about this guide
Meet Tate. She studied abroad in Cape Town her junior year and is the type to fully optimize her time so she gets the absolute most out of it. Here are her takes on everything she thinks is worth a mention while you're there.
the recommendations
Arthur's Mini Super
A very cute, aesthetically pleasing deli. Really good lunch but also kind of a cafe vibe — wine, cider, beer. It's in Sea Point, right by the water, one of the more walkable areas in Cape Town. Aesthetically it's very Brooklyn, Williamsburg, hipster, Lower East Side vibes. Really fabulous, just good food.
Kloof Street House
A nice restaurant — the kind that in New York or San Francisco would be like $100 per person, but because it's Cape Town it's like $40. Really great wine selection, good food, in a really pretty Victorian house with a garden area out front. The food is delicious and you feel like you're getting away with something.
Pizza Shed
A pregame-ish pizza spot right next to all the bars — really easy dinner and drinks before going out. Get there early and grab an outdoor table, get an Aperol spritz, and people watch. They have a sister location right next door so if you can't get in right away, go get a drink there first. You're there for the utility more than the food, but the aesthetics are cute and it's right where you want to be.
Blondie
Favorite bar in Cape Town by far. Younger crowd, people in their 20s, cheap drinks (though all drinks in Cape Town are cheap), and great music. That is the place where you walk in and you're like, wow, everyone here is hot — this is what people meant when they said South Africans are really hot. Mostly locals, though the tourists who are there tend to be European. Big groups of locals — we had local friends who would go every Friday, every Saturday, some Thursdays, with like 20 people. It does get crowded so get there before 9:30 or there will be a line.
The Moveable Feast
Bar inside a townhouse — there's a bar area and a dancing area. Music is always really good. Great vibe overall. Drinks can be a little slow and sometimes it's empty, but a solid afters spot.
Ritas
Older crowd than Blondie. Downstairs is more of a restaurant earlier in the night. Upstairs is the bar area with an indoor bar and an outdoor balcony area that's really nice. Usually has a really good DJ — just a nice place to go and dance.
Modular
Techno, underground, literally underground. Comparable to Basement in NYC. You have to be seriously into it to have a good time. Probably the best place in Cape Town if you want EDM. If you're a girl, just be a little cautious — but that's true anywhere.
Grand Africa Cafe and Beach
Same deal as Cabo Beach Club — great beach club, real DJs, more expensive but worth it for the experience.
First Thursdays
Huge. Every first Thursday of the month, all the art galleries in the CBD are open late and free. Everyone gets into it — you can grab wine outside and wander in and out of galleries. It's a big community thing. And then because everyone's already in that central area, it turns into probably the most fun bar-hopping night of the month. I don't think there are specific galleries to hit — just walk around and buy into it.
Oranjezicht Farmers Market
Must do. Wednesdays only. The best food, great clothing, amazing pastries — just a vibe. And it's the exact same crowd you'd see at Blondie, at Saunders Rock, at Arthur's. After a couple weeks in Cape Town you start recognizing everyone — you'll feel like you know the whole city.
Open Air Cinema — The Galileo (Kirstenbosch)
In the summer (US winter) they do an open air cinema across different gardens in Cape Town. The Kirstenbosch botanical garden one is great — they have food, wine, and little chairs. Super cute.
Devil's Peak
Also a classic. We saved it for last because a girl had died on the hike a few weeks before, so we had really hyped it up — and it ended up being by far the easiest hike we did in Cape Town. Just a mountain up and down, switchbacks, super chill. But really pretty and gorgeous. Just be careful.
Llandudno Beach
By far the most beautiful beach in Cape Town. Not very developed, just beautiful blue water and white sand. Gorgeous. All the water in Cape Town is cold though — there's really no avoiding it.
Muizenberg Beach
Where people surf — it's the surf spot. I think it's a little warmer but there's some reason people don't really swim there (maybe sharks or jellyfish). Not really my thing but people love it for surfing.
A lot of places in Cape Town are 23+ — super weird but true across the board. If you go with local guy friends who know the bouncers, you'll be fine. If you don't, you need a fake ID. Obviously the people inside are not all 23+, it's just what they say.
Hiking is very weather dependent. If it rains, don't hike. Most of the trails are really rocky and draining after rain. When people say hiking in Cape Town is dangerous, it's not — it's only dangerous after it rains. That's the one thing.
Wine is incredibly cheap so buy your own. The bars are already cheap, but buying your own alcohol is even cheaper. You can get a really good bottle of wine for $10. That's just not something you get anywhere else.
Ubers are super cheap. Getting from Cape Town to Stellenbosch takes about an hour to an hour and a half in traffic and the Uber is $40 — split four ways and it's nothing. One weird note: Cape Town Uber drivers rate really harshly and will give you fours consistently for no reason, so don't be alarmed if your rating dips.
All of Tate's recommendations above are saved in this Google Maps list so you can use them while exploring Cape Town. Soon on LOG, you'll be able to browse her full archive of experiences from the entire semester abroad.