24 Hours in Cape Town

Michele Harvey

Africa and Middle East | South Africa

I think that almost anything you do in beautiful Cape Town would constitute the ‘perfect day’. It’s difficult to find fault with its stunning looks, from the dramatic focal point of Table Mountain and the rugged Cape coastline, to the newest landmark towering over the city—the brand-new art museum, the Zeitz MOCAA. We asked our good friend Jené to share a Capetonian perspective on what’s of-the-moment in the city. Here’s the latest.

Africa’s Hottest Art Destination

Everyone is buzzing about the largest museum on the continent—the Zeitz Museum Of Contemporary Art Africa. Consider it Africa’s Tate Modern: a new, contemporary space for all Africans to tell their story through art, photography, film, fashion, and more. With over 100 galleries and 100,000 square feet, the former grain silo (once the tallest building in sub-Saharan Africa) has nine levels plus a rooftop patio with a panoramic city view, perfect for lunch or a scenic coffee break.

Coffee Shops and Bakeries

Loading Bay
An institution in De Waterkant, Loading Bay is the epitome of modern-day Cape Town coffee culture, and alternative workspaces. It serves as second home to a range of trendy folk: hipsters, Mac addicts, cyclists, cool couples and travellers. Tuck into an avocado & poached egg on freshly baked sourdough and a golden juice on the side.

Jason Bakery
Our favourite baker on Bree Street, famed for its amazing pastries (to go with your coffee), is Jason on Bree, yet another Cape Town foodie institution. His delicious flaky croissants are the best in town, and ‘Captain Bread’, as he’s affectionately known, is set to open a second location in the Green Point neighbourhood. His Saturday morning ‘doughssants’ have deliciously creative flavour combos!

Get Local at a Weekend Market

Weekend markets are a Cape Town must-do. If you have time to visit only one, my favourite is Oranjezicht City Farm Market (OZCF) on Granger Bay, with a view overlooking the ocean, it’s where we locals go to stock up on local, organic and sustainable produce brought in from a nearby farm in Oranjezicht, and other small-scale farms. Prepared meals, freshly-baked bread, cheeses meats make it a beautiful day on the V&A waterfront. Bonus: it’s kid- and dog-friendly too!

See for Yourself

To the uninitiated, it’s hard to believe that such beauty, diversity, incredible biking and wine can be found so close to the city—to say nothing of the spectacular Cape Town hotels. Fortunately, our South Africa Biking trip will make a believer out of even the most ardent skeptic.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Dinner

Chef’s Warehouse at Beau Constantia
Behold the most spectacular view of Cape Town’s Constantia Valley sprawled beneath you, while you share ‘tapas for two’ over a three-course meal. The owner-chef Liam Tomlin also has another location, but I prefer this one, for the view and for the fact that you can book reservations here. (The Bree Street location doesn’t accept bookings).

ASH
A young chef to watch is Ash Heeger, who, at the tender age of 27, teamed up with ethical butcher Frankie Fenner Meat Merchants and Publik Wine Bar to open her own restaurant. Chef Ash focuses on charcoal cooking and taps into nose-to-tail eating with a South African flair.

Shortmarket Club
Always popular and a local institution, Luke Dale-Roberts proposes his unique take on upscale South African cuisine, with exotic barbequed meats (we call BBQ ‘braai’ here), and uniquely South African flavour combos. Good luck getting in!

Shopping

Chandler House is a small shop and gallery situated in an 18th century Cape Georgian house. Their shelves are stocked with beautiful antiques, locally-made homeware, exotic textiles and unusual finds. Chandler House is also home to The Voorkamer Gallery, which has regular exhibitions of high-quality artwork by respected South African artists.

Missibaba is a luxury accessory label established by leather devotee Chloe Townsend in 2005. Passionate about South Africa and supporting local industry, a team of eight dynamic women are the leather workers pouring their love and energy into each and every handbag and leather accessory.

Up-and-Coming Neighbourhood to Watch
The hip East City Precinct in Cape Town is quickly finding its own, unique voice, rivalling always-trendy mainstay, Bree Street, with hipster hangouts and cool spots and restaurants sprouting up.

The Slow Road

Michele Harvey

Private Trip Designer Michele Harvey spent family holidays in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe before entering B&R history as our first-ever guide in South Africa in 1996. Today she designs incredible journeys (and writes spectacular blog posts) in and around her native South Africa.