A Chic Guide to Cape Town: Where to Stay, Eat and Explore

Bianca Alleyne

Your guide to the most versatile holiday destination on the planet.

The summer holidays are finally within reach and while others are getting ready for a Euro summer, we are looking further afield.

Cape Town is one of those rare destinations where you can experience everything; mountains, beaches, wildlife, and world-class wine; all within a single and seamless itinerary!

It’s a city defined by contrast and proximity. You can hike one of the world’s most iconic mountains in the morning, spot penguins along the coast by afternoon and be seated at a vineyard for a long lunch just an hour later. Few places offer this level of variety with such ease; and even fewer do it with this much style.

Stay

Cape Town’s appeal lies in its ability to move effortlessly between coastal luxury and vineyard escapes — and the best stays reflect that duality.

For a refined coastal base, The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa delivers uninterrupted ocean views just outside the city. It’s polished without feeling overdone and the kind of place that works as both a retreat and a launch point for exploring.

In the heart of the city, Labotessa Luxury Boutique Hotel offers a more intimate, high-end stay. Set within a restored heritage building, it’s one of the most exclusive addresses in Cape Town, combining residential-style suites with a quietly luxurious feel right in the centre of everything.

For something more accessible but still design-led, Gorgeous George is a strong option. A boutique hotel set across two heritage buildings, it blends contemporary interiors with a lively rooftop scene, proof that you don’t have to compromise on style for a more considered price point.

To experience the Cape Winelands, a stay in Stellenbosch or Franschoek is essential. Vineyard cabins and spa-led properties offer a more immersive setting, placing you directly within South Africa’s most celebrated wine region while still within easy reach of Cape Town.

Visit

What sets Cape Town apart is just how much you can see in a short space of time.

Start in Bo-Kaap, where rows of brightly coloured houses create one of the city’s most recognisable landscapes. From there, just a 10 minute drive leads you to the cableway, which will take you up Table Mountain for panoramic views across the city, coastline and beyond.

For a more expansive experience, dedicate a day to the Cape Peninsula. The drive along Chapman’s Peak is one of the most scenic coastal routes in the world, leading you to Cape Point, where the landscape becomes dramatic and untamed.

Along the way, stop at Boulders Beach to see the resident penguins, a moment that feels unexpected given the scale of everything else around you. Continue through Simon’s Town and return via Kalk Bay, where the pace shifts again.

Back in Cape Town, a visit to Robben Island offers an important historical counterpoint, while Signal Hill provides one of the best vantage points to take in the city at sunset.

Eat

Often listed as one of the top destinations for food lovers, Cape Town’s dining scene mirrors the city itself; varied, scenic, and well-executed.

For a setting that combines mountain and ocean views, The Lawns at The Roundhouse is a standout. It’s the kind of place where lunch easily extends into the afternoon.

In the city, The Strangers Club offers a more design-led, tucked-away experience; equal parts restaurant, café and concept space. It’s the kind of spot you go to for a slower brunch or an early evening drink, with a crowd that feels effortlessly in-the-know.

For something more intimate, Sonny and Irene in Seapoint has quickly become one of Cape Town’s most talked-about tables. Their take on chicken and waffles is absolutely divine and the perfect way to enjoy brunch ahead of a day at wineries.

If you’re looking for something more trend-led, Omri in Camps Bay is one of the best new openings, offering modern Lebanese cuisine in a setting that feels both polished and relaxed.

In Kalk Bay, you’ll find some of the best coastal dining in the region, relaxed, seafood-led, and positioned right on the water. Harbour House offers an incredible selection of wines and seafood, perfect for a relaxed dinner watching the sunset.

No trip is complete without time in the Winelands. The Franschhoek Wine Tram offers a streamlined way to move between vineyards, combining tastings, food, and scenery in one of the most efficient (and enjoyable) ways to experience the region. In particular, the Klein Goederust Boutique Winery offers an incredible wine tasting experience overlooking the Franschhoek Mountains.

Going Out

Evenings in Cape Town are defined by location; and the city offers a surprising range of ways to spend them.

The V&A Waterfront remains a natural starting point, with its mix of restaurants, bars and a steady energy that carries into the night. While you’re there, a visit to the Zeitz MOCAA is worth factoring in; a striking contemporary art museum housed in a former grain silo and one of the most architecturally interesting spaces in the city.

For something more immersive, a stay or visit to Aquila Game Reserve offers a completely different kind of evening where the experience shifts from city to safari, with wildlife encounters just a couple of hours drive from Cape Town. You can also visit for the day but stay overnight to enjoy some stargazing.

Back in the city, Bree Street has become one of the most compelling places to spend an evening. Lined with wine bars, restaurants and independent spots, it has that familiar LA meets Shoreditch energy—creative, slightly undone and just effortlessly cool.

For a more understated close to the day, head to Clifton Beach with a drink in hand and watch the sun drop behind the Atlantic. It’s simple, but it’s one of the most memorable ways to experience the city.

What makes Cape Town exceptional isn’t just what it offers, it’s how easily it all fits together!

Few destinations allow you to move between hiking, wildlife, beaches, and vineyards in a single trip, without compromise. It’s this balance of energy, landscape, and access that makes Cape Town one of the most compelling places to visit right now.