The Camps Bay restaurant strip has the reputation of being glitzy and glamorous. And oftentimes locals steer clear of it because of this, many of the restaurants cater specifically for tourists. But Mantra Café has managed to hit the sweet-spot between offering clientele the glitzy setting, with epic sunsets, but in a relaxed dining environment.
A hidden Camps Bay gem, Mantra Café opened in December 2016. It combines spectacular beach views with superb food and friendly service. They’ve also added little personal touches to the décor, such as the photo on the balcony. The owners grew up in Camps Bay, and it’s a picture of their parents frolicking on the Camps Bay beach in the 60’s. As you travel down the buzzing Camps Bay Beach road, past Café Caprice and heading towards the Kauai (between Van Kamp street and The Meadway) – look out for the sign pointing towards a set of stairs leading you away from the noisy street. If you hit Col’Cacchio, you’ve gone too far. Situated on the first floor above The41, Mantra gives you the opportunity to soak up the expansive ocean views, without the clutter of the road and passer-by’s blocking your view.
It’s Not Your Typical Camps Bay Restaurant
Photo by Johann van der Merwe
From the uncomplicated décor, to the simplistic yet delicious dishes, Mantra aims to offer something refreshingly different in the area. It’s perfect for an impulsive sundowner after a day on the beach, or a special occasion to spoil a loved one. Whether you are wearing your flip-flops or high-heels, you’ll feel right at home in this relaxed yet sophisticated beautiful space.
The earthy tones used in the décor perfectly complements the warm afternoon glow that bathes the restaurant in a soft orange light. At sunset the balcony is an Instagrammer’s paradise! You can watch the sun sink towards the horizon in its full glory over the vast Atlantic Ocean.
Delectable Food in a Spectacular Setting
Photo by Johann van der Merwe
All the dishes are prepared from scratch on-site – from the hand-cut chips, to the delicious Malva Pudding. We’ll give you a sneak peak of the menu to get your mouth watering.
Starters: Sticky Chicken Wings, wood-fired in a sticky BBQ sesame sauce; Grilled Calamari in a fresh green Chimichurri Sauce.
Mains: Seafood Pasta, creamy linguini pasta with fresh line-fish, prawn, mussels, lemon zest and fennel leaves; Spicy Lamb Curry served with cucumber raita, salsa, chutney and basmati rice.
Desserts: Pear Frangipane, poached pears baked in almond frangipane served with vanilla ice cream; Trio of Homemade Ice Cream including Rooibos, butterscotch and vanilla ice cream.
Mantra aims to bring a fresh new trend to the Camps Bay restaurant strip. Instead of purposefully only catering for tourists, they want to create a delightful oasis where both tourists and locals can feel equally welcome.
And people definitely sit up and take notice of them. According to TripAdvisor they have managed to impress both the tourists and locals. They now rank among the top spots on the Camps Bay beachfront and they are part of the Top 5 Restaurants list in the area.
Visit Mantra Café Now
Photo by Johann van der Merwe
This lovely little spot offers you a secret hideaway from the bustling restaurant strip, and the view from upstairs will take your breath away. Make sure you plan your outing to perfectly match the rhythm of the setting sun.
The laid-back ambience of Mantra will rejuvenate your soul – feel like a tourist in your own city! Or if you are visiting from out of town, put this down-to-earth café on your to-do list. And on your way out, pop in at the adjoining décor shop to buy a memento of your experience. They stock a variety of proudly South African brands, with a product selection of their favourite local artists.
What’s more, they’ve just launched some incredible Winter Specials. Tucked away from the elements, Mantra offers a cosy location for a winter night out. View the full list of specials here
If you’ve been in Cape Town for a few days, you will have seen the bright red double-decker City Sightseeing bus drive past. These busses operate in over a 100 cities across the globe including London, Berlin, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Budapest, New York, Dubai, and more.
They are the world’s largest open-top, double-decker sightseeing tour bus operator. Started in 1999, this innovative tour operator company is the go-to source for discovering the best a city has to offer. The service runs 365 days a year, regardless of the weather. The handy hop-on-hop-off bus operates like clockwork, arriving at regular scheduled intervals at each stop.
See More Learn More with the City Sightseeing Bus
While you are taking in the beauty of the Mother City, you can listen to interesting information about each area you drive through. The on-board commentary is offered in 15 different languages (English, Afrikaans, Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish and Zulu). There’s also a fun channel for the kids.
The City Sightseeing Bus is a great way to effectively explore Cape Town. Instead of trying to figure out all the places you should see while you are in the city, use the City Sightseeing Bus with its structured route travelling past all the must-see attractions.
Also, Cape Town’s traffic and parking situation is notoriously challenging. With the City Sightseeing Bus, you can simply sit back and relax while someone else manoeuvres the congested roads. And it is more cost effective than Ubering across the city as well. The company strives to leave a small carbon footprint, and the busses have been declared carbon neutral.
How Does a City Sightseeing Bus Tour Work
There are a variety of tours to choose from including hop-on-hop-off routes through the city, cruises, wine tours, township tours, helicopter tours, and walking tours. A recent exciting addition to the City Sightseeing Bus tour repertoire, is the Franschhoek & Stellenbosch wine region Explorer Tour.
You determine your exploration of the city. The City Sightseeing bus has more than 30 stops, enabling you to explore over 50 of Cape Town’s top attractions. The bus passes by each stop every 15 minutes. This gives you the flexibility to plan your day. Depending on the type of tour you choose, the first busses depart around 08:00 in the mornings, and the last busses run between 18:00 and 19:00 (season dependent) Download the bus schedule.
The busses operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. During peak season the bus departures are increased to compensate for the influx of people. Tickets can be bought online at a discounted rate. There are three City Sightseeing offices across the city – at the V&A Waterfront, in the City Centre near Greenmarket Square, and in Camps Bay. You can also buy tickets on the bus at the various stops (cash and card facilities available). The City Sightseeing tours range between 30 minutes, and 140 minutes. But you will most likely be kept busy the whole day with all the sightseeing opportunities.
The City Sightseeing Bus Stops
Here’s a list of some of the City Sightseeing Bus Stops:
There are various tour packages available. Your choice will depend on the duration of your city exploration. Some tickets are only valid for one day, others can be extended to two or three days.
The Classic Ticket (valid for one day, with four tour loops) is one of the most popular ones. It also includes a free Walking Tour of the city, but does not include the Sunset Bus Tour. You can join the tour at any of the 30 hop-on-hop-off stops along the route.
You can bump it up to a Premium Ticket (valid for two days, with four tour loops per day). It includes a free Walking Tour, as well as a free Harbour or Canal Cruise. You also get a half-price discount on the Sunset Bus tour. The ticket is valid for two consecutive days.
The Deluxe Ticket (valid for three days, with four tour loops per day) is a great way to make the most of the City Sightseeing Bus routes with the wide variety of activities. It includes a free Walking tour, Harbour or Canal cruise, and the Sunset Bus. The ticket is valid for three consecutive days.
Another handy option, is buying a Cape Explorer Pass bus ticket that includes entrance to 3 of 12 must-see attractions. This is a very cost-effective option, offering you fast track, hassle-free entry at your choice of attractions. Choose from the following 12 attractions:
Classic Burger & chips lunch at the Hard Rock Café in Camps Bay (Red or Blue)
The Cape Town Wheel (Red or Blue)
Canal cruise (Red or Blue)
Harbour Cruise (Red or Blue)
Hamley’s Train (Red or Blue)
Cape Town Diamond Museum Entry (Red or Blue)
Kirstenbosch Gardens (Blue Tour)
Groot Constantia wine tasting (Blue Tour)
World of Birds (Blue Tour)
Imizamo Yetho Township walking tour (Blue Tour)
Hout bay Seal Island cruise, Drumbeat (Blue Tour)
Hout bay Seal Island cruise, Circe Launches (Blue Tour)
You don’t have to decide which attractions you want to enjoy before the time. Your bar code will give you access to three attractions, before it expires. The ticket is valid for one day, including all the tour loops.
Other City Sightseeing Bus Tour Experience options:
Sunset Bus
Canal Cruise
Bus & Bicycle Combo
6 hour Bicycle rental
20 min Atlantico Scenic Flight
Harbour Cruise (V&A Waterfront)
Sunset Champagne Cruise
Cape Point & Penguin Explorer Tour
Franschhoek & Stellenbosch wine region Explorer Tour
Franschhoek Wine Tram with Cape Town Explorer Tour
The Mega City Pass offers you access to more than 70 attractions, along the City Sightseeing bus route. You can save 40% to 50% on general entrance fees. It also offers you 25% discount on any of the three Explorer Day Tours. The pass is valid for 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days. Skip the queues with the handy fast-track entrance. You can show your Mega City pass barcode on your phone, or print out the voucher for entry into the attractions.
It includes a handy guide for easy-reference to the locations and contact details of the various participating attractions. You can view the special offers and plan your exploration adventure. The guide is available from one of the City Sightseeing Bus Offices (V&A Waterfront, Long Street, or Camps Bay). You have free access to use th City Sightseeing Bus while your Mega City Pass is valid. You can scan your pass at one of the offices or on your first bus entry to access your bus boarding pass.
Free Entrance:
City Sightseeing: Deluxe bus ticket, Harbour or Canal Cruise & Sunset Bus
City Sightseeing: Sunset Bus Tour | Harbour & seal cruise | Canal Cruise
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
Live-guided township tour: Langa & Gugulethu
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
Cape Wheel (V&A Waterfront)
Two Oceans Aquarium (V&A Waterfront)
ZEITZ MOCAA Museum of Contemporary Art (V&A Waterfront)
Springbok Rugby Experience & Museum (V&A Waterfront)
Hamleys Express Train (V&A Waterfront)
Shimansky Diamond Experience (V&A Waterfront)
Waterfront Charters: Harbour & bay cruise | Harbour & seal cruise | Sunset champagne cruise
Jolly Roger Sunset Champaign Cruise
Jolly Roger Pirate Boat: Bay & coastal cruise
Cape Town Comedy Club (V&A Waterfront)
Castle of Good Hope
The Diamond Gallery: Free tour & diamond pendant (spend R1500)
&Bikes: Art cycle tour
&Bikes: Food tour
&Bikes: 4 hour bicycle rental
Rush: Indoor trampoline park
Woodstock Street Art Walking Tour
Imizamo Yethu Township Walking Tour
City Centre Walking Tour
Slave Lodge
South African National Gallery
Bo Kaap Walking Tour
Bo-Kaap Museum
South African Museum
Cape Town Holocaust Centre
South African Jewish Museum
District Six Museum
Heart of Cape Town Museum
Cape Town Diamond Museum
The Woodstock Gin Company: Gin tasting
Pienaar & Son Distillery: Free Gin & Vodka Tasting
Mama Africa: Starter, glass of wine & wine tasting voucher
Gold Restaurant: Free djembe drumming / glass of sparkling wine
Groot Constantia: Wine estate tour & tasting
Drumbeat Charters: Seal colony cruise (Hout Bay)
Circe Launches: Seal Island cruise (Hout Bay)
World of Birds (Hout Bay)
Vredenheim Big Cat Tour
Alpaca Loom Barn Tour & Weaving Studio
Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm
Eagle Encounters
Franschhoek Cellars: Cheese & wine pairing
Spier Wine Estate: Free tasting and bottle of wine
Simonsig: Cellar tour & wine tasting
Vredenheim Wine Estate: Wine tasting
Bikes ‘n Wines: Winelands cycle tour
Franschhoek TukTuk Wine Tours
Avontuur Wine Estate: Tasting & bottle of Cabernet/Merlot
Stellenbosch Vineyards: Wine tasting & bottle of Welmoed wine
Photo by City Sightseeing South Africa
Special Discount
Hard Rock Café: Free classic burger (valid between 11.30AM and 5:00PM)
Cape Point & Penguin Tour: Full-day live-guided tour: 25% discount
Wine tour & tasting: full-day live-guided tour: 25% discount
Franschhoek Wine Tram with Cape Town Explorer Tour: 25% discount
https://secretcapetown.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Photo-by-365tickets.com-Exploring-Cape-Town-with-the-City-Sightseeing-Bus.jpg400600Secret CT EDhttps://secretcapetown.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Secret-Cape-Town-Logo-Key.pngSecret CT ED2019-04-27 12:18:522019-04-27 12:21:24Exploring Cape Town with the City Sightseeing Bus
The city of Cape Town has seemingly endless exploration opportunities. But outside the city borders lies a completely different world. The Western Cape mountains create a rich landscape with mesmerizing beauty.
And the Franschhoek Valley should definitely be on your exploration to-do list! There are a few different ways to travel from Cape Town to Franschhoek. It’s a quaint little town, surrounded by world-class wine estates.
How to Travel to Franschhoek from Cape Town
Photo by Devon Janse van Rensburg on unsplash
We’ve sourced a few different travel options for you to consider, with route suggestions as well. Public transport between Cape Town and the surrounding areas are limited, but there are a few possible ways for you to experience the beauty beyond the city borders.
Shuttle Companies
You can hire a private shuttle to transport you between Cape Town and Franschhoek. A shuttle can cost up to R 950 per person (return trip). We recommend that you use Winelands Experience as they can also help you to explore the town with their tours. Alternatively, you can use ShuttleUp to travel between Cape Town and Franschhoek, as well as other locations nearby. A trip between the city and Franschhoek will cost R590 per person, one way. They also offer tours of the Cape Town region.
You can use an Uber to Franschhoek. But it will only be a viable option if you are travelling as a group. UberX will cost you about R700 from the Cape Town city centre to Franschhoek, one way. That works out to R175 per person (group of four)
Train to Franschhoek
If you are feeling very adventurous, you can take the Metro train to Stellenbosch, and Uber to Franschhoek from there. The train ticket will cost you R19.50, one way. And the UberX from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek in the region of R285. View the train schedule.
Bus to Franschhoek
The Greyhound Bus only runs between Cape Town and Stellenbosch. It will cost you from R270 to R290. You will then have to Uber from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek, costing about R285.
Plan Your Trip from Cape Town to Franschhoek
Another travel option that you can consider, is to hire a car for your trip to Franschhoek. Depending on the type of car you prefer, this will cost between R200 to R500 per day, excluding the petrol costs. Read our article Best Car Hire for a few car hire company options.
There are a few different ways you can travel to Franschhoek from Cape Town.
Via the N1 and R45
Travel time: 1 h 12 min | 88.8 km
This is a fairly direct and fast route to Franschhoek from Cape Town. Travel on the N1 past Century City, on your way to Paarl. Take exit 59 from the N1 and turn right onto the R301, which later becomes the R45. You’re guaranteed spectacular mountain views whichever route you choose to Franschhoek!
Via N2 and R310
Travel time: 1 h 25 min | 88.6 km
Alternatively, you can take the N2, travelling past the Cape Town International Airport on your way to Somerset West. Take exit 33 (Baden Powell Drive) towards the R310, turn left onto Baden Powell Drive. Next, turn right onto Polkadraai Road (still the R310). Follow the road through Stellenbosch, turning left onto Adam Tas Road (R310/R44) Turn right onto the Helshoogte Road (R310). Next, turn right onto the R45, and left onto Lambrechts road to stay on the R45.
Use the City Sightseeing Bus to Travel to Franschhoek from Cape Town
Photo by City Sightseeing South Africa
If you want to combine your travelling and touring expenses, why not consider the Franschhoek & Stellenbosch wine region Explorer Tour. This way you will effortlessly travel to Franschhoek from Cape Town, and explore the area.
The tour includes stops at two Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wine estates. Here you can indulge in wine tastings and learn more about the cellars with a tour. You can also stop for lunch in Franschhoek. Tickets cost R580 for adults, and R300 for children.
Or try the Franschhoek Wine Tram Explorer Tour. While you are travelling to Franschhoek from Cape Town, you will be learning more about the areas you drive through with their handy commentary on the bus. There are two tram routes to choose from, travelling in a circular route, and stopping at 8 Wine Estates. The tram stops at each wine estate on the hour, giving you ample time to explore. Tickets cost R540 for adults and R275 for children.
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Remember to share your epic Instagram pics with us! Tag @secretcapetown or use #secretcapetown to be featured with our #guesswhere.
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Crepes are a type of very thin pancakes served with a variety of fillings which are commonly added to the centre. This delightful food is best served with coffee, tea, buttermilk, and cider. And because crepes are such a favourite breakfast meal or dessert here in the Mother City, we made a list of the Top 5 Places to Eat Crêpes in Cape Town.
Located on the corner of Buitenkant and Barrack Streets, Swan Café is a little French style eatery in town that offers great crepes in a beautiful setting. This sweet stopover is known for its creative interior, delicious food, and very good coffee. This Parisian crêperie is a quaint little place — beautifully decorated and styled. The café’s ambiance is very pleasant with hanging red bird cages, and walls adorned with digital swan wallpaper and art. It is a cool place to hang out with friends and soak in the French chic vibe.
On the menu are a variety of savoury and sweet crêpes, plus delicious coffee and an interesting tea selection. At Swan Café, all crêpes are made from scratch daily and are served with a dash of cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon. The galletes are made of gluten-free buckwheat flour, served with Swan side salad. The unique fillings include delicious ingredients such as blue cheese, orange sauce, fresh thyme, and toasted flaked almonds.
Swan Café is open from 8AM to 4PM on Mondays to Fridays. And from 8AM to 2PM on Saturdays. Visit swancafe.co.za for more information.
Ta-Da! Crêperie and Coffee Bar is a little gem at The Boardroom Adventure Centre, along Victoria Avenue in Hout Bay. With its quaint and colourful interiors and relaxed shaded outdoor seating, Ta-Da! makes wonderful sweet and savoury crêpes and other delicious food.
Popular for their great coffee, friendly service, and delicious crêpes, this pet-friendly crêperie claims to be the best coffee and breakfast destination in Hout Bay. Savoury crêpe fillings include spinach, sun-dried tomato, feta, olives, and jalapeño peppers. The sweet crêpe fillings include honey, cinnamon, and homemade fudge. Ta-da!’s sought-after crêpes come in generous sizes with rather amusing names. And because this wonderful crêperie is located along the popular Atlantic seaboard cycle route, it makes for a perfect pit-stop.
Ta-da! is open from 7:30AM to 8:30PM. They close at 5PM on Sundays and Mondays Follow the Ta-Da! Facebook page for more information.
Experience fantastic French hospitality, play fun board games, enjoy delicious crêpes and wonderful Tribe coffee at The Big Box Café! A brainchild of Eric and Emilie Breteau, The Big Box is a sister company of La Grosse Boite, a board games café in La Rochelle on the Atlantic coast of France. This unique café is the first of its kind in Cape Town.
At The Big Box Café, you can play different board games while enjoying freshly-made crêpes with savoury and sweet fillings in a relaxed, fun environment. They have an incredible selection of unusual and engaging board games. Some of the classics such as Scrabble, Monopoly, Battleship, and Chess are also available. Playing games at the café is free. You can also purchase games at the café or on their website, ranging from R99 to R1 000. The games on offer change frequently so that you can come across a new game each time you visit. They also host a variety of themed evenings and events like the all-night game sessions. The Big Box Café is truly a great spot for a fun, quirky evening out with friends.
The Big Box Café is open Mondays to Wednesdays from 8AM to 5PM, Thursdays and Fridays from 8AM to 10PM, and Saturdays from 10AM to 10PM
Situated on the quayside of Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront is one of the city’s oldest and best-loved restaurants, Den Anker. This popular Belgian beer house and restaurant not only offers picturesque views of the harbour and Table Mountain but also an extensive menu with a strong emphasis on seasonal dishes and fresh seafood. Den Anker is a good place to get a light lunch or an evening meal and they offer the best dessert — crêpes which are flambéed at the table.
Den Anker is open Mondays to Sundays from 11AM to 12PM Visit www.denanker.co.za for more information.
Skinny Legs Café offers you a more health-conscious approach to your crêpe indulgence. Their Buckwheat pancakes are a great alternative option to the usual gluten-based crêpes. And they taste just as delicious! The savoury fillings are very unique such as creamed feta, rose harissa, and minted pea puree. And you should try one of their yummy freshly-squeezed juices.
Skinny Legs Café is open Mondays to Fridays from 7AM to 4PM, and Saturdays from 8:30AM to 2PM. Follow the Skinny Legs Café Facebook page for more information.
Share the Crêpe Fun with Secret Cape Town
Remember to share your epic Instagram pics with us! Tag @secretcapetown or use #secretcapetown to be featured with our #guesswhere.
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The V&A Waterfront is one of the biggest restaurant hubs in Cape Town. This unique, vibrant place is filled with a wide array of restaurants, cocktail bars, and sundowner spots where you can grab a drink or two to soak up the vibe. With so many options, it can be hard to decide where to grab the perfect cocktail. We’ve hunted down the Top 5 Places to grab a cocktail at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
#1 Bascule Whisky, Wine and Cocktail Bar
Bascule Bar is situated on the bottom floor of the renowned Cape Grace Hotel, at the water’s edge of the beautiful V&A Waterfront Marina, offering relaxing views over the buzzing marina, with the stunning Table Mountain as a backdrop. This brown-hued space complements the hotel’s overall nautical feel. It features warm, wood interior furnishings and a quaint fireplace. The bar also makes use of whiskey barrels as tables beside plush leather couches.
This vibrant destination is perfect for a light lunch or a cup of coffee during the day. At night, it transforms into a lively bar, making it a perfect setting to take in the sights and sounds of the busy Waterfront. As the sun sets, cocktail connoisseurs and social butterflies gather to enjoy sundowners and lively music, along with tasty tapa dishes.
A delectable array of over 400 whiskeys from across the globe matches the breathtaking views from the bar. They also have an exceptional selection of the Cape’s most sublime wines. Bascule Bar offers a great whiskey, wine, and cocktail menu. And while whiskey is at the beating heart of this bar, its skillful bartenders have mastered the art of mixology and can shake up a wide variety of signature cocktails. And their whiskey-based cocktails are top notch.
Harbour House is a sophisticated restaurant that offers a fine dining experience of international cuisine with Mediterranean elements in an elegant setting. It overlooks the bustling Victoria Basin and the quay. Harbour House is known for its superb blend of time-honoured favourites and creative new dishes. They serve the freshest seafood and ingredients, making it one of Cape Town’s favourite seafood restaurants.
They have a good wine list and serve some of the best cocktails in town. This famous restaurant is the ideal spot to observe the bustling Waterfront from up high while you feast on splendid food and drink flavourful cocktails.
At Shimmy Beach Club you can sip a cocktail with your toes in the sand, while looking out over the ocean. It’s situated on the harbour edge, giving you a different perspective of the V&A Waterfront, away from the bustling main section. The menu offers you light meals, wood-fired pizza, and sushi.
Shimmy Beach Club hosts regular events, with a yearly summertime music series by local musicians Goldfish. Schedule your cocktail outing just before a show to start off the party on a high note!
It’s one of the oldest landmark restaurants in the charming V&A Waterfront quay. They offer high-quality food with breathtaking harbour views. At Quay Four, you can choose between the terrace right on the quay, known as the downstairs tavern, or the elegant upstairs restaurant. The terrace seats up to 360 people and buzzes with locals and visitors all year round. They offer a variety of light meals and salads as well as an impressive range of award-winning beers on tap. It is a great place to meet with friends and savour a few drinks as the sun sets.
The restaurant upstairs, on the other hand, offers a smart casual dining experience and places emphasis on mouth-watering seafood, venison and meat/poultry dishes. They also have a notable wide selection of delicious cocktails. Whether upstairs or downstairs, both visitors and tourists alike can enjoy a delicious drink and excellent food while watching the stunning harbour views of a glorious Cape Town sunset.
The Willaston Bar is situated on the sixth floor of the famous Silo Hotel and showcases some of the Mother City’s most extraordinary views through the 5.5m high pillowed glass windows at a high vantage point. The bar got its name from the first ship to export grain from the original silo building to Europe in 1924. They welcome their guests with the bar’s colourful and meticulously designed interior. The bar has a wide selection of crafted cocktails, classic drinks and an indulgent variety of local and international wines.
What makes this bar one of the top places to grab a cocktail in the Waterfront is because the menu boasts with a cocktail for everyone and for all occasions. Whether you’re after an old favourite or something complex and intriguing, The Willaston Bar has got it for you. Your other option at the Silo Hotel, is the rooftop bar, if you want fresh air while sipping a cocktail.
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A small restaurant just outside of Cape Town has won the sought-after title of Restaurant of the Year 2019. No, not just in South Africa, in the world! That’s right, we have the best restaurant in the world right on our doorstep.
Their beginnings were humble and the mastermind behind the concept, Kobus van der Merwe, aims to keep it simplistic and authentic. After winning the award he said that he won’t be pushing up prices just because of the global stamp of approval. He feels that his victory was an achievement for the whole African content.
World Class Cuisine on the West Coast
Chef Kobus van der Merwe only started cooking seriously at age 30. His team consists of six members (mostly female) and they don’t have any formal training. He opened the restaurant in 2016. A 130-year-old cottage houses the restaurant, with a historically significant cave on the property as well. The restaurant is right on the Paternoster beach.
Kobus believes in using freshly sourced ingredients. Every day the team forages for products from the wild Atlantic shore. He also makes his own butter and bread on site. He creates unique seven-course tasting menus, at R850 per person. It’s a fraction of the price you would pay at a top-notch Parisian restaurant.
The menu includes seasonal veldkos, sustainable seafood, plus local lamb and venison. Seaweed from the local rock pools, wild herbs, and other products from his own sustainable garden further enhances the dishes.
Wolfgat only serves 20 diners per seating. This way the team can keep it sustainable. All the indigenous ingredients are specific to the West Coast location. He calls it his Strandveld food menu. At the World Restaurant Awards in Paris, Kobus impressed the judges with his dedication to sustainable cooking, and his back-to-basics style. The 38-year-old chef feels greatly humbled by the award.
The Wolfgat Team Impresses Internationals
Kobus has gathered a team that shares his dream of sustainable cooking. After receiving the award, he was eager to head home to celebrate with them, over a glass of South African sparkling wine. Every day they help him to gather the succulents, dune spinach, and herbs needed to create his masterpieces.
The special seasonal tasting menu includes dishes such as angelfish with bokkom sambal and wild garlic masala, limpets, mussels and sea vegetables, twice-cooked laver (seaweed), and more. Wolfgat also received the award for best “Off Map Destination” restaurant.
At Wolfgat the team works together with no kitchen hierarchy, everyone is involved each step of the way to create world-class cuisine. Your dining experience will include a team member explaining to you the dish you are eating, elaborating on the sourcing and preparation.
Photo by TripAdvisor
Years of Culinary Passion Captured
After school he studied at the Institute of Culinary Arts in Stellenbosch, one of the best chef schools in the world. But he only completed one year of the two-year diploma programme, deciding to pursue his dream of becoming a musician. Kobus was also a former EatOut webeditor. It reawakened his passion for fine dining after meandering away from it for a few years. At 30 he decided to make a shift in his career, focusing on cooking. Although he’s influenced by spicy local Cape Malay cooking, his philosophy is to keep the ingredients as pure and untreated as possible. He calls it “hyper local cuisine”.
In 2010 his parents bought the restaurant Oep ve Koep in Paternoster, and this gave Kobus the opportunity to experiment with sustainable culinary options. For seven years he worked with his parents to build the business. It gave him the perfect platform to prepare for his own culinary venture in 2016.
New Awards Include Affordable Dining
This was the first World Restaurant Awards ceremony. It was set up by Joe Warwick, one of the 50 Best Restaurants list founders. It included affordable dining options, focusing on more dining diversity plus unique eateries.
The 50 Best Restaurants list often leans strongly towards giving French cuisine preference, these new awards strive to have a strong focus on “diversity and integrity”. Their judging panel portrays this, it consists of 50 women and 50 men. They also have tongue-in-cheek awards such as “Tattoo-free chef of the year”, won by Alain Ducasse (France) and “Tweezer-free kitchen of the year” won by Bo.lan (Bangkok).
The judges include Rene Redzepi from Denmark’s Noma restaurant, the cookbook king Yotam Ottolenghi, and Clare Smyth, the Northern Irish chef that was the first female chef to win three Michelin stars in Britain. Judges were gathered across the globe, from 37 different countries in total. Their focus was on integrity and excellence.
Photo by The South African
A Restaurant on a Mystical Cave
The world-famous restaurant is situated above the Wolfgat cave. This location holds special meaning to Kobus, with the site holding a wealth of archaeological and geological significance. The Wolfgat cave holds archaeological finds over 2 000 years old. Various ancient artefacts were found including beads and stones, ceramics, ostrich eggshell, bones, and marine shell. Bedding and hearths are also possibly buried here.
John Parkington, a leading archaeologist, says that the Wolfgat cave is a vast chamber that lies under a remarkably large calcrete shelf. According to him underground stream erosion formed the cave, which eroded the softer sand under the cemented shelf. The locals believe that its underground passages meander kilometres into the surrounding land, possibly as far as the Cape Columbine reserve.
Photo by Winemag.co.za
Book Your Seat Now
Wolfgat captures the rustic beauty of the West Coast. The interior is simplistic, yet elegant. It has a fireplace, perfect to create a cosy atmosphere for an intimate winter dining setting. And the stunning views of the ocean complements the delicious food. You can watch the fishermen in their brightly coloured boats as you nibble on food from the very same waters.
The word has spread fast about this amazing secret restaurant, book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Visit www.wolfgat.co.za for more information.
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The Mother City may be best known for her golden sunshine, summer beaches and outdoor activities, but there’s a lot more to this beautiful gal than six months of summer. If you haven’t gone Cape Town-exploring in the winter months, we guarantee you’re missing out on some of the most memorable experiences the city has to offer. We’ve scoured the city and surrounds for 5 best things to do in Cape Town in winter. So grab an umbrella and let’s head out.
Surfers do it in winter
Cape Town is famous the world over for her surfing spots. From Blouberg to Long Beach and all the way to Muizenberg, there’s always a wave to catch. In the winter months of June, July and August, the Cape of Storms puts on an impressive display of heart-pounding swells for the more accomplished surfers out there. On the other hand, if you’re more comfortable with smaller, manageable swells, you’ll find those too throughout the Cape Town winter months.
There’s no better way to end a day in the surf than to head for Muizenberg’s legendary Empire Café. It’s here you’ll get some of the best views over the wild wintery sea with a delicious chunk of freshly-baked chocolate cake in front of you and your fingers wrapped around a cup of steaming coffee.
Still one of the best ways to pass a winter afternoon or evening – Cape Town’s lively theatre culture offers a smorgasbord of acting talent, dance, comedy, opera and musicals. You can head for well-known venues like Artscape, the Baxter Theatre, The Fugard or Masque Theatre or the oldest cinema in South Africa – the Labia Theatre for regular screenings of independent art films and festivals.
You could also take the road less travelled and try out some of the mini-theatres and bars that can be discovered all over the Mother City. The Alexander Bar Upstairs Theatre is worth a visit, or stop by the Rosebank Theatre or Little Theatre attached to the University of Cape Town’s Centre for Theatre, Dance and Performing Studies.
Waterkloof
Take a drive outside Cape Town, to the Waterkloof winery on the Sir Lowry’s Pass Road outside Somerset West for a feast of the finest in wine, cuisine, biodiversity and architecture. This is a wine estate with a few surprises thrown in. Like spectacular views over carefully preserved natural vegetation and animal life that won the vineyard Champion Status by the World Wildlife Fund’s Biodiversity & Wine Initiative. Spend a winter afternoon beside the designer open fireplace in the tasting room or settle in the restaurant to indulge in chef, Gregory Czarnecki’s incredible cuisine. Need to burn off those calories? Take a guided walk or horseback ride through this spectacular wine estate.
HintHunt Escape Game
On those cold, rainy days when you absolutely have to stay indoors, one of the best things to do in winter in Cape Town is lose yourself in an escape game. Located at the quaint Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, HintHunt gives you an hour and plenty of clues, puzzles and mysteries to help you escape from one of the locked room – all theme-designed for maximum authenticity and ambience. You can take up the challenge in groups of three to six players as long as you’re older than 15 years of age. You can catch your breath afterwards at any of the restaurants in the vicinity, or allow yourself to be drawn in by at least a few of the artisanal retail experiences the Old Biscuit Mill has to offer.
A divine winter pairing of art and wine
Of course we know that wine and art are the perfect pairing. But instead of strolling around a gallery, glass in hand, at a Wine Jamming Event at the Rockwell Hotel in Greenpoint, it’s all about a love of wine and your personal creativity. You’ll spend a magical evening – the last Wednesday of every month – in the hotel garden that’s been decked out in sparkling fairy-lights.
Now for a glass of wine, an A3 canvas, paint brushes, an easel and non-toxic acrylic paint. You can be guided by an expert instructor or express yourself from the heart – it’s all about fun and exploring your inner Picasso!
Check Out Rockwell Hotel Cape Town Facebook Page @RockwellHotelCT
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Cape Town is full of great family-friendly activities. Whether your kids are outdoor fans, or prefer indoor fun – you will be able to keep them occupied for hours. Also read our post Top 10 Things to Do with your Family in Cape Town for more ideas.
#1 Putt-Putt with a Unique Spin
Putt-putt has been around for decades, and maybe your kids think that it’s not cool enough anymore. Well, surprise them with an outing to glow in the dark putt-putt! The luminous 3D course features 3D murals, plus UV and disco lights. The unique experience includes playing with special imported 3D glasses. You can also book out the event room for private functions. The beauty of putt-putt is that everyone can enjoy it. The owners boast with their wide range of players – the youngest was one-and-a-half, and the oldest 84!
Location: Milnerton
Opening hours: Mondays closed | Tuesdays to Thursdays only open for bookings Fridays – 13:00 to 20:00 | Saturdays – 10:00 to 20:00 | Sundays – 10:00 to 16:00
It’s always a nice adventure to go on a small road trip with your family. Situated on a Stellenbosch wine estate, the Vredenheim Animal Farm is a great outdoor experience. Activities include a petting zoo with farm animals, tractor rides, and thrilling interactions with lions in the Big Cats Park. There are also expansive play areas with jungle gyms and sandpits.
Opening hours: Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 to 16:00 (check Facebook page for school holiday opening times) Lion Park: Monday to Sunday – 09:00 to 17:00 | Game drives: 10:00, 13:00 and 15:00
An outing to the Two Ocean Aquarium is a firm favourite of many holiday plans. But you can now schedule an even more up close and personal experience with the Ocean Experience in the I&J Ocean Exhibit of the Aquarium. No diving experience needed, you can snorkel with your kids to explore the wonderful underwater world. Just bring your bathing suit (and an underwater camera if you have one) the aquarium will provide you with a towel, wetsuit and a snorkelling kit.
Location: Two Oceans Aquarium | V&A Waterfront
Opening Hours: Wednesdays to Fridays – arrive at 12:00, experience starts at 12:30
Boulder’s Beach is officially Africa’s only penguin colony. The area has been transformed into a space to safely view the penguins in their natural habitat, without disturbing them, with walkways overlooking the beach. Throughout the day penguins come and go from this sanctuary spot, but the best times to see a lot of them are early mornings or late afternoons. There is an entrance fee of R75 (Adults) and R40 (Children)
Location: Kleintuin Road | Simon’s Town
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday – 08:00 to 18:30 (Summer) | 08:00 to 17:00 (Winter)
The Art Jamming studios coined the term and it makes perfect sense! Playing with paint is definitely entertaining. Let your kids tap into their creative nature. Plus, you don’t have to worry about cleaning up the mess. Great experience for developing creative skills, as well as a safe space for care-free expression. They cater to kids from 8 months and older.
Did you know that there’s a real life pirate ship that sets sail every day from the V&A Waterfront? The Jolly Roger caters to both adults and kids. The ship is commandeered by a team of “pirates”, so for a moment your kids can immerge themselves in a great fantasy world. There’s also a special pirate show. Remember to keep an eye out for dolphins or whales!
Location: V&A Waterfront
Opening hours: September to end April 10:00 – 12:00 | 12:30 – 14:30 | 15:00 – 17:00 May to end August 10:00 – 12:00 | 13:00 – 15:00
Have you seen the movie Cool Runnings? Well, if you head over to its local namesake, you can recreate your own movie moment with your kids. It’s the first tobogganing track in South Africa. The 1.2km track winds its way down the mountain, offering you the opportunity to set the speed pace. This unique thrill can be experienced by kids aged 8 and older, as well as adults. The sleds can take two people at a time, so you can accompany your child for a unique shared experience.
Location: Opposite the Bellville Velodrome| Carl Cronje Drive | Bellville
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 12:00 – 18:00 | Weekends 09:00 – 18:00 Closed on Mondays, except school holidays
The Oude Molen Eco Village is tucked away on the edge of the city, offering city dwellers a moment of rural delight. There are various companies housed in the enclosed area, with a few offering kid-friendly activities. The Eco Theatre introduces the kids to the wonder of honeybees, earthworms, and many other natural delights. It’s a great hands-on experience. Food Garden Village is a community orientated vegetable garden project to participate in. The Oude Molen Stables offers pony and wagon rides, as well as riding lessons. Pop in at the Play Shed for a refreshing cuppa while the kids enjoy the indoor and outdoor play areas. Or go to Oom Daan se Plaas for a picnic/braai and a swim. And Yes We Can offers both sport and cultural activities.
The World of Birds is the largest African bird park with more than 3 000 birds and small animals. View 400 bird species with 100 walk-through aviaries. There is also a picnic area with a playground, next to the flamingos. A fun must-do activity: playing with the monkeys.
Downhill Adventures offers a unique outing, sandboarding. The Atlantis Sand Dunes, situated on the West Coast just over an hour away, is the ideal playground for kids who enjoy the outdoors. The team will familiarize you with the basic tricks of sandboarding, and then you can challenge the kids in a downhill marathon!
https://secretcapetown.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Top-10-Things-to-Do-in-Cape-Town-with-Kids.jpg561600Secret CT EDhttps://secretcapetown.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Secret-Cape-Town-Logo-Key.pngSecret CT ED2019-04-05 11:03:052019-04-16 11:10:07Top 10 Things to Do in Cape Town with Kids
Cape Town’s natural beauty is awe inspiring. And the best thing about it, is that it’s entwined in the cityscape. Instead of roughing it up on dirt roads, you can hit a tar road and soak up the mesmerizing scenery whizzing by. But beware, you won’t be the only one hitting the road, so choose the timing of your scenic drive in Cape Town carefully.
As with all major cities, mornings and afternoons are the peak traffic times. And over the weekends roads can become heavily congested on a beautiful sunny day. But even if you get stuck in traffic, the epic landscapes will keep you entertained. Cape Town scenic drives offer you it all – meandering bends, panoramic views, and engineering feats.
The Best Scenic Drives in Cape Town
Whether you are simply driving from one activity to the next, or you plan a scenic drive in Cape Town – the spectacular views along the way are an awesome bonus!
Chapman’s Peak Drive
This one is the big honcho of scenic drives in Cape Town. The locals refer to the 15km (9 miles) drive as Chappies. It has a total of 114 curves! The road’s name is in remembrance of John Chapman, a Captain’s mate of an English ship called the Consent, which arrived in Hout Bay in 1607. In 1915 planning of the mountain-hugging road started. It was officially opened on May 6, 1922. The road was re-engineering to prevent rock falls, and reopened in December 2003. To maintain the road, a small toll fee is required, R31.00 for motor cycles and R47.00 for motors.
During turbulent weather, the road is closed for safety reasons. There is also regular maintenance projects to keep the cliffs stable. The road hugs the cliffs, with sheer drops to the expansive Atlantic Ocean on the other side. There are various lookout spots along the way for you to pause and admire the view.
This winding ocean scenic drive in Cape Town lies on the other side of the Chapman’s Peak drive. It’s almost as winding as its cousin, with just as much mountain and ocean wonder. A few of the highlights include an expansive view of Llandudno near the Suikerbossie Drive, the magnificent Twelve Apostles, and Lion’s Head in the distance. You’ll catch different glimpses of the breath taking scenery in both directions.
Boyes Drive
This is a short drive, so you’ll have to go slow to soak up all the beauty. It is an alternative to the bottom coastal road linking the little coastal neighbourhoods of Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay, and Muizenberg. Elevated above the ocean, you’ll find yourself staring in pure awe at the rolling waves of Muizenberg. As you round the bend back towards the city, the Constantia valley will charm you with its own picturesque mountain views.
You can also extend this drive past Fish Hoek towards Simon’s Town, if you prefer ocean views over mountains. Although, you can’t really escape the mountains, they continue to hug the road on the one side. Follow the M65 further towards Misty Cliffs and Scarborough for a truly nature-filled outing. Here you’ll find the mountains change to rocky cliffs, instead of the rolling green hills found closer to the city. The road also leads to Cape Point and the lonesome Kommetjie lighthouse.
R44 from Gordon’s Bay
This one you can keep for a weekend getaway, or simply a daytrip. Travel on the N2 towards Gordon’s Bay and swing away from the main highway onto the R44. Another winding scenic drive in Cape Town, with the mountain on the one side and the expansive Atlantic Ocean on the other. Take your time and pull over regularly for epic Instagram shots. You’ll spot Table Mountain across False Bay. Get ready to inundate your eyes with the wild blue ocean and lush green mountains! You can follow the road all the way to Hermanus, or stop at one of the other little coastal towns along the way such as Kleinmond or Betty’s Bay.
If you want to create a loop trip, travel along Sir Lowry’s Pass on the N2, and the R43 towards Hermanus and do the coastal road on your way there or back.
Cape Town to Melkbosstrand
The West Coast road has its own unique charm. It’s not as dramatic as the other scenic drives in Cape Town, but on your way back into the city, you will be intrigued with Table Mountain following you all the way, steadily “growing” bigger and bigger as you near the city again. Stick to the R27 coastal road that will take you past the most popular kite surfing spots as well.
On the lonely stretch out of the city there are various little beaches you can stop at to soak up the mountain views. If you get the timing right for your scenic drive, you’ll catch a stunning sunset across the Bay.
Tafelberg Road to Signal Hill
This one is a great little mini scenic drive in Cape Town. The Tafelberg Road hugs the side of Table Mountain next to the bottom Aerial Cableway station. After the steep winding road, you will be greeted by one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in all its glory. Follow the road past the cableway station towards its end next to Devils Peak. On one side the mountain looms up next to you, and on the other the city lies in the valley.
Plan your trip just before sunset to watch the sun colour the mountain and then the city lights popping up. Or you can drive towards the other side on the Signal Hill Road, across Kloof Nek road, to watch the sun set across the ocean.
A Little Bit Further
We’ll let you in on a little secret, the mountain views outside the city are almost more mesmerizing than the ones within the city borders!
Cape Town to Worcester
The N2 highway (toll road) will take you through the Huguenot Tunnel towards the Du Toits Kloof pass. Get ready to catch your breath when you exist the tunnel, the mountains in the valley are spectacular. You can also use the alternative routes to bypass the toll road, offering you an even more scenic drive.
Worcester to Swellendam
Not as famous as its cousin, Route 62, but this scenic drive is just as stunning. The route travels through unspoiled nature reserves and the looming Matroosberg Mountain range. Eventually the road will lead you to the Bree River, with lush vineyards along the way. Create an alternative loop back to see as much as possible of the Klein Karoo on your trip.
Photo by audleytravel.com
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