
Beaches (Atlantic Seaboard)
Clifton 2nd Beach — the local favourite of the four Clifton beaches: wind-sheltered, calm water, lively (volleyball, music), and the longest of the four. Steps down from Victoria Road, no shops right on the beach so pack snacks.
Saunders’ Rocks — just past Bantry Bay, a quieter local go-to for a quick dip or sunset picnic, has toilets/showers and decent parking.
Bakoven / Beta Beach — small, rocky, tucked-away cove just past Camps Bay. No crowds, no cafés, just granite boulders and turquoise water — a genuine local secret. (Limited parking)
Llandudno — a bit further out (~25 min from the city), surfer favourite with a wilder, more dramatic feel and turquoise water, but watch for rip tides and wind. One of the most beautiful beaches on the peninsula.
Shopping
V&A Waterfront — Cape Town’s main shopping and harbour precinct with everything from high-street brands to local designer boutiques, plus the Watershed hall for local art, crafts, and jewelery. Also home to the Two Oceans Aquarium, harbour cruises, and great sunset views over the working harbour and Table Mountain. Combine with the OZCF Market at Granger Bay if visiting on a weekend morning.
Vineyards
Constantia (In Cape Town)
Beau Constantia — the most popular, best views on the route (book ahead), tasting menu changes often.
Groot Constantia — the oldest wine farm in SA (1685), great reds, don’t need to book.
Buitenverwachting — historic Cape Dutch estate, big lawns, relaxed, great for groups.
Constantia Glen — stunning panoramic views, famous flammkuchen.
Eagle’s Nest — excellent Shiraz, artisan cheese platters on the lawn.
Steenberg — polished, known for its MCC (Cape sparkling wine).
Klein Constantia — home of the historic Vin de Constance dessert wine.
Stellenbosch (45–60 minutes from Cape Town)
Tokara — one of the most scenic, art-filled tasting lounge, excellent restaurant + deli.
Delaire Graff — the luxury option on Helshoogte Pass, spectacular mountain views.
Waterford Estate — famous for its chocolate-and-wine pairing.
Jordan Wine Estate — beautiful setting, celebrated restaurant, warm welcome.
Rust en Vrede — historic (1694), known for serious reds.
Warwick — classic, family-run, great reds.
Babylonstoren (totally worth the day trip, ~45 min, near Paarl/Franschhoek)
A beautiful farm-to-table wine estate with an 8-acre working garden, two restaurants (casual Greenhouse and fine-dining “Babel”), and its own vineyards. One of the most photographed farms in the Winelands; book Babel well in advance!
Franschhoek Wineries (~1hr drive — the culinary/wine capital, worth a full day!)
Boschendal — the gold-standard estate, Pniel Road: farm shop, market-day style lunches at The Werf, lovely grounds for kids too.
Grande Provence — historic (1694), well-known art collection alongside the wines, elegant grounds.
Haute Cabrière — 330+ years old, known for excellent Cap Classique (Cape sparkling wine) and mountain views.
La Motte — serious wines paired with a museum-quality art collection and a barrel-cellar tour.
Vrede en Lust — a favourite for chocolate-and-wine pairing.
Anthonij Rupert Wines — a bit of a hidden gem off the main Wine Tram route, excellent and well-priced, six different ranges to taste including Italian varietals.
Leeu Estates — on the Dassenberg slopes, home to Mullineux & Leeu wines, with two excellent restaurants (Le Chêne and La Petite Colombe).
Food
& Drink
Breakfast
JARRYDS (Sea Point, Regent Road). Legendary pancakes; no reservations, but tables turn fast!
Norfolk Deli (Sea Point Promenade) — grab-and-go, perfect after a sunrise walk on the promenade.
Clarke’s (Bree Street, CBD) — a Cape Town classic; everything made in-house including the croissants!
The Strangers Club (1 Braemar Road, Green Point) — heritage villa turned café/eatery, wholesome breakfasts and light lunches, plus a local design/art shop on site.
Arthur’s Mini Super (15 Arthurs Road, Sea Point) — cool diner/deli/superette & natural wine bar by night. Retro, famous toasties and hot dogs. A proper neighbourhood favourite, one block from the ocean.
Kleinsky’s Delicatessen (95 Regent Road, Sea Point) — New York-style Jewish deli, a Cape Town institution. Famous slow-fermented, hand-rolled bagels — the smoked salmon and pastrami are local favourites. Expect a queue on weekend mornings. (Bagels’s not quite as good as a NYC..;)
Oranjezicht City Farm Market (OZCF) — Sat 8 AM – 2:30 PM / Sun 8:30 AM –2:30 PM at Granger Bay, V&A Waterfront. Works equally well as a breakfast or lunch stop — farmers, artisanal food stalls, live music, ocean views toward Robben Island. Arrive with an empty stomach, and bring cash for the smaller stalls!
Dinner
Il Leone Mastrantonio (De Waterkant) — classic Italian, Gambero Rosso award winner.
Riva Fish Restaurant (24/4 Napier Street, De Waterkant) — Italian-run seafood spot, in- house pasta, catch-of-the-day, cozy and unpretentious. Small menu, big reputation — book ahead.
Mano’s (Green Point) — good for a relaxed, but vibey dinner as well as lunch. Our close family friend, Mano, will be attending the wedding, so make sure to say hi!
The Butcher Shop & Grill (125 Beach Road, Mouille Point) — Cape Town’s classic steakhouse institution, 20+ years running, choose your own cut from the on-site butchery. Great Wagyu and game (springbok, ostrich).
Kloof Street House (Kloof Street, Gardens) — a local favourite for a “nice dinner out”, beautiful Victorian house setting, relaxed but polished. Also great for just cocktails at the bar if you don’t want a full meal.
Asoka (68 Kloof Street, Gardens) — atmospheric bar/restaurant in a converted Victorian house, built around a 150-year-old olive tree. Asian-fusion tapas menu for dinner, or cocktails at the bar — live music most nights!
The Duchess of Wisbeach — “the kind of place where you might find Woody Allen’s crew: Picasso, Dali, and Hemingway — just hanging out”.
Fine Dining
Book well ahead of time
FYN (5th Floor, Speakers Corner, 37 Parliament Street, CBD) — Cape Town’s most acclaimed restaurant, Japanese precision meets South African ingredients. Ranked 82nd in the World!
La Colombe — Contemporary fine dining cuisine fusing local ingredients with restaurants located in Constantia, Franschhoek and the V&A Waterfront by the La Colombe Group.
Quick Bites
Zuney Wagyu Burgers (Kloof Street, Gardens) — smash burgers made with local Wagyu, simple menu, huge local following.
Brash (Sea Point) — (no frills, all-flavour) smash burgers, no bookings.
Lunch
Step Brothers (91 Victoria Road, Camps Bay) — authentic Italian, incredible fresh housemade pasta, best vegan/veg options in town. Great sunny spot for a Camps Bay lunch (also has a Green Point location at Three Anchor Bay Tennis Club).
Mano’s (39 Main Road, Green Point) — Mediterranean/Italian bistro, a genuine local fixture since forever. Great prego rolls, steak and calamari. Mano is a great family friend with the BEST food!
The Codfather Seafood & Sushi (37 The Drive, Camps Bay) — Cape Town institution since 1998, no menu — pick your fresh fish/seafood off the display and they grill it to order, plus a sushi conveyor belt. A proper local favourite, not just a tourist spot, though it’s a bit of a splurge.
Oranjezicht City Farm Market (OZCF) — see above, also a great weekend lunch option.
Ice Cream / Gelato
The Creamery — Cape Town OG, several branches, seasonal local flavours (naartjie choc-chip, malva pudding).
Moro Gelato (Green Point, Sea Point, Long Street) — real-deal Italian gelato, made the traditional way, chocolate-dipped waffle disc on every cone!
Nightlife
Sean Clarke’s Guide to jolling
Sunset Drinks (pre-Joll)
The Bungalow (Clifton) — right on the rocks in Clifton, arguably Cape Town’s most photographed sunset spot, DJs on weekends 4–8 PM.
Chinchilla Rooftop (Camps Bay Promenade) — rooftop bar directly across from Camps Bay Beach, tailor-made cocktails, laid-back bohemian vibe.
The Lawns at The Roundhouse (Camps Bay, up in the glens of Table Mountain) — sweeping views over Camps Bay and the Atlantic, more relaxed/scenic than beach-strip options, good for an earlier sundowner that rolls into dinner.
Leopard Bar at the Twelve Apostles Hotel (between Camps Bay & Hout Bay) — a more upscale, refined option, elegant cocktails with a sea view.
The Nines (Station House, Sea Point, 9th floor) — rooftop bar with panoramic ocean views, a Sea Point option if you don’t want to go all the way to Camps Bay/Clifton.
Out-Out (proper Joll)
Baby (1st Floor, 13-17 Regent Road, Sea Point) — intimate cocktail bar and nightclub, Thurs–Sat 7 PM–2 AM, upscale but easy-going crowd.
Bree Street (CBD) — your suggestion, confirmed. Not one venue but a whole strip — safe, well-lit, walkable, always busy with taxis/rideshares readily available. Good spots along it include Fable Cocktail Bar (corner Bree & Wale) and Leo’s Wine Bar (open-air, natural wines).
Café Caprice (37 Victoria Road, Camps Bay) — rowdy beachfront bar right across from Camps Bay Beach, transitions from sundowners into a lively, dance-along night from Thursday to Sunday with resident DJs. Also listed below under Sunset Drinks.
Sea Point Area also has plenty of good nightlife of its own — Regent Road and Main Road are lined with bars and later-night spots (Baby is one of them), so it’s an easy, walkable option if guests are staying in that area and don’t want to head into the CBD or Camps Bay.
Spa
& Beauty
Massage & Spa
One&Only Spa (V&A Waterfront) – an award-winning luxury spa with exceptional facilities, perfect if you're looking to indulge.
Nails
Hashtag Colour Nails (Gardens) — known for creative nail art and excellent gel manicures.
Dante Wellness (Seapoint) — Whatsapp for bookings: +27 066 365 7118.
Sorbet (Multiple locations) — quick, easy, unfussy — book online.
Hair
Excentric on Kloof – one of Cape Town's best-known salons for colour, cuts, and styling.
Mop Hair (Bree Street) – stylish city salon renowned for precision cuts and blow-outs.
Blue Lemon Hair & Beauty (Green Point) – a great option for blow-outs, styling, and beauty treatments.
Spray tan
Dante Wellness(Seapoint) — Whatsapp for bookings: +27 066 365 7118.