Do & Eat
Our recommendationFor ease of exploring, we’ve separated our recommendations into two areas: Cape Town and the Cape Winelands. While both are close enough to visit during your trip, they are in different regions, so we recommend enjoying Cape Town activities while staying in the city and saving Winelands experiences for when you’re in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek.
We will continue to update this page over the coming weeks.
attractions & iconic signs
Cape town
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A UNESCO World Heritage Site and former prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in captivity. Ferries depart from the Waterfront, with tours led by former political prisoners.
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Cape Town’s crown jewel! You can either hike one of the scenic trails or take the revolving cable car to the summit. The views stretch across the city, Robben Island, and the Cape Peninsula - unforgettable, especially at sunset.
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Home to a colony of African penguins who happily waddle around the sandy shores. You can swim in the sheltered coves or watch them from wooden boardwalks.
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A full-day coastal trip with dramatic cliffs, lighthouses, and photo stops. The drive winds through quaint villages and ends at the point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.
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Nestled against Table Mountain, this garden showcases South Africa’s rich plant life. Stroll along the “Boomslang” canopy walkway or, if you’re lucky, catch a live outdoor concert.
SHOPPING & MARKETS
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A bustling harbor with high-end boutiques, local design stores, and plenty of restaurants. You’ll also find live music and boat trips departing right from the docks.
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A vibrant weekend farmers’ market by the sea (Granger Bay, near the Waterfront). Expect organic produce, artisanal breads, fresh flowers, and delicious street food - perfect for a leisurely Saturday morning brunch.
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One of Cape Town’s oldest public squares, now home to a colorful open-air market. Great for souvenirs like beadwork, carvings, and textiles.
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An indoor market dedicated to local design. Browse jewelry, art, clothing, and décor - all made by South African artisans.
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Every Saturday, this trendy spot comes alive with artisanal food, wine, and local fashion. A social scene as much as a shopping one.
MUSEUMS & CULTURE
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The oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa (built in the 1600s), offering tours, exhibitions, and even a changing of the guard ceremony.
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A deeply moving museum telling the story of a community displaced during Apartheid. Personal photographs, maps, and stories make this a powerful experience.
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The Museum of Contemporary Art Africa is housed in a beautifully reimagined grain silo at the V&A Waterfront. The building itself is a work of art, and inside you’ll find rotating exhibitions by African and international artists.
ACTIVITIES & ADVENTURES
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A winding coastal road between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, considered one of the most scenic drives in the world. Stop at viewpoints for epic photos.
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White sands and turquoise waters, perfect for sunbathing or enjoying cocktails at beachfront cafés. Clifton is quieter, Camps Bay more glamorous.
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A Cape Town classic. The “Pink Lady” hotel offers an elegant afternoon tea with tiered trays of sweet and savory treats.
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A moderately challenging hike (90 minutes up) that rewards you with panoramic views of Table Mountain, the city, and the Atlantic Ocean. Best done at sunrise or sunset.
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For the adventurous! Get up close to great white sharks in their natural habitat. Reputable operators ensure safety and conservation.
Eat
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An iconic, award-winning South African fine-dining restaurant located on the Silvermist Wine Estate in Constantia, Cape Town. Known for its fusion of French and Asian techniques, Chef James Gaag creates elegant tasting menus that are a "culinary theatre" with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal produce. The restaurant offers an impeccable service, an award-winning wine list, and an unforgettable experience, featuring signature dishes like the famous "tuna in a tin.
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Situated on the Pierhead, with the iconic views that have made this attraction so famous worldwide, PIER restaurant offers an intimate, multi-course fine-dining experience to one of the world's most-loved destinations.
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Ouzeri is a contemporary Greek-Cypriot restaurant in Cape Town’s city centre, known for its vibrant small-plate dining inspired by the regional flavours of Cyprus and Greece. The menu focuses on seasonal ingredients and dishes designed to share, paired with carefully selected wines in a relaxed, lively setting.
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Salsify at the Roundhouse is an award-winning fine dining restaurant set within a historic building on the slopes of Table Mountain above Camps Bay. Known for its creative tasting menus and beautifully plated dishes, the restaurant combines contemporary South African cuisine with sweeping views over the Atlantic.
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The Pot Luck Club is a vibrant, contemporary restaurant located in the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, known for its inventive small plates designed for sharing. Led by acclaimed chef Luke Dale Roberts, the menu blends global flavours with bold creativity, making it one of Cape Town’s most popular dining experiences.
SHOPPING & MARKETS
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Famous for fresh produce, homeware, books, and preserves. Perfect for gifts.
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Boutique shops selling art, antiques, and fine wines.
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The town is dotted with small galleries and art shops.
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Boschendal Farm Shop is a beautifully curated farm store on the Boschendal estate, offering fresh seasonal produce grown on the farm alongside artisan breads, cheeses, meats, preserves, and pantry goods. The shop also features locally made homeware and gifts, making it a lovely stop to pick up Winelands treats or enjoy a taste of Boschendal’s farm-to-table produce.
MUSEUMS & CULTURE
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On the L’Ormarins Estate, this museum showcases over 220 vintage and modern cars, from 1898 classics to sleek supercars, set against the backdrop of vineyards and mountains.
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A stylish space featuring South African modern art by masters like Irma Stern and Alexis Preller, alongside sculpture and installations. The café overlooking the river makes a lovely stop after your visit.
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Four restored houses from the 1700s - 1900s tell the story of Stellenbosch’s history. Guides in period costume bring the past to life in an interactive, charming way.
ACTIVITIES & ADVENTURES
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Unwind with a treatment overlooking vineyards and mountains. Many estates offer luxurious spa experiences.
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One of the most famous estates in the Winelands, known for its beautiful gardens, contemporary farm shop, and excellent wine tastings in a stunning mountain setting.
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A hop-on hop-off tram that travels between some of the valley’s most famous wine estates, allowing visitors to explore multiple vineyards while enjoying the scenery.
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A scenic hiking area above Franschhoek with trails that offer incredible views over the valley and surrounding vineyards.
Eat
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Named after owner and founder Marais Kirsten-Uys’ grandmother, she taught him that anything worth doing is worth doing well. Masterminding the seasonal, set menu is Chef Matt van den Berg, whose flair for elevated dining is informed by fresh, local ingredients. Together, Marais and Matt are realising their shared dream of inviting you into an intimate space – right in the heart of Stellenbosch – where there is an open dialogue between guests and the kitchen, and where the experience evolves with you through every course and every detail, right down to the wine pairing.
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A tiny farm to table restaurant serving seasonally inspired lunches on Saturdays and Sundays.
It has been a long held belief of ours that good things take time, and Good to Gather is no exception. It all began back in 2020 when we found ourselves through what felt like fate at Rozendal Farm. Between waves of lockdowns we set up a pop-up restaurant serving lunch exclusively on weekends, and so Good to Gather was borne. The courtyard with shade from the cork oaks serves as the perfect outdoor summer dining area, and the tasting room with high ceilings and open views of the courtyard and vinegar cellar serves as a cosy indoor space through winter.
We see Good to Gather weekend lunches as the perfect opportunity to share the lovingly sourced ingredients from our network of organic growers and small producers. We have always had a passion in connecting people back to the earth, through growing and cooking honest food with real ingredients. Just a few metres from our kitchen you will discover a vegetable and flower garden. A space for creativity and inspiration.
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In 1902 Sir Herbert Baker established labourers cottages constructed on the old farm formerly known as Vredenburg. In 1968 the property was acquired by Historical Homes to be restored and later leased as a restaurant. More recently, the building stood vacant and quite derelict for an extended period of time. During 2016 the Rupert family initiated a full restoration and today, De Volkskombuis operates once again as a restaurant serving patrons in the picturesque town of Stellenbosch.
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A relaxed farm-to-table restaurant set on a working farm outside Stellenbosch, serving seasonal dishes using locally sourced ingredients.
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A popular steakhouse in the centre of Stellenbosch known for excellent cuts of meat and a lively atmosphere.
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A countryside version of the well-known Chefs Warehouse group, offering inventive shared plates in a vineyard setting.