A local’s guide to discovering the South African capital
It might be an entirely biased and partial opinion, but 48 hours in Cape Town would simply never be enough. However, if you only have a stopover in the mother city or you happen to be driving through enroute to another part of gorgeous South Africa, this guide will provide you with a concise list of where to eat, stay and play throughout your time in the area.
Tip: It’s best to hire a car and drive around with Google Maps as Uber isn’t always accessible in some areas.
Where to begin is a journey. Just outside of Cape Town, areas are waiting to be discovered – from Paarl to Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, or Strand and Camps Bay, pockets of hidden gems and homegrown heroes with centuries of history and culture.
The Great Wine and Dine Tour
The easiest way to tick off plenty of wine farms, safely, is by simply booking the Franschhoek Wine Tram. A fantastic hop on hop off experience on an old fashioned wine tram – wander through the gorgeous valley and delight in some of South Africa’s best wines.
Opt in for the Red Line, where you will experience the gorgeous Haute Cabriere, which is known for its Burgundian varietals. But we recommend trying their Method Cap Classic (Champagne) and macaron pairing, along with a fantastic blend known as Tranquille and the unwooded Chardonnay.
Also on the Red Line, Eikehof will provide you with possibly one of the closest experiences to that of an old-style family farm. Sit beneath ancient oak trees at a wine farm that dates back to 1902, where the same family has tended to the vineyards ever since. Meet and feed ostriches and delight in their Semillon for a true taste of Eikehof. Be sure to enjoy the snack platters at every stop.
If you’re hopping off for the last time at the tram station, just a way up the road is a gorgeous selection of restaurants. Epice offers a set menu tasting where head chef Charne divulges her love for the use of spices and the layers that they bring to a dish.
ColCaccio’s, is a more casual experience and a gorgeous spot to sit under the trees, grab a pizza or pasta. We’d recommend ending your day in Franschhoek at Tuk Tuk – a fantastic little pub that serves possibly the best Don Pedro’s in Cape Town (a Don Pedro is an adult vanilla milkshake. Their nachos are also delicious.
Camps Bay
There are plenty of guest houses within the gated communities to choose from; it’s often an easier and safer choice than a hotel. However, there are also various incredible boutique hotels. For example, Camps Bay – South Beach Hotel is slightly off the main road which offers a more intimate and quieter experience, while the hotel itself is adorned with fantastic artwork, a gorgeous pool and bar and is a short walk from the beach.
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If staying in Camps Bay is your cup of tea (it’s extremely vibrant and busy), then make your way to Cafe Caprice for a fantastic party experience. You can also take a short drive to Kloof Street, which is renowned for being a top-class party hotspot as well. Asoka offers Japanese-inspired food and drink, while the rest of the street is trickled with other bars and restaurants such as Vortex, a funky shisha bar that gives you the proper South African experience.
If you’re on the hunt for experiences that put you in touch with nature, rent a car for a day and drive through Chapman’s Peak – it’s a gorgeous coastal drive where, in the right season, you might see dolphins, Alternatively, if you’re interested in seeing penguins up close and personal, skip the hype of Simon’s Town and make your way to Betty’s Bay, a far more intimate experience where penguins are still protected, but the area is less crowded with people.
Paarl
In Paarl, there is a non-profit cheetah conservation organization that offers tours from time to time. Ashia Cheetah Conservation is a wonderful initiative started by a German couple to decrease the decline in cheetah populations. The center does not offer interaction with the cheetahs for both the carers and guests, as this is in line with their hopes of reintroducing every cheetah that is brought to Ashia back into the wild. This experience is eye-opening to how genetics, trafficking, and other threats play a role in the deeply sad declining population of cheetahs.
If you’re already in Paarl, there are a few wine farms to definitely check out. While on the topic of animals, Fairview, founded in 1693, is a fully working wine and cheese farm where goats are adored and are the mascot of the farm. Delight in farm fresh cheeses, meats, and wines – the first wine production on the farm dates as far back as 1699.
Alternatively Tokara and Thelema are gorgeous farms next door to each other, and Tokara is wonderful not only for their wines, but also for their olive oils. A unique olive oil tasting experience is offered at the entrance of the restaurant.
In the city center of Paarl, a fantastic little bar waits to be discovered. Hennies, a chain of bars that is truly loved by the locals, comes with a set of bar rules that make the experience one of a kind. Their pizzas are incredible and so is the wide range of cocktails and original but still tasty, shots.
The Seafood Tour
Seafood is a MUST while you’re at the coast. There are plenty of incredible seafood restaurants to delight in. If you’re at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, head to the Quay’s District and find Harry’s Oyster Bar, which is an incredible spot. A limited menu of only seafood, served with beautiful modern interiors. If you don’t like ousters, don’t stress too much – choose one of the Sushi platters. The Diamond platter is a no brainer, followed by a spectacular seafood platter that varies day to day based on the catch of the day.
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Make the drive to Hout Bay, a fishing village not far from Cape Town. If you’re looking for an extremely authentic fish and chips experience, Snoekies is the fish and chip shop doing it right since 1951. The queue can be quite long and for good reason. Grab your fish and chips and find a spot at one of the tables. Consider this a ‘fast food’ style experience, but the fish is delicious.
If you brave a walk through the harbour and boatyard, you’ll find The Lookout. Here, wait in line for 5-10 minutes and enjoy stunning views on the water’s edge. Be prepared for what could possibly be the best seafood experience of your life. We’re doubling down on sushi for starters, don’t go without trying the ultimate rainbow rolls and the tempura salmon rolls. For the mains, you know it has to be a seafood platter – if you’re group of three or more, do yourself the favour and order the Llandudno seafood platter. Here you’ll try kingklip and fresh catches of the day. If you’re feeling fancy, add crayfish tails (we did).
This list is only touching the surface of the city’s history, culture and fun. But if you can top off at least half of these spots in 48 hours, you’ll have enjoyed a wonderful and truly authentic South African experience.
Image credit: Supplied/ Pinterest
Never afraid of an em-dash or trying new places across the world. Shelby thrives on sharing her favourite restaurants, cafes and hole in the walls. If she’s not eating out she’s at home trialing new recipes in her kitchen while binging series.
