8 Hidden Gems in Cape Town Only Locals Know About

Set against the backdrop of the breathtaking cliffs of Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak, and Lion’s Head, and renowned for its unique culture and exciting dining and nightlife scenes, Cape Town, South Africa, sits at the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. With iconic sites like the bustling V&A Waterfront, the colorful BoKaap neighborhood, and popular Boulders Beach, known for its African penguin population, I was overwhelmed with options for how to spend a week in this eclectic city, but this past February, I had the opportunity to experience this vibrant city like a local with the help of a few of my friends who are native (and near-native) to Cape Town.

“As a tourist destination, Cape Town has it all: mountains, beach, and city,” my friend Abbey Hudetz tells me. “It’s easy to fall in love with this place and, in my case, the people.”

Abbey, who spends winters in Cape Town with her husband, Matt, who was born and raised there, is the founder of Oyster Creative, a marketing agency and she likes to keep her finger on the pulse of local happenings both in Cape Town and New York, where she lives the rest of the year.

“I think Cape Town is honestly the most beautiful city in the world. I often describe it as turning life’s saturation and vibrancy on ‘full’ when you’re there,” added my friend Michaela Abrahamse, born and raised in Cape Town before moving to New Zealand. “The sun is brighter, the sand is whiter, the water is more blue, the grass is greener, and the people are happier and friendlier.”

“Everyone there is always [open] to creating new friends and [welcoming] new people into their lives. Often, my parents would go to the supermarket, meet new people, and we’d have them and their kids over for dinner that night,” she added. “I genuinely think it’s the perfect place for solo travelers purely for this reason.”

With all that in mind, Abbey and Michaela gave me the inside scoop on the essential tips and tricks for navigating the city and took me to some of their favorite spots and local haunts to help me experience Cape Town from a local perspective. 

Know Before You Go

Beyond introducing me to the city’s best off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems, my Cape Town mavens demonstrated their expertise by sharing a few essential tips.

Be prepared for load-shedding.

South Africa experiences regular load-shedding, which means there are widespread blackouts throughout the country. Locals and visitors alike can expect daily power outages — think lights, electric appliances, heating and cooling, internet connectivity, and more — and unreliable cellular data for several hours. Cape Town is separated into different areas, ranging from 1 to 23, that each experiences load-shedding during different hours of the day. Abbey suggested I download the ESP load-shedding app on my phone before my arrival so I could track which areas would be experiencing load-shedding and when. The app proved extremely helpful for me, especially as this was something I wasn’t familiar with before coming to South Africa.

Uber is the best way to get around.

While local buses are available to get from place to place, Ubers are far more convenient and tend to be inexpensive (when compared to prices in the U.S.). While taxis are also available in Cape Town, I didn’t see them as often as I expected and found calling an Uber more reliable and convenient. Note, too, that Ubers service the airport, even if you get approached by wayward taxi drivers on arrival telling you they don’t — they will likely charge you significantly more.

If you’re considering renting a car, remember that they drive on the left-hand side of the road, and note that gas stations can sometimes be affected by load-shedding, making it challenging to fill up your tank regularly.

Keep it low-key.

“Growing up in Cape Town, locals are low-key. Things are understated, and over-the-top displays are generally not well received. To fit in, avoid doing too much, whether drinking, wearing flashy labels, or being loud,” Abbey’s husband and South African native, Matt, told me. “You have to be respectful of the wealth discrepancies. That being said, we do like to have a lekker jol (‘nice party’ in Afrikaans), and in the summer months (December to February), it’s pretty much nonstop.”

Safety can be an issue.

While letting your guard down in Cape Town is easy, it’s important to remain conscious of your personal safety. When walking around in public, you should keep a close eye on your belongings and avoid bringing flashy valuables.

“Many places are considered safe to locals but may be unsafe to tourists. To feel a sense of safety and security in Cape Town comes down to [using] common sense and trusting your gut,” explains Michaela. “Ensuring you’re not voluntarily welcoming unsafe vibes is key, like leaving your wallet on the table at a busy restaurant or holding your phone loosely in your hand in a crowded environment. These are common experiences you will have in Cape Town where a simple ‘better safe than sorry’ mentality is responsible for [keeping you safe].”

Check (and double check) passport and visa requirements before entry. 

While a tourist visa is not currently required for entry into South Africa (if traveling on a U.S. passport), South Africa does require you to have two consecutive empty visa pages per entry, not including endorsement pages. Be sure to double-check your passport well before you travel to ensure you’ll have the necessary empty pages and validity lasting at least 30 days beyond your intended exit date from South Africa. I personally hit a bit of a snag on my way into the country, which delayed my entry by several days, so I can attest to the importance of double-checking and fully understanding the requirements ahead of time.

The tap water is safe to drink.

Cape Town’s tap water is safe to drink, so be sure to bring a reusable water bottle you can refill for cost-efficient and environmentally friendly hydration.

The Best Hidden Gems in Cape Town

Safety tips addressed, these are Cape Town’s best hidden gems, according to locals.

Stellenbosch Wineries

Just a quick 45-minute Uber ride from the city lies one of Cape Town’s absolute finest hidden gems: the breathtaking Stellenbosch wine country. Imagine rows upon rows of lush green vineyards and charming white Cape Dutch-style buildings set against the dazzling backdrop of soaring mountain ranges; now picture yourself, wine in hand, strolling around the property without a care. That’s Stellenbosch. An easy day trip from the city, it really is as magical as it sounds, especially when you visit Babylonstoren, a pristine wine estate and favorite local hangout of Abbey and Matt.

“Babylonstoren is an agro-tourism amusement park. [Home to] a garden cafe, butchery, cheesemonger, pastures, wine tasting, vineyards, and labyrinths garden, it’s an onion of a destination. My favorite spot is the garden cafe, though the main restaurant, Babel, is also quite a show. When we have been in the past, you order a color and they bring everything from the most recent harvest in that hue in a sculptural display,” says Abbey. “I still love the Greenhouse cafe and recently had breakfast there with friends. While Babel is a must-book, the Greenhouse and tasting room accommodate walk-ins.”

While Babylonstoren is an excellent option for those who would rather spend the day at a single winery than feel like you need to visit multiple during your trip, “there are dozens of farms in the area. Some other favorites are Boschendal and Leeu Estates,” Abbey adds.

Hidden Coves and Off-The-Beaten Track Beaches

Cape Town’s multitude of beaches are not to be missed. But why fight through crowds at more touristy coastlines when you can visit secluded, off-the-beaten-track shores instead? Michaela prefers the hidden coves of Cosy Bay, a secret beach characterized by crystal clear (albeit cold) waters alongside massive boulders and rock formations that are tucked into the shoreline not far from the more popular Clifton and Camps Bay beaches. “My favorite hidden beach would probably be Cosy Bay. It’s such a hidden gem, and I love its exclusivity. It still offers the serene white sands and rock formations that Clifton has while minimizing the crowds. It’s like a mini Clifton hidden from overpopulation,” she says.

While I was also a fan of the privacy of Cosy Bay, the Clifton 1st through 4th beaches are still worth a visit. The Clifton beaches are each tucked into pretty, mountainous coves with Malibu-style cliffside homes dotting the landscape. Each has its own personality, and you can easily walk between the beaches to experience them all. According to Matt, Clifton 4th is best for family fun, Clifton 3rd has great vibes and is known for being very LGBTQ-friendly, Clifton 2nd is quiet and private, and as for Clifton 1st, visitors can “give it a miss.”

“Lately, Clifton has become a hotspot for sunset gatherings, with live music and organized social activities such as volleyball, allowing for opportunities to make connections and build community among the younger generations, which has been a positive outcome of its popularity,” Michaela says.

Oranjezicht City Farm Night Market

One of my favorite local experiences in Cape Town was the Wednesday Oranjezicht City Farm night market. Michaela, Abbey, and I donned our trendiest outfits and made our way out to the V&A Waterfront neighborhood, where we were greeted by various local vendors, from bakeries and eateries to fashionable clothing and homewares stalls. The bohemian market runs Wednesday nights from September to April from 5 to 9 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and features extraordinary ocean views.

Filled with Cape Town’s most beautiful people, Oranjezicht is the place to see and be seen, with overhanging string lights that cast a romantic glow throughout the market and set the tone for a night out on the town. “The vibe is definitely trendy and aimed at a younger audience than your usual markets. There are lots of beer and wine bars with incredible food. It is more on the high end of a Cape Town local’s budget. However, it’s a very good time, and many people use it as a stepping stone on their road to going out for the night,” Michaela says.

But Oranjezicht isn’t Cape Town’s only noteworthy market. “While I enjoy the mix of food stalls, produce, and artisan vendors, I prefer to hit The Old Biscuit Mill market, which is in Woodstock, open on Saturdays and Sundays,” says Abbey. “Don’t sleep on the vintage clothes at Old Biscuit Mill. I’ve found some of my favorite pieces there.”

Amazing Local Dining and Nightlife Scene

While Cape Town’s buzzy dining and nightlife scenes are no big secret, there are a few spots that our local experts love to frequent.

One of Abbey’s favorite local haunts is The Stranger’s Club cafe, located in the fashionable Green Point neighborhood. This sceney cafe has a bohemian energy perfect for meeting friends for a lengthy brunch, working remotely, or just enjoying the afternoon with delicious food and an aesthetically-pleasing atmosphere. Be prepared to see much of the same crowd dining at The Stranger’s Club as you will at the Oranjezicht Night Market — the overall vibes are very similar.

Another must-visit dining establishment is Ouzeri, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant in the heart of the city. According to Abbey, “Strangers Club and Ouzeri are [both] aesthetic spaces, but they are much more than Instagram destinations. Both are uncompromising on food. The Strangers Club is a daytime lunch spot and concept store, while Ouzeri is the current hot reservation just off Bree Street, where trendy restaurants and art galleries tend to cluster.” Nearby, The Gin Bar is another charming spot for a night out with friends. Not immune to the city’s load-shedding phenomenon, this bar comes prepared with candlelight illuminating the space when the power inevitably goes out, creating a dreamy nightcap environment.

A final destination worth visiting is The Bungalow, a popular beachfront restaurant in the luxe Camps Bay neighborhood. Another lively local spot to see and be seen, it’s a great place to enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset over the sparkling ocean.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Just outside the city center lies the magical Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Perfect for a morning stroll or late-afternoon picnic (I recommend avoiding a visit in the middle of the day, particularly in the summer months, as it can get extremely hot), these gardens offer a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city. Past visitors include Nelson Mandela, and in modern times, locals enjoy sunset concerts and many hiking paths, gift shops, and patio restaurants. Don’t miss the serene Tree Canopy Walkway, which features views of iconic Table Mountain and Cape Town’s verdant landscape.

District Six Museum

Visitors to Cape Town would be remiss if they did not take some time out of their trip to understand the role that apartheid has played in South African society. The District Six Museum is located inside an old Methodist church near the city center, in a neighborhood once home to Cape Town’s vast multi-racial population. In the 1960s and ‘70s, during apartheid, more than 60,000 people were forcibly removed from their homes and placed into townships far from the city center, where many of them and their descendants still reside today. While it’s undoubtedly one of the more sobering stops on a Cape Town itinerary, the museum works to give visitors insight into the history of apartheid and offer a more well-rounded understanding of the city and South Africa as a whole.

Langa Township Tour

Langa is Cape Town’s oldest township, established in the 1920s as a result of apartheid, and is still home to members of the city’s Xhosa community today. While I wasn’t able to personally take a tour of Langa during my visit, I would certainly recommend it to others who are looking to support the local community and gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of Cape Town, which is especially meaningful with added context from the District Six Museum.

As travelers, it’s essential to recognize that while this city has so much to offer, as with any place, it’s not without flaws. We must seek out cultural and social context when visiting a new destination to get the complete picture and gain genuine insight into a place beyond simply what we see through the often-gilded tourist lens.

Traditional South African Braai 

On my last night in Cape Town, I was treated to a traditional South African braai in Matt and Abbey’s nearby Rondebosch suburb. A braai is a barbeque cooked over an open flame, and typically, guests bring their own meat to be grilled by the Braai Master.

“The Braai Master is responsible for the quality of the food and takes ownership over the braai, cooking meat and timing dishes. The Braai Master will assemble the fire (often lighting it with a Lion match),” Matt tells me.

“A traditional South African braai [happens on] quite a wide range of occasions. It’s loved ones getting together to cook food over a fire. It generally involves boerewors (sausage) and kebabs. We like going to Woolworth’s (our version of Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s) to get meat, dessert, and braai supplies,” adds Abbey.

Michaela explains that a traditional braai looks similar to an American barbecue, save for different spices and wood fire use. “This also gives the meat a more authentic smoky flavor, which South Africans crave,” she adds. “And many of our spices, salads, and desserts descend from the Cape Malay population.”

Abbey took on the role of Braai Master, so she, Michaela, and I spent the evening relaxing by firelight, listening to music, gossiping, and eating traditional malva pudding with vanilla ice cream. It was the perfect way to end a superb stay in Cape Town. (If you don’t have any local friends (yet) who will invite you over for a braai, you can always sign up for a tour to experience this local tradition that way instead.)

Cape Town has become one of my all-time favorite cities, distinctly African but with European energy. It’s a unique and interesting place with so much to offer, from gorgeous natural landscapes and lush wine country to rich culture, fabulous beaches, and gorgeous people. It’s an excellent place for taking a more off-the-beaten-path approach for an unforgettable, well-rounded local experience.