Richard Holmes

From the restaurants to the beaches to the scenery at Cape Point, there are countless great reasons to visit Cape Town. But for many travellers it’s the chance to tackle some of South Africa’s best golf courses, which you’ll find in and around the city. Cape Town’s dramatic scenery offers the perfect backdrop for a round of golf, whether you’re teeing up on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean for memorable city views across Table Bay, or wandering fairways framed by the peaks of the Table Mountain National Park. Some are approachable nine-hole tracks, while others are championship layouts that will challenge even low-handicappers. Most golf courses in Cape Town are run as private clubs, but warmly welcome visitors. Club and golf cart rentals are available at all courses, via the pro-shop, which also handles bookings. Some courses allow online bookings.  Cape Town’s friendly nature means that you’ll be welcomed to join a four-ball, or follow it up with a few rounds in the vibrant ‘19th Hole’ at each course. Where to begin? Pack your bags – and perhaps a few extra balls – and tee up for the Time Out guide to the best golf courses in Cape Town. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Cape Town🍝 The best restaurants in Cape Town🏖 The best beaches in Cape Town🛍 The best shops in Cape Town Born and raised in the city, Richard Holmes is a travel writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more a

This list is old. Here are the best things to do in the world in 2026.  2025 is set to be a momentous year when it comes to travel. Citywide celebrations and milestone anniversaries will be taking place in Amsterdam and Rome, sparkling new cultural centres are flinging open their doors in Rotterdam, New York and Abu Dhabi, and there are fresh chances to see some wonderful wildlife in Australia, Singapore and Greenland – but that’s just the beginning. Read on for our roundup of the 25 coolest, weirdest and most adventurous new things to do across the world in 2025, no matter your whereabouts or budget. RECOMMENDED:🇬🇧 The best things to do in the UK in 2025🛍️ The coolest neighbourhoods in the world🎪 The world’s best music festivals for 2025🌃 The best cities in the world right now  

If there’s one thing to love about Cape Town’s coffee culture, it’s the sheer diversity of experiences on offer. Fancy a post-surf flat white? There’s a beachside barista ready and waiting. Want to delve into the geekery of roasting regimes and pour-over versus espresso? A passionate connoisseur will happily debate the finer points. And if you want to extend a simple cup into a lazy lunch? Well, you’ll find plenty of laid-back cafés across the city dishing up inspired menus of fresh, seasonal fare.   And while there are a handful of global brands promising to deliver your caffeine fix, do us one favour: go local. Spend your money with small businesses. Seek out people passionate about the perfect pour. Because in South Africa’s ‘Mother City’, the coffee culture is simply too vibrant to settle for a bad cuppa.  RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best things to do in Cape Town😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town🍷 The best wine farms in and around Cape Town🍕 The best pizza in Cape Town🍣 The best sushi in Cape Town🛏 The best Airbnbs in Cape Town Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts.

Cape Town is often ranked amongst the world’s most affordable holiday destinations, but it still pays to keep an eye on your spending when dining out. Happily, alongside the city’s no-expense-spared fine dining destinations, you’ll find an array of affordable restaurants to make your budget stretch further. Here’s our pick of where to fill your boots, without emptying your wallet.  Time Out Tip: If you haven't yet planned your Christmas Lunch, we also have a few recommendations for you here.  RECOMMENDED:  😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🍸 The best bars in Cape Town🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town☕️ The best cafés and coffee shops in Cape Town This article was written by Richard Holmes and Selene Brophy.  Richard is a travel writer based in Cape Town. Selene is the city editor for Time Out Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts. 

It’s been called tennis with training wheels, and squash in the sun, but however you frame it, the game of Padel has become a global sensation. And Cape Town is no exception, with locals and tourists flocking to indoor and outdoor courts across the city. Padel – pronounced 'pa-del', not 'paddle' – is believed to have started in Mexico in 1969, but exploded onto the global stage in the 1990s. The International Padel Federation (FIP) was established in 1991, and today the FIP estimates millions of active players in more than 90 countries worldwide. If you’re new to the sport, here’s the basics. Padel is a racquet sport played on an enclosed court about one-third smaller than a tennis court, with glass and metal walls and Astroturf underfoot. The game is played with a Padel racquet, usually made of foam, fibreglass or (for more expensive options) carbon fibre. Think of an oversized space-age beach bat and you’ll get the idea. Padel balls are 10 percent smaller than a tennis ball and – because they have a lower compression, bounce less. Padel is usually played in doubles, though smaller single courts are sometimes offered. Scoring is the same as tennis – 15, 30, 40, Game – and a match consists of three sets of six games. The first team to two sets wins the match. Sound like fun? It certainly is, and across Cape Town, you’ll often struggle to find a free court on sunny weekends. Luckily, the global Padel booking app Playtomic lists most Cape Town courts, making it easy to find a

Want to know where the locals love to go? In this exclusive series on Time Out Cape Town, ‘Local Intel’ taps into some of the city’s best-connected characters to unearth the corners you simply can’t miss in the Mother City. Lisa Goosen cut her business teeth in the family’s property development business, but in 2002, she and her husband Warwick channelled that hard-won expertise and their shared passion for travel into the launch of Tintswalo Safari Lodge in the Manyeleti Reserve. What started as a single lodge has since expanded into a boutique collection of characterful properties across Southern Africa. In Cape Town, that vision of blending hospitality, unique character, and unbeatable location plays out in a trio of ocean-facing hideaways. There’s Tintswalo Atlantic, the gorgeous star of the portfolio, perched between Chapman’s Peak Drive and the Atlantic. Tintswalo at Boulders in Simon’s Town has penguins waddling past beneath the deck, while next up is Tintswalo Summer House in Glencairn, a 12-suite boutique hotel opening in early 2026 that promises a more intimate, village-by-the-sea take on coastal luxury. Despite the expansion of the Tintswalo brand – which now spans from the Mother City to the Waterberg and Zambia – Lisa remains deeply involved in every detail, from interiors and menus to the tiny touches that turn first-time guests into lifelong regulars. Central to the appeal of Tintswalo is a distinct sense of place, and for Lisa, the place closest to her heart

Like a menu with too many great options, deciding where to eat on Bree Street is never an easy task. This inner-city boulevard – named because it was bree (wide, in Afrikaans) enough to turn an ox cart back in the day – has become Cape Town’s go-to destination for a gourmet wander. From the bottom end near the Foreshore district to the upper reaches bordering the Bo-Kaap, there’s a fantastic diversity of dining destinations on offer. But where to begin? Don’t worry… Time Out did the hard work for you by eating our way uphill to select the best restaurants Bree Street has to offer.  RECOMMENDED: 🍷 The best wine farms in and around Cape Town 😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🛏 The best Airbnbs in Cape Town🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town☕️ The best cafés and coffee shops in Cape Town Born and raised in the city, Richard Holmes is a travel writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Wondering how to spend a week in Cape Town? Not sure if seven days is enough? Well, to be honest, 10 would be better because there's just so much to discover. But if a week's all you got, don't worry; we've got this. From delving deep into the city's chequered history, to soaking up sun on some of the best beaches Africa has to offer, you can see it all if you plan it carefully. Load up our handy guide and you can easily tick off all the big-ticket items in one easy seven-day adventure in the Cape.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Cape Town🍝 The best restaurants in Cape Town🏖 The best beaches in Cape Town🛍 The best shops in Cape Town Richard Holmes is a travel writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Just a 30-minute drive from the city, and a world away from the bustle, Durbanville is Cape Town’s most convenient wine country and (arguably) the spiritual home of Sauvignon Blanc in the Cape Winelands. Here, vineyards are shaped by cool Atlantic breezes and morning mists, helping the valley’s slopes and clay-rich soils turn out Sauvignon with real verve: bright, herbaceous and saline, often built to age. You’ll taste it everywhere, from crisp, stainless-steel styles to single-vineyard bottlings and wooded, wild-fermented experiments that show just how versatile the cultivar can be.  But Durbanville is far more than a one-grape wonder. Historic farms sit alongside forward-thinking cellars; tasting rooms range from glass-walled lookouts to tucked-away courtyards; and food ranges from farmhouse platters to destination dining. Throw in waymarked hiking and cycling trails, picnics on the lawn, family-friendly spaces and breezy terraces made for long summer tastings, and you’ve got a valley geared for day-long adventures and easy weekends. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Cape Town🍝 The best restaurants in Cape Town🏖 The best beaches in Cape Town🛍 The best shops in Cape Town

The seas around Cape Town are beautiful, no doubt about it. But what’s also not in any doubt is that they’re pretty darn cold. Even if you drive across to the False Bay coast on what locals call the ‘warm’ side of the peninsula – beaches like Muizenberg, Fish Hoek and Boulders – you’re still looking at water temperatures that may see you shopping for a wetsuit before you take your next dip. So if you’re not made of such stern stuff you’ll want to make sure you have a hotel that offers a decent pool. Because summer in Cape Town is hot, and a few lazy day poolside are all but essential when you’re on holiday. And if there’s a great view and a decent cocktail bar thrown into the mix? Then you’ll be even happier. These hotel pools tick all the right boxes for making the most of Cape Town’s sizzling summer days.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best tidal pools in Cape Town🍝 The best restaurants in Cape Town🏖 The best beaches in Cape Town🛍 The best shops in Cape Town Born and raised in the city, Richard Holmes is a travel writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Once upon a time, Advent calendars meant flimsy cardboard and sad little chocolates that all tasted the same. Well, those days are over. Today, your festive countdown can be fuelled by good coffee, tasty snacks, tiny toys and seriously lustworthy beauty loot to make the 24 days of waiting fly by. Advent calendars should be about the treats you actually want: think speciality coffee pods, small-batch jam, fancy beauty minis, grown-up chocolate and craft beers you’ve maybe never heard of (yet). But, where to spend your hard-earned cash? We’ve scoured the internet, trawled the malls and spoiled the surprise (for ourselves) to cherry-pick the most fun, indulgent and downright extra Advent calendars you’ll want on your shelf this December. Just promise us one thing… only one door a day, OK! GO SUSTAINABLE: Your guide to green gifting in Cape Town RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Cape Town🍝 The best restaurants in Cape Town🏖 The best beaches in Cape Town🛍 The best shops in Cape Town

It wasn’t all that long ago that beer in Cape Town was thoroughly mainstream, with your options limited to little more than mass-produced lager. But in step with the rise in artisan coffee and a taste for Neopolitan pizza came the slow but unstoppable spread of craft beers, as local beer-lovers discovered you could do so much more with hops and malted barley. Today across Cape Town’s bars and restaurants you’ll find hundreds of delicious craft beers, from dozens of local breweries, on tap and in the bottle. But nothing beats sinking a pint at the source, pulling up a barstool in one of the city’s cosy taprooms. At many, the food is as good as what’s in the glass, and you’ll always find a buzzy atmosphere and a knowledgeable bartender happy to talk you through the taps on offer. Thirsty yet? Take a seat and have a look through Time Out's expanded and updated guide to the best craft beer taprooms to visit in and around Cape Town. RECOMMENDED: 🍷 The best rooftop bars in Cape Town😋 The best restaurants in Cape Town🛏 The best Airbnbs in Cape Town🍳 The best breakfast and brunch spots in Cape Town☕️ The best cafés and coffee shops in Cape Town Born and raised in the city, Richard Holmes is a travel writer based in Cape Town. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

If you made me choose, I’d have to say it was the duck liver parfait. No, no, it was the chocolate cream. Or perhaps the lamb scrumpet.  Truth is, it was always hard to pin down my favourite dish at Farro when it was the destination restaurant on Gabrielskloof wine estate. But, as much as I love Alex Windebank’s cooking, 90 minutes was always a bit of a trek for lunch. So, sing hallelujah, foodies were delighted to hear that in October 2025, Farro packed up its country home to set up shop in a charming Victorian building in Gardens.  The Backstory Windebank – and his wife, Eloise, who runs Farro front-of-house – honed their skills at Polpo in London, turning out upscale Venetian plates amid the buzz of Soho. When they relocated to Johannesburg and opened Farro, it became a cult destination in Illovo, as loved for its cocktails as its cuisine. And, the space was a vibe! Covid forced the restaurant to close, and a brief period in corporate life wasn’t to their taste, leading them to relaunch Farro at Gabriëlskloof wine estate in 2022. There, it developed into a popular destination restaurant, drawing regulars willing to travel to the Overberg. But in October 2025, the couple returned Farro to its urban roots by opening in a cosy Victorian terrace in Gardens. And my, oh my, you should book.  The Vibe In a word, sophisticated. Unlike the country-casual vibe of Gabrielskloof, their new city address is a place where you’ll want to dress up just a little. It’s an elegant space – art

Perched on the dunes of Kommetjie’s famed Long Beach in Cape Town’s southern peninsula, Last Word Long Beach feels like it might be Cape Town’s best-kept secret. Once the seaside home of the founder of the Last Word hotel collection – which includes boutique properties in Franschhoek, Constantia and upcountry – Last Word Long Beach brings all the laid-back charm of a private beach house, with the service and facilities of a boutique hotel. And with every suite gazing straight onto rolling Atlantic swells and the white sands of Long Beach right on the doorstep, this intimate hideaway offers an effortless seaside escape in the ‘Deep South’. Why stay at The Last Word Long Beach? In a word? Location. If you’ve been to Cape Town before and want to discover a different side of the city, or are looking to bookend your Cape exploring with a few days of R&R, look no further. And for locals looking for a staycation close to the city, it’s perfect. Although the hotel was just 35 minutes from my own front door in the suburbs, it felt like a complete escape. The setting is certainly what will first hit home, with the sands of Long Beach stretching out right in front of the hotel. The view is framed by superb vistas of Table Mountain National Park, and if you look closely, you can see clear across to the Upper Cableway station. If you’re active, the (chilly) waters here are home to some of the city’s best surf breaks, so you can fit in a sesh before breakfast. Step indoors, and that homely

Renowned for world-class Pinotage and Bordeaux-style blends, Kanonkop offers tastings in a modern facility enriched with heritage. Established by the Sauer family, this estate blends tradition with artistry. Tasting options Standard and premium flights featuring flagship wines; platters available. Private tastings on arrangement. What else can I do? Browse art and historical displays in the tasting space. Collect rare releases from their cellar shop.

This Simonsberg estate is celebrated for its hospitality, sustainability, and creative wine-and food experiences. Tasting options Reserve (R95), Premium, and Wine & Fynbos Cupcake pairing (daily). What else can I do? Enjoy cheese platters or seasonal culinary events. Browse the garden restaurant menu for lunch or casual meals. Stay overnight in charming vineyard cottages available on-site.

A sixth-generation family estate just outside Cape Town, Diemersdal produces cool-climate wines in the heart of the Durbanville winelands. Its charming tasting room offers curated flights and flexible options. Tasting options Standard and premium flights, plus build-your-own options. What else can I do? Visit during seasonal farm events or enjoy a casual meal at the Diemersdal Eatery.

One of South Africa’s oldest wine estates, dating back to 1685, Groot Constantia blends rich history with wine tasting, heritage attractions, and a choice of dining experiences. Tasting options Standard tasting (5 wines + glass), Chocolate & Wine pairing; premium tastings occasionally available. What else can I do? Follow the Visitor’s Route through historic Manor, cellars, and museum. Lunch at Jonkershuis or Simon’s.

A family-run estate in Bottelary Hills since 1946, Kaapzicht is famous for Chenin Blanc and its Steytler Reserve range. The relaxed tasting room overlooks vineyards and hosts tastings with optional cheese or charcuterie platters. Tasting options Family Range (R100), Terroir Range (R160), Steytler Reserve (R350). What else can I do? Enjoy a platter while sipping on the serene terrace. Purchase wines, including limited vintages, at the cellar door. No on-site accommodation, but Stellenbosch offers a variety of charming options a short drive away.

One of the oldest estates in the Stellenbosch winelands, established in 1692, Lanzerac blends winemaking with luxury hospitality in the gorgeous Jonkershoek Valley. Visitors can enjoy a modern tasting room, guided cellar tours, and a choice of restaurants. The estate also features a five-star hotel and full-service spa, perfect for guests seeking a genuinely immersive and comfortable Winelands experience. Tasting options Jonkershoek Tasting, Heritage Tasting, Wine & Chocolate pairing; daily guided cellar tours. What else can I do? Dine at Manor Kitchen, Taphuis or Craven Lounge. Unwind in the Lanzerac Spa. Stay the night in one of the elegant rooms or suites at the Lanzerac Hotel.

Founded in 1988 by Pinotage pioneer Beyers Truter, Beyerskloof highlights the versatility of Pinotage through expressive tastings. The estate features a tasting room and Red Leaf Bistro for relaxed wine pairing. Tasting options Classic (R70), Superior (R100), Grand (R160) What else can I do? Dine at Red Leaf Bistro with vineyard views. Shop for a wide selection of Pinotage styles at the cellar door. While there’s no on-site lodging, nearby Stellenbosch has plenty of options to stay longer.

This compact space on Bree Street packs a flavour-punch across a menu of South Cantonese street-food with a kick. The setting may be minimalist, but the food is front and centre. Owner-chef Andrew Kai delivers punchy plates rooted in childhood memories, without much fuss. It’s the kind of place that rewards lingering at the counter, diving into bold flavours plate by plate. What’s on the menu? TOMSON brings South Cantonese favourites with bold flavours: think wonton noodle soup, sliced Sichuan pork with kimchi kick, sticky roast Cantonese duck, soft‑steamed white fish, salt‑and‑pepper prawns, Hainanese chicken rice, and simple, punchy sides like smacked cucumber and Chinese stem cabbage Is there outdoor seating? Yes. TOMSON is tiny, but it offers pavement‑bench seating that’s a winner in good weather. Inside, a few counter‑seats look directly into the open kitchen, offering a feast for the senses. How do you get there? Head to the buzz of Bree Street from St George’s Mall, Long Street, or buses stopping near Wale Street. Walk‑ins are welcome, but bookings via Dineplan are highly recommended Why go? TOMSON stands small but mighty. It’s a culinary underdog with serious flavour and personality. Few frills, all flavour, in the heart of Bree Street’s vibrant dining scene.

One of the most exciting openings in 2025 reinvents the dining experience at Ellerman House. Set in the hotel’s striking Wine Gallery, Curate is a deeply contemporary space where South Africa’s culinary heritage is reimagined through a multi-course menu from Executive Chef Kieran Whyte. What’s on the menu? Expect a refined reinterpretation of South African staples. Amagwinya (steamed bread) is paired with smoked snoek and caviar; Afrikaans melktert appears as an earthy mushroom course; bobotie is reinvented in shape and texture; and pap is transformed into a fermented dessert. Each dish celebrates the food South Africans know and love, elevated to the standard of world-class fine dining. Carefully considered wine pairings showcase rare wines and single-vineyard selections from the Ellerman cellar. Is there outdoor seating? No. Curate is set within the atmospheric Wine Gallery. How do you get there? Ride-hailing is the most convenient option, as street parking is limited. Guests not staying at the hotel should book ahead via Dineplan. Why go? Curate offers a singular fine-dining experience in Cape Town: a storytelling menu that elevates everyday South African dishes into unforgettable culinary art. Textured stone, moody lighting, and architectural drama create an immersive setting that feels both intimate and artistic.

This buzzy little spot on Sea Point’s Main Road has put premium agave spirits firmly on Cape Town’s map. Opened by brothers Gavin and Sean Binder, it’s equal parts mezcalería and Mexican-inspired eatery, drawing locals and visitors alike for vibrant plates and seriously good cocktails. By the time Friday night rolls around, the queue at the door says it all. What’s on the menu? The kitchen, led by Head Chef Dian Botes, dishes up Mexican-inspired plates made for sharing. Start with guacamole and totopos or the tangy “street corn” ribs, then move on to masa corn tacos – the Jalisco-style beef birria is a must. Empanadas, ceviche and small plates round out the menu, making it easy to linger over a spread. Is there outdoor seating? A handful of pavement tables spill onto Regent Road. Inside, the space is warm, casual, and always buzzing. How do you get there? Una Más is on Regent Road in central Sea Point. Street parking is limited, so ride-hailing is your best bet. MyCiTi buses stop nearby. Why go? With more than 200 agave spirits alongside a food menu that’s as lively as the drinks, Una Más is both a neighbourhood hangout and a destination bar. Whether you’re there for sipping mezcal from clay copitas, a round of margaritas, or a taco-filled dinner, it’s one of Cape Town’s most vibey nights out. Did you know that Cape Town’s favourite Mexican eatery is now open at the Time Out Market Cape Town?

It’s been a year, right? If you, like me, could really do with some belly laughs to slide into 2026 on the right foot, look no further than Alan Committie’s brand-new show, which goes curtains-up at Theatre on the Bay in December. Alan Committie – who shared his Cape Town favourites on Local Intel – is blasting into the festive season with A-VA-LAUGH-TA, his 28th solo show, at Theatre on the Bay. True to form, audiences can expect a high-energy stand-up special designed to banish the blues with interstellar wordplay, physical comedy, and Committie’s trademark take-downs of the crowd, as this award-winning comic tries to make sense of a year where everything feels a bit… alien. Directed by longtime collaborator Christopher Weare, A-VA-LAUGH-TA riffs on the humorous side of everyday absurdities in 2025.  "To celebrate the third in the series of Avatar movies, ‘Fire and Ash’, which is how people describe my cooking style, I’ve called my latest show A-VA-LAUGH-TA,” Committie told Time Out Cape Town. “I’m covering all kinds of topics, including the need to prevent turning blue and looking after mental health. I also share a do-it-yourself opera guide and reflect on the silliness of book clubs. I take a look at weddings and funerals, and then I finish the show with a recreation of James Cameron’s other big hit, ‘Titanic’, in which I play everyone... including the iceberg. It’s a lucky packet of madness!” It's guaranteed to be a belly-laugh of the very best kind, delivered in the co

SVNS Cape Town returns to DHL Stadium this weekend, and the Green Point precinct is going to be heaving, as thousands of fans fill the Green Point precinct. Add that to the usual V&A Waterfront traffic – along with the grand opening of the Oranjezicht City Farm Market in its new location –  and you know you’re in for a traffic nightmare. But, there are ways to beat the chaos. What is SVNS Cape Town? SVNS Cape Town is the Cape Town leg of the HSBC SVNS series, World Rugby’s global rugby sevens circuit. It’s a two-day festival (6-7 December) at DHL Stadium, where the world’s top men’s and women’s sevens teams play a series of fast, 7-a-side matches, wrapped up with DJs, live performances, food stalls and a big party atmosphere. This year SVNS Cape Town celebrates its 10th anniversary in the Mother City, with 40 fast-paced games featuring the world’s top men’s and women’s sevens teams at DHL Stadium. For locals, it’s a rare chance to see the world champion Blitzboks in action on their home turf! Off the field, there’s a full entertainment line-up, including live performances by Jimmy Nevis and YoungstaCPT, plus a DJ battle between DJ Alicious101 and DJ Chelsea Sloan, refereed by DJ Ready D. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Stadium gates open at 9am, and the first game kicks off at 10am on both days. Getting to the stadium As with all large stadium events in Cape Town, the first rule is simple: if you can, ditch the car. Or, at least drive into the city and catch a sta

Since opening in 2016, Foxcroft has quietly gone about establishing itself as one of the city’s best small plate dining experiences. It’s been a decade of fine food from chef-proprietor Glen (whose middle name is Foxcroft) Williams, so perhaps it’s fitting that it’s now time for a change.  That comes in mid-January 2026, when the Foxcroft crew will close up the kitchen at High Constantia to move to a new venue in a heritage landmark in the southern suburbs.  And hungry locals will be pleased to know that they won’t have to travel far, with Foxcroft reopening in the historic Constantia Nek buildings on Constantia Nek Circle. The heritage building first opened as a tearoom in 1929 and was, until recently, home to La Parada and Harbour House.  With La Colombe just up the hill and Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia nearby, Constantia Nek is poised to become a hotbed of fine dining! “While we have enjoyed our time at High Constantia, I have always wanted to get Foxcroft into a space with a view, whether it be on a farm or freestanding,” Williams told EatOut. “Our lease was coming up for renewal, and it just lined up perfectly with this opportunity at Constantia Nek. The building is a southern suburbs landmark, and it lends itself perfectly to the direction we are headed in.” That direction will see Foxcroft up the ante in refinement. Previously, Foxcroft has been the more relaxed sibling within the La Colombe restaurant family, recognised for its seasonal small-plate menus, polish

It looks like Santa is trading tall chimneys for taxiways this year, as FlySafair unveils its brand new Christmas-themed aircraft, ‘Santa’s Sleigh’. One of the airline’s signature pink Boeing 737-800 planes – registration ZS-SJV, if you want to track the plane on Flightradar24 – has been transformed into a high-speed sleigh in the sky, that will be soaring across South African skies throughout the festive season. Look carefully, and you’ll find Santa being towed by a proud South African line-up: a springbok, zebra, and gemsbok mid-flight across the fuselage. It’s bright, bold, and delightfully ‘silly season’ in the best possible way. “This campaign is all about bringing a little extra sparkle to the festive season,” says Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair. “Through our ‘Letters to Santa’ partnership with KFM Mornings, we’re helping bring children’s wishes to life. At the same time, we wanted to create something truly magical for our customers. Santa’s Sleigh is a celebration of imagination, family moments, and the spirit of making holiday wishes come true, with a uniquely South African touch.” Although FlySafair has previously redesigned the liveries of its aircraft – including Springbok and Proteas branding – this is the airline’s first-ever Christmas livery. We cannot promise it will relieve the stress of festive queues, but it might bring a smile to harried families waiting to jet off on holiday.  ‘Santa’s Sleigh’ will be flying routes across the FlySafair

Cape Town’s favourite summer ritual – early starts, cold water, and the mouthwatering smell of kreef on the braai – is back. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has announced that fishing for recreational West Coast rock lobster will be open for (just) 12 days over the 2025/26 season. Crayfishing dates for 2025/26 According to the regulations published on 25 November, you may catch crayfish on the following days only: December 2025: 20, 21, 27 & 28 January 2026: 3, 4, 24, 25 & 31 February 2026: 1 March 2026: 21 & 22 On all open days, fishing is allowed from 8am to 4pm, and your crayfish must be landed (out the water and onshore) by 4pm. No permit, no crayfish As in previous years, to fish for kreef you must have a valid recreational West Coast rock lobster permit. These can be purchased from selected South African Post Office branches, but it’s easier to get one online via the official online portal at fishing.dffe.gov.za. Permits are valid for the entire crayfish season (not per day), and are only valid for people 12 years and older can get a permit. And no, you can’t turn your haul into a side hustle: any crayfish caught on a recreational permit may not be sold. Your catch is strictly for your own pot (or braai). Bag limits, sizes and gear Whether you're a salty sea dog or new to the crayfishing game, don’t forget: The daily bag limit is four crayfish per person per day. The minimum size remains at 80 mm carapace length, measured along the shell. Al

After a sold-out 2025 debut headlined by Kaytranada that pulled in 20,000 fans, Milk + Cookies is coming back to Cape Town with an impressive line-up of talent. Milk + Cookies is a global outdoor multi-genre festival that celebrates music (from amapiano to R&B, house to hip-hop), food, and community, blending  global sounds with local culture for an unforgettable night out. And following a sell-out event at Ostrich Farm in 2025, the 2026 outing is moving to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse, on 3 January 2026. It’s an excellent venue to host Canadian R&B duo Majid Jordan alongside rap superstar Gunna as headliners for the Milk + Cookies Festival, positioning the event clearly at the crossroads of global talent and South Africa’s own vibrant musical culture.  With their genre-blending sound and Drake co-sign via OVO, Majid Jordan deliver a smooth R&B sensibility that fits neatly with South Africa’s soulful roots and its current wave of boundary-pushing producers and vocalists. A significant new feature this year is the Move Mzansi Stage – Powered by Extreme. The new stage focuses on “movement-led” sounds – expect amapiano, deep house, electronic, and dance – and is crafted as a high-energy space for dancers, DJs, and digital creators to be discovered.  But, of course, the main attraction is on the main stage, where Gunna and Majid Jordan will be joined by artists like Dlala Thukzin, YoungstaCPT, Vigro Deep, and others.  Here is the full list of who’s playing at Milk + Cook

Jeremy Loops. GoodLuck. The Parlotones. Matthew Mole. Freshlyground. Prime Circle, Will Linley… the line-up for the FlySafair Get Lucky Summer concert series has been confirmed, and you do not want to miss out on these sunset shows happening from Cape Town to Plettenberg Bay and – for the first time! – Knysna. Founded by Cape Town’s live-electronic favourites GoodLuck – featured on Local Intel over here – the Flysafair Get Lucky Summer festival has grown into a highlight of the Cape’s holiday calendar. “Every year, Get Lucky Summer feels like a family reunion for thousands of people who share the same love for music, joy, and connection,” says Ben Peters of GoodLuck. “We pour our hearts into creating these experiences and moments for our fans and fans of live music. We honestly look forward to these shows more than any others in the year. There is just a palpable energy and happy atmosphere that really sets it apart from many others!  All shows offer laid-back outdoor vibes and a line-up of top South African acts, all waiting to be enjoyed with food trucks, fully stocked bars and plenty of open space for picnic blankets, smiling kids and dancing feet. It’s a family-friendly festival, so chilled vibes come standard. “Everybody looks forward to these events,” says Jules Harding of GoodLuck. “We’re so proud to have created an incredible space where families, friends, and travellers can all come together to celebrate live music and summer energy together. This year, with this min

It’s been twenty years since the first tashas opened in Johannesburg, and in the decades since, this much-loved café concept has expanded across the country and the world, with outlets as far afield as London and Dubai. And now tashas has put down roots in the Southern Suburbs, with a new tashas opening at Cavendish Square in Claremont. “This marks a significant milestone for our South African footprint,” says CEO and Founder of Tashas Group, Natasha Sideris. “It’s great to be able to bring our signature warmth and refinement to one of Cape Town’s most vibrant retail and lifestyle destinations.” ‘Cavvies’ is the most popular shopping centre in this corner of the Southern Suburbs and is sure to buzz with festive shoppers as Christmas approaches. But, in truth, tashas isn’t just about festive fuel-ups… it’s a classic brand with a sense of timeless, effortless style, and that certainly shines through in the new space.  Step inside and you’ll find a sophisticated dining room that doesn’t try too hard: think mosaic flooring, high-gloss stucco walls, and rich timber offset by brass accents that will remind loyal regulars of the original tashas café in Atholl, Johannesburg. But also take a moment to admire the hand-embossed paper installation by artist Elonah O’Neil, an ethereal creation floating in the heart of the space, suspended by gold wire and designed to move gently with the breeze. Bronze details by city foundry Bronze Age add yet more subtle textures, while works by contemp

The summer south-easterly wind affectionately (though not always) known as the ‘Cape Doctor’ has done it again. Just weeks after a fierce south-easter forced the complete cancellation of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, gusting winds have shut down the Race Village (but thankfully not the actual race) of Ultra-Trail Cape Town (UTCT), being run across Table Mountain National Park this weekend.   And while runners will miss out on the gees of the Race Village after running for up to 48 hours, the rest of us are just being driven quietly insane by slamming doors, washing blown across the garden and trampolines being whisked away like a scene out of Mary Poppins. Although summer is barely here, the seasonal Cape Doctor is definitely in the house. Gusts topping 90km/h hit the UTCT Race Village on Thursday night, and a quick look at Windfinder shows forecasts of up to 75km/h across parts of the Peninsula this weekend. So why is it so darn windy in Cape Town right now? And is the Mother City actually getting worse? Or are we all just moaning more on our WhatsApp groups? First up, let’s understand where that wind comes from in the first place. “All wind is caused by pressure imbalances and, generally speaking, wind moves from an area of high pressure, where air is descending onto the surface, to an area where air is rising and causes an area of low pressure,” explains Dr. Peter Johnston, an applied climatologist famous for his ‘Weatherman Pete’ weekly mailer. In summer, he explai

The Cap Classique corks will be popping across the Cape winelands this week, with the news that two Cape estates have cracked the top 10 in the prestigious The World’s 50 Best Vineyards competition for 2025. And perhaps even bigger news is that Klein Constantia has leapfrogged long-time African champion Creation Wines! Now in its seventh year, the annual ranking – organised by William Reed, the team behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and World’s 50 Best Hotels – has been rebranded as The World’s 50 Best Vineyards and folded into the wider 50 Best portfolio. The 2025 list was announced on 19 November in Margaret River, Western Australia, in partnership with Tourism Western Australia. Topping the list for 2025 is Vik in Millahue, Chile, which rises one position to be named The World’s Best Vineyard 2025 and Best Vineyard in South America.  Second place goes to Germany’s historic Schloss Johannisberg in the Rheingau, while Spain’s striking Bodegas Ysios in Rioja rounds out the global top three. Uruguay’s Bodega Garzón and Bordeaux’s Château Smith Haut Lafitte complete the top five. But the big story for South Africa comes in the next two slots. In sixth position – climbing an impressive 35 places from its 2024 ranking – is Klein Constantia, which also claims the title of Best Vineyard in Africa 2025. Due to that remarkable 35-place jump, it also received the Highest Climber Award 2025.  Situated on the cool slopes of the Constantia Valley and renowned for its legendary sweet

Stretching over 55 kilometres of the De Hoop Nature Reserve, offering unforgettable whale watching alongside walks through pristine fynbos, it’s no surprise that the Whale Trail is one of the most popular long-distance hiking routes in South Africa.  So popular, in fact, that securing a booking was always a challenging task, involving a fastest-fingers-first scramble to the telephonic booking office. You see, booking for the Whale Trail opens one year in advance, week by week, so if you wanted to secure a spot for a hike in 365 days' time, you had to sit by the phone. That’s changed a little, with CapeNature launching an online booking portal for the Trail for the very first time. The new online booking tool for the Whale Trail is open 24/7/365, but the bad news is that demand remains as fierce as ever. A quick glance through the online calendar shows the Trail as fully booked for the next year.   Then again, you’d have to be extremely lucky to find a gap anyway, so it’s worth starting at today’s date – but in a year’s time – for the most accurate chance at finding a slot. What is a bit frustrating is that CapeNature hasn't created the most user-friendly tool here. Instead of being able to browse by calendar month to see where any gaps might be, the tool forces you to browse one week at a time, which gets boring quite quickly. But, it’s an improvement over waiting by the phone. And perhaps we’re to blame for making it even harder to book your chance at the hike. In 2025, Tim

Babylonstoren has long been recognised for bringing an innovative approach to Winelands living, whether it’s their luxurious cottages and Garden Spa (a favourite of chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen) or the heritage-rich Soetmelksvlei experience. And now, tucked away behind the farm’s charming Moestuin (kitchen garden), The Byzantium is Babylonstoren’s new and immersive homage to the humble honeybee. The Byzantium began life at sister estate The Newt in Somerset, England, where its original incarnation – the Beezantium – wowed visitors and even appeared at the 2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. Now, the interactive installation has been reimagined as a permanent fixture at Babylonstoren, focusing on seeing the world through a bee’s eyes. Visitors to Byzantium wander through a series of golden honeycomb-style displays, opening drawers, peering through peepholes, and tapping on animations and infographics. Each nook explores a different aspect of hive life – from bee ‘nurses’ and ‘cleaners’ to foragers, undertakers, and the all-important queen – showing how each insect has a role and how the hive functions as a single superorganism. “Bees remind us that cooperation, not competition, sustains life,” says Babylonstoren’s resident beekeeper and entomologist, Arné Stander. “Each bee knows its role – together, they create something extraordinary.” Watch the colony at work And as you’d expect from Babylonstoren, Byzantium isn’t just static displays and fun facts. One of the hi