Exciting Things To Do in Cape Town

Cape Town is one of my favorite cities in the world. Often referred to as the "Mother City", Cape Town is a melting pot of African and European cultures, a mixture of tradition and modern, surrounded with beautiful nature.

Breathtaking beaches, mountains with diverse hiking opportunities and wonderful scenery, unique culture, amazing local food, and so many adventure activities.

The city with so many things to do and explore, I would like to share my top favorites of all favorites:

My Top 14 restaurants:

The Cousins Trattoria
Fyn Restaurant
Zest Restaurant
Chefs Warehouse Beau in Constantia
La Colombe Restaurant in Constantia
PIER in V&A Waterfront
Epice in Franschhoek
Kloof Street House
Yen’s Vietnamese Street Food in Green Point
Nobu
TANG, V&A Waterfront
Upper Union, Gardens
Grand Pavilion, Sea Point
NV-80, Sea Point

Delicious & traditional African cuisine:

1. Fatima's African Restaurant on Longstreet

2. Ethiopian Madam Taitou on Longstreet

3. Pahari African Restaurant in Woodstock

4. Mai Mhofu's Kitchen in Brooklyn

5. Unique open-air seafood restaurant Die Strandloper in Langebaan (1h from Cape Town)

6. GOLD Restaurant in Green Point – 14 course menu with live drumming

7. Pitso’s Kitchen – the taste of Mzansi

Little bit of Europe for Crepes lovers:

1. Swan Cafe in District 6

2. La Rozell in Observatory

3. Damascus in Sea Point

4. Dipndip in V&A Waterfront

5. French Tacos on Kloof street

Vegetarian/Vegan restaurants:

Cape Town’s growing vegetarian and vegan cuisine offers everything from plant-based sushi to Indian cuisine. Here are some top restaurants to satisfy your cravings:

1. Prashad café, Indian Cuisine in Rondebosch

2. Scheckter’s Raw in Sea Point

3. Plushi platters in Salt River

4. Shushi Box in Green Point

5. The Fussy Vegan in Gardens

6. Grumpy and Runt in Gardens

My absolute Top 11 Experiences:

Art Experience – from a street art tour to visiting Zeitz Galery or Norval Foundation
Cape Point road trip - Cape of Good Hope
Hiking or trail running the Cape’s routes with spectacular views (Table Mountain, Lions Head, Signal Hill)
Colorful houses at Bo Kaap area
Local food markets – Old Biscuit Market, Oranjezicht City Farm Market, Mojo Food Market in Sea Point
Cooking class at Stir Crazy Culinary Academy in V&A Waterfront, Marina
Salsa class at Mojo Food Market in Sea Point
Stand up Paddling on waterfront canals
Paragliding
Sandboarding
Surfing lessons - Muizenberg Beach

My Top 9 Family experiences with kids:

Two Oceans Aquarium in V&A Waterfront
A day at the Clay Café in Hout Bay
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden – the tree canopy walkway
Cable car to the top of Table Mountain
Boulders Beach - Penguins
Acrobranch Constantia Nec
Rollercade at Battery Park at V&A Waterfront
Toboggan Family Park in Tyger Valley
Picnic in Green Point Park

My Top 10 wine farms around Cape Town:

Quoin Rock Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
Babylonstoren in Franschhoek (with Botanic Garden)
Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch
Waterford Estate Stellenbosch
Dornier Stellenbosch
Rustenberg Wine Estate Stellenbosch (with Botanic Garden)
Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate in Hermanus (with Art Gallery)
Boschendal wine estate, Franschhoek
Cavalli Estate Somerset West
Chamonix Wine Farm, Franschhoek

TIP: The best way to explore more wine farms in Franschhoek is to take the Franschhoek Hop-on Hop-off Wine Tram. There are 10 different tram lines and 31 vineyards to choose from. Each wine farm is very unique and you can taste beautiful wines combined with great food.