Cape Town, often described as more Euro than Afro, can claim to be Africa's most beautiful city, with the breathtaking Table Mountain as its backdrop. The city's heritage as a cultural melting pot persists - witness the Brazilian models, Congolese musicians and Italian commercial directors making the most of almost 12 hours of sunshine a day in summer.
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01
Essentials
| 01 |
Feel at home - Cape Town has large expat communities of Germans, French, Swiss, British and, more recently, Irish. |
| 02 |
Locals will be recovering from last night’s party, so don’t schedule your first meeting before 09.30. |
| 03 |
Nelson Mandela has reached demigod status in South Africa; tap into his aura by wearing one of his signature "Madiba" (silk batik) shirts. |
| 04 |
Check out the affordable art at Whatiftheworld, 208 Albert Road. |
| 05 |
Rent a classic convertible to explore the coastline and rocky mountain passes. |
| 06 |
For fine white sands and beautiful tanning partners, head for Clifton Beach and then on for sundowners in Camps Bay. |
| 07 |
See the reality of township life on a safe and informative tour. |
| 08 |
Take in the heritage of African Jazz - see local press for listings. |
| 09 |
Hike to Devil's Peak, Table Mountain or Lion's Head - all within 5km of the city centre. |
| 10 |
Visit affordable boutique wineries and taste some of the irreverent local garage wines. |
02
Hotels
Independent and easy
Metropole Hotel
38 Long Street
+ 27 21 424 7247
metropolehotel.co.za
Dependable chain
Arabella Sheraton Grand Hotel
Convention Square, Lower Long Street
+ 27 21 412 9999
starwoodhotels.com/
sheraton/capetown
Premium
Ellerman House
180 Kloof Road, Bantry Bay
+ 27 21 430 3200
ellermanhouse.co.za
03
Dining
Fast breakfast
Osumo Juice Bar
Icon Building (corner of Lower Long and Van Strydom Streets), Foreshore
+ 27 21 552 3299
osumo.co.za
Leisurely breakfast
One Waterfront Cape Grace
West Quay Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
+ 27 21 410 7100
capegrace.com
Mid-morning coffee
Vida e Caffe
34 Kloof Street, Gardens
+ 27 21 426 0627
vidaecaffe.com
Working lunch with colleagues
Mano's
39 Main Road, Greenpoint
+ 27 21 434 1090
mano.co.za
Need-to-impress-clients lunch
The Showroom
10 Hospital Street, Harbour Edge, Greenpoint
+ 27 21 421 4682
theshowroomrestaurant.co.za
Lunch on your own
Birds Boutique Café
127 Bree Street, City Bowl
+ 27 21 426 2534
Afternoon tea/drink
Mount Nelson Hotel
No. 76 Orange Street
+ 27 21 483 1000
mountnelson.co.za
Dinner with colleagues
Ginja
121 Castle Street, City Bowl
+ 27 21 426 2368
Private dinner
Jardine
185 Bree Street, City Bowl
+ 27 21 424 5640
jardineonbree.co.za
Dinner on your own
Minatos
4 Buiten Street
+ 27 21 423 4712
Big dinner with partner/clients
Salt
The Ambassador Hotel, 34 Victoria Road, Bantry Bay
+ 27 21 439 7258
saltrestaurant.co.za
Late drinks
The Waiting Room
Above Royale Eatery, 273 Long Street
+ 27 21 422 4536
waitingroombar.blogspot.com
On the tiles
The Roosevelt
160 Bree Street
+ 27 21 426 0738
theroosevelt.co.za
04
Reading
Bookshop
Biblioteq
41 Kloof Street, Gardens
+ 27 21 422 0774
05
Thank yous
Flowers
Lush Florists
13a Kloof Nek Road, Gardens
+ 27 21 423 5503
lushflowers.co.za
06
Shopping
Something you can't get anywhere else
Ostrich-skin shoes from Waterfront Leathers
Shop 149, Victoria Wharf, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
+ 27 21 418 1115
ostrich.co.za
Lost luggage - where to buy shirts, socks and underwear
Fabiani
Shop 272, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
+ 27 21 425 1810
www.fabiani.co.za
Something for the kids
Tribal masks from African Image
52 Burg Street
+ 27 21 423 8385
www.african-image.co.za
Something for someone you love
Cutting-edge fashion by Malcolm Klûk and Christiaan Gabriel Du Toit
Portside, Greenpoint
+ 27 83 377 7780
kluk.co.za
Something for yourself
Top-of-the-range trainers from astoreisgood
Shop 2, 34 Kloof Street, Gardens
+ 27 422 2888
astoreisgood.com
07
Two hour tour
08
Limousine/car
Rolls-Royce SA
+ 27 82 871 7552
09
Transport
Rikkis Taxis
London-style black cabs to get you around the city in double-quick time.
+ 27 861 745 547
rikkis.co.za
10
Fitness
Good gym
White Collar Boxing
Harrington Street Boxing Gym no. 104
104 Harrington Street
+ 27 82 460 6673
Good running route
Mouille Point to Camps Bay
Alternative diversion
Cape Xtreme Shark Cage Diving
+ 27 21 788 5814
cape-xtreme.com