Richard Holmes

Cape Town has great views. It also has fantastic bars.  Shake the two together and you have the formula for a pretty unbeatable night out. But happily, Cape Town’s best rooftop bars aren’t only about late-night capers. Sure, the sunset views are pretty impressive, and they tend to come alive after dark, but at most of these high-altitude escapes, you can also kick back with a memorable brunch, plug in the laptop and crack on with work, or settle in for a lazy lunch. Where you go depends on your mood: craft cocktails and a glam crowd? Or something more laid-back? If it’s sunset and sea views, you’re especially spoiled for choice in Cape Town. So select your vibe, pick a spot and get set for an urban discovery of the best rooftop bars in Cape Town. RECOMMENDED: 🍷 The best wine farms in and around Cape Town 😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🛏 The best Airbnbs in Cape Town🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town☕️ The best cafés and coffee shops in Cape Town Born and raised in the city, Richard Holmes is a travel writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

With the Atlantic Ocean on the doorstep and Table Mountain National Park as the ‘back garden’, it’s little wonder Cape Town is hailed as one of the world’s most beautiful cities. But beneath the visual spectacle there’s a rich cultural and historical tapestry to be discovered. Centuries of history as a trading port have given Cape Town a cosmopolitan multiculturalism that fuses warm African hospitality with Mediterranean charm. It’s a city where you’ll spend your days outdoors and your nights enjoying the city’s legendary culinary scene. Not sure where to start? Don’t miss these must-do experiences handpicked by a local writer.  RECOMMENDED: 🛏 A guide to where to stay in Cape Town🍴 The best restaurants in Cape Town🐧 The best beaches in Cape Town🏡 The best Airbnbs in Cape Town🏨 The best hotels in Cape Town Richard Holmes is a travel writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

As if the mountain, oceans, vibrant city and dynamic culinary scene weren’t enough to keep you busy, Cape Town also brings the goods when it comes to a jam-packed schedule of concerts and events. We're tapping into all the summertime vibes wit our updated and expanded Events Guide to Cape Town. Across the city, you’ll find live music, vibey markets, and festive events that are a total jol (that’s a ‘party’, in local lingo). Here's our hand-picked selection of the hottest events to head for in the Mother City. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Cape Town🍝 The best restaurants in Cape Town🏖 The best beaches in Cape Town🛍 The best shops in Cape Town🏠 The best Airbnbs in Cape Town 🏨 The best hotels in Cape Town Richard Holmes is a travel writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Want to know where the locals love to go? In this exclusive series on Time Out Cape Town, ‘Local Intel’ taps into some of the city’s best-connected characters to unearth the corners you simply can’t miss in the Mother City. Drawing inspiration from her Zulu and Ndebele heritage, Sindiso Khumalo is a celebrated textile designer based in Cape Town.  A former architecture student at the University of Cape Town, she later honed her creative vision with a Master’s in Textiles Futures from Central St. Martins in London, after working under renowned architect David Adjaye. Deeply influenced by her activist mother, Khumalo integrates social equality and female empowerment into her brand ethos, with designs spotlighting handcrafted textiles often produced in collaboration with NGOs and workshops in South Africa and Burkina Faso.  Through her collections, Khumalo explores the representation of Black women from the early 20th century to the 1980s, weaving narratives of Africa’s rich history and women’s empowerment into every garment. A joint recipient of the 2020 LVMH Prize, Khumalo’s work has been shown at institutions including the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, Zeitz MOCAA, and Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, while global brand collaborations include IKEA and Vodacom.  

Cape Town is set to sizzle this New Year’s Eve, with an array of spectacular events to welcome in 2025. From beachside bashes and rooftop soirées to luxury cruises and live music festivals, the Mother City has something for you, however you like to celebrate. Highlights include the electrifying Secrets of Summer Festival, the glamorous Genesis NYE party, and the iconic countdown at the V&A Waterfront, complete with a midnight fireworks display. Cape Town promises an unforgettable start to the New Year. The best parties sell out fast, so book your tickets early for these unmissable celebrations!

Cape Town is the culinary capital of Africa, and has long been hailed as one of the world's most exciting destinations for foodies. Whether you're searching for a restaurant with a view of the winelands – hello Chef's Warehouse – or a contemporary fine-dining destination in the heart of the popular V&A Waterfront, we've got you covered in this authoritative list of the best restaurants in Cape Town. And because the landscape keeps changing, so does this list, with new additions including Chefs Warehouse & Canteen, The Red Room, Ouzeri and The Happy Uncles!  Cape Town is a cosmopolitan culinary landscape and one that is increasingly aware of the need for diversity both on the plate and in the kitchens. In selecting our favourite spots (and we know there will be those who disagree) we’ve highlighted a cross-section of the city’s kitchens. They are each memorable in their own way, and while they differ in approach and price they are all worth a visit. So, our advice? Come hungry, and get stuck into our (ever-changing) selection of Cape Town’s best restaurants.  RECOMMENDED: 🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town🛍 The best markets in Cape Town🍕 The best pizza in Cape Town This guide was recently updated by Richard Holmes, a travel writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

​​With the ocean on three sides, the sea makes its presence felt just about everywhere in Cape Town, whether you’re relishing the rush of icy Atlantic waters over sun-burnt feet on Clifton 3rd, or wallowing in the warm(ish) waters of False Bay. It’s a wild coastline this, and the pounding swell that makes it a haven for surfers also keeps many on terra firma. Ah, but there’s a Goldilocks option too, that combines the safety of the hotel pool with the bracing tang of salty sea. Say hello to the tidal pools of the Mother City: from the Atlantic Seaboard to the deep south, there are 19 tidal pools to discover and dip into across the city. Here’s the definitive Time Out pick of the 11 best tidal pools in Cape Town. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Cape Town🍝 The best restaurants in Cape Town🏖 The best beaches in Cape Town🛍 The best shops in Cape Town Born and raised in the city, Richard Holmes is a travel writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

2025 is set to be a momentous year when it comes to travel. Citywide celebrations and milestone anniversaries will be taking place in Amsterdam and Rome, sparkling new cultural centres are flinging open their doors in Rotterdam, New York and Abu Dhabi, and there are fresh chances to see some wonderful wildlife in Australia, Singapore and Greenland – but that’s just the beginning. Read on for our roundup of the 25 coolest, weirdest and most adventurous new things to do across the world in 2025, no matter your whereabouts or budget. RECOMMENDED:🇬🇧 The best things to do in the UK in 2025🛍️ The coolest neighbourhoods in the world🎪 The world’s best music festivals for 2025🌃 The best cities in the world right now  

It can be a bit bewildering, wandering into the Time Out Market Cape Town for the first time. The sounds! The sights! The smells! The menus clamouring for your attention! With trays of food floating by you’ll be asking yourself: What’s good? What’s even better? What to order? What mustn’t I miss? Where to start? Well, we’re here to help. Whether it’s your first time in the Market or you’re coming back for a second (or third?) helping, we’ve run the numbers, done the taste tests and pulled together the top 10 dishes – and wine experience – selling at the Market right now. If you don’t know where to begin, consider this a tasting menu of the most popular plates and pours at the Time Out Market Cape Town. RECOMMENDED: 😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town☕️ The best cafés and coffee shops in Cape Town📍 The best things to do in Cape Town This article was written by Richard Holmes, a travel writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts.  

Want to know where the locals love to go? In this exclusive series on Time Out Cape Town, ‘Local Intel’ taps into some of the city’s best-connected characters to unearth the corners you simply can’t miss in the Mother City. Known for their infectious beats, lively stage performances, feel-good melodies and genre-blending sound, GoodLuck has become one of the best-loved bands in Cape Town. A staple of the Kirstenbosch Summer concerts, New Year’s Eve jols and the founders of their own summertime concert tour, GoodLuck – Ben Peters, Juliet Harding, and Tim Welsh—have carved out their own unique niche in South Africa’s electronic music landscape. Blending elements of pop, dance and African-inspired rhythms, their irresistible grooves and catchy lyrics resonate on the dancefloor and the concert arena alike. Their live performances, driven by Harding’s infectious on-stage energy, have become legendary, and seen them fill venues from Europe to Asia and back to Cape Town. And it’s the Mother City they (proudly) call home, so we asked Ben Peters and Juliet Harding (who are partners off stage too) for their favourite corners of Cape Town.  

The Time Out Market Cape Town wraps up its popular Winter Wine Series this weekend (Saturday, September 28) with a spring soirée dedicated to South Africa’s signature sparkling wine, Méthode Cap Classique. Cap Classique is made in the same way as French champagne, with a second fermentation in the bottle creating a fine and delicate bead of bubbles in the glass, and this local sparkler has fans around the world. And now the Winter Wine Series Grand Finale: The MCC Edition will offer local wine-lovers and curious travellers the chance to taste their way through 10 leading Cap Classique producers from across the Cape.  This includes the likes of iconic sparkler Pongracz, Helderberg cellar Lourensford and Breedekloof charmer Opstal. Certainly don’t miss the chance to sample the elegant Cap Classiques from cult Breede River Valley producer Silverthorn. Other confirmed producers include Druk My Niet, Daschbosch, Quoin Rock, Cape Collective, Allee Bleue and Vondeling.  Hosted upstairs in the Time Out Studio, located on the mezzanine of Time Out Market Cape Town, the Winter Wine Series will offer guests the chance to taste their way through all 10 producers, with the ticket price including a tasting glass and unlimited tasting from all of the producers! And, once you’ve sipped your fill of sparkle, the talented chefs of the Time Out Market are ready and waiting to serve up a taste of the Cape’s best flavours. The Winter Wine Series Grand Finale: The MCC Edition takes place on Satu

There is no shortage of Asian eateries in Cape Town. Some are great, but many are, well, a bit forgettable. And that’s usually because they focus on price first, and quality second. Have you ever looked at those two-for-one sushi platter deals and wondered just how they can afford to sell it so cheap? It’s probably best not to ask, as the answer usually lies in frozen fish and cheap rice. At the Time Out Market Cape Town the focus has always been on offering the best of the city under one roof. The best chefs. The best flavours. The most delicious plates. And while it’s not always the cheapest in town, you can be sure that the quality is going to be up there with the best you’ll find anywhere in the Mother City. That’s certainly the case at Sushiya and Ramenhead, the flagship Japanese kitchens helmed by acclaimed chef Peter Tempelhoff. Renowned for his Afro-Asian style of cuisine, he brings that same obsession with quality to bowls of slurpable ramen and classical sushi. ‘I've waited a long time for the opportunity to dedicate a restaurant to one of the most misunderstood cuisines globally,” says Tempelhoff of Sushiya, imagined as a Japanese ‘sushi shop’ offering authentic yet contemporary Japanese sushi. ‘Achieving perfection in sushi demands impeccable fish, rice, and shoyu. There's no room for compromise – subpar ingredients lead to an instant letdown. Especially with nigiri, it's a showcase of fish and rice. They must be of extraordinary quality and flawlessly executed...

The Time Out Market is a unique global concept that aims to celebrate the authentic flavours, foods and chefs of a city under a single roof. What began in 2014 with Time Out Market Lisbon has become a global phenomenon, and in 2023 Cape Town became the first city in Africa to host a Time Out Market. Located in a renovated historic building in Cape Town’s popular V&A Waterfront precinct, Time Out Market Cape Town brings together more than a dozen of the city’s top chefs, serving up a diverse menu of dishes that find inspiration both in Africa and beyond. Alongside the food, a dedicated wine bar showcases the acclaimed New World wines of South Africa, while a trio of bars serves up everything from local craft beers and artisan spirits to signature Time Out Market cocktails. It’s a vibrant space of communal tables – with plenty of outdoor seating dishing up amazing mountain and harbour views – with an easy ordering and collection system. Our How To Order guide and FAQs will answer all your questions about a visit to Time Out Market Cape Town. 📍 For everything you need to know about Time Out Market Cape Town, visit our homepage.   

The Time Out Market is a unique global concept that aims to celebrate the authentic flavours, foods and chefs of a city under a single roof. What began in 2014 with Time Out Market Lisbon has become a global phenomenon, and in 2023 Cape Town became the first city in Africa to host a Time Out Market. Located in a renovated historic building in Cape Town’s popular V&A Waterfront precinct, Time Out Market Cape Town brings together more than a dozen of the city’s top chefs, serving up a diverse menu of dishes that find inspiration both in Africa and beyond. Alongside the food, a dedicated wine bar showcases the acclaimed New World wines of South Africa, while a trio of bars serves up everything from local craft beers and artisan spirits to signature Time Out Market cocktails. It’s a vibrant space of communal tables – with plenty of outdoor seating dishing up amazing mountain and harbour views – with an easy ordering and collection system. Our How To Order guide and FAQs will answer all your questions about a visit to Time Out Market Cape Town. 📍 For everything you need to know about Time Out Market Cape Town, visit our homepage.   

South Africa may fall into the so-called ‘New World’, but the country’s winemaking heritage dates back more than three centuries, with the first wines pressed here as far back as 1659. All of which means there’s a long and complex history to South African wine, and though you may be familiar with white Burgundy, or Left Bank Bordeaux, understanding the strengths and stars of the Cape’s diverse vineyards requires expert insight. That’s where chef Matt Manning comes in, bringing Bree Street’s hugely popular Culture Wine Bar to Time Out Market Cape Town. The extensive wine list includes an impressive range offered by the glass, allowing you to sip your way from the cool-climate vineyards of Elgin and big-hitters of Stellenbosch to the pioneers breaking new ground in the Swartland. Culture Wine Bar captures the best of the Cape in the glass.

While her eponymous restaurant in the V&A Waterfront is already hugely popular for its elevated take on South African cuisine, The Siba Deli dishes up a more relaxed culinary experience, all while retaining Siba’s focus on freshness. Look out for a subtle infusion of local flavours in everything from her wholesome salads and delicious dips, to traditional sticky wings and spicy chakalaka sauce.   THE SIBA DELI MENU Starters Sticky chicken winglets and salsa mayo R135 Charred corn ribs in creamy coconut sauce R80 Siba’s famous chakalaka with a chimichurri dressing R80 (a side for mains and starters)  Siba’s signature quiche R95  Mains Our Salads Tuscan artichoke, chickpea, sundried tomato, crispy capers, parmesan salad with a tangy vinaigrette R165 Maple glazed baby rainbow carrots, roasted beetroot, wild rocket feta salad on a bed of hummus with a chimichurri dressing R130 Miso-glazed roasted sweet potato bowl with sautéed courgetti spirals, mixed cabbage, tahini-dressed broccoli R175 Spicy and zesty Asian pickled spiral cucumbers with edamame, sugar snap peas, salad on a bed of baby spinach leaves R110 Roasted butternut, couscous, red pepper and feta salad with pickled red onion and creamy dressing R165 Our toppers Lemon, garlic and parmesan chicken kebabs R60 Teriyaki trout R70 Braised beef short rib R80 Roasted miso mushrooms and aubergine kebab R60 Soy and chimichurri tofu kebab R50 Dessert Granadilla and lemon curd baked cheesecake R95  (vegan option available)  Water

For all of the creativity in Cape Town’s restaurant landscape, a common complaint – often justified – is that indigenous African cuisines and culinary traditions are sidelined in favour of fine dining that looks to Europe, Asia and North America for inspiration. But not so at MLILO 'Fires of Africa', where chef Vusi Ndlovu brings a truly pan-African experience to the menu, interpreting the many ways that cultures across the continent have incorporated a lick of flame and kiss of smoke into their cooking. At MLILO you’ll find an elevated take on the traditional Zulu shisanyama barbecue, a taste of Senegal in the lamb didi, or the Kenyan classic nyama choma – thinly sliced beef – with a fresh kachumbari salad. It’s a brave and bold new approach to creating world-class cuisine imbued with the unmistakeable flavours of Africa.   MLILO MENU uMbhona R65 (Classic street corn grilled, inspired by the streets of Mombasa) Broccoli R65 (Charred broccoli, miso pickled peanuts,  drizzled with maafe sauce) Brochette of Dakar R110 (Baguette filled with Yassa onions, grilled chicken dusted in kan kan spice, chilli & lettuce) Pepe wings R110 (Grilled chicken wings seasoned with the flavour of pepe) Pork/Chicken Suya R110 (Grilled pork/chicken skewers marinated in homemade suya spice blend and brown butter served with plantain ketchup) Nyama Choma R110 (Thinly sliced beef with chunky kachumbari) iPlate R195 (South African braai plate: beef chuck/lamb chop, chicken wing & boerewors) Lamb

Want the scoop on the most creative ice cream in the Mother City? You’ll find it at Unframed, thanks to the innovative flavour creations dreamt up by founder Yann Rey. Ever wondered what lemon-infused olive oil and white chocolate ice cream might taste like? Here’s your chance to find out. Every flavour combination is crafted from scratch, in small batches and from quality ingredients, drawing heavily on what’s fresh and in season in the Cape. No surprise then that Unframed has been rated amongst the world’s greatest ice-cream parlours. UNFRAMED MENU   Scoops 1 Scoop R49 2 Scoops R79 3 Scoops R89   Indulge Tasting Flight R99 (5 flavours) Sundaes R109 (3 scoops, toppings, whipped cream)   Waffles Waffle R59 (Icing sugar, whipped cream) + Extra Scoop R25 + Extra topping R10  

The menu of Asian restaurants in Cape Town may be small, but if you know where to look you’ll find some real gems, with talented chefs putting their own spin on the classics. How Bao Now is a great example, with two of the city’s top chefs – Matt van den Berg and Carla Schulze – bringing authentic Cape flavours to a concise menu of Asian plates at their Woodstock outpost of How Bao Now. Fluffy bao buns are, as you might have guessed, the star of the show, and at Time Out Market Cape Town this creative duo brings a local perspective as they plate up exclusive flavour combos such as crayfish bao infused with Cape Malay flavours and a coconut and curry furikake, or wagyu sando-bao with a chilli crunch mayo, tonkatsu and pickled cucumber.   HOW BAO NOW MENU Baos Wagyu Sando (2 in a portion) R170 (Panko bao, wagyu, tonkatsu sauce, chilli-crisp kewpie) Flaming Chicken R105 (Fried thigh, XO, peanut crumb, Szechuan dressing) Fried Fish R100 (Hake, pickled red onion, Thai red curry dressing, nuac cham) Kimchi Pork R105 (Sous-vide pork belly, kimchi, miso mayo, Asian dressing) Banana Blossom (Vegetarian) R100 (Pickled red onion, Asian dressing, XO, herbs Kiddies Chicken Bao R65   Bao Special Cape Malay Crayfish R200 (Curry aioli, coconut furikake, vadouvan XO, lime)   Bites Crack Peanuts R45 Andry Edamame

YARD began as a cult classic in the inner-city, as famous for its idiosyncratic service as the delicious fare. And now Eugene Smith brings his inimitable approach to pizza to Time Out Market Cape Town. Atop their signature hand-stretched dough you’ll find four classic YARD flavours flying out of the ovens. Whether your poison is New York pepperoni, barbecue chicken, spicy Italian salami or the heady mix of blue cheese and caramelised onions, expect the generous pizzas from YARD to come standard with a side order of their (in)famously cheeky service. YARD MENU Select your: Dough Style N = Neopolitan R = Romano NY = New York (45cm) C = Californian Please note: Neapolitan & Romano-base pizzas come with Fior de late cheese. New Yorker and California-style bases come with grated mozzarella cheese Sauce White Alfredo Italian Tomato Pesto Signatures Juicy Chick N245/R275/C225/NY465 (Choose Sauce, Pizza Warehouse BBQ Sauce, Mozzarella, Slow Roasted shredded Chicken, Feta and Peppadews) Sweet Baby Blue (Vegetarian) N190/R230/C180/NY375 (Choose sauce, Mozzarella, Blue cheese crumbled, Caramelised onions and fresh wild rocket) Italian Favourites Autumno (Vegetarian) N180/R185/C175/NY314 (Choose Sauce, Mozzarella, Italian herbs, Mushrooms, red onions, Baby Spinach finished with a crack of black pepper) Artigiano N210/R220/C205/NY400 (Choose sauce, Mozzarella, Artichokes, Roasted red peppers & Pepperoni) Capricciosa N180/R190/C175/NY340 (Choose sauce, Mozzarella, Salami, Kalamat

South Africa was a late-bloomer when it comes to picking up on the artisan coffee trend, but in 2006 that began to change. That was thanks to the founders of Origin Roasting, who slowly introduced a curious Cape Town to the concept of hand-roasted beans, single-origin coffee and the fact that, no, milk didn’t need to be super-heated. Origin kick-started a juggernaut, and today the city is brimming with adventurous micro-roasters, hipster baristas and seriously good coffee. Honestly, if you’re drinking a bad cup in Cape Town you have only yourself to blame. But if you don’t know where to start in the search for a good brew, make it Nøsh Café. Created by Origin co-founder Joel Singer, Nøsh Café offers a unique coffee experience, brewing up three of the city’s finest artisan roasters – Origin, Truth and Tribe – in a single location. At Nøsh Café Singer brings his signature passion to the Time Out Market Cape Town, showcasing the Mother City’s vibrant coffee culture in all its guises.  And to accompany that cortado? Alongside the coffee, at Nøsh Café you’ll find a menu of all-day breakfasts and an eclectic collection of light meals and baked goods that take global inspiration and serve it up with a friendly neighbourhood feel. NØSH CAFÉ MENU Breakfast Bialy Breakfast Bun R115 (Bialy, aromatic beef patty, fried egg, house-made tomato jam, fresh tomato, hot sauces for the brave (jalapeño or habanero) Shakshuka - Merguez|halloumi R135 (Two free-range poached eggs, fragrant tomato s

Within days of Ramenhead opening in Cape Town in 2022 there were queues out the door, as hungry locals lined up for the best noodles in the city. That’s not surprising, as Peter Tempelhoff, Ashley Moss and Jennifer Hugé – the culinary creatives behind Ramenhead, and award-winning FYN restaurant – scoured Tokyo and Osaka for time-honoured ramen recipes, returning with the first (and only) Yamato noodle machine in Africa. The trio brings that same passion and focus to Time Out Market Cape Town, with Ramenhead’s seaside outpost offering a compact list of Asian plates and slurpable ramen bowls.   RAMENHEAD MENU   Tori Chintan R240 (Light broth of chicken with soya sauce) Tori Katsu Curry R250 (Rich creamy style chicken curry ramen) Kids Ponyo ramen R140 (Half-portion of chicken tori chintan) Sesame & Mushroom R240 (Double dashi style vegan)   Ramen add-ons Ajitamago egg R20 Extra noodles R30 Gluten-free noodles +R30 Nekomanma R40 (Bowl of Ishikawa rice for leftover soup)   Rice bowl Chashu Don R210 (Spring onion, BBQ-glazed pork burnt ends, sesame)   Snacks Karaage R145 (Tokyo-style friend chicken, miso mayonnaise) Pork gyoza R130 (Potstickers with green chili ponzu) Cabbage gyoza R120 (Potstickers with spicy ponzu peanut sauce)   Dessert Purin R95 (With seasonal fruit and fragrant shisho syrup)  

It’s a burger bar, but not as you know it – and that’s thanks to the creativity of prolific restaurateur, chef and TV personality Bertus Basson. With a brace of popular restaurants across the Cape, Basson is passionate about celebrating homegrown South African flavours and culinary traditions. At De Vrije Burger you can count on having your hands full with his next-level burgers made with free-range beef and homemade buns.    DE VRIJE BURGER MENU Burgers: De Vrije Burger R125/R155 with tjips (180g Free Range Beef, Double Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickles) De Jonge Burger R115/R145 with tjips (180g Free Range Beef, Double Cheese) Die Bennie Griessel R125/R155 with tjips (180g Free Range Beef, Double Cheese, mustard pickle) De Vrije Vegetarian R115/R145 with tjips (Bo-Kaap-inspired falafel burger, double cheese, all the trimmings) A complimentary De Vrije Roomys with every burger purchased.   Add on: Smoked chilli sauce: R12.50 Melrose and Biltong: R35 Bacon - 3 rashers: R30   Extras: Hand-cut Tjips: R45 Have it: BBQ spice dusted: +R7.50 Cheezy: +R25 Peri-Peri: +R17.50 Onion Rings: +R45 Basson and Son soft drinks: R40  

Whether you go for the beginner-friendly surf, or the wave of coffee shops and eateries that have flourished on the shore, Muizenberg is one of the most popular beaches in Cape Town. And in what will be happy news for fans of this colourful corner of False Bay, the City of Cape Town has announced an ambitious redevelopment project for Muizenberg’s iconic beachfront.  The rebuild of the extensive public areas is set to begin in mid-February 2025, with the refurbishment, scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, set to upgrade public amenities, improve parking and replace deteriorating sea walls.  The redevelopment will start in Surfer’s Corner, close to the railway line, with a rebuild of ageing coastal infrastructure, including wooden seawalls, stone masonry steps and curved concrete structures. These will be replaced with a stepped revetment, or retaining wall, featuring a three-meter-wide promenade and a universally accessible beach ramp. Designed by coastal engineering experts, this revetment will offer enhanced protection against rising sea levels and frequent storm surges while improving connectivity to the St James walkway. The concrete promenade will feature a sandblasted and sandstone aggregate finish to better blend with the natural environment. Other key upgrades include formalising the parking areas – currently gravel – along the railway line and Pavilion, while the existing ablution facilities will be moved landward to create additional beachfront space and inc

It’s a big, busy, beautiful world out there, and 2025 offers all of us another 365 opportunities to get out there and discover all that it has to offer. But where, oh where, to begin? Happily, the global Time Out editors have pulled together the 25 coolest, weirdest and most adventurous new things to do across the world. And wow, what a choice there is. Topping the list of The 25 best new things to do in the world in 2025 comes the Rome Jubilee, a Catholic festival celebrated every 25 years. Expect millions of pilgrims to visit the city, walking The Seven Churches Pilgrimage across the city and countryside, and taking part in a calendar of masses and processions. In May 2025 Rotterdam will see the opening of FENIX – the world’s first museum to tell stories of migration through art – while Harlem’s Studio Museum and its collection of works by Black artists will reopen in autumn after a seven-year renovation. In Kansas City, look forward to a new museum dedicated to the hallowed world of southern barbecue! Osaka is pulling out all the stops to ensure Expo 2025 is a success, while in the world of luxury travel, a clutch of new overnight train services is coming to Europe (hello, Norient Express!) And, of course, the repairs to the Notre Dame in Paris are due to finally be completed in 2025. Amid these worthy contenders for a spot in the top 25 comes the Durbanville Wine Safari, a brand-new tour offering in the Winelands on the outskirts of Cape Town. Durbanville is, after Co

If you ask me, Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia serves up the best-value fine-dining experience in Cape Town. Of course, there are restaurants in Cape Town (but not many) with more expansive views. And others have more elaborate menus. And there are many that are much cheaper. But when it comes to that elusive trinity of a stellar setting, memorable food, and a menu priced to offer exceptional value (value and cost isn’t the same thing, of course) I’d wager that it’s hard to beat the Constantia outpost of Chefs Warehouse, where chef-patron Ivor Jones has wowed hungry diners since 2016. So good news for those looking to add a dollop of exclusivity to the experience, with the summer launch of small-group private dining experiences. The curated experiences – available at lunch and dinner – are served in Bronn’s Box, a private dining room set in woodland and offering superb views across the vineyards of Constantia. Quirky fact? Bronn’s Box is named after Japie Bronn, who was brought out of retirement to plant the first vineyards on the steep slopes of Beau Constantia in 2003. He is considered an unsung hero of viticulture in the Constantia Valley and was responsible for planting many of the valley’s famous vineyards. Once settled in the ‘Box’, diners will sit down to Jones’ acclaimed Set Menu, kicking off with Beau Constantia’s signature bread course, before moving onto four additional courses for sharing across the table. An optional dessert menu is also available on reque

Airlink has launched seasonal flights between Cape Town and the island of St. Helena, making it easier than ever to reach one of the world’s most remote – and remarkable – islands. Direct flights from Cape Town to St. Helena launched on Saturday, December 7, and will operate every Saturday until March 29, 2025.  This seasonal service out of Cape Town is in addition to the weekly Johannesburg to St Helena flights, which will operate on a Tuesday for the duration of the summer season. ‘It’s about a six-hour flight between Cape Town and Jamestown, with a brief re-fuelling stop in Walvis Bay,’ says Airlink CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster. ‘For travellers with a keen sense of adventure and history, St Helena remains one of the most unspoiled, fascinating and unforgettable places to visit. It is a privilege to be entrusted with this route.’ The direct flight from Cape Town, one of Africa’s most popular tourism destinations, is also a boon for the growing tourism industry on the island of St. Helena, while also providing a convenient air link for island residents. ‘Cape Town is a launchpad for tourism,’ says Matt Joshua, Head of Tourism for St Helena. ‘By linking the Mother City directly with St Helena, Airlink is providing a convenient and reliable service to a destination that holds a unique mystique for many. It really is a destination like no other.’ St Helena is a popular destination for travellers looking for adventure off the beaten track. One of the world’s most r

It’s turning into a sizzling hot summer in Cape Town, and if the busy beaches and bustling V&A Waterfront are anything to go by, it’s going to be a bumper season in the Mother City. So perhaps no wonder that Air France has announced it will extend its seasonal summer service from Cape Town to Paris. The airline will now offer three weekly flights from March 30 to April 27, 2025. ‘Cape Town continues to be a highly sought-after destination for travellers from across the globe, and we are thrilled to extend this route to meet the growing demand,’ said Wilson Tauro, Country Manager Southern Africa for Air France-KLM. Air France’s sister airline is also pouring more seats into the market, with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines adding an extra direct flight between Amsterdam and Cape Town, bumping the total to 10 flights per week between the two cities. The new flight kicks in on January 10, 2025, and will run until the end of the summer season. Norse extends Cape Town flights into 2026!

You know it’s the festive season in Cape Town when The Nutcracker takes to the stage at Artscape. It’s a classic Christmas story and ballet that's become a holiday tradition worldwide. It originated as a fairy tale written by E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816, titled The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The story was later adapted by Alexandre Dumas, and it was his text that served as inspiration for the iconic ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1892.  Veronica Paeper choreographs and directs this year’s production by Cape Town City Ballet at Artscape Opera House, which will conclude the Company’s 90th anniversary year.  And now, thanks to overwhelming demand, Cape Town City Ballet (CTCB) has announced the addition of one extra performance of The Nutcracker at Artscape on Friday, December 20, at 3 pm.  The charming Christmas tale revolves around Clara and the nutcracker doll she receives as a gift from her godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer. As the family’s Christmas party ends and the clock strikes midnight, the magic begins as a handsome prince whisks her away on a wondrous adventure. From a giant Christmas tree to toy soldiers, mischievous mice, dancing snowflakes and waltzing flowers, an enchanting story unfolds that culminates in the Land of Sweets where Clara meets the Sugar Plum Fairy and her new friends from around the world.  The Nutcracker runs from December 13 to December 29, 2024, with tickets from R200 to R400 through Webtickets.  A 10% discount applies to Pensioners a

Cape Town may be famous for its seafood, but the Mother City is also home to no end of fantastic steakhouses. Think Hussar Grill. Nelson’s Eye. Butcher Shop & Grill. Belthazar. Whether you like the vibe old school or contemporary, your rump still moo-ing or well done, there’s a grill in the city for you. But when Time Out tried (not an easy task) to whittle it down to just 10 steakhouses worth your cash worldwide, one Cape Town restaurant came out on top. Combining subtly contemporary décor with a thoroughly old-school focus on getting the basics right, IRON Steak and Bar walked away with the honour. Set in the heart of Cape Town’s restaurant boulevard, Bree Street, at IRON the steaks are cooked to perfection on the Spanish Vulcano Grez grill, ensuring a perfect char and smoky flavour. It’s an impressive menu too, with everything from prime cuts to the superb flat iron on offer. That’s the signature, and a pocket-friendly way to experience IRON: with their Summer Special you get beef dripping popcorn to start, a 200g grass-fed flat-iron steak with a summer salad on the side, and end it all off with salted caramel ice cream. But if you’re blowing your Christmas bonus, nothing beats a Tomahawk (that’s a bone-in rib-eye) for an indulgent dinner. On the side, expect a contemporary take on classic steakhouse fare: truffled leek mac-and-cheese, or chips cooked in Wagyu drippings. Wondering who were the other nine steakhouses? The list was topped by El Toro in Agadir, Morocco at

It’s been a turbulent few years for South African Airways, the beleaguered national carrier, and just as the reshaped carrier looked to be hitting cruising altitude, there’s another bump: strikes. After wage negotiations failed to make headway, the SAA Pilots Association (SAAPA) this week issued a notice that they will go on strike as of Wednesday, December 5, 2024. That’s just as national school holidays begin, and right before the peak tourist season hits. Bad news all round. At the time of writing there were just two SAA flights in the air, and none on the popular (and lucrative) Cape Town-Johannesburg route. According to Reuters the airline cancelled flights to Perth, Australia, and Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Wednesday to avoid planes being stranded abroad. According to the latest travel advisory, the strike will disrupt all SAA-operated flights along major domestic and regional routes, with the most heavily affected routes likely to be: Johannesburg (JNB) to/from Cape Town (CPT) Johannesburg (JNB) to/from Durban (DUR) Johannesburg (JNB) to/from Gqeberha (PLZ) Johannesburg (JNB) to/from Windhoek (WDH) Johannesburg (JNB) to/from Mauritius (MRU) At the heart of the matter is, no surprise, money. According to an SAA statement, SAAPA’s initial demand (tabled in May 2024) was for a 30 percent increase in pilot salaries. This was later reduced to 15.7%, plus associated benefits. SAA has offered salary increases of 8.46 percent, backdated to April 1, 2024. ‘Ironically, the pilots h

It’s been a long time coming, but Marble Cape Town has finally thrown open its doors in the heart of the ever-popular V&A Waterfront precinct.  In a rare instance of a successful Johannesburg eatery opening a second branch in the Mother City – it’s usually the other way around – chef David Higgs has brought his signature live-fire cooking experience to the coast. And both locals and tourists are in for a treat. Marble is a must in Johannesburg, and its Rosebank home has built a loyal following who flock for the hefty cuts of beef, lamb and seafood grilled over open flames in the show kitchen that takes pride of place in the restaurant. Stellar views come standard, and while the menu isn’t cheap, it attracts a well-dressed crowd who are happy to pay for the quality of food, service and setting. And if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right… so no surprise that the new Marble Cape Town leans on the same tried and trusted playbook. Located in the revamped Castle Union House in the very heart of the V&A Waterfront, Marble Cape Town seats 220 diners across a vast 800 square metre space – making it one of the larger eateries in the precinct – with diners enjoying panoramic sea views and a front-row seat to the fiery action. That comes courtesy of the gleaming Grillworks, where you’ll find Head Chef Matt van Niekerk working his magic on a menu that takes the Marble concept and adapts it to the produce and culinary traditions of the Cape. Think snoek pâté with magwenya, or a tartare

The Constantia Winelands has become a hotbed of culinary creativity, and the launch of a brand-new menu experience at beyond, on Buitenverwachting wine estate, will offer a delicious deep dive into the indigenous flavours, ingredients and ancient cooking methods of the Cape. beyond is helmed by chef Peter Tempelhoff, also behind Ramenhead and Sushiya at Time Out Market Cape Town, in tandem with Executive Chef at beyond, Sebastian Stehr. Their new Origins of Flavour menu launches on November 21, and will available every Thursday evening. The nine-course menu offers guests a unique tasting experience created using indigenous – and often-forgotten – ingredients found in and around the Cape Peninsula, including fynbos, sea greens and tidal-zone shellfish.  The Origins of Flavour concept builds on a series of events hosted during the winter and in 2023, and is the brainchild of Tempelhoff and paleoecologist Doctor Jan de Vynck, whose research delves into the diet of early Homo sapiens at the Cape and their development into thinking of food in terms of flavour as well as fuel. Together they took a much-needed exploration into endemic edible ingredients and ancient cooking processes of the Western Cape and the greater Cape Floristic Region. Wondering what that looks like on the plate? While the menu is inherently seasonal, diners can look forward to hyper-local plates with a distinct sense of place. That could mean starting with seascape-foraged snacks –think periwinkle samp and b

The One&Only Cape Town hotel – or ‘urban resort’, as it’s often described – enjoys one of the best locations in Cape Town, and whether you come for the Asian cuisine of Nobu (the only outpost in southern Africa) or the sundowner cocktails at the elegant Vista Bar & Lounge, there are many good reasons for locals – and tourists – to stop in. But the main hotel restaurant has often been a difficult space, rotating through various chefs and menu concepts, while struggling to offer much charm in a cavernous space of towering ceilings. Happily, it seems to have found its groove with the October opening of the reimagined ROOI, with a major refurbishment and a new approach in the kitchen. Imagined as a modern South African grillroom, ROOI at One&Only Cape Town is billed as ‘a celebration of land and sea, touched by fire’, say the chefs. It’s an approach that has worked for high-end dining destinations elsewhere in South Africa and comes seamlessly to the fore at ROOI. The changes are evident from the moment you step through the door. A floor-to-ceiling refurbishment has injected a healthy dose of warmth and local colour into the space. Lower ceilings, cladding around the pillars and the creation of more intimate banquettes and booths have shaken off the cavernous feel, replacing it with a proudly South African charm and character. Tables come clad in white linen and colourful fynbos, echoed in the striking inlay rug celebrating local flora and fauna, while the custom mural by Elise

It’s been a big year of awards for Cape Town, with plaudits from The Telegraph and the voters in the 2024 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice naming the Mother City the ‘Best City for Food in the World’! Next comes news from the Boutique Club Hotel Awards that three South Africa properties have come out on top. And all are in the Western Cape! Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate, Hotel & Spa – an historic estate near Stellenbosch – was named the world’s best luxury honeymoon hotel of the year. It’s an estate with plenty of heritage – and a much-loved flock of runner ducks – but the new luxury accommodation is no doubt what clinched the award. With architecture tapping into Cape Dutch vernacular, coupled with no shortage of contemporary comforts, it’s a fine spot to while away a honeymoon in the Winelands. Guests will also love that all suites come with their own jacuzzis or swimming pools, and two on-site restaurants helmed by chefs Bertus Basson and Drikus Brink.  Across the Winelands in Franschhoek, Akademie Street Boutique Hotel bagged the award for World’s Best Boutique Hotel. With charming accommodation set a short walk from the main street of town, it’s certainly an idyllic place to check in for a summer escape in the Winelands. As is Lekkerwater in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, which won World’s Best Beach Hotel. While the unique access to the pristine beaches of De Hoop is certainly a highlight, Lekkerwater is actually about so much more. While you’ll enjoy a few quiet wanders