We might still be in the grip of winter, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay locked inside. Cape Town’s Central City is a vibrant treasure trove of hidden gems. Whether you want to eat, drink, gamble or enjoy a cultural afternoon, Cape Town’s city center is the perfect place to do it.
Says Tasso Evangelinos, CEO of Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID): “With over 1,000 retail outlets, Cape Town’s CBD has so much to offer, from hip restaurants, theatres, museums, unique cocktail lounges, galleries, bookshops, cafes… there is no end to what you can see and do , when you come to Cape Town’s CBD, a world-class downtown area open for business and welcoming.
So where do Cape Town’s favorite stars hang out?
Marc Lottering, comedian
Image: Marc Lottering/Instagram
Food, great food. Few things make cold weather more bearable than a hearty meal, according to legendary prankster Marc Lottering. He says: “One of the best ways to get to know a city is through its people and Clarkes on Bree Street is a great place to kick back and people watch while enjoying a good meal. It also has a cool chilled vibe which I really appreciate at the moment.”
For Lottering, the beauty of the CBD is that there’s an atmosphere for every occasion, whether you’re looking for something chilled or trying to meet a room full of strangers. There is something for everybody.
Sophia Lindop, chef & cookbook author
Image: Sophia Lindop/Website
As a longtime resident of the Cape Sophia Lindop has an affinity with Central City and the nooks and crannies that make it special. Lindop says, “I love CBD and make my way there often for a variety of reasons. I think people who don’t go to the city miss out on so much. The dining options alone are reason enough to want to spend all your time there. For example Yu at the Onyx Hotel is a great place for dinner and sky house is a breakfast favorite.” When she’s literally looking for something sublime, she whisks her significant other away for a Friday lunch GiGi Rooftop Bar at Gorgeous George.
Lindop can also often be found in the Cape Gallery on the first Thursday (when the city center galleries are open late every first Thursday of the month), turn a quick browse at the National Library into a stroll through the Company’s Garden and a visit to St George’s Cathedral, or search for Book treasures in the famous Long Street Clarke’s Bookstore.
Tracey Lange, KFM radio presenter
Image: Tracey Long
As a CBD native, KFM presenter Tracey Lange has found that not only does the weather change during the winter, but so do people. She says: “Winter in Cape Town is one of my favorite seasons as it brings freshness to the city and the friendliness of the Cape Town people seems to be amplified. You often witness acts of kindness when you observe the world from a quiet place.”
Some of her favorite places to do this are The ladder at Bree Street and Truth coffee roasting on Buitenkant Street. “I often wander around the CBD and discover charming spots, only to forget their names when it comes time to recommend them. To fix that, I’m going to be collaborating with KMH Architects, the oldest architecture firm in SA, on a fun project where I’ll be taking some of my followers on walking tours of my favorite parts of the CBD.” More information on these tours will be released shortly.
Deon Bing, radio host and surfer
Image: Dino Bing/Instagram
For some, the city is beautiful when the sun is shining, but for others, like Deon Bing, the city really comes alive at night — and few things start an evening as well as tequila. Bing says, “I judge a good bar by the quality of their margaritas. The secret to perfecting them is to only use fresh limes and high-quality tequila. In this regard Hacienda on the Mexican coast on Bree Street did it! They are the real deal and make great authentic Mexican cuisine.”
For Bing, the best way to really get to know a city is to explore after work. “There are so many great bars and cocktail lounges it’s hard to choose, but First Thursdays is always a good time to check out some trendy spots. I usually start with a drink at Tiger’s Milk on Long Street.”
Also read:
Things to do in Cape Town this weekend
Picture: Unsplash
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