The world is finally taking note of Cape Town’s cool status and we’re so here for it! While we’re all about shouting the Mother City’s trailblazing status from every rooftop in town, some of Cape Town’s best kept secrets and coolest local spots are finally getting the recognition they deserves. Making them some of the best things to do and see in Cape Town. Are you ready to experience the best of the best the Mother City has to offer? Buckle-up, we’re about to explore some of the ‘best rated in the world’ Cape Town spots that all deserve a prime spot on your bucket-list.
1. Unframed – Rated best ice-cream parlour in the world by Big 7 Travel
View this post on Instagram
We’re starting off our BEST of the best Cape Town list with something sweet, a nice big scoop of Unframed ice-cream goodness! Not only has this cool Cape Town ice-cream parlour claimed the top spot as the best ice-cream parlour in the world as rated by Big 7 Travel, it was also the only ice-cream parlour in Africa to be featured. But what makes this local ice-cream hotspot so special? Unframed is an artisanal ice cream maker that makes healthy ice cream from scratch from real sustainable food. Serving up an exciting range of sorbets, dairy-based, vegan and fruit-based options, there is something for every ice-cream lover at heart. They’ve even incorporated an array of superfoods as toppings and flavours!
So, whether you’re looking to enjoy a classic old-school ice-cream flavour, something unique and slightly unusual or if you’re keen to wander completely off the beaten ice-cream path, Unframed has exactly what you’re craving. Besides a visit to their flagship store in Woodstock, this cool Cape Town ice-cream parlour also has a store in Gardens and the V&A Waterfront. Although a big scoop of Unframed ice-cream is delicious any time of the day, it will taste even sweeter after a meeting at our trendy Kloof Street office. So be sure to pop by!
2. Nourish’d – The 13th most Instagrammable café in the world as rated by Big 7 Travel
View this post on Instagram
Time to spread some Cape Town café love with one of our absolute favourite cafés in the Mother City – Nourish’d. Voted the 13th most Instagrammable Café in the world by Big 7 Travel, Nourish’d is totally understated yet beautifully bold in the coolest way. And has captured the hearts of café loving souls from around the world. Proudly establishing themselves as a healthy laid-back café & juicer, it’s the perfect care-free escape from the hustle and bustle of the Mother City. And the fact that every dish served looks like a work of art and their décor is a bohemian breath of fresh air (seriously, check out their Instagram feed), means you’ll get some epic Insta-worthy snapshots of your Nourish’d experience.
Boasting a selection of fresh juices, shots, smoothies, breakfast bowls and tasty toasts, all packed with fresh, homegrown ingredients, there is something for everyone to enjoy. At Nourish’d the vibe is cool, the people are cool, and the food and feel is super cool. And the fact that it’s the 13th most Instagrammable café in the wold, means it definitely deserves a prime spot on your bucket-list too.
3. TRUTH Coffee Roasting – Voted the best coffee shop in the world in 2016 by The Daily Telegraph 2 years in a row
View this post on Instagram
There is no denying the fact that Capetonians love their coffee! So of course we’re thrilled that one of the best (as well as the BEST as voted in 2016 by the UK based publication The Daily Telegraph) is situated right here in our backyard. This cool Cape Town coffee shop puts mediocre cups of instant coffee to shame with their gourmet home-roasted cups of brew. Besides the fact that this chic and edgy Cape Town coffee shop serves up some of the best coffee in the world, their steampunk-themed interiors and vintage Probat coffee roaster will make you feel like you’ve escaped to a whole new Sherlock Holmes-era laboratory inspired world. And yes, it really is every bit as epic as we’re making it sound! Combined with a cup of the best coffee in the world (yes, we couldn’t help but mention it one more time) you’ll be flying high and praising its name from every rooftop in town.
Located on Cape Town’s bustling Buitenkant Street with a small single marked sign saying ‘Truth’, you better keep your eyes open for this one, you might just blink and miss it. But for your sake and coffee sanity, we definitely recommend you join us on our Cape Town Sights & Bites Tour. That way you’re guaranteed to experience this cool Cape Town coffee gem in the coolest possible way.
4. SurfaRosa – 19th Best Dive Bar in the world as rated by Big 7 Travel
View this post on Instagram
An edgy dive bar with subliminal punk and surf influences, SurfaRosa was named the 19th BEST dive bar in the world as rated by Big 7 Travel. It’s also the only bar of its kind in Cape Town. And that’s pretty cool if you ask us! While this edgy neighbourhood bar might serve a bit of grunt and street side edge with their drinks, SurfaRosa is everything you could ever want in a Dive Bar and more. From cool rustic interiors, a lekker laid-back vibe and quirky and witty bar staff to ice-cold beers on tap, loud music and an all-for-one-and-one-for-all everyone is welcoming atmosphere, it’s no surprise this hip Mother City hangout has become a real fan-favourite.
The vibrant mix of lively locals and thirsty travellers definitely means you’re in for one epic night you won’t soon forget. Or, perhaps you will, depending on how hard you hit it of course! But hey, that’s the fun of it right? Located on the cool East City Precinct Harrington Street, a visit to SurfaRosa is an absolute must if you’re looking to enjoy an amazing night out in the lively Mother City.
5. Wolfgat – Best Off-Map Destination & Restaurant of the Year in the internationally-acclaimed 2019 World Restaurant Awards
View this post on Instagram
Wolfgat is proof that you should never ever underestimate the underdog, especially in Cape Town! Claiming the number 1 spot as the Best ‘Off-map Destination’ AND the coveted ‘Restaurant of the Year’ title in the internationally-acclaimed 2019 World Restaurant Awards, the tiny beach restaurant of Wolfgat is making some massive waves in the restaurant industry. And we couldn’t be more chuffed. Headed up by talented Chef Kobus van der Merwe and his six staff members that have no real formal training (making this achievement even more epic), Wolfgat opened their doors just 2 years ago in a 130-year-old cottage on the beach at Paternoster.
But what can you expect from this Cape west coast gem? At Wolfgat it’s all about delicious back-to-basics cooking. So much so that the staff, along with Chef Kobus van der Merwe, goes out everyday foraging for fresh ingredients on the wild Atlantic shore of the Western Cape to be incorporated into the delicious dishes. Talk about passion and dedication to their craft! They even make their own bread and butter! Not to mention the fact that the seven-course tasting menu is said to knock your culinary socks right off. That’s definitely reason enough to take a road trip along the Cape west coast to experience this delicious treat for yourself.
6. Kalk Bay – Coolest neighbourhood in the world as rated by Forbes
View this post on Instagram
Cool, captivating and chilled-out, Kalk Bay is one of our absolute favourite spots in Cape Town. Crowned the coolest neighbourhood in the world by Forbes in 2018, the trendy seaside town of Kalk Bay definitely lives up to all the cool cred it’s getting. Situated along the vibrant False Bay coastline, Kalk Bay is jam-packed full of secret spots, cool quirks and local treasures you won’t quite find anywhere else in the world. Not to mention the fact that its home to one of the most epic local surfing spots in Cape Town. As well as some of the best harbour-front fish and chips in the city.
But that’s not all this cool cape Town neighbourhood has to offer, boasting a range of awesome hiking trails and secret caves, it’s also the perfect destination for adventure travellers. Plus, the fact that the coolest kids on the Cape Town block, the African Penguins, are located right around the corner at Boulders Beach definitely gives Kalk Bay some extra cool points. Dare we say it, this cool Mother City neighbourhood might just have it all! Join us on The Road Trip Tour or Penguins, Peninsula & Pinotage adventure and experience this cool Cape Town neighbourhood on a kiff local adventure you won’t soon forget.
7. The Test Kitchen – One of the 50 Best Restaurants in the world as rated by the World Restaurant Awards
View this post on Instagram
Ranked 22nd in The World’s Best Restaurant Awards in 2016 as well as claiming the number 44 spot in 2019 and the ‘Best Restaurant in Africa’ title at The World’s Best Restaurant Awards, the Test Kitchen has certainly staked their claim to the global culinary throne. Positioning itself as one of the most sought-after culinary experiences in the Mother City, dining at this Cape Town restaurant is considered quite the adventure. With the world-renowned Chef Luke Dale Roberts spearheading the charge, the Test Kitchen is bold, contemporary and experimental in the most exciting way. So much so that you might even find yourself gasping and lost for words a few times. Don’t worry, it’s completely normal, so just go with it and enjoy the ride!
The fact that it’s located in one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the Mother City, Woodstock, just bumps up its cool status another notch. So, if you consider yourself to be a die-hard foodie at heart, the Test Kitchen undoubtedly deserves a prime spot on your culinary bucket-list!
8. The Gin Bar – One of the 50 most Instagrammable Bars in the World as rated by Big 7 Travel
View this post on Instagram
This one is dedicated to all the gin lovers out there, and we know there’s a lot of you, especially in the Mother City! What can we say, we LOVE our gin and The Gin Bar just takes our gin love affair to a whole new level. Not only is everyone’s favourite Cape Town gin bar considered one of the coolest hidden gems in the city, it has now hit the global Instagram charts by claiming the number 42 spot on the 50 Most Instagrammable Bars in the World list as rated by Big 7 Travel. And we’re so here for it! Located on Wale street, The Gin Bar was one of the first bars in the Mother City to dedicate itself to all things gin. It is also one of the country’s only true speak-easy bars. How cool is that? Fondly known by some locals as the ‘secret’ Gin bar, mainly due to its hush-hush location behind Honest Chocolate, it has fast become one of the most sought-after gin experiences for gin enthusiasts from all around the world.
Of course, as the name would suggest, all their cocktails contain gin. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to try everything on the menu, we all have a weakness, and if you’re a die-hard gin lover, The Gin Bar might just be yours. Don’t let that stop you though, let loose and immerse yourself in the Cape Town gin love. We definitely do! And we’d like to share it with all of you on our kiff gin adventure – The Gin Jol! If you’re looking for the coolest local gin experience, the Gin Jol is right up your gin-loving alley!
9. Zeitz MOCAA Museum of Contemporary Art Africa – Best overall Cultural Destination of the Year at the 2018 Leading Culture Destinations Awards
View this post on Instagram
Dubbed ‘the Oscars for museums’, the awards celebrate the world’s best cultural destinations and our very own Zeitz MOCAA came out on top! But, that’s not all! The contemporary art museum also won the award for Best New Culture Destination in Africa and the Middle East and was named one of TIME Magazine’s Top 100 destinations of 2018. Well, one thing is for certain, Zeitz MOCAA certainly knows how to make a statement. Go big or go home right?! Not only is the Zeitz MOCAA Museum of Contemporary Art Africa considered a true artistic and architectural stroke of genius due to its sought-after location in the iconic Grain Silo building, it is also one of the grandest displays of contemporary African art in the world.
There are over 100 galleries situated within this museum which is dedicated to displaying art from more than 50 African artists. Thereby making it a once-in-a-lifetime artistic experience in every way. This is one Cape Town destination that deserves to be on every art lover’s bucket-list!
10. Cape Town beaches – Camps Bay, Boulders Beach & Clifton Beach rated among the best beaches in the world
View this post on Instagram
In Cape Town, life’s a beach and we’re loving every sun-kissed, salty-haired and beached-out moment of it. Not only is Cape Town celebrated for its incredible selection of beaches, some of its sandy stunners have also been crowned some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. But to be honest, we’re definitely not surprised one bit! So, where exactly do they rank on the global beach charts? The new ranking from Flight Network, a leading online travel agency, gave the captivating Camps Bay the title of 32nd most beautiful beach in the world on their World’s 100 Beach list. Besides Camps Bay’s number 32 spot, they also crowned Boulders Beach, home of the charismatic and cool African Penguin Colony, the 62nd most beautiful beach in the world on the top 100 list. And there’s no better way to witness the captivating Boulders Beach and coolest kids on the Cape Town block than on our Penguins, Peninsula & Pinotage Tour or epic The Road Trip Tour!
In addition to these two beach stunners, Clifton Beach was also ranked 2nd on NatGeo’s best beach list. Our Urban Safari & Cape Town Sights & Bites Tour includes one epic view of this beach beauty. It’s safe to say that we’re on a mission to prove that there is no beach life quite like the Cape Town beach life – and you’re invited to join in on all the beach fun!
11. Cape Town – Crowned the best city in the world as named by the Telegraph Travel Awards survey for 2018 + Ranked one of the most Instagrammable cities in the world
View this post on Instagram
Our 11th spot and honourable mention is dedicated to the bold, beautiful and bad-ass Mother City herself. Because let’s be honest, how can we not end our best of the best Cape Town list with our beloved city. Not only was Cape Town named the best city in the world by the Telegraph Travel Awards survey for 2018 for 6 years in a row, but it was also awarded top Insta-worthy status as one of the most Instagrammable cities in the world. How EPIC is that? Whether it’s her selection of striking landmarks, stunning beaches, adventurous spirit, thrill seeking lust for life, bold artistic expression, electric nightlife or rich history and authentic culture, the Mother City is EVERYTHING and so much more.