There are few places in the world that people tell me I HAVE to visit, and even fewer places where people don’t just tell me to go, but rave about it in every way. That place is Cape Town… and let me tell you, the hype is real.

I’m not sure there is any other place in the world where beautiful beaches meet huge mountains while the food and wine scene is on point. I am forever grateful that my friends told me to cut my days in Victoria Falls in half so that I could spend a proper amount of time exploring CPT.

Sorry this post is so long, but there is so much to cover!

Days OOO: 5. If you’re strapped for time off, 9-10 days is still a perfect amount of time here. There are direct flights to Johannesburg from DC and NYC on South African Airways, or you could take the long way through Europe/the Middle East. I’d spend the majority in CPT and try to take a 3-4 day safari through Kruger National Park.

Budget Style: Cape Town gets you a ton of bang for your buck! Meals cost me half of what I would pay in Europe. Wine tastings are about $10, or free if you buy the wine. My ubers were about $3. $3?!?!

How I Got There: British Airways runs great deals to Jo-Burg! I found our tickets for less than $700 round trip.

Where I Stayed: The B.I.G. Hostel in Green Point. Our local friend recommended Green Point and I am so happy we were in a central area of the city. The downtown area has great food but it was great being between downtown and Sea Point. I LOVED that the hostel had 2 kitchens, sold sim cards, had local craft coffee and kombucha, and we were able to hire a private driver for the day very easily. It was the perfect hostel for anyone who’s starting to feel like they may be getting too old for hostels.

Food: The people who rave about Cape Town will probably give you a list of 10 restaurants you must try as if your life depends on it. We had so many recs and so little time… and a few of the top spots were already booked up.

1. The Test Kitchen. A staple on everyone’s list, books up really quickly. We sadly didn’t get to go… also keep in mind it’s located at the Old Biscuit Mill which is kinda far from the heart of the city. This restaurant is the crown jewel of 4 restaurants run by the same people. Which brings me to the next restaurant…
2. The Shortmarket Club. Tucked away on a side street downtown, the dining room has a modern warehouse feel. Butterflies adorn the large wall, while skylights and sliding glass doors give you the feeling of being in a chic attic. I tried the national animal, Springbok, for the first time and didn’t freak out about trying a new animal completely rare. I loved this place so much I tried to go back… reservations are possible the day of or a few days before.
3. La Mouette. Gorgeous outdoor seating with greenery, a fountain, and old house as the backdrop. You can either eat a la carte or get the tasting menu. The tasting menu is very affordable and the food is amazing! You can choose between 3 or 6 courses, and they were nice enough to substitute the dessert I wanted.
4. Mink and Trout. On the main Bree street, we sat outside and regretted not bringing more sweaters as it was quite chilly. Yummy surf and turf choices! Sit inside so
5. Four & Twenty Cafe. Out in some place I wasn’t aware of, this cafe had a cafe that sold baked goods, local, floral tonic water, Spider Pig Brose wine, and other Knick knacks. The setting was idyllic and girly… felt bad for my brother who tagged along. But you could custom build the eggs Benedict and we were all about that life. Great place to brunch and find great gifts to bring home.
6. Foliage. This is one of the restaurants one of my coworkers plugged into my phone with the headline “FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WORLD” and I was sold. It’s located out in Franschhoek, in what literally translates to French Corner. The town reminds me of a quaint French village, and the food was kind of amusing because it was either hearty meat off the bone or vegan. I had a mix of both, and it was so original. Perfect place for vegans and meat lovers who otherwise annoy each other constantly.
7. Cafe Caprice. Located on Camps Bay, this is a great place to grab some bubbly and watch the sunset. Really chill vibe, tons of beachgoers, and unfortunately the main road keeps it from being peaceful. Great spot to hang though!

Vineyards: I loved the vineyards SO MUCH that I brought home 29 bottles of wine. Stay tuned for a post that is 100% dedicated to South African vineyards and wine tasting!

Shopping:

1. Diamonds. My bestie got herself diamond stud earrings at an amazing price at Shimansky, which also has a very informative diamond museum. Her South African diamonds are a patented cut called “my girl” and I kind of regret not buying myself a pair…
2. Clothes and Home Goods at the Old Biscuit Mill. Several locals and friends who visited told us we had to come here. We decided to go the day we had to fly home, which was both sad and necessary. There is no way of predicting how much extra money I would’ve spent…
   There are boutiques everywhere with local clothes and artesanal crafts! A ton of food stalls, and even digital art that was unique and affordable. I loved the home goods at Abode, the art place, Rubyyaya for bohemian silk dresses, and Michelle Harper for the perfect office to happy hour attire.

Animals:

• If you head to CPT and want to see great white sharks, don’t go when killer whales have been roaming around the bay. We lost 6 hours of our lives watching people aimlessly throw chum into the water.
• Head over to Boulders Beach to see penguins! There are hundreds of them roaming around and they’re adorable. If you want to have an experience beyond tourists and walking around on a raised platform, head up the road to a more local beach.

Going to Cape Town soon and need more advice? Any other suggestions for when I go back? Sound off below!