- Cape Town
- (182)
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South Africa
The reason for recommending this place is not only the food but the setting. If you are going for a wine tour in the winelands region of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, then the combination of view and food here is ideal. It is slightly elevated as it requires a five minute drive up the valley, but this elevation offers beautiful views of the whole valley.
www.dieudonnerestaurant.co.za/
PO Box 94, Franschoek, 7690
+27(0)218762493
Google map: tinyurl.com/yaxwupn
Aubergine is a fine dining restaurant, regularly rated in Cape Town's top 10. It's in the Gardens area, so walkable if you're staying in Oranjezicht.
We treated ourselves to dinner there on our last night in Cape Town and enjoyed it immensely.
We had a delicious rack of lamb, accompanied by a serious red blend from Springfield Winery ('The Work of Time'), recommended to us by the very friendly (and unintimidating) sommelier, Dom.
It's not cheap - we paid R900 for two courses (for two of us).
Well worth the visit though!
39 Barnet Street, Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa
Tel: +27 - 021 465 4909
www.aubergine.co.za/
Google map: tinyurl.com/yzkb4g3
Semi-classy African bush themed restaurant, where you can try game meats such as warthog, crocodile, kudu, ostrich etc.
If you don't want to commit to a large expensive game steak, try the smoked venison platter starter.
267 Long St
(Dinners only)
Google map: tinyurl.com/ylbhnu7
Try the ostrich burger, washed down with a Jack Daniels and peanut butter milkshake. Hefty and delectable.
Salad portions are generous and colourful
273 Long Street, Cape Town
Google map: tinyurl.com/y8knzjl
We recently stayed in this wonderful boutique guesthouse and were bowled over by the warm hospitality of the hostesses and the stylish surroundings, which included interesting contemporary artwork. This attractive house, built in 1903, is conveniently located in a leafy quiet area of Cape Town with good local restaurants nearby and within walking distance of the city centre. As well as our comfortable en-suite bedroom with doors onto the lush garden (that included a small swimming pool), there were sumptuous reception rooms, patio areas, an internet room with free internet use and even a pamper spa with a variety of massage treatments. But apart from all these wonderful amenities it was the little personal touches that we remember – a pack of cough lozenges produced when it was noticed I had a sore throat; and the relaxing music, low lights and chocolate that greeted us when we returned after an evening out. Nothing was too much trouble - just writing about it makes me long to return.
4 Rosmead Avenue, Oranjezicht, Cape Town, 8001
www.fourrosmead.com
After staying in bog standard, even fortress like hotels, with formal at best and surly at worst staff, The Cape Heritage Hotel was a drop into a blissful haven. The Cape Heritage is a boutique style, luxurious yet homely hotel housed in Heritage Square where you can find a host of restaurants just minutes away, in the historic centre of Cape Town. The staff come friendly, helpful and with a touch of dry wit. We were upgraded to a suite which was completely unexpected and the staff humorously didn’t tell us – I went down to tell them that I think we’ve got the wrong room (I was concerned my bank balance wouldn’t cope), and they said we’ve treated you! They even lent us some money so we didn’t have to go to the cashpoint the night we arrived.
The bed was gorgeous – so comfy you didn’t want to leave and you could practically float in the bath it was so deep (not so good for water conservation, but there is a shower).
Breakfast is served in a homely country/modern style kitchen where the girls transfer from reception mode to chef / comedian mode – eggs and beans to order (although they were a little taken by surprise that we wanted our beans hot!)
This hotel truly made our stay in South Africa memorable, comfortable and unique with a personal touch often lacking in many hotels.
Cape Heritage is in my top three hotels to stay in the world – stay anywhere else and you’re missing a treat!
Cape Heritage Hotel
90 Bree Street, Cape Town, South Africa
021 424 4646
www.capeheritage.co.za/
Google map: tinyurl.com/yah7wwf
Woolworths (nothing to do with the firm that went under in the UK) is a fantastic source of food if you are self catering in SA. Some products are identical to M&S foods you'd get at home (at rather more competitive prices). Look on the website for store locations before you go - we visited the Cape Town stores but there are others. There are some interesting variations on a theme to take account of local cuisine as well as the usual favourites (the latter very useful if travelling with kids.)
The Easy Travels Guidebook is aimed at those independent travellers who want to plan their own trip online and save money in the process. It is written from the perspective of a South African who has travelled extensively throughout the country. The last section of the guidebook deals with the FIFA Football World Cup that takes place in South Africa in June and July 2010.
If you enjoy local craft then this market has about 120 different stalls that only sell locally made craft.
What I like about it is that it is not just traditional African craft and curio's but all sorts of handmade items.
They also have a wellness section where you can get a massage, have your cards read or get a beauty therapy that is really cheap!
My favourite were the artists who were amazing.
Craft Market & Wellness Center
V&A Waterfront
Dock Road
+27 21 408 7840
craftinfo@waterfront.co.za
Google map: tinyurl.com/ydtmepk
I have never been so scared and yet so exhilarated! We were transported via luxury minibus to Gans Baai which is well known for having lots of sharks.
I don't know what I was expecting, but the trip was well planned with really helpful staff and we saw about seven or eight Great White Sharks up close from our vantage point in the cage. All the equipment was included in the rental and I just really enjoyed the whole experience.
I used a company called Shark Zone which was recommended to me by a friend who lives in Cape Town:
www.sharkzone.co.za
+27 73 726 7370
Google map: tinyurl.com/yh4rfp3
I'd recommend the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West, Cape Town any day.
I was blown away by the beautiful setting. The hotel has large garden with exotic plants in front of the mountain and it's very close to vineyards and the sea. The local people came for a stroll on the beach on Sunday afternoon without any shoes on! It was fantastic to do the same too. Nobody seemed to care.
The food was great and the most of them all, biscuits and cakes were wonderful. They looked the same as ours but tasted so different. I had to buy the SA cookery book on baking!
I'm dreaming of visiting there again...
www.nh-hotels.co.za/lordcharles/index.php
Corner Faure & Stellenbosch Roads
Somerset West, 7130, Cape Town, South Africa
Tel No: (021) 855 1040
A great one if you are a horticulturalist or simply need a break from the city. Positioned behind Table Mountain, these gardens contain
plants from many parts of the world, but also have areas dedicated to local fauna, such as the heather-like ericas and highly diverse feynbos. My favourite were the enourmous, woody stemmed proteas, a heavy bunch of which you can also pick up on the side of the road near
the entrance for the equivalent of a few pounds.
www.sanbi.org/kirstenbosch/mainpage.htm
Rhodes Drive, Newlands Private Bag X7, Claremont
Tel: +27 21 799 8899
Google map: tinyurl.com/y8s5b7w
A relatively short journey that hugs the coastline but offers gorgeous views of the mountains and over the bay, and costs just a few rand. I only took the journey this far (the train terminates at Simon's Town), but I imagine the journey leading up to Kalk's Bay is equally stunning.
If travelling alone make sure to board a coach with other people already on it, and avoid taking the train when it is dark in the evening.
Google map: tinyurl.com/y8opowa
Near to Fishhoek is the vibrant township of Masiphumelele, which you can explore on cyle or walking tours. The best walking tour is led by
the engaging Charlotte 'Nomthunzie' Swartbooi, a local resident. The tour is extremely good value and you get to see a side of Cape life
somewhat different to the upmarket areas of Cape Town. The other residents are fairly friendly and happy to for you to take photos,
especially the children, who clamoured to play with my camera and see the photos.
Nomthunzie Tours
Tel: + 27 (0) 83 982 5692
Email: nomthunzie@gmail.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/yan9s3z
Since its founding in 1968, the Southern African Foundation for the
Conservation of Coastal Birds is estimated to have helped rehabilitate more
than 85,000 seabirds in the Western Cape. The centre in Bloubergrandt just
north of Cape Town relies on volunteers to help the thousands of sick and
injured birds that arrive every year. Hands on experience is guaranteed if
you want to join in, but beware: for all their comedy waddling, penguins
stink. Seriously, they do.
Head to Hout Bay and you can find all kinds of organised excursions ready
to take you out to the famous Dyker Island to see Cape Fur seals in their
natural habitat. For something slightly more unusual - and some would say
unnatural - stay put in the harbour and look out for Peter. Often seen
sporting a bright red cap, he's been caring for seals in the harbour for 27
years, much to the annoyance of the local authorities. His party piece is
to feed his favourite seal (Petey Boy) with a piece of fish dangling from
his own mouth. Don't be surprised if you are asked to join in - or to make a
contributing donation at the end.
Cape Town is as safe as any major city in the world. Crime statistics are misleading because they don't give a true picture. The following URL explains why.
Great hostel in Cape Town, in a safe neighbourhood within the City Improvement District. They have an overnight security guard, so there is a sense of safety at all times.
Another highlight of this find is the private courtyard and swimming pool - perfect for relaxing after a night out or a morning of sightseeing.
It's central location means that you can easily pop out for a coffee, look round the shops or go out for a few drinks with the reassurance that it's only a five minute walk back to the hostel.
We travelled through the wine region of South Africa, visiting the beautiful wine estates of Waterford (chocolate nibbles with the wine), Boschendal and Constantia, each estate providing sublime views to accompany their delicious wine.
However, our most memorable afternoon was at the Camberley winery which we felt compelled to visit as we hail from Camberley in Surrey. Our host, the manager, was most welcoming and gave us a personal tour and the opportunity to taste many fine red wines for free. Leafing through the guest book we could see that many lucky folk from Camberley had also been this way before.
Great place to visit. Quirky winery, check out the emphasis on goats, with their goat clock tower and puns on many a classical French region in the wines they produce [Goats do Roam, Bored Doe, Goat Door, etc.] but with tasty stuff inside the bottle too. They do some excellent cheese and if the sun is out then the location is ace. So long as you're not the designated driver it's a perfect day out!
www.fairview.co.za/
Fairview Wines
Suid-Agter-Paarl Road
Suider-Paarl 7646
South Africa
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