Aviella’s Top 10 Things to Do in Cape Town
All things food, beautiful scenery, and creativity! – by Aviella Rose
Being born and bred in the beautiful city of Cape Town, there really is beauty all around us, and with so many options of where to explore and new places to discover, the possibilities of new beauty is endless!
1. Beach Time Baby!
As proud Capetonians, we’re truly spoiled for choice when it comes to our coastal gems. Whether you’re relaxing along the West Coast shores, soaking up the sun under the colourful umbrellas of Clifton, surfing at the iconic Muizenberg, or taking in the breathtaking beauty of Cape Point beach.
During the summertime, taking a trip to the beach becomes a loved activity – this is the perfect way to get some Vitamin D while listening to the waves crash on the shoreline, get a bit of a tan on, and make new fun memories with friends!
If I had to pick my favourite beaches along the Cape Town coastline, I would have to go with Beta Beach, Bakoven Beach, Bali Beach, Cosy Bay, Clifton 1st, Llundudno, and Glen Beach. These picture-perfect locations, azure waters, and swaying palm trees add to the aesthetically pleasing atmosphere.
2. Get the creative juices flowing!
In a world where work and routine can easily take over, making time for creativity and investing in a new hobby can do wonders!
There’s something about being childlike that I love the concept of, just going with the flow…
Whether you’re painting pottery at Clay Cafe in the city or The Pottery in Camps Bay, putting together a flower bouquet at Flower Cafe in Woodstock, attending a paint and sip event with The Offering, or even going gallery hopping!
Embracing being creative is something I try to include into my weekly plans. And living in Cape Town makes this an easy and accessible hobby that anyone can tap into too.
3. Take me to Bree Street!
If you didn’t know you’re allowed to have a favourite street, well, now you do! As a longtime foodie, I have had the pleasure of exploring iconic locations and hidden gems within Cape Town. And through all my adventures, Bree Street has stood tall in the world of gastronomy.
What sets Bree Street apart from other streets is its diverse culinary options. From cute coffee shops to fine dining restaurants, Japanese inspired cooking, to fun and creative cocktails, Bree Street has you covered!
To share the foodie love with all of you, keep some of my favourite foodie locations in mind for your next venture to Bree Street:
Nikkei
Nikkei is a gorgeous Peru meets Japanese inspired restaurant, a perfect harmony between delicious flavours in an almost fine dining setting. I found no faults at Nikkei ~ Everything is created beautifully!
Jerry’s Burger Bar
For the best, juiciest, most delicious burgers in the city Jerry’s Burger Bar is where its at! When I say Jerry’s never disappoints, this is my go-to burger bar and having been going here for years, I am still left drooling for more!
Fable
Fable was rated in the top 50 cocktail bars in the WORLD ~ How could it possibly not be one of my favourite Bree Street go-to spots!
Right here in our neighbourhood, this is such an accomplishment, and I definitely understand why. Think cocktails such as: dropping an effervescent tablet into gin for a peachy experience, being handcuffed to your drink, sipping on a cocktail while getting a tattoo, when perfume tastes as good as it smells, and the list goes on!
VUE Shortmarket Restaurant
VUE Shortmarket Restaurant is one to beat with the picture-perfect Table Mountain scenery, delectable dishes to enjoy, and impeccable service! A beautiful location for a romantic dinner with loved ones.
Pizza Shed
Last, but certainly not the least, I love an authentic Italian cheesy pizza, and Pizza Shed ticks all the boxes for me. Thick crusts, thin bases, the best tomato base, lots of cheese, YES PLEASE!
4. Calling all First Thursdays enthusiasts!
One of the reasons I love the city is the constant events that take place, so essentially you are never out of things to do, activities to take part in, and new people to meet!
First Thursday is one of those events which both locals and tourists love! Seeing the city come alive is probably one of the most heart-warming experiences, turning a regular Thursday into something of excitement, creativity, and what living in Cape Town truly looks like!
Even though I really don’t know that much about art, I am always left in awe of the talent and beauty and perspectives of the artists whose masterpieces hang in the various galleries around our city. One aspect I also love is being able to have conversations with those artists each month. Hearing the story behind each collection, what inspired them, and how many of them have succeeded in the art career is pretty inspiring!
Before you keep scrolling – seriously, I mean it – you NEED to add these galleries to your next First Thursday list: Loop 99 Gallery, World Art Gallery, Young Blood Gallery, Nel Gallery, Rare Gallery & Electrica Contemporary Gallery. Trust me, you’ll be so happy you did!
5. Take me to the winelands!
Cape Town offers unmatched choices for wine tasting, and it’s such a beautiful craftsmanship of our heritage, diversity and quality of who we are as a whole!
Not only do our wines impress us as locals, but on the global playground, our wine estates have won awards, statuses and ultimately, we have created a name for ourselves in the Cape Winelands. With the breathtaking landscapes, never-ending vineyards, beautiful Drakenstein and Table Mountain as a backdrop and the feeling of being transported to France is all quite like a daydream come true!
How exciting and amazing to take a little drive and be right in the middle of this wonderful tapestry of flavours and traditions!
Some of my favourite wine farms include:
*Buitenverwachting Wine Estate for their stunning Buiten Blanc and do yourself a favour and order their charcuterie board!
*Constantia Glen never fails to leave you stunned with their gorgeous winelands scenery, lovely Sauvignon Blanc and makes the perfect location to take all the Instagram photos with loved ones.
*Sip on some lovely wine at Leopard’s Leap while soaking up the beauty of Franschhoek, I love this wine estate for the variety you can experience for wine tastings!
*With a heritage dating back over 300 years, Boschendal Wine Estate is a true icon of South African winemaking. The highlights for me are their crisp white wine selection, grabbing a bite at the deli, and exploring the never-ending gardens on the estate.
*Kleinroosboom Boutique Winery in Durbanville Wine Valley is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Their boutique winery produces small batches of detailed flavours, everything about this wine estate is unique and high quality.
6. Seal snorkelling with Cape Fur seals which has been one of the biggest highlights!
Have you ever dreamt of snorkelling up close and personal with Cape Fur Seals? Well, this daydream became a reality for me when I went on a once-in-a-lifetime seal snorkelling experience in Cape Town!
Having grown up in Cape Town, I have always heard about tourists visiting our city to go on fun and unique experiences, whether shark diving, paragliding, and so on. However, seal snorkelling was something that had always been something I longed to try but remained unchecked on my bucket list.
I loved how this adventure was fully equipped with wetsuits, snorkels, and fins, so you don’t need to worry to bring anything except for a swimsuit and a towel. If you struggle with motion sickness like me, make sure you dose up the night before and the morning of so that you can enjoy the experience.
The adventure was filled with excitement, from start to finish! It was amazing to be so up close in our Cape Fur Seals habitat, where they swim and twirl around you. Despite the freezing waters and learning to navigate how to move around with flippers, I had such a fun time outside my comfort zone!
**You can book your own seal snorkelling experience with Secret Cape Town today – [email protected]
7. Park Picnics
On a sunny day in Cape Town, there’s no better way to soak up the sun outdoors than by going for a leisure walk or planning a fun picnic at one of the many city parks.
I love the contrast in Cape Town between the bustling city life, and the bits of greenery in between – especially the calmer moments spent at Greenpoint Park, Company Gardens, and De Waal Park to name a few. Despite being public spaces, these parks are well looked after, and provide security as you explore.
When it comes to putting together the perfect picnic lunch, Cape Town spoils you for choice. Stop by Giovannis for a deli-style lunch, their array of cheeses, cured meats, and freshly baked bread is the ideal quick and convenient way to satisfy your taste buds and up-style your picnic game.
If you’re a foodie like me, having a picnic is a great time to pull out the good snacks if you know what I mean. Why not pop into Giovannis for a deli style lunch and good coffee, Lello’s for some scrumptious pastries to grab along, and The Creamery for a takeaway tub to satisfy the sweet teeth friends.
8. Mini Greece Vibes
On the topic of holidays, nestled along the picturesque shores of Langebaan Lagoon, just a scenic drive away from Cape Town, you’ll find yourself caught up in a Greek affair at Club Mykonos!
Club Mykonos, well as the name says it, feels like you’re walking on an island in Greece! Not to mention, this beautiful holiday destination is perfect for a weekend of relaxation and unwinding, with activities, the beach, and many seafood inspired restaurants at your fingertips!
I absolutely love this holiday destination! It’s ideal for capturing those Instagram-worthy moments, lounging by the pool under the sun, treating yourself to delicious seafood platters, enjoying cocktails as the sun sets below the horizon. It truly creates the perfect atmosphere for a vacation experience, all within the stunning setting of Cape Town.
9. Can I marry sushi?
I am hands down one of the biggest sushi lovers, I would definitely choose sushi everyday if I had the option!
Living by the sea has its perks, and one of the biggest blessings is undoubtedly the accessibility to fresh, succulent seafood. Cape Town is spoiled with a wide selection of sushi eateries, each putting a distinctive spin on this loved Japanese treat.
With all that being said, I’ve had the chance to visit some really outstanding sushi locations & of course I would love to share all my sushi love with all of you!
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Here are some of my favourite sushi spots:
*Nikkei never fails to wow with its true Peruvian and Japanese flavours, especially when you’re craving out of the box sushi with a twist!
*With a stunning view of the waterfront, Harbour House provides a delightful dining experience, perfect for a romantic evening on the harbour.
*Thai Shan is the place to go if salmon is what you’re craving. Every dish is straight up delicious thanks to their creative presentation and mouthwatering sushi.
*Hidden gem Hamachi, known for its stunning sushi platters and all you can eat experience, is nestled in a quaint corner of the Claremont. Definitely not to be missed!
*Fellow sushi lovers will find paradise at Yama Eatery because of its focus on premium ingredients, top class service, and hello enjoying sushi in the winelands is an obvious must!
*Not to be forgotten is Nuri Sushi, locals’ favourite, whether you’re sitting down or getting a takeaway, Nuri is bound to leave you craving more.
10. Let’s go watch the sunset!
Give me a beautiful sunset, a yummy cocktail, and a stunning location to match, and I’m in my element! There’s just something about watching a sunset unfolding in front of you that leaves you spellbound. I love how each sunset is a canvas of beauty painted across the sky for our enjoyment.
Whether visiting the trendy rooftop bar of Silo Hotel, overlooking the scenes of the V&A Harbour, or savouring panoramic city views from Gigi Rooftop Bar, each location offers its own unique and beautiful experience of Cape Town sunsets. Alternatively, if you’re an ocean lover like me, Bakoven, Cosy Bay, or Saunders Beach offers a charming and intimate beach picnic adventure.
Whether I’ve been on a rooftop, the beach, hiking, or even at a local favourite restaurant in the city, one thing is true – I am always left speechless when I watch the sunset!
Article written by: Aviella Rose
