CAPE TOWN — Lauren & Matthew

IN AND AROUND CAPE TOWN

For the majority of your stay in Cape Town we would suggest being in the city. The wedding venue is 45 minutes away by car. There are tons of amazing things to do and see right on your doorstep. We suggest you make the most of your long trip and spend a few days exploring. A day trip could quite easily involve visiting the quaint villages of Simonstown and Kalk Bay and swimming with penguins at Boulders beach.

Cape Town also has great galleries, restaurants and bars.

And of course, there is the mountain. Lion’s Head and Table Mountain are climbable for the fit. Otherwise pre-bought tickets for the Table Mountain cable car is the way to go.

EAT AND DRINK

Food in South Africa is a big deal, we like to make it, we like to eat it and we love to kuier (loosely translates to visit, but usually involves more wine, you’ll get it soon enough). Thanks to this we have some amazing restaurants and bars.

Reservations are a must almost everywhere, so make these in advance. Due to the shortage of late night public transport options most restaurants only do a single seating or two at the most. This is so their staff can get home easily and safely. Coming from New York we are often baffled when kitchens close at 10:00pm, but it’s easy to work around.

As we said before, due to the exchange rate even the nicest restaurants are really affordable. The local wine is some of the best in the world and also very well priced.

Below are some our favorite places, and recommended articles if you would like some more information on Cape Town.

Cape Town Calling | 48 Hours in Cape Town | Insiders Guide to Cape Winelands | Cape Town City Guide | Things To Do
Exploring Wine Regions | Cape Town Gin Capital | Walking Guide to Bree St | SA Bucket List | Perfect Weekend in CT

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Hallelujuah

This is as close to New York as you’ll get in Cape Town. A tiny restaurant with an amazing Asian influenced menu, including lobster rolls and interesting local sparkling wines and rad cocktails!.

Website

The Test Kitchen

It’s pricey, and you need to book way WAY in advance. we used to get a booking in 1-2 months, but these days you can expect to wait up to 6 months for a table. But if you’re looking to treat yourself and want to have arguably one of the best meals of your life – save your pennies and find your way in somehow.

The Round House

Boasts one of the best views in all of Cape Town. Go there for brunch / lunch / sundowners on the lawn (aka the Rambullion), or treat yourself in the fancy restaurant (aka The Roundhouse). note: you’ll need a car or taxi to get there.

The Power & The Glory

Go there for breakfast, lunch or late night drinks. Have the hotdog on the pretzel roll.

Superette

Superette recently moved to the Woodstock Exchange, the work & meeting place of many of the city’s creatives. the space is beautiful, the food is good… get there early on a Saturday to beat the crowds for breakfast (and to find parking.)

Tokara

Hint: order anything that has an Asian flavor. they also have a beautiful deli a bit further down from the restaurant that’s nice for weekend brunches.

Yours Truly

The original Yours Truly in Long Street is perfect for a quick (great) coffee and take-away sandwich. they have a second bigger spot in Kloof street that also does pizza nights and serves beer.

Hemelhuis

Possibly the best eggs benedict in town. and, i’m not a porridge eater, but apparently the sago porridge for breakfast is amazing. Beautiful interior too. They make this almond meringue macaron tart which is amazing, have it with Earl Grey tea.

Lefty's Dive Bar

Lefty’s Dive Bar makes the best ribs i have ever tasted and the best ribs my friends have ever tasted. If you’re after great ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, hamburgers and other sweet, sweet dive bar food – then Lefty’s is where it’s at. If you want to go for dinner on the weekend you had best book a table.

Skinny Legs

Homemade, healthy food with a calm interior right in the center of town. great for breakfast and a coffee.

BEACHES

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Clifton 3rd

Perfectly white beaches meet perfectly blue water. Perfect looking people frolic in the perfect setting.

Cape Point

Cape Point is the meeting point of the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. Along with the amazing photo opportunities there is also a tiny beach tucked between the cliffs.

Boulders Beach

Home to the Capes penguin colony, this is a great spot to tan, swim and climbs the many boulders.

Bakoven Beach

Just further from the city than Camps Bay. This is the cool kids beach. Less commercial than Camps Bay, less pretentious than Clifton Bakoven is where the locals go to cool of on his December days.

Llandudno

Llandudno is a little further out towards Hout Bay. It gets surfable waves and is always less busy than beaches closer to the city.

Directions

Kalk Bay

One of the most famous of Cape Town's beaches, thanks to the little colorful houses that line the shore. Kalk Bay is worth a visit and a photo.

GOLF COURSES

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Pearl Valley

This is my favorite course in the Western Cape. From the carts, to the clubhouse this is the most incredible golf experience you will ever have.

METROPOLITAN COURSE

Nestled right under Lions Head and next to the stadium in Sea Point, the Metropolitan Course is a great little morning outing. For those who don't want to travel to far to get a game this is a great option. They also have great club rentals.

Atlantic Beach

For the most beautiful backdrop in golf nothing beast Atlantic Beach. Picturesque is an understatement. Be warned though the course goes from idyllic to unplayable in the wind. Not for the faint of heart.