City Guide: Cape Town

Bars und Clubs
Buena Vista Social Cafe
81 Main Road, Green Point
Cape Town
27 21 433 0611
On the way to the beaches of Camps Bay you're passing Greenpoint, where you find fancy bars and clubs side by side. Under the old fashioned fans on the balcony of the highly recommended Buena Vista Social Club you can sip on Margharitas, Mojitos and Caipirinhas and eat Fajitas and Tacos for dinner. The walls are decorated with black-and-white photographs of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. Live bands bring you the Ritmo Latino.
recommended by: Friends
Marvel
236 Long Street, Gardens
Cape Town
021 426 5880
A small cool happening club where Hip Hop meets Electronica. The two pool tables in the back always attract a big crowd of players and viewers. There's a small dance floor in the front. You can drink your beer in a cozy niche or while hanging out on a bench in front of the club. Opening hours: Mon-Sat, 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
recommended by: Friends
Hotels
Nine Flowers Guesthouse
Hatfield Street 133-135,Gardens
8001 Cape Town
Tel. 021 462 1430, Cell
The Nine Flowers Guesthouse is the perfect homebase for a stay in Cape Town, close to Longstreet and Kloof Street. There are nine rooms with modern furnishing in two renovated viktorian houses. Each room is named after an African flower and is held in the flowers' color. The Nine Flowers is run by two young Germans, Marrin Hansen and Michael Huellenhagen. On mornings, you can enjoy a rich breakfast on the patio.
recommended by: Friends
Vickys Bed & Breakfast
Khayelitsa Township
Cape Town
0027 021 387 7104
www.jiourney.digitalspace.net/vicky.html
Vicky's Bed&Breakfast is well-known in the Townships of Khayelitsa. One more reason for the increasing number of tourists who want to experience an over-night stay in one of the infamous Townships has to be Vicki's warm and kind hospitality. You get to see a whole other side of Cape Town which is definitly worth a visit. It's not advisable to go there on you own, take a guided tour!
recommended by: Friends
Kino
Labia
68 Orange Street
Gardens Cape Town
+27 (0)21 424 59 27
This movie theater is located at the former ballroom of the Italian embassy. Newer theaters may be of higher standard but don't have the Labia's charm. Or do you know another cinema where you can drink a glass of wine while watching a movie?
recommended by: Kitchener favourit
Museen
District Six Museum
25a Buitenkant Street
Cape Town
0027 021 4618745
The museum reminds of the once vivid District Six, populated by people of all colors and races. In the sixties it had been destroyed by the Apartheid Regime. All residents of the district had been driven away by the White Man to the 30 km distant city limit - the Townships. The museum tells the stories of the district's former inhabitants - impressive and touching!
recommended by: Friends
Restaurants
Bukhara
33 Church Street
Cape Town
Best Indian food in town with emphasis on the South Indian cuisine. An open kitchen where you can watch the chefs preparing your menu. Try the Butter Chicken. Very attentive and fast service. Reservations are highly recommended!
recommended by: Kitchener favourit
Manna Epicure
151 Kloof Street
Tamboerskloof Cape Town
+27 (0)21 426 2413
Elaborate and modern cuisine. If you have ever wanted to try a tenderloin steak with chocolate and chilli gravy - you're at the right place! A cool and styish location with a fine wine list.
recommended by: Kitchener favourit
Melissa's
94 Kloof Street
Gardens Cape Town
+27 (0)21 424 55 40
Trendy Deli with local, additive and preservative free products. Delicious! You'll find great souvenirs or small gifts for food lovers. Daily mediterranean lunch buffet. A good selection of newspapers are at customer's disposal which is nice to have on a coffee break.
recommended by: Kitchener favourit
Millers Thumb
10b Kloof Nek Road, Tamboerskfloo
Cape Town
021 4243838
Anyone who loves seafood and who can afford to spend some more on dinner will get one's money worth at Millers Thumb. The popular fish and seafood restaurant is run by the married couple Solly and Jane Solomon. Jane welcomes and places the guests with enthusiasm while Solly runs the kitchen. Try the fish with chilli - only one of his inventive dishes. Call for reservation!
recommended by: Friends
Nonna Lina
65 Orange Street
Gardens Cape Town
+27 (0)21 424 4966
THE place to get the best Panzanella Salad in southern Africa! We can also recommend the pizzas and the pasta dishes. The restaurant is run by an Italian familiy. Very popular with the Captonians. Reservations are recommended.
recommended by: Kitchener favourit
Pon s Asian Street Noodles Bar and Restaurant
62 Kloof Street, Gardens
Cape Town
021 4224033
Unfortunately, we have not been able to find out who Pon is, but that it's a great place to start off into party night. Lots of space, many niches, a long bar and a laid-back atmosphere. A large choice of Asian dishes, from Satay Skewers to Hot Curries. Just a ten minute walk from Long Street.
recommended by: Friends
Royale Eatery
279, Long Street
Cape Town
021 4224536
At the Royale on Long Street you'll get the best burgers in town. Try the Burger Royale with beacon, chicken and lots of salad with fries on the side. The staff in this simple but stylish restaurant is young and friendly. Sometimes, recommendations for cool parties are being served with your order. Try the home made milk shakes- with their calorie count they nearly pass as a main course.
recommended by: Friends
Vida e Caffe
34 Kloof Street, Gardens
Cape Town
0027 021 426 0627
Brasilian joie de vivre in the midst of Cape Town. At the Vida e Caffe, young guys in Dockers are brewing coffee, serving lattes and espressi or freshly sqeezed orange juice to the in-crowd, gays and fashionitas. Pastry and other delicious Brasilian sweets are being served on the side. On the outside tables you can watch the busy life on Kloof Street. The Vida e Caffe is the perfect place to start off your shopping spree along the shop paved Long Street.
recommended by: Friends
Shopping
-->Fashion
Milk
285 Long Street
Cape Town
0027 082 586 5850
There are many cute shops on Long Street that are selling fashion by local designers. Like the Milk where you're welcomed by friendly saleswomen who are always happy to tell you more about the local brands. The clothes and accessories are playful, imaginative and almost kitschy. Most creations are an assembly of various used clothing. Ring the bell before entering. No credit cards!
recommended by: Friends
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Bead Merchants of Africa
223 Long Street
Cape Town
+27 (0)21 423 46 87
Lots and lots of beads in all shapes and colors, from antique Millefiori to plain plastic - a beads lover's paradise.
recommended by: Kitchener favourit
Pan African Market
76 Long Street
Cape Town
Handmade artwork from all over the African continent. More than thirty stands on two floors. There's also a small coffee-shop. Don't forget to bargain!
recommended by: Kitchener favourit
Woodheads
29 Caledon Road
8001 Cape Town
0027 021 461 7185
In the fur and leather department at Woodheads, a do-it-yourself store, you'll find less expensive Springboek skins than at the touristic markets. You do have to check them closer for holes and damages but it's worth it. There are large cow skins which serve great for carpets.
recommended by: Friends
Tips
Camps Bay und Clifton Beach
Cape Town
Cape Town's city beaches are accessible within 15 minutes driving time. Clifton Beach is divided into four sections. Section one is for the rich and beautiful (rather boring) and section four is for families (the only section where you can get snacks). Section three is the gay section where a woman can be certain to be left alone. Around 6 p.m. the Captonians arrive in groups with their pic-nic baskets. Camps Bay is a beautiful sandy beach, only five driving minutes off Clifton Beach where you will find many seafood restaurants, bars, shops and clubs. Great nightlife.
recommended by: Friends
Robben Island
Cape Town
A vist to the former prison on Robben Island is worth the 13 km trip by ferry. On guided bus tours, former inmates tell their sad but true stories. During the Aparheid, black political refugees were kept imprisoned on Robben Island - an escape was impossible. The most famous prisoners were ANC-partisans Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe and Walter Sisulu. Two of the many impressive sightseeings are the limestone mine where the prisoner senselessly had to hammer the stones and carry them from one end to the other and back, and Nelson Mandelas' one by two meter small cell where he had been kept for 17 years. Ferries to Robben Island sail from the V&A Waterfront. Make sure to get your tickets the day before.
recommended by: Friends
Signal Hill und Lions Head
Cape Town
The Table Mountain's two "little sisters" are definitely worth a visit. Especially during sunset with a cool bottle of white wine in your backpack. It's a bumpy way to the top, wear sturdy shoes. Terrific view over the city. Best access by car.
recommended by: Friends
Table Mountain
Cape Town
A must: Take the rotating cable car (Swiss-made) all the way up to Cape Towns' landmark - the Table Mountain. Breathtaking views over the city and the Cape of Good Hope. There's a restaurant and a kiosk where you can buy a bottle of wine for a pic-nic. But you better bring your own since the prices are overcharged. Take the shuttle bus from the Tourist Center to get to the cable car station.
recommended by: Friends