The best braai spots in Cape Town

Spend a lazy afternoon doing what we South African's do best

The sun is shining, the sky is blue, there’s not a cloud in sight and the glorious outdoors is beckoning. When the weather is this good in Cape Town there's only one thing to do - pack the cooler box, grab some wood and head for your favourite Cape Town braai spot.

Braais - like rugby, biltong, and sunny skies – are among the defining elements of the South African way of life. The braai holds a special place in the hearts of South Africans, and those who have visited our shores and been introduced to the braai have no doubt also grown to love this traditional pastime. Everyone has their favourite braai spot, a place they can go to spend a quiet afternoon with friends and family to just relax and unwind.

Need some inspiration? Here’s the man who braais for a living and his advice to help you make the most of this South African tradition.

We’ve gathered our favourite braai spots around the Cape Peninsula:

Tokai Forest

Spend the afternoon braaiing up a storm amongst larger-than-life pine trees in this serene forest setting. Tokai Forest is a Sunday favourite amongst Capetonians looking for a way to unwind before a hectic week. The forest is a great family braai spot as there’s plenty of room for the kids to run around and work up an appetite, leaving you with an opportunity to sit back and relax with a cold one.

Entrance to the braai area is R10 per adult, R5 per child and R10 per car. Tokai Forest braai area can be found on the right-hand side of Tokai Road, just before the Tokai Manor House. The braai area is open Monday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm (if you’re already in the picnic area before 4pm you can stay until 5pm). For more information, contact the Tokai Forest Picnic area on +27 (0)21 712 7471. For more fun things to do in there read our article on paintball in Tokai Forest.

Silvermine

With a backdrop of the beautiful Table Mountain Reserve,  Silvermine braai and picnic area is arguably the most beautiful braai setting in Cape Town. This is a fantastic braai spot for an ultra-sunny day but braaiing isn’t allowed during the hot summer months as it is a fire risk – take advantage of Cape Town’s warm winter days for this spot. The official braai areas are situated alongside the Silvermine reservoir and each spot boasts a large and relatively private picnic space for its users. There are also plenty of trails and bird watching spots.

Entrance to the braai area is R20 for adults and R10 for children. Wild Card and My Green Card holders get in free. The entrance to the Silvermine braai and picnic spots can be found on the Constantiaberg side of Ou Kaapseweg. The area is open Monday to Sunday from 8am – 5pm from April to August and 7am – 6pm from September to March.

Galbi Korean Barbeque Restaurant

Thanks to Galbi restaurant, Cape Town’s only Korean barbeque joint, South Africans can still huddle around the fire even amidst the wetter, colder winter months.  This Asian fusion restaurant features personal grills in the belly of each of their imported Korean tables, giving diners the opportunity to braai their own food over live coals. An assortment of meat (and vegetable platters) is served raw and ready to grill, and a host of local and Korean side dishes accompany options like beef fillet, ostrich, warthog and Daegi Galbi (thin strips of pork belly prepared in a Korean marinade). Minimalist decor, a slightly hidden location and authentic Korean libations offset the primitive cooking concept, and make for the same celebratory atmosphere reminiscent of outdoor braais and warmer climes.
210 Long Street | Alley Entrance on Bloem St | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 424 3030

Newlands Forest

Forests make for great braai spots – there’s something about the combination of the smell of pine trees and the sweet smell of chops on an open fire that gets the mouth watering. There are also formal picnic areas inside the braai area.

Entrance to the braai area is R30 for up to six people and R10 a head thereafter. There is a 50 percent discount for Wild Card Holders. A secure parking bay within the fenced in braai area will cost you R10. The entrance to Newlands Forest can be found along the M3 freeway near the University of Cape Town, watch out for a small sign on your right indicating directions to the forest. The braai area is open Monday to Sunday from 8am to 5pm. For more information, contact Newlands Forest on +27 (0)21 422 1601/2.

Wynberg Park

Wynberg Park is where the spring of the Krakeelwater River begins. With over 22 hectares of ground, the park is a popular spot throughout the year and in summer boasts an attractive display of hydrangeas. The grounds boast several braai and picnic spots, as well as fully-equipped kids play area. This is a popular family spot during summer as the kids have plenty of room to play and will spend hours swinging up and appetite.

Entrance to the park is free. Wynberg Park can be found on the corner of Klaasens and Trovato Link Roads, Wynberg. The braai area is open Monday to Sunday from 8am – 6pm.

Buffels Bay and Bordjiesdrif, Cape Point.

These braai spots can be found within the Cape Point National Park reserve and provide a great mixture of sun, sea, and relaxation. The unmatched beauty of Cape Point will have you coming back to this braai spot again and again. Beaches and tidal pools, as well as grassy picnic and braai spots can be found at Bordjiesdrif and Buffels Bay within the reserve.

Entrance to the reserve is R55 for adults, discounts for children, students, and pensioners apply at the parks discretion. Entrance for Wild card and My Green Card holders is free. Cape Point can be found near the sea-side town of Kommetjie – visit capepoint.co.za for directions to the Cape Point National Reserve.

The braai area is open Monday to Sunday from 6am to 6pm during summer and 7am to 5pm in winter. For more information, contact Cape Point on +27 (0)21 780 9207.

Maiden’s Cove

This gorgeous spot lies between Clifton and Glen Beach and has great views of the sea and mountains. There’s a tidal pool for swimming and big boulders for sunbathing. There is also a grassy area for to sit on and various braai places available to the public for free.

Little Bay

Just 20 minutes from Cape Town, Little Bay in Blouberg is a great spot for families. This area is ideal for kite flying, kite surfing and windsurfing and the view of Table Mountain is postcard perfect. The braai area is on a lawn for those of you who prefer not to have sand in your food. Go on a wind-free day as this area can get rather blustery.

Oudekraal

This sheltered beach is tucked away between Camp’s Bay and Llundudno. There are braai areas halfway down the hill with seating and a view of the sea. It’s a great beach to swim as the cove is sheltered from big waves and there is a grassy area where children can play as well as boulders for them to climb, it’s also a nice place for snorkeling as the water is calm. Entrance for Wild Card and My Green Card holders is free. It’s open from 7am to 6pm and entrance costs R15 per adult and R5 per child.

Helderberg Farm

Situated on the hills of the Helderberg Mountains, this family orientated farm is a hive of activity perfect for keeping both young and old busy and entertained. Build up an appetite with a hike, test your off-road skills with one of the 4x4 routes, feed the animals in the Farmyard Nursery or run around in the play park. Whatever your preference, you’ll be sure to find respite in the beautiful surroundings of the farm.

What’s more, the Granny Forest is excellent for braaiing in both summer and winter, its towering poplar trees provide ideal shelter for fire-making and boerewors cooking. It's open from 8am to 6pm seven days a week; entrance is R24.50 for adults, R16 for children between 7 and 18 years, and R10 for pensioners. For more information contact the Helderberg Farm at +27 (0)21 855 4308.

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Try some of our South African Potato Bake Recipe, Afrikaans South African Roostebrood Recipe or African South African Boerewors, Pap en Sous Recipe.  If you’re in the mood for a fish braai then try Jan Braai’s snoek recipe.

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