Travel Guide: Cape Town, South Africa

A full guide for where to eat + what to see in this beautiful seaside city.

Cape Town is truly one of the world’s most amazing cities. For starters, it’s nestled in between spectacular mountains and the ocean, making it epically beautiful. Combine that with amazing food, plenty to do and see, and you’ve got yourself the perfect place for your next trip abroad!

Check out some of my favorite places to go in Cape Town below, or take a look at my full Cape Town Guide on Spot.

Helpful Travel Tips:

• Though Cape Town is not unsafe, some areas can be risky, especially at night. Opt for Uber, which is plentiful and cheap.
• Many restaurants are closed on Sundays and Mondays.
• Currency: The Rand. The current exchange rate is favorable ($1 USD = R11)
• Best time to visit: February, March, or April, when the weather is nice, less windy, and there are less locals and tourists on holiday. Wind is intense during December and January, and many restaurants and shops are closed due to the holidays.
• Parking: If you have a car, expect to pay a “car guard” when you park on the street to “watch your car.” They’re everywhere.
• Outlets: You will need a special adapter (trust us, your current swiss-army-knife of an adapter probably doesn’t have this one)
• Tipping: 10–15%
• Driving: On the left side
• Vaccines: Malaria medication may be advised by your doctor, though Cape Town is within a low-risk malaria region

Clifton Beach; View of Lion’s Head from Sea Point Promenade

To Eat & Drink:

• Willoughby & Co — Considered some of the best sushi in the city, this popular restaurant is located inside a shopping mall at the V&A Waterfront.
• Royale Eatery — Popular burger joint on Long Street, with a lengthy menu including vegan and vegetarian options.
• Bootlegger — Cafe with multiple locations in the city featuring excellent coffee and brunch/lunch options. Don’t miss the banana bread!
• Seabreeze Fish & Shell — Fantastic seafood in a lively block of Bree Street. Great place to try South African oysters, and the fish bunny chow is superb.
• Kleinsky’s Deli — New York-style delicatessen with bagel sandwiches, pastrami, and babka.
• Yours Truly — Opt for the Kloof Street location of this popular cafe for breakfast, lunch, or afternoon drinks in a lush, garden-like setting.
• Charango — Peruvian spot on Bree Street with great fish tacos and pisco sours.
• Jason Bakery — Popular bakery known for its croissants.
• Honest Chocolate Cafe — Stop in for an afternoon treat like a chocolate truffle or Honest Chocolate Cafe’s sweet take on bunny chow. At night, the back patio becomes a gin bar.
• Chefs Warehouse & Canteen — Popular tapas restaurant. No reservations, so get there early or be prepared to wait.
• The Power & The Glory — Located on a corner beaming with hip spots, this cafe is perfect for enjoying a coffee or a glass of wine.
• El Burro Taqueria — Fun taqueria with bright decor serving tasty tacos and margaritas.
• The Pot Luck Club — Located in the Old Biscuit Mill, this popular restaurant is a more casual offering from Luke Dale-Roberts, the same chef behind The Test Kitchen. Book this one in advance. Consider a Sunday brunch with bottomless bubbles.
• Superette — Great stop for brunch before exploring the shops within Woodstock Exchange, as well as the surrounding neighborhood.
• Rockpool — Sip on a daiquiri while gazing at the ocean at this buzzy, beachside bar.
• V&A Food Market — Food court featuring local vendors, including Tunisian Delights and Vagabond Kitchens (get the Cape Malay chicken wrap!).
• Origin, Tribe, and Truth — Three great coffee shops in a city full of them!

Sushi at Willoughby & Co; Pastries at Jason Bakery

To See & Do:

• Pack a picnic and spend a sunny afternoon at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Check out their summer schedule for live music.
• Take the cableway to the top of Table Mountain on a clear day for a beautiful view of the city.
• On a warm, sunny afternoon, enjoy a beach day at Clifton Beach.
• Enjoy a Sunday jazz brunch at Harvey’s in Winchester Mansions hotel.
• Stop by the Old Biscuit Mill on a Saturday for the popular Neighbourgoods Market.
• Visit the famous African penguins at Boulders Beach.
• Walk along the oceanside promenade in Sea Point, ending with a lunch or dinner at Mojo Market.
• Hike to the top of Lion’s Head for sunset with a view.
• If you’re in Cape Town on a Saturday, make sure to check out the Oranjezicht Market, a local favorite near V&A Waterfront.
• Spend a day visiting Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point; cruise along the picturesque Chapman’s Peak Drive on your way back to the city.
• Rides horses along the beach in Noordhoek.
• Take a walking tour of historical Bo-Kaap and snap a few photos among the neighborhood’s colorful homes.

Sea Point Pavilion; Bo-Kaap neighborhood

To Stay:

• Mojo Hotel — Located in the oceanside neighborhood of Sea Point above the popular Mojo Market.
• Once — Hip hostel on Kloof Street, located next to Yours Truly.
• Cloud 9 — Located on a corner full of hip restaurants, near Kloof Street.
• Cape Cadogan — Upscale boutique hotel in the Gardens district.

Penguins at Boulders Beach; Cableway at Table Mountain

Llandudno Beach

Cape Point; Cape Dutch architecture on Long Street