The Best Wine Bars in Cape Town

Say goodbye to stuffy, stuck-up wine tastings. At Openwine Cape Town’s cosmopolitan urban energy is on full display, as crowds spill out onto the pavements of Wale Street. Friday evenings see selected wineries pouring from 6pm, while Sunset Sessions has DJs bringing beats to the Bordeaux on alternate Saturdays. Sundays offers a resident jazz band from 5pm – 7pm, followed by an open jam session. Oh yes, and the wine?  There’s a remarkable selection of 200+ wines by the glass, and if you want to take a serious approach to tasting, the enoteca provides a quiet space to focus on the wine, not just the good vibes.

72 Wale Street, Cape Town

In the same building as his hugely-popular Grub & Vine bistro, chef Matt Manning hand-picks the wine list on offer at Culture Wine Bar, showcasing the evolution of the Cape’s cellars and the depth of local winemaking talent. In an elegant first-floor space – bathed in natural light at sunset, and abuzz with booths and banquettes come evening – look forward to tasting boutique producers and owner-run cellars from a cross-section of the Western Cape’s wine-growing regions. There are dozens of wines on offer by the glass, and a vast selection by the bottle, including imported wines and vertical vintage selections. Not sure where to start? Ask the well-trained and friendly folk behind the bar to help. There’s also an extensive menu of starters, bar snacks and platters to keep hunger pangs at bay. Look out for free Culture Cru Tastings hosted by a different wine farm each Wednesday.

103 Bree Street, Cape Town

While the elevated cooking at Judd’s Local makes this homely family-run restaurant worth a visit, it’s also a destination of choice for savvy wine lovers. The wine list is undeniably impressive, with an admirable collection of local boutique cellars, and a choice of special pours by the glass, but Tuesday is the day you want to get into your diary. Their ‘Tuesday Tastings’ series has themed and focused – and complimentary – tasting sessions on offer, hosted by different farms and distributors each week.

141 Kloof St, Gardens

A perennial local favourite – designer Paul van der Spuy is a fan – at the top of Kloof Street, Publik is all about unearthing local gems. You won’t find the big brands here, but rather a carefully chosen collection of artisan and sustainable South African wines, mostly crafted by smaller, independent producers. Behind the bar the Publik crew know their brettanomyces from their barrel regimes and are only too happy to talk you through the (always impressive) choice of minimal intervention and organic wines on offer. It’s a cosy spot, and Publik doesn’t take reservations, but jostle into a gap at the counter and you’ll find a very fine wine experience indeed.

11D Kloofnek Road, Tamboerskloof

Max Bagels by day becomes Leo’s Wine Bar when the sun goes down, and judging by the buzz on Bree Sreet the locals love it! At Leo’s the focus is on ‘low intervention wines from smaller producers’, so there’s always something unusual to tempt your palate here. Alongside the rarities, there’s a ready selection of natural and organic wines on offer too. In the shop alongside you’ll find a selection of wines from the bar for sale, as well as exclusive wines from selected producers.

120 Bree Street, Cape Town

In the Deep South of Noordhoek, Furny’s Fine Wines & Taste Bar offers a decidedly laid-back approach to wine, promising an unpretentious village vibe where kids and dogs are welcome. That doesn’t mean they don’t take their wine seriously: at Furny’s you’ll find over 60 wines by the glass and a take-home selection of more than 400 labels, many of which are on allocation with limited quantities available. Friday afternoon (4.30-6.30pm) complimentary wine tastings are very popular, and if you choose to settle in you’ll find a fine menu of ‘wine-friendly grub’.

67 Beach Rd, Noordhoek