City Guide: Cape Town

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

www.nineflowers.com

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

www.labia.co.za

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

www.districtsix.co.za

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

www.bukhara.com

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

www.melissas.co.za

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

www.caffe.co.za

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

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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

www.beadafrica.com

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

www.tablemountain.net

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.

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