We have been fortunate enough to make the rather long trek from Australia to Capetown on two occasions now, and I can honestly say I have rather fallen in love with this beautiful city and the wine country around Capetown.
So here are my top recommendations for accommodation and adventuring in and around Capetown.
The Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel
I simply adore this hotel. For starters it is pink! This is because in November 1918 at the end of World War 1, the Italian general manager of the hotel at that time, Aldo Renato decided to celebrate the end of the war by decorating the hotel with a cheerful coat of pink paint, the colour of a new dawn. It has remained pink for the last 100 years, and looks absolutely divine.
Somewhat like a colonial version of the Beverley Hills Hotel, The Mount Nelson is a great big sprawling hotel in the town, a stones-throw from the main city centre of Capetown. It has divine gardens, lovely restaurants, two beautiful pools, and a gorgeous tree covered terrace overlooking the gardens where you can snack on sashimi or cocktails. The staff are lovely, and most recently we stayed in one of the cottages which I would highly recommend. They are a divine row of small stand-alone terrace cottages with ‘pretty as a picture’ gardens and stunning interior design. Oh, and did I mention they have their own shared pool.
This divine hotel is my other favourite place to stay in Capetown. It is a small private hotel situated on Capetown’s opulent Atlantic Seaboard. With just 13 rooms the Hotel offers a very personalised and boutique experience. It also boasts one of the largest private art collections in South Africa, and the wine cellar and restaurant are second to none. I would highly recommend dinner out on the terrace looking over the Atlantic as the sun sets and the sky turns pink. Utterly superb!
This superb restaurant overlooking the vineyards is a short cab ride from Capetown in Constantia. In 2018 it was listed at number 6 in the top ten fine dining restaurants in the world by Trip Advisor. The food is utterly divine and showcases a fusion of French and Asian cuisine under the expert guidance of Chef And Proprietor Scott Kirton.
With breathtaking views overlooking the Constantia Wine Valley, La Colombe is one of South Africa’s most iconic fine dining restaurants, and should not be missed!
Boulders Beach is approximately 45 kilometers from Capetown, along the East Coast of the Cape Peninsular. This divine stretch of white sandy beach between the huge and impressive granite boulders is home to an enormous African Penguin colony. You can stroll along the timber walkways, just metres away from these enchanting little creatures as they waddle around on the sand or stand stock still looking like they’re formally dressed in black tie outfits and basking in the afternoon sunshine. They’re absolutely enchanting and well worth the drive!
This is the main shopping precinct of Capetown and offers a huge mall showcasing both high end shops and interesting local African Artisans. There is also an enormous market area and a plethora of fabulous cafes and restaurants all nestled around the main port of Capetown.
If you’re a keen shopper and in the market for a new Gucci bag or a Zebra hide, this is the perfect way to spend the day. I would highly recommend wandering up to The One and Only Hotel once you’ve had you’re fill of the bustling V & A Waterfront precinct. This is only a short walk, and you can while away a few hours of cocktail sipping on the timber deck beside the water, offering spectacular views of Table Mountain.
Or if you’re dying for some delicious Japanese food, there is a Nobu restaurant here. One of my favourite international restaurants, and a perfect end to a long day of retail therapy! Ok, I know it’s not terribly local, but who cares, I love it!!
This exciting and innovative restaurant is located in The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, Capetown. It is a divine contemporary space with soaring high ceilings, icy cold air conditioning and a moody ambience which takes you a world away from the busy streets of Capetown. Head Chef Luke Dale-Roberts prepares dishes with seemingly incongruent ingredients with creativity and class. The Springbok dish (pictured below) was utterly superb, and showcased his innovative flair for presenting local produce in a creative way. Divine for a long lunch, but you do need to book early to secure a table at this fabulous restaurant.
Liam Tomlin originally caught our attention when he opened a fabulous restaurant in Sydney called Banc. He then moved to Capetown in 2004, where he established a consultancy company called Beyond Food.
His restaurants include Chef’s Warehouse & Canteen in Bree Street, Capetown, Chef’s Warehouse at Beau Constantia Wine Estate, and in 2017 he also added a restaurant at Maison Wine Estate. He has a consultancy role with various local and international clients including Singita Luxury Game Lodges, and has most recently commenced a collaboration with Leopard’s Leap Wine Estate where he has developed a retail shop and cookery school.
The food at Chef’s Warehouse is small share plates served at long timber benches. It is utterly superb and offers a welcome break from the interesting shopping found around the Bree Street precinct showcasing local artisans and galleries. Don’t miss it!
The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Racing Festival takes place in early January and has been running for 158 years. This is one of the most stylish and glamorous events on the Capetown Social Calendar. The dress code is blue and white and the event is held on Friday and Saturday at Kenilworth Racecourse in Capetown. It is a fabulous day out showcasing not only an exceptional horse racing calendar of events, but also offering a plethora of hospitality and entertainment options including divine marquees and delicious champagne.
Picture Royal Ascot with the guarantee of delicious bright sunshine, and the grounds awash in shades of blue and white showcasing the racing colours of the Rupert family’s Drakenstein stud. The racing carnival concludes on Saturday with a sensational party held in marquees near the grandstand. A fabulous day and night out in Capetown!! Wear comfortable shoes!!
Africa’s first concept store, Merchants on Long, offers a unique collection of luxury and handmade brands that are all made in Africa. Housed in a divine Art Deco building on Long Street, Merchants on Long is also home to Okapi, an ethically produced line of luxury handbags and accessories. These are not to be missed. Superb locally sourced leather bags with Springbok horn handles. Absolutely divine and a must see.
Other fabulous, not to be missed stores and boutiques around Capetown include Mungo & Jemima, The Watershed, Stable, Pan African Market, and Mememe, to name just a few. On the first Thursday of every month the galleries, shops and restaurants all stay open until 9 pm. This offers the perfect opportunity to explore the city on foot and experience the cultural wealth this city has to offer.
Table Mountain and The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
For the slightly more adventurous traveler, you can take a five minute cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain and take in the spectacular 360 degree views over Capetown, Table Bay and The Table Mountain National Park. If you’re really keen to stretch your legs, you can hike up Lion’s Head and work off some of the holiday indulgences ( refer numbers 1-9 above!!).
If the thought of two ladders and a section of chain climbing fills you with dread, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens may be more your scene. Live music concerts are held on Sunday evenings in the gardens in the Summertime, and are a perfect way to take in this incredible natural beauty.
Capetown, colloquially known as ‘The Mother City of South Africa’, is a rich melting-pot of culture, cuisine and diversity.
Steeped in history from the Afrikaner descendants of the original Dutch colonists, Capetown is a unique and beautiful city; a not to be missed life experience.