The 15 best rooftop bars in Cape Town

If there’s one building sure to catch your eye in the V&A Waterfront (always worth a visit for Time Out Market Cape Town, of course), it’s The Silo Hotel. With architecture by Thomas Heatherwick and remarkable geometric windows dominating the façade, it’s become one of the city’s most recognisable buildings.

And while your budget may not stretch to a night in one of their luxurious suites, did you know that outside guests are welcome at the hotel’s remarkable rooftop bar and restaurant? The Silo Rooftop is open daily from noon, and offers some of the city’s best sunset views while serving up a menu of creative cocktails, fine wines and inspired small plates. Reservations are essential and a deposit is required on booking (but there’s no minimum spend). Sadly, the gorgeous rooftop pool is strictly for hotel guests only.

The Silo Hotel, V&A Waterfront

Set on the roof of The Marly Hotel in the oh-so-chic seaside suburb of Camps Bay, Baptiste dishes up superb views of both Table Mountain National Park and memorable sunsets out across the Atlantic. Hungry? You’ll find an expansive menu of delicious dishes, priced to account for those glorious views. Charge your credit card to dig into sushi and small plates and seafood (remember to ask the cost, when it says ‘SQ’) alongside a huge choice of signature cocktails. Bookings are essential, and you’ll need to commit with a R400 deposit. Sadly the rooftop pool is now for hotel guests only.

The Promenade, Victoria Road, Camps Bay

While The Grand Daddy Hotel in Long Street is perhaps most famous for the collection of Airstream trailers on the roof (amongst the city’s most memorable hotel stays), the Sky Bar is a truly anytime destination that runs from All-Day Breakfasts through to hearty lunches and a selection of snacks that are the perfect foil for the extensive cocktail menu. Come for lunch, stay for sundowners and hang around to watch the stars come out. Also look out for their fun rooftop movie nights.

38 Long Street, Cape Town

With lazy tunes wafting from the speakers and a food truck dishing up laid-back bites – think sticky spare ribs and impressive burgers – the RED Roof atop the Radisson RED hotel is a fine place to soak up the sunset. And with wraparound views across the V&A Waterfront and Lion’s Head, you’ll be happy to settle in for a spell. Don’t forget to pack your togs for a dip in the sleek rooftop lap pool.

Radisson RED, V&A Waterfront

There are many good reasons to seek out Tjing Tjing, set on a quiet side street in the city centre. The ground-floor izakaya is a favourite, serving up a menu of flavour-packed Japanese plates, while one floor up Momiji’s omakase menu is more refined, and offers a fresh take on the sushi experience. And the Tjing Tjing Rooftop is the perfect bookend for either, offering a deeply sexy space beneath the rafters of the stylish 200-year-old attic. It’s been elegantly updated in red lacquer and Japanese motifs, a theme that carries through to the bar. Dive into the bespoke cocktails made with Japanese whisky, gin and sake, or explore the extensive wine list of boutique South African producers.

165 Longmarket Street, Cape Town

Perched like an eyrie atop The Grey Hotel, a boutique bolthole in trendy De Waterkant, SKYBAR is a small space that’s big on views. Get there early enough to grab a couch or daybed and you’ll be rewarded with wide vistas of Signal Hill and Table Mountain, with a concise menu of cocktails, local wine and light bites to enjoy. It’s also the perfect place for drinks before or after a visit to the Piano Bar downstairs, where you’ll find a regular roster of live music.

49 Napier Street, De Waterkant

One of the city’s most popular rooftop bars is hidden away above Gorgeous George, a design-driven hotel in the heart of the city centre. Gigi Rooftop a space filled with tropical foliage and natural light, you’ll find a tantalising menu of cocktails that offers all the classics alongside a selection of bespoke pours channelling local spirits and indigenous flavours. The bar comes alive at sunset, with views out across the city rooftops.

118 St George’s Mall, Cape Town

Drawing inspiration from the classic movie Casablanca, Rick’s Café Americain has long been a staple of Cape Town’s popular Kloof Street strip. In 2020 it reopened in a beautifully renovated Victorian building, and while many locals flock here for the streetside dining on the ground floor, and the popular Rick’s Cheeseburger, you’ll want to leave time for a trip upstairs. The rooftop at Rick’s is a charmer, from the laid-back seating to the strings of lights framing views of Table Mountain. Kick back with a cocktail, or dive into the extensive selection of Cape wines.

103 Kloof Street, Gardens

A sparkling pool. A well-stocked bar. 360-degree views. What more could you ask for in a rooftop eyrie? Atop The Hyde Hotel you’ll find the Skye Rooftop Bar, something of a hidden gem in the suburb of Sea Point. The streets down below may bustle, but up top the vibe is as laid-back as can be. There’s an impressive menu of pintxos for sharing, alongside hearty main courses and a wine list that rambles widely across the Cape Winelands. Look out for the canapés paired with wines by local legend Bruce Jack.

13 London Road, Sea Point

Yup, you know which button to press on the elevator. On the 14^th floor of the Sun Square Hotel slap-bang in the heart of the city, you’ll find some of the best sunsets Cape Town has to offer. While not strictly on the rooftop, we think it’s high enough above street level to make the cut.

Alongside an impressive cocktail collection, there’s a superb wine list, all served up with a side order of stellar sunset views that stretch from the V&A Waterfront to Table Mountain. Tables out on the balcony get booked up fast, so best to get there early.

23 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town

Few locals would argue that Camps Bay dishes up some of the best sunsets in Cape Town, and yet while most of the bars here are down at street level, with pedestrians and traffic blocking the view, the rooftop locale of Chinchilla offers a front-row seat to the vistas. It’s a casually elegant space, with plentiful couches to sink into and an extensive menu of sushi, small plates and cocktails to indulge in. Book for Friday or Saturday evening if you want to tap your toes to the DJs spinning tunes until late.

The Promenade Building, Victoria Road, Camps Bay

You won’t find too many rooftop bars in the leafy ‘burbs of Cape Town, but Oblivion Bar & Kitchen is a happy exception. In the charming suburb of Claremont – just a short drive from Newlands Cricket Stadium, if you’re catching a game – Oblivion Bar & Kitchen is a popular haunt with locals. The ground-floor tables buzz with large groups on wintry evenings, but upstairs on the roof terrace is where you’ll want to be when the weather’s fine. Seats here deliver impressive views of Table Mountain, stretching south towards the Constantia Winelands. There’s a good choice of craft beers and cocktails on offer, all of which pair nicely with their famous wood-fired pizzas. There’s free Wi-Fi too, making it a good remote office for digital nomads.

22 Chichester Road, Claremont

Stunning views. Great food. Signature cocktails. And, a sparkling pool open to all diners (simply spend R300 or more, but it’s free for resident guests). What more could you ask for in a rooftop bar? Perched atop Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel, the Mountain Club Bistro dishes up superb vistas of Table Mountain in a chic double-story space. In summer, be sure to pack your swimming costume for the pool and sun loungers, or throw on your glad rags to make a special night of it. Beyond sundowners you’ll want to stay for dinner, with an impressive menu ranging from tapas-style small plates and hearty mains, to an extensive sushi menu.

12 Kloof Nek Road, Gardens

Look past the cheeky name – no offence intended, we’re sure – and you’ll be rewarded with a charming little rooftop escape that’s something of a local secret amid the bars and restaurants of Kloof Street. Set above the buzzy Yours Truly café, the cosy terrace at Up Yours overflows with greenery and good vibes, as a happy mix of locals and tourists soak up the mountain and city views. Look out for a regular roster of DJs and live music over weekends.

73 Kloof Street, Gardens

Billed as an ‘urban terrace’ Allure Rooftop has no shortage of glitz and glamour, and it’s the kind of place where you’ll want to dress up a little. Set in the heart of downtown Cape Town, Allure draws a chic local crowd, and whether you come for the cocktails or the nightly DJs spinning anything from house to amapiano, you’re assured of a big night out. If you fancy something more chill, look to their popular brunch offerings.

71 Waterkant Street, Cape Town