Braai spots in Cape Town
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Braai Spots in Cape Town

Its braai time! A braai is a quintessential South African experience that is best enjoyed outdoors at one of the beautiful braai locations around Cape Town. Nothing says chill laid back summer vibes and good fun loving times like the sound of a sizzling fire. Cooking meat over an open fire, drinking a cold beer, and relaxing with friends and family is the perfect way to enjoy a stunning sun-kissed day in the ever-beautiful and vibrant city of Cape Town. In the spirit of summer, we’ve listed some of the best braai spots in and around Cape Town – all of which deserve a prime spot on your Cape Town bucket-list!

Happy braaiing Cape Town!

#OUDEKRAAL BEACH

Tucked away in a sheltered cove between Camps Bay and Llandudno, Oudekraal is not only one of the best braai spots in Cape Town, but one of the most beautiful too. Oudekraal has about 40 private braai spots scattered along the lawns above the sheltered cove and sandy beach below. Besides being one of the top braai spots in Cape Town, Oudekraal is perfect for enjoying a fun-filled family beach day. The beach is surrounded by large granite boulders that keep big waves at bay, making it an ideal place to swim. The water is also calm enough for snorkelling near the shore.

**Tip: Because of its sought-after status and stunning beach location, the braai spots at Oudekraal can get snatched up pretty quickly. It is important to arrive early to secure a top spot.

  • Location: Oudekraal, Victoria Road, between Llandudno and Camps Bay
  • Entry fee: Conservation Fees for 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021: South African Citizens and Residents (with ID): R35 per adult per day; R15 per child, per day | SADC Nationals (with passport): R70 per adult per day; R35 per child, per day | Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors): R140 per adult per day | R70 per child, per day

#SILVERMINE NATURE RESERVE

Photo credit: flickr

Located within the Table Mountain National Park, the Silvermine Nature Reserve is arguably one of the most beautiful locations in Cape Town for enjoying a braai or picnic. This stunning natural gem is open for picnics right throughout the year, however, because the Silvermine Nature Reserve is considered a high risk area for wildfire, braaing is only permitted here during winter (typically from June until the end of September). Silvermine’s relatively secluded braai areas are scattered around a natural reservoir, with many of them nestled in discreet rocky hollows and tucked behind bushes of fynbos.

Besides enjoying a traditional braai at one of the many braai spots, you are free to take a dip in the refreshing waters of the reservoir. The Silvermine Nature Reserve also boasts a variety of exciting hiking trails and walking routes as well as tons of hidden gems, waterfalls, and natural wonders to discover.

  • Location: Silvermine, Ou Kaapse Weg, Westlake, Cape Town
  • Entry fee: Conservation Fees for 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021: South African Citizens and Residents (with ID): R35 per adult per day; R15 per child, per day | SADC Nationals (with passport): R70 per adult per day; R35 per child, per day | Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors): R140 per adult per day; R70 per child, per day

#NEWLANDS FOREST

Situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Newlands forest is a wonderfully relaxing and scenic place for enjoying a braai in Cape Town. There are several designated braai and picnic areas with built-in fire pits located throughout Newlands Forest. Surrounded by high pine trees, there is ample shade to lay down your picnic blanket, sit back, relax, and enjoy a stunning day out in the beautiful Cape Town outdoors.

If you’re looking to pair your braai with something a little more adventurous, Newlands Forest boasts a variety of thrilling hiking trails to explore, ranging from beginner to more advanced. This certainly makes Newlands forest the ideal destination and Cape Town braai spot for hikers, nature lovers and adventurers.

**Important note: The picnic site at Newlands Forest is closed from June 1st until the 30th of September. This happens every year. It opens again on October 1st but works on a first come, first serve basis. However, when the area is closed off, the area can be booked for private functions and photo shoots. For more info on how you can reserve this place for events, you may contact the Filming and Events office on 021 712 0527.

  • Location: M3, Newlands Forest, Newlands, Cape Town
  • Entry fee: Conservation Fees for 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021: South African Citizens and Residents (with ID): R35 per adult per day; R15 per child, per day; Additionally: R25 per vehicle | SADC Nationals (with passport): R70 per adult per day; R35 per child, per day; Additionally: R25 per vehicle | Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors): R140 per adult per day; R70 per child, per day; Additionally: R25 per vehicle.

#TOKAI FOREST PICNIC & BRAAI AREA

Photo credit: flickr

Situated within the Table Mountain National Park, the serene woodlands of the Tokai Forest is perfect for enjoying a braai with family and friends. The Tokai Forest braai area is located on the edge of the Tokai Plantation, and offers visitors plenty of braai spots to choose from. For those looking to add a bit more adventure to their day, Tokai Forest boasts tons of thrilling trails and walks for nature lovers to enjoy. The wide-open spaces also makes it perfect for families looking to enjoy a fun day out.

**Important note: Occasionally, the delicious smell of food attracts baboons to the picnic area hoping to get lucky. SANParks warns visitors to avoid contact and not feed the baboons.

  • Location: Tokai Forest, Tokai Road, Tokai, Cape Town
  • Entry fee: Conservation Fees for 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021: South African Citizens and Residents (with ID): R35 per adult per day; R15 per child, per day; Additionally: R25 per vehicle | SADC Nationals (with passport): R70 per adult per day; R35 per child, per day; Additionally: R25 per vehicle | Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors): R140 per adult per day; 70 per child, per day; Additionally: R25 per vehicle

#MAIDEN’S COVE

Nestled between Glen Beach and Clifton Fourth, Maiden’s Cove is by far one of the Mother City’s most beautiful beach gems. Besides it’s blissful beach location, scenic surroundings, and magnificent view of the Atlantic, Lion’s Head, and the Twelve Apostles mountain range, Maiden’s Cove is one of the best braai spots in Cape Town. This stunning scenic area offers plenty of designated public braai and picnic spots – perfect for those looking to enjoy a great braai with family and friends, paired with a slice of Cape Town beachside bliss. Not to mention Maiden’s Cove is known as one of the Mother City’s most beautiful sunset spots.

Maiden’s Cove is also a great snorkelling spot as well as boasts a refreshing tidal pool, perfect for a cooling dip between sunbathing on the big boulders. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to spot dolphins and whales from the shoreline. 

  • Location: Maiden’s Cove, Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town
  • Entry fee: Free

#BUFFELS BAY & BORDJIESDRIF

Although worth visiting for the spectacular views, stunning beaches, and scenic hidden gems alone, Buffels Bay and Bordjiesdrif located in the Cape Point Nature Reserve are famous for their amazing braai and picnic spots right on the beach. At both sites there are tidal pools for safe swimming, grassy picnic areas and unrivalled views of the mountains and ocean.

**Important note: The reserve baboons like to make an appearance when they smell food, but whatever you do, don’t feed them!

  • Location: Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape Point Road, Cape Town
  • Entry fee: Daily conservation fee (rates valid until 31 October 2021): South African Citizens and Residents (with ID): R85 per adult per day; R40 per child, per day | SADC Nationals (with passport): R170 per adult per day; R85 per child, per day | Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors): R340 per adult per day; R170 per child, per day.

#WYNBERG PARK

Braai Spots in Cape Town - Wynberg Park
Photo credit: flickr

A favourite among locals, Wynberg Park is one of the most popular braai spots in Cape Town, especially during the vibrant summer season. Wynberg Park boasts over 22 hectares of beautiful gardens, with its luscious lawns being the perfect place for enjoying picnics and braais with ample braai and picnic spots scattered about.

Besides large lawns for lounging, lazy strolls, and tons of running around, the park has a fully equipped play area for the kids as well as a duck pond. The Wynberg Park is also the source of the Krakeelwater River and is thus well known for its conifer garden and the colourful display of hydrangeas in the summer – making it a real fan-favourite among nature lovers too!

  • Location: Wynberg Park, Corner of Klaasens and Trovato Link Roads, Wynberg, Cape Town
  • Entry fee: Free

#EERSTE STEEN RESORT IN BLAAUWBERG | BLAAUWBERG NATURE RESERVE

Situated only 30 minutes from Cape Town’s city centre in the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve, Eerste Steen offers the perfect nature lover’s escape without really leaving the city at all. Besides its tranquil and scenic setting, Eerste Steen boasts plenty of picnic and braai spots, a play park for the kids, as well as amazing opportunities for fun and exciting watersports. Plus, there’s nothing quite as rewarding as a refreshing dip in the ocean on a hot summer’s day.

This stunning Cape Town braai spot and resort also showcases one of the most beautiful ocean and Table Mountain views and is surrounded by indigenous fynbos – making it a real treat for any nature lover to visit.

  • Location: Blaauwberg Conservation Area, Cape Town | Eerste Steen Resort, Otto du Plessis Dr, Bloubergstrand, Cape Town
  • Entry fee: Conservation fee: Vehicles: R25 | Adults (18 and over): R17 | Children (3 to 17), students and senior citizens (proof required):  R10 | Children under 3: Free | Learner/student groups (pre-booked, discounts may apply): R9 | ‘Friend’ of this reserve (membership proof required): Free

#ASSEGAAIBOSCH NATURE RESERVE

Located just outside Stellenbosch in the Jonkershoek Valley, the Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve is definitely one of the best braai spots in Cape Town. Boasting two thrilling hiking trails that are open to the public as well as tons of natural gems, and scenic surroundings to explore, the Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve is the ideal destination for nature lovers, hikers, and avid adventurers! The reserve only allows a maximum of 80 people into the reserve picnic area per day to help with conservation efforts.

Besides enjoying an incredible braai with friends and family as well as some adventure-filled hiking and exploring, you can opt to enjoy a refreshing swim in the Eerste River (if the water level allows it).

**Important note: You cannot book a picnic spot – it is on a first-come first-serve basis. No alcohol is allowed on the premise. Payment is made at the gate.

  • Location: Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve, Jonkershoek Road, Jonkershoek Valley, Stellenbosch
  • Entry fee: Conservation fee R50 (adults) | R30 (children)
  • Website: Click here to find out more

#PERDEKLOOF & WILDSCHUTSBRAND PICNIC SITES

Located just 45km outside of Cape Point, the Perdekloof and Wildschutsbrand Picnic Sites are two of Cape Town’s must-visit hidden gems. These two amazing picnic sites are situated in a serene wooded area just past the beach village of Scarborough along the Cape Peninsula. Boasting spectacular views and stunning tranquil surroundings, it offers visitors a picturesque escape from the hustle and hype of the city.

Wildschutsbrand is the larger of the two and is open all year round, while Perdekloof is closed during the winter months. Both of these incredible Cape Town picnic and braai spots offers visitors ample braai facilities with plenty of tables and seating. Visitors must however bring their own braai grids, wood, and fire-starters.

**Important note: These picnic areas do not allow portable braais, and it is not pet friendly.

  • Location: Cape Peninsula, near Scarborough
  • Entry fee: Perdekloof: Conservation Fees for 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021: South African Citizens and Residents (with ID): 18 per adult per day; R9 per child, per day | SADC Nationals (with passport): R36 per adult per day; R18 per child, per day | Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors): R72 per adult per day; R36 per child | Free entry (Wildschutsbrand)

#BERG RIVER RESORT

This stunning riverside braai spot is located somewhere between Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch – Making for a wonderful winelands escape and beautiful day out in the Western Cape. A visit to the Berg River Resort is also a great idea for an exciting family daytrip. The fact that you have access to swimming pools, trampolines, jungle gyms, and an animal farmyard, just adds extra fun and adventure to your family braai day in Cape Town. The rambling lawns also offers ample space for enjoying games of catch and volleyball for the children, while the parents sit back, relax, and have a grand ol’ time!

  • Location: R45 Franschhoek Road, Paarl South, Cape Town
  • Entry fee: R120 per person | R120 per vehicle | Day visitor rates for the whole year is R100pp and R100 per vehicle